Hello to all my wine friends,
A look at this New Release (NR) reveals the first feature section is of Australia. This NR also includes a few Bordeaux Blends from Canada. It is a far cry from the New Releases from last October, November and December when there was so many great wines to choose from. I am told that the NR of June 11 (Father's day big Reds?) will have a much better selection.Aussie Dynasties; This feature section of this NR showcases 11 renowned Australian wine families who produce wine from some of the most well known vineyards; D'Arenberg, Henschke, Jim Barry and Yalumba. 22 wines in total, represent a small portion of the 73 wines which will be available to taste and buy at the "Australia's First Families of Wine", Taste & Buy, held in Ottawa May 4 and Toronto May 5, held for the first time in Canada. I will be attending this tasting in Ottawa next week and will share my tasting notes and comments from this show with you next week. The 22 wines from this feature section of the NR, represent entry level wines from these wineries compared to top wines like Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz, Jim Barry The Armagh Shiraz and The Benbournie Cabernet Sauvignon, Tahbilk 1860 Vines Shiraz to name a few, which will be feature at Ottawa and Toronto show next week. Now for this week NR here are my three picks from Australia; 1-Henschke Keyneton Euphonium 2008 (720433) at $49.95 Best after 3-5 years in your cellar. 2-Yalumba Patchwork Shiraz 2008 (098392) at $21.95 great BBQ wine and 3-Yalumba Viognier 2009 (954644) at $24.95 a tree fruit and spicy white wine from South Australia.
Osoyoos Larose Le Gran Vin; This winery is a joint venture between Groupe Taillan of Bordeaux and Vincor International based in Ontario. The wineries name, Osoyoos refers to the location of the vineyard in the Okanagan Valley and Larose refers to one of Taillan's most prestigious estate in Bordeaux, second growth Chateaux Gruaud-Larose of Saint-Julien. They grow all five Bordeaux grapes; Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. These are the only grape varietal they grow, no white grapes are grown here. The vineyard is located above the Lake Osoyoos were the climate is ideal for grape growing, intense sunlight with low rainfall and cooler night temperature moderated by Mountains and Lake Osoyoos. Le Gran Vin is is definitely as close to Bordeaux as you will find in Canada (with exceptions of Mission Hill Oculus). While at the Vancouver Wine Show last month I tasted the 2006, 2007 and barrel tasting of the 2008. With a bottle of the 2006 vintage lurking in my cellar. The Osoyoos Larose Le Gran Vin 2006 (626325) at $45.00 is a big wine with black cherry, blackberries, chocolate, smoke, cigar box and cedar on the nose. The wine is full body with concentrated flavour, grainy tannins and balance acidity. Its drinking well right now serve with a nice steak but could easily be cellared for another 2-4 years. This wine was released in BC in the fall of 2009, and first released in Ontario in October 30, 2010 NR. The 2007 vintage was release in BC last fall.
My top three wines from this release;
1-Henschke Keyneton Euphonium 2008 from Australia at $49.95
2-Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin 2006 from BC, Canada at $45.00
3-Stratus Red 2007 from Ontario, Canada at $44.20
My top three wines for there value;
1-Yalumba Patchwork Shiraz 2008 from Australia at $21.95
2-Leone De Castries Salice Salentino 2006 from Italy at $16.95
3-Domaine Tinel-Blondelet La Croix Canat Sancerre 2009 from France at $21.95
These wines did not make my shopping list but are worth considering;
Red Wines;
1-Henschke Keyneton Euphonium 2008 from Australia at $49.95
2-Henschke Johann's Garden 2007 from Australia at $54.95
3-Howard Park Leston Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from Australia at $29.95
4-Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from California at $29.95
White Wines;
1-Malivoire Mottiar Chardonnay 2009 from Ontario at $29.95
2-Domaine Tinel-Blondelet La Croix Canat Sancerre 2009 from France at $21.95
Cheers
Paul YWG
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