Debbie and I spent a week at the cottage (July 19-27) and consumed a number of very good wines. Most of them were new to us (always a treat to find new surprises) and some of them were wines that we used to drink "back in the day" and haven't had in many a year.
Arniston Bay
Shiraz-Merlot 2006
Western Cape
The Company of Wine People
Dark red in the glass.
The classic antiseptic-bandaid aromas on the nose. (I immediately though of Paul B.)
Quite rich and somewhat thick, black cherry, raspberry,earthy notes, strong bandaid flavours, a little tangy.
More bandaid on the finish.
I am not crazy about the antispetic-bandaid notes that come with some wines, but I rather enjoyed this wine.
Purchased at $9.90 (Canadian).
Ceravolo Sangiovese
2006 Adelaide Plains, South Australia
Okay, here's a novelty: a Sangiovese from Australia. The price wasn't bad so I thought I would give it a whirl.
Light cherry red in the glass.
Tangy, slightly medicinal, red licorice, somewhat stewed cherry, strawberry and raspberry, quite fruit forward, a slight bitter bite, good acidity, intense flavours, quite rich.
A very enjoyable wine, but not at all typical of a Sangiovese. At times, it reminded me of a Grenache.
Screwcap closure.
Purchased at $16.95 (Canadian).
De Bortoli Deen Vat 8 Shiraz 2006
South Eastern Australia.
Dark purple in the glass.
Spicy, smoky, rich fruit on the nose.
Jammy, fresh crushed blueberry, cherry and raspberry, spicy, sweet, a bit of an acidic edge, cinnamon, red licorice, smoky, very rich and quite gulpable.
Not much in the way of complexity, but a good, straight-forward, fruity wine.
Screwcap closure.
Purchased at $15.95 (Canadian).
Feudo Arancio Syrah 2006
Sicilia
Cantine Mezzacorona
Deep cherry red in the glass.
Spicy, red licorice on the nose.
Cherry, quite rich and flavourful, red licorice, tangy, drying, perfumed, lightly creamy, smoky, spicy, with a suggestion of garrigue.
Tangy cherry on the finish.
A nice little Syrah at a good price.
Purchased at $11.80 (Canadian).
Hillebrand Artist Series Meritage 2005
Niagara Peninsula
Andres Wines
This was one of my top wines of the week. What an exciting and surprising wine.
A blend of the usual suspects: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
Dark cherry red in the glass.
Smoke, leather on the nose.
Big and rich in the mouth, black cherry, smoky, charred, leather, cedar, woody, a little drying, chocolate. A delicious wine and one that, IMHO, drinks like a lesser Bordeaux.
Screwcap closure.
Purchased at $12.95 (Canadian).
Icon Pinot Noir 2006
Central Otago, South Island
Nobilo
Good cherry red color.
Quite smoky on the nose, lots of herbs, very spicy.
A nice mouthfeel, fairly thick, rich cherry fruit, very smoky, quite plush, a little tangy, a nice earthy bite, herbs, quite rich.
Purchased at $25.95 (Canadian).
Billi Billi Shiraz 2004
Victoria
Mount Langi Ghiran
Quite dark purple in the glass.
Rich fresh-crushed fruit on the nose, along with tar and some sweetness.
Rich in the mouth, black cherry, tobacco, tangy, a light bitter streak, moderate acidity, quite big, rich and showy.
A cherry, tangy, mouthwatering finish.
Screwcap closure.
Purchased at $15.95 (Canadian).
Terra D'Aligi Montepulciano D'Abruzzo
2005
Spinelli
Dark purple in the glass.
Earthy-barnyard on the nose.
Quite rich and thick, sweet and fleshy blackberry and black cherry, nicely tangy, tobacco, drying toward the end. Delicious.
A long finish.
This is one of those wines that leaves me asking myself: "Why don't I buy more of this?"
Purchased at $11.85 (Canadian) and a steal at the price.
