Saturday, April 04, 2009
GPCi for April 11th 2009 release at the LCBO
With the hope that the Spring warmer days are soon here, I'm looking for some interesting whites. But don't worry, I won't skip the interesting well-priced reds.
US California
2007 LEAPING LIZARD CHARDONNAY - $17.95
GPCi - Napa Valley Chardonnay at a competitive price, definitely got my attention. It's either bad or a steal... :)
Argentina
2007 LA CHAMIZA POLO PROFESSIONAL RESERVE CHARDONNAY - $12.95
GPCi - As you probably know by now, there aren't any regulations in Chile/Argentina (and many other countries beside Spain) regarding the use of the word Reserve on the bottle. However, they do use it for their 'better' serries. I don't know this producer but the risk is pretty low at $13 price tag.
2006 TRAPICHE BROQUEL CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $14.95
GPCi - 2006 is an outstanding vintage (RP gave it 94!). I tried previous vintages from TRAPICHE. Expect a simple yet fine Cab Sauv for a more than reasonable price.
2007 KAIKEN MALBEC - $14.95
GPCi - Again, 2007 is also an outstanding vintage according to Parker. I had previous Kaiken Malbec and it's a good value Malbec.
Chile
2006 TABALÍ RESERVA MERLOT - $14.95
GPCi - If you like full flavoured Merlot, TABALÍ is a safe bet. A very consistent producer.
Australia
2007 HEWITSON NED & HENRY'S SHIRAZ - $22.95
GPCi - I had their 2000 version two weeks ago. A great Barossa Shiraz. The 2000 was interesting Shiraz - more "gentle" than most Shirazes yet very pleasing.
2005 SANDALFORD ESTATE RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $26.95
JH = 94 (until 2015)
2005 SANDALFORD ESTATE RESERVE SHIRAZ - $27.95
www.winefront.com.au = 94 (until 2015)
GPCi - SANDALFORD are excellent wine producers and their wines are very consistent when it comes to style and high quality. I had them since 2001 and I expect both Reserve wines to be excellent.
2007 STELLA BELLA SEMILLON/SAUVIGNON BLANC - $18.95
JH=94
GPCi - When it comes to Margaret River, both SEMILLON and SAUVIGNON BLANC are 'THE' grapes of the region. Worth a try with fried scallops.
France (Alsace)
2006 HUGEL GENTIL - $15.95
GPCi - According to Vintages.com probably a blend of Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Sylvaner and Pinot Blanc. Hugel is another very consistent producer in France-Alsace. Good price and can be served as a first wine in a nice 'two-digists' weather sunny afternoon. Serve chilled.
2005 SENSATION DE CHÂTEAU GRAND BOURDIEU BLANC - $18.95
GPCi - 60/40 blend of Sémillon/Sauvignon Blanc. I would buy it and compare it with the same blend from Australia. Graves in France (in the Bordeaux region) is also famous for these two varieties. A very attractive price. Worth checking!
France (Fronsac)
2005 CHÂTEAU HAUCHAT - $15 - MUST TRY!!!
GPCi - Until 2017. if you like Merlot and you like QPR wines, that's a MUST try. Although I'm not a big fan of Merlot, I love the wines from Fronsac (Bordeaux's right bank, north to St. Emilion).
France (Midi-Côtes du Roussillon-Villages)
2006 CHÂTEAU SAINT-ROCH CHIMÈRES - $19.95 - MUST TRY!
RP = 92
GPCi - A good French wine for $20 with a great review by the Wine Advocate - a no brainer. I will try this one for sure.
France (Rhone-South)
2006 LE GRAVILLAS GIGONDAS - $27.95
GPCi - Nowadays, you think twice before you buy a $28 bottle of wine. But if you think that it can be a non-expensive version of CdP, you'll buy 2-3 bottles of this full flavoured GIGONDAS.
2008 DOMAINE MABY LA FORCADIÈRE TAVEL - $18.95
GPCi - Tavel's Rose are usually "under-cover" red wines... :)
This wine is perfect when served chilled with shrimps. If you haven't tried Tavel's wines before, that's a great opportunity.
Italy (Tuscany)
2003 CASTELLANI VIGNETTI DI CAMPOMAGGIO ROSSO - $22.95 - MUST TRY
WS=91
GPCi - Great review by Winespectator. A Sangiovese, Cabernet and Syrah blend (a typical IGT). Seems like a great offer from Tuscany.
Italy (Sicily)
2007 PELLEGRINO PANTELLERIA PASSITO LIQUOROSO (500 mL) - $19.95
GPCi - A very supportive and positive review by Decanter. This can be a different and interesting way to end-up an evening with a dessert wine from the warm southern Italian island. Not cheap, but affordable for a special event.
US California
2007 LEAPING LIZARD CHARDONNAY - $17.95
GPCi - Napa Valley Chardonnay at a competitive price, definitely got my attention. It's either bad or a steal... :)
Argentina
2007 LA CHAMIZA POLO PROFESSIONAL RESERVE CHARDONNAY - $12.95
GPCi - As you probably know by now, there aren't any regulations in Chile/Argentina (and many other countries beside Spain) regarding the use of the word Reserve on the bottle. However, they do use it for their 'better' serries. I don't know this producer but the risk is pretty low at $13 price tag.
2006 TRAPICHE BROQUEL CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $14.95
GPCi - 2006 is an outstanding vintage (RP gave it 94!). I tried previous vintages from TRAPICHE. Expect a simple yet fine Cab Sauv for a more than reasonable price.
2007 KAIKEN MALBEC - $14.95
GPCi - Again, 2007 is also an outstanding vintage according to Parker. I had previous Kaiken Malbec and it's a good value Malbec.
Chile
2006 TABALÍ RESERVA MERLOT - $14.95
GPCi - If you like full flavoured Merlot, TABALÍ is a safe bet. A very consistent producer.
Australia
2007 HEWITSON NED & HENRY'S SHIRAZ - $22.95
GPCi - I had their 2000 version two weeks ago. A great Barossa Shiraz. The 2000 was interesting Shiraz - more "gentle" than most Shirazes yet very pleasing.
2005 SANDALFORD ESTATE RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $26.95
JH = 94 (until 2015)
2005 SANDALFORD ESTATE RESERVE SHIRAZ - $27.95
www.winefront.com.au = 94 (until 2015)
GPCi - SANDALFORD are excellent wine producers and their wines are very consistent when it comes to style and high quality. I had them since 2001 and I expect both Reserve wines to be excellent.
2007 STELLA BELLA SEMILLON/SAUVIGNON BLANC - $18.95
JH=94
GPCi - When it comes to Margaret River, both SEMILLON and SAUVIGNON BLANC are 'THE' grapes of the region. Worth a try with fried scallops.
France (Alsace)
2006 HUGEL GENTIL - $15.95
GPCi - According to Vintages.com probably a blend of Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Sylvaner and Pinot Blanc. Hugel is another very consistent producer in France-Alsace. Good price and can be served as a first wine in a nice 'two-digists' weather sunny afternoon. Serve chilled.
2005 SENSATION DE CHÂTEAU GRAND BOURDIEU BLANC - $18.95
GPCi - 60/40 blend of Sémillon/Sauvignon Blanc. I would buy it and compare it with the same blend from Australia. Graves in France (in the Bordeaux region) is also famous for these two varieties. A very attractive price. Worth checking!
France (Fronsac)
2005 CHÂTEAU HAUCHAT - $15 - MUST TRY!!!
GPCi - Until 2017. if you like Merlot and you like QPR wines, that's a MUST try. Although I'm not a big fan of Merlot, I love the wines from Fronsac (Bordeaux's right bank, north to St. Emilion).
France (Midi-Côtes du Roussillon-Villages)
2006 CHÂTEAU SAINT-ROCH CHIMÈRES - $19.95 - MUST TRY!
RP = 92
GPCi - A good French wine for $20 with a great review by the Wine Advocate - a no brainer. I will try this one for sure.
France (Rhone-South)
2006 LE GRAVILLAS GIGONDAS - $27.95
GPCi - Nowadays, you think twice before you buy a $28 bottle of wine. But if you think that it can be a non-expensive version of CdP, you'll buy 2-3 bottles of this full flavoured GIGONDAS.
2008 DOMAINE MABY LA FORCADIÈRE TAVEL - $18.95
GPCi - Tavel's Rose are usually "under-cover" red wines... :)
This wine is perfect when served chilled with shrimps. If you haven't tried Tavel's wines before, that's a great opportunity.
Italy (Tuscany)
2003 CASTELLANI VIGNETTI DI CAMPOMAGGIO ROSSO - $22.95 - MUST TRY
WS=91
GPCi - Great review by Winespectator. A Sangiovese, Cabernet and Syrah blend (a typical IGT). Seems like a great offer from Tuscany.
Italy (Sicily)
2007 PELLEGRINO PANTELLERIA PASSITO LIQUOROSO (500 mL) - $19.95
GPCi - A very supportive and positive review by Decanter. This can be a different and interesting way to end-up an evening with a dessert wine from the warm southern Italian island. Not cheap, but affordable for a special event.
