Black Sheep shows some New World pretension
June 30, 2007
Wine Reporter
We're all over the map today. These are the best values from more than 110 new wines I tasted in the current Vintages release.
An Argentine winner? What else is new? Mendoza, Argentina, has been eclipsing Chile and California for pure, terrific-value reds and whites in the past few months.
And a Pays d'Oc white!
Who would have thought this relatively unknown region with puerile, weak-kneed wines a few years back would so effortlessly take on New World pretensions. And give the competition a big run for their money. Black Sheep indeed.
Our Ontario selection is Creekside, a great chard (and its Reserve Shiraz at $28.95 is a knockout too, rating 91 in this release) from the same winery that also sculpts Mike Weir wines. I thought the golfer's wines at first would need a handicap, but the opposite is true.
For shiraz fanciers, the Richard Hamilton is excellent value at under $20. Every Vintages release has one wow shiraz and this baby is it. Enjoy.
Last, I finally got to taste The Ice House Vidal Icewine that beat out thousands of global wines in Brussels for a Grand Gold.
This is a gush of absolute hedonism from winemaker Jamie Macfarlane in Niagara, a newcomer dessert wine specialist who deserves the acclaim the world has heaped on his debut.
THE ICE HOUSE NORTHERN ICE 2005 VIDAL ICEWINE $53.95
Highest rated wine out of more than 110 tried in the release. Hedonistic nectarine and peach aromas and flavours with hints of honey and jasmine in a very long, succulently sweet style from an Ontario icewine specialist.
LCBO # 35428
Food suggestions: Apple crisp or peach custard flan.
Rating: 94 / out of 100
LE GRAND NOIR (BLACK SHEEP) 2004 CHARDONNAY/VIOGNIER $14.95
From Celliers Jean Alibert in the Vin de Pays d'Oc area of France, this summer sipper shows butternut, apple spice and lime in the aromas and flavours of apricot, peach and floral notes from the viognier. Cute label, too.
LCBO # 30304
Food suggestion: Thai grilled shrimp on skewers.
Rating: 89
ALAMOS CATENA ESMERALDA 2006 CHARDONNAY $13.95
Light oak stylings make this Argentine chard a winner. Aromas of buttery apple, melon and enticing spice lead into crisp apple and golden pear flavours with a delicious, slightly sweet edge. Great value.
LCBO # 925743
Food suggestion: Pan seared scallops.
Rating: 89
CREEKSIDE RESERVE 2005 BUTLER'S GRANT VINEYARD CHARDONNAY $18.95
Heady aromas of apple, melon, lemon and buttery nuances from oak. The flavours unfold with pear and apple spiciness, all delivered with a creamy, buttery-rich mouth feel. An extremely well made Ontario white.
LCBO # 49593
Food suggestion: Roast Cornish game hens.
Rating: 90
RICHARD HAMILTON GUMPRS' 2005 SHIRAZ $19.95
This McLaren Vale, Australia, shiraz beat out all the more pricey shirazes this time. Abundant blackberry, cedar and chocolate notes in the aromas lead into beguiling blueberry, blackberry and vanilla flavours. Very velvety.
LCBO # 600122
Food suggestion: Butterflied leg of lamb on the barbie.
Rating: 90
gstimmell@thestar.ca