Canadian Wino(s)

Tempranillo:     Tempranillo is the top grape of Spain, and is especially known in wines of Rioja.  It comes on its own or blended with others, e.g. Garnacha (Grenache) and others.  Medium to full bodied, and smooth, it can be consumed young, but is often oak aged.  It is common for Spanish wines to be barrel and bottle aged prior to release.  The various designations: Joven, Roble, Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva each have minimum barrel and bottle aging times (Joven the least; Gran Reserva the most)*.  Ageing potential varies accordingly.  Red and dark berries, plum, tobacco, leather and vanilla (from the oak) are some of the flavors found in Tempranillo based wines.  Rioja is known for good quality and value, starting from about $15 (Crianza) for wines that are ready to drink.  Ribera del Duero is up and coming, and can offer wines with more concentration and character than typical Rioja.  Ribera del Duero has been more consistent over the last few vintages.  2001 was a good vintage for both that is now well aged.

Burgundy 2006, 2007:     The 2005 Burgundy vintage is a tough act to follow.  A few days ago I attended a tasting of 2006 and 2007 Burgundies.  Overall, the reds seemed thin, but this comes after a year of drinking an assortment of some of the earlier drinking 2005’s that were all great, showing the concentration that 2005 is noted for.  Cotes de Nuits showed better for 2006 and 2007.  Nuits Saint Georges was good.  A 2007 Fixin was a notable surprise that offered good value.  The Grand Crus were good, just not good enough to command the $200 and up price tags.  My recommendation for red Burgundy is to pick up whatever of the 2005s is still around.  Some are at reduced price (picked up some 05 Gevrey Chambertin for $40 per bottle a few days ago!).

The whites (chardonnay) were better for 2006/07 with Jadot’s Corton Charlemagne standing out.  The Meursaults were good as well. There could be some good wines for drinking or adding to your collection in the whites.

There was one Beaujolais (a Fleurie) which was light but tasty with some character and a good value at $22.  From the Beaujolais Villages I have tasted, 2006/07 may be good for some of the Cru Beaujolais, especially Moulin a Vent.

Rioja

2001 Conde de Valdemar Gran Reserva DOC, $39.95

Drink now – 2011
90 WS – Thomas Matthews
Grapes: 85% Tempranillo, 10% Mazuelo, 5% Graciano
2001 was a good year for Rioja, and with 26 months in barrel and a few years in bottle, this one is ready to drink.  Enjoy now or keep it a year or two.
‘dried cherry, tobacco and anise…hot heavy…floral spicy finish’ – WS 114504

2001 Ontanon Reserva DOC, $24.95

Drink now -2011
Grapes: 95 %Tempranillo, 5% Graciano
Here’s a 2001 Reserva (not quite as long in the barrel as Gran Reserva).
‘…24 months in French and American oak…strawberry, anise, almond, plum…smooth tannins, long finish’ – Vintages.  725895

2004 Lealtanza Crianza DOC, $19.95

Drink now -2013
Grapes: 95 %Tempranillo, 5% Graciano
Here’s a 2001 Reserva (not quite as long in the barrel as Gran Reserva).
‘…24 months in French and American oak…strawberry, anise, almond, plum…smooth tannins, long finish’ – Vintages.  725895

Ribera del Duero

Marques de Velilia Crianza 2003 DO, $24.95

Drink now – 2011
Grapes: Tempranillo
2003 is a good year for Ribera del Duero.  This Crianza should be great for dinking now.
‘…strawberry, menthol, milk chocolate, cherry, leather, anise’ Vintages 655399

Burgundy – Red

2005 Domaine Michel Caillot Les Avaux Beaune 1er Cru AC, $39.95

Drink now – 2013
Grapes: Pinot Noir
This wine is from a small organic producer.  The lesser known label may account for the rather reasonable $40 for a premier cru Beaune.
‘…ruby red…aromas of cherries, strawberries, spicy beets, underbrush, earthiness…dry with silky refined tannins’ –Vintages 116111

2005 Nicolas Potel Vieilles Vignes Morey Saint Denis AC, $49.95     Cellar Pick

Drink 2013 – 2018
Grapes: Pinot Noir
88-91 Burghound (Allan Meadows)
Morey-Saint-Denis is a Cotes de Nuits village.  While not a premier cru, this wine is from a good village in the Cotes de Nuits, a great year, and gets a very good rating from Burghound.
‘…potent nose of reduction, spice, hint of floral aromas…good vibrancy despite funk on the nose…real freshness to punchy and persistent finish’ Burghound 1104033

Ontario – Merlot

Colio CEV Barrel Aged Reserve Merlot 2002 VQA, Erie North Shore $19.95      Local Value

Drink now – 2010
Grapes: Merlot
4/5 stars – Tony Aspler
Best Merlot at the 2005 Cuvee Wine Awards.  2002 was a good year for Ontario Reds.  Here is a chance to try a local Merlot with a bit of age on it.
‘Nose: cedar, vanilla, black fruits.  Taste: medium bodied, firmly structured…cherry, plum fruit…’ -Tony Aspler 500447

Beaujolais Villages

2007 Domaine du Penlois Beaujolais Villages AC, $14.95

Drink now
Grapes: Gamay
Beaujolais Villages is wine ‘from the villages around Beaujolais.  These are light to medium bodied, easy drinking but tasty wines.
‘…brightly fruity wine…fresh strawberry and cassis aromas and flavours…dry, medium bodied…’ – Vintages 112524

S. Rhone – Chateauneuf du Pape

2006 Cuvee du Vatican Chateauneuf du Pape AC, $37.95

Drink now 2016
Grapes: Blend
91 WS (James Molesworth)
2006 is another good vintage for the Southern Rhone.  Cuvee du Vatican delivers good value for under $40.  I recently tasted the 2005 Cuvee du Vatican and found it very enjoyable, on the lighter side of the Chateauneuf spectrum, nicely balanced and smooth with dark flavour notes, a wine to enjoy in the first 5-10 years.
‘…dark…currant paste, fig sauce, mocha, licorice and fruitcake…taut but fresh tannins… WS 719120

Bordeaux

2004 Chateau Haut Sarpe AC, St. Emilion, $49.95

Drink now – 2014
Grapes: Merlot based blend
2004 is a good Bordeaux vintage (Left and Right).  St. Émilion is one of the big two appellations of the Merlot dominated right bank.
‘…vanilla, toast, red berries.  Dry, medium bodied…plum, cherry, toast and soft mineral notes’ Vintages 101634

2004 Clos de Grand Puceau AS St. Emilion, $27.95

Drink now – 2012
Grapes: 85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon
Here is another 2004 St. Émilion, at a bit more economical price point.
‘…bright ruby wine…ripe plums and red berry fruit…lively acidity…medium bodied, – Vintages.  112680

Cheers,   Ross