ThinkTank

FRANCE – RHONE, COTES DU VENTOUX
2008 CHÂTEAU PESQUIÉ TERRASSES 652313 - $13.95
I had the previous two vintages of this wine and it’s a very good QPR for a day-to-day wine

FRANCE – BORDEAUX, COTES DE CASTILLON
2005 CHÂTEAU DE LAFAURIEMONBADON 140012 - $15.00
I really like the wines from Castillon. When I travelled in this area in 2004, it wasn’t as known but it was just a matter of time until it will get its reputation as a great region in Bordeaux with outstanding value wines. I don’t know this specific wine, but for $15 and a positive review from the classic 2005 vintage, I would say that the risk is low in buying couple of bottles.

FRANCE - LOIR
2008 MICHEL DELHOMMEAU CUVÉE HARMONIE MUSCADET DE SÈVRE-ET-MAINE 164624 - $12.95
AC, Sur Lie
RP=91
John M – over to you…

2008 DOMAINE DU PETIT SOUPER BOURGUEIL 169672 - $13.95
AC, Cuvée La Godinière
Gold Medal winner at the 2009 Concours des Vins de Loire.
Cab Franc is another variety I keep searching for. When it’s done well, it has unique flavors that are perfect with all kind of well prepared beef.
The Loir region in France is known for its Cab Franc. This is yet another one on my list to try from this release.

FRANCE – RHONE SOUTH, CDP
2006 CHÂTEAU MONT-REDON CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 959627 - $36.95
WS=90 ; now-2024
65% Grenache, 15% Syrah 10% Cinsault, 5% Mourvedre and 5% supporting varieties: Counoise, Muscardin and Vaccarese.
2006 was a good year (RP gave this vintage 90), but not as good as 2007 (RP gave it 98!!!!). This CdP, from a very respected producer received a very good review by WS and with its long cellaring potential seems like a good buy.

FRANCE – RHONE SOUTH, VACQUEYRAS
2007 LA BASTIDE SAINT VINCENT PAVANE VACQUEYRAS 177709 - $21.95
IWC=91
75% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah
A lower price than usual VACQUEYRAS (usually costs $25-$28) with a great review. Another gem from the fantastic 2007 vintage. What’s not to like. Buy 3-6 bottles and enjoy it over the next 3-8 years with a succulent steak.

CHILE - RAPEL VALLEY
2007 CONCHA Y TORO WINEMAKER’S LOT 148 CARMENÈRE 030957 - $16.95
Great supportive review by Lawrason (gave it 90). I had the winemaker’s series from Concha Y Toro at the winery in Chile back in 2006. Great value wines for day-to-day consumption. It has more to offer than most $17 at the LCBO.

CHILE - CASABLANCA VALLEY
2008 CHARDONNAY 928580 - $13.95
I would love to put this wine as a “joker” in a blind Chardonnay tasting with the other $40+.
I have the feeling, people may like this one a lot! What do you say John M – are we up for the challenge?

2007 LOMA LARGA MERLOT 172551 - $15.95
JM=90 ; 2011-2019
If you like Merlot, that’s a great option. Great review, mid-long time cellaring and all this wrapped in a $16 package.

CHILE - MAIPO VALLEY
2005 SANTA EMA RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 175422 - $14.95
WS=90 ; drink now.
Another Cab Sauv with the right review and price. Put the BBQ ready… it’s going to be a long summer… J

US – CALIFORNIA, NAPA VALLEY
2007 BERINGER PRIVATE RESERVE CHARDONNAY 026682 - $44.95
RP gave this wine a high score of 92 and said it reminded him of a Burgundian premier cru from Chassagne-
Montrachet or Meursault. I was introduced to this wine by Jim M in 2004 and since then I have had several vintages from this wine. It is an outstanding Chardonnay! It will be interesting to compare this wine with some of Ontario Chardonnays (cost about the same) that have been recently highly appreciated by the British judges in London, UK (e.g. Norman Hardy and/or Le Clos Jordanne).


ARGENTINA - MENDOZA
2008 ALAMOS MALBEC 467951 - $13.95
WS=90Almos is Catena’s entry level wines. But don’t be misled by that fact – you won’t find too many $14 wines that deliver so much wine in a bottle. If you like Malbec, this is a great wine to buy by the case (although you don’t have to because I think it’s part of LCBO’s essentials, which means it’s always available).

2008 URBAN UCO MALBEC 166371 - $12.95
JM=89 ; now-2013
After I criticized their Malbec-Temparnillo blend (see tasting notes HERE), I can’t wait to taste their Malbec and see whether it was the blend that lacked what I was expecting or maybe it’s their wine in general. I want to experience intensity and thickness like a good Malbec does. Stay tune for my tasting notes… J

2009 CRIOS DE SUSANA BALBO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 640979 - $12.95
JM=91+ ; now-2015
I had previous vintages of this wine and loved it. JM provides all the right (for me) superlatives you should look for in Cab Sauv – the right body, flavors and price! A very good Cab Sauv for $13 ?!
Buy, buy, buy…

AUSTRALIA - MCLAREN VALE
2005 PIRRAMIMMA PETIT VERDOT 986752 - $24.95
JH=92 ; now-2015.
My all time Petit Verdot favorite from Australia. I had this wine for several years now and it is always very much rewarding . I would love to see all of Pirramimma wines (they have a fabulous Shiraz and a fascinating Grenache) for under $20 so I can recommend buying them by the case

GERMANY - RHEINGAU
2005 VOLLRADS RIESLING SPÄTLESE 161075 - $16.95
WS=90 ; now-2018
I love a good-chilled Spatlese in a warm summer evening. A very attractive price for this already-five-year old Riesling from the very successful 2005 vintage (RP gave the vintage 93!). Serve it with pan seared scallops.
ITALY - SARDINIA
2005 SARDUS PATER KANAI RISERVA CARIGNANO DEL SULCIS 177071 - $17.95
RP=90 ; now-2013
Hey John M, this seems like a new competition to your other red favorite from the same place. It’s challenge time! And let the best wine win… J
ITALY - MOLISE
2008 DI MAJO NORANTE SANGIOVESE 591974 - $12.95
RP=90 ; now-2012
With words like “This harmonious red is a knockout” by Antonio Galloni for this Sangiovese and with such a great price what’s not to like. I’d try one and decide whether to stock it up for day-to-day.

ITALY - VENETO
2008 LE ARCHE RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA 095828 - $14.95
The hunt for good value Ripasso continues… A good Rippso can sometimes challenge his big brother Amarone for a fraction of the price. What I love about Italian wines in general and many Ripasso wines in particular that they go so well with rich food. So what’s not to like here for $15???

ITALY - TUSCANY
2006 ROCCA DELLE MACÌE CHIANTI RISERVA 111641 - $15.00
Another Chianti Riserva from the promising and delivering 2006 vintage. All previous wines I had from this producer never failed me and the price is more than attractive. Again, very food friendly. How about a nice dish of Spaghetti a la puttanesca to accompany this wine… That’s definitely on my list this release.

SPAIN - CARIÑENA
2001 IGNACIO MARIN VIÑA ANGELA GRAN RESERVA 166694 - $19.95
I visited Carinena in 2007 in order to make the 2005 Fusion (not to be mixed up with Fuzion) Spanish blend of Temparnillo and Garnacha. This is a beautiful region with lots of old vines (some were planted as the Second World War was ended) and great representation of the local terroir.
Almost 10 year-old wine for $20 from an outstanding vintage and at the highest Gran Reserva quality. Save some for me. Don’t expect power here, but lots of nuance of a good wine.

2005 MONASTERIO DE LAS VIÑAS RESERVA 166579 - $12.95
This wine comes from Grandes Vinos y Viñedos – the same winery that hosted us with the 2005 Fusion Spain wine. It will be interesting to try their wine along side ours for a blind tasting.
2005 was extremely good in this region so expect a “lot in a bottle” including some power.

SPAIN – RIOJA
2005 BODEGAS LAN CRIANZA 166538 - $15.95
Wine & Spirits=90 (One of the Best Buys of 2009)
I have had Bodegas Lan Reserva and Gran Reserva since 1998 and it has never failed. It is a great representation of Rioja for a fair price. The Crianza (“young”) version of this wine should be an excellent day-to-day food friendly wine. Can be enjoyed by itself as well.