Greetings All!
Vintages has put together a fantastic release for this Saturday. Oh yeah – there is the usual Valentine’s bumpf – the most intriguing of this push is a Chocolate Dessert Wine – described as a “candy bar in a bottle”. We didn’t try it.
The theme of this weekend’s release is “90+” – 
where wines scoring higher than “90” are featured – and yes, some of them even qualify for the Vintages Value List (<$25)! If you can – log onto Vintages.com or pick up the release catalogue when you head to the store - Vintages has put together a great piece describing the wine rating point system and how to use it.
Here is this week’s line-up:
Sparkling Wine
656488 Yves Lambert Cremant de Loire Brut Rose (Loire, France) $16.85 We don’t usually like roses, but this one is quite exceptional. It is almost champagne-like with strong yeasty notes. It is balanced and refreshing.
White Wine
060905 Reichsrat Von Buhl Armand Riesling Kabinett 2005 (Pfalz, Germany) $16.85 An off-dry riesling explodes with big juicy flavours of grapefruit and slate undertones. Nice mouth feel, lively acidity lending to a refreshingly long citrusy finish. Awesome sipper!
907691 Alois Lageder Pinot Bianco 2005 (Alto Adige, Italy) $20.85 Packed with flavours of apples and peaches, this medium bodied wine has a fresh mouthwatering long finish. Serve as an aperitif, pairs well with salads, asparagus and all kinds of seafood pasta dishes.
061317 Domaine Allimant-Laugner Pinot Gris 2006 (Alsace, France) $16.85 Mouth filling texture delivers nice tropical fruit flavours making for a nice balance of fruit and crisp acidity. Another sipper!
955872 W. Gisselbrecht Pinot Blanc Réserve Spéciale 2006 (Alsace, France) $12.75 Excellent priced Pinot Blanc from Alsace exuding a rich perfumed floral nose, so inviting, nice and chewy round mouth feel with a nice finish. Bring a case home, you will be going back for more!
Red Wine
972463 Chateau Puy Castera 2003 (AC Haut Medoc , Cru Bourgeois) $19.55 Old World magic – delicate smoky oak segues to blackberry. A terrific bargain.
651125 Chateau de Serame Minervois Reserve de Chateau 2005 (Midi, France) $22.85 (90 – Wine Spectator) Dark berry notes, kirsch, chocolate and coffee. This is a dark, brooding wine with the characteristic inkiness of Minervois.
54221 Hewitson Ned & Henry’s Shiraz 2006 (Barossa Valley, S. Australia) $22.85 (95 – James Halliday, Wine Companion) Rather elegant for a bold Shiraz . Features refined tannins, a nuance of oak and lovely plum, cherry and blackberry notes.
48504 Piping Shrike Shiraz 2005 (Barossa Valley, S. Australia) $19.75 (90 – Robert Parker Jr.) Bold and spicy with endearing baked plum flavours. Opulent and full-bodied. Rose & I took our first sip after nosing and looked at each other nodding knowingly as we swirled this one over our palate. Terrific value!
626333 Boekenhoutskloof The Wolftrap Syrah/Mourvѐdre/Viognier 2006 (Western Cape, South Africa) $14.75 No typical S. African band aid nose here. This number is well rounded and balanced and a good blend of fruit, tannins and dirt (aka earthiness). A terrific blend at a good price. Go it solo!
57257 Mitchell Peppertree Vineyard Shiraz 2004 (Clare Valley, S. Australia) $22.80 (92 – James Halliday) Peppery and oaky with a rather soft texture for a Shiraz . Great!
>$25
54197 Glen Eldon Dry Bore Shiraz 2004 (Barossa, S. Australia) $27.75 (92 – Robert Parker Jr.) FANTASTIC! An extremely well-made wine with great texture and plenty of berries, chocolate and a hint of spice.
61804 Chateau Jean Voisin 2001 ( St. Emillion Grand Cru) $31.85 Dry and austere – this wine is stunning. It is soooo French – soooo dry. Buy it, try it – it is typical – but very well-made and priced selection from this iconic Bordeaux region.
664144 Chateau Leoville Poyferre 2004 (AC St. Julien, 2nd Cru) $69.00 (93 – Robert Parker Jr.) Lie this one down. It is absolutely beautiful – features cherry, black currant, licorice, chocolate with gum-gripping tannins that will soften over time.
ALP Rose & Karen
ps. Don't forget that the Vintages Value List can always be found at www.cetoblog.com
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