Saturday, January 16, 2010
GPCi for Jan 23rd 2010 release at the LCBO
Argentina
2007 CATENA MALBEC - $19.95
JM=91 ; 2011-2019
GPCi - If you haven't had the chance to try the Malbecs from Catena, you have to try their 2007 vintage. An outstanding $20 wine. Great value for the cellar and for day-to-day. Excellent by itself or with a nice juicy steak. I would not try it with light food dishes. It needs spice and strong food to balance things off.
2008 KAIKEN MALBEC - $14.95
GPCi - Kaiken offers in this release a Kaiken Ultra for $19.95 (JM gave it 89). I tried the "regular" Kaiken (which is this one) and it was excellent for $15.
LUIGI BOSCA RESERVA SYRAH - $14.95
GPCi - interestingly enough there is no vintage mentioned in the LCBO catalog (nor in the bottle's picture). I had the 2006 LUIGI BOSCA RESERVA Malbec (see short tasting notes on my Twitter WineGPCi account) and wasn't blown away. It was good just not amazing - similar to many other Malbecs. The Syrah seemed to receive very supportive review by WS and RP. worth trying.
2007 CLOS DE LOS SIETE - $23.95
JM=90 ; now -2015
GPCi - a consistent 90+ JM/RP. I like this wine a lot. It feels more like a $40 wine for a bargain. rich and complex. I'm expecting lots of dark fruit flavors and a long finish.
Chlie
2005 ECHEVERRIA FAMILY RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $17.95
WS=89
2007 SANTA RITA MEDALLA REAL GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $19.95
GPCi - I like the Cab Sauv from Chile. I find them very intense and thick. These two wines are from known producers that are consistently produce good wines for a very good value.
Australia (Western)
2007 MARQUEE ARTISAN WINES CLASSIC RIESLING - $17.95
GPCi - I mention this one because I know John M is on his hunt for these whites from Australia. What do you say John...?
Australia (South)
2008 DARK SIDE OF THE MOON SHIRAZ - $25.95
GPCi – a very close friend of mine was talented enough to be recently involved in Nasa’s last satellite launch to the moon. The last time he visited me, I was looking for this exact wine to drink together with him in honor of his huge achievement. I couldn’t find it in all of Ontario, so we settled on another outstanding wine from California (Valley of the Moon). Ofer H, my dear friend, I’ll buy it this time just in case you have another project with moon stuff… :)
Italy – Tuscany
2006 TOSCOLO CHIANTI CLASSICO - $16.85
GPCi – from the excellent 2006 vintage. What’s not to like. If you’re into Chianti, I say you buy a case. There is nothing better than Chianti for day-to-day food. One of the best food friendly wines out there - from Pizza to spaghetti carbonara with Parmigiano-Reggiano. mmm... yummm.
Italy-Veneto
2005 VILLA GIRARDI AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO - $39.95
GPCi - Amarone from the Corvina grape. It's relatively rare to find Amarone for $40 at the LCBO. Not that $40 is cheap, but most Amarone that gets to the LCBO cost around $60+. I would buy 1-3 bottles. Excellent wine for the winter. Expect lots of dry fruit, dark chocolate and port like flavors.
Spain – Rioja
2005 ONTAÑÓN CRIANZA - $13.95 (MUST TRY!!!)
2005 BODEGAS RUCONIA REY DON GARCIA EL DE NAJERA CRIANZA - $15.95
GPCi – another food friendly wines from a great vintage, this time in Spain. 2005 was an outstanding vintage in the Rioja and this is a very attractive price for a good Temparnillo based wine. If you have the extra cash this month, go for a blended case of 6 bottles from each wine.
2004 EL COTO DE RIOJA COTO DE IMAZ RESERVA – $21.95
GPCi - I had their 1995 and 1996 Gran Reserva wines and it's always extremely rewarding for the money you pay. This wine can be cellared for another 5-10 years but can be enjoyed now with any food. Don't expect power here, but elegancy and lots of enjoyment.
Spain (Montsant)
2007 ÈTIM NEGRE - $14.95
GPCi - Had previous Etim. Lots of good things going on in the glass. Excellent value. 2007 was a good year in this tiny region in Spain, so I believe it's a risk free $15 wine.
Spain (Toro)
2004 PAGOS DEL REYBA JOZ CRIANZA - $15.95
GPCi - 2004 was another great year in Spain. I don't know this producer, but expecting a 100% Temparnillo wine from a great vintage to deliver nothing but joy... :)
France – Alsace
2008 PIERRE SPARR RÉSERVE GEWURZTRAMINER - $17.95
TA = 91
GPCi - RÉSERVE GEWURZTRAMINER from Alsace for $18. Another interesting choice for you John M. go-go-go. Great with Asian or Indian spicy food. Serve chilled.
France – Bordeaux
2006 CHÂTEAU D’ISSAN AC Margaux, 3e Cru - $68
RP=94 ; 2013 – 2030
2006 CHÂTEAU CALON-SÉGUR AC Saint-Estèphe, 3e Cru - $85
RP=91 ; WS=92
2006 CHÂTEAU D’ARMAILHAC AC Pauillac, 5e Cru - $55
RP=91 ; now – 2025
2006 CLOS DU MARQUIS AC Saint-Julien - $65
WS=92
GPCi - I have chosen some of my preferred Bordeaux from an OK+ vintage - beside Pomerol that got 90, all other sub-regions within Bordeaux received 87-88 by RP. Now that is a generalization to the entire region. The "trick" is to hand pick the chateau that did great wine despite the overall vintage difficulties.
The best deal for me is the 2006 CHÂTEAU D’ISSAN ; best review and best cellaring potential. In second place I would go with 2006 CHÂTEAU D’ARMAILHAC.
2007 CATENA MALBEC - $19.95
JM=91 ; 2011-2019
GPCi - If you haven't had the chance to try the Malbecs from Catena, you have to try their 2007 vintage. An outstanding $20 wine. Great value for the cellar and for day-to-day. Excellent by itself or with a nice juicy steak. I would not try it with light food dishes. It needs spice and strong food to balance things off.
2008 KAIKEN MALBEC - $14.95
GPCi - Kaiken offers in this release a Kaiken Ultra for $19.95 (JM gave it 89). I tried the "regular" Kaiken (which is this one) and it was excellent for $15.
LUIGI BOSCA RESERVA SYRAH - $14.95
GPCi - interestingly enough there is no vintage mentioned in the LCBO catalog (nor in the bottle's picture). I had the 2006 LUIGI BOSCA RESERVA Malbec (see short tasting notes on my Twitter WineGPCi account) and wasn't blown away. It was good just not amazing - similar to many other Malbecs. The Syrah seemed to receive very supportive review by WS and RP. worth trying.
2007 CLOS DE LOS SIETE - $23.95
JM=90 ; now -2015
GPCi - a consistent 90+ JM/RP. I like this wine a lot. It feels more like a $40 wine for a bargain. rich and complex. I'm expecting lots of dark fruit flavors and a long finish.
Chlie
2005 ECHEVERRIA FAMILY RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $17.95
WS=89
2007 SANTA RITA MEDALLA REAL GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $19.95
GPCi - I like the Cab Sauv from Chile. I find them very intense and thick. These two wines are from known producers that are consistently produce good wines for a very good value.
Australia (Western)
2007 MARQUEE ARTISAN WINES CLASSIC RIESLING - $17.95
GPCi - I mention this one because I know John M is on his hunt for these whites from Australia. What do you say John...?
Australia (South)
2008 DARK SIDE OF THE MOON SHIRAZ - $25.95
GPCi – a very close friend of mine was talented enough to be recently involved in Nasa’s last satellite launch to the moon. The last time he visited me, I was looking for this exact wine to drink together with him in honor of his huge achievement. I couldn’t find it in all of Ontario, so we settled on another outstanding wine from California (Valley of the Moon). Ofer H, my dear friend, I’ll buy it this time just in case you have another project with moon stuff… :)
Italy – Tuscany
2006 TOSCOLO CHIANTI CLASSICO - $16.85
GPCi – from the excellent 2006 vintage. What’s not to like. If you’re into Chianti, I say you buy a case. There is nothing better than Chianti for day-to-day food. One of the best food friendly wines out there - from Pizza to spaghetti carbonara with Parmigiano-Reggiano. mmm... yummm.
Italy-Veneto
2005 VILLA GIRARDI AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO - $39.95
GPCi - Amarone from the Corvina grape. It's relatively rare to find Amarone for $40 at the LCBO. Not that $40 is cheap, but most Amarone that gets to the LCBO cost around $60+. I would buy 1-3 bottles. Excellent wine for the winter. Expect lots of dry fruit, dark chocolate and port like flavors.
Spain – Rioja
2005 ONTAÑÓN CRIANZA - $13.95 (MUST TRY!!!)
2005 BODEGAS RUCONIA REY DON GARCIA EL DE NAJERA CRIANZA - $15.95
GPCi – another food friendly wines from a great vintage, this time in Spain. 2005 was an outstanding vintage in the Rioja and this is a very attractive price for a good Temparnillo based wine. If you have the extra cash this month, go for a blended case of 6 bottles from each wine.
2004 EL COTO DE RIOJA COTO DE IMAZ RESERVA – $21.95
GPCi - I had their 1995 and 1996 Gran Reserva wines and it's always extremely rewarding for the money you pay. This wine can be cellared for another 5-10 years but can be enjoyed now with any food. Don't expect power here, but elegancy and lots of enjoyment.
Spain (Montsant)
2007 ÈTIM NEGRE - $14.95
GPCi - Had previous Etim. Lots of good things going on in the glass. Excellent value. 2007 was a good year in this tiny region in Spain, so I believe it's a risk free $15 wine.
Spain (Toro)
2004 PAGOS DEL REYBA JOZ CRIANZA - $15.95
GPCi - 2004 was another great year in Spain. I don't know this producer, but expecting a 100% Temparnillo wine from a great vintage to deliver nothing but joy... :)
France – Alsace
2008 PIERRE SPARR RÉSERVE GEWURZTRAMINER - $17.95
TA = 91
GPCi - RÉSERVE GEWURZTRAMINER from Alsace for $18. Another interesting choice for you John M. go-go-go. Great with Asian or Indian spicy food. Serve chilled.
France – Bordeaux
2006 CHÂTEAU D’ISSAN AC Margaux, 3e Cru - $68
RP=94 ; 2013 – 2030
2006 CHÂTEAU CALON-SÉGUR AC Saint-Estèphe, 3e Cru - $85
RP=91 ; WS=92
2006 CHÂTEAU D’ARMAILHAC AC Pauillac, 5e Cru - $55
RP=91 ; now – 2025
2006 CLOS DU MARQUIS AC Saint-Julien - $65
WS=92
GPCi - I have chosen some of my preferred Bordeaux from an OK+ vintage - beside Pomerol that got 90, all other sub-regions within Bordeaux received 87-88 by RP. Now that is a generalization to the entire region. The "trick" is to hand pick the chateau that did great wine despite the overall vintage difficulties.
The best deal for me is the 2006 CHÂTEAU D’ISSAN ; best review and best cellaring potential. In second place I would go with 2006 CHÂTEAU D’ARMAILHAC.
