Some New Products Tasted in Summer 2009

From our Toronto offices:

1. Finca Urquiza Reserve Malbec 2005 Mendoza, +55467, $13.95 Vintages:
I'm not sure why this is now just being released since the Vintages
tasting panel had it noted in November 2007. But the extra aging seemed
to have given it more smoothness. Expect black fruit and mocha, some
dried fruit, and a BBQ matcher (give it 90 Porker numbers for grill
work).

 

2. Gladiator Primitivo di Manduria 2006 Puglia, +23119, $14.95
Vintages: made for North Americans watching the "Rome" DVD. 14% ABV,
Zin-like, strong, affordable, somewhat black tar. The fourth Vintages
release for this product. Give it 90 points.

 

3. Messapicus Riserva Salice Salentino 2005 Puglia, +121087,
$16.95 Vintages: tasty, cherries are suggested, some mocha tones,
longer than expected length. Another winner, with an 80/20
Negroamaro/Malvasia Nera blend. Wine of the Month (July) at Vintages.

 

4. Tenuta S. Anna Brut Cuvee Rose NV Veneto, +126300, $16.95 Vintages:
good sipper for summer, 11.5% ABV, frothy and strawbs are suggested.
70Pinot nero/30Merlot mix. Charmat method.

 

5. Jacob's Creek Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 SouthEast Australia,
+91751 General List, $17.45: expect lots of fruit and tension, 14.3%
ABV, black tones all the way (black currant, mocha), length sufficient
for food. Already four years old, 20 months under French and US oak
aging, this wine is ready now but could also use a bit more aging
beyond Christmas.

 

6. Santa Rita 120 Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Chile, +218644, $10.45 LCBO
General Purchase: berries and black fruit dominate, soft, like a
characteristic merlot but with substance and a slightly hot finish.
Takes time to open up, so don't quaff. Some of the wine (20%) was aged
in French oak for 8 months. 13.9% ABV, twist top.

 

7. Santa Rita 120 Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Chile, +23606, $10.45 LCBO
General Purchase: good grapefruit zest, some citric peel near the
finish, plus tropicality (probably from the 2% added Semillon). Hot
finish okay with food. 14% ABV, twist top.

 

8. Rosehall Run Chardonnay 2007 Rosehall Vineyard VQA Prince Edward
County, Winery or Winery Direct, $29.95: heavily French-influenced,
French oak used, BF, sur lie, MF, some filtration. Tree fruit and
minerals, light toast. 12.8% ABV.

 

9. Rosehall Run Pinot Noir 2007 Rosehall Vineyard VQA Prince Edward
County, Winery Direct, $37.95: 60% new French oak barriques, 18 months
before racking. Floral, slightly off-dry cherries, long finish. 12%
ABV.

 

10. Rosehall Run Cabernet Franc 2007 Cold Creek VQA Prince Edward
County, Winery Direct, $29.95: French oak, two-third new, aged 20
months before racking. Dark red fruits, toasty finish, long length,
needs time to evolve. 12.5% ABV.

 

11. Aveleda Fonte Vinho Verde 2008 Portugal, +5322, $8.95 General List:
fizzy, refreshing, and affordable. 10% ABV, light enough for summer.

 

12. Quinta da Aveleda Vinho Verde 2008 Portugal, +89995, $9.95 General
List: a step up for a dollar more than no. 11, with added Alvarinho
grapes for floral character. Not as fizzy, longer length, 11.5% ABV.

 

13. Charamba Douro Red 2007 Portugal, +78105, $9.45 LCBO General List:
one of your more affordable reds, made from largely the same grapes
that go into port (Touriga Nacional), plus a handful of others.
Complex, but evolving, needs decanting or more time or sip it over the
cou7rse of a whole meal.

 

14. Open Riesling-Gewurztraminer 2008 VQA Niagara, +134965, LCBO
General, $11.95: seems the same as Strut R-G with the same price point,
sugar code of 2, and 11.1% ABV. Open is exclusive to the LCBO, while
Strut is exclusive to the Wine Rack. Coincidence? Typical MVC of citrus
and lychee, clouded somewhat by the off-dry finish.

 

15. Open Merlot 2007 VQA Niagara, +140129, LCBO General, $11.95: seems
the same as Strut Merlot with the same price point, sugar code of 1,
and 12.1% ABV. Open is exclusive to the LCBO, while Strut is exclusive
to the Wine Rack. Expect typical MVC of berries and soft mouthfeel,
tempered with an off-dry finish.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com