Vintages Release - November 7, 2009

The theme of tomorrow’s Vintages release is “wines under $20”. Since I always try to ensure that a good proportion of my picks are under $20, nothing more need be said on that score.

WHITE WINES

The Blind River Sauvignon Blanc 2008 ($19.95) from New Zealand is an extremely good example of the variety. Expect to find lots of lichee, grapefruit, red apple and gooseberry with good mouth feel, and some minerality on the finish. This is not a grassy sauvignon. Very refreshing, with plenty of well integrated acid. Pair with pan fried whitefish or soft cheese.

Fans of leaner style chardonnay will probably like the Arboleda Chardonnay 2007 ($15.95) from Chile. This is a soft, well integrated wine with a nose of white flowers and pear, and lots of vanilla, with some hazelnut, almond and sweet lemon, on the palate. Good on its own, especially at this price, or with a salad or chicken.

If you are looking for a richer chardonnay, go for either of:

- The St. Francis Chardonnay 2007 ($19.95) from Sonoma. This is a typical big, rich, creamy, California chardonnay with loads of oak, vanilla, melon, apple, grapefruit and brioche. Perfect to accompany shellfish in a white wine sauce, poultry or pork.

- The Landmark Overlook Chardonnay 2007 ($32.95) from California. This wine isn’t cheap, but it is about $8.00 off its last year price. It comes close to setting the standard for chardonnays, with a concentrated melange of butterscotch, vanilla, oak, hazelnut, green apple and peach. A big wine with a long, satisfying finish, that manages to be both rich and refreshing.

The Trimbach Riesling 2007 ($19.95) from Alsace is back. This perennial favourite is a medium bodied wine with flavours and aromas of white flowers, mineral, lemon and mineral, with lovely mouth feel and a long finish. Pair with spicy Chinese or Thai food.

SPARKLING WINES

The Bollinger Special Cuveé Brut Champagne isn’t exactly cheap at ($79.95) but it’s good value considering what you could pay for a champagne of this quality. Expect a complex, tasty wine with brioche, honey, green apple, peach, orange, and hazelnut notes, and a long, mouth filling finish. A great wine for a celebration.

RED WINES

When the Rocca Delle Macie Chianti Riserva 2005 ($15.00) from Tuscany was released last February, I strongly recommended it, and bought two cases. The wine is being re-released and at the same price. I said, at the time, “Expect layers of black fruit (cherry and plum), leather, spice, coffee and licorice. Will go well with red meats, pizza or pasta dishes, and has the acid to stand up to tomato based foods. Buy this wine.” I stand by that note. If you missed it last time, don’t miss it again.

Another perennial favourite, the Ascheri Fontanelle Barbera D’Alba 2007 ($17.95) from Piedmont is back. This wine is well worth a try with well integrated flavours of black cherry, plum, blackberry, spice, oak and mineral, with a long finish. It will go better with food, preferably pasta or veal.

The Chateau de Fontenelles Cuveé Notre Dame 2007 ($16.95) from the Midi is also a good buy. This is a rich, spicy offering with ripe plum, raspberry, cedar and soft tannins. Enjoy with a burger or with spareribs with sweet sauce.

The Vina Maipo Reserva Merlot 2008 ($13.95) from Chile is also a great buy. This is a big, rich wine which punches well above its price. Expect well integrated earthy notes, with plum, spice, red currant and oak. Decant for an hour before serving with steak, spicy sausage, or pasta with meat sauce.

The Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 ($19.95) from Chile has crept up a little in price since last year, but it’s still well worth the money. This is a quality cabernet, with rich plum, cassis, tobacco, cedar and coffee. Serve with grilled red meat, but decant for an hour or more first.

The Graham Beck Gamekeeper’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 ($19.95) from South Africa is always good. Expect a complex integration blueberry, blackberry, cedar, leather, spice and toasted oak, with a long, full bodied finish. A good wine for rich, spicy dishes like beef stew.

Finally, if there’s too much cash hanging around in your mattress, you might want to try the Sassicaia 2006 ($184.95) from Tuscany. This iconic wine is on everyone’s top twenty list every year, and with good reason. It is a beautifully made, ideal integration of black fruit, smoke, earth, violets, leather and far more, that turns to pure ambrosia in the glass and finishes like silk, but silk you’ll remember for hours. A wonderful wine, but don’t open it for at least two years. In the meantime, you can enjoy the anticipation.