Vintages Value List for Saturday May 10, 2008

Greetings All!

This week’s release focus is – “the allure of Burgundy – Seductive Wines, and Surprisingly Affordable”.  Well, for those of you who are familiar with Burgundian wines – the last statement is an oxymoron.  Wines from Burgundy usually cost a bomb, however, the Vintages buyers have found some affordable gems and they are highlighted below along with other great finds:   

Sparkling Wine

48686 Domaine de Nerleux Cremant de Loire Brut (Loire Valley, France) $17.95   
A super fizz – features a green apple nose and a dry, crisp finish.  Start the evening with this one!   

White Wine

33936 Le Clos Jordanne Village Reserve Chardonnay 2005 (Niagara, Ontario) $25.00 OK you “locavores” – buy this wine!  It is incredibly intense and flavourful.  Mouth-filling with pineapple, butterscotch and spice notes.   

66639 Paul and Mallory Talmard Macon-Uchizy 2006 (Macon, France) $15.95 Paul and Mallory – they sound like a nice suburban couple in Burgundy.  Regardless of their names, they have managed to create an interesting chardonnay – there is little to no oak and there are distinct aromas of orange and peach – ergo an unusual chardonnay – delicious nonetheless.

068106 Domain Du Chardonnay Chablis Montmains 2006 $28.95 Classic Chablis featuring flavours of citrus, crisp green apple and mineral tones. 

Red Wine

66365 Chateau Philippe-Le-Hardi Mercurey 2005 (Burgundy, France) $21.95 Fairly full-bodied.  A well-priced, well-made Burgundian Pinot.   

434605 Rancho Zabaco Sonoma Heritage Zinfandel 2004 (California) $19.95 Lots of concentrated fruit and oak.  This one is a well-balanced Zin.   

59196 Viu Manent Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 (Chile) $12.95 HOLA – what a terrific value from the Colchagua Valley.  Black fruit, mint and dark chocolate predominate the palate.   

687210 Memoria Primitivo Di Manduria 2004 (Puglia, Italy) $12.95 Old world zinfandel presents bold fruit without being too ‘in your face/nose’. 

723452 Ondarre Reserva 2001 (Rioja, Spain) $15.95 Calling all Spanish wine lovers – this wine presents great value for Rioja-ha! Good balance of fruit and wood.  Decanter scored it 4/5.   

661991 Rockbare Shiraz 2006 (McLaren Vale, Australia) $20.95 Tuck this one away for a few years – you will be pleasantly surprised by dark fruit, licorice and sun-dried olives. 

708954 Chateau La Gasparde 2005 (Bordeaux, France) $14.95 Come on - $15 bucks for an ’05 Bordeaux – you’ve got to be kidding!  No guff – this presents a classic old world style.  It is dry as a bone with minimal fruit factor.   

43141 Domaine De La Vielle Ferme de L’Equine Rasteau Cotes Du Rhone Villages 2004 (Rhone Valley, France) $15.95 Do you think they could come up with a shorter name?  What does it mean?  House of the Old Closed Horse?  The name is not appealing, but this typical Rhone wine presents great value.