Wine of the Week for Dec 13, 2010

D'Arenberg Stump Jump "GSM" 2008 - $ 14.05
Style: R2
South Australia  

GSM is short for Grenache-Shiraz-Merlot. Rich and spicy, with dark chocolate, coffee, and cherry bon-bon aromas. Rather sweetish, thick and juicy, with gobs of spice, blackberry, and dark cherry flavours and subtle tannins. Big and long, it would go nicely with tandoori chicken or anything slathered in BBQ sauce or pour it on vanilla ice cream. (LCBO 173294)

 

Currently 244 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

Wine of the Week for Nov 22, 2010

Montes Classic Series Sauvignon Blanc 2009 - $ 12.95
Style: W2
Chile

There are rich grapefruit, passionfruit aromas here, along with hints of perfume and grass with evident lees. Crisp at the outset, with apple and grapefruit flavours and a slight sour note. Good body and length. Nicely done but the sour aspect may not be for everyone. Try with stuffed peppers or  herbed pork. (LCBO 159954)

Currently 187 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

Wine of the Week for November 15, 2010

Montgras Carmenere Reserva 2009 - $ 11.95
Style: R2
Chile

Very inviting nose showing sassafras, chocolate, fruit leather and sweet oak. A cool acidity, soft and sweetish with a hint of tannin, ripe blackberry and blackcurrant, finish with a hint of vanilla. Quite full, with very good length. Dangerously gulpable. A good match for anything of the Q or spicy meats. (LCBO 178624)

Currently 151 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

Santa Rita Reserva Carmenere 2009 - $ 13.95
Style: R2
Chile

Rich dark chocolate, dark berries, traces of plum, cardamom and sweet oak. Fat, rich and juicy with firm tannins, red berries, cherry, smokey oak and dark chocolate on the close. Big, with excellent length. A knife and for with tons of character. Try with game, beef stew or venison. (LCBO 177774)

Currently 160 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

Wine of the Week November 1, 2010

Skuttlebutt Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon 2008 - $ 14.95
Style: W2
Australia

Look for loads of crushed leaves, ripe grapefruit, chalk, and pyrazine. The palate is rich and full, with racy grapefruit and lemon flavours, hints of gooseberry and grass, and a zesty finish. Very good body and length., sumptuous and well priced and a wonderful partner for full flavoured fish. (LCBO 157867)

Currently 113 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

Wine of the Week for Oct 25, 2010

Weingut St.Urbans-Hof Urban Riesling 2008 - $ 14.95
Style: W3
Germany: Moselle

The brilliant lemon straw colour here alludes to the lush riesling nose showing dried apples, paraffin and perfume. Medium sweet (is this a late harvest wine?) with luscious ripe apple flavour with hints of lemon and ripe peach. Very good body and excellent length, it's a fabulous example at this price. My choice would be pork roast or schnitzel. (LCBO 184051)

Currently 103 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

A Canadian Moment...

Generations Wine*  Union White VQA 2009 - $ 13.95
Style: W3
Canada: Niagara

The nose is a bit closed right now, but still shows nuances of citrus, apple and almond. Very smooth and soft, just off-dry, with citrus and apple flavours. A mild mannered sipper with good body and length, that would work well with full-flavoured fish or chicken salad. (LCBO 197145)

Currently 225 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

* Generations Wine is a startup winery owned by Vincor/Jackson-Triggs expats Allan Jackson and Andrew von Teichman.

Wine of the Week for October 18, 2010

Panascal Tempranillo 2006 - $ 9.85
Style: R3
Spain: Castilla y Leon

Look for aromas of dark chocolate, cedar and black raspberry. Lush on the palate, with firm tannins and a slightly racy acidity supporting plum, blackberry and dark cherry flavours. Quite big, with very good length, it's awesome for the price. A good partner for goulalsh, portobellos or salty cheeses. (LCBO 343434)

Currently 221 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

From The Frugal Oenophile's WinegrapePrimer Tempranillo (tem-pruh-NEE-yoh) Variety The workhorse and most important noble grape of Spain, Tempranillo is the main ingredient in the red wines of Rioja, Pened�s and Ribera del Duero. The grape covers roughly 1/4 of Spain�s vineyards, and thrives in that nation�s challenging climate. Outside Spain it can be found in Portugal, where it is called Tinta Roriz and goes into Dao, Douro and Port. There are plantings in Languedoc, California (called Valdepe�as there), Argentina, Mexico, and South Africa, but Spain is where Tempranillo rules. Usually blended with garnacha and carignan, it can also be found partnered with cabernet sauvignon or standing alone as a varietal. The wine is usually aged in oak, and in old world Spain may rest too long in American oak barrels.

Milcampos Tempranillo 2006 - $ 9.95
Style: R3
Spain: Ribera del Duero

This one is almost tar black in the glass, and shows an interesting sweet pickle aroma right off the top, followed by black cherry and plum flavours. Rather full, with good length, and a firm tannic close. Still young in the tannin area, but it shouild work well with heartier meats off the barbie. (LCBO 173625)

Currently 176 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)