It is good there is no charge to the reader to view my notes for this release as they are rather skimpy to say the least. This weekend showcases wines from Argentina. Sadly though, the LCBO shipped very few wines period for the tasting. I guess even the largest purchaser of alcohol in the world has to tighten the belt after the holidays. Siduri, a well renowned producer of Pinot Noir from California has two AVA wines making their debut in the catalogue. Asking prices are unfortunately, high according to friends south of the border who buy them regularly, but any Siduri I have tasted in the past has been stellar.  Perhaps I may splurge. Anyhow, as always, I found a couple worth picking out so please read on.591420 LAILEY VINEYARD CABERNET/MERLOT, Niagara River 2007 $25.00
Fully ripened and very tasty indeed, this wine is loaded with sweet blackcurrant, black cherry, thyme and a touch of liquorish. The palate has perfectly balanced dark fruit with a layer of dusty tannin that hints at chocolate. On the close the black fruit acids and mineral flavours complement the fruit really well. Find this wine

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033944 LE CLOS JORDANNE LA PETITE COLLINE, PINOT NOIR, Twenty Mile Bench 2007 $40.00
This is my first encounter with fruit from the Petite Colline Vineyard, as 2007, I believe is the inaugural offering. It is an elegant Pinot offering up notes of cherry cola, bramble, black raspberry, thyme and mineral. It has a lovely silky smooth texture in the mouth, flavours of plum and sweet red fruit and abound. Gentle tannins suggest a year or two. Find this wine

050849 KAIKEN ULTRA MALBEC, Uco Valley 2007 $19.95
Quite the complex wine, showing coffee bean, chocolate, slate, sweet toasty oak, black cherry and blue fruit on the nose. It has a concentrated palate, very ripe fruit and gentle tannins. Find this wine

132365 VIÑA COBOS FELINO CABERNET SAUVIGNON, Mendoza 2008 $19.95
A sweet background of blackcurrant laced with intriguing notes of mineral, cake spice and cigar leaf. It is pleasing on the palate, has good acidity, lovely mineral and dark fruit on the finish. Find this wine

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118067 VIÑA COBOS FELINO MALBEC 2008, Mendoza $19.95
A little note of barnyard funk, wet soil, Dutch liquorish, plum and blueberry lead to a fruit focused palate that has excellent levels of black fruit acidity and dusty tannin. Find this wine

723478 ZUCCARDI Q MALBEC 2007 Mendoza, $18.95
An intensely perfumed nose that opens up to reveal notes of cured meat, black raspberry and sweet blackberry. It has good structure on the palate, a little mineral earthy flavour and plenty of fruit. Well balanced and tasty. Find this wine

973503 ZUCCARDI Q TEMPRANILLO, Mendoza 2006 $18.95
The best of the bunch, this Tempranillo offers up aromas of black earth, saddle leather, plum, coffee and tobacco. It has a full, rich and spicy palate, and although somewhat disjointed now, it should evolve in a year or so to be one tasty wine. Find this wine

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072652 DARK SIDE OF THE MOON SHIRAZ, Claire Valley, South Australia, 2008 $25.95
For me, the blast of sweet oak and pure black fruit coulis at first overwhelms. It is inky and thick and viscous on the palate as damson and blackberry shine from start to finish. 15.5 degrees of alcohol does not interfere, but I find the toasty sweetness to be extreme. It is a good wine, just not my style. Find this wine

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149898 PAXTON AAA SHIRAZ/GRENACHE 2007, McLaren Vale, South America $19.95
A subtle nose with notes of blueberry, blackberry and a touch of tar. The palate is lively; it has lovely acidity, raspberry and currant flavours and a pleasing note of black toffee on the finish. Find this wine

142943 LA RÉSERVE DE CROUZAU ST. GERVAIS, Rhone Valley, France 2007 $14.95
Good value, this wine is full of meaty aromas backed up with ample fruit, a note of sawdust and bitter chocolate. The palate is full, balanced and tasty with a creamy plush finish. Find this wine

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084046 APOLLONIO VALLE CUPA, Puglia, Italy 2001 19.95
A clear candidate for the worst designed non consumer friendly wine label EVER! Unless one has similar X ray vision as superman, a magnifying glass is in order. Anyhow, it is not the bottle — it is the contents, yes, and as it turns out, this is a complex and intriguing wine. Clearly it is from a hot climate region as the candied dark fruit, cassia and cardamom are abundant. The palate is rustic; the 50 percent Primitivo gives the wine flavours of underbrush, aniseed and sweet dark fruit. Palate is ripe and tasty, but there is a slight drying quality on the finish. The other fifty percent of the wine is produced with Negroamaro. Find this wine

159913 VILLA GIRARDI AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2005, Veneto, Italy $39.95
Pour this blind and I would swear it is Zinfandel. Alcohol is discernable; there are lots of blueberry, vanilla, milk chocolate, nutmeg and sweet spice aromas. The palate has plum, chocolate and rosewater flavours. Unfortunately it falls short on the finish. Find this wine

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976092 MASI BROLO CAMPOFIORIN 2006, Veneto, Italy $24.95
Quite lovely, this Ripasso styled wine oozes aromas of plum, leather, wet cave and mineral. The combination of red and dark fruit has a stewed note and the wine overall has exquisite balance. The finish combines dark fruit, mineral and creamy chocolate. Find this wine

095158 QUINTA DO INFANTADO RED 2007, Douro valley, Portugal $23.95
Coal dust, earth and mineral give way layers of blackberry and currant. Overall, nicely balanced, plenty of plum and currant flavours, with a touch of mineral on the finish. Find this wine

Cheers
CZ

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3. Alan Kerr’s Vintage’s December 5th, 2009 Release – Tasting Notes
4. Alan’s September 26th, 2009 Vintages Release Tasting Notes
5. Alan’s October 10th, 2009 Vintages Release Tasting Notes

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