Don’t cry for me Argentina – ‘cause I’m not crying for you!
We went to the tasting room full of hope as Argentina is a burgeoning wine producing country that usually offers great quality at a great value. We have recommended many Argentinean wines over the past year as more and more are introduced to market by VINTAGES. One of our favourites being the Kaiken Ultra – that one cannot be found anywhere in Ontario at this point. A couple wines made the list – but overall the selection was a bit disappointing for us. Don’t let that stop you from asking the Product Consultant in the Vintages section. It could have been an off day for us!
WHITE WINE
055475 J&F Lurton Reserve Flor De Torrontes 2007 (Uco Valley, Argentina) - $15.85
Hail the Lurton Brothers! The Torrontes grape produces the characteristic white wine of Argentina and this number delivers WOW aromas of peach, floral notes and citrus. Initial sweetness on first sip lends a bit of a faux fizz feeling; fruity, floral and yet still quite dry. Pair with mild to medium strong cheeses, seafood, also pairs well with spicy food and Thai.
SPARKLING WINE
991927 Jaillance Clairette De Die Tradition (France) - $17.80
Looking for a sparkler for that special occasion and don’t want to break your budget. A blend of Clairette and Muscat ὰ Petits Grains grapes offers a walloping dose of sweetness, with floral perfume and lots of peach fruit. Serve as an aperitif or pair with fruit tart, i.e. apple tart.
RED WINE
928283 Finca El Retiro Syrah 2004 (Mendoza) - $12.85
At this price, who can refuse (buy it by the case). Scents of black cherry, blackberry and pepper and good length to boot! This is not a sipper, serve with that mid-week supper of hamburgers with all the trimmings or spicy beef dishes.
56499 Kanu Rockwood 2005 (Stellenbosch, S. Africa) - $12.85
We generally don’t go for South African wines due to our aversion to the rubber/band-aid nose that is typical of wines from that region. We tried it because the price is right. Once you get past the “rubber nose”, it tastes alright for the $$.
967893 Jekel Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (Arroyo Seco, Monterey) - $16.85
A full bodied Cali Cab big on black cherry and cassis with nice toasty notes. BUT we wouldn’t put this one in the “fruit bomb” category – just rich and mouth-filling. Pair this with nice hearty dishes.
162461 Château Ducla 2003 (AC Bordeaux Supérieur) - $15.85
Well structured offering toasty oak and a good dose of smoke, with lots of red berry fruit and cherry flavours but not overpowering. It is somewhat boring but definitely potable and made the list – so it is pretty good in relative terms! Drink now, or lay it down for the next 4 years.
674044 Castello Di Neive Barbaresco 2004 (Piedmont) - $21.80
This had to be a hit, by the time we got to tasting “this bottle was empty”! After asking around we garnered some info from other people’s notes – they say it offers up classic Nebbiolo aromas of rose petals and some earthy notes. Light clean, well balanced and well integrated tannins. Scoop it up at this price drink now, or lay it down until 2014.
ALP
Rose & Karen
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