Greetings Fellow Tipplers!
Mmmmm Malbec! That is the main varietal coming your way from Vintages this weekend. Malbec was born in Argentina – the destination of great winemakers whose migration from their traditional winemaking regions – France, Italy, California brought them to this part of the world because of the great opportunities presented there. These winemakers know a good thing when they see it – the high elevations of the Andes provide the perfect temperature, aspect, soil and drainage to produce high quality vines.
There are plenty of other great wines (the list is quite long) from other regions on our list this week and the prices are just right.
WHITE WINE
932368 Santa Julia Reserva Chardonnay 2008 (Mendoza) $13.95
A fabulous chard – lush, rich body featuring buttered toast, apple, pear and tropical fruit notes on the palate. A good balance of acidity and oak – a great value.
60319 Camelot Chardonnay 2007 (California) $13.95
Classic aromas and flavours of tropical fruit and ripe apple with a soft mouth feel, good acidity rounding out to a nice finish.
641753 La Chablisienne Sauvignon Blanc Saint-Bris 2008 (Burgundy) $14.95
The Saint-Bris appellation is unique in Burgundy as it features the Sauvignon Blanc grape. This lovely Sauv. Blanc features aromas of wet wool, lanolin and some stone, on the palate: flavours of lemon citrus, mineral notes and zingy acidity.
138297 Sticks Chardonnay/Viognier 2008 (Yarra Valley, Victoria) $15.95
Fresh and crisp featuring flavours of peach, nectarine and citrus fruit with an oily mouth feel.
747600 Pierre Sparr Réserve Gewurztraminer 2008 (Alsace) $17.95
If you are a fan of this grape this wine presents terrific value as it is true to the character: off-dry, honey, lychee fruit and hints of grapefruit peel. It is absolutely delicious and such a good price.
RED WINE
134585 Umani Ronchi Montipagano Montepulciano D’Abruzzo 2007 (Abruzzo) $11.95
Ripe red cherry fruit aromas and flavours, fun and easy drinking and it is Organic!
148684 Pech Matelles Marselan 2008 (Midi) $12.95
Dark fruit, cherry and toasty oak aromas and flavours, nothing too complicated here, just easy drinking well priced and it is Organic!
467944 Alamos Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 (Mendoza) $13.95
Highly quaffable, this very approachable Cab. Sauv. provides a fruit forward palate that is very smooth & lithe.
467951 Alamos Malbec 2008 (Mendoza) $13.95
Big on flavour, modestly priced brooding with dark fruit, spice and juicy acidity.
159616 Caposaldo Chianti 2008 (Tuscany) $13.95
Good Chianti for $13.95, “NO WAY”, we said. Then we tasted and found a slight nose of green olive, big berry and earthy flavours in a lovely dry, well-balanced package.
560094 Allegrini Valpolicella 2008 (Veneto) $14.95
This is a classic Italian table wine featuring plum notes and some dry Italian herbs – oregano & basil. Great for pasta and/or pizza night.
143248 Kaiken Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 (Mendoza) $14.95
This wine is made by a great S. American producer – Montes. They have vineyards in Chile and Argentina and are most well-known for their Chilean efforts. Their Argentinean production parallels their success in Chile and this Cab. Sauv. is pretty spectacular. Oak nose segues to tobacco, cedar, coffee and spice. The palate follows suit with lots of dark fruit and spice.
143412 Luigi Bosca Reserva Syrah (Maipú, Mendoza) $14.95
An allspice & cedar nose moves onto blackberry, blueberry & black pepper on the palate. It is pretty oaky, rich and luscious.
723478 Zuccardi Q Malbec 2007 (Mendoza) $18.95
This beauty won’t disappoint featuring dense dark fruit, mineral notes, smoky oak, cocoa and coffee notes and wet stone on the finish. Will benefit from 1-2 years of aging but can be enjoyed now. Score - 90 Jay Miller of erobertparker.com
138602 Château Saint-Nicolas 2006 (Bordeaux) $18.95
Plum dark berries and oak are quite present in this predominantly Merlot blend. Very lush and well made. Gold Medal winner at the 2008 Concours de Bordeaux – Vins d’Aquitaine.
118067 Viña Cobos Felino Malbec 2008 (Mendoza) $19.95
Deep purple colour. Plum & spice on the palate – a great, hearty Malbec.
132365 Viña Cobos Felino Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 (Mendoza) $19.95
Big, rich and complex that is fruit driven big on classic flavours of ripe black currant, cassis, tobacco and coffee notes and a lengthy finish to boot.
622571 Clos De Los Siete 2007 (Mendoza) $23.95
This wine is made a wine consultant – Michel Rolland – consultant to Bordeaux and now in Mendoza. Many of us believe that consultants are a “useless waste of money” offering no value to an organization. This time the consultant does some good for the consumer. His winemaking skills are A-One and he has produced an interesting, complex blend: 48% Malbec, 28% Merlot, 12% Cab. Sauv., 12% Syrah. Violets, black cherries and plum are featured in this full-bodied wine. Tastes great and will do so for the next 5 years.
> $25.00
159913 Villa Girardi Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2005 (Veneto) $39.95
Here’s a tasty splurge that is lush and luxurious oozing with aromas and flavours of ripe black plum, ripe cherry, vanilla and dark chocolate. Sweetness reminiscent of candied fruits from the drying of the grapes. Simply delish!
ALP
Rose & Karen
Recent Comments