Summertime is here. The latest release of juice onto Vintages shelving is reflective of this, as it features barbeque friendly Malbecs from Argentina. Tasting them was a hoot until the “similarity syndrome” kicked in. However, there are a few good wines to be found especially those at the lower end of the price scale. Happy grilling.

640490 ALTOS LAS HORMIGAS MALBEC 2008 Mendoza $13.95
A sweet and creamy nose, lots of black cherry and black raspberry. It has plenty of fleshy notes on the rich round palate. Not a complex wine by any means, but a good example of the varietal that screams for rare grilled rib eyes. Find this wine

3509 CHAKANA MALBEC 2008 Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza $13.95
This is a tasty Malbec, full of black cherry, milk chocolate, currant and spice. It has a jammy character on the palate, yet there is good structure, giving plenty of promise, especially at this price. Find this wine

125963 ANDEAN VINEYARDS MALBEC 2007 Mendoza $15.95
This is not willing to give up much when first poured. It is tight and all I can detect are earthy notes with a touch of licorice. However, with a little encouragement, some nice dark fruit aromas appear. The palate is clean, balanced and shows a pretty combination of both fruit and mineral components. Good value, drinking well, but a year or so might allow further development. Find this wine

28928 NAVARRO CORREAS ALEGORÍA GRAN RESERVA MALBEC 2006 Mendoza $18.95 A pleasant wine showing sweet cherry, black fruit and a floral note. It has power on the palate, the acids are fine, yet it fails to impress on the finish. Find this wine

 79798 DOMINIO DEL PLATA SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE MALBEC 2007 Mendoza $27.95
Polished shoe leather, cherry ripple, blueberry coulis and mocha combine to produce a power packed enticing nose. The wine carries a wonderful rich chewy texture without being over the top. The acids do their job to tame and control the ripe fruit and mineral elements. Find this wine

50849 KAIKEN ULTRA MALBEC 2006 Mendoza $19.95
Oak and more oak with cherry and raspberry notes lurking close behind. It has a ripe creamy texture on the palate. There are nice black fruit acids to tone down the fullness, while the finish is hot and toasty. Find this wine



64998 MICHEL TORINO ESTATE DON DAVID RESERVE MALBEC 2007 Cafayate Valley $12.95
According to Jay Miller, one of Robert Parker’s right hand men, this Malbec was aged in both French and American oak for a year. He likes, and so do I. The combination of smoky spice, dried mint, black cherry and licorice on the nose carry through to the well balanced and enjoyable palate. Don’t wait too long to acquire this as it should fly of the shelves. Find this wine

17210 MICHEL TORINO ESTATE DON DAVID RESERVE MALBEC 2006 Mendoza $15.95
Initially, the muddy, leafy notes bring to question the quality of this wine, but it opens up to offer tar, leather, black cherry and plum aromas. It has great density on the palate, although a little clumsy right now, I think good things will happen to this wine. Find this wine

588731 TRIVENTO GOLDEN RESERVE MALBEC 2006 Mendoza $24.95
This pure black cherry bomb has a big smoky and spicy profile that is driven by fruit and medicinal aromas. The palate is thick with plenty of spice, mocha, and dark fruit. Find this wine

123729 VIÑA COBOS BRAMARE MALBEC 2006 Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza $39.95
Be forewarned, this powerhouse of a Malbec spent 18 months in French and American oak. It is ripe, tar laden and leathery oozing with black fruit, cigar box, cola and Middle Eastern spice. It has a massive degree of concentration, it's super creamy although a trifle hot. Not a wine for the faint of heart. Find this wine

277228 CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES ESTATE RIESLING 2005 Niagara-on-the-Lake $16.95
Both the 2005 and 2006 Rieslings are being released this month and I only had the chance to taste the 2005. Both are highly touted in the catalogue and the 05 is a most impressive wine indeed. It is aging extremely well. The nose has a little petrol nuance along with honeycomb, candied citrus, mineral and baked apple. The lively acidity is pristine. It truly is fabulous stuff and I will make a point of trying the 06 too once released. Find this wine

129759 MALIVOIRE CHARDONNAY MUSQUÉ 2008 Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula 375 mL $11.95
This has a nose reminiscent of Moscato mixed with Johnson and Johnson’s baby shampoo. There are traces of melon and white tree fruit, the palate lacks balance. Not a wine for me. Find this wine

662601 PENINSULA RIDGE VIOGNIER 2007 Niagara Peninsula $14.95
A pretty nose of fresh cut flowers, peach and preserved lemons that carry through to the light, but nicely balanced palate. The finish shows clean fruit and a touch of mineral.  Find this wine

685610 HENRY OF PELHAM CABERNET SAUVIGNON ROSÉ 2008 Niagara Peninsula $14.95
This is strange, with eyes closed; this wine delivers aromas of Sauvignon Blanc, citrus apple and a bizarre aroma of unwashed armpit. There are some red fruit notes, cranberry and red currant, shadowing in the background. The palate shows a different profile, the stinky arm pit note is replaced with flavours of red fruit, mineral and crisp acidity. Find this wine

505610 HIDDEN BENCH TERROIR CACHÉ MERITAGE 2006 Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula $35.20
Showing a better Bordeaux nose than some of the Bordeaux wines at the tasting, this blend of 50% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc, 12% Malbec and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon is exceedingly tasty. There truly is a terroir element to this wine. The mineral and earthy notes are complemented with aromas of black fruit, cherry, cigar leaf and vanilla. The palate is medium to full-bodied packed with fruit flavours, perfect acidity and brilliantly balanced. Find this wine

121699 PALATINE HILLS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005 Niagara Lakeshore $19.95
A very clean and soundly made cabernet showing notes of blackcurrant, tobacco and plum. It carries medium weight, pretty fruit flavours and a pleasant finish.
Find this wine

119297 VIÑA COBOS BRAMARE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005 Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina $39.95
This is one crazy wine, well at 16.9 degrees of alcohol; one can wonder is it still considered a wine? Paul Hobbs, of Californian notoriety, has crafted this Mendoza monster. Aromas of lead, blackcurrant, mocha and plum skin are discharged from the glass. My tastes buds tremble as the sweet concentrated flavours of black fruit, coffee, chocolate and stone hit them. This is as far from elegant as one can find and way too overpowering for my tastes. Conversely, it has been rated well and I am certain many people will enjoy it. Find this wine

684597 SANTA CAROLINA RESERVA DE FAMILIA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006 Maipo Valley, Chile $19.95
Another powerful wine full of dried mint, green peppercorn, blackcurrant and vanilla. The palate has a creamy texture, is laced with fruit and carries the right amount of oak. Find this wine

963678 ELDREDGE BLUE CHIP SHIRAZ 2006 Clare Valley, South Australia $25.95
Nice, powerful nose offering up eucalyptus, coconut, cake spice and plenty of black berry fruit. It is fruit forward on the palate; full of spice, creamy oak and great acidity. Find this wine

108035 JJ HAHN 1928 SHIRAZ 2005 Barossa Valley, South Australia $38.95
Whiffs of forest floor, mushroom, violet and blackberry pie combine to produce a fabulous nose. The spicy palate has lots of currant, sweet oak and is well balanced. The finish shows spice, but no excessive heat, refreshing black fruit acidity and great length. Find this wine

999821 MULDERBOSCH CABERNET SAUVIGNON ROSÉ 2008 Stellenbosch, South Africa $12.95
I have never had a bad wine from Mulderbosch. This offers good value showing lots of red fruit, some floral components and plenty of nice fruit flavours. Acidity levels are in tune to create a refreshing summer sipper. Find this wine

501882 CHÂTEAU FAIZEAU VIEILLES VIGNES 2005 Montagne St-Émilion $30.00
There are few Bordeaux wines at this price that impress me; this is clearly one that does as it reveals layers of leather, licorice, bay leaf, dried herb, dark chocolate and rich ripe black raspberry. The palate has a velvety texture with plenty of chewy fruit, gentle milk chocolate tannin and a long and luscious finish. Mr. P likes this wine too so don’t expect it to stick around too long. Find this wine

500587 CHÂTEAU FOUGAS MALDOROR 2005 Côtes de Bourg $39.00
Almost black in colour, this wine is full of new world fruit and a weird plastic aroma with layers of underbrush and coffee lurking in the background. The mouth feel is surprisingly lighter than I expect given the fullness of the nose, but it is deftly balanced, has some nice creamy red fruit, medium levels of tannin and about the same degree of finish.
Find this wine

125930 DOMAINE GALÉVAN PAROLES DE FEMME CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2007 $15.00
Bursting with ripe blackberry fruit, earthy mineral and leather, this well priced wine shows well. The palate is meaty, has good black cherry fruit and plenty of guts. Not a typical Rhone, but nonetheless a tasty wine. Find this wine

120907 VESEVO BENEVENTANO AGLIANICO 2006 Campania, $16.95
Spritzy notes of sour cherry, damson, blueberry, licorice and sweet oak. The palate has a ”carbonic maceration” texture, sweet and sour fruit and a rather lackluster finish. Find this wine

707950 ATTEMS PINOT GRIGIO 2008 Collio, Friuli $19.95
A solid and well rounded nose of linalool, guava, sweet pear and perfume. It has a rich, almost oily texture on the palate, the right amount of lean acidity and great depth to the finish. Find this wine

23325 BORGO SCOPETO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2006 $23.95
Vintages catalogue states “ A fresh and fruity Sangiovese-centric wine with cherry/berry dominating. It is light-bodied with a rather lengthy, fruity finish.” Well the bottle I tried was far from light and fruity. It has notes of lavender, black cherry, pine needle, prune and a discernable backdrop of aged smoked bacon or game. The palate has ripe red fruit, dark chocolate, and finishes big with dusty dark prune and a musty note. Find this wine

117127 TERRE DI VERONA RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA 2006 $17.95
Brambly, nutshell, sweet cherry, mocha and rose petal are all found on the nose. The sweet note on the fruit laden palate is balanced by fine acidity; it is viscous and carries a note of white chocolate. There is some gentle tannin that leaves the finish feeling hollow. Give it time perhaps to shed its cloak and it should be tasty.
Find this wine

48058 PUKLUS SZAMORODNI DRY TOKAJI 2002 Szentkereszt Dülö, Tokaji Borkulonlegesség , Hungry 500 mL $13.95
I am not fond of wines that are actually borderline salty, have a dried out texture and carry a nutty component. This wine has all of the latter. It reminds me of light bodied Fino Sherry. Find this wine

33555 ENUTA DI CASTIGLIONI SALTA GRILLI ROSATO (Marchesi de' Frescobaldi) 2008 $16.95
Attractive notes of mineral, lively red fruit spice and lemon zest with great balance on the palate, heaps of red fruit and a satisfying finish.   Find this wine

Wines listed as being ideal gifts on Father’s day:
 
977173 CHATEAU ST. JEAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005 Sonoma County $39.95
An all out attack of full blown blackcurrant, plum and toasty oak leads to a palate of power driven black fruit and a very spicy finish. I used to love wines of this nature, and it probably is very good, this style of wine just does little for me anymore. Find this wine

001685 NICK FALDO SELECTION CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005 Coonawarra, South Australia $19.95
I must confess I was expecting another fruit forward oak driven manipulated wine, but I am really like this. It is elegant, with good clean fruits, a touch of mocha and the right amount of oak. The palate is medium bodied, with a velvety texture and pure fruit.  Find this wine

S713263 SÉGLA Margaux, 2nd Wine of Château Rauzan-Ségla 2004 $58.95
Muddy Waters, farm yard, anise, lead pencil, mineral, black berry and blueberry combine to create a benchmark Bordeaux nose. The palate is medium bodied, has high acidity, a good concentration of fruit, some dusty tannin and a plumy note on the finish. Find this wine

579094 CAPARZO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2003 $59.95
“A sumptuous and beautiful wine,” says Antonio Galloni, one of Robert Parker’s scribes, and he has it spot on the mark. It is a brilliant wine showing pure finesse from start to finish. The journey begins with a nose of grilled Portobello mushroom with a touch of thyme, coal dust, black fruit and red cherry. Carrying on, the palate has flavours of cola, sweet cherry, mineral, red licorice and a moderate level of chocolate tannin. It concludes with a superb finish of mineral, red and black fruits.
Find this wine

Happy Father’s Day.

Cheers

CZ

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