Hello to all my wine friends,
Looking at this New Release (NR), apart from the featured wines in the following two highlighted segments, here are a few wines I would like to highlight for you. Starting with white wines, for fans of California Chardonnay, Edna Valley Paragon Chardonnay 2009 (984153) at $19.95; and for the fans of Chablis (Chardonnay from Burgundy, France) the strongly recommended Jean-Marc Brocard Vaucoupin Chablis 1er Cru 2010 from France (288019) at $29.95. Another Chardonnay to consider, from our province of Ontario, Inniskillin Winemaker’s Series, Montague Vineyard Chardonnay 2010 from Niagara Peninsula (586347) at $18.95. Looking for a Sauvignon Blanc, two recommendations here, Cape Point Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2010 from South Africa (285221) at $18.95 and Momo Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from New Zealand (009167) at $17.95. Now for the reds, my pick for the best wine of this release, Pinino Brunello Di Montalcino 2006 from Italy (032508) at $38.95; next a robust red for the BBQ, Quinta De Ventozelo Touriga Nacional 2008 from Portugal (657452) at $18.95 and for fans of Ripasso style wines, Cesari Due Torri Ripasso Valpolicella Superiore 2009 from Italy (159400) at $17.95. Well let’s get started; German Single-Vineyard Wines; From John Szabom a master sommelier “You may not be aware, but there’s a secret society of German Riesling lovers across the world. They’re not easy to spot on the street, but you’ll be able to identify them by how they refer to themselves: sommelier” I couldn’t agree more, I don’t know of any sommelier who does not enjoy German Riesling. There is something about them that makes them so special, covering all the bases from dry wines to sweet dessert wines, their texture and complexity makes them so interesting.
- Reichsgraf Von Kesselstatt Scharzhofberger Riesling Kabinett 2006 from Mosel (282343) at $17.95 – I have always enjoyed Riesling Kabinett from Germany. Light body white wine, complex aromatics, off-dry with good acidity and low alcohol (usually between 6 to 8%). Riesling is one of those rare white wines which could age for many years in part because of the level of sugar and acidity. I have been buying wines from Reichsgraf Von Kesselstatt for some time now, having reviewed two of them on my blog. A producer of textbook Riesling Kabinett and at almost 6 years of age, some kerosene notes should start appearing soon.
- Markus Molitor Zeltinger Himmelreich Riesling Spätlese from Mosel 2008 (282350) at $26.95 – The translation of the German word Spätlese, its late harvest. Which means the grapes are usually picked at least 7 days after the normal harvest. Riesling Spätlese has a fair amount of residual sugar (riper than Kabinett) and naturally high acidity which keeps the wine refreshing. Pairing possibilities, a plate of hard cheeses or spicy Thai or Indian food to balance out the hot spices. If you have never tried a Riesling Spätlese, I strongly recommend wines from the very good producer Markus Molitor, a great place to start.
Selection of New and Old World Reds; Here is a selection of four red wines which caught me attention and made it on my shopping list;
- Valdivieso Single Vineyard Old Vines Malbec 2009 from Chile (273987) at $19.95 – Malbec is a varietal not as commonly grown in Chile compared to there neighbour Argentina. This wine is 100% Malbec from 80 years old vines with maturation for 12 to 18 months in 100% French oak of them 35% new barrels.
- Coriole Vineyard Estate Grown Shiraz 2009 from Australia (931600) at $26.95 – If you haven’t try wines from this winery, you are in for a treat. Less of a blockbuster style of Shiraz from McLaren Vale than most, but a ripe and savoury Shiraz with alcohol at 14%. Coriole Vineyard is also a pioneer of Italian varieties in Australia since 1985 growing the Italian red grapes of Barbera, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, and the white grape Fiano.
- Beaulieu Vineyard Tapestry Reserve 2008 (050393) from California at $34.95 – California may be an new world region but Beaulieu Vineyard wines are made in a more elegant Bordeaux style. Using all five Bordeaux grapes (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot) with alcohol coming in at 14.5%. I always enjoy Beaulieu Vineyards purity of fruit and restrained style of wine making, strongly recommended.
- Castellani Filicheto Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2009 from Italy (184937) at $17.95 – Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano are superb food wines with lower alcohol (in this case 13.5%) and food friendly acidity. This wine is a blend of 90% Prugnolo Gentile (regional name for Sangiovese) and 10% Canaiolo with maturation in Tuscan casks.
My top three wines from this release;
1- Pinino Brunello Di Montalcino 2006 from Italy (032508) at $38.95
2- Beaulieu Vineyard Tapestry Reserve 2008 from California (050393) at $34.95
3- Markus Molitor Zeltinger Himmelreich Riesling Spätlese 2008 from Germany (282350) at $26.95
My top three wines for value;
1- Castellani Filicheto Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2009 from Italy (184937) at $17.95
2- Reichsgraf Von Kesselstatt Scharzhofberger Riesling Kabinett 2006 from Germany (282343) at $17.95
3- Domaine les Yeuses les Épices Syrah 2009 from France (177584) at $13.95
My wine picks from this New Release for your considerations;
Red Wines;
1- Barlow Barrouge Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from California (147603) at $47.95
2- Beaulieu Vineyard Tapestry Reserve 2008 from California (050393) at $34.95
3- Frank Family Zinfandel 2009 from California (278283) at $33.95
4- Plume Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from California (287367) at $29.95
5- BenMarco Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 from Argentina (232637) at $17.95
6- Pascal Toso Reserve Malbec 2009 from Argentina (183897) at $19.95
7- Valdivieso Single Vineyard Old Vine Malbec 2009 from Chile (273987) at $19.95
8- Cimicky Trumps Shiraz 2008 from Australia (027383) at $21.95
9- Coriole Vineyard Estate Grown Shiraz 2009 from Australia (931600) at $26.95
10-Jean-Paul Brun Terres Dorées Côte de Brouilly 2010 from France (235127) at $18.95
11-Domaine les Yeuses les Épices Syrah 2009 from France (177584) at $13.95
12-Domaine du Grapillon D’Or Gigondas 2010 from France (981787) at $28.95
13-Castellani Filicheto Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2009 from Italy (184937) at $17.95
14-La Velona Rosso Di Montalcino 2009 from Italy (285429) at $17.95
15-Pinino Brunello Di Montalcino 2006 from Italy (032508) at $38.95
16-Rocca Delle Macie Riserva Di Fizzano Chianti Classico Riserva 2007 from Italy (699454) at $26.95
17-Cesari Due Torri Ripasso Valpolicella Superiore 2009 from Italy (159400) at $17.95
18-Quinta De Ventozelo Touriga Nacional 2008 from Portugal (657452) at $18.95
White Wines;
1- Reichsgraf Von Kesselstatt Scharzhofberger Riesling Kabinett 2006 from Germany (282343) at $17.95
2- Markus Molitor Zeltinger Himmelreich Riesling Spätlese 2008 from Germany (282350) at $26.95
3- Inniskillin Winemaker’s Series Montague Vineyard Chardonnay 2010 from Ontario (586347) at $18.95
4- Edna Valley Paragon Chardonnay 2009 from California (984153) at $19.95
5- La Crema Chardonnay 2010 from California (962886) at $28.95
6- McManis Family Vineyard Viognier 2010 from California (658112) at $18.95
7- Cape Point Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2010 from South Africa (285221) at $18.95
8- Momo Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from New Zealand (009167) at $17.95
9- André Blanck Altenbourg Gewurztraminer 2011 from France (168906) at $17.65
10-Jean-Marc Brocard Vaucoupin Chablis 1er Cru 2010 from France (288019) at $29.95
11-Königschaffhausen Trocken Pinot Gris 2011 from Germany (597500) at $13.95
12-Terre Dora Fiano Di Avelinno 2010 from Italy (120048) at $18.95
13-Broglia La Meirana Gavi Di Gavi 2010 from Italy (280958) at $17.95
14-Abad Dom Bueno Godello 2010 from Spain (154302) at $14.95
That is all for me and my team. We will be back for the next New Release of August 18, 2012, where the featured segments are; “Southern Rhône: the 2010 vintages” and “Wines of the Pacific Northwest (BC, Oregon and Washington State)”
Cheers,
Paul YWG
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