1. Frazzitta Zibibbo Vino Liquoroso Sicily IGT Non-Vintage, +990895
Vintages, $14.75 plus deposit: I bought two cases of this wine in 2001,
the last time it appeared in Ontario, at $11.90 each bottle. This time,
I bought it again, and I am happy to report that it has the same taste
profile: think Turkish delight, marzipan, oranges, spice cake, and
almonds. It all comes from the Muscat d'Alexandre grape plus neutral
grape spirit (grappa?) totaling 16.2% ABV. An excellent dessert wine,
or try it as what I call an "AZ" cocktail: 8 ounces Apple cider (fresh
peelers) and two ounces Zibibbo. I rated Zibibbo 88 in 2001, and I give
this latest version a 90.
2. Mike Weir Wine Sauvignon Blanc 2008 VQA Niagara, $15.95 online:
typical zesty stress notes of grapefruit, lime and other citrus fruits,
plus a pretty good finish that demands food. Three months in French oak
contributes to the body. A first course wine that will hold its own
against any Kiwi contenders. No tasting notes on the bottle, but the
grapes come from two Chateau des Charmes vineyards.
typical zesty stress notes of grapefruit, lime and other citrus fruits,
plus a pretty good finish that demands food. Three months in French oak
contributes to the body. A first course wine that will hold its own
against any Kiwi contenders. No tasting notes on the bottle, but the
grapes come from two Chateau des Charmes vineyards.
3. Mike Weir Wine Chardonnay 2007 VQA Niagara, +26, $15.95 Vintages
Essentials; expect tropicality, some lean apple and pineapple tones,
some light oaking for creaminess. Good typicity for an all-round MVC
Chardonnay, which won Gold in the "Under $20 Chardonnay" category at
the 2009 Ontario Wine Awards. Do not over chill, serve not too cold. No
tasting notes on the bottle.
Essentials; expect tropicality, some lean apple and pineapple tones,
some light oaking for creaminess. Good typicity for an all-round MVC
Chardonnay, which won Gold in the "Under $20 Chardonnay" category at
the 2009 Ontario Wine Awards. Do not over chill, serve not too cold. No
tasting notes on the bottle.
4. Mike Weir Wine Cabernet Merlot 2007 VQA Niagara, +109, $18.95
Vintages Essentials: cooler climate Bordeaux blend (two cabs at 63% and
17% for the franc, and 20% merlot), aged in Allier and Troncais oak. It
will develop over the years, but it has plenty of dark fruit and mocha
tones now. Also available with the Chardonnay above as a Christmas Pack
for $34.95. And both wines were harvested and vinted from Chateau des
Charmes fruit.
Vintages Essentials: cooler climate Bordeaux blend (two cabs at 63% and
17% for the franc, and 20% merlot), aged in Allier and Troncais oak. It
will develop over the years, but it has plenty of dark fruit and mocha
tones now. Also available with the Chardonnay above as a Christmas Pack
for $34.95. And both wines were harvested and vinted from Chateau des
Charmes fruit.
5. Rosehall Run Pinot Noir 2007 Cuvee County VQA PEC, $18.95 winery and
LCBO Go To Market. Half the wine was pumpover, while the other half was
punched down. Aging wine in 23 French oak barrels for 8 months, about
half the production. They were included in the blend, the rest being
matured in stainless steel (57% in the latter). Floral, slightly off-
dry cherries. Nifty notes of raspberry and upfront fruit, some
cinnamon-vanilla spice cake tones, some cranberries too.
LCBO Go To Market. Half the wine was pumpover, while the other half was
punched down. Aging wine in 23 French oak barrels for 8 months, about
half the production. They were included in the blend, the rest being
matured in stainless steel (57% in the latter). Floral, slightly off-
dry cherries. Nifty notes of raspberry and upfront fruit, some
cinnamon-vanilla spice cake tones, some cranberries too.
6. Jacob's Creek Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 South Australia,
+91751 LCBO General List, $16.95. A vintage change with the 2006 moving
on to the shelves. This is a red meat wine; expect some mintiness and
black fruit on the forest floor. MF in new and old French and US oak,
with storage for 18 months. May need to be cellared a bit more. 14.5%
ABV.
+91751 LCBO General List, $16.95. A vintage change with the 2006 moving
on to the shelves. This is a red meat wine; expect some mintiness and
black fruit on the forest floor. MF in new and old French and US oak,
with storage for 18 months. May need to be cellared a bit more. 14.5%
ABV.
7. Cono Sur Vision Viognier 2008 Santa Elisa Estate, +671131 Vintages,
$14.95: a different wine from the $9.95 basic Cono Sur Viognier. For
one thing, it comes from viognier grapes that have been grafted on 50
year-old chenin blanc vines in 1997. In addition to floral, peach and
citrus tones in this refreshing wine, there are some vanilla and
buttery notes, indicative of the six months that 60% of this wine spent
in seasoned barrels. The winery uses sustainable practices. 13.9% ABV.
$14.95: a different wine from the $9.95 basic Cono Sur Viognier. For
one thing, it comes from viognier grapes that have been grafted on 50
year-old chenin blanc vines in 1997. In addition to floral, peach and
citrus tones in this refreshing wine, there are some vanilla and
buttery notes, indicative of the six months that 60% of this wine spent
in seasoned barrels. The winery uses sustainable practices. 13.9% ABV.
8. Cono Sur 20 Barrels Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Maipo, +94128 Vintages,
$24.95: a high-end tier but reasonably priced for sustainable Cono Sur.
Some carmenere and syrah are in the blend. It was aged for 17 months in
barrels, and then in stainless for 1 month after blending. 14% ABV.
Expect earth tones, plumminess, dark fruit, some forest floor, and a
tannic level in the finish that suggests a few more years of cellaring
would make it lusher. Dusty entry, mocha on mid-palate.
$24.95: a high-end tier but reasonably priced for sustainable Cono Sur.
Some carmenere and syrah are in the blend. It was aged for 17 months in
barrels, and then in stainless for 1 month after blending. 14% ABV.
Expect earth tones, plumminess, dark fruit, some forest floor, and a
tannic level in the finish that suggests a few more years of cellaring
would make it lusher. Dusty entry, mocha on mid-palate.
9. Masi Campofiorin 2006 Veneto IGT, +155051 LCBO General, $17.45:
Campofiorin was the wine that put Ripasso on the map in Ontario. Here,
the 2006 vintage has been declared by the company, in an astute
marketing move, as a 5-star vintage, the first since 1997 and only one
of seven since 1964. This Valpolicella-styled wine, based on corvina,
rondinella and molinara, shows intense cherries and black fruits, soft
balance on the mid-palate, and a long mocha like aftertaste. Could be
aged a bit more. 18 months in wood.
Campofiorin was the wine that put Ripasso on the map in Ontario. Here,
the 2006 vintage has been declared by the company, in an astute
marketing move, as a 5-star vintage, the first since 1997 and only one
of seven since 1964. This Valpolicella-styled wine, based on corvina,
rondinella and molinara, shows intense cherries and black fruits, soft
balance on the mid-palate, and a long mocha like aftertaste. Could be
aged a bit more. 18 months in wood.
10. Masi Costasera Amarone 2006, +317057 LCBO General List, $37.45:
this could be considered an entry-level Amarone (Masi produces seven
different types). It's a little lighter and more fruit-forward than the
Amarones we have been used to. In wood for 24 months. Baked fruit,
mocha, more aromatic than tasty palate, and softer tannins near the
finish. Capable of aging (15% ABV) and perhaps getting more complex.
But it is ready sooner.
this could be considered an entry-level Amarone (Masi produces seven
different types). It's a little lighter and more fruit-forward than the
Amarones we have been used to. In wood for 24 months. Baked fruit,
mocha, more aromatic than tasty palate, and softer tannins near the
finish. Capable of aging (15% ABV) and perhaps getting more complex.
But it is ready sooner.
Chimo! www.deantudor.com
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