Uncorked-Wine and Spirits Appreciation

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 9:19 pm

sstackho wrote:Ha! Good timing.

Here's the full sidebar:

Top tequilas for mixing

CABO WABO REPOSADO, $82

Rocker Sammy Hagar's brand now owned by Gruppo Campari, round and faintly sweet, with pleasantly thick viscosity and full flavour. The crowd pleaser.

CAZADORES REPOSADO, $40

Spicy, with a long finish. The winner for intensity of flavour and spicy backbone. Sneak a sip before mixing.

EL JIMADOR REPOSADO, $32

The best-value reposado made from 100-per-cent agave. Very dry and balanced.

LEYENDA DEL MILAGRO SILVER, $43

Like an herb- and chili-infused vodka, silky and slightly sweet. Good enough to sip on its own, too.

OLMECA TEZON REPOSADO, $90

Deliciously delicate, with big citrus flavour and lots of spice.

I went for some groceries Saturday afternoon, saw lime juice, picked it up & headed to the LCBO.

I think the Jimador was $32.95 & the Cazadores was $39.95. So for an extra $7, I went for the Cazadores. I was surprised at how spicy & oaky it was, with some subdued/mellowed tequila flavour lasting through the finish. For a mixed drink, I like a little more cactus-like flavour. But this is really great, and VERY drinkable on its own.

I finished up the last of the Sauza in some Margarita's (it had a $9.99 21st Amendment price sticker). Straight up it really burns, but it does provide some tequila flavour in a mixed drink. I'd never buy it again. Probably give the Jimador a try.

SteelbackGuy · Post by **SteelbackGuy** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 6:36 am

On Sunday:

Comte De Lauze Cotes Du Rhone- $13.95 LCBO# 127050

I got more shiraz in the nose (black berries,even though this is 70% Granache)but sweet black currant is the main flavour profile and it is somewhat toasty and absolutely delicious.

I don't often buy wines from this region because there aren't a whole lot to choose from, but when I saw the price, I had to try it. This is by far one of the best surprise values I have had in a long time.

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 1:12 pm

The Val Joanis Luberon Rosé was a waste of time this year, to me. 15-16 bucks?? A different wine than last year's $12 Grenáche-based Rosé, this new label was Syrah-driven and was not a Cotes-de Luberon AOC. More importantly - it lacked some fresh acidity and flavor balance; the Syrah just hangs there like a question mark.

Tricky wine style but I lean to the French Grenáche-based ones - eg. sunny hot Luberon wines that don't cost 20 dollars. Probably under-rated values next to comparably tasty white wines, and often the Vintner uses the best of the crop for the style.

lister · Post by **lister** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 1:15 pm

Belgian wrote:Tricky wine style but I lean to the French Grenáche-based ones - eg. sunny hot Luberon wines that don't cost 20 dollars. Probably under-rated values next to comparably tasty white wines, and often the Vintner uses the best of the crop for the style.

Any favourites? My girlfriend has discovered Grenáche wines recently and really likes them.

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 1:19 pm

lister wrote:
Belgian wrote:Tricky wine style but I lean to the French Grenáche-based ones - eg. sunny hot Luberon wines that don't cost 20 dollars. Probably under-rated values next to comparably tasty white wines, and often the Vintner uses the best of the crop for the style.
Any favourites? My girlfriend has discovered Grenáche wines recently and really likes them.

Read some reviews & try a few - the Tavel AOC wines are slightly more expensive, but the good AND cheap non-Tavel ones seem to sell in a matter of days which says a lot about people's respect for these very classic wines. Let's keep an eye out next spring!

SteelbackGuy · Post by **SteelbackGuy** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 5:40 pm

Belgian wrote:
lister wrote:
Belgian wrote:Tricky wine style but I lean to the French Grenáche-based ones - eg. sunny hot Luberon wines that don't cost 20 dollars. Probably under-rated values next to comparably tasty white wines, and often the Vintner uses the best of the crop for the style.
Any favourites? My girlfriend has discovered Grenáche wines recently and really likes them.
Read some reviews & try a few - the Tavel AOC wines are slightly more expensive, but the good AND cheap non-Tavel ones seem to sell in a matter of days which says a lot about people's respect for these very classic wines. Let's keep an eye out next spring!

I'll second this.
You should be able to score some TAvel AOC stuff for $17-$20, and you won't be disappointed.

icemachine · Post by **icemachine** » Sun Aug 09, 2009 8:19 pm

Enjoying a 2002 Chateau des Charmes Cabernet Franc, some fantastic black cherry and cinnamon notes coming through for a very nice taste that contrasts nicely with the smoothness of the wine

SteelbackGuy · Post by **SteelbackGuy** » Sun Aug 09, 2009 8:36 pm

icemachine wrote:Enjoying a 2002 Chateau des Charmes Cabernet Franc, some fantastic black cherry and cinnamon notes coming through for a very nice taste that contrasts nicely with the smoothness of the wine

Nice. One of Ontario's better producers if you ask me.

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 2:52 pm

SteelbackGuy wrote:
icemachine wrote:Enjoying a 2002 Chateau des Charmes Cabernet Franc, some fantastic black cherry and cinnamon notes coming through for a very nice taste that contrasts nicely with the smoothness of the wine
Nice. One of Ontario's better producers if you ask me.

Looks like it could be from CdC's St. David's Bench Vineyard, I guess they have some 2005 for sale at CdC. The 2002 is probably perfect right now!! You guys may have made me decide to go grab a few '05 to cellar given the awesome write-up:

Jump to bottom of page:
http://www.chateaudescharmes.com/the_wi ... avids.html

icemachine · Post by **icemachine** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 7:26 pm

Yes it was the St Davids Bench. I really like this winery and while I haven't met Paul Bosc yet, I have met La Madame, a very lovely lady.

The Cab Franc is very nice, but the Gamay Droit I find sublime.

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Tue Aug 18, 2009 12:56 am

2003 Chateau Cesseras, AC Minervois La Liviniere.

An appelation split off from Minervois growing region in 1997 (with only 1/13th the viable Liviniere vineyards growing the Cru wines) - the Cesseras is an extremely friendly yet classy maturely-styled French red. This has been laying around and would age a few more years. It tastes like it has a good hit of fruity-chocolatey Syrah possibly backed up by some other "Rhone' grapes, has a solid inviting aroma for the price, and glides back like herbal fruity velvet. A good French wine.

Look out for the 2004.... buy one or two!

Languedoc-Roussillon / Midi section at LCBO...

Raisy · Post by **Raisy** » Tue Aug 18, 2009 9:07 am

Anyone here a fan of brandy? I'm no expert, but I really enjoyed Van Ryn's 10yr. vintage brandy. I would go through a bottle every couple of months, unfortunately it was delisted this year. I was hoping someone could recommend something else good, so I don't have to randomly by different brands until I find one I like.

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 2:05 am

Ch. Canteloup 2003 Bordeaux. Immediately enjoyable, ripe vintage. Grab it!

Also there's a 60/40 Grenache-Syrah Rosé (for whoever it was that liked Grenache) - not tried mine yet but looks good & a nice deal.

LE MOURRE DE L'ISLE ROSÉ 2008
AC Côtes du Rhône

A blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, this fine rosé is filled with blueberry, cherry, garrigue and vanilla aromas. Dry with excellent aroma replays on the palate. A wonderful sipper, or pair with barbecued prawns.

121848 (D) 750 mL $14.95

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 9:42 pm

2005 Courriere-Rongieras. An over-achieving inexpensive Bordeaux, you might still find it. I like the minerally acidty, or whatever it is that holds this package together.

2006 Borie-Fouisseau Salamandre Faugeres - good dense solid Herault wine, les cépages: Cinsaullt-Grenache - probably all gone by now. This one would age a few years. FUCK. It's only 6.5 Euros ordered online in France!! Here it's 20 stupid Canadian dolars.

SteelbackGuy · Post by **SteelbackGuy** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 8:15 am

Since it is Ontario Wine Month at the LCBO, we've had dozens of reps coming in to do tastings. Two Surprises for whites:

Peninsula RIdge Viognier- Really pretty stuff, perfumey, floral, very fruity. Will do well with apps and salads, seafood and soft cheeses. Excellent price point too.

Open Riesling/Gewertz- Really surprised by the quality of this. Lots of minerality and floral notes, a bit peachy, pleasant acidity too. I normally don't buy into these cheap Ontario table wines, but this one is very good.

I've also sampled many reds, and one thing that I am finding is how many wineries are over-oaking their reds, especially in the Niagara region. Most of the cabs and cab merlots I have sampled have been absolutely horrid, especially the Pelliteri Estates Cab Merlot. So overly oaked........bleeeech.

Anyway, a nice surprise was Malivoire Gamay. I've had their Lady bug ROse, and their Chard and both were great, but I normally don't bother with Gamay,,,,,anyway, it was really nise, lots of spice and subtle red berries, a bit of leather. A lot more complex that I thought it would be.