Wine of the Week for June 28, 2010

Malbec (black wine) seems to be the grape of the moment, and store shelves have lots to choose from. Here are a  few of the more table-worthy offerings: 

Tilia Malbec 2008 - $12.95
Style: R2
Argentina: Catena

Somewhat light on the nose, with chocolate aroma layered over rosebud, mint and blackcurrant. Equally light side on the palate, with leather and red berry flavour and firm tannins. Very good body and length. There’s wonderful typicity here and potenrial for further cellaring, 3-5 years. (LCBO 160945) Currently 169 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

Trivento Fair Trade Malbec 2008 - $9.95
Style: R2
Argentina: Mendoza

Subtle on the nose, with mainly plum and chocolate aromas. Quite yummy, somewhat sweetish, with cherry and strawberry flavour, cool acidity and negligible tannins. Medium body and length, it's an easy-going crowd pleaser with ample character. (LCBO 160994) Currently 160 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

Trivento Tribu Malbec 2008 - $8.95
Style: R2
Argentina: Mendoza

Aromas include plum, dark chocolate and some blackberry. Reminds me more of merlot, with soft tannins, cherry flavour and a tangy acidity at the close.  Good body and length. A crowd pleaser, somewhat on the light side, but excellent for the price. (LCBO 145284) Currently 168 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

Passion of Argentina Malbec 2008 - $8.95
Style: R2
Argentina

Inky black cherry colour. A riot of dark fruits on the nose, with hints of liquorice and even ripe apple. Almost sweet at first, with ripe black cherry, black raspberry, soft tannins, and a firm backbone. With very good body and length, it delivers a lot for the price. (LCBO 163188) Currently 195 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

Domaine Jean Bousquet Malbec 2007 - $11.95
Style: R2
Argentina: Tupungato Valley 

Subtle dark berry aromas with hints of vanilla, chocolate, game, and garrigue. Sweetish at the beginning, with concentrated berry flavours and traces of vanilla and chocolate atop silky tannins. Quite big and very long, it is sumptuous and worth at least 5-bucks more. (LCBO 160952) Currently 149 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

Try any of the above with steak and kidney pie, lamb shanks, beef en croute, beef wellington, game, mature hard cheeses, cabbage rolls, duck a l'orange, truffles, steak tartar (From The Frugal Oenophile’s Winegrape Primer)

Wine of the Week for June 21, 2010

Graffigna Centernario Pinot Grigio Reserve 2009  - 12.95
Style: W3
Argentina

Look for subtle aromas of apple and celery, with a touch of dried leaves. Shows good presence on the palate, smooth and creamy with apple/citrus flavour and good acidity. Good body and length and lots of character here. My choices would be mushroom risotto, quiche or roast chicken. (LCBO 164756) There are 210 LCBO stores with 6 or more bottles in stock (LCBO online database)

A Canadian Moment ...

Prospect Winery Larch Tree Hill Chardonnay 2007  - 13.95
Style: W1
Canada: BC, Okanagan

The rich lemon-straw colour suggests richness here. Loads of lemon on the nose, with nuances of green apple and paraffin. Very soft and smooth, not quite off-dry, with ripe apple flavour and a touch of lime. Medium body and length, with a pleasant bitterness on the close. Quite elegant, though light in the typicity department. A good 'vin du porch' that will partner nicely with light fish. (LCBO 145136) There are 145 LCBO stores with 6 or more bottles in stock (LCBO online database)

Wine of the Week for June 7, 2010

Coronas Tempranillo 2006 - $13.45
Style: R2
Spain: Catalunya

The workhorse and most important noble grape of Spain, Tempranillo is the main ingredient in the red wines of Rioja, Penedés and Ribera del Duero*. Lovely aromas of coffee, tobacco, with hints of dark berries. Quite dense and with a lot of impact on the palate, showing dark chocolate, dark plum, cherry, sandalwood, and more. Solid tannins and a fine acidity supported by aery good body and length. Large and yummy and one to pour with burgers, game, ribs or to cap off the evening. (LCBO 29728) Currently 102 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

* From The Frugal Oenophile’s Winegrape Primer