Errazuriz Chardonnay Valley de Casablanca 2005 - $11.65
Style: W1
Chile
The colour here is a medium lemon-straw. On the nose look for ripe lemon, apple and quince with nuances of butter and toast. This is a very modern -- almost racy -- style, with a poignant spritz from sur lie ageing. The palate shows nice lemon and apple flavours with a crisp acidity and a bit of buttered toast on the somewhat tart finish. With good body and length, this is a good mid-week wine that is soft-spoken and elegant, although you might find the acidity a bit forward. Try with fish with lemon sauce or cream sauce, BBQ chicken or tempura. (LCBO 318741)
Wine of the Week for August 14, 2006
Stormy Bay Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - $11.55
Style: R2/R3
South Africa: Western Cape
Deep black cherry colour with traces of purple. Rich and fruity on the nose, with plum, cherry, ripe berries plus traces of dark chocolate and mint. Full and rich on the palate, reminiscent of malbec, with dense dark fruit flavours, firm acidity and friendly tannins. Quite big, with very good length and a shot of green pepper on the back palate. Quite a mouth filler that might become more interesting with a bit more age, but is yummy right now. Try with a gooey rack of BBQ ribs. (LCBO 665299)
Style: R2/R3
South Africa: Western Cape
Deep black cherry colour with traces of purple. Rich and fruity on the nose, with plum, cherry, ripe berries plus traces of dark chocolate and mint. Full and rich on the palate, reminiscent of malbec, with dense dark fruit flavours, firm acidity and friendly tannins. Quite big, with very good length and a shot of green pepper on the back palate. Quite a mouth filler that might become more interesting with a bit more age, but is yummy right now. Try with a gooey rack of BBQ ribs. (LCBO 665299)
Wine of the Week for August 7, 2006
Chateau Bel Air 2004 - $10.95
Style: R3
France: Bordeaux
The robe here is a rich ruby garnet. Look for classic Bordeaux aromas, albeit of the 'price adjusted' variety, including dark berries, dried fruits and cedar with a modest gamey note. The palate is subdued but serviceable, with young tannins, medium body and length. This is a good mid-week wine and may improve over 6 months to a year in the cellar, or throw a steak or ribs on the BBQ and settle in with a good book. (LCBO 665430)
If you happen to be within an easy commute of a Colio store (there are 14 in Ontario), there is a bargain to be had in their current offerings.
Colio Riesling VQA 2005 - $9.99
Style: W3, Off-dry
Ontario: Erie North Shore
Light steely straw colour. The nose here is complex, showing perfume, floral, citrus, green apple and traces of petrol. Soft, round and creamy on the palate, with mainly citrus flavours and a pleasantly tart acidity on the close. With good body and length, this bodes well for Erie North Shore rieslings. May have the potential to age well.
Style: R3
France: Bordeaux
The robe here is a rich ruby garnet. Look for classic Bordeaux aromas, albeit of the 'price adjusted' variety, including dark berries, dried fruits and cedar with a modest gamey note. The palate is subdued but serviceable, with young tannins, medium body and length. This is a good mid-week wine and may improve over 6 months to a year in the cellar, or throw a steak or ribs on the BBQ and settle in with a good book. (LCBO 665430)
If you happen to be within an easy commute of a Colio store (there are 14 in Ontario), there is a bargain to be had in their current offerings.
Colio Riesling VQA 2005 - $9.99
Style: W3, Off-dry
Ontario: Erie North Shore
Light steely straw colour. The nose here is complex, showing perfume, floral, citrus, green apple and traces of petrol. Soft, round and creamy on the palate, with mainly citrus flavours and a pleasantly tart acidity on the close. With good body and length, this bodes well for Erie North Shore rieslings. May have the potential to age well.
Wine of the Week for July 31, 2006
Soluna Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie IGT (1-litre Tetrapak) 2005 - $12.95
Style: W3
Italy
I’m not a fan of wine in tetrapaks – most of what I’ve sampled has been little better than jug wine -- but here’s one that's actually worth looking at! With a light straw colour, it shows a good citrusy nose with nuances of melon and vanilla and just a touch of herbaceousness. The palate is quite tasty, with flavours of baked lemon and apple and a crisp acidity -- but some noticeable SO2. Would go well with BBQ chicken, fish kabobs or mushroom risotto, and if you happen to drop it on the concrete patio, no need to worry. (LCBO 614412)
Style: W3
Italy
I’m not a fan of wine in tetrapaks – most of what I’ve sampled has been little better than jug wine -- but here’s one that's actually worth looking at! With a light straw colour, it shows a good citrusy nose with nuances of melon and vanilla and just a touch of herbaceousness. The palate is quite tasty, with flavours of baked lemon and apple and a crisp acidity -- but some noticeable SO2. Would go well with BBQ chicken, fish kabobs or mushroom risotto, and if you happen to drop it on the concrete patio, no need to worry. (LCBO 614412)
Wine of the Week for July 24, 2006
Sogrape Vila Regia Reserve 2001 - $11.95
Style: R1
Portugal
Light reds can be the prefect summer weight wines, and the quality of this one belies its humble price. The nose shows lively aromas of cedar, tobacco and vanilla with just a touch of barnyard down deep. The palate is rich with juicy berry flavours, with a solid core of acidity and a suggestion of berry sweetness, giving way to soft tannins. Very good body and length. A good candidate for anything off the grill, but I'd hold out for ribs. (LCBO 613950)
Style: R1
Portugal
Light reds can be the prefect summer weight wines, and the quality of this one belies its humble price. The nose shows lively aromas of cedar, tobacco and vanilla with just a touch of barnyard down deep. The palate is rich with juicy berry flavours, with a solid core of acidity and a suggestion of berry sweetness, giving way to soft tannins. Very good body and length. A good candidate for anything off the grill, but I'd hold out for ribs. (LCBO 613950)
Wine of the Week for July 17, 2006
Hungaria Grand Cuvee Brut NV - $10.85
Style: Sparkling
Hungary
Don't let the price throw you off -- this friendly sparkling wine is an amazing bargain. It's light straw in colour, with a hint of copper, and a mousse that is somewhat coarse. The nose has a nice yeasty note, with aromas of citrus and asparagus and just a touch of vanilla. Quite tasty, with citrus and vanilla notes and nice lees aromas at the tail end. Lightish, and with good length, it would be an ideal casual wine for an impromptu celebration. (LCBO 619288)
Style: Sparkling
Hungary
Don't let the price throw you off -- this friendly sparkling wine is an amazing bargain. It's light straw in colour, with a hint of copper, and a mousse that is somewhat coarse. The nose has a nice yeasty note, with aromas of citrus and asparagus and just a touch of vanilla. Quite tasty, with citrus and vanilla notes and nice lees aromas at the tail end. Lightish, and with good length, it would be an ideal casual wine for an impromptu celebration. (LCBO 619288)
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