Favourites of 2005

Preface:

Favourites of 2005 are based on my overall impression of the wine with a meal, sipping, or both, ie. the here and now and not for any cellaring potential. The criteria and results are my own and do not represent an endorsement or rejection of any wine mentioned or not mentioned. If you go out and buy a case and like it, so much the better. On the other hand, if you don't enjoy it all I can say is, individual tastes are just that. The majority of vintners are dedicated artisans driven by their art. Some are driven by the bottom line. I can't know the difference - as well as any other factor - so it becomes irrelevant and any wine is treated equally. My budget restricts most of the wines to under $20 but often through the benevolence of friends and family I get a chance to go over this level. Excluded are wines purchased through the Opimian Wine Society of Canada, rosés, and sparkling wines. There's no signifance in the order of the lists and the dates shown are for Archived tastings where details can be found. 

Some wines are still available as of writing - outlets with stock can usually be found via the LCBO website . Since vintages can vary considerably verify the 'year' that's available - always try it before cellaring quantities of any vintage, especially a new one: wine names are sold, wineries change hands, tier brands are introduced and then there's the climate. I hope this helps narrow down the pursuit of a variety of value wines. On to 2006! 

Salut, Ww

Reds - of 111 Tastings:

• Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 #337238 $17.95 V (Dec 6/Mar 16)
• Nepenthe 'The Rogue' Cabernet/Merlot/Shiraz 2003, #998542 $17.95 V (Dec 13)
• Rosenblum Cellars Zinfandel 2004, #284653 $19.95 V (Nov 24)
• St. Hallett 'GST' Grenache/Shiraz/Touriga 2004, #660910 $23.95 V (Oct 30)
• Katnook 'Founder's Block' Cabernet Sauvignon 2002, #660332 $17.95 V (Oct 29)
• Elderton 'Friends' Shiraz 2003, #660480 $19.95 V (Oct 17)
• Rancho Zabaco Zinfandel 2001, #434605 $19.95 V (Sep 25)
• Langmeil 'Three Gardens' Shiraz/Grenache/Mourvedre 2003, #664047 $21.95 V (Sep 20)
• Grant Burge 'Cameron Vale' Cabernet Sauvignon 2002, #937276 $19.95 V (Sep 19)
• Wolf Blass Grey Label Shiraz 2002, #390872 $30.05 G (Sep 5)
• Blue Pyrenees Shiraz 2001, #935890 $19.95 V (Aug 25)
• Sterling Vineyards Vintners Collection Merlot 2001/2002/2003 #622837 $15.45/$15.40/$15.40 G (Jul 5/Apr 21/Feb 7)
• Pasqua Sagramoso Ripasso Valpolicella Superiore 2001/2002, #602342 $15.05/$17.05 G (May 19/Jun 3)
• Jeanneret Shiraz 2002, #994962 $24.95 V (May 19)
• Concho y Toro Trio Merlot 2003, #433920 $13.95 V (Mar 18)
• Mandolin Pinot Noir 2001, #590596 $14.95 V (Mar 12)
• Wolf Blass Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2001, #611509 $16.95 G (Mar 12)
• Malivoire Pinot Noir Moira Vineyard 2000, Winery, $35.95 (Mar 10)
• Vivaio Dei Barbi Morellino di Scansano 2000, #720177 $16.95 G (Mar 8)
• Saltram Mamre Brook Shiraz 2000, #906677 $19.95 V (Jan 31)
• Arrowfield Hunter Valley Shiraz 2001, #597583 $16.95 V (Jan 15)
• Corto Zovo Camposolin 2001, #650713 $11.95 V (Jan 8)

Whites - of 102 Tastings:

• Anselmi San Vincenzo Veneto IGT 2002/2003/2004, #948158 $15.95 V (Dec 30/Oct 1/Mar 6)
• Chereau-Carré 'Le Fleuron' Muscadet de Sevre et Maine Sur Lie 2003, #653493 $13.95 V (Nov 22)
• Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2004 #975672 $19.95 V (Nov 13, May 2)
• Sandhill Burrowing Owl Pinot Blanc 2002, #541185 $14.00 V (Nov 11)
• De Bertoli Deen 2004 Vat 7 Chardonnay, #598896 $11.20 G (Oct 20)
• Louis Jadot Pouilly-Fuissé 2002, #732917 $34.95 V (Sep 18)
• Konzelmann Estate Winery Chardonnay 2002, #200535 $10.60 G (Aug 30 )
• Fielding Estate Chardonnay Musque 2004, Winery $13.45 (Aug 23)
• Chateau des Charmes St. David's Bench Viognier 2003, #432948 $18.95 V (Aug 21)
• Sauvion et Fils Muscadet Sevre et Maine Sur Lie 2002, #143016 $9.90 G (Aug 3)
• Yalumba 'Y Series' Viognier 2004, #624502 $13.95 V (Jul 28)
• Chateau des Charmes Aligoté 2003 (Estate Bottled), #284950 $11.95 G (Jul 13)
• Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc 2004, #293043 $14.95 G (Jun 20)
• Cave Spring Vineyard CSV Chardonnay 1999, #529941 $32.95 G (May 9)
• Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2004/2002, #304469 $31.95/28.95 V (May 2, Apr 2)
• Santa Rita Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2004, #275677 $12.45 G (Apr 19)
• Kim Crawford 'Flowers' Sauvignon Blanc 2002, Winery $20.00 (Apr 2)
• Medalla Real Santa Rita Chardonnay 2002, #303628 $16.95 V (Mar 14)
• Weingut Machherndl E.R.A. Pinot Blanc & Neuburger 2002, #925222 $16.95 V (Feb 17)
• Jacques et Lurton Les Fumées Blanches, #472555 $9.95 G (Jan 12)
• Bodegas Esmeralda Argento Pinot Grigio 2004, #620492 $9.95 G (Jan 1)