I am back from my vacation in Europe, and I am looking forward to posting a few reviews of some of the wines I enjoyed during this trip including some information on the destinations visited. This New Release (NR) selection may not be as exciting as the NR I missed (August 6, 2011) while on vacation, but I still see about two dozen wines worth looking into. Make sure to check out my top three picks for the last NR 06 Aug 11 (listed below). So let’s get started.
Blue Chips Australian Reds: For those of you who enjoy a full body new world red, what stands out in this release for me are four reds from South Australia. Three of these wines are from producers who consistently deliver quality wines in the $25 to $40 range. Starting with Shiraz, from Penfolds iconic winemaker Peter Gago and cooler climate Coonawarra, is Penfolds Bin 128 Shiraz 2008 (509919) at $34.95, a big wine for the BBQ session. Next the always rich and concentrated Pirramimma Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 (730374) at $24.95, a cellar candidate or to enjoy now with lamb or steak. I have enjoyed the last two or three vintages of this next wine from Grant Burge, ’The Holy Trinity’, Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvèdre or GSM 2007 (236257) at $33.95, always incredibly complex from old vines ranging in age from 50-120 years old. Finally, a winery that has received fantastic reviews, from the Barossa Valley (new to me), is Ross Shiraz 2006 (233825) at $30.95. I am always willing to try something new, specially when the reviews are this good.
Viognier: Not a very common grape, Viognier is a white grape mostly grown in the Rhone Valley of France (Condrieu) and South France (Langedoc, Provence and Roussillon), California, Australia and even Canada. Many people in the 80's were looking for an alternative to big oaky Chardonnay, and the full bodied Viognier with its incredible aromatics of flowers, peaches, apricots, citrus, candied peels and spices seems to be the answer. Not well know outside of France, the commercial planting of Viognier started popping up in Australia and California. Sometimes blended with Shiraz in Australia and Syrah in France. Viognier is better suited for food and can be enjoyed with a variety of foods like; salmon, lobster, pork and my favourite roast chicken with rosemary and lemons or oranges. If you have never tried this grape, a good bottle to start and at a very good price is Gérard Bertrand Réserve Spéciale Viognier 2009 from France (1479975) at $14.95.
My top three wines of this release:
1-Penfolds Bin 128 Shiraz 2008 from Australia (509919) at $34.95
2-Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from California (232371) at $29.95
3-Morgan Syrah 2007 from California (673764) at $24.95
My top three wines for value:
1-Gérard Bertrand Réserve Spéciale Viognier 2009 from France (1479975) at $14.95
2-Chalone Monterey County Chardonnay 2009 from California (080226) at $16.95
3-Villa Medoro Montepulciano D’Abruzzo 2008 from Italy (242321) at $15.95
My top three wines from last NR of August 6, 2011:
1-Montes Purple Angel 2007 from Chile (062364) at $49.95
2-Concha Y Toro Terrunyo Block 27 Carmenère 2007 from Chile (562892) at $29.95
3-Salcheto Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2005 from Italy (685180) at $24.95
These wines did not make my shopping list but are worth considering:Red Wines:
1-Domaine De Bila-Haut Occultum Lapidem 2008 from France (643239) at $21.95
2-L’Argentier Vieilles Vignes de Carignan 2007 from France (250712) at $19.95
3-Organic Product Ampelos Gamma Syrah 2006 from California (239459) at $27.95
4-Stratus Petit Verdot 2007 from Ontario (142638) at $38.20
5-Grant Burge The Holy Trinity Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvèdre 2007 from Australia (236257) at $33.95
6-Pirramimma Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from Australia (730374) at $24.95
7-Dauvergne Ranvier Vin Rare Gigondas 2007 from France (226928) at $31.95
8-Michele Castellani Colle Cristi Amarone Della Valpolicella 2007 from Italy (222109) at $39.95
9-Quinta De Ventozelo Touriga National 2007 from Portugal (657452) at $19.95
White Wines:
1-Joseph Cattin Pinot Blanc 2009 from France (224642) at $13.95
2-Domaine des Fines Caillottes Pouilly-Fumé 2009 from France (695908) at $22.95
My team and I will be back for next New Release of September 3, 2011.
CheersPaul YWG
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