Canadian Wino(s)

Napa Valley – Cabernet Sauvignon

2006 Joseph Phelps Inisfree Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, $36.95

Drink now -2014
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon
Phelps is a well established produced of quality wines, some of which are in the super premium category. 2006 was good for Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa, so the Inisfree should be a good benchmark in the $35 range. Drink now or hold for a few years. -RM
‘…forward and approachable…aromas and flavours of mulled spices, red fruit, coffee and cedar…long concentrated finish…’ – Vintages 038125

2007 Stonehedge Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, $24.95

Drink now – 2012
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon
2007 could be a great year for Napa Cabernet. The Stonehedge Reserve provides a chance to try out the vintage at a reasonable price, and with a wine that should drink well now (decant). -RM
‘…ripe blackcurrant aromas and silky tannins…big enough to stand up to grilled steak but soft enough to be enjoyed on its own’ – Vintages 025122

2007 Rutherford Hill Chardonnay, Napa Valley, $24.95

Drink now – 2011
Grapes: Chardonnay
Rutherford Hill is another well established winery. 2007 may also be a great Chardonnay year for Napa. The description from Vintages for this wine sounds like classic Napa Chardonnay. -RM
‘…Delicate, gossamer like aromas of peaches, tropical fruit and buttery, smoky oak notes…dry, balanced, easy drinking… – Vintages 980433

2007 Southbrook Triomphe Syrah, VQA Niagara Peninsula, $24.95

Drink now – 2013
Grapes: Syrah
90 – John Szabo (wineaccess.ca)
Syrah is another red variety that does well in Niagara. John Szabo gives this one a 90. -RM
‘…medium deep ruby red with purple…fresh, juicy peppery black and red fruit…lots of varietal character…surprisingly soft and plush tannins…’ JS (WA) 129809
Ontario – Dessert – Late Harvest

2007 Huff Estate First Frost Vidal, Prince Edward County, $19.95

Drink now – 2012
Grapes: Vidal
4.5 stars – Vic Harradine (winecurrent.com)
The grapes for late harvest wines are left on the vine past normal harvest. The grapes lose moisture and concentrate, but not as much as the frozen grapes of ice-wine. The result is a concentration of fruit flavours, but medium sweetness. This one also uses some of the grape juice that is put aside and added back after fermentation (suss-reserve). This could be an interesting wine to try with blue cheese or fruit based desserts. -RM
‘…peach, apricot and tropical fruit…balanced with heady acidity…’ – VH (WC 713024

Mexico – Petite Syrah –Great value

2007 L.A. Cetto Petite Syrah, Guadelupe Valley, Baja California, $11.95

Drink now – 2013
Grapes: 40% Grenache, 40%Syrah, 20% Carignan
89 – Natalie MacLean (nataliemaclean.com)

Ok, this is a bit of a quaffer, and it’s been in these notes before, but for $11.95 it is difficult to beat in terms of a big fruit forward, easy drinking econo-wine. Try with grilled steak, BBQ fare or pizza. Natalie MacLean has a few matches below. – RM

‘…Juicy, round and ripe…aromas of black plums, black raspberry and vanilla smoke…matches: spicy black bean dishes, steak and cheese enchiladas…’ – NM 983742

France – Southern Rhone – Chateauneuf

2006 Domaine de la Cote de L’Ange Chateauneuf du Pape, AC, $34.95

Drink now – 2020
Grapes: Chateauneuf blend
91 – James Molesworth – Wine Spectator

At $35 this should be a great value, relative to other Chateauneufs. Compared to some of the premium cellar worthy Chateauneufs – Clos du Papes, Beaucastel, etc, the price is very reasonable. It is even reasonably priced compared to the mass produced Chateauneuf in the twisty sandblasted bottle found in general listings (woof). Try one bottle and go back for more if you like it. If drinking now give it and hour or more in the decanter. RM

‘Really dark aromatics of coffee, charcoal, and braised chestnut…structured palate of black currant, hoisin sauce, tar and bittersweet cocoa…old school with a gravelly feel on the finish.…’ – JM (WS) 074856

France – Vin de Pays (Southern France)

2007 Mas des Brassades Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah, Vin de Pay du Gard, $18.95

Drink now – 2010
Grapes: Cab/Syrah

This wine is a perennial value pick for lovers of big fruit forward Shiraz like wine. The Vin de Pay produces both Cabernet and Rhone varietals such as Syrah. Here they are together; the Syrah dominates the Cab on this one with overall effect similar to new world (South Australia) big fruity Shiraz. Deep purple colour, big dark fruit on nose, and hint of tar and tobacco. Not too complex, but smoothened out and opened up nicely after and hour to 1 1/2 hours in decanter. Easy drinking – good with rib eye steak – very enjoyable. RM

‘…Cabernet Sauvignon vines are over 65 years of aged (good) and the Syrah vines average 35 years…medium bodied…packed with cassis, blackberry, earth and spice notes…ripe tannins and acidity providing structure …’ Vintages 712174

Italy – Ornellaia – Super Tuscan Collectible

2006 Ornellaia DOC Bolgheri Superiore, $174.95

Drink now 2016-2026
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot
97 Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate)
95 James Suckling (Wine Spectator

Ornellaia is the Left Bank of Bordeaux done Tuscan style and done well…year after year. Many wines demand big prices because of reputation and name. Ornellaia is one that has delivered on the ‘wow’ factor every time I have tasted it. There are a few wine icons that have not delivered as well or consistently. It is expensive now, but will be more expensive later (the 1997 is in the $500 range per bottle at auction). Put some away and it will be a gem at age 10, and go for up to another 10 years. RM

‘…layers of minerals, cassis, tar, sweet herbs and French oak…superb freshness and awesome balance…sheer intensity almost hides the tannins…will ultimately benefit from a few years in the cellar…’ – Antonio Galloni (WA) 722470

Italy – Tuscany – Chianti

2005 Ruffino Ducale Oro Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, $43.95

Drink now 2015 – 2020
Grapes: Sangiovese

This is Ruffino’s flagship wine. Chianti Classico is the location, Riserva denotes the premium wine, and DOCG is the value guarantee for indigenous grapes in Italy. Last year I tasted a Ducale Oro that was well aged but not from an outstanding year and it was very good. 2005 was a good year. If you like Chianti, buy a few and put them away. You’ll be rewarded in a few years. RM

‘…deep, rich and flavourful…lay it down for up to 10 years…’ – Vintages 353201

Italy – Tuscany – Sangiovese blend

2004 Sasso al Poggio IGT Toscana, $23.95 Super Tuscan Value

Drink now 2011
Grapes: Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
90 James Suckling (Wine Spectator

Tuscany gained international repute over the last 30+ years by bringing in French grapes and growing them well. One of the trends to emerge is a variety of blends. Some, like Ornellaia mirror the traditional Bordeaux blend. Sassicaia, the original Super Tuscan, started out 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and now has 15% Cab Franc (watch for Sassicaia in November release). Others combine indigenous grapes, predominantly Sangiovese, with the grapes of Bordeaux, with excellent results. At $23 and 90 points from James Suckling, this Sangiovese – French blend may not be a Super Tuscan, but will be a Super Tuscan Value. RM

‘…very jammy for the vintage, with plum and raspberry character. Full and very soft with round tannins and a long caressing finish, best after 2009..’ – James Suckling (WS) 134809

Cheers, Ross