Saturday, October 17, 2009
GPCi for Oct 24th 2009 release at the LCBO
Australia
McLaren Vale, South Australia
2008 THORN-CLARKE SHOTFIRE SHIRAZ - $23.95
GPCi - if you are a fan of Shiraz and you haven't tried the Shotfire before, be ready for a treat. I had it since 2004 and it never failed. it seems to age well for 3-5+ years.
2008 GEMTREE CITRINE CHARDONNAY - $17.95
JH=92
GPCi - I haven't tried this one before and the review-price seems intriguing. I haven't had an Australian Chardonnay for quite some time now. I would try this one.
2005 CORIOLE MARY KATHLEEN RESERVE CABERNET/MERLOT - $35.95
JO=93 (Drink from 2013-2017+)
GPCi - I had tried this wine since 1998. It's outstanding and worth the expensive price. Expect lots of dark fruit flavors and thick texture. I found these wines to gracefully evolve in the cellar for 8-10 years.
Geographe/Margaret River, Western Australia
2008 SKUTTLEBUTT SAUVIGNON BLANC/SEMILLON - $15.95 (MUST TRY)
JH=92
GPCi - That's another one to try John M, as part of the "white wines quest". Very positive review at an attracive price point.
Margaret River, Western Australia
2007 RINGBOLT CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $19.95
JH=95
GPCi - tried both their Shiraz and Cab Sauv from previous vintages - expect power and lots of "australia" in a bottle. Excllenet review. Buy 3-6 bottles.
Tasmania
2007 TAMAR RIDGE KAYENA VINEYARD PINOT NOIR - $26.95
JH=95
GPCi - Tasmania... sighh... although I was there for very few hours, I enjoyed this amazing place immensely. Their Pinot Noirs are considered to be "interesting" and different from the old world. I would try it (although I'm not a big fan of the variety) just to get a piece of this remarkable place.
Spain (Rioja)
2005 BERONIA RESERVA - $17.95
GPCi - Rioja Reserva from the classic 2005 for $18 - BUY A CASE!!!!
Spain (Bierzo)
2007 DESCENDIENTES DE J. PALACIOS PÉTALOS - $23.95
JM=92
GPCi - I don't know this one. JM seems to be more than supportive with this wine. 2007 wasn't a great vintage in many places in Spain (besides Carinena - it was Outstanding/Classic there). Made from 100% Mencia in the area of Bierzo which is part of Castile and Leon region (north-west to Rioja). Definitely worth trying.
Argentina
2008 CHAKANA RESERVE MALBEC - $16.95
GPCi - I would for sure try this Reserva Malbec from the very successful 2008 vintage. Tempting price for a tempting variety.
Chile
2007 TERRA NOBLE GRAN RESERVA CARMENÈRE - $16.95
GPCi - Yes... Gran Reserva Carmenere... and for $17... mmm good! Excellent day-to-day companion.
France (Rhone-South)
2007 COUDOULET DE BEAUCASTEL - $29.95
RP=91-93
GPCi - Beaucastel "light". don't get me wrong... the only thing light here is the price (relatively to the Chateau Beaucastel that cost $90). An outstanding effort from a very rewarding vintage
2007 LE VIEUX DONJON CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE - $59.95
RP=94=96 ; 2013-2026
GPCi - This is one of the best CdP from one of the best vintages in years. For all of you that like the region and started/continue to collect, this one is for you. Buy 2-4 bottles.
Germany
1996 BALTHASAR RESS OESTRICHER RIESLING = $14.95 (MUST TRY!!!)
GPCi - if you haven't tried an old Riesling, try this one. It may not be the most amazing old Riesling you may try, but for $15 ?!!?, probably one of the better ones for the price.
Italy (Tuscany)
2004 CASTELGIOCONDO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO - $49.95
WS=95 ; after 2011
GPCi - Such a great Brunello, with such review from WS, is a must for the cellar. A true excellent investment for the cellar.
2006 MONTE ANTICO SANGIOVESE/MERLOT/CABERNET SAUVIGNON (IGT)- $14.95 (MUST TRY!)
WS=90
GPCi - Almost anything from this region from this vintage and for that price is a must try. What's not to like?
Potugal
2000 SANDEMAN VAU VINTAGE PORT - $29.95
RP=90 ; 2007-2020
GPCi - you won't find a 750 ml bottle of port from a known producer like Sandeman from an excellent vintage for $30 period. If you want to have a chance to enjoy the "good stuff" without another mortgage, buy 2 bottles.
McLaren Vale, South Australia
2008 THORN-CLARKE SHOTFIRE SHIRAZ - $23.95
GPCi - if you are a fan of Shiraz and you haven't tried the Shotfire before, be ready for a treat. I had it since 2004 and it never failed. it seems to age well for 3-5+ years.
2008 GEMTREE CITRINE CHARDONNAY - $17.95
JH=92
GPCi - I haven't tried this one before and the review-price seems intriguing. I haven't had an Australian Chardonnay for quite some time now. I would try this one.
2005 CORIOLE MARY KATHLEEN RESERVE CABERNET/MERLOT - $35.95
JO=93 (Drink from 2013-2017+)
GPCi - I had tried this wine since 1998. It's outstanding and worth the expensive price. Expect lots of dark fruit flavors and thick texture. I found these wines to gracefully evolve in the cellar for 8-10 years.
Geographe/Margaret River, Western Australia
2008 SKUTTLEBUTT SAUVIGNON BLANC/SEMILLON - $15.95 (MUST TRY)
JH=92
GPCi - That's another one to try John M, as part of the "white wines quest". Very positive review at an attracive price point.
Margaret River, Western Australia
2007 RINGBOLT CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $19.95
JH=95
GPCi - tried both their Shiraz and Cab Sauv from previous vintages - expect power and lots of "australia" in a bottle. Excllenet review. Buy 3-6 bottles.
Tasmania
2007 TAMAR RIDGE KAYENA VINEYARD PINOT NOIR - $26.95
JH=95
GPCi - Tasmania... sighh... although I was there for very few hours, I enjoyed this amazing place immensely. Their Pinot Noirs are considered to be "interesting" and different from the old world. I would try it (although I'm not a big fan of the variety) just to get a piece of this remarkable place.
Spain (Rioja)
2005 BERONIA RESERVA - $17.95
GPCi - Rioja Reserva from the classic 2005 for $18 - BUY A CASE!!!!
Spain (Bierzo)
2007 DESCENDIENTES DE J. PALACIOS PÉTALOS - $23.95
JM=92
GPCi - I don't know this one. JM seems to be more than supportive with this wine. 2007 wasn't a great vintage in many places in Spain (besides Carinena - it was Outstanding/Classic there). Made from 100% Mencia in the area of Bierzo which is part of Castile and Leon region (north-west to Rioja). Definitely worth trying.
Argentina
2008 CHAKANA RESERVE MALBEC - $16.95
GPCi - I would for sure try this Reserva Malbec from the very successful 2008 vintage. Tempting price for a tempting variety.
Chile
2007 TERRA NOBLE GRAN RESERVA CARMENÈRE - $16.95
GPCi - Yes... Gran Reserva Carmenere... and for $17... mmm good! Excellent day-to-day companion.
France (Rhone-South)
2007 COUDOULET DE BEAUCASTEL - $29.95
RP=91-93
GPCi - Beaucastel "light". don't get me wrong... the only thing light here is the price (relatively to the Chateau Beaucastel that cost $90). An outstanding effort from a very rewarding vintage
2007 LE VIEUX DONJON CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE - $59.95
RP=94=96 ; 2013-2026
GPCi - This is one of the best CdP from one of the best vintages in years. For all of you that like the region and started/continue to collect, this one is for you. Buy 2-4 bottles.
Germany
1996 BALTHASAR RESS OESTRICHER RIESLING = $14.95 (MUST TRY!!!)
GPCi - if you haven't tried an old Riesling, try this one. It may not be the most amazing old Riesling you may try, but for $15 ?!!?, probably one of the better ones for the price.
Italy (Tuscany)
2004 CASTELGIOCONDO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO - $49.95
WS=95 ; after 2011
GPCi - Such a great Brunello, with such review from WS, is a must for the cellar. A true excellent investment for the cellar.
2006 MONTE ANTICO SANGIOVESE/MERLOT/CABERNET SAUVIGNON (IGT)- $14.95 (MUST TRY!)
WS=90
GPCi - Almost anything from this region from this vintage and for that price is a must try. What's not to like?
Potugal
2000 SANDEMAN VAU VINTAGE PORT - $29.95
RP=90 ; 2007-2020
GPCi - you won't find a 750 ml bottle of port from a known producer like Sandeman from an excellent vintage for $30 period. If you want to have a chance to enjoy the "good stuff" without another mortgage, buy 2 bottles.
