GORD ON GRAPES
One sleeper, two newcomers, three delightful taste treats
June 6, 2007
Gordon Stimmell
WINE CRITIC
This week's three top bottles are very distinct expressions from totally different soils and climate. Each beat out dozens of other bottles in my tastings.
The Rocca Ventosa red is a total sleeper, easily overlooked on lower shelves,but it's a steal at $7.35 with its mellow style. The Fetzer Pinot Grigio just arrived, and is very Californian, with tropical elements from abundant sunshine in harmony with crisp acidity from ocean-cooled valleys. And the Spanish Dominio De Malpica is also a newcomer, with a spearminty style that reminded me of tempranillo from Rioja. However, it's cabernet sauvignon from Castilla.
Cantina Tollo Rocca Ventosa 2005 Montepulciano D'Abruzzo $7.35 (Italy)
If you crave a friendly, easy sipping red for a hot summer day, this is your baby. Aromas accented by iris, black plum, cedar and vanilla spill into full, fruity flavours brimming with ripe black cherry and dusty black plums. This is long, mellow and highly gulpable at an amazing price.
LCBO# 428532
FOOD SUGGESTION: Pasta with tomato sauce
RATING: 87
Fetzer Valley Oaks 2005 Pinot Grigio $11.95 (California)
A new listing, complementing the tasty Fetzer lineup already on shelves. Aromas of pear, apple, lemon and lime are quite zesty, and the flavours show nice tropicality, with crushed pineapple, pear and sliced apple winding up with a zingy spicy finish making it especially food friendly.
LCBO# 34041
FOOD SUGGESTION: Barbecued shrimp skewers
RATING: 88
Osborne Dominio De Malpica 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon $14.95 (Spain)
Brand new to shelves, this is wonderfully laden with mint notes giving it aromatic lift and elegance. Aromas of sandalwood, vanilla, and morello cherries entice, and the flavours unfold with minty cherry and peppery plum warmth with just a hint of chocolate on the lingering finish.
LCBO# 32011
FOOD SUGGESTION: Lamb chops with mint
RATING: 89
Wines are rated out of 100. gstimmell@thesstar.ca
Toronto Star