Hello to all my wine friends,
Looking at this New Release (NR) the main feature
is “Tuscan Tradition”, with a very good selection, 16 new products in all, but
with few bargains and a whole lot of pricey options, an interesting Australia
vs. New Zealand Pinot Noir with three from each country. 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 a few whites;
·
highly rated (but not cheep) Malvasia wine, and not
from Italy but from California, Palmina Larner Vineyard Malvasia Bianca 2010
(289157) at $35.95; and
·
for fans of Riesling, two of them to consider,
Hoffman-Simon Piesporter Goldtropfchen Riesling Spätlese 2011 from Germany
(216499) at $21.95 and from Alsace France, Trimbach Réserve Riesling 2009
(995316) at $24.95.
Now for the reds;
·
an affordable and delicious Zin and feature has
"Arrive in Style" in this NR, Artezin Zinfandel 2010 from California
(302943) at $21.95;
·
for fans of Barolo, here is one for your
consideration Gianni Galiardo Barolo 2006 from Italy (713602) at $44.95;
·
how about a premium Malbec? Luca Malbec 2009 from
Argentina (167312) at $29.95;
·
a mid-price St-Emilion from the 09 vintage, Château
St. Georges 2009 from France (960310) at $34.95;and
·
a Pinot Noir from that battle between Australia and
New Zealand, Carrick Pinot Noir 2009 from New Zealand (919837) at $37.95. Well
now let's get started;
Tuscan Tradition; I love the wines from Tuscany,
one of my favourite wine regions by far. Now I can never emphasize this point
enough, Italian wines and definitely wines made with Sangiovese are meant to be
enjoyed with food. It’s hard to showcase just 4 wines since there are 8 wines I
would recommend (4 of them on my shopping list) but here it goes;
·
Moris Morellino Di Scansano 2010 from the Toscan
Coast (992560) at $18.95 – This wine is made with 100 % estate grown Morellino
(local name for Sangiovese) grown in the maritime influenced region of Scansano
and is my pick for the best value wine in this release.
· Le Pupille Poggio Valente Morellino Di Scansano
Riserva 2007 from the Toscan Coast (230680) at $29.95 – This wine is a blend of
mostly Sangiovese with 97% and with a supporting role, Alicante at 3%.
Maturation took place in French oak barrel (40% new) and 60% second use and a
further 7 months in bottle before release.
·
Jacopo Biondi Santi Sassoalloro 2008 from Maremma
(981407) at $35.95 –I had the opportunity to enjoy this wine a few weeks ago at
a local restaurant (Bekta Fine Dining), a beautiful, well made, elegant style
of Sangiovese with great aromatics. Maturation took place in French oak
(Troncais) for 14 months. Could be enjoyed now (they did decant the wine for
us) or cellar up to ten years. Strongly recommended.
·
Antinori Pian Delle Vigne Brunello Di Montalcino
2006 from Italy (651141) at $59.95 - Brunello is the premium Sangiovese wine
from Tuscany with rigorous production rules, the wine must be 100% Sangiovese,
with maximum yield of seven tons per hectare, minimum of two years in oak plus
an additional four months in bottle before release, an a minimum alcohol
strength of 12.5% which usually explains the high price.
My picks for...; I thought that I might give you my
picks by these predominant grapes or blend;
·
My Sauvignon Blanc pick: Dog Point Vineyard Sauvignon
Blanc 2011 from New Zealand (677450) at $21.95 - This is the style of Sauvignon
Blanc which I prefer with tropical fruit and citrus flavours with few
herbaceous notes and unoak. Dog Point Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc sells out
quickly every year.
·
My Pinot Noir pick: Stonier Pinot Noir 2010 from
Australia (025338) at $24.95 - Highly rated Pinot Noir from the cooler region
of Victoria, this winery only makes 3 styles of wine; a Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
and Sparkling wine. Maturation took place in French oak (approximately 10% new)
for 10 months with alcohol coming in at 13.9%.
· My Merlot pick: Hogue Genesis Merlot 2008 from
Washington State (349415) at $18.95 - Washington State has a great reputation
for Merlot and Hogue Genesis Merlot 2008 is a good example of that. Don't
expect a California style of Merlot here, more like a mid weight, savoury and
of great value.
·
My Rhône blend pick: La Crau De Ma Mère
Châteauneuf-Du-Pape 2010 from France (941740) at $44.95 - From the highly rated
2010 Rhône vintage, La Crau De Ma Mère makes a more modern style of
Châteauneuf-Du-Pape, mostly Grenache with Syrah and Mourvèdre in a supporting
role.
My top three wines from this release;
1- La Crau De Ma Mère Châteauneuf-Du-Pape 2010 from France (941740) at
$44.95
2- Tenuta Sette Ponti Oreno 2009 from Italy (735597) at $71.95
3- Poggio Al Tesoro Sondraia 2008 from Italy
(292391) at $44.95
My top three wines for value;
1- Finca Nueva Fermentado En Barrica Blanco 2010
from Spain (280560) at $15.95
2- Artezin Zinfandel 2010 from California (302943)
at $21.95
3- Moris Morellino Di Scansano 2010 from Italy
(992560) at $18.95
My wines picks from this New Release for your
considerations;
Reds Wines;
1- Dei Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2008 from Italy
(285510) at $28.95
2- Antinori Pian Delle Vigne Brunello Di Montalcino
2006 from Italy (651141) at $59.95
3- Poggio Al Tesoro Sondraia 2008 from Italy
(292391) at $44.95
4- Moris Morellino Di Scansano 2010 from Italy
(992560) at $18.95
5- Le Pupille Poggio Valente Morellino Di Scansano
Riserva 2007 from Italy (230680) at $29.95
6- Jacopo Biondi Santi Sassoalloro 2008 from Italy
(981407) at $35.95
7- Ruffino Modus 2008 from Italy (912956) at $28.95
8- Tenuta Sette Ponti Oreno 2009 from Italy
(735597) at $71.95
9- Stonier Pinot Noir 2010 from Australia (025338)
at $24.95
10-Kooyong Estate Pinot Noir 2010 from Australia
(282673) at $49.95
11-Carrick Pinot Noir 2009 from New Zealand
(919837) at $37.95
12-Artezin Zinfandel 2010 from California (302943)
at $21.95
13-Beaulieu Vineyard BV Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
from California (987420) at $25.95
14-Elk Cove Pinot Noir 2009 from Oregon (234534) at
$37.95
15-Hogue Genesis Merlot 2008 from Washington State
(349415) at $18.95
16-Luca Malbec 2009 from Argentina (167312) at
$29.95
17-Polkura Syrah 2009 from Chile (283978) at $23.95
18-Santa Ema Amplus One 2008 from Chile (169987) at
$23.95
19-D’Arenberg The Laughing Magpie Shiraz/Viognier
2008 from Australia (936971) at $29.95
20-Shaw & Smith Shiraz 2009 from Australia
(686659) at $44.95
21-Château St. Georges 2009 from France (960310) at
$34.95
22-Domaine Les Grands Bois
Cuvée Maximilien Cairanne 2010 from France (286336) at $21.95
23-La Crau De Ma Mère
Châteauneuf-Du-Pape 2010 from France (941740) at $44.95
24-Pharus Castellano Rosso Piceno Superior 2007
from Italy (174086) at $16.95
25-Gianni Galiardo Barolo 2006 from Italy (713602)
at $44.95
26-Remo Farina Le Pezze Amarone Della Valpolicella
Classico 2009 from Italy (171587) at $33.95
White Wines;
1-Cave Spring Estate Bottled Cave Spring Vineyard
Chardonnay 2010 from Ontario (256552) at $18.95
2-Forman Chardonnay 2010 from California (236117)
at $52.95
3-Macrostie Chardonnay 2009 from California
(244467) at $30.95
4-Palmina Larner Vineyard Malvasia Bianca 2010
(289157) at $35.95
5-Dog Point Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from New
Zealand (677450) at $21.95
6-Trimbach Réserve Riesling 2009 from France
(995316) at $24.95
7-Gilles Blanchet Pouilly-Fumé 2011 from France (141747)
at $19.95
8-Hoffman-Simon Piesporter Goldtropfchen Riesling
Spätlese 2011 from Germany (216499) at $21.95
9-Markus Molitor Riesling 2011 from Germany
(295956) at $18.95
10-Vesevo Beneventano Falanghina 2010 from Italy
(289538) at $15.95
11-Finca Nueva Fermentado En Barrica Blanco 2010
from Spain (280560) at $15.95
That is all for me and my team. We will be back for
the next New Release of October 13, 2012, where the featured segments are;
Australia: The scoop on 5 wineries to watch and Chile: Premium wines from
perfect sites.
Cheers
Paul YWG
