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This week, wines
from the region of Bordeaux are the feature of the release.
Nothing to really knock ones socks off, but there is one wine that
should not be missed. Do read on. 72132
CHÂTEAU DU TERTRE 1996 Margaux, $95.95
A very oceanic and herbaceous wine with notes of black olive, sea air,
dried leaves, black tea and brine. The palate captures some cherry
flavours, the tea and a little roasted nut shell. The finish is short,
it is still a touch tannic and the fruit dries out. Find this wine
87668 CHÂTEAU LA GORCE 1996 Médoc $21.95
Another twelve year old Bordeaux only this one is more lively, showing
lead pencil, earthy and rhubarb and red currant aromas. The palate has
some sweet spice, a creamy crème brulee texture. The nose changes to
offer up notes of lavender and pine cone. The fruit turns on the finish
to an apple like flavour. Well worth trying at the asking price though.
Find this wine
87742 CHÂTEAU TOUR HAUT VIGNOBLE 2005 St-Estèphe $25.95
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot has a nice backbone of
creamy blackcurrant, a touch of charcoal and pencil shaving. It has
plenty of black fruit on the palate to entice early drinking. It is big,
spicy, and has a long fruit driven finish. Find this wine
79269 LA DAME DE MALESCOT 2005 Margaux, Second wine of Château
Malescot St. Exupery $51.95
A highly extracted wine, laden with dark fruit, sweet spice, little if
any gout de terrior and a dose of smoky oak. It has lots of sweet fruit,
some plumy notes and chocolate tannin on the closure. Find this wine
92809 CHÂTEAU DE L'ESTANG 2004 Côtes de Castillon $21.95
Upfront sweet cherry and black currant aromas double up on the palate.
It is drinking now, albeit not the most exciting wine of the bunch. Its
finish is really low on the acidity scale.
Find this wine
72322 CHÂTEAU FRANC-MAILLET 2000 Pomerol $51.95
Although the rim is lightening, the centre of the glass portrays a wine
that is still dark and opaque. There is a pleasing tang of the ocean
with a touch of mocha, plum, damson and Mediterranean spice. The palate
has plenty of solid fruit, an echo of the mocha, and a layer of ripe
blackberry fruit. Tannins are resolving and the texture is silky. Tasty
stuff.
Find this wine |
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86611 CHÂTEAU HAUCHAT LA ROSE 2004
Fronsac $23.95
A wine that starts out with floral aromas, dried Chinese mushroom,
currant and earthy notes. It is medium bodied, has good regional
typicity, the finish is dusty, but regrettably the fruit fades too soon.
Find this wine
87650 CHÂTEAU HAUT-CHAIGNEAU 2005 Lalande de Pomerol, Cuvée Prestige
$33.95
Dark fruit, sweet spice, blueberry and toffee make an interesting nose.
There is fruit on the palate, but the tannins are really tight, so
tight, they appear as bitter and astringent. Perhaps it will do nice
things down the road, but it will be a while before one will find out.
Find this wine
606640 CHÂTEAU LA COURONNE 2005 St. Émilion $29.95
Plush ripe fruit, gamey cured meat, liquorice, red cherry and red
currant all blend well on the nose. The palate needs to mature, it is
over powered by the ripe and chewy tannins right now, but the lively
acid should hold the fruit and it should be tasty once all is resolved. Find this wine
107664 CHÂTEAU LE CARILLON 2005 Pomerol $39.95
Now this is Bordeaux with its brazen aromas of black liquorice, cedar,
bacon, plum, a touch of prune, blackberry, slate and coal. An exciting
wine to investigate. The fruit is all there on the palate, the tannins
are gentle, but they let you know they are present. Needs time, should
be a winner. Find this wine
162461 CHÂTEAU DUCLA 2005 Bordeaux Superior $15.00
A little tight on the nose, but little notes of dark fruit, red berry
jam escape to tease. It is simple, clean, well balanced on the palate
and priced to please. Find this wine
92528 FAVORY CRÉMANT DE BORDEAUX BRUT $19.95
A tasty sparkler with a nose of straw, sweet peach, nectarine and grape.
The mousse holds well; the palate delivers flavours of citrus and peach
with a finish of sweet apple. Find this wine
707224 CAKEBREAD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2006 Napa Valley $37.95
Aromas of peach and melon, well balanced, a little creamy on the palate,
a nice wine, but hard to pick as a Sauvignon Blanc as it truly lacks
varietal character. Find this wine
64550 ARROWOOD LE BEAU MÉLANGE SYRAH 2002 Sonoma Valley, $29.95
This will sell out in no time for a number of reasons. One, the eminent
Mr. P rates this wine between 90-93. Secondly, thirty bucks is a great
price and thirdly, it is one tasty bottle of juice. It is full of notes
of caramel, blackberry, sweet spice and leather. The fifteen degrees of
alcohol are not discernable. It is just starting to drink well and
should continue to do so for several years. Don’t wait too long for this
one! Find this wine
48892 COUDOULET DE BEAUCASTEL BLANC 2007 Côtes du Rhône $33.95
Not a cheap alternative to Chardonnay, but a tasty one nonetheless. It
is well balanced, showing notes of mineral, white peach, mandarin, clove
and guava. Find this wine
76380 CAVE DE TAIN CROZES HERMITAGE FINE FLEUR DE CROZES 2005 $22.95
Little hints of black raspberry, tar, sweet spice, liquorice and pepper.
The palate has decent black fruit, lively acidity and some chalky
tannin. It is not a wine to go leaping around over, but it is pleasant
enough to drink and enjoy right now. Find this wine
43026 DOMAINE CHANTE CIGALE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2005 $41.95
A solid perfumed nose of Moroccan spice, tar, underbrush, red and black
fruit and cardamom. The fruit, featuring cherry and blackberry shows
well on the on the palate. It is raw, full of dusty tannins dense fruit
and the mineral laden finish lasts long. Find this wine
11205 MASSOLINO BAROLO 2004 $58.95
A nose of red cherry, raspberry, underbrush, leather, cocoa powder, all
spice and a medicinal note. The high acid palate has layers of dried
fruit, dried herbs and just a touch of bitter almond on the finish. Find this wine
Some fun stuff.
77925 THE ARRAN MALT SASSICAIA WINE CASK ISLE OF ARRAN SINGLE MALT
Limited Edition $86.95
Sassicaia flavoured Scotch, who da thunk! The wood loans the whiskey a
dark caramel colour. It has some candied grapefruit, honey and walnut
notes. It blasts away on the palate; it is hot, dry and very cloying.
Other tasters enjoyed it.
81935 THE ARRAN MALT TOKAJI ASZÚ WINE CASK ISLE OF ARRAN SINGLE MALT
Limited Edition $77.95
This bottle has the whiskey sitting in Bourbon casks for eight months
and then seven months in a selection of Tokaji Aszú wine casks. There
are more oak nuances and it is creamier than the Sassicaia infused
rendition. It has chestnut aromas and a touch of chocolate mandarin. It
too does serious damage when the fifty five degrees of alcohol make
their presence on the palate known. It has a little sweetness to the
finish.
503649 BOWMORE 15 YEARS OLD DARKEST ISLAY SINGLE MALT Sherry Cask
Finished $89.95
Lots of peat, mandarin, toffee and dark chocolate aromas. A little
mellower on the palate, nice caramel and treacle flavours.
699827 MITCHELL & SON GREEN SPOT IRISH WHISKEY $95.95
I rarely drink Irish whiskey as my dad, being a Scot, forbade it! Sorry
dad, but it is really quite tasty. There are notes of citrus, honey,
orange, banana peel and tropical fruit. The mouth feel is full, but
pleasing
81919 LEYENDA DEL MILAGRO SELECT BARREL RESERVE AÑEJO TEQUILA Limited
Edition, Hand Crafted and Bottled in Mexico $119.95
Oh wow, so smoky, full of tangerine, coconut shell, honey, and an aromas
of a just opened packet of UK cigarettes that brings back memories of my
misspend youth. This is sipping tequila at its best. The palate is
creamy, full of caramel, honey and floral notes. Great stuff.
739615 NONINO LO CHARDONNAY IN BARRIQUES GRAPPA $59.95
I usually compare sipping Grappa to sipping gasoline. However, this has
proved me wrong. Its aromas are dried daffodil flowers, tangy marmalade
and rhubarb pie. The palate is smooth with nice caramel and toffee
flavours.
Find this wine
Cheers
CZ
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