February 5 - Vintages

DISCOVER OUR LATEST • SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2011
USA – RED WINE
CALIFORNIA
DIAMOND RIDGE ZINFANDEL 2007
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley
TASTING NOTE: A very enticing deep ruby in the
glass, followed by notes of sweet fruit and mocha.
Dry and well-structured with superbly wellintegrated
tannins, sweet fruit, and oaky flavours.
This delivers a layered, medium-long finish.
Very tasty. Enjoy this wine with grilled portobello
mushrooms. (VINTAGES panel, May 2010)
205781 (D) 750 mL $17.95 2
FROG’S LEAP MERLOT 2007
Rutherford, Napa Valley
TASTING NOTE: Spectacular Merlot with a complex
array of aromas including raspberry, sweet spicy
cherry, pipe tobacco, plum and cocoa. Dry and
fruity with a velvety texture and a lot of power
(but not overpowering). Medium-full bodied with
a persistent and complex finish. Everything is
working in harmony here. This long-finishing wine is
a potential short-term cellar candidate (1-3 years),
but why wait? Enjoy it tonight with a rich beef dish
or a calzone loaded with meat and mushrooms.
(VINTAGES panel, Dec. 2010)
707489 (D) 750 mL $44.95 2
HAWKES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2004
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County
TASTING NOTE: This is a beautiful Cabernet and
at forty bucks, a relative bargain given the price
that great Napa Cab has hit. Dry and complex, it
shows wonderful tannic structure, and the smoky
oak is subtle, allowing the black and red currant
and plum flavors to star. Lovely now, and should
develop through 2012. Score: 92 (Steve Heimoff,
Wine Enthusiast, Dec. 31, 2008)
146878 (D) 750 mL $29.95 2
32 VINTAGES SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2011
MARK WEST PINOT NOIR 2008
California
TASTING NOTE: The medium ruby-hued 2008
Pinot Noir (100% Pinot Noir) offers notes of
pomegranates, plums, cherries, underbrush, and
herbs in a round, tasty, authentic style. Its
lightness and softness are endearing, and the
price is nearly unbelievable. There are plenty of
domestic Pinot Noirs and French red Burgundies
priced five to ten times higher that are not as
good as this effort from Mark West. It should drink
well for 1-2 years. Score: 87 (Robert Parker Jr.,
www.erobertparker.com, August 2009)
083329 (D) 750 mL $19.95 2
M C MANIS CABERNET
SAUVIGNON 2009
California
TASTING NOTE: Lively medium-purple colour
leading to a nose featuring fresh-picked raspberry,
blueberry and cherry, plus a touch of spice. Dry
to slightly off-dry; round and fruity, easy-drinking,
crowd-pleasing style with just a smidge of tannin
and crispness to give it structure. Enjoy it now with
gourmet burgers, pasta in tomato sauce, or grilled
ribs. (VINTAGES panel, Dec. 2010)
212126 (D) 750 mL $19.95 1
Featured as our Wine of the Month
NEWMAN’S OWN
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007
California
(Rebel Wine)
TASTING NOTE: Sweet herb and spice mingling
with berry fruit aromas on the nose segue a
balanced wash of round and ready California
Cab. Flavours of kirsch liqueur and spiced
black plum coat the palate, all nicely framed with
moderating acidity and a ripe supple tannin
structure. It’s medium bodied, nicely textured
with a fruit-forward finish. Paul Newman’s legacy
lives on with all profits donated to charity – the
wine’s good, that makes it better. Score: HHHHK
(Vic Harradine, www.winecurrent.com, June 2010)
104182 (D) 750 mL $17.95 1