Ratings Guide
Reviews
Grape X
Table Wine
Domaine Taupenot-Merme, Premier Cru La Riotte 2000
Burgundy, France
($75-100)
Nutty, hazelnut, coffee, celery and horse stable aromas with a forward, prickly, tangy palate of pepper, raspberry, rhubhard and oregano. A nice wine, but overpriced. Food match: chicken, rabbit, tomato-based stews. ^ top
Negro, Roero Arneis 2007
Piemonte, Italy
½GV($20-22)
An absolutely delicious white from the little known Arneis grape. Pale white gold colour; Very fruity on the nose with aromas of canned pear, white pepper, dry pineapple and herbs; A slight prickle greets you on the palate, with pear, grapefruit and mineral flavour. Nice firm structure. Delicious as an aperitif, or with seafood risotto. ^ top
Springfield Estates, Firefinch Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Robertson, South Africa
GV($16-19)
Made in the Robertson area of South Africa, the 2006 Firefinch Sauvignon Blanc is a downright winner for its lively, gooseberry/grapefruit-like flavour. Try with citrus or herb-based dishes -- something that can stand up to the wine's juicy flavour. Bottom line: If you like New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, you'll love this South African offering from Springfield Estate. ^ top
Springfield Estates, Firefinch Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Robertson, South Africa
($16-19)
A nice wine, but not as focused or intense as the 2006. Juicy aromas of ripe pear and guava, with a slightly spicy, fruity and grassy palate. In some ways, easier to match with food than its predecessor, try grilled fare, the smoke from the barbecue should work well with the fruit and grass notes. ^ top
De Loach Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2005
Sonoma, California, USA
½GV($17-33)
A very well-made wine, earthier than the 2006, with celery, cherry and vanilla aromas; and a savoury, spicy, herbaceous palate that's generous, without being heavy or sweet. A delight to drink, and a superb value at around $19 USD. Food match: lamb. (14.5%) ^ top
De Loach Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2006
Sonoma, California, USA
GV($17-33)
Another fine effort from De Loach, fruitier, more floral and higher-toned than the 2005, still creamy, but with a bit less weight and more up-front acidity. Again, notes of celery, pepper and herbs, but with overtones of raspberry, rhubarb and blueberry. An excellent food wine, try with salmon, or a pulled pork sandwich. Good value in USA at around $19. (14.5%) ^ top
Casa Santos Lima, Quinta Das Amoras 2007
Estremadura, Portugal
½($9-12)
Made primarily from Arinto, Fernao Pires and Vital, the Quinta Das Amores is a crisp, dry, food-friendly white with peach/pear, dry pineapple, grass and spice notes. Light bodied, floral and fruity, one of the bottles (tried once at a tasting and once at home) had a snappy bitter almond/mineral finish that may or may not be to your liking. Day two update: Still a bit hard at the end; a lighter style white for shellfish or fish sqirted with lemon. (12.5%) ^ top
Fiuza & Bright, Fuiza Premium 2005
Ribatejo, Portugal
($16-20)
Combining Tourigal Nacional and Cabernet Sauvignon, Australian wine maker Peter Bright has created a plush, new-world styled wine; dark plum coloured, with aromas of blackberry, olive, licorice, cinnamon and vanilla; the palate is creamy with a noticeably sweet wood/vanilla note, leading to a drier, slightly green finish. If you like riper-styled reds, you''ll probably like the Fiuza Premium. Try with medium-rare steak, buffalo or lamb. (14.5%, Available in Europe) ^ top
Fiuza & Bright, Fuiza 3 Castas 2007
Ribatejo, Portugal
½GV($7-9)
Outstanding value for this crisp, fresh, well-made summer sipper. Honeydew, pear and grass notes. Made from a blend of Fernao Pires, Chardonnay, and Vital, try it with broiled chicken (stuffed with lemon), or fish and grilled vegetables. (12.5%, Available in Europe) ^ top
Angelini Val di Suga Brunello di Montalcino 2001
Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
½GV($45-60)
A delicious, balanced and sophisticated Brunello -- somewhere in the middle of New World richness and Old World firmness. The aromas are inviting, offering spiced cherry compote, leather and tobacco scent. Exceptionally well-balanced, with ripe cherry flavours, vanilla and spice. It's restrained, yet giving. A beautiful bottle. Try with a prime rib of beef and garlic. Drink: 2010-2016. ^ top
Angelini Val di Suga Rosso di Montalcino 2004
Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
GV($24-50)
A classy wine, expressive, suave and velvety, with mushroom, earth, cherry and floral/perfume aromas. Well-balanced and surprisingly supple now, but will get better over the next 4-6 years. Keep an eye out for Angelini's wines -- they're delicious examples of Tuscan heritage. (Note: Really good value in UK and USA - approximately $25/bottle.) ^ top
Bersano Nizza Barbera D'Asti Superiore 2004
Asti, Piedmont, Italy
($22-26)
Bersano is a well-known producer of Piemontese wines, delivering a wide range of quality, well-priced products. The 2004 Nizza is their richer, fuller Barbera d'Asti, with black cherry, plum, licorice, and pepper notes, and a tangy, uplifting finish. Drink now-2012 with tomato-based dishes, or grilled meats. ^ top
Carpineto Chianti Classico Reserva 2003
Tuscany, Italy
½GV($24-28)
Carpineto is known for solid wines at reasonable prices, and the 2003 Chianti Calssico Riserva fits the bill. It's still young, with glowing ruby color; the wine packs a positive punch with notes of coffee, cherry, vanilla, earth, sweat and smoke. A terrific combination of flesh and firmness. Drink now-2014 with tomato-based cuisine, or savoury beef dishes. ^ top
Carpineto Farnito Cabernet Sauvignon IGT 2001
Tuscany, Italy
GV($28-32)
A really fine effort from Carpineto: Dark ruby with color pushing to rim; black currant, cherry, olive, brown sugar and anise aromas; and a compact, but full, fleshy, chewy palate. Great balance of fruit, sweetness, firmness and tannins. True to Cabernet, but with a minerality that is all Tuscan. Drink 2008-2014. Food: Lamb or steak. ^ top
Sparkling
Canella Rosé Spumante Brut
Veneto, Italy
½GV($18-24)
A delightful rosé from Northern Italy, light apricot colour with a hint of blush (or was that me after my third glass?); lightly floral on the nose with strawberry, tropical and sweet citrus notes; just a hint of residual sugar with a slight lime peel finish. Made from Pinot Nero (aka Pinot Noir), this is a fun, radiant wine that's pretty to look at, and a treat to drink. Great as an aperitif, or with cherry-glazed salmon. A standout Wedding wine. (11%) ^ top
Spirits
Highland Park 12 yo Single Malt Whisky
Okney Islands, Scotland
GV($45-60)
Pale gold colour, with layered aromas of white chocolate, hazelnuts, peat, pear, salt and herbs. The palate is mildly peaty and dry, with some floral, heather and smoke notes at the end. A great all-arounder: complex, well-balanced and excellent value. Highly recommended. (750 mL, 48.1%, Distiller's Bottling) ^ top
Highland Park 18 yo Single Malt Whisky
Okney Islands, Scotland
½($100-120)
Bigger and fleshier than the 12 yo, but still in the dry, complex Highland Park style. Sandlewood, chocolate, honey, fig, orange, and peat aromas; a solid palate, spicier than the 12 yo, with a slight oiliness on the finish. (750 mL, 43%, Distiller's Bottling) ^ top
Highland Park 25 yo Single Malt Whisky
Okney Islands, Scotland
($200-255)
A nice malt, but a bit out-of-whack for me: the wood dominating too much. Brick/copper hued, with wood, vanilla, chocolate and banana custard aromas; peat, salt, and a touch of iodine on the palate. Quite floral and woody on the finish. Not bad, but I'd step up to the 30 instead (or down to the 12). (750 mL, 48.1%, Distiller's Bottling) ^ top
Highland Park 30 yo Single Malt Whisky
Okney Islands, Scotland
½($320-400)
My favourite Highland Park, a sublime effort that's complex and refined. Burnt gold/copper hue with aromas of honey, apricot, ginger, brazil nuts, creme caramel, raisins and figs. Surprisingly deft with the wood (it's present, but less obvious than the 25 yo), with peat, heather, sherry and herb flavours leading to a very long, exotically spiced floral/fruity finish. A first rate whisky. (750 mL, 48.1%, Distiller's Bottling) ^ top
Dessert Wine
Cattani La Calonica Vin Santo di Montepulciano 1998
Montepulciano, Tuscany, Italy
½($40-48)
A delicious sweeter-style vin santo, not syrupy, but full of plump raisiny juice. Burnished brick hues, with a forthcoming nose of toffee, caramel, golden raisins, candied black licorice, allspice, brown sugar, dates and molasses. This is a plump, fruity, juicy elixir that starts sweet and end slightly drier. Slight oxidative baked apple and raisiny flavours add interest. Drinking well now to 2011. Try with walnuts or pecans, a biscotti or shortbread cookie. ^ top
