Hello Everyone!
Winter's coming and the cooler weather is directing 
our palates toward red wines and social gatherings to ward off the chill in the air. I know we just got through Thanksgiving and all the excess of food, wine and family dysfunction that comes with that holiday; but the cooler weather calls for even more togetherness. Social gatherings with friends and family warm the spirits – a much needed cure for the shorter, colder, darker days that come with the onset of winter. We don't mean to sound so depressive – but a good bottle of wine at a good price shared with chums is bound to buoy you!
This week's value picks are:
WHITE WINES
681247 Flat Rock Cellars Chardonnay 2006 (Ontario) $16.95
Big on tropical fruit, ripe peach and fresh green apple with a subtle hint of oak.
677450 Dog Point Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (New Zealand) $21.95
This is a classic New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. For those of you that adore that varietal from this fine wine producer, pick this up – you will not be disappointed. Lots of guava, fresh cut grass and citrus notes.
SPARKLING WINES
907568 Graham Beck Blanc De Blancs Premier Cuvée Brut 2005 (South Africa) $21.95
Alas South Africa made it on our list! This sparkler is a sure pleaser featuring crusty baked bread, citrus and candied apple on the finish.
RED WINES
984997 Tedeschi Capitel Dei Nicalo Valpolicella Classsico Superior 2006 (Veneto) $18.95
The Ripasso method is in play with this one. That means that the grapes are partially sun-dried prior to pressing and the end result is concentrated fruit in the juice. This is a dry, Old World style wine with big, woodsy flavours and aromas.
084798 Zonin Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso 2006 (Veneto) $19.95
Incredibly elegant with cedar and smoky notes. Chocolate/cherry segues to a hearty Italian red. It is just GREAT!
077883 Two Hands Lucky Country Shiraz 2006 (Barossa Valley, South Australia) $17.95
This Aussie number is jam packed with dark fruits and some spice, high in alcohol and good acidity nicely balancing it out on a finish of good length.
075101 Humberto Canale Gran Reserva Malbec 2006 (Patagonia, Argentina) $19.95
Here is a classic featuring juicy dark berries, toast, lively acidity and spice.
903153 Lurton Reserva Malbec 2006 (Mendoza, Argentina) $13.95
Our beloved displaced Bordeaux Lurton frères aka Argentinean hermanos have given us the best value of the release with this one. It is a big Malbec, bursting with berries and yet smooth and balanced at the same time.
640888 Santa Carolina Barrica Selection Gran Reserva Carmenere 2006 (Chile) $14.95
Incredibly mouth-filling – this is a BIG wine that would be well-paired with a juicy, rare steak.
586081 Sileni The Triangle Merlot 2006 (New Zealand) $18.95
A great balance of raspberry and subtle oak and vanilla flavours make this New Zealand wine go down easy – but not too easy. There is great length with a bit of spice & bite to keep you on your toes.
590521 Colin_Bourisset Côte de Brouilly Les Terres Bleues 2006 (Beaujolais) $17.95
Check out the classy label, nicely balanced featuring plum and cherry. This is a fresh and lively fun wine that is food friendly. Serve slightly chilled.
078725 Château Pineraie 2005 (Cahors) $17.95
The www.decanter.com note is bang on – "Opulent violet damson <a type of plum> aroma. Smooth attach. Vibrant fruit on mid-palate. Tightly knit, well-balanced. Long finish."
085167 Frascole Chianti Rufina 2005 (Tuscany) $18.95
Dark fruit aromas and flavours with a hint of oak and some earth. A nice old world style chianti.
080614 Grand'arte Alicante Bousche 2005 (Portugal) $14.95
Densely coloured with lots of dark fruit, some vanilla and spice and silky tannins creating a velvety mouth feel! Well priced, this one's a sure taker.
ALP
Rose & Karen
Don't forget – the Vintages Value List can always be found on www.CETOBLOG.com!
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