Hello to all my wine friends,
Now my favourite question; If I were allowed to buy
only one wine from this NR, which one would that be? Giuseppe Campagnola Le
Bine Monte Foscarino Soave Classico 2011 from Italy (134551) at $13.95. With
summer approaching ever so slowly, we will have more opportunities to drink
white wine over the next 3-4 months. But Soave? Yes, give it a try, a beautiful
complex and refreshing wine for $13.95. Here are a few wines I would like to
bring to your attention;
Starting with white wines;
- For fans of classic New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc; Astrolabe Province Sauvignon Blanc 2012 from New Zealand (10421) at $21.95.
- Here is a fine Italian Pinot Grigio for summer patio sipping, Istituto Agrario San Michele All’Adige Pinot Grigio 2011 from Italy (249540) at $17.95.
Now for the red wines;
- Here are two BBQ options, first a Zinfandel from California, DeLoach Zinfandel 2010 from California (149237) at $29.95 and a full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile, Urraca Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from Argentina (271080) at $19.95. In the summer don’t forget to serve slightly chilled around 16 °C to 18 °C, this will bring out the fruit and tame the alcohol and tannins.
- Lately I have enjoyed discovering red wines from Portugal and this one is highly recommended, Quinta De Lubazim Grande Reserva 2008 from Portugal (317073) at $28.95. Now let's get started;
My Father's Day wine gift ideas; With Fathers Day fast
approaching (June 16), if you are looking for a fine bottle of wine to show
your appreciation to your father, here are a few recommendations. Most men that
I know prefer a full bodied red wine, I have four of those wines for you to
consider and I will try to cover all the bases with these three picks; a full
bodied Cabernet Sauvignon blend from California; two wines from Italy; an
Amarone and a Brunello. My suggestion, if your father prefers a white, how
about this full bodied Chardonnay from California, Grigich Hills Estate
Chardonnay 2010 from California (346304) at $54.95.
- Ridge Santa Cruz Mountains Estate Cabernet/Merlot 2009 from California (89284) at $52.95 – For dad who likes them big, a blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon at 77% and in a strong supporting role Merlot at 23%, ageing for 19 months in primarily used air-dried American oak barrels (only 15% new) and alcohol comes in at 13.5%.
- Tommasi Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2009 from
Italy (356220) at $49.95 – A few years back, I developed a slight addiction to
Tommasi Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2004. I keep going back to my
dealer to repurchase, that wine was so good. Very consistent from vintage to
vintage, as for this 2009 vintage, a blend of 50% Corvina Veronese, 30%
Rondinella, 15% Corvinone and 5% Molinara, ageing took place in Slavonian oak
casks and alcohol comes in at 15%.
- Poggiotondo Brunello Di Montalcino 2006 from Italy (276576) at $34.95 – If dad prefers a mature old world type of wine, here is a elegant, classic Brunello (100% Sangiovese), which I had the opportunity to enjoy last November. This Brunello, six months later, should be even smoother but I still recommend decanting before serving, follow the link below for the review.
My top three picks for value; I have often been asked
to recommend wines under $20.00. Well in this NR, there are many wines of great
value and worth stocking up, that I decided to elaborate on three of these
wines. These wines should offer enjoyable drinking pleasure, delivering quality
well above their asking price and not likely to disappoint.
- Giuseppe Campagnola Le Bine Monte Foscarino Soave Classico 2011 from Italy (134551) at $13.95 – I know that Soave can be a hard sell but when in good hands and not over cropped, you get a great wine like this one. This wine is from a single vineyard, hand harvested blend of 70% Garganega and 30% Trebbiano, ageing took place in ox tanks (no oak) and alcohol comes in at 12.5%. Food pairing suggestions; ideal as aperitif, hors d’oeuvres, vegetarian meal and white fish dish.
- Les Halos de Jupiter Côtes du Rhône 2010 from France
(276956) at $17.95 – I had the opportunity to visit this winery both at the
Vancouver International Wine Festival this year and tasted all four of their
wines. I am not a fan of their Rasteau and Gigongas 2010, but loved their
Châteauneuf-du-Pape and this Côtes du Rhône 2010. A full bodied and easy
drinking blend of mostly Grenache at 85% with Syrah at 10% and Mourvèdre at 5%
with alcohol coming in at 15%. Now here is the kicker, this wine is sold in
British Columbia for $24.99 and here in Ontario for $17.95. At $17.95, I feel it
represents an awesome value.
- Lealtanza Crianza 2009 from Spain (114835) at $16.95 – For fans Spanish Rioja wines, here is a not to be missed, a red Rioja, made with 100% estate grown Tempranillo. Maturation taking place in French oak for 12 months plus an additional 12 months in bottle before release, alcohol coming in at a moderate 13.3%. Pairing suggestions; beef, lamb, game, grilled pork or chicken, cheese or tapas.
My top three wines from this release;
1- Ridge Santa Cruz Mountains Estate Cabernet/Merlot
2009 from California (89284) at $52.95
2- Poggiotondo Brunello Di Montalcino 2006 from Italy
(276576) at $34.95
3- Altamira De Los Andes Navigato Family Selection
Grand Reserve 2008 from Argentina (314872) at $46.95
My top three wines for value;
1- Giuseppe Campagnola Le Bine Monte Foscarino Soave
Classico 2011 from Italy (134551) at $13.95
2- Les Halos de
Jupiter Côtes du Rhône 2010 from France (276956) at $17.95
3- Lealtanza Crianza 2009 from Spain (114835) at $16.95
My wine picks from this New Release for your
consideration;
Red Wines;
1- Chakana Estate Selection Red 2011 from Argentina
(322602) at $29.95
2- Altamira De Los Andes Navigato Family Selection
Grand Reserve 2008 from Argentina (314872) at $46.95
3- Urraca Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from Argentina
(271080) at $19.95
4- DeLoach Zinfandel 2010 from California (149237) at
$29.95
5- Ridge Santa Cruz Mountains Estate Cabernet/Merlot
2009 from California (89284) at $52.95
6- Sileni The Triangle Merlot 2010 from New Zealand
(586081) at $16.95
7- Château Cap de
Faugères 2010 from France (321372) at $34.95
8- Château La Clare
2009 from France (331751) at $29.95
9- Les Halos de
Jupiter Côtes du Rhône 2010 from France (276956) at $17.95
10-Paitin Sori’ Paitin Barbaresco 2008 from Italy
(106591) at $32.95
11-Leone De Castris Riserva Salice Salentino 2009 from
Italy (597534) at $18.95
12-Poggiotondo Brunello Di Montalcino 2006 from Italy
(276576) at $34.95
13-Masi Brolo Campofiorin Oro Appaxximento 2009 from
Italy (976092) at $24.95
14-Tommasi Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2009
from Italy (356220) at $49.95
15-Quinta De Lubazim Grande Reserva 2008 from Portugal
(317073) at $28.95
16-Lealtanza Crianza 2009 from Spain (114835) at $16.95
White Wines;
1- Flat Rock Cellars Riesling 2012 from Ontario (43281)
at $16.95
2- Grigich Hills Estate Chardonnay 2010 from California
(346304) at $54.95
3- Cooper Mountain Reserve Pinot Gris 2011 from Oregon
(324491) at $20.95
4- Astrolabe Province Sauvignon Blanc 2012 from New
Zealand (10421) at $21.95
5- Domaine Raoul
Gautherin & Fils Vaillons Chablis 1er Cru 2010 from France (159236) at
$28.95
6- Château de la
Gravelle Muscadet Sèvre & Maine Gorges 2006 from France (656736) at $15.95
7- Istituto Agrario San Michele All’Adige Pinot Grigio
2011 from Italy (249540) at $17.95
8- Giuseppe Campagnola Le Bine Monte Foscarino Soave
Classico 2011 from Italy (134551) at $13.95
That is all for me and my team. We will be back for the
next New Release of June 22, 2013 where the featured segments are “Southern
Rhône: the 2009, ’10 and ’11 vintages” and “Modern South Africa wines”
Cheers
Paul YWG
