Favourites of 2006

Preface:
My 'Favourites of 2006' are based on tastings throughout the year as documented in this blog. The basis for narrowing the hundreds of wines tasted to these few is not scientific - just my taste buds including my bias for New World style wines. If you have tried any of the wines and have similar conclusions - or not - it'll be based on your taste buds and bias. You can't be wrong and you can certainly differ.

Observations: During the past year the LCBO has dedicated more shelf space to Ontario wines. The best Ontario wines, I believe, are still available only from the wineries many being produced in volume too low for a listing. It pays to visit the wineries. Also there seemed to be fewer BC wines in 2006 which is a shame.... and there appeared to be more 'commercial' wines. To me 'commercial' wines are produced using grapes, additives (see http://www.wineterroirs.com/2006/11/additives.html) and equipment to increase production volumes and to target specific markets. Often these wines have characteristics untrue to their terroir or vintage and corrupt the heritage of the vintners and wineries that originated them. In Canada, VQA - and its equivalent in other countries - is becoming corrupted.

There's no doubt that in 2006 there were more appealing wines that made their way to Ontario. But the successes seem to have increased the bottle price. Don't get me wrong... wineries should be rewarded for the care and nurturing of their vineyards and for their talent. If they were the primary beneficiaries all's well. Often the 'service' of offering a wine doesn't change but the reward to provide this service does. As consumers, we need to be shrewder in finding values amongst the thousands of LCBO releases. We can rely partly on the many faithful wine critics but their interests may not be entirely compatible with ours. No one's taste buds are infallible - hurried tastings, biases or preferences, business pressures, publication schedules, etc. make their job difficult. I simply ask myself after a few sips whether I'd buy more of the wine that's being recommended. As a result I've settled on a few critics that come closest to my tastes. I've also adopted a few rules of thumb:

- The leftovers from a Vintages release are there for a reason.
- For a General listed wine I look for an almost bare section on the shelf.
- Price doesn't mean a thing.
- Ratings aren't an indication of what you like.
- The main role of the LCBO staff is to sell wine.

I hope the following is useful in some way. Happy imbibing! Wino Will

Reds - of 203 Tastings (including 3 Sparkling and 41 Retastings):
Rodney Strong Cab Sauv 2003, USA, #226944 $19.95 (Dec 10)
Clos de los Siete 2004, Argentina, #622571 $24.95 (Dec 8)
Cremaschi Furlotti Family Limited Edition Cab Sauv/Syrah/Carmenere 2003, Chile, #014183 $17.95 (Nov 26)
Kaesler ‘Stonehorse' GSM 2004, Australia, #006551 $19.95 (Nov 12)
Rodney Strong Merlot 2002, USA, #497933 $19.95 (Oct 20)
Tommasi Valpolicella Classico Superiore ‘Ripasso' 2003, Italy, #910430 $19.95 (Oct 18)
Terreliade 'Nira' Nero D'Avola 2003, Italy, #688762 $15.95 (Oct 13)
Graham Beck Brut Rose 2004, Robertson, S. Africa, #004085 $21.95 (Oct 1)
Jeanneret Grenache/Shiraz 2004, Australia, B&W Wines $22.46 (Sep 7)
Gray Monk Pinot Noir 2004, Canada, #251835 $17.95 (Aug 27)
Vina La Rosa ‘La Capitana' Merlot 2004, Chile, #655209 $14.95 (Aug 26)
Margan Family Shiraz Saignee Rose 2006, Australia, #675447 $15.95 (Aug 16)
Beelgara Estate 'The Gun Shearer' Cab Sauv 2003, Australia, #684167 $17.95 (Aug 3)
Sileni ‘Cellar Selection' Pinot Noir 2005, New Zealand, #694901 $17.95 (Jul 26)
J. Lohr ‘Seven Oaks' Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, USA, #656561 $19.95 (Jun 23)
Corte Zovo 'Sa Solin' Ripasso 2003, Italy, #650713 $15.95 (Jun 21)
Juniper Crossing Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2003, Australia, #684019 $15.95 (Jun 14)
Richard Hamilton 'Gumprs' Shiraz 2002, Australia, #600122 $19.95 (Jun 10)
Elderton 'Friends' Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, Australia, #595389 $17.95 (May 31)
Nepenthe Charleston Pinto Noir 2003, Australia, #682054 $17.95 (May 1)
Bolla 'Le Poiane' Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2001, Italy, 1#135293 $19.95 (Apr 15)
Deen de Bortoli Vat 8 Shiraz 2004, Australia, #621649 $14.95 (Mar 28)
Vina Carmen Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2003, Chile, #358309 $16.95 (Mar 26)
Vina Carmen Grande Vidure Cab Sauv Reserve 2003, Chile, #439166 $16.95 (Mar 19)
Tyrrell's 'Rufus Stone' Shiraz, Australia, #542100 $19.95 (Jan 21)

Whites - 171 Tastings (including 23 Sparkling and 26 Retastings):
Graham Beck Blanc des Blancs Premier Cuvee Brut 2001, South Africa, #907568 $20.95 (Dec 15)
Renwood Select Series Viognier 2004, USA, #018762 $19.95 (Dec 13)
Furst Lowenstein Riesling Kabinett 2005, Germany, #505461 $17.95 (Nov 11)
Calera Chardonnay 2002, California, #713313 $19.95 (Oct 30)
Hedges Cellars ‘CMS White 2004, USA, #008680 $16.95 (Oct 18)
Inycon Fiano 2004, Italy, #670810 $11.95 (Oct 12)
Elderton 'Unwooded' Chardonnay 2006, Australia, #906453 $14.95 (Sep 29)
Fairhall Downs Sauvignon Blanc 2005, New Zealand, #990580 $17.95 (Sep 7)
Vina La Rosa 'La Capitana' Chardonnay 2004, Chile, #685834 $13.95 (Aug 4)
'NCT' Warren Classic 'Piekan Vineyard' Chard 2004, Canada, Winery $27.95 (Jul 30)
Martin & Weyrich Chardonnay 2002, USA, #686097 $18.95 (Jul 5)
Villa Sandi 'Cuvee' Prosecco di Valdobbiadene, Italy, #738542 $17.95 (Jul 2)
Anselmi San Vincenzo Veneto IGT 2005, Italy, #948158 $15.95 (Jun 30)
Kanu Chenin Blanc 2004, South Africa, #675421 $11.95 (Jun 10)
Ninth Island Sauvignon Blanc 2005, Australia, #606897 $19.95 (May 27)
Foss Marai Prosecco Extra Dry 'Blue Bottle', Italy, #729392 $17.95 (May 27)
Seifried Nelson Riesling 2005, New Zealand, #989541 $16.95 (May 13)
Mike Weir Estate Chardonnay 2004 VQA, Canada, #000026 $15.95 (Apr 3)
August Kesseler 'R' Rielsing 2004, Germany, #674002 $16.95 (Mar 20)
Villa Sandi Prosecco NV, Italy, #249722 $13.15 (Mar 1)
Santi Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie 2004, Italy, #637603 $13.00 (Feb 20)
Cardinham Riesling 2003, Australia, #694562 $15.95 (Feb 7)
Bortolomiol 'Selezione Banda Rosa' Prosecco Di Valdobbiadene, Italy, #664649 $17.95 (Feb 6)
Gray Monk Pinot Blanc 2004, Canada, #321612 $15.95 (Jan 26)
Cave Spring Pinot Gris 2004, Canada, #621086 $16.95 (Jan 18)