'The 500 Best-Value Wines, 2009' - Reds: 6 Tasted of 6

This is Part 4 of a review of Rod Phillips recent book The 500 Best Value Wines in the LCBO, 2009.
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Another six wines, this time reds, rated 4 ½ stars (90-93). There were almost twice as many reds (forty-two) as whites at this rating level in the book so I’ve left quite a few for futures. I didn't have any trouble finding the reds locally and, although reds tend to be pricier overall, these were well within my range, ~$25. When tasted wines appear in bold. Cheers, Ww

(* - Different vintage, Price - up<, down>)

• Peter Lehmann Barossa Shiraz Grenache 2007, Ww92 -- G, Barossa, Australia, #610725 $13.95
• MontGras Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2007, Ww90 -- G, Colchagua Valley, Chile, #619205 $10.85>
• Red Knot Shiraz 2006, Ww90 -- G, McLaren Vale, Australia, #619395 $19.70
• Wente Vineyards ‘Southern Hills’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2006*, Ww89 -- G, Livermore Valley, California, #301507 $17.25
• Bellingham Shiraz Viognier 2005, Ww87 -- G, Coastal Region, South Africa, #554360 $13.85
• Napa Valley Vineyards Reserve Merlot 2005*, Ww76 -- G, Napa, California, #029983 $17.95

TASTED:

PETER LEHMANN BAROSSA SHIRAZ/GRENACHE 2007, Barossa, Australia, 14.0% D, #610725 $13.95 (Tasted November 28, 2008)
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A General listing describe as “Medum ruby to deep ruby red colour; aromas of ripe berries, cherry and vanilla; full-bodied with ripe cherry flavours on the finish. Serve with pulled pork sandwiches.” My notes: A rich ruby colour with slow tears and a light strawberry mixed with sweet black cherry makes up the nose. The flavours show off the blending of both varietals, a smooth strawberry and a slightly peppery berry. An interesting sipper, silky and a well balanced tannin and polite acid. The finish is long with the silkiness and the same flavour blend altho’ the spice has softened and there’s more strawberry at the end. Drinking well now and should cellar well, up to four years but try two at a time. Have with prime rib, chateaubriand, liver and onions. A real value for a sociable medium-bodied red. Ww92
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RED KNOT SHIRAZ 2006, McLaren Vale, South Australia, 14.0% D, #619395 $19.70 (Tasted November 19, 2008)
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A General listing described as “Dark ruby in colour; spicy oak notes & dark berry aromas; spicy berry flavours with soft lingering tannins. Serve with tomato pasta meals or pepper steak.” My notes: The 2004 was tasted back in August 2006 and cellaring for two years was suggested. The 2006 retains the handy resealing cork and has a deep ruby colour with tears that form quickly on the bowl. Now a blend of 97% shiraz and 3% Grenache dropping the cab sauv content. Airing for a half hour allows this to show more of a delicate black cherry nose. Medium-bodied and soft, with red cherry, drying tannins and a smidgeon of white pepper all leading to a moderate but bright finish. This is ready to drink now - cellaring for two years would be OK but I don’t think it’ll improve from here. Two dollars higher than the 2004 without a change in product - hope the grape pickers are benefiting. Pair with pork, a ham steak, or back ribs. Ww90.

NAPA VALLEY VINEYARDS MERLOT 2005*, Napa, California, 13.5% D, #029983 $17.95 (Tasted November 20, 2008)
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A General listing described as “Medium ruby with brick nuances; aromas of ripe berries, vanilla and hints of herbs; full-bodied, ripe, the finish is medium in length, slightly smoky with well-integrated tannins. Serve with beef stew, Californian style pizza.” My notes: An E.J.Gallo wine and two vintages later than the book. The jug wine of California in the late 60’s doesn’t bring back fond memories. This is a sombre ruby colour and aromas are smoke and black cherry. The first sip has a sweet beetroot highlight that surprised me, not characteristically merlot. Long slow tears and a silky texture, dry fine tannins, a beetroot and sweet, jammy cherry berry aftertaste that did not do things for me. I would not serve this to guests but use in a crockpot stew or sauce for a lamb shank. Skip this vintage. Some memories keep coming back. Ww76
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WENTE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006*, Livermore Valley, California, 13.5% D, #301507 $17.25 (Tasted November 18, 2008)
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A General listing described as “Medium ruby purple colour; dry and medium-bodied with ripe blackberry fruit and hints of anise and chocolate; medium tannins; long finish. Serve with pepper steak; grilled beef; lamb.” My notes: The local LCBO had a year later vintage from that in the book. There is a thin black cherry colour somewhat garnet cast and a film of slow tears that forms on the bowl. This is medium-bodied silky from the first sip and flavours of berry and beetroot. Airing for twenty minutes is recommended to allow the nose and flavours to settle then a brightness shows and lasts for a long delicate finish, dry with fine tannins and light acid. The website does not add blending nor vintage notes for their wines, this may have some Petit Verdot? Pair with prime rib or lamb - not pepper steak imho. An interesting drink now. Ww89
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MONTGRAS CABERNET SAUVIGNON RESERVA 2007, Colchagua Valley, Chile, 14.0% D, #619205 $10.85> (Tasted November 27, 2008)
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A General listing described as “Deep red violet; aromas of cherry fruit, smoky plums and cassis; dry, medium to full bodied with ripe black cherry, spice and chocolate; long finish. Serve with BBQ beef ribs and grilled steak.” My notes: A deep violet tinged ruby with slight spicy currant and blackberry aromas and slow legs. An attractive mint with noticeable tannin trails off to a bright black currant flavour that’s smooth and full of spice. The finish is long ending with a tasty currant and blackberry making this a surprisingly bold sipper by itself. Better with finger foods from bacon stuffed mushroom caps to shaved proscuitto and strong cheeses or with pepperoni pizza, rack of lamb or grilled steaks. If you like medium-bodied with a bite this is a real value that may improve with a few years in the cellar. Serve with discretion. Ww90
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BELLINGHAM SHIRAZ VIOGNIER 2005, Coastal Region, South Africa, 14.5% D, #554360 $13.85 (Tasted November 24, 2008)
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A General listing described as “Medium ruby colour; ripe plum, cherry fruit, leather and chocolate aromas; dry, medium-bodied with soft tannin and hints of smoke and spice; good length. Serve with grilled or roasted red meats; medium cheeses.” My notes: Blended ‘avec un soupçon de’ Viognier according to the front label. A deep ruby with a garnet cast and the nose has a slight floral fragrance added to woody plum and cherry fruit. A firm film sets up long tears on a large bowl. The first sip has a spicy pepper tang with bright red currant flavours with a firm seam of tannins and balanced acid. The fruit in the finish doesn’t last long before a somewhat metallic edge sets in making this an interesting but very dry sipper. With only 2 % Viognier for softening, the shiraz in the blend may have had a significant roughness - which may settle with cellaring. Have with steaks, ribs, chili con carne or pepperoni pizza. Cellar for at least two years for best value. As a drink now it's priced right but lower the rating a few notches. Ww87