Fun French winemaker branches out to Italy and South Africa
August 29, 2007
Wine Critic
A mystery producer has quietly invaded our market with truly delicious wines. Once a month I taste the new General List wines in the LCBO lab, and three wines (two Italian and one French) really stood out this time. Turns out they are from the same creator. Yes, Paul Boutinot, who brought the silly cat-on-an-egg red, Chat-En-Oeuf, and the Lazy Lizard brands, and those French wines with garbage bins on their labels mocking the Aussie habit of naming their premium wines after bins, has branched out to Italy. He also has a South African brand, Peacock Ridge. Today's wines are purely fun with serious flavour profiles.
Paul Boutinot 2003 Italia Montepulciano D'Abruzzo $10.15 (Italy)
An amazingly tasty red at the price point. Aromas of black cherry, cedar, and vanilla suggest perfectly ripe grapes and nicely balanced oaking. Sturdy flavours show real finesse with black cherry, sweet plum and a hint of licorice bringing up the finish.
LCBO# 35154
Food suggestion: Spaghetti and meatballs
Rating: 88
Paul Boutinot 2006 Italia Pinot Grigio $10.15 (Italy)
A perfect white partner for this same producer's Montepulciano red – and easy on the wallet. Aromas are very clean, with pear, lime and lemon awakening the senses. On the palate, pure piquant pear flavours dominate, with hints of mellow apple and quince.
LCBO# 35147
Food suggestion: Veal parmesan
Rating: 89
Paul Boutinot 2006 Bin 246 Chardonnay $10.15 (France)
A very cheeky label showing a garbage bin with a number 246 painted on it. Another tasty value winner, with mellow lime, lemon and spicy floral apple aromas leading into a melange of pineapple, lime, lemon peel and a hint of grapefruit lingering on the finish. Great party starter.
LCBO# 25809
Food suggestion: Pork chops topped with cheese
Rating: 88