Aussie – D’Arenberg The Stump Jump (Red and White)

D’Arenberg is a good South Australia producer.  Over the holidays I was fortunate to enjoy their 2003 and 2004 Dead Arm Shiraz with friends.  The 2003 Dead Arm was big, fruity, spicy, full bodied, concentrated and complex, just coming into maturity.  The 2004 was not as big a wine as the 2003 and was more elegant in comparison.  The 2004 opened up nicely after about 1 ½ hours.  It seems the Dead Arms start to drink nicely after about 5-6 years.  The 03 had developed nicely since we first tasted it in 2006.

2008 D’Arenberg The Stump Jump (GSM), Adelaide – South Australia $14.95

Drink now – 2015
Grapes: Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvèdre           EXCELLENT VALUE
90 – Harvey Steiman (WS)

The 2006 was very good, the 2007 not quite as.  The 2008 gets a 90 from Wine Spectator, a reliable source.  GSM blends are based on the core grapes of the red Chateauneuf du Pape blend and make a good alternative to pure Shiraz/Syrah.  Try a bottle if you like Shiraz or Shiraz based blends.  Try one and if you like it put a few away for bbq season. RM

‘Ripe and open textured…cherry, blackberry and raspberry…’– HS (WS) 606236

2008 D’Arenberg The Stump Jump Lightly Wooded Chardonnay, Adelaide SA $14.95

Drink now
Grapes: Chardonnay
3 ½ out of 5 – Rod Phillips

I haven’t tasted this one, but based on my experience with other D’Arenberg products, this is definitely worth a try for fans of Chardonnay that is lightly oaked.  RM

‘…lightly wooded chardonnay with a very solid character…well-defined flavours, decent complexity, and good balance’– www.rodphillipsonwine.com   147520

France – GSM – Cotes du Rhone

2008 Ortas Tradition Rasteau, AC Cotes du Rhone Villages, $15.00

Drink now – 2012
Grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre
Gold Medal at 2009 Concours des Grands Vin de France in Macon

The Rhone Valley is the home of Syrah and Syrah blends.  This is the French, northern climate, version of what you get with the Aussie Stump Jump.  Why not try a bottle of each and see which style you prefer.  Typically the hotter climate Aussie wine will be more fruit forward while the cooler climate French equivalent may be more balanced overall with darker fruit flavours and aromas such as tar/tobacco/leather.  RM

‘…nose of wild berries, black fruit, pepper, and hint of tar…medium bodied…juicy black fruit…hints of leather and pepper…’– Vintages 998716

Mexico –Petite Sirah

2007 L. A. Cetto Petite Sirah, Guadalupe Valley, Baja California, $11.95

Drink now
Grapes: Petite Syrah
89 Natalie McLean

Earlier vintages of this have been medium to full bodied, with big plumy fruit, with hints of smoke or spice but not as jammy as some Shiraz.  Great value for the price.  RM

‘…Juicy, round and ripe…black plums, black raspberry and vanilla smoke.  Food matches: spicy black bean dishes, steak and cheese enchiladas.’– www.nataliemclean.com  983742

France – Burgundy

2007 Albert Bichot Pinot Noir Bourgogne Vieilles Vignes AC, $16.95

Drink now
Grapes: Pinot Noir

Bourgogne denotes Pinot Noir made from grapes sourced from around Burgundy (as opposed to a specific village).  It is the entry level wine for Burgundy.  2007 is a lighter ‘drinking’ vintage, as opposed to a cellaring vintage like 2005, 2002 or 2003.  Bichot is a good negociant (one who buys grapes and makes wine).  I had their 2005 Cote de Nuits Villages which was an excellent value.  Expect a light to medium bodied pinot with some good character and value for the money.  RM

‘…aromas of dark cherry, blackcurrant and woodland berries.  Dry, medium bodied, with darker fruit flavours…balanced acidity, some mild tannic grip’– Vintages 043331

Ontario – Cab Franc

2007 Niagara College Teaching Winery Cabernet Franc 2007, $18.95

Drink now – 2014
Grapes: Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Franc shows up typically in Bordeaux blends (small percentages on the Left Bank, and up to 25-30% on the Right Bank).  It is a difficult variety to show well on its own.  Occasionally a good Cab Franc comes out of Niagara.  This one hails from Niagara College’s Teaching Winery.  The College Winery makes some very good wines.  The Late Harvest Cab Franc is terrific and rivals Pillitteri’s.  Over Christmas I enjoyed a barrel fermented Chardonnay (a wine that Prince Charles enjoyed on his last visit).  The 2006 Cab Franc was good for an Ontario wine for the price.  2007 is a great vintage for Niagara.  Looking for something different in a red?  Try this and support our local industry and future winemakers as well.  RM

‘Deep ruby colour…ripe black cherry, raspberry, cedar…dry, medium bodied…soft tannins and moderate acidity…pair with herb crusted veal chops or medium rare roast beef w rosemary.’– Vintages 155671

California – Pinot Noir

2006 Loredena Pinot Noir, Monterey, $18.95

Drink now – 2012
Grapes: Pinot Noir

Ocean breezes that flow up the Salinas Valley provide a cooling effect that is favorable to Pinot Noir.  This is an effect that shows up in a few places in the West Coast of the USA, to the benefit of the grapes.  RM

‘…cherry, cedar, plum and earth.  A fine choice for grilled duck breast or veal tenderloin’ – Vintages 057620

Italy – Piedmont – Barbaresco        Cellar Pick

2005 Sori’ Paitin Barbaresco DOCG, $39.95

Drink 2012 – 2020
Grapes: Nebbiolo
93 James Suckling (WS)
93 Antonio Galloni (RP)

Barbaresco is made from the Nebbiolo grape of Barolo fame.  It is generally grown at lower elevations than Barolo with the wine being softer, and more elegant than Barolo with softer tannins.  While some Barbaresco can be more approachable at a younger bottle age, some can age nicely.  RM

‘…lovely overall balance…well integrated tannins…superb purity…Today the wine is bursting with primary fruit and needs a at least a few years to develop its tertiary aromas and flavours…AG (erobertparker.com) 106591

Italy – Veneto – Ripasso

2005 Remo Farina Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore DOC, $16.95

Drink now – 2012
Grapes: Valpolicella Blend
4/5 Vic Harradine (Winecurrent.com)

Ripasso: Pass Valpolicella over the left over must from the making of Amarone.  The result is a beefed up Valpolicella that ranges from a smooth medium-full bodied quaffer to a ‘baby Amarone’.  Ripasso generally pairs well with big flavoured Italian dishes.    RM

‘Rich, spicy, earthy on the nose…boysenberry and cassis…nuances of bacon, savoury notes…black licorice and tar….medium to full bodied…well balanced…’ VH (WC) 999946

Aussie – Shiraz

2007 Wolf Blass Gold Label Shiraz, Barossa South Australia, $27.95

Drink now – 2017
Grapes: Shiraz
91 Harvey Steiman (WS)

This is from the Dec 5 release however; there are lots of bottles still available.  The Gold Label Shiraz has been an outstanding value compared to other Aussie Shiraz in previous vintages.  Decant for an hour or more, or cellar 2-5 years for best results.    RM

‘Firm and chewy…smoky, wood accented blackberry and currant…polished finish…’ HS (WS) 590273

Cheers,   Ross

Graze the Bench is an event for Wine and Food lovers to experience the Beamsville Bench wineries as they never have before. It is a week-end of casual and elegant grazing amongst the boutique wineries of the Beamsville Bench. We are offering our guests a chance to visit the lifestyle of the wine people who are passionate about all things wine, food and music.

This small but passionate group of winemakers and winery owners are opening their doors for one week-end a year. This is an opportunity for our guests to have some expertly prepared local cuisine along with a glass of wine in a picturesque vineyard setting whilst listening to the sounds of soulful music—designed to relax and re-invigorate.

www.grazethebench.com

• 2007 Cabernet Franc (bronze medal winner at Ontario Wine Awards) 30$
• 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon $30
• 2007 Meritage $30
• 2006 Zweigelt $14
• 2007 Counterpoint  $25
• 2008 Chardonnay, Unoaked $16
• 2006 Chardonnay, Niagara River  $25
• 2008 Vidal  $14
• 2007 Vidal Icewine $28

After tasting some more in the tasting room, I ended up buying the 2007 riesling icewine(another ontario wine award winner),  2 bottles of the 2007 Syrah that I had tried at Winecamp Toronto, 1 bottle of 2006 Pinot Noir, 1 bottle of 2007 Pinot noir, and 1 bottle of 2007 Pinot Noir – canadian oak.  Probably should have picked up a couple bottles of the Vidal for 14$ for visitors this summer or for the bbq I’m planning in a couple weeks.

Anyhow..ttyl

P.S. The directions on the web site aren’t as clear as they should be… once you take exit 38b, turn left at the hilton, then right at the first intersection (airport rd), follow that to HWY 55, then their instructions are great from there on.