Friday, August 07, 2009
GPCi for August 15th 2009 release at the LCBO
Chile
2007 CONO SUR 20 BARRELS CHARDONNAY - $24.95
WS=90
GPCi - Cono Sur has been producing good QPR wines for the past several years. However, Montes Alpha has done it as well (see below) and I found them better. I would buy one and compare between the two.
2007 MONTES ALPHA CHARDONNAY - $22.95
IWC=90
GPCi - I've been buying Montes Alpha for the past 5+ years and was never disappointed. The 2007 vintage wasn't as good as the 2008 or 2005 (RP gave it only 88) however, the reviews are very positive and I feel "safe" to buy this Chardonnay and enjoy it with pasta alfredo and seafood.
2007 CASA LAPOSTOLLE CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $15.95
GPCi - Casa Lapostolle is another "safe bet" from Chile. This is their entry level Cab-Sauv. Seems like a great choice for day-to-day and for more than a reasonable price. Expect lots of black fruits and full of flavors wine. I'd buy one and then decide whether to buy 6-12 bottles.
2006 LAURA HARTWIG RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $13.95 (MUST TRY!)
JM=88 ; through 2016
GPCi - Now I'm going to write something I usually don't... I don't care what rate JM gave this wine, I'm planning to buy at least 6 bottles from this wine and here are a few reasons why - I tried the Gran Reserva wine back in 1998 and it was spectacular. Tried the Reserva of following vintages too and loved it. The price is more than attractive. The other reason is more sentimental - I have a picture of my grand mother (born in Brazil lived in Uruguay, so who knows...) that is identical to the label of this wine - same posture, same face... too amazingly identical.
PS - tried it yesterday and I stand behind my recommendation above. EXCELLENT Cab-Sauv for $14 !!! buy a case with no hesitation.
2006 SANTA RITA MEDALLA REAL SPECIAL RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $19.95
WS=91
GPCi - This wine has received a very good review by WS ("Smart Buy"). If you are "into" Cab-Sauv like a very close friend of mine (right, Mr. Hofman?), this is a wine to stock up for short-mid term.
2007 TABALÍ RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $14.95
GPCi - I had a few Tabali when I last visited Chile. It is a nice "first wine of the evening". If I need to spend up to $15, I would go with the 2006 LAURA HARTWIG Cab-Sauv.
2005 SANTA ALICIA GRAN RESERVA CARMENÈRE - $18.95
GPCi - that's my Carmenere choice of the release. Haven't tried it in the past, but the review convinced me to try... :)
2007 MONTES ALPHA SYRAH - $22.95 (MUST TRY!)
WS=90
GPCi - I already said everything I felt about this winery. I'm sure this Syrah is no different. I would buy 3-12 bottles with no hesitation.
Australia
2006 CAT AMONGST THE PIGEONS NINE LIVES SHIRAZ - $21.95
JM=92
GPCi - The name got my attention... for all of you who look for a good Shiraz, this seems to be the better QPR choice of the release. Great review by JM and a very reasonable price.
France (Bordeaux)
2005 CHÂTEAU ROQUETAILLADE LA GRANGE VIEILLES VIGNES (Graves) - $21.95 (MUST TRY!)
WS=90 ; After 2010
GPCi - Here are a few pointers: 2005 Bordeaux, from the Graves (sub-left-bank region within Bordeaux), great review by WS, can be cellared for 8-12 years and for $22 - GO! GO! GO!
Italy (Piedmont)
2004 CASA VINICOLA CORTESE BAROLO - $31.95 (MUST TRY!)
GPCi - when was the last time we could buy Barolo from the great 2004 vintage for $32? Almost never. I haven't had this specific one before and most 2004 Barolos cost twice as much... worth buying one and see.
Italy (Tuscany)
2006 MARCHESI DE' FRESCOBALDI TENUTA DI CASTIGLIONI - $21.95 (MUST TRY!)
WS=90
GPCi - anything from Tuscany from 2006 is worth trying - RP gave this vintage 96 (!) especially if it costs $22 and received such a great feedback from WS. BUY! BUY! BUY!
2007 CONO SUR 20 BARRELS CHARDONNAY - $24.95
WS=90
GPCi - Cono Sur has been producing good QPR wines for the past several years. However, Montes Alpha has done it as well (see below) and I found them better. I would buy one and compare between the two.
2007 MONTES ALPHA CHARDONNAY - $22.95
IWC=90
GPCi - I've been buying Montes Alpha for the past 5+ years and was never disappointed. The 2007 vintage wasn't as good as the 2008 or 2005 (RP gave it only 88) however, the reviews are very positive and I feel "safe" to buy this Chardonnay and enjoy it with pasta alfredo and seafood.
2007 CASA LAPOSTOLLE CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $15.95
GPCi - Casa Lapostolle is another "safe bet" from Chile. This is their entry level Cab-Sauv. Seems like a great choice for day-to-day and for more than a reasonable price. Expect lots of black fruits and full of flavors wine. I'd buy one and then decide whether to buy 6-12 bottles.
2006 LAURA HARTWIG RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $13.95 (MUST TRY!)
JM=88 ; through 2016
GPCi - Now I'm going to write something I usually don't... I don't care what rate JM gave this wine, I'm planning to buy at least 6 bottles from this wine and here are a few reasons why - I tried the Gran Reserva wine back in 1998 and it was spectacular. Tried the Reserva of following vintages too and loved it. The price is more than attractive. The other reason is more sentimental - I have a picture of my grand mother (born in Brazil lived in Uruguay, so who knows...) that is identical to the label of this wine - same posture, same face... too amazingly identical.
PS - tried it yesterday and I stand behind my recommendation above. EXCELLENT Cab-Sauv for $14 !!! buy a case with no hesitation.
2006 SANTA RITA MEDALLA REAL SPECIAL RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $19.95
WS=91
GPCi - This wine has received a very good review by WS ("Smart Buy"). If you are "into" Cab-Sauv like a very close friend of mine (right, Mr. Hofman?), this is a wine to stock up for short-mid term.
2007 TABALÍ RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $14.95
GPCi - I had a few Tabali when I last visited Chile. It is a nice "first wine of the evening". If I need to spend up to $15, I would go with the 2006 LAURA HARTWIG Cab-Sauv.
2005 SANTA ALICIA GRAN RESERVA CARMENÈRE - $18.95
GPCi - that's my Carmenere choice of the release. Haven't tried it in the past, but the review convinced me to try... :)
2007 MONTES ALPHA SYRAH - $22.95 (MUST TRY!)
WS=90
GPCi - I already said everything I felt about this winery. I'm sure this Syrah is no different. I would buy 3-12 bottles with no hesitation.
Australia
2006 CAT AMONGST THE PIGEONS NINE LIVES SHIRAZ - $21.95
JM=92
GPCi - The name got my attention... for all of you who look for a good Shiraz, this seems to be the better QPR choice of the release. Great review by JM and a very reasonable price.
France (Bordeaux)
2005 CHÂTEAU ROQUETAILLADE LA GRANGE VIEILLES VIGNES (Graves) - $21.95 (MUST TRY!)
WS=90 ; After 2010
GPCi - Here are a few pointers: 2005 Bordeaux, from the Graves (sub-left-bank region within Bordeaux), great review by WS, can be cellared for 8-12 years and for $22 - GO! GO! GO!
Italy (Piedmont)
2004 CASA VINICOLA CORTESE BAROLO - $31.95 (MUST TRY!)
GPCi - when was the last time we could buy Barolo from the great 2004 vintage for $32? Almost never. I haven't had this specific one before and most 2004 Barolos cost twice as much... worth buying one and see.
Italy (Tuscany)
2006 MARCHESI DE' FRESCOBALDI TENUTA DI CASTIGLIONI - $21.95 (MUST TRY!)
WS=90
GPCi - anything from Tuscany from 2006 is worth trying - RP gave this vintage 96 (!) especially if it costs $22 and received such a great feedback from WS. BUY! BUY! BUY!
