Viticcio Chianti Classico Riserva 2006, Tuscany, Italy

The sensuous nose alone tells me this should be really good, with aromas of dark berry fruit, sour cherries, plums, pepper, new leather, cedar and savoury notes. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied (alcohol at 13.5%) with rich and spicy flavours, lively acidity and very fine grain tannins.  The finish is long, bright with spicy sweet and sour flavours and fine ripe tannins. This Chianti Classico Riserva is a blend of 85% Sangiovese and 15% Merlot, and is deserving of its # 35 on Wine Spectator top 100 in 2009. Beautiful classic Chianti Classico simply does not get any better. A bit expensive, almost Brunello price territory here. Superb food wine, score 92 points.

This wine was purchased September 18, 2010 LCBO New Release at $34.95.

Stags' Leap Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Napa Valley, California, USA

I enjoy the option of having a quality wine in a half size bottled (375ml) like this Stags’ Leap Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. One of the benefits of smaller bottles is that they age quicker, tannins soften sooner, which means that the wine is ready to enjoy earlier. This wine is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon grape at 93%, with Cabernet Franc at 4% and Merlot at 3% in a supporting role.  This wine opens up with  aromas of blackberry, blackcurrants, clove, dry herbs, vanilla and espresso notes. A full bodied (with alcohol at 14.1%) and robust mouthfeel yet approachable with balanced acidity and silky tannins. This Cabernet finish is long with dark fruit, roasted coffee and chocolate flavours all wrapped up in fine grained  tannins. An excellent and very enjoyable cabernet, score 91 points.

This 375ml bottle was purchased  October 30, 2010 at $27.95.        

Palacios Remondo La Montesa 2008, Rioja, Spain

The 2008 is not as approachable in its youth as the 2007 vintage was, this is a little bolder with grittier tannins. This Crianza ( In Spanish wine labelling laws means, for reds, wine aged for 2 years with at less 6 months in oak) is mostly Grenache with Tempranillo and Mazuelo rounding out this Rioja. Definitely nice aromatics here with red fruit, floral notes, vanilla, toasty oak and spices. Medium to full bodied (with alcohol at 14%) with a mouthfeel that seems a little disjointed, where flavours haven’t quite married together yet, but the acidity is fresh and tannins are a bit chalky. The finish is long, spicy, fruity with cedar woodsy tannins lingering. Like I said before, this wine will get better in a year or two in your cellar. Last year's (2007) vintage was bought at a Ontario LCBO store for $14.95 and I must have bought about 6 of them, it was so smooth. This 2008 vintage was bought in Québec for $20.05... not the value it was last year. Score 87 points.

This wine was purchased on November 27, 2011 at the SAQ for $20.05.

Mission Hill Quatrain 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

A Quatrain is a poem or Stanza that is always composed of four lines. This wine is similarly composed of four grape varieties: Syrah 41%, Merlot 32%, Cabernet Franc 14% and Cabernet Sauvignon at 13%. Aged in French Oak barrels for 15 months with 45% new oak. Blackberries, black cherry, exotic spices, espresso and dried herbs on the nose. Medium to full body (alcohol at 13%), great structure, fresh acidity, dusty tannins with cherry and coffee mocha finish. A very aromatic and sophisticated wine here, I was a big fan of Mission Hill SLC Syrah 2006 and with 41% of that Syrah in this blend, no wonder Quatrain is that delicious. Score 92 points.

This wine was purchased March 19, 2011 LCBO New Release at $41.95.

Avignonesi Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2007, Tuscany, Italy

I rarely stray away from Italian wines when enjoying my favourite pizza from Ricardo’s Pizza here in Ottawa. Wow, what a delicate but intense bouquet on this Sangiovese based wine with aromas of red cherry, dark plum, dried figs, cedar and savoury notes. On the palate, medium bodied (with alcohol at 13.5%), lively acidity, fine tannins and rich flavours. A nice brightness on the finish with bitter cherry and plum fruit and pleasant ripe powdery tannins coding your entire mouth, just how I like them. Drinking well now or over the next 2-3 years. Score 90 points.

This wine was purchased May 14, 2011 LCBO New Release at $29.95

Château Rochecolombe Côte du Rhône 2009, Rhône, France

Deep violet colour, this Côte Du Rhône is a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah. This wine opens up with aromas of blackberry, dark plum, black olives, spices, toasty oak and espresso notes. On the mouthfeel medium to full bodied with alcohol at 14.7 %, balanced acidity and gritty tannins. The finish is medium length with dark fruit, pepper and toasty oak notes lingering. This is one of those wine I don’t get, I don’t smell Grenache at all, it smells more like Mourvèdre to me. What I am not fond of is the mouthfeel, it’s a little to rustic and to much toasty oak characteristic for my palate. It is not a bad wine for $15.00, but this is not something I would want to revisit. Score 86 points.
  
This wine was purchased December 10, 2011 LCBO New Release at $14.95.

Pairing wines with turkey – Holiday Wines

It is often at this time of the holiday season that I am asked for suggestions on what to pair with a Christmas turkey dinner, or a few suggestions on a more expensive wine to purchase for get-togethers over the Holidays. I thought I would give you a list of suggestions both red or white which may work for you.  Some reds go well with turkey and expensive is not always the best unless they are ready to drink now (great question to ask at point of purchase).

There is always a lot of flavour happening on a Christmas dinner plate; the turkey, gravy, stuffing with dry fruit, nuts, rice, bread or citrus fruits, potatoes, vegetables, bread or biscuits and tourtière. This is without including dessert and appetizers.  My recommendations are wines (both red and white) with as little sugar as possible, low alcohol and dry.

White Wines;  My suggestions for white wines are Chablis (Chardonnay grape, from Burgundy France), Chenin Blanc, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc with no oak or very little oak ( you want a wine with food friendly acidity) like these;

• Montes Classic Series Sauvignon Blanc 2010 from Chile (159954) at $12.95 13.5% Alcohol (General list wine)
• Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2010 from New Zealand (35386) at $16.95 13.5% Alc.
• Domaine De Vaugondy Dry Vouvray 2010 from France (189142) at $14.95 12.5% Alc. (Vouvray is a Chenin Blanc wine)
• Winery of Good Hope Vinum Africa Chenin Blanc 2009 from South Africa (739995) at $14.95 13.5% Alc.
• Château Des Charmes Old Vines Riesling 2008 from Ontario (277228) at $16.95 12% Alc. (This wine is medium dry)
• Domaine Bernard Defaix Côte de Lechet Reserve Chablis 1er Cru 2008 from France (017541) at $34.95 13% Alc. (Chablis is made out of Chardonnay grape)
• Inama Vin Suave Classico 2009 from Italy (949768) at $17.95 13.5% Alc.

Red Wines; What you should be looking for is a lighter wine with low tannins and alcohol, good acidity with more fruit than oak. During the holidays I usually recommend Beaujolais (Burgundy 2009 vintage), Pinot Noir, a Sangiovese based wine, Zinfandel and mature Rioja like these;

• Duboeuf Beaujolais Brouilly 2009 from France (277228) at $16.95% 12.7% Alcohol
• Masi Campofiorin 2007 from Italy (155051) at $17.95 13% Alc.
• Macrostie Wildcat Mountain Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006 from California (012740) at $38.95 14.2% Alc.
• Valiano Poggio Teo Chianti Classico 2006 from Italy (250563) at $17.95% 13.5% Alc.
• Volpaia Chianti Classico 2008 from Italy (953828) at $21.95 13.5%
• La Montesa Rioja 2008 from Spain (10556993) at $20.05 13.5% Alc. (This wine is available at the SAQ in Quebec)
• Ramon Bilbao Gran Reserva 2004 from Spain (244715) at $29.95 13.5% Alc. (Reviewed on this blog Dec 19)
• Château Ségur de Cabanac 2004 from France (243287) at $39.95 13% Alc. (For those who would prefer a full bodied Bordeaux ready to drink and reviewed on this blog Dec 12)
• Elderton Ode to Lorraine Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz/Merlot 2008 from Australia (976423) at $39.95. 14.5% (Also reviewed on this blog on October 13)

Have fun and remember to ask the product consultant at your local wine shop what your looking for.  Trust your tastes and enjoy.  Happy Holidays.

Ramon Bilbao Gran Reserva 2004, Rioja, Spain

Until this year, I had never enjoyed any of Ramon Bilbao wines. After trying their Tempranillo Edition Limitada 2007 I thought I would taste their Gran Reserva 2004. This wine has a complex  sensuous bouquet of wild berries, stewed fruit, Asian spices, cedar and leather. On the palate this wine is medium to full bodied (with alcohol at 13.5%) with elegant smooth texture, fresh acidity and silky tannins. This Gran Reserva finish is very smooth, spicy and savoury. This wine is a blend of 90% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano and 5% Grenache, aged 30 months in American oak casks. Once bottled it is further aged 36 months at the vineyards underground facility before release. This is a very aromatic and elegant, mature and sophisticated wine, ready to enjoy on it's own or pretty much any food. I paired this wine with roast chicken with a bacon and mushroom sauce and it was just perfect. Would definitely make a nice Christmas gift. Strongly recommended. Score 91 Points.  

This wine was purchased December 10, 2011 LCBO New Release at $29.95.

Kilikanoon Parable Shiraz 2007, McLaren Vale, Australia

Here is a rich and well structured Shiraz with very intense aromas of black fruit, raisin, pepper, menthol and toasty oak. The mouthfeel of this full bodied wine is powerful and rich, almost creamy due to the ripe and rich fruit, roasted coffee and toasty oak flavours, fresh acidity, grainy tannins and alcohol coming in at 14.5%. Maturation took place in French and American oak for 24 months. Long, spicy and sweet concentrated finish. A big wine for sure, with generous fruit and oak flavours without excess or jammyness. Strongly recommended for lovers of this style. Score 92 Points.  

This wine was purchased November 12, 2011 LCBO New Release at $39.95.

Finca El Origen Gran Reserva Malbec 2009, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

Unfortunately this wine's bottle is just as heavy as last year's vintage but thankfully the Malbec inside is just as delicious. This wine opens up with aromas of bing cherry, ripe blackberry, dark plums, cassis, mocha, vanilla and violet notes. Medium to full bodied, alcohol is high at 14.9% but it doesn’t overwhelm the palate as there is plenty of ripe fruit and spices, balanced acidity with ripe and robust tannins. The finish is long, spicy and mocha flavours lingering. This wine is mostly Malbec at 96% the remaining is 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, ageing took place in French oak for 15 months. Very enjoyable. Score 88 points.
 
This wine was purchased December 10, 2011 LCBO New Release at $19.95.

Churton Pinot Noir 2008, Waihopai Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand

This wine comes across at halfway between the style of a California Pinot and a Burgundy Pinot with the aromas of wild berry fruit, plum jam, clove, cinnamon stick, soft leather and attractive earthy notes. This medium to full bodied Pinot has a velvety smooth mouthfeel with Pinot characteristics good acidity and grainy tannins. The finish is long, smoky, slightly hot (alcohol at 14%) with ultra ripe fruit flavour. Not an elegant Pinot for sure, but very smooth and enjoyable. Score 88 points.

This wine was purchased September 17, 2011 LCBO New Release at $36.95.

Valiano Poggio Teo Chianti Classico 2006, Tuscany, Italy

This superb single vineyard Chianti Classico (100% Sangiovese grape) has got it all, a beautiful brilliant ruby color and a nose that is very Sangievese with aromas of cherry, plum, tobacco, leather and sweet toasty oak. The mouthfeel is well balanced by good fruit and oak structure, silky tannins and a lovely seam of acidity. A very nice long smooth texture and silky finish with a slight sour notes lingering. This is a very well made wine, well priced and very traditional style of Chianti Classico, strongly recommended. Score 90 points.

This wine was purchased November 26, 2011 LCBO New Release at $17.95

Château Ségur de Cabanac 2004, AC Saint-Estèphe, Cru Bourgeois, France

Again, another wine from Saint-Estèphe which has blown me away. Such rich and masculine aromatics of black fruit, blackcurrants, roasted coffee beans, soft leather, cloves, cedar wood and minerals notes. On the palate this blend has firm texture and tannins but not overbearing with good acidity. Medium length on the finish with layered dark fruit wrap with grainy tannins. The Château Ségur de Cabanac 2004 is a blend of  Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Frans and Petit Verdot with alcohol coming in at 13%. Here is a wine with lots of class, elegance and finesse, drinking well right now but with enough "stuffing" and tannins to evolve over the next 3-4 years. Awesome wine and strongly recommended. Score 92 points.

This wine was purchased December 10, 2011 LCBO New Release at $39.95.

Cicchitti Edicion Limitada Malbec 2008, Mendoza, Argentina

Lots of sugar diamonds on this synthetic cork. Pretty nice aromatics of cherry, dark plums, ripe berry jam, vanilla, smoky and savoury. The palate is smooth with luscious fruit, fresh acidity and soft tannins. The finish is medium length, velvety and slightly sweet. What this wine lacks in finesse is made up in sheer fruit power. The wine is marketed as extra-dry, I think its more closer to medium. I think most people will like this wine's easy drinking and crowd pleasing style. Be careful as you get closer to the bottom of the bottle, this Malbec had tons of sediments. I cannot remember the last time I saw so much sediment. Score 88 Points

This wine was purchased December 10, 2011 LCBO New Release at $23.95

Paul's Picks from the LCBO New Release of December 10, 2011 - Argentina Malbec and Christmas Gift Ideas

Hello to all my wine friends,

Just a little over two weeks before Christmas, a bit frightening. Time is going way to fast. After going through this “Holiday Cheer” New Release, apart from my two feature segments below, (Argentina Malbec and Christmas Gift Ideas) here are a few other wines that caught my attention. I did try Mission Hill Oculus 2007 (009316) at $70.00 at the Vancouver Wine Show last April and have two in my cellar, James Suckling formally of Wine Spectator gave it 95 points last winter, the highest ever for a Canadian Wine. Additionally as a fan of Merlot, Clos Du Val Merlot 2008 from California (065730) at $27.95 a big Napa Valley Merlot at a good price. This bold and funky blend (Syrah, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Viognier), The Chocolate Block 2009 from South Africa (129353) at $39.95 would make a great conversation wine over the Holidays. And from here in Ontario, Château Des Charmes Old Vines Riesling 2008 (277228) at $16.95, a winner of the best White Wine of the year at the Ontario Wine Awards and Gold medal at the Canadian Wine Awards. Well let’s get started.

Argentina Malbec; On occasion, I choose a bottle to open based on what type of grape I want to enjoy. Malbec is one of those grapes I look for, which reminds me, I have only one left in my cellar. This New Release has four to five of those wines which are worth considering, and it is time to restock. The last two are Malbec blends;

• Cicchitti Edicion Limitada Malbec 2008 (260893) at $23.95. I have reviewed there Gran Reserva Malbec 2004 on my blog last July, this winery producers big, bold and age worthy Malbec. I have read great reviews for this wine.
• Finca El Origen Gran Reserva Malbec 2009 (065425) at $19.95. This wine is mostly Malbec at 96% with 4% Cabernet Sauvignon added, wine is aged in French oak for 13 months. The 2008 vintage of this wine, release in Ontario last May 2010 was superb and on Decanter Magazine top Malbec list. Lets hope that the bottle is not as heavy as last year.
• Vina Cobos Felino Malbec 2009 (118067) at $19.95 This wine is dry compare to the last two which were extra dry, for people who prefer there Malbec a bit sweeter.
• Benmarco Expresivo 2008 (263517) at $36.95 This is a blend of 50% Malbec, 20% Syrah, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and the remaining 15% Tannat and Petit Verdot in a supporting role. A big bold and intense blend with lots of oak
• Clos De Los Siete 2008 (622571) at $21.95 This is a blend of 56% Malbec, 21% Merlot and 11% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot. This is the seventh vintage of this wine, as become a bit commercial over the last few years but this is still a very complex wine and at great value.

Christmas Gift Ideas; Any one of these wines would make a great gift for anyone who enjoys good wine. Here are five wines at different price points to consider. Starting with the most expensive one of them;

• Château Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from California (709881) at $134.95 Way out of my budget, but definitely the best wine on this release, from the very good 2007 California vintage. A great gift for someone cellar.
• Beringer Napa Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 from California (091058) at $39.95 A very nice gift for that special someone who enjoy big Napa Cab from this solid performer that is Beringer.
• Château Ségur de Cabanac 2004 from France (243287) at $39.95 It wouldn’t be a serious Christmas list without a Bordeaux wine, love the aromatics from wines of St-Estèphe and ready to enjoy now or cellar short term.
• Ramon Bilbao Gran Reserva 2004 from Spain (244715) at $29.95 For fans of Spanish wines, another wine ready to drink or cellar medium term, blend of 90% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano and 5% Grenache and aged in American oak for 30 months.
• Markus Molitor Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese 2008 from Germany (249706) at $24.95 From the best white grape on the planet, this medium-dry, light alcohol (7.5%) Riesling would make a great gift to about anyone who enjoy a sweeter white wine. Expect lots of flavours, complexity with some minerality.

My top three wines of this release;

1-Château Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from California (709881) at $134.95 Cellar Candidate

2-Alion 2007 from Spain (199331) at $78.95 Cellar Candidate

3-Markus Molitor Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese 2008 from Germany (249706) at $24.95

My top three wines for value;

1-Château Des Charmes Old Vines Riesling 2008 from Ontario (277228) at $16.95

2-Argiolas Costera 2009 from Italy (099028) at $17.95

3-Château Rochecolombe Côte du Rhône 2009 from France (255034) at $14.95

These wines did not make my shopping list but are worth considering;

Red Wines;

1-Mission Hill Oculus 2007 from British Columbia (009316) at $70.00 Cellar Candidate

2-Château Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from California (709881) at $134.95 Cellar Candidate

3-Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from California (024190) at $74.95 Cellar Candidate

4-Macrostie Wildcat Mountain Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006 from California (012740) at $38.95

5-Benmarco Expresivo 2008 from Argentina (263517) at $36.95

6-Clos De Los Siete 2008 from Argentina (622571) at $21.95

7-Vina Cobos Felino Malbec 2009 from Argentina (118067) at $19.95

8-Casa Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from Chile (947929) at $24.95

9-The Chocolate Block 2009 from South Africa (129353) at $39.95

10-Château Rochecolombe Côte du Rhône 2009 from France (255034) at $14.95

11-Pierre Amadieu Domaine Grand Romane Cuvée Prestige Gigondas 2009 from France (968693) at $27.95 Cellar Candidate

12-Tenuta Sette Ponti Grognolo 2008 from Italy (727636) at $33.95 Cellar Candidate

13-Alion 2007 from Spain (199331) at $78.95 Cellar Candidate

White Wines;

1-Château Des Charmes Old Vines Riesling 2008 from Ontario (277228) at $16.95

2-Astrolabe Voyage Sauvignon Blanc 2010 from New Zealand (010421) at $21.95

3-Domaine De Vaugondy Dry Vouvray 2010 from France (189142) at $14.95

Champagne & Sparkling Wines;

1-Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve Champagne from France (036962) at $54.95

2-R. Dumont & Fils Brut Champagne 2004 from France (246702) at $54.95

3-Roederer Estate Brut Sparkling from California (294181) at $28.95

That is it for me. Please accept my best wishes and may you all have a wonderful Christmas, a safe healthy Holiday Season and may your stockings overflow with your favourite Vino. My team and I will be back next year for the next New Release January 7, 2012.

Cheers
Paul YWG

Canonica A. Cerreto Chianti Classico Riserva 2007, Tuscany, Italy

Navigating a restaurant's wine list can be a challenge, especially when most of the wine names are not familiar to you. There may be numerous wines on restaurant's wine list which are available through consignment only or wine agency and not available in your local wine stores. Which is why I like to review some of these wines, since generally, few reviews are available for these wines.

This past weekend we headed out for dinner at Bottega Pizzeria on rue St-Zotique in Montréal, Québec, the wine list, an all Italian wine selection (love it) with about 60 different choices from all over Italy, including a selection of rare native Italian grapes. I selected Canonica A. Cerreto Chianti Classico Riserva 2007 to enjoy with our Pizza. This wine is a blend of 85% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot, aged 18 months in French oak. Talk about beautiful sensuous aromatics here with cherry, raspberry, blackberry jam, violets, cedar and savoury aromas. On the mouthfeel, medium to full bodied with 14% Alcohol with generous burst of flavour, soft textured tannins and lively acidity. The wine finish is long with lots of savoury flavours, jammy fruit and fine grained tannins. Superb aromatics, great structure and balance, awesome wine, really enjoyable. Score 90 Points.

  

Now lets talk about this restaurant, started with a salad first, then our Pizza La Capricciosa (tomatoes, prosciutto, olives, artichokes, mushrooms and fresh Fior di Latte mozzarella) and a pecan tart with hazelnut gelato for dessert. Everything was so good, so fresh and I love the thin crust with crispy outside and soft inside and the dessert was to die for. The service was impeccable, food is well priced with a really good wine list. Great experience, I cannot wait to go back, strongly recommended.

http://www.bottega.ca/

The restaurant price for this wine is $60.00

Update May 27, 2012

This Chianti Classico became available here in Ontario through the LCBO New Release of April 28, 2012. I have so far enjoyed two of three bottles purchased and found both of them to be as enjoyable as when I wrote the review last December. When I think of Chianti Classico, this is the style I enjoy, more traditional, with sweet and sour fruit, good acidity and food friendly.

Now for the price, not having enjoyed this wine before, I calculated the purchase price (who doesn’t do this) at $25.00, with a restaurant price at $60.00, which would have been 2 1/2 time the purchase price, which is average.  Since this wine wasn’t available at the SAQ in Québec, Bottega Pizzeria would have bought this wine through consignment and most likely at an even better price for restaurants, around $15 or $16. This makes the markup around four times the original price, which is excessive. But if you are living in Ontario and think of buying Canonica A. Cerreto Chianti Classico Riserva 2007, at $17.00 this wine is a great value. Cheers

Umberto Cesari Yemula 2008, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

 

I had enjoyed the Umberto Cesari Liano, a blend of 70/30 Sangiovese - Cabernet Sauvignon and I was curious to taste their Yemula blend of 70/30 Sangiovese-Merlot. My guess, I thought, the Merlot would grow better in the Emilia-Romagna region then the Cabernet Sauvignon and that the wine would be fresher, smoother with less use of oak.

On the nose there was an unpleasant smell of medicinal note, sour cherry, red berries and vanilla. The mouthfeel was a little thin on fruit with high acid and soft tannins. The finish is tart and thankfully short. If you compare the two wines, the Liano is definitely much much better. But at $27.50 for the Umberto Cesari Yemula 2008 the value is inadequate. Very disappointing.

This wine was purchase on November 27, 2011 at the SAQ for $27.50  

Vecchia Cantina Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2007, Tuscany, Italy

What great aromatics on this Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano with aromas of cherry, blackcurrants, leather, earthy and savoury notes. The palate has loads of energy and length with lively acidity and firm tannins. This wine finishes with long red fruit and savoury flavours and fine grained tannins. I am a strong believer that Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano wines are where you find the best value from Tuscany. An awesome wine, superb aromatics (very important for me) and need I say, strongly recommended.

This wine was purchased July 9, 2011 LCBO New Release at $18.95

My top three enjoyed wines for November 2011

A fine group of wines were enjoyed and reviewed this month, with only one disappointment. This was a very good month for European wines, all of them were very enjoyable and represented well the region which they came from. I opened a little more white wine then usual, and really enjoyed Marc Brédif Vouvray 2009. Also an honorable mention to Umberto Cesari Liano 2008 and E. Guigal Gigondas 2007. This month was definitely a great month for French wines. Here are the three wines that made the final cut.

 My top three enjoyed wines in November;

1-Shafer Merlot 2007, Napa Valley, California, USA
http://paulnjoywine.blogspot.com/2011/11/shafer-merlot-2007-napa-valley.html

There was no contest for this number 1 spot as this wine had it all. You know comfort food? This was a comfort wine for me. A rich full bodied Merlot with lots of everything but no excess. Gorgeous wine

2-La Rioja Alta S.A. Grand Reserva 904 Cosecha 1998, Rioja, Spain
http://paulnjoywine.blogspot.com/2011/11/la-rioja-alta-sa-grand-reserva-904.html

You could not find a wine of more contrast, compared to my number 1 spot. This Grand Reserva has such beautiful aromatics, very elegant and very smooth. A great souvenir from my summer vacation.

3-Domaine Grand Veneur Clos de Sixte Lirac 2009, Rhône, France
http://paulnjoywine.blogspot.com/2011/11/domaine-grand-veneur-clos-de-sixte.html

There was many wines that could have earned this spot, but none more deserving then le Domaine Grand Veneur Clos de Sixte Lirac 2009. A wine with lots of energy, character and length and at $24.00 a great value.