Sunday, June 16, 2013

Justin's Wine picks June 18, 2013

JUSTIN'S WINE PICKS JUNE 18, 2013.

Wines released for sale in Ontario on Saturday, June 22, 2013.

What, in my humble opinion, is the best source of affordable and delicious red wines in the World today? It is a near run thing but I would have to say Southern France, especially the Rhone Valley and the Midi. Starting at the top with Chateauneuf-Du-Pape. The wines rank right up there with the finest from anywhere and you can buy the majority of them for under $50.00. Expensive yes, but try buying a top class Bordeaux or Burgundy for less than hundreds of dollars.
Below this are gorgeous wines such as Gigondas in the $25 range and the villages such as Cairranne and Rasteau which retail for under $20.00. Add to this advantageous weather patterns which have produced consistently excellent Vintages such as 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011 and you have a recipe for success in your cellar.
A grand selection of these wines is offered for sale on June 22.
Here are the samples that I want!

Domaine De La Charbonniere Chateauneuf-Du-Pape 2010 $39.95. Age 10 years.
Ch. La Nerthe C-D-P 2010 $43.95. “Unbridled power and freshness.” 10 years also.
Ch. Mont-Redon C-D-P 2009 $39.95. Very well-balanced. Drink around 2020.
Vieux Clocher Symphonie Des Galets C-D-P $34.95. Very big flavours. 2020+.
Ch. Signac Cuvee Terra Amata Cotes du Rhone-Villages 2009 $22.95. Parker score 90-92.
Croix Valong La Legende Cotes Du Rhone 2010 $15.95. BARGAIN!!!
Correnson Reserve Speciale Cotes Du Rhone 2011 $16.95. Designed for steak!
Le Gravillas Sablet Cotes du Rhone Villages 2011 $15.95. “Spicy & deeply fruity.”
La Ferme Du Mont Le Ponnant Cotes du Rhone-Villages 2011 $17.00. Parker 90.
Ortas L'Estellan Gigondas 2011 $19.95 This is a classy wine!

Bet you didn't know this!
Ho Chi Minh of Vietcong fame worked as a pastry chef in London for the famous chef Auguste Escoffier at the luxurious Carlton Hotel.

Best White Wine: Domaine Schlumberger Kessler Pinot Gris 2008 Alsace $25.95. “Like fine silk this is elegant and ethereal overall. Apricot, guava, honey and pineapple notes. “

Superb Whites.
Torres Floralis Moscatel Oro Spain $16.95. Sweet, scrumptious dessert wine!
Henry of Pelham Estate Riesling 2010 Niagara $15.95 BEST BUY!!
Uvaggio Vermentino 2011 California $17.95. “ Layers of lime and apple.”
Stoneleigh Latitude Sauvignon Blanc 2012 N.Z. $21.95. “This is unfettered Ambrosia.”
Mallory & Benjamin Talmard Macon-Uchizy 2011 $14.95. Bargain Burgundy!
Bougrier Touraine Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Loire $16.95. Superb Winery!
Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler Bernkasteler Alte Badstube Am Docterberg Riesling Spatlese 2011 $24.95.
This is a gorgeous value at this price! Will last at least 10 years.

Air
In the little house filled with dogs and resilient plants
She left only a glass and a blank sheet of paper.

The stadium up the road like a siren called with silent applause
To climb up, climb beyond the seats and the grass

Where a team of young girls kicked a white ball.
Maybe she knew they were there, maybe she was calling back

A line a male poet committed to the page decades ago,
About time made simple by the loss of detail.

Maybe she then cast out every detail but the unencumbered air
To keep it simple. And then fluttered from us.
Daniel Halpern.

I don't know why I like this poem but I do.

Best Red Wine:Grant Burge Corryton Park Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 $32.95. “Intense blackberry fruit with silky tannins and a long finish. Drink until 2020.”

Exceptional Reds.

Calem Late Bottled Vintage Port 2006 $19.95. “ Wonderful peppery spice notes.”
Geyser Peak Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 California $19.95. Wow! Very well-made.
Vina Robles Red 4 2009 California $19.95. Superb blend!
Juan Benegas Malbec 2010 Argentina $14.95. BEST BUY!!
Peter Lehmann Layers Shiraz/Tempranillo/Mourvedre/Grenache 2010 $17.95. Big and smooth!
Wakefield Merlot 2012 Australia $17.95. “spicy black fruit flavours.”
Ch. Bizard Montagne De Raucoule 2010 AC Grignan-les Adhemar (Rhone) $20.95. .
Poderi Di Luigi Einaudi Dogliani 2011 $19.95 Piedmont. “A gorgeous wine...an exotic, wild air.”
Cascina Dardi Bussia Barolo 2006 $35.95. “Structured, powerful best laid down for a few tears.”
Alvaro Castro 2009 Portugal $16.95. Medium bodied with great fruit and tannins.
Quinta Do Roncao Reserva 2011 Portugal $14.95. “Palate is voluptuous and alluring.”
Baron De Magana 2009 Spain $17.95. Great, full raspberry/cherry palate and nose.

Great Reads: Nine Dragons by Michael Connelly. Another fabulous Harry Bosch thriller.
God's Spy by Juan Gomez-Jurado. Wonderful tale of a serial-killer/Priest at loose in the Vatican killing Cardinals. Pretty bloody but a fine story with some very interesting characters.
Holidays On Ice by David Sedaris. Short stories with a Christmas theme in a black comedy style.
First story recounts the tale of working as an elf in a department store. Dinah The Christmas Whore must be read!

Thanks,

Justin

Monday, June 3, 2013

Justin's Wine Picks June 4, 2013

JUSTIN'S WINE PICKS JUNE 4, 2013

Wines released for sale in Ontario on Saturday, June 8.

Just a quick overview of the wines available this time. There are a bunch of excellent choices but the retired life calls and I am torn in many different directions, which is good!

I will give you the two best plus my five top picks for red and white
If you want to know what keeps me so engaged take up duplicate bridge and we can talk about vino between hands. You can take excellent lessons at the Bridge Center in the Frontenac Mall.
613-507-6565.
A basic knowledge of how to play bridge is required.
Single Malt Whisky fans will need at least a case of The Macallan Sherry Oak 25 Years Old @ the knockdown price of only $999.95 Hey they are thinking of becoming independent and will need the cash. Haggis alone won't pay the bills or the piper.
Bowmore Darkest 15 Year Old Islay $91.95, is the BEST!! Single Malt that I have tasted and that includes all the big names.

Best White: Domaine Raoul Gautherin & Fils Chablis 1er Cru 2010 $28.95. #2 Would be Astrolabe Province Sauvignon Blanc N.Z. $21.95. Nobody does the grape better than the Kiwis.

5 Exceptional Whites.

Coyote's Run Red Paw Chardonnay 2011 $19.95 Niagara. Very well-balanced!
Fielding Gewurztraminer 2010 Niagara $15.95. “Lychee, honeysuckle, roses” WOW!!
Flat Rock Cellars Riesling 2012 Niagara $16.95. “Beautiful, just off-dry.”
Alta Vista Premium Torrontes 2012 Argentina $14.95. Intensely floral, Wonderful wine!
Alamos Chardonnay 2012 Argentina $13.95. One of my top wineries.
C.J. Pask Gimblett Road Viognier 2011 N.Z. $18.95. You will love this!
Louis Hauller Gewurztraminer 2011 $19.95. Alsace Absolutely Delicious! Drink now.
Ch. Moulin De Vignolle 2011 Bordeaux $15.95. “Impeccably structured, balanced.”
( You didn't really think I could limit myself to 5! )
Senior Truism: Old age and treachery will beat Youth and skill every time!

A bottle of wine begs to be shared; I have never met a miserly wine lover.” Clifton Fadiman

Best Red: Ridge Monte Bello 2010 California $149.95. “A magnificent California Classic!” Expected to mature around 2020 to 2040. I should buy one for my Granddaughter's 30th birthday.
Really good for a lot less money? Due Torri Amarone 2009 $38.95 or Poggiotondo Brunello Di Montalcino 2006 $34.95.

5 Exceptional Reds.

Ch. Argadens 2009 Bordeaux $17.95. Dense tannins and blackberry/cherry. Age 4 years.
Ch. De La Pierre Brouilly 2011 $17.95. “...acidity and silky tannins act in perfect accord.” Try this one Henry.
Les Vignes Bila-Haut Cotes Du Rousillon-Villages 2011 $14.95. BARGAIN!!!
Les Halos De Jupiter Cotes-Du-Rhone 2010 $17.95. “lusty black cherry, raspberry, cassis.”
Herencia Altes Garnatxa Negra 2011 Spain $15.95. DON”T MISS THIS ONE!
Quinta De Santa Eufemia Late Bottled Vintage Port 2005 $18.95. “Voluptuous mouthfeel.”

Great Books To Read. Vanished Kingdoms by Norman Davies. Fantastic vignettes of European History. The Dunbarton Rock story and others are very well written.
One of the funniest books I have ever encountered is The Life and Times of The Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson.
Lastly if you are into Military History you will really enjoy Pacific Crucible by Ian W. Toll, describing the sea battle in the Pacific between Japan and the U.S.A.

Thanks,
Justin