Favourites of 2008

View from Mt. Burnaby

My picks from 435 wines tasted during the year are listed below. Wines came from thirteen countries with the majority from Canada (87), France (68), Australia (56), Italy (52) and Chile (52). All but a dozen reds and half dozen whites were from Vintages shelves. The basis for selecting is a combination of their Ww rating and my recall of the aroma and textures invoked from reading my tasting notes. If you have tried any of the wines and have similar conclusions - or not - it'll be based on your taste buds and bias, New World or Old, one varietal versus others, etc. You can't be wrong and you can certainly differ.
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This past year I’ve tried ‘Blending wines’ for an appreciation of single varietals and how each contributes to the blended product. I’ve also focussed on wines from three regions of France. I’ve visited Wine fairs and several Niagara wineries. I’ve reviewed LCBO glossies and lists of magazine ’Award winners’ comparing my tastings with ratings from their professional tasting panels. I’ve come to some new conclusions as well as confirmed others from past years, notably that the tasting business is undisciplined as a whole. It’s an adjunct to wine marketing with individual tasters having their own idiosyncrasies. If a rating system is used it has been so personalized that unless you ‘get in bed’ with a reviewer the numbers, and to the same degree their literal evaluation of wines, are irrelevant. Some tasters band together as ‘colleagues’ or participate on tasting panels. Collectively the results of these associations is as good as its most inept member - and some Food and/or Travel columnists add on the ‘wine taster’ label without acquiring the credentials. 
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On a positive note, the one book reviewed (Rod Phillips’ The 500 Best Value Wines in the LCBO, 2009) consistently turned up value wines from General listings. 
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Throughout the year I’ve come across some wines that strike me as artificial - to the degree I would like to see their contents listed in a manner similar to carbonated beverages. What percentage of natural juice is in a can of Presidents Choice Naturally Flavoured Diet Lemonade? According to the can the top three ingredients are carbonated water, citric acid and potassium citrate followed by a string: aspartame, potassium benzoate, acacia gum, sucrose acetate isobutyrate, potassium sorbate, natural flavour, acesulfame-potassium, calcium disodium edta and tartrazine (colour). We don’t object to whatever it contains - it’s covered by Food and Drug legislation and if it’s refreshing and the flavour satisfies we enjoy. Add 12.5% alcohol, a retro label and a ‘buck pop’ could be converted to a ten dollar party blend. The content of every beverage should be declared - or minimally, a statement the wine contains only naturally occurring vinifera components. That’s my opinion anyway!
I hope the following is useful in some way. Prices listed are at time of purchase and the date of tasting is in brackets. 
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Happy imbibing! Ww


(r-v - Rating-Value)



Reds - of 260 Tastings (including 3 Sparkling and 28 Retastings):

1. Rosenvale Estate Grenache 2005, Australia, #059881 $21.95 (Oct 3) 96-3
   
2. d’Arenberg ‘The Twentyeight Road’ Mourvèdre 2005, Australia, #677617 $29.95 (Oct 4) 96-3
   
3. d’Arenberg ‘The Galvo Garage’ 2006, Australia, #907584 $27.95 (Nov 29) 96-3
4. Errazuriz Max Reserva Shiraz 2006, Chile, #614750 $17.75 (Nov 3) 95-3
5. Antonin Rodet Côtes Du Rhône 2007, France, #008979 $12.95 (Nov 12) 94-3
6. Pérez Cruz Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2006, Chile #694208 $14.95 (Nov 14) 94-3
   
7. Apollonio Valle Cupa Salento Rosso 2001, Italy, #084046 $20.95 (Oct 1) 94-3
8. Ninquén Antu Syrah 2006, Chile, #675371 $15.95 (Jun 24) 94-3
9. Zonin Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso 2006, Italy, #084798 $19.95 (Nov 4) 94-3 
   
10. Jeanneret Grenache/Shiraz 2004, Australia, #B&W Wines $22.46 (Jun 26) 94-3
11. Malivoire ‘Moira Vineyard’ Pinot Noir 2000, Canada, #Winery, $35.95 (Apr 2) 94-2
12. Wolf Blass Grey Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Australia, #470120 $36.00 (Jul 27) 94-2
13. d’Arenberg ‘The Laughing Magpie’ Shiraz/Viognier 2006, Australia, #936971 $27.95 (Sep 14) 94-2
    
14. Claymore ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ Shiraz 2005, Australia, #072652 $29.95 (Oct 20) 94-2
15. Ninquén Antu Cabernet Sauvignon/Carmenère 2006, Chile, #059329 $15.95 (Jun 14) 93-3
    
16. Navarro Correas Gran Reserva Malbec 2005, Argentina, #028928 $18.95 (Jul 22) 93-3
    
17. Thorn-Clarke Terra Barossa 2005, Australia, #684357 $15.95 (Oct 25) 93-3
18. Angus the Bull Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Australia, #602615 $18.95 (Nov 3) 93-3
19. Marqués de Riscal Reserva Rioja 2003, Spain, #032656 $23.95 (Nov 18) 93-2
20. Santa Carolina Barrica Selection Petit Verdot 2006, Chile #007484 $14.95 (Aug 18) 92-3
21. Fontanafredda Barbera Briccotondo 2007, Italy, #072348 $15.95 (Oct 18) 92-3
22. Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, USA, #738823 $16.95 (Nov 7) 92-3
23. Viña Tarapacá Gran Reserva Carmenère 2005, Chile, #057513 $15.95 (Mar 3) 92-3
24. Peter Lehmann Barossa Shiraz/Grenache 2007, Australia, #610725 $13.95 (Nov 28) 92-3 
25. Mountain Road Wine Co. Gamay Semi-dry Rosé 2004, Canada, #Winery $11.95 (Jul 28) 92-3 
26. Katnook ‘Founders Block’ Coonawarra Cab Sauv 2005, Australia, #620070 $18.00 (Feb 11) 92-2
27. Zenato Valpolicella Superiore Ripassa 2006, Italy, #479766 $24.95 (Jun 16) 92-2
28. Ortas Rasteau Tradition Côtes Du Rhône Village 2007, France, #998716 $16.95 (Dec 5) 92-2
    
29. d’Arenberg ‘d’Arry’s Original’ Shiraz/Grenache 2005, Australia, #942904 $19.95 (Sep 24) 92-2
30. Ventisquero ‘Queulat’ Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Chile, #061937 $16.95 (Aug 20) 92-2
31. Quintas Valpolicella Ripasso 2006, Italy, #081455 $17.95 (Aug 20) 92-2
32. Ricasoli Brolio Chianti Classico 2006, Italy, #003962 $23.75 (Jul 16) 92-2
33. Chakana Malbec 2007, Argentina, #003509, $13.95 (Jul 20) 91-3
34. Cousiño-Macul ‘Antiguas’ Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Chile, #212993 $15.45 (Nov 8) 91-2
35. Perrin Réserve Côtes Du Rhône Rouge 2007, France, #363457 $14.95 (Nov 26) 91-2
36. Rodney Strong Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, USA #226944 $19.95 (Oct 13) 91-2 
37. Truchard Zinfandel Napa Valley 2003, USA, #054858 $18.95 (Jan 5) 91-2
38. Torres Gran Coronas Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2004, Spain, #036483 $18.80 (Apr 16) 91-2
    
39. Clos de los Siète par Michel Rolland 2005, Argentina, #622571 $24.75 (Apr 26) 91-2
    
40. Wyndham Estate Shiraz Bin 555 2005, Australia, #189415 $16.15 (Jun 18) 91-2
41. Jeanneret ‘Grace & Favour’ Grenache/Shiraz 2005, Australia, #B&W Wines $23.70 (Jul 2) 91-2 
42. Tuatara Bay Pinot Noir 2006, NZ, #057760 $18.95 (May 19) 90-2
43. Montus Château Bouscassé 2003, France, #743385 $18.55 (May 25) 90-2
44. Flat Rock Cellars Pinot Noir Rosé 2007, Canada, #039974 $14.95 (Jun 10) 90-2
45. Ortas Tradition Rasteau 2006, France, #998716 $15.95 (Jun 14) 90-2
46. Alfredo Roca Pinot Noir 2006, Argentina, #032979 $13.95 (Aug 10) 90-2
47. Cave de Tain Crozes Hermitage 2003, France, #572230 $16.85 (Mar 1) 90-2
48. Zenato Valpolicella Superiore 2006, Italy #995704 $17.95 (Jul 6) 90-2
49. The Black Chook Shiraz/Viognier 2007, Australia, #066738 $17.95 (Oct 22) 90-2
50. Guardian Peak ‘The Kalahari Lion’ SMG 2005, S. Africa, #083972 $22.95 (Sep 22) 90-1
51. Stoneleigh ‘Marlborough’ Pinot Noir 2007, NZ, #054353 $19.95 (Apr 20) 90-1 

Whites - of 175 Tastings (including 6 Sparkling and 4 Retastings):

1. Conundrum 2006, USA, #694653 $26.95 (Jul 30) 95-3
2. Errazuriz Estate Chardonnay 2007, Chile, #318741 $11.80 (Nov 14) 94-3
3. Cloudy Bay Chardonnay 2005, NZ, #359513 $39.95 (Jun 15) 94-2
4. Calamus Vidal Ice Wine 2007, Canada, #Winery 200ml $20.20 (Nov 3) 94-1
5. Cousiño-Macul ‘Antiguas’ Reservas Chardonnay 2007, Chile, #730044 $14.95 (Oct 20) 93-3 
6. Sacred Hill Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2006, NZ, #060095 $20.95 (Jun 2) 93-2
7. Cave Spring Musqué 2006, Canada, #246579 $15.95 (May 20) 92-3
8. Cousiño-Macul ‘Doña Isidora’ Riesling 2006, Chile, #057182 #10.95 (Nov 11) 92-3 
9. Vinecol Torrontés 2007, Argentina, #032748 $13.95 (Aug 18) 92-3
10. Robert Mondavi Private Selection Chardonnay 2006, USA, #379180 $17.95 (Nov 13) 92-2
11. Henri Bourgeois Sancerre Les Baronnes 2007, France, #542548 $24.95 (Oct 14) 92-2
12. Babich Black Label Sauvignon Blanc 2007, NZ, #009142 $19.95 (May 8) 92-2
13. Goldwater Chardonnay 2006, NZ, #991463 $19.95 (May 13) 92-2
14. Darting Riesling Kabinett 2006, Germany, #950212 $15.95 (Jul 7) 91-2
15. Jekel Vineyards Gravelstone Chardonnay 2006, USA, #421016 $15.95 (Aug 21) 91-2
16. Anakena ‘Single Vineyard’ Viognier 2007, Chile, #045138 $13.95 (Sep 15) 91-2
17. Mouillard Mâcon-Azé 2006, France, #084632 $16.95 (Oct 4) 91-2
18. Cave Spring Chardonnay Musqué 2007, Canada, #246579 $15.95 (Oct 23) 91-2
19. Freie Weingärtner Wachau Grüner Veltliner 2006, Austria, #061127 $18.45 (May 15) 90-2
20. X&Y Chardonnay 2006, Australia, #048561 $18.80 (Jan 11) 90-2
21. Grove Mill Pinot Gris 2007, NZ, #001693 $16.95 (Apr 8) 90-2 
22. Sileni Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2007, NZ, #662882 $15.95 (May 25) 90-2
23. Lammershoek Barrique Chenin Blanc 2007, S. Africa, #058206 $18.95 (Jun 4) 90-2
24. Anakena Ona Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Chile, #059501 $16.95 (Jun 10) 90-2
25. Schloss Shönborn Riesling Kabinett 2005, Germany, #928184 $18.95 (Jun 25) 90-2
26. Forrest Estate Riesling 2007, NZ, #060103 $18.95 (Jun 23) 90-2
27. Momo Sauvignon Blanc 2007, NZ, #009167 $19.95 (Jul 20) 90-2
28. Calamus Pinot Gris 2007, Canada, #Winery $15.20 (Nov 2) 90-2
29. Schloss Shönborn Riesling 1994, Germany, #107557 $14.95 (Aug 23) 90-2
30. Jackson-Triggs ‘Delaine Vineyard’ Chardonnay 2006, Canada, #623454 $19.95 (Sep 16) 90-2 
31. Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio Trentino Riserva 2006, Italy, #032714 $15.95 (Nov 21) 90-2
32. William Fevre Chablis Champs Royaux 2004, France, #276436 $21.80 (May 16) 90-1