This looks like a good weekend to do some wine shopping, as the forecast shows rain for the next 5 days. Last weekend I went to Prince Edward County to do some wine tasting. The winemakers there are taking full advantage of the climate and terroir (limestone similar to Burgundy France) and are producing world class chardonnay. The pinot noir is up and coming and the tastings we had with Norman Hardy were fantastic. If you get a chance, it's a beautiful area to visit and to enjoy great food and wine ...and beautiful quiet roads to cycle on.
The release this week is good, but not spectacular. I really like the Mulderbosch Chardonnay from South Africa. Also, try the Muscat from Greece, this is a lovely dessert wine and the price is right. For Port lovers there is a LBV Port for $19.95 that should hit the spot with some nice blue cheese or aged cheddar.
Enjoy and let me know what you like or dislike from this release.
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
As BBQ season approaches, one of my favourite meals is a roasted leg of lamb. For quick grilling (30 to 40 minutes) a butterflied, boneless leg is great. For the bone-in leg, you need slower more controlled cooking. For both the marinade is very important and I recommend a minimum of 8 hours, but preferably over night. Here is the link to what I am cooking tonight.
Slow Roasted Leg of Lamb with Mint and Lemon
PREMIUM WINES
Vincent Girardin Les Vieilles Vignes Pouilly Fuissé 2008, Ac; Burgundy, France
207894; Rating 92; $24.95
David Lawrason compares this fresh, dry crisp Burgundian Chardonnay with the wonderful wines being made in Ontario’s Prince Edward County. (on a side note, I had the pleasure of trying some of these PEC wines last weekend and they were truly world class) Great wine for the price. Pair with lobster or crab dishes.
RED WINES
Mayu Reserva Carmenère 2007, Elqui Valley, Coquimbo Chile
90035; Rating – 90; $14.95
This is a marvellous red for the money. It is peppery with raisin and raspberry nuances. Try with pepper steak.
Alain Jaume Grande Garrigue Vacqueyras 2009, Ac Rhone, France
233916; Rating – 90; $22.95
Balanced, concentrated and structured, Jaume's Vacqueyras has the depth of many solid Châteauneuf-du-Pape, if not quite the length or complexity. Needs some more time, best 2012 to 2017.
Mas Des Bressades Cabernet/Syrah 2008, Vins De Pays Du Gard; Languedoc Roussillon (Midi), France
712174; Rating – 89; $18.95
This is a blend that is 70% Cabernet and 30% Syrah. Medium weight, smooth and dense with very good length. Enjoy now through 2014.
Marchesi Torrigiani Torre Di Ciardo 2006, Igt Toscana Tuscany, Italy
212084; Rating – 89; $19.95
This is a blend of sangiovese, canaiolo and merlot from a coastal vineyard in Tuscany. It pours with bright, moderately deep and mature garnet colour. It’s mid-weight, nicely harmonized if a bit dry on the finish. Good to very good length. Ready to enjoy now or hold another two to three years.
La Coterie Séguret 2009, Ac Côtes Du Rhône Villages; Rhone, France
219428; Rating – 88; $15.95
A young fresh rhone for current and easy drinking. It’s mid-weight with very good length. Best now to 2015. Try it with roasted leg of lamb.
Elementos Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Argentina
218974; Rating – 87; $12.95
Here's a pleasant, firm, flavourful, ripe but not raisined example of Argentine cabernet, with more than enough flavour intensity and length for the price. Solid value.
Ondarre Reserva 2004, Doca Rioja Spain
723452; Rating – 89; $19.95
Maturing now, but shows balance and very good length. Still fresh, this brings you back for another sip. Drink now through 2016.
WHITE WINES
Dog Point Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Marlborough, South Island New Zealand
677450; Rating – 89; $19.95
Intense, lively wine with lemon zest, gooseberry, green capsicum and a suggestion of passion fruit. Tangy, mouth-watering Sauvignon Blanc with character.
Quails' Gate Chardonnay 2008, VQA Okanagan Valley British Columbia, Canada
377770; Rating – 89; $19.95
Sixty-five percent was barrel fermented (only 20% of the barrels were new) and the remainder was fermented in stainless steel. This gave winemaker Grant Stanley the opportunity to blend a fruit-forward wine with only subtle oak, in a style deliberately different from the winery’s reserve Chardonnay. Mid-weight, drink now or wait a year.
Mulderbosch Chardonnay 2009, Wo Stellenbosch South Africa
717090; Rating – 89; $19.95
His always one of my favourites. This is a lighter style of chardonnay - quite zesty and refreshing but still sporting some chardonnay richness. Nicely integrated and fairly complex aromas of spice, nougat, tobacco and dried apple. It has very good length with a taut, almost stony finish.
DESSERT WINES
Kourtaki Muscat, Aoqs Samos; Greece
938407; Rating – 92; $14.95
A wonderful fruity sweet dessert wine that is medium to full bodied. Aromas of mango and tropical citrus pairs this well with ice creams or cheese. A great buy for the price.
Cálem Lbv Port 2004, Doc Douro, Btld. 2010 Portugal
912550; Rating – 90; $19.95
Fresh and attractive fruit and berry flavours. Great value.
No comments:
Post a Comment