“The rich, fruity reds of Chile are featured in the August 15 release, a good seasonal choice as they are excellent for the BBQ, loaded with flavour but smooth and not excessively hot. Sometimes heat from the wine, the grill and the spicy chipotle marinades adds up to one thing – blistering, palate numbing heat. Pass the beer! The Chilean offering is focused on the $15 range, predictably resulting in 85-87 ratings and good value. It is a great opportunity to explore Chile’s signature carmenere grape with several under $15 like the very good Montgras 2008 at only $12.95; but some of the real excitement from Chile is over $20, like the Montes Alpha Syrah. The mini-feature on Macon showcases an underplayed group of elegant, limestone driven chardonnays with oak way in the background, much like Chablis, but the best, Nicolas Potel Montagny 1er Cru, is a barrel fermented stunner hearkening to the best limestone chardonnays of Prince Edward County. Speaking of Ontario wines the Creekside Laura White is intriguing and very well made (Creekside is on a roll) and theCave Spring Merlot 2006 is a great example of how deliciously well Niagara’s under-appreciated 2006 wines are drinking. Try with cedar plank grilled salmon.”
- David Lawrason, VP of Wine at WineAlign
Click here to see ranked lists and reviews of close to 100 wines in this release.
David’s Half Dozen
Whites
Nicolas Potel 2007 Montagny 1er Cru Burgundy, France
$24.95, 92pts
Wither Hills 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough,
New Zealand $17.95, 91pts
Domdechant Werner’sches 2002 Riesling Hochheimer Kirchenstück Rheingau,
Germany $23.95, 93pts
Reds
George Wyndham Founder’s Reserve 2005 Shiraz,
South Australia, $22.95, 91pts
Montes Alpha 2007 Syrah Apalta Vineyard Colchagua Valley, Chile $22.95, 91pts
Casa Vinicola Cortese 2004 Barolo Piedmont, Italy $31.95, 92pts
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