Wine of the Week for June 23, 2008

Little Black Dress Merlot 2006 - $14.95
Style: R3
USA: California

Alhough somewhat closed at this stage, the nose suggests aromas of cherry, raspberry and vanilla. Quite soft and around on the palate, somewhat sweetish, with firm tannins and ripe red berry flavours. Medium in body and length, with a touch of prune on the close. A decent mid-range wine that might benefit from a bit more cellar time, and a good choice with something off the grill or perhaps a mushroom sauce. (LCBO 72769)

A Canadian Moment ...

Legends Estate Cabernet VQA 2006 - $11.95
Style: R3
Canada: Niagara

The grape here is apparently Cab Franc, although there may be some Cab Sauv as well. The colour is an intense ruby-garnet. On the nose look for elegant spices, beetroot, prune and dried cherry with a hint of tar. Crisply acidic on the palate, with medium tannins, mainly raspberry flavour and a tangy close. Very good body and length. Although a bit young at this stage, it opens up nicely in the glass. Cellar for 1-3 years or serve with chili or BBQ beef. (LCBO 390195)

Wine of the Week for June 16, 2008

Twin Fin Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon (PET) 2006 - $11.95
Style: W2
USA: California

The LCBO’s faith in non-Canadian wine is obvious if you look at the amount of Twin-Fin currently in stock. With a bright platinum-straw colour, the wine shows rich aromas of grass, gooseberry and passionfruit with a hint of pine needles. Quite tasty, with mainly grapefruit flavour and a soft acidity. Good body and very good length, with a tangy citrus close. A bit on the light side, but a sound choice for BBQ bird, seafoods or kebabs. (LCBO 70367)

A Canadian Moment ...

De Sousa Dois Amigos Vidal VQA 2006 - $12.05
Style: W2
Canada: Niagara

Looking for a lot of decent wine at a ridiculously low price? This Ontario-grown Vidal displays delicate aromas of grapefruit, lemon and apple with a hint of pine bough. The palate is barely off-dry, with a tangy acidity, orange, lemon and apple flavours, and a crisp, apply finish. OK body and with pretty good length, this an impressive little party wine -- and it’s VQA! (LCBO 74690)

Wine of the Week for June 9, 2008

Arniston Bay Shiraz-Merlot 2006 - $9.90
Style: R2
South Africa

The rich aromas here suggest plum, mixed spices and vanilla, with the expected hint of Pinotage. Mild-mannered, showing plum and raspberry on the palate, a firm acidity, solid tannins, a nicely balanced finish, and good body and length. A solid performer that should age nicely for at least a couple of years. Try with flavourful hard cheeses, burgers or tomato sauces. (LCBO 43927)

A Canadian Moment ...

Reif Gamay Rose VQA 2006 - $11.95
Style: Z
Canada: Niagara

This solid candy-apple pink quaffer shows rich raspberry and strawberry aromas with traces of citrus, ripe apple and pepper at the tail end. Stops just short of off-dry, with raspberry, apple and lemony flavours and a crisp acidity. Very good body and length, refreshing and flavourful. (LCBO 669366)

Wine of the Week for June 2, 2008

Remy Pannier Sauvignon Blanc 2006 - $10.90
Style: W2
France: Loire

Normally a lacklustre source of wines, Remy Pannier has managed to make an impact with this one. I hope it signals a new direction for this maker. Aromas include rich grapefruit and lemon zest on the nose. The palate is welcoming -- slightly sweet on the uptake -- with pomello, baked lemon and a touch of spice. Good body and length. Not a stunner but solid and showing very good typicity. Try with dilled fish or roast pork. (LCBO 68676)

A Canadian Moment ...

Strewn Gewurztraminer 2006 - $12.95
Style: W3
Canada: Niagara

Gewurz is one grape that can do extremely well in this region. Look for a deep honey-straw colour. The nose is very full on the nose, with apricot and a touch of spicy apple aromas. Round, soft, slightly tart, with white peach and apple flavours and a slightly oily texture. Very good body and length. A terrific nose, with an understated palate and very good value. Would work nicely with a creamy curry or duck paté. (LCBO 65359)

Wine of the Week for May 19, 2008

Cypress Merlot 2005 - $11.50
Style: R3
USA

Look for some real depth here, with woody, dark chocolate, bell pepper, and ripe dark berry aromas. Quite big, with firm tannins, sweetish cherry/berry flavours and a solid acid core. Very good body and length. A lot of wine for the price, combining New World fruitiness with Old World structure. Serve with beef Wellington, lasagne or mature hard cheeses. (LCBO 56416)

A Canadian Moment

Magnotta Cabernet Sauvignon VQA 2006 - $9.95
Style: R3
Canada: Niagara

This is a splendid showing for a cool climate Cab. The colour is a deep garnet ruby colour. The nose shows lush aromas of spice, dried herbs, with nuances of prune and sweet smokey oak. Nicely round, with ripe dark berry flavours dominated by cherry, a refreshing acidity and moderate tannins. Fairly big with very good length, and a nice shot of pepper at the close. Young and spirited with oodles of character, and an ideal partner for red sauces, mushrooms or beef tenderloin. (Magnotta stores only)

Wine of the Week for May 5, 2008

Dona Isadora Riesling 2006 - $11.95
Style: W3
Chile

Riesling from Chile? Why not, when it can show rich aromas of mango, apricot and lemon with just a touch of paraffin. The palate is totally dry, with a light apple flavour and a tart finish. Good body and very good length. The here is terrific although I'd like to see more reisling character on the palate. A good match for any kind of roasted bird or stir fry. (LCBO 57182)

A Canadian Moment

Strewn Gewurztraminer VQA - 2006 -$12.95
Style: W3
Ontario: Niagara

This is on limited offer for a dollar off, making it an even better value. Very full on the nose with rose, apricot and a touch of spiced apple. Round and soft on the palate, slightly tart, with white peach and apple flavour, and a slightly oily texture. I'd like to see a bit more on the palate, but otherwise it's a good offering and should work well with seafoods, or cured ham . (LCBO 65359)