Wine of the Week

Il Borro Polissena IGT

Last week we ran out of Don Reca before everyone was satisfied. I apologize for that …and for this- At the time of writing I only have 7 six-packs left of Il Borro Polissena. That won’t stop me from telling you about it though.

Il Borro is dedicated to making premium Tuscan wines. Salvatore Ferragamo comes from a family more famed for their shoes than their wine. Nonetheless he has dedicated himself to resurrecting and preserving the heritage of Il Borro, following in the footsteps of his father Ferruccio. This immense estate at the foot of the Pratomagno Mountain range (they own their own Medieval village) includes some stunning terroir and a state of the art winery.

If you want you can rent a villa on the estate. The estate, which extends over 700 hectares, currently only has 40 hectares of that land dedicated to vines. The rest is dedicated to golf, horse riding and hunting (of course).

 

Il Borro Polissena 2005 $49.95 per bottle in cases of 6

• Polissena is the only wine on the Il Borro estate made from 100% Sangiovese.
• Polti is the highest vineyard at the Il Borro estate, approximately 350 meters above sea level.

 

 

 

What does it taste like?

‘Polissena’ is bright ruby red with an intense nose of nose of underbrush and red berry fruits. It is a dry, elegant, well balanced wine with nobile tannins and a great persistent finish. It pairs nicely with red and white meats, roasts and stews.

Why?

Planted at a density of 4,500 vines per hectare the soil is schist and marl with exceptional drainage perfect for Sangiovese.
Oenologist Nicolò d’Afflitto actually drains off about 20% of the juice before maceration to ensure greater concentration. He then matures the wine for 12 months in barriques. After bottling, Polissena remains in the cellar to age in the bottle for 6 months before being released.

This is a pure Sangiovese for Sangiovese lovers. Drink it over the next three years, but don’t be afraid to leave it a little longer.

What else?

This is the last week you will be able to buy any of our Staete Landt wines from New Zealand. They will then be out of stock for the next three months.
They include:

Staete Landt Sauvignon Blanc 2006 $26.50 per bottle in cases of 12
Wine Spectator- 91 points
'Wildly fragrant, with a bold burst of passion fruit, grapefruit, gooseberry and lime skin flavours. Grassy notes and vibrant citrus acidity pulse through the finish. Drink now. 6000 cases made.' - D.S

Staete Landt Chardonnay 2005 $34.95 per bottle in cases of 6
Sydney Morning Herald 10 June 2008 by Huon Hooke: 92 points.
A multifaceted Kiwi Chardonnay which has nutty, stone fruit and toasty barrel aromas with a lick of honey and a touch of butter. It's soft, rich and round in the mouth with a long, properly dry aftertaste. A rewarding drink.

Special Offer

The good people at Vines magazine have been kind enough to give us a special offer to pass on to Lifford clients (that means you).
Get a 1 year subscription of Vines magazine for only $7.95. (News stand price is $23.70) It would make a great holiday gift for that wine lover in your life.

What’s happening at Vintages?

Vintages have started their Online Exclusives at vintagesshoponline.com
Here are a couple of the gems available through them (and not through us).

• Colpetrone Montefalco Sagrantino 2004 #94755 - $64.95 – 10cs of 6
• Domaine Weinbach Cuvée Laurence Gewurtztraminer Furstentum 2004 - $89
• Domaine Weinbach Cuvée Laurence Pinot Gris Altenbourg 2004 - $84
• De Toren Z Stellenbosch 2004 #58743 - $32.95 - 25cs
• Foley Pinot Noir Rancho Santa Rosa (Santa Rita Hills) 2005- #60012 - $40.95 – 15cs
• Brokenwood Wade Block 2 Shiraz 2004 #681171 - $39

 

Viña La Rosa Don Reca Merlot Cabernet

I mentioned this wine a couple of weeks ago, but felt it deserved a little more attention. I have exactly 12 sixpacks left. It is made by the good people at Viña La Rosa, who have supplied us with our most popular Chilean wines for years. If you haven’t had the La Palma Chardonnay by now, I am surprised. (Still $10.99 per bottle until the next shipment.) Today’s Wine of the Week is on a completely different level. It represents the apex of their winemaking achievement.

Viña La Rosa Don Reca Merlot Cabernet 2006 is $25.95 per bottle in cases of 6.

Don Reca is named after Don Recaredo Ossa. He was the great-great grandson of the original founder of Viña La Rosa and one of Viña La Rosa's greatest innovators. He was also a leading figure in the Chilean industry in the 1930's. The point is, they loved him and named their best wine after him. Got it?

The Viña La Rosa Don Reca is very limited in quantity and that is why we have so few to offer.

Why should you care?

The near perfect growing conditions in the Cachapoal Valley have often been sighted as the reason for such great, cheap wines. Combine this with old un-grafted vines and centuries of winemaking tradition. Then add modern winemaking techniques and equipment and it stands to reason you can make great wine. Now remember that there are no start-up costs. This wine is cellar-worthy and a third of the price it would be elsewhere in the world.

What does it taste like?

You will find intense berries, plums and cassis notes with mocha and coffee, and dark chocolate (from the oak maturation). There are smooth tannins and enough body to match whatever you throw at it.

Why?

The soils of Cachapoal Valley are alluvial in origin with rapid permeability. That means they drain well. Cabernet doesn't like wet feet. This is a 50/50 blend of Merlot and Cabernet from the Cachapoal Valley and this high proportion of Merlot makes the wines lush and silky on the palate. It is matured for 9 months in new French oak barrels and 6 months in bottle before being released. If you want to see the list of press accolades and awards, check out www.larosa.cl

What should I eat with it?

Red meats are the obvious choice. Look for simple flavours and meaty vegetables. Sausage, eggplant, mushrooms and anything in front of which, you can put the word ‘roasted’.

What else?

This is the last week you will be able to buy Paul Zinck Gewurztraminer for at least the next three months. The 2006 vintage ($19.99 per bottle in cases of 12) must be sold by the Friday deadline and the new order will not be here until February. Get in fast if you like it. You have been warned.

What’s happening at Vintages?

If you are a Zinfandel lover, now is the time to check out the Ironstone Zinfandel 2007 (no.87839). We’ve managed to get this into the stores very cheaply at just $16.95 per bottle (Thank you, LCBO. We love you.). It is all old vine grown (the average age is over 40 years) so the flavour is quite intense. This should be province-wide for the next couple of weeks.

Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Gold Label Chardonnay

One of the most popular range of wines in our portfolio is the Francis Coppola Diamond Collection. I don't tend to talk about these wines because they seem to sell themselves and because I normally like to dwell on the wines you don't know about. The problem is, if I don't mention the Francis Coppola Diamond Collection, you might not know about it.

Some people make the mistake of dismissing these wines simply because they have a famous name attached to them. Don't be fooled. Francis and Eleanor Coppola bought the great Niebaum Mansion on the famed Inglenook Estate over thirty years ago. This continued a family tradition of wine making that had been passed down from his grandfather Agostino (although Agostino's wines were made in a New York basement and not California). This represents a genuine commitment to making great wine.

The Francis Coppola Gold Label Chardonnay 2006 is $21.95 per bottle in cases of 12.

What does it taste like?

This is a rich and harmonious Chardonnay. It is for people who are crying out for whites of body and intensity. Now it is more fashionable notes of elegance and crispness, but I know that some of you miss a 'big Chardonnay' now and then. Look for generous fruit flavours. For the richer dishes and cooler (O.K. colder) nights ahead, this is an easy choice when you feel like a white. It is not one for someone who only drinks Riesling, but New World Chardonnay drinkers will see very good value here. (We bought this before the exchange rate changed.)

Why?

The grapes are sourced from Monterey County. Here the warm sunny growing conditions allow for generous fruit. One of the vineyards is located in a section of the Arroyo Seco where the temperatures remain relatively cool. The fruit here maintains a crisp acidity. This gives the final wine its necessary structure.

This Chardonnay is whole bunch pressed and half is fermented in oak barrels and the other half in stainless steel. This allows for both richness and freshness. The barrel fermented wine is put through malolactic fermentation to add creamy, buttery notes. The resultant wines sees 10 months with French oak. This gives the hints of vanilla and smoke that add another dimension to the final wine.

What should I eat it with?

I am stealing these ideas directly from the winery website. They recommended both a spinach salad with toasted almonds (genius) and a classic, creamy Fettuccine Alfredo. I think these are mouth-watering combinations that will add another dimension to both the dish and the wine. To me, it sounds simple and good and perfect for a cold Wednesday night.

What's happening at Vintages?

This week sees the release of the Prodigo Malbec Classico 2005. It is available throughout the province for $15.95 per bottle (Product no.77867). Argentina has been making great wines at great prices from the Malbec grape for several years now. This is an excellent example. This wine is all black fruit and pepper and looking for something juicy and meaty. When they get together they intend to make a beautiful meal. Don't stand in their way.

Abadia Retuerta Cuvée Palomar

We haven’t talked about Abadía Retuerta for over a year and a half. In that time they have gained further critical praise from all over the world and demand has risen accordingly. For a short time, we have some stock of their top cuvee; Cuvée Palomar 2004.

 

Abadia Retuerta lies at the heart of the Spanish Golden Mile, which incorporates the Ribera del Duero.

The estate is comprised of the winery, a 12th century abbey, a farm, forest and the 204 hectares of vineyards. The name comes from the old abbey and the two words that best describe the land it sits on; Rívula (river bank) and Torta (twisting, winding).

Winemaker Angel Anocibar was awarded the worldwide International Wine Challenge 2005 WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR by Wine International Magazine. Angel has a PhD in Oenology from the University of Bordeaux.

Abadía Retuerta Cuvée Palomar 2004 for $60.50 per bottle in cases of 6.

 

What does it taste like?

Cuvee Palomar offers aromas of fresh, ripe red berry and preserved plum with notes of violets. It has a smooth and rich texture and fills the palate with multi-layered flavours. It has silky tannins and a long and potent aromatic finish.

Once again this is a 90+ point wine for the Wine Advocate and Jancis Robinson has just joined them in naming Abadia Retuerta as a favourite producer from the Ribera area. It isn’t often they agree. So, we take this as a positive sign that most people will find something to love in this bottle.

Why?

The Palomar is assembled from wines from four blocks of excellent vineyard sites on limestone soil located at an altitude of 750 m. This blend of 50% Tempranillo, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon combines the best of both worlds. The wine spends about 35 days on its skins and enjoys a slow and cool fermentation. The Cabernet and Tempranillo are fermented separately and at different temperatures before blending and spending 18 months in French Allier medium and high toast barriques. The wine is bottled without filtration. It will continue to develop for 6 or more years and last well into 2020. This is a lot more technical jargon than I normally allow you, but I’m feeling nerdy today.

I am now going to quote myself from 18 months ago. I still stand by this:

“Because Abadía Retuerta sits outside the recognized Denominación de Origen they can only label themselves as humble Vino de Mesa. This is to our advantage as the price belies the quality in the bottle. I defy you to find wines from within this DO offering wine this good for less than double the price.”

 

What else?

This has nothing to do with anything, but I have been told I can offer Talenti Brunello di Montalcino 2003 Magnums. Here’s the catch. They are $121.50 each and only sold in cases of 6. Still, if you can find a couple of buddies, let me know. (Only 5 cases available.)

What happening at Vintages?

The LCBO have just released CAKEBREAD CELLARS MERLOT 2005 (Item #924159) $ 79.95 per bottle. This is a very rare wine and this major release throughout the province will be the only time to get it all year. If you love Cakebread, get down to your local Vintages in the near future. Go to www.lcbo.com to find the store nearest you that has it. Otherwise you can ask them to get some in.

Domaine de Nalys Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge

Domaine de Nalys is one of Châteauneuf-du-Pape's oldest estates, it was mentioned as early as in a 17th Century village land survey. It was owned by the Nalys family until the Revolution. I don’t know how your history is, but things changed around that time. People who owned property or even heads, tended to lose them. Anyhow, it has only changed hands twice since then and generations of devotion and tradition uncommon outside of Châteauneuf-du-Pape have ensured wines of great quality.

Domaine de Nalys Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2005 for $45.95 per bottle in cases of 6.

I need you to ignore the price and case size I talk about on the video. Quite simply I was wrong and this is right. Embarrassing, but there we are. It makes the price a little higher, but you don’t have to go for 12.

What does it taste like?

Look for pepper and red berry fruit (classic Grenache) along with licorice spice and dark fruit characters coming for the Syrah and Mourvedre.

Why?

This is a classic Châteauneuf-du-Pape blend. 60% of the wine is Grenache while Syrah makes up almost 25% of plantings. Next come the six other varieties: Counoise, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Muscardin, Vaccarèse and Black Terret. That makes eight varieties in total, which should be more than enough. All 13 would just be excessive, but they can all be found in the vineyard. The estate practices sustainable agriculture and all picking is done by hand. The soils are made up of rounded pebbles with weathered sandstone subsoils. Sometimes it is good to be old, and the ancient dirt the vines grow in lends true character to these distinctive wines.

What should I eat with it?

Good question. It is lush enough to fly solo, but look to rich dishes to match with it. Robust flavours like sausages, onion soup and game dishes all work well. That is what makes up the local cuisine. To be honest, I last had it with pizza.

Anything else?

I know that people are hurting at the moment and looking for a weeknight red that will not break the bank.

I am recommending the Vina La Rosa Don Reca Merlot-Cabernet 2006 for $24.95 per bottle in cases of 6.

This is a rich a complex ‘Bordeaux Blend’ from this fine old Chilean estate. The complexity is in the glass as is the forward fruit and depth. Lush Merlot dominates with a backbone and structure brought in by the Cabernet fruit. It spends nine months in new French oak barrels and six months in bottle before release and is a rare wine of great quality. Better yet, it is affordable and you can get six to try.

What happening at Vintages?

Springfield Estate Wholeberry Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 is now in the stores at $32.95 per bottle. Abrie Bruwer is devoted to top quality at his small family owned estate in the Robertson Valley of South Africa. At one point he even tried cellaring under the Indian Ocean to see how wines would develop. This is a little more traditional, but well worth your attention.

Les Tourelles de Longueville

Château Longueville au Baron de Pichon-Longueville can be very difficult to say. That’s why we tend to call it Pichon Baron.
There wines can be very difficult to drink when young. That’s why we give them time in the cellar to mature.
And that’s why they make a second wine. Its purpose is to offer a wine of similar quality that is available for young drinking.

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to present…..

Les Tourelles de Longueville 2004 at $69.50 in cases of 6

Les Tourelles 2004 is drinking very well now, but it has several years of ageing ahead of it. This is a classic Claret vintage, perfectly balanced and not too hot, unlike the previous vintage (I would recommend drinking 2003s rather than keeping them. Tell Mr. Parker I said so.)

What does it taste like?

I love fine Bordeaux for the complexity it brings to the dinner table. Look for licorice and other herbs and spices to complement well balanced fruit. These secondary characteristics (that’s what we call anything that isn’t a fruit note).

Why?

It is made by the brilliant Jean René Matignon, who is celebrating his third decade with Pichon. A single parcel of old vine Merlot situated just behind the venerable château is reserved for Les Tourelles. This ensures that vintage after vintage an extraordinary level of quality can be maintained, no matter what the blend of the estate wine. Although Merlot makes up the backbone of the wine, the Cabernet comes from the best plateaux.
This is a very complete and approachable wine.

This particular vintage sees a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. This is unusually high percentage of Cabernet, but not surprising given that is was a fine vintage for Cabernet.

What should I eat with it?

Winter food! This will flourish in the midst of roasted meats and warming stews. Forget the salads and the fish dishes. Meats and meaty vegetables embrace the tannins and the two become greater than the sum of their parts. Look to rare lamb and roast beef as well as anything with a rich gravy.

Anything else?

Next time you are wondering through vintages, keep your eyes open for another great Bordeaux.

Chateaux Fonreaud Listrac-Médoc Crus Bourgeios Supérieur 2005 (LCBO no. 86470 if you have trouble pronouncing that) is $33.95 per bottle and should be on the shelves by the time this goes out. 2005 is well worth looking at for some cellar time, although the fruit allows you to get stuck in.