A very HAPPY NEW YEAR to each and every one of you!
We hope your holidays were filled with plenty of good cheer, good food and good wine! Our apologies for not offering tips from the last release – but this new release offers much more at our target price point. The folks at Vintages know that our pocketbooks are feeling the strain of holiday buying and have most of the wines on offer this Saturday coming in below $25. There was so much to taste that we had to break up the tasting into two sessions. AND, not only has Vintages dropped their prices, we also get a wee bonus from the GST decrease effective Jan 1. All round – this is a great way to start 2008!
RED WINE
57877 Hahn Estates Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (Central Coast, California) $15.95
We loved this most interesting wine. It is definitely a Cali Cab (i.e. fruit forward), but offers an interesting nose and palate. The nose features pepper, hints of green olive. The palate is bold with raspberry and blackberry notes with an underlying sweet nutmeg savouriness that we found irresistible. We didn’t spit this one out and the price is bang on!
48470 Teusner The Riebke Ebenezer Road Shiraz 2005 (Barossa Valley, Australia) $25.95
This is great – even at the inflated Vintages Value price. It could stand to lie down for a while, but is great right now too. It is full bodied and well-balanced with sweet tannins that are not overpowering. Bob Parker scored this one with a 91.
62422 Chateau Morin 2005 (Cru Bourgeois, St. Estephe, France) $18.95
A Bordeaux offered at a great price. Distinctly French; with a dry, velvety texture. The fruit is subdued and cedar and mineral notes come through. Loved this one!
606236 D’Arenberg The Stump Jump GSM 2006 (McLaren Vale, Aus) $13.95
The very reliable D’Arenberg house brings us this easy drinking full-bodied Aussie swiller. Tons of dark fruit and spice – a good value!
51656 La Pisara Primitivo 2004 (Puglia, Italy) $15.95
Extremely full-bodied. Inky and densely coloured. It’s quite shtanky. 2-4 years in the cellar wouldn’t go amiss.
39842 Lamborghini Trescone 2003 (Umbria, Italy) $16.95
This might be the closest to a Lamborghini that we will get. This is super dry, a real gum-gripper with some good tannins. It will benefit from some mid-term ageing, 3-5 years. If you drink it now, decant it for an hour or so.
54817 Echelon Merlot 2003 (Central Coast, California) $19.95
Features dark, baked fruit with good acidity. Fairly fruit forward – but not a total jam blast – it is quite fresh.
48587 Windy Peak Pinot Noir 2006 (Yarra Valley, Australia) $19.95
Characteristically a New World pinot. Dry and light with black cherry and plum notes on the palate. Good value.
048629 Concannon Limited Release Petite Syrah (Central Coast, California) $16.95
Subtle hints of blueberry and vanilla nose leads to a dense blueberry, citrus palate. Nice mouth feel makes this a great solo sipper.
054098 Zolo Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 (Mendoza, Argentina) $19.95
Well structured Cab. Offering whiffs of black cherry and smoke, nice balance of dense dark fruits, acidity and tannins. Lay this down for the next 4 years.
WHITE WINE
61572 Picpoul de Pinet par Belle Mare 2005 (Languedoc, France) $12.95
If you haven’t tried this grape before – this wine offers a good attempt. It has a distinct nose of straw and grass. The palate is dry and minerally. Serve it well-chilled.
62307 Domaine De L’Aumonier Le Touraine Blanc Sauvignon 2006 (France) $13.95
This wine tastes like an intense New Zealand sauv. Blanc. Asparagus nose and a herbaceous palate. It is a great value for this varietal and taste – again, serve it well-chilled.
599274 Dr. Loosen Dr. L Riesling 2006 (Germany) $14.95
Incredible taste of honey on the palate. Dr. Loosen is a reputable producer and rarely does he disappoint. This wine is off-dry and would go well with spicy dishes – curries, Thai, Szechwan.
641753 La Chablisienne Saint-Bris Sauvignon Blanc 2006 (Burgundy, France) $15.95
That’s right – a sauv. blanc from Burgundy – who knew?!? A citrus yet earthy nose segues to a very refreshing, light and easy-drinking wine.
677450 Dog Point Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2006 (New Zealand) $21.95
This wine is really tasty. Gooseberries predominate the palate and it has an incredibly lingering finish of guava. The price is on the high side for this release, but it is well worth it!
355776 Ironstone Chardonnay 2006 (Lodi) $15.95
Well priced Cali Chardonnay with hints of light oak, warm fruits and candy apple. Nice and fresh sipper or paired with creamy pastas.
Remember - the Vintages Value list can be found online at www.ceotblog.com
ALP
Rose & Karen
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