Alan’s April 12, 2008 Vintages Release Tasting Notes

Sun Worshiping, nice idea, it won’t be long until hot and sunny days are back here in Ontario. Sun worshipping it is also the theme of the April 12th release, featuring a few decent wines produced in warmer climes. There are gems to be found especially at the lower end of the price scale.

A few wines from the sun worshiping section

59451 CASA SILVA QUINTA GENERACIÓN 2004 Colchagua Valley, Chile $19.95
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Syrah and Petit Verdot that shows notes of bright toasty black fruit, Ribena cordial and red currant jam. The palate is tight, chalky, tingly and just loaded with black fruit. There is a vegetal note on the finish that does not distract the fruit. Find this wine

60269 DE MARTINO SINGLE VINEYARD SYRAH 2005 Colchagua Valley, Chile $23.95
Sweet and creamy, laced with black raspberry, back cherry, roasted Moroccan spice and dried leaves. The palate turns around focusing on red fruit with flavours of rhubarb, red currant, plus hints of liquorish root and oak. The tannins are powerful, but so is the fruit, the acids are in tune. Find this wine

59337 LA MISION RESERVA CARMENÈRE 2006, Central Valley, Chile $12.95
Interesting and appealing twists of Thai basil, mint, forest floor and dark fruit. There is a silky chocolate feel on the palate along with pure black berry fruit and balanced acids. At this price, it is a good wine to quaff during warm summer nights. Find this wine

566844 PERRIN & FILS VINSOBRES LES CORNUDS 2005 Côtes du Rhône-Villages $17.95
Cola, Tamarind and H.P sauce combine with pure black fruit on the nose. The palate is tasty, the acids are lively, the tannins grip, but all in all, this is a nice wine.
Find this wine
 

927533 TORBRECK WOODCUTTER'S SHIRAZ 2006 Barossa Valley, South Australia $25.95
Earthy and barnyard notes are followed by layers of black fruit and red liquorish. A spicy mid palate shows tons of ground black pepper and concentrated blueberry and other sweet fruits. Good wine, although a trifle flabby on the finish. Find this wine

972588 A-MANO PRIMITIVO 2006 Puglia $15.95
Red raspberry, blueberry, lavender and sweet creamy floral notes follow through to the lush and silky palate. It is drinking well, a bit over the top for my tastes, but the tannins are smooth and the acids do their best to counter the sweetness. Find this wine

681817 CHÂTEAU DU TRIGNON GIGONDAS 2004 $27.95
Not the best wine to drink today, but give it time and this should be a killer. The powerful nose of blackberry, lavender and lilac is amazing. White pepper is the featured spice, the tannin is full and powerful while the fruit now plays a low profile on the palate, and it is only waiting for its day of glory. Find this wine

69559 ARGÜESO PEDRO XIMÉNEZ SHERRY Herederos de Argüeso $17.95
Lovers of sweet and sticky treats like shoofly or pecan pie will be in heaven. Its rim is amber/brown, there are nutty, sweet spice and raisin aromas. The palate is rich and chewy, although it is sweet, the acids ride well and the finish provides layers of caramel and nuts. Pure magic. Find this wine

67645 MEGALOMANIAC BIG MOUTH MERLOT 2006 Niagara Peninsula $24.95
This is my first opportunity to sample some of the wines from John Howard’s “Cellars of Distinction.” 2006 was not a great growing season, at least for late ripening reds, due to the monsoon like conditions at the close of the term. The big Mouth Merlot has mellow notes of blackberry, red liquorish and nutmeg. The palate shows nice flavours of chocolate, a little cherry and a mix of dried herbs. Its finish has pretty raspberry notes that soon disappear. Find this wine


67595 MEGALOMANIAC BRAVADO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006
Niagara Peninsula $24.95
A combination of briar, coconut shell, tobacco, blackcurrant and milk chocolate turn to rhubarb and currant on the palate supported by touches of lavender and sage. Nice lively acids on the finish, again the fruit fades fast. Find this wine

67637 MEGALOMANIAC VAINGLORIOUS CABERNET/MERLOT 2006
Niagara Peninsula $24.95
This offering shows notes of cedar, cured meat and blackberry. It is fuller on the palate, rounder, spicier and the toasty oak is more apparent. The finish has prickly acidity, along with a creamier texture that holds up well. Find this wine

28936 NAVARRO CORREAS GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2004 Mendoza, Argentina $18.95
At first the nose seems a little green showing parsley stems and dried herbs. Then the blackcurrant and plumy fruits burst onto the scene. Tannins are chalky, the fruit shows power and overall it’s a decent wine. Find this wine

723676 CASA LAPOSTOLLE CLOS APALTA 2005, Colchagua Valley, Chile $99.95
Casa Lapostolle's high end red wine consists of 42% Carmenère, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. It is a full-blown wine offering up aromas of sea salt, sweet black fruit, black toffee, liquorish and pepper. It is velvety smooth on the palate and holds super concentration. Although I find a touch of heat on the finish, it barely affects the balance of tasty fruit, sweet oak and prime acidity. Great wine should be though for a hundred bucks. Give it time though to show its best if you invest. Find this wine

60947 COCKFIGHTER'S GHOST PREMIUM RESERVE PINOT NOIR 2005
Tasmania $29.95
Damson, plum, black cherry grapefruit zest and sweet spice lead to a fruit driven palate. It is full bodied for a Pinot, the acids are in line, and it is far from elegant, but quite tasty. Find this wine


62430 SYAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005 Pyrenees, Victoria, South Australia $26.95
A densely coloured wine brimming with blackberry, cassis, lilac and heaps of rich sweet creamy fruit. The palate is one-dimensional at this point, due to its intensity of fruit. I am sure it will evolve into something unique and tasty. Find this wine

61788 CHÂTEAU LARRIVET-HAUT-BRION 2001 Pessac-Léognan $71.95
A blend of roasted root vegetables, mineral, creamy toffee, forest floor and lead pencil. The palate boasts layer after layer of fruit with sweet spice, Dutch liquorish and ample acids. The finish is long and highly enjoyable. I would like it more if I only paid the forty-dollar price tag that some US retailers are asking for. Find this wine

61796 CHÂTEAU LE CARILLON 2004 Pomerol $30.95
This second wine of Pomerol's Château Rouget has aromas of prune nutmeg, red berry and currant. The tannins are quite astringent on the palate and the wine lacks acidity. Not impressed. Find this wine

591461 CHÂTEAU PIPEAU 2003 St-Émilion Grand Cru $39.95
Wet moss, black raspberry and liquorish aromas. The palate gets hit by a ton of black fruit, tannin, vanilla and treacle. Although very good, it still needs lots of time to really show its best. Find this wine

963504 ANTONIN RODET CHAMBOLLE-MUSIGNY 2002 $51.95
Think old Barolo, prune, touch of balsamic, stewed fruit notes and sweet spice. Not what I want in a Burgundy especially from such a highly touted vintage. The palate has a sweet and sour tone, the finish offers dry raspberry fruit and maple syrup. Seems to be past its peak. Find this wine

69161 ANTONIN RODET SAVIGNY-LÈS-BEAUNE 2001 $27.95
A gamey leathery nose with suggestions of dried mushroom, beet, tomato, mocha and tobacco. The fruit is soft and lean on the palate. Tannins are soft and do not interfere. As a complete wine it is holding up, but only just. Find this wine

69088 NICOLAS POTEL VOLNAY VIEILLES VIGNES 2004 $31.95
Volnay for $32.00? This normally makes me suspicious. However, it is good; it shows red cherry, white mushroom, leather plum and meaty notes. The palate is clean, well balanced, has good structure and is simply tasty. Not a great Volnay by any means, but it is worth trying and it is way cheaper than it can be acquired south of the border. Find this wine

710194 SAN JACOPO DA VICCHIOMAGGIO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2006
$17.95
Star anise and rhubarb aromas give way to red berry and earthy notes. The palate is aggressive with flavours of red currant, red liquorish and crispy acids. Find this wine

50500 SENSI SANGIOVESE GRAMOLE 2004 $18.95
A wonderful mix of aromas including green tea, arugula, dried herb, straw, barnyard and black fruit lead to a rich ripe palate full of raisin fruit, blackberry, chalky tannin and black pepper. Find this wine

575787 LUIGI RIGHETTI VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO SUPERIORE RIPASSO 2005 $18.95
A nose of dried floral thyme, bay leaf, red liquorish and caramel toffee. A little up front sweetness on the palate with lots of blackberry and plum flavours. Find this wine

Cheers
CZ

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