Hello to all my wine friends,
Looking at this New Release (NR) I see a very exciting selection from 5
small wineries in Australia (more on that latter), a better selection of white
wines than normal, again, few bargains in this NR but some very good wines in
the 25$ to 50$ range. There are few wines on my shopping list, but I am going
for quality and good value. Apart from the wines featured in the following two
highlighted segments, here are a few wines I would like to bring to your
attention.
Starting with white wines;
· For fans of a classic style of Sauvignon Blanc, and
at a good value, Leyda Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from Chile (099309)
at $16.95;
· A top notch cool climate (Mornington Peninsula in
Victoria) Chardonnay which is also featured in my main feature story, Yabby
Lake Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2010 from Australia (138628) at $39.95; and
· People may associate Soave with cheap Italian white
wine, but when made well and not over cropped, these wines can be delicious
just like Prà Soave Classico 2011 from Italy (074534) at $19.95.
Now for the red wines;
· Two wines from Chile, also a pick for best value of
this NR, Falernia Reserva Syrah 2009 (208371) at $16.95 and a ready to enjoy.
Also a great value Cabernet, Tres Palacios Family Vintage Cabernet Sauvignon
2008 (299743) at $17.95.
· An expensive collector Cabernet Sauvignon from
California which no doubt will have many lining up for, Grgich Hills Estate
Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from California (071407) at $74.95;
· A perennial Malbec favourite from Argentina,
BenMarco Malbec 2010 from Argentina (657601) at $17.95; and
· And finally, for fans of mature Traditional Spanish
Rioja (like me) from a very good producer, Lan Gran Reserva 2004 from Spain
(928622) at $27.95. Well let’s get started;
Australia’ Makeover; I am happy to see Vintages showcasing smaller
producers from various regions of Australia. Sales of Australian wines have
been on the decline for a while now. I believe this is what Australia's wine
makeover will look like; moving away from sweet syrupy wine, with cute animals
on the labels, that fill wine shelves, to smaller operations or family own
vineyards with a focus on unique products with a accent on quality and a dryer
wine. Over the last few years I have been paying more attention to the sugar
listing in our Vintages NR booklets. I now rarely by red wines listed as dry,
but instead buying reds listed as extra-dry. For sommeliers working in fine dining,
it is much easier to suggest Australian wines if there are extra-dry. They pair
much better with food, which makes the dining experience that much more
memorable. I am happy to report that of the 9 Australian reds will be released
this weekend, 6 of those are extra-dry.
- Oakridge
Over The Shoulder Chardonnay 2011 from Yarra Valley (285759) at $24.95 –
Lean Chablis style, cool climate Chardonnay from the cool 2011 vintage,
aged in a combination of stainless steel and older French oak barrels with
alcohol coming in at 12.3% and listed has dry.
- Fraser
Gallop Cabernet/Merlot 2010 from Margaret River (283077) at $29.95 – This
wine is a blend of all five Bordeaux grapes; 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15%
Merlot and in a supporting role Malbec 2%, Cabernet Franc 2% and Petit
Verdot 1%, maturation taking place in French oak for 10 months. This wine
is unfined, but filtered and listed as dry.
- Oakridge
Pinot Noir 2010 from Yarra Valley (284059) at $38.95 – Highly rated from a
Pinot Noir specialist, this Pinot Noir maturation took place in French oak
for 10 months (15% new), alcohol coming in at 12.9% and listed as
extra-dry.
- Spinifex
Bête Noir Shiraz 2010 from Barossa Valley (284141) at $49.95 – Spinifex
winemaker Peter Schell has worked many vintages in France and his French
born wife, Magali Gely family were vignerons for generations, which
explains the French names of their wines. Shiraz grapes were sourced from
20-95 years old vines, 70% from Barossa Valley and 30% from Eden Valley, maturation
taking place in French oak (30-40% new). This wine is listed as extra-dry.
Interesting and Unusual Wines; Many new products become available each
NR, usually between 125-150 (133 in this issue). There are always new wines
which will languish on the shelf because shoppers don’t know about them, or
don’t know what to pair it with. Well here are three of those wines (2 whites
and 1 red) for you to consider;
- Beauvignac
Picpoul De Pinet 2011 from France (350124) at $12.95 – My pick for best
value of this NR and featured on my shopping list. From a winery founded
in 1932, in the region of Languedoc, south of France, this wine would fall
under the category of Dry, Light and Fruity, are usually green-gold in
color with flavours of citrus and floral notes. This wine is made using
100 % Picpoul Blanc, is un-oaked with alcohol at a low of 12.5%. Wines
made with Picpoul Blanc usually have crisp acidity and are better served
has an apéritif or better yet with seafood.
- Artemis
Karamolegos Santorini 2010 from Greece (295642) at $15.95 – This white
wine from the beautiful Island of Santorini in Greece (I have been there
and the island is absolutely breathtaking) and is made using the Assyrtiko
grape. Santorini has a hot, dry and windy growing conditions, volcanic
soil and this wine would fall under the category of Dry, Light, Crisp with
strong mineral character. In Santorini, wine made with Assyrtiko grapes
are pair with fresh, grilled seafood.
- Spice
Route Chakalaka 2009 from South Africa (160481) at $24.95 – This wine is
name “Chakalaka” after the spicy South African relish and represent a
fusion of flavours, in this case a blend of 37% Syrah, 21% Mourvèdre, 18%
Carignan, 10% Petit Sirah, 10% Granache and 4% Tannat. Each component
spent 15 months in French oak with the exception of the Mourvèdre, where
maturation took place in 50% French and 50% American oak, also for 15
months. Suggestive pairing, BBQ lamb or steak.
My top three wines from this release;
1- Fraser Gallop Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from
Australia (283069) at $45.95
2- Grgich Hills Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from
California (071407) at $74.95
3- Spinifex Bête Noir Shiraz 2010 from Australia
(284141) at $49.95
My top three wines for value;
1- Beauvignac Picpoul De Pinet 2011 from France
(350124) at $12.95
2- Falernia Reserva Syrah 2009 from Chile (208371)
at $16.95
3- Leyda Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from
Chile (099309) at $16.95
My wines picks from this New Release for your
considerations;
Red Wines;
1- Paxton AAA Shiraz/Grenache 2010 from Australia
(149898) at $19.95
2- Spinifex Bête Noir Shiraz 2010 from Australia
(284141) at $49.95
3- Spinifex Papillon
Grenache/Cinsault/Carignan/Shiraz 2010 from Australia (285205) at $29.95
4- Fraser Gallop Cabernet/Merlot 2010 from
Australia (283077) at $29.95
5- Fraser Gallop Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from
Australia (283069) at $45.95
6- Oakridge Pinot Noir 2010 from Australia (284059)
at $38.95
7- Falernia Reserva Syrah 2009 from Chile (208371)
at $16.95
8- Tres Palacios Family Vintage Cabernet Sauvignon
2008 from Chile (299743) at $17.95
9- Agustinos Gran Terroir Pinot Noir 2010 from
Chile (296616) at $19.95
10-Quails’ Gate Pinot Noir 2010 from British
Columbia (585760) at $24.95
11-Grgich Hills Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from
California (071407) at $74.95
12-Ravenswood Teldeschi Single Vineyard Zinfandel
2008 from California (684589) at $44.95
13-Brandborg Bench Lands Pinot Noir 2008 from
Oregon State, USA (295238) at $28.95
14-BenMarco Malbec 2010 from Argentina (657601) at
$17.95
15-Flechas De Los Andes Gran Malbec 2009 from
Argentina (164095) at $21.95
16-Seresin Raupo Creek Single Vineyard Pinot Noir
2008 from New Zealand (285379) at $45.95
17-Sileni The Triangle Merlot 2009 from New Zealand
(586081) at $18.95
18-Spice Route Chakalaka 2009 from South Africa
(160481) at $24.95
19-Château de la Gardine
Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2010 from France (298612) at $32.95
20-Coudoulet de Beaucastel 2010 from France
(048884) at $29.95
21-Marchesi Di Barolo Barolo 2006 from Italy
(168179) at $168179) at $34.95
22-Ornellaia Le Volte 2010 from Italy (964221) at
$29.95
23-Michele Castellani Cinque Stelle Amarone Della
Valpolicella Classico 2007 from Italy (075127) at $54.95
24-Tedeschi Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico
2007 from Italy (695395) at $20.95 for Half Bottle
25-Lan Gran Reserva 2004 from Spain (928622) at
$27.95
26-Tinto Pesquera Reserva 2008 from Spain (323345)
at $39.95
White Wines;
1- Fraser Gallop Chardonnay 2011 from Australia
(288449) at $28.95
2- Yabby Lake Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2010 from
Australia (138628) at $39.95
3- Oakridge Over The Shoulder Chardonnay 2011 from
Australia (285759) at $24.95
4- Casa Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Chardonnay 2011
from Chile (947937) at $24.95
5- Leyda Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from
Chile (099309) at $16.95
6- Hidden Bench Felseck Vineyard Chardonnay 2009
from Onatrio (276261) at $38.00
7- La Crema Monterey Chardonnay 2010 from California
(158683) at $24.95
8-Wither Hills Single Vineyard Rarangi Sauvignon
Blanc 2011 from New Zealand (288134) at $21.95
9- Pascal Jolivet Les Caillotes Sancerre 2010 from
France (287086) at $31.95
10-Beauvignac Picpoul De Pinet 2011 from France
(350124) at $12.95
11-H. Thanisch Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling
Spätlese 2010 from Germany (295667) at $24.95
12-Artemis Karamolegos Santorini 2010 from Greece
(295642) at $15.95
13-Terredora Falanghina 2010 from Italy (642074) at
$14.95
14-Prà Soave Classico 2011 from Italy (074534) at
$19.95
Champagne;
1-Bollinger Brut Special Cuvée from France (384529) at $69.95
Fortified Wine;
1-Osborne Pedro Ximenez 1827 Premium Sweet Sherry fron Spain (047944) at $17.95
Fortified Wine;
1-Osborne Pedro Ximenez 1827 Premium Sweet Sherry fron Spain (047944) at $17.95
That is all for me and my team. We will be back for
the next New Release of October 27, 2012, where the featured segments are
Bordeaux 2009 vintage and California boutique wineries. You know what this
means, it’s going to be an expensive NR.
Pace yourself, Christmas is closing in (only 3 more
NR follow October 27), the LCBO and Vintages will soon be rolling out the
trophy wines. It’s nice to splurge once in a while but it’s still nice to find
good or great wines at a decent price.
Cheers
Paul YGW
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