This mid winter release is uninspiring to say the least. It showcases the wines of Chile, not that Chilean wines are not stimulating, but my notes are minimal as palate fatigue took its toll. Anyway, please read on because as always, there is a gem or two to be found.

Wines of Chile

203364 ERRÁZURIZ SINGLE VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008 Don Maximiano Estate, Aconcagua Valley $19.95
Ribena and sweet black toffee take the lead on this concentrated and nicely structured wine. A layer of red currant compote appears and blackberry and cigar leaf can be found not far behind. The palate is fleshy showing mocha, mineral and plenty of sweet dark fruit. Find this wine

590331 ESCUDO ROJO 2008 Maipo Valley Baron Philippe de Rothschild $16.95
Hints of Bordeaux, courtesy of the lead pencil, cassis, sweet red cherry and earthy mineral aromas. It carries a nice mouth feel, creamy, toasty oak, gentle tannins and refreshing blackberry acidity on the finish. Find this wine

Ontario

211896 ROSEWOOD ESTATES MERLOT 2008 Renaceau Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula $20.00
Black raspberry and thyme with a dusting of cocoa powder show well along with a trace of blueberry and oak. The palate is tight, cherry abounds, but the finish is thin. Find this wine

529693 STREWN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007 Niagara Peninsula $19.95
A nose that is developing nicely, boasting currant, mineral, earthiness and lead pencil that is paralleled on the palate. It has ripe flavours of plum, blackcurrant, gentle oak and silky tannin. Not to be rushed, it will reward the patient collector in a few years. Find this wine

The United Sates of America

059717 EARTHQUAKE ZINFANDEL 2007 Lodi $39.95
Lodi Zin rarely carries a high price tag and I was surprised when I later saw the asking price for this wine. It is a monstrous Zin, sixteen degrees, although to be honest, I can’t taste the alcohol. It has aromas of roasted venison seasoned with allspice and thyme. Dark fruit, damson and sweet spice lead to an intense palate of blueberry, currant and briar. It has sweet fruit on the finish along with dusty cocoa and mocha. I love it, but not when it can be found south of the border for half the price. Find this wine

161299 NAPA CELLARS MERLOT 2007 Napa Valley $23.95
Merlot, rich and ripe, laden with bramble, black raspberry, vanilla, licorice and dark chocolate. It is plush on the palate, has decent structure, a trifle sweet, but balanced by refreshing acidity. Find this wine

The land down under

005199 KILIKANOON THE LACKEY SHIRAZ 2007 South Australia $17.95
I had an earlier vintage of the Lackey recently and enjoyed it immensely. The 07 has an appealing nose of leather, blackberry, Herbes de Provence and mocha. Chalky and sumptuous on the palate with concentrated dark fruit flavours, a touch of mineral, iron and sweet black fruit coulis on the finish. Find this wine

203133 ROLLING SHIRAZ 2009 Central Ranges, New South Wales $14.95
Quite oaky, sweet toffee aromas with a cloying texture of blueberry syrup. Let it keep on rolling. Find this wine

France

195008 CHÂTEAU CAMPLAZENS LA GARRIGUE 2007 Coteaux du Languedoc $16.95
This, a wine worth seeking out, has tempting qualities of Middle Eastern spice, dark chocolate, green pond water, black licorice and pepper. The palate is youthful, tight, yet full of potential teasing with notes of dark ripe fruit, red cough candy and vanilla. Give it time to show its best. Find this wine

Italy

653527 PATRIZI BAROLO 2006 $27.95
No wow factor here, just a wine with some clean red fruit, dusty sweet spice, and a palate of red cherry and little else. Find this wine

930966 ROCCA DELLE MACÌE CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2006 $21.95
The 2006 Chianti Classico Riserva starts out very good, showing leather, black licorice and anisette on the nose. The palate is ripe, laden with black cherry, blackberry, star anise and a long finish of all the above coated with silky chocolate. Find this wine

Portugal

064691 MESSIAS GRANDE ESCOLHA 2007 Douro $17.95
I close my eyes and reminisce about peeling back the wrapper of a Fry’s Chocolate Cream bar and smelling the sweet chocolate and mint. There is an appealing sweetness, brought to you by the layers of creamy blackcurrant and blackberry fruit. It has a sweet, but balanced palate, good minerality and a touch of licorice root with anise on the finish. Find this wine

Spain

190611 BURGO VIEJO GRAN RESERVA 2000 Rioja $21.95
At the tender age of eleven, this wine is showing signs of aging, but aging gracefully. There is a sweet floral note along with stewed red fruit, Asian spice and aged leather. The palate is holding, and although there is a trace of oxidization, it does not deter from the pleasure this wine delivers. It is fun to drink an old wine of this caliber especially at this price. Find this wine

190785 CASA DE LA ERMITA ROBLE 2008 Jumilla $13.95
A well made and well priced wine, a blend of Monastrell and Petit Verdot, that has bright new world cherry and dark candied fruit with a touch of tar on the nose. The palate is well structured, well balanced offering a lick of blueberry and fig. Find this wine

190702 CASA DE ILLANA TRESDECINCO 2004 Ribera del Júcar $15.95
Spain takes pride of place in this release, and this robust blend of 35% Tempranillo, 25% Bobal, 20% Merlot, 20% syrah has appealing dusty aromas of old leather, dried thyme and stewed plum. The palate offers ripe fruit, excellent balance with silky tannins and a surprisingly long finish. Find this wine

Cheers
CZ

Related posts:

1. Alan Kerr’s August 21st, 2010, Vintage’s Release – Tasting Notes
2. Alan Kerr’s Vintage’s January 8th Release – Tasting Notes
3. Alan Kerr’s January 9th, 2010, Vintage’s Release – Tasting Notes
4. Alan Kerr’s January 23rd, 2010, Vintage’s Release – Tasting Notes
5. Alan Kerr’s Vintage’s October 24th Release – Tasting Notes

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