Saturday, November 29, 2008
GPCi for Dec 6th 2008 release at the LCBO
Dear friends,
I have decided to change my blog a bit. It is actually going to be similar to the way it all started... I figured out that since most of the detailed information is available at Vintages.com, and my "value add" is in the recommendations, I'd better focus on that only.
Therefore, moving forward, the blog will present "bottom line" advice - A list of all the wines that got my attention from the coming release and that I recommend you try. I will divide the list into three categories:
1 - Must Try - the wines under $25 that seem like a good bargain (good QPR and/or GPCi).
2 - Mid-Range-Price wines - the interesting wines between $25 and $40 that if you have the money, they are worth the investment.
3 - Where Money Is Not an Object - the more expensive stuff for collectors and people who are looking for high-end wines(yes, there are some lucky people out there...).
I hope you find the new format helpful and useful.
PS - due to some online and offline feedback I have added my personal comments to wines listed below.
Must try for up to $25 (in order of preference):
Spain - 2001 TAJA GRAN RESERVA - $22.95
GPCi - Taja was introduced to the LCBO in the past year or so. They offered the 1998 Gran Reserva and some other Reserva from later vintages. All are great QPR. Expect a typical Spanish wine with hints of leather and mixed red fruit. A great buy.
Chile - 2005 VIÑA TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA BLACK LABEL CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $19.95
GPCi - I was introduced to Tarapaca by my good friends in Chile. I had earlier vintages of the Reserva and Gran Reserva and it has never failed. This is a very good Cab Sauv example from Chile for a fair price. Buy one bottle, see if it meets your palate expectations and if it does, do not hesitate to buy 3-6 bottles. It's a great wine for day-to-day or a nice weekend's BBQ.
Spain - 2003 JULIÁN CHIVITE GRAN FEUDO VIÑAS VIEJAS RESERVA - $19.95
GPCi - That's their top wine offering. Although 2003 is not considered by many as a very good vintage, I think that for $20 you get a good bargain. I found that the Chivite wines need a bit of aeration before drinking them. Try to decant them for 30-60 min before enjoying it.
Italy - 2006 ARGIOLAS COSTERA - $20.95
GPCi - the Wine Advocate gave it 90. There aren't too many wines at that level from Sardegna with such strong and supportive review. If you haven't had the chance to try the Cannonau grape, this is a good opportunity.
Argentina - 2005 GRAFFIGNA GRAND RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $17.95
GPCi - A good round Cab Sauv for day-to-day and for $18, what's not to like. I'd buy 3-6 and enjoy it over the next 2-4 years.
Mid-range-price wines worth checking (in order of preference):
US (CA) - 2006 RIDGE THREE VALLEYS - $29.95 (Wine & Spirits = 93)
GPCi - what got my attention is the blend of 80% Zinfandel, 10% Petite Sirah, 5% Carignan, 5% Grenache. Not cheep for a Zin blend, but seems very tempting to skip. John M, we may need to open one together and decide whether it's worth the $ or not.
US (CA) - 2004 RODNEY STRONG CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $33.95 (Wine Enthusiast = 92)
GPCi - I had a few wines from RODNEY STRONG and was always pleased. Their Zin is so different and intreguing. Again, not cheap for a Cab Sauv compared to other offerings in this release (e.g. Argentina, Chile), but compared to other Cab from California it seems tempting.
France (Rhone) - 2006 CLOS DE L'ORATOIRE DES PAPES CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE - $39.95 (WS = 91 ; now -, 2018)
GPCi - I have starting collecting this CdP from 2001. Clos De L'oratoire has everything I like in CdP - Complexity, intensity yet elegant. Relatively to its region's friends, it offeres a reasonably good price (most good CdP are at the $50 to $90 price range). If you haven't tried CdP before and would like to see what's the "big deal", this one is a great "starting point" at a relatively "OK" price.
Where Money Is Not An Object (in order of preference):
France - 2006 CHÂTEAU DE BEAUCASTEL CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE- $90.95 (RP = 92-94+ (2012-2037).
GPCi - one of the CdP's "first-growth" . Expensive yet with a good GPCi (~3) due to its cellaring potential. If you are in the process of collecting wine and you're looking for some great wine to decorate your cellar, that's one of the wines you should buy. Wines at that level from Bordeaux will cost 3 to 5 times more. I'd buy 2+ bottles if the budget and the near future economy allows...
Chile - 2005 CONCHA Y TORO DON MELCHOR CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $61.95 (WS = 96 (2009 - 2019).
GPCi - first time I was introduced to this wonderful wine was in Chile. Since then I'm hooked. This is the closest to classified Bordeaux you can get outside of France. Very sophisticated. Other previous vintages are usually for longer cellaring period then this one. So the main reason I would buy it is to keep the vertical running. From a GPCi perspective, it's expensive.
Australia - 2006 D'ARENBERG THE DEAD ARM SHIRAZ - $55.95 (IWC = 93 ; James Halliday = 95 (until 2030).
GPCi - well, who ever knows D'Arenberg and got exposed to their high-end wines, is familiar with The Dead Arm. It's one of the top "in-your-face" Shiraz Australia has to offer. If you collect Shiraz and want to add a serious wine to your cellar collection, that's the one to consider. A very good GPCi (~2.5).
France - 2005 CHÂTEAU D'AIGUILHE - $47.95 (RP = 92).
GPCi - Côtes de Castillon has become a significant player in the French wine market. This wine is for the Merlot-Cab Franc blend lovers. Not so much for long time cellaring (up to 2018) which doesn't give it a great GPCi.
Australia - 2004 ELDERTON COMMAND SINGLE VINEYARD SHIRAZ - $96.95 (Jay Miller = 98 (through 2035).
GPCi - Not every day we have access to wines that receive 98 by JM. Elderton is another top Shiraz wine from Australia and 2004 produced excellent wines in Barossa. The GPCi is very good (~3.5). So if you have extra money to spend and you're already in the holiday's mood, buy 1 bottle for the cellar.
US (California) - 2006 BERINGER PRIVATE RESERVE CHARDONNAY - $49.95 (RP=92)
GPCi - Beringer produces one of the better Chardonnay in California. I personally find it hard to spend $50 for Chardonnay, when you can get almost the same quality from Chile for less than $30. However, if you comapre it to some top Chardonnay from Burgundy (although it's a different style), the price is relatively similar.
Italy (Piedmont) - 2004 RENATO RATTI BAROLO MARCENASCO - $57.95 (WS = 91 ; best after 2012).
GPCi - One of the top Barolos from a classic vintage (Parker gave this vintage 96!). If you're looking to expand your Barolos collection, that's a good one. I believe it can be cellared until 2020+.
Australia - 2004 YALUMBA THE MENZIES CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $49.95 (IWC = 92+ ; RP=90, until 2016)
GPCi - I have a soft spot for Yalumba. I have tried their different levels and enjoyed them all. This Cab Sauv is no different. However, I find it expensive for it review and cellaing potential .
I have decided to change my blog a bit. It is actually going to be similar to the way it all started... I figured out that since most of the detailed information is available at Vintages.com, and my "value add" is in the recommendations, I'd better focus on that only.
Therefore, moving forward, the blog will present "bottom line" advice - A list of all the wines that got my attention from the coming release and that I recommend you try. I will divide the list into three categories:
1 - Must Try - the wines under $25 that seem like a good bargain (good QPR and/or GPCi).
2 - Mid-Range-Price wines - the interesting wines between $25 and $40 that if you have the money, they are worth the investment.
3 - Where Money Is Not an Object - the more expensive stuff for collectors and people who are looking for high-end wines(yes, there are some lucky people out there...).
I hope you find the new format helpful and useful.
PS - due to some online and offline feedback I have added my personal comments to wines listed below.
Must try for up to $25 (in order of preference):
Spain - 2001 TAJA GRAN RESERVA - $22.95
GPCi - Taja was introduced to the LCBO in the past year or so. They offered the 1998 Gran Reserva and some other Reserva from later vintages. All are great QPR. Expect a typical Spanish wine with hints of leather and mixed red fruit. A great buy.
Chile - 2005 VIÑA TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA BLACK LABEL CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $19.95
GPCi - I was introduced to Tarapaca by my good friends in Chile. I had earlier vintages of the Reserva and Gran Reserva and it has never failed. This is a very good Cab Sauv example from Chile for a fair price. Buy one bottle, see if it meets your palate expectations and if it does, do not hesitate to buy 3-6 bottles. It's a great wine for day-to-day or a nice weekend's BBQ.
Spain - 2003 JULIÁN CHIVITE GRAN FEUDO VIÑAS VIEJAS RESERVA - $19.95
GPCi - That's their top wine offering. Although 2003 is not considered by many as a very good vintage, I think that for $20 you get a good bargain. I found that the Chivite wines need a bit of aeration before drinking them. Try to decant them for 30-60 min before enjoying it.
Italy - 2006 ARGIOLAS COSTERA - $20.95
GPCi - the Wine Advocate gave it 90. There aren't too many wines at that level from Sardegna with such strong and supportive review. If you haven't had the chance to try the Cannonau grape, this is a good opportunity.
Argentina - 2005 GRAFFIGNA GRAND RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $17.95
GPCi - A good round Cab Sauv for day-to-day and for $18, what's not to like. I'd buy 3-6 and enjoy it over the next 2-4 years.
Mid-range-price wines worth checking (in order of preference):
US (CA) - 2006 RIDGE THREE VALLEYS - $29.95 (Wine & Spirits = 93)
GPCi - what got my attention is the blend of 80% Zinfandel, 10% Petite Sirah, 5% Carignan, 5% Grenache. Not cheep for a Zin blend, but seems very tempting to skip. John M, we may need to open one together and decide whether it's worth the $ or not.
US (CA) - 2004 RODNEY STRONG CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $33.95 (Wine Enthusiast = 92)
GPCi - I had a few wines from RODNEY STRONG and was always pleased. Their Zin is so different and intreguing. Again, not cheap for a Cab Sauv compared to other offerings in this release (e.g. Argentina, Chile), but compared to other Cab from California it seems tempting.
France (Rhone) - 2006 CLOS DE L'ORATOIRE DES PAPES CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE - $39.95 (WS = 91 ; now -, 2018)
GPCi - I have starting collecting this CdP from 2001. Clos De L'oratoire has everything I like in CdP - Complexity, intensity yet elegant. Relatively to its region's friends, it offeres a reasonably good price (most good CdP are at the $50 to $90 price range). If you haven't tried CdP before and would like to see what's the "big deal", this one is a great "starting point" at a relatively "OK" price.
Where Money Is Not An Object (in order of preference):
France - 2006 CHÂTEAU DE BEAUCASTEL CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE- $90.95 (RP = 92-94+ (2012-2037).
GPCi - one of the CdP's "first-growth" . Expensive yet with a good GPCi (~3) due to its cellaring potential. If you are in the process of collecting wine and you're looking for some great wine to decorate your cellar, that's one of the wines you should buy. Wines at that level from Bordeaux will cost 3 to 5 times more. I'd buy 2+ bottles if the budget and the near future economy allows...
Chile - 2005 CONCHA Y TORO DON MELCHOR CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $61.95 (WS = 96 (2009 - 2019).
GPCi - first time I was introduced to this wonderful wine was in Chile. Since then I'm hooked. This is the closest to classified Bordeaux you can get outside of France. Very sophisticated. Other previous vintages are usually for longer cellaring period then this one. So the main reason I would buy it is to keep the vertical running. From a GPCi perspective, it's expensive.
Australia - 2006 D'ARENBERG THE DEAD ARM SHIRAZ - $55.95 (IWC = 93 ; James Halliday = 95 (until 2030).
GPCi - well, who ever knows D'Arenberg and got exposed to their high-end wines, is familiar with The Dead Arm. It's one of the top "in-your-face" Shiraz Australia has to offer. If you collect Shiraz and want to add a serious wine to your cellar collection, that's the one to consider. A very good GPCi (~2.5).
France - 2005 CHÂTEAU D'AIGUILHE - $47.95 (RP = 92).
GPCi - Côtes de Castillon has become a significant player in the French wine market. This wine is for the Merlot-Cab Franc blend lovers. Not so much for long time cellaring (up to 2018) which doesn't give it a great GPCi.
Australia - 2004 ELDERTON COMMAND SINGLE VINEYARD SHIRAZ - $96.95 (Jay Miller = 98 (through 2035).
GPCi - Not every day we have access to wines that receive 98 by JM. Elderton is another top Shiraz wine from Australia and 2004 produced excellent wines in Barossa. The GPCi is very good (~3.5). So if you have extra money to spend and you're already in the holiday's mood, buy 1 bottle for the cellar.
US (California) - 2006 BERINGER PRIVATE RESERVE CHARDONNAY - $49.95 (RP=92)
GPCi - Beringer produces one of the better Chardonnay in California. I personally find it hard to spend $50 for Chardonnay, when you can get almost the same quality from Chile for less than $30. However, if you comapre it to some top Chardonnay from Burgundy (although it's a different style), the price is relatively similar.
Italy (Piedmont) - 2004 RENATO RATTI BAROLO MARCENASCO - $57.95 (WS = 91 ; best after 2012).
GPCi - One of the top Barolos from a classic vintage (Parker gave this vintage 96!). If you're looking to expand your Barolos collection, that's a good one. I believe it can be cellared until 2020+.
Australia - 2004 YALUMBA THE MENZIES CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $49.95 (IWC = 92+ ; RP=90, until 2016)
GPCi - I have a soft spot for Yalumba. I have tried their different levels and enjoyed them all. This Cab Sauv is no different. However, I find it expensive for it review and cellaing potential .
