Alec Saunders SquawkBox

I’m drinking a bottle of Clos du Val 1999 Zinfandel.  This is the LCBO’s Wine of the Month.  Unfortunately… it’s just not that good.  I can’t say that it’s in any way impressive.  A nose of alcoholic, and slightly off, fruit.  Fruity taste, with a long, slightly tannic finish.  Imagine what a beaujolais vitner would do with zinfandel.

Dinner this evening included a beautiful Tuscan red named Serrata di Belguardo (2002) by Belguardo SRL, which is this month’s Vintages Wine of the Month.  This is a 60% sangiovese, 30% cabernet sauvignon, and 10% merlot blend. Hot and spicy on the nose, it has a taste of cherries, raisins, and sundried tomatoes.  Long, slightly tannic finish. A delicious bottle. 

For #2 in the Rotgut Reviews series, I picked the Yellowtail Shiraz ($11.45 at the LCBO).  This is currently the #1 selling wine in the US, and therefore worthy of review. 

The winery description speaks lovingly of lifted berry aromas, spicy hints, generous ripe fruit, and vanillin flavours delivering a long and soft finish.  The LCBO description speaks of blackberry, red licorice (twizzler?), vanilla bean and plum aromas, with flavours of plum and ripe berry and a long spicy finish.

Sounds intriguing.  So what’s it really like?  Vanilla, vanilla, vanilla. Tannins provide structure, to be sure, but the overwhelming impression is of drinking vanilla extract mixed with grape juice.

Another year older.  I’m 41 today, which means that I was over the hill LAST year, and now I’m just coasting.  This year I’ve been inundated with birthday cards - a side effect of Plaxo.  I’ve found myself sending more cards to friends who have birthdays, also. I’ve also noticed that electronic cards are getting better all the time.  Check this one out, from my friend Kristine over at Versatel Networks. 

We had the birthday dinner last night, since my parents left to go back to Victoria this morning. 

• President’s Choice seafood hors d’oeuvres, wrapped in filo pastry, and accompanied by Robert Mondavi 2001 Johannisberg Riesling.  This inexpensive ($14.95 at the LCBO) wine is a delightful and classic semi-sweet riesling, right down to the whiff of petrol in the bouquet.  With ripe fruit flavours of melon and pear, it’s a true pleasure to drink and easy on the budget.
• Baked atlantic salmon, with stir-fried vegetables and rice, accompanied by a 1999 Duckhorn Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc ($39.95 at the LCBO).  Although I adore this wine, the amazing bouquet I remember wasn’t there any longer.  The taste was balanced, rich grassy citrus with a touch of american oak and malo-lactic fermentation to give the wine body.  Still a great bottle, but past it’s prime.
• Angel cake, with fruit and whip cream, accompanied by Colio Estate 2002 late harvest Vidal ($10.95 at the LCBO).  For the money, Ontario late harvest wines are an outstanding buy.  They’ve got great concentration of flavour, usually one half to one quarter the price of an icewine, and almost as nice.  This one delivered in spades, with a powerful nose, and concentrated apricot flavours. 

My parents have been visiting for the last couple of weeks.  During that time much good wine has been consumed, and my only regret is that I haven’t had time to make notes about it here.  Somehow when the revelries start it’s difficult to drag yourself away and write a review of the bottle you’re currently drinking.

One beauty that’s worth mentioning though is the 2001 d’Arenberg d’Arry’s Original.  (C$19.95, LCBO 942904). This is a Shiraz/Grenache blend from Australia’s McLaren Vale. Bought just before Christmas at the recommendation of the local LCBO wine consultant, I tasted it then, and liked it so much I went back and bought a case to cellar. 

The label claims it a "benchmark for McLaren Vale and Australia’s rich and generous traditional wines."  Boy, does it deliver.  Highly extracted, with a big nose of fruit, alcohol, and a little caramel. Flavours of raspberry and juicy cherries.  This is a plush, and luxurious wine suitable to accompany a seasoned roast, or for just sipping by the fire with strong cheese on a cold winter night.  It’s a total pleasure from the moment you nose the first glass. 

Parker gives it a 90, and writes "A great value, the 2001 d’Arry’s Original Shiraz/Grenache (equal parts of each) exhibits a dense ruby/purple colour in addition to a sweet, peppery nose of kirsch liqueur, blackcurrants, licorice and earth. This richly fruity, nicely textured, plump, hedonistic red will provide immense pleasure over the next 5-6 years."

If you can find any of this where you live, pick some up.  It’s excellent!