Vintages Wine Picks January 5, 2008

White Wine

Dr. Loosen Dr. L Riesling 2006, Q.B.A., Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany: This lovely, light-bodied sipper has a bit of sweetness that makes it delicious. Closed with a screwcap.  599274  9.50%  MD  750 mL  $14.95  Score: 88/100. January 5, 2008 Full Review


Château Ste. Michelle Chardonnay 2005, Columbia Valley, Washington State, USA: A blousy chardonnay with lovely aromatic notes of apple and oak.  232439  14%  XD  750 mL  $17.95  Score: 89/100. January 5, 2008 Full Review


Glass Mountain Chardonnay 2005, Napa Valley, California, USA: Vintages Wine Panel: In 1873, Jean Laurent emigrated to the Napa Valley from Bordeaux. He bought property in St. Helena and quarried rock out of the base of Glass Mountain to build his wine cellar. A century later, businessman Bruce Markham purchased the property and created Markham Wines. His Glass Mountain label offers the winery's same attention to quality but with an emphasis on value. Look for delicate, tropical fruit aromas and flavors with creamy, toasty oak notes. My note: Good balance in this chardonnay with green apples and oak.  533208  13%  XD  750 mL  $13.95  Score: 88/100. January 5, 2008 Best Value White Wine. Full Review


Ingoldby Chardonnay 2006, McLaren Vale, South Australia: This great value chardonnay has good balance and notes of pears and oak. Full-bodied. Closed with a screwcap.  47647  14%  D  750 mL  $14.95  Score: 89/100. January 5, 2008 Full Review


Dog Point Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Leapin' lawnmowers Batman! This very refreshing sauvignon blanc has vibrant aromas of grass, herbs and peas.  677450  13%  D  750 mL  $21.95  Score: 90/100. January 5, 2008 Favorite White Wine. Full Review


Ironstone Chardonnay 2006, Lodi, California, USA: Vintages Wine Panel: This chardonnay is a great value from a progressive producer. It's crafted in a crisp style with plenty of juicy, tropical fruit and ripe apple flavors. My note: A big old oaky chardonnay. Full-bodied with plump aromas of pears and peaches.  355776  12%  D  750 mL  $15.95  Score: 89/100. January 5, 2008 Full Review


Red Wine

D'arenberg The Love Grass Shiraz 2004, McLaren Vale, South Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: In Australia, this wine is available only to restaurants or at the cellar door. Though it is mostly shiraz, winemaker Chester Osborn gets his blending groove on adding small amounts of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, grenache, petit verdot, tempranillo and pinot noir. My note: Full-bodied wine with aromas of black plums and mint.  48785  14%  XD  750 mL  $23.95  Score: 90/100. January 5, 2008 Full Review


André Lurton Château De Barbe Blanche 2004, AC Lussac-St-Émilion, Bordeaux, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Lussac-St-Émilion is a satellite appellation just northeast of Bordeaux's more famous (and expensive) St-Émilion district. Merlot is the dominant variety here, as it is in St-Émilion, and there are hidden gems to be found for the Bordeaux bargain hunter like this blend of 65% merlot, 25% cabernet franc and 10% cabernet sauvignon. Sourced from 25+ year old vines, this red displays lovely plum fruit, cassis and fresh herb characteristics leading to a lingering finish. My note: A warm, richly layered, full-bodied red. Aromas of cassis, smoke and oak with a smooth finish.  48066  13%  XD  750 mL  $27.95  Score: 90/100. January 5, 2008 Full Review


Cecilia Beretta Roccolo Di Mizzole Valpolicella Superiore 2005, D.O.C., Veneto, Italy: A pleasant, mouth-watering red wine with notes of tart cherries. Full-bodied.  52431  13%  XD  750 mL  $16.95  Score: 87/100. January 5, 2008 Full Review


Evans & Tate Cabernet Merlot 2004, Margaret River, Western Australia: A full-bodied wine with aromas of blackberries and mint. Closed with a screwcap.  721548  14%  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 90/100. January 5, 2008 Full Review


Kilikanoon Killerman’s Run Shiraz/Grenache 2005, South Australia: A rich, full-bodied wine with cherry liqueur aromas. Closed with a screwcap.   9225  15%  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 90/100. January 5, 2008 Full Review


Hahn Estates Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Central Coast, California, USA: Vintages Wine Panel: Swiss businessman and philanthropist, Nicolaus (Nicky) Hahn, settled his family in Monterey in the 1970s. Driven by the belief that this region had the potential to produce world-class wines, he founded Smith & Hook winery in 1980 and, a decade later, introduced Hahn Estates. This rich, mouth-filling cabernet sauvignon displays bright cherry and black fruit tones balanced by light acids and medium tannins. My note: A lovely wine with aromas of sweet cherry fruit and mocha.  57877  13%  axd  750 mL  $15.95  Score: 89/100. January 5, 2008 Full Review


S.I.V. Spadina Una Rosa Signature Nero D’avola 2002, I.G.T. Sicilia, Sicily, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: This wine was named one of the Top 100 Wines of the Year for 2005 by Wine Spectator. My note: A juicy, mouth-watering, full-bodied wine with aromas of cherries and smoke. I can't think of a more romantic label for Valentines Day (it has a rose).  10330  13%  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 90/100. January 5, 2008 Full Review


D’arenberg The Stump Jump Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvèdre 2006, McLaren Vale, South Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: Here's an excellent quaffer from D'Arenberg. What sets it apart from most Aussie wines at this price is that it is not content to be a simple affair. This wine is consistently rich, savory and brimming with plum, blackberry, and spice flavors. My note: A delicious palate whacker. Great value for this full-bodied wine with notes of blackberries. Closed with a screwcap.  606236  14%  XD  750 mL  $13.95  Score: 89/100. January 5, 2008 Full Review


Echelon Merlot 2003, Central Coast, California, USA: Vintages Wine Panel: Echelon Vineyards is acclaimed for producing serious wines for everyday enjoyment. They were able to achieve this with a series of long-term contracts with trusted growers. Paying a premium for quality fruit has paid off handsomely because Echelon's wines always display a fruit-forward nature with ripe tannins and a good balancing acidity. This merlot has loads of ripe cherry and mocha flavors. My note: Mouth-watering, balanced and medium-bodied wine.  54817  13%  D  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 89/100. January 5, 2008 Full Review


Jazz Wines The Shiraz 2005, South Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: Jazz Wines is the brainwave of an emerging Canadian and Australian partnership. Their website jazzwines.com explores the cultural link between music (jazz obviously) and wine. They are collaborating with award-winning winemakers to make premium quality Shiraz. This debut 2005 release is sourced mainly from the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale regions in South Australia, and is crafted by award-winning winemaker Corrina Rayment of Oliver's Taranga Vineyards. Full-bodied with a nice balance of ripe black fruit and savory spice notes, it is soft, silky, sultry and very food friendly. My note: A well-balanced, full-bodied wine with rich layers of black fruit aromas.  567826  14%  XD  750 mL  $24.95  Score: 90/100. January 5, 2008 Full Review


Galli Estate Winery Camelback Shiraz 2003, Rockbank Vineyard, sunbury, Victoria, Australia: Full-bodied wine with notes of ripe blackberries and plums.  665125  14%  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 89/100. January 5, 2008 Full Review


Donnadieu Cuvée Mathieu Et Marie 2005, AC Saint-Chinian, Midi, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Featuring mostly syrah, with grenache, mourvèdre and carignan in support, this is a classic Saint-Chinian wine with layers of dried roses, blackberry, pepper, caramel and a hint of menthol. My note: a full-bodied and smooth-textured red with pleasing black fruit aromas.  43646  13%  D  750 mL  $15.95  Score: 88/100. January 5, 2008 Full Review


Agricoltori del Geografico Torri Chianti Colli Senesi Riserva 2004, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy: A delicious, lip-smacking, full-bodied red with aromatic notes of cherries and plums.  744243  13%  XD  750 mL  $15.95  Score: 88/100. January 5, 2008 Full Review


Château La Brie 2003, AC Bergerac, Cuvée Prestige, Southwest, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Bergerac is just east of the Bordeaux region and wines here are made in a similar style as its famous neighbour but they offer great value too. Château la Brie is a classic blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and malbec. It is fruit-forward with fresh acid and gentle tannins adding structure and balance. My note: Tremendous value for the money. A straight-forward, delicious wine with aromas of black fruit and oak.  61994  13%  XD  750 mL  $13.95  Score: 88/100. January 5, 2008 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review


ST. Hallett Faith Shiraz 2005, Barossa, Australia: A lovely, juicy and full-bodied red with ripe aromas of plums and blackberries. Closed with a screwcap.  980631  14%  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 93/100. January 5, 2008 Favorite Red Wine. Full Review


Delciato Loredona Pinot Noir 2005, Monterey County, California, USA: Vintages Wine Panel: Pinot Noir has turned out to be one of the best-performing grapes in Monterey County, owing to the moderating ocean breezes of the Pacific that travel up the Salinas Valley. The Loredona ('lady flower') shows classic pinot noir aromas, including cherry, cedar, plum and earth. My note: A full-bodied wine with lovely balance and notes of ripe cherries. Closed with a screwcap.  57620  13%  XD  750 mL  $18.95  Score: 90/100. January 5, 2008 Full Review


Perrin & Fils Cairanne Peyre Blanche 2005, AC Côtes-du-Rhône Villages, Southern Rhone, France: Vintages Wine Panel: The 2005 Rhône Valley reds are starting to receive the same level of acclaim as the '05 Burgundies. Made by the legendary Perrin Brothers, this grenache-dominated Cairanne is rich and flavorful with silky tannins and impeccable balance. My note: Tremendous concentration and body. Notes of cherry liqueur and cedar. Drink: 2008-2012.  650960  13%  D  750 mL  $17.95  Score: 90/100. January 5, 2008 Full Review


Taja Gran Reserva 1998, DO Jumilla, Spain: Vintages Wine Panel: Taja is owned by the well-known Bordeaux négociant Mähler-Besse. Their wines mesh traditional Spanish and French winemaking traditions. This Gran Reserva blends 30% monastrell (mourvèdre), 20% tempranillo, 30% cabernet sauvignon and 20% merlot and at ten years old it's in the prime of its life. My note: Smooth-textured and full-bodied. Notes of black plums and mocha.  539148  13%  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 90/100. January 5, 2008 Full Review


Lamborghini Trescone 2003, I.G.T. Umbria, Umbria, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: Yes, it is that Lamborghini. Born into a small farming community, Ferrucio Lamborghini has gone from designing top-end, luxury cars to producing wines that are as sought-after by collectors as his automobiles. The Trescone is a blend of sangiovese, ciliegiolo and merlot. It is designed for early enjoyment. My note: A simple, juicy, delicious and full-bodied wine. Decant for 1-2 hours.  39842  13%  XD  750 mL  $16.95  Score: 88/100. January 5, 2008 Full Review


De Bortoli Windy Peak Pinot Noir 2006, Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: Victoria's Yarra Valley region is vying for Pinot supremacy in Australia and Windy Peak has quickly emerged as the go-to brand for good quality, affordable Pinot Noir. My note: A juicy, lip-smacking, medium-bodied wine.  48587  13%  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 90/100. January 5, 2008 Full Review


Leasingham Bin 56 Cabernet Sauvignon 2002, Clare Valley, Australia: An ultra-rich and concentrated wine, yet not too heavy. Aromas of black fruit, spice and mint.  39545  14%  XD  750 mL  $25.95  Score: 93/100. January 5, 2008 Full Review


Water Wheel Memsie 2006, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia: A full-bodied blend of 87% shiraz, 7% cabernet sauvignon and 6% malbec. Rich aromatic notes of blackberries and mint.  656637  14%  XD  750 mL  $14.95  Score: 90/100. January 5, 2008 Full Review


Café Culture Merlot Reserve 2002, VQA Lake Erie North Shore, Ontario, Canada: A great barrel aged red from one of Canada's most consistently great producers. Elegant notes of dark fruit, plum and cherries fill the glass.  500447  13%  XD  750 mL  $24.95  Score: 90/100. January 5, 2008 Full Review