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Heart-throbbing
Vintage Valentine values
National Post Weekly Wine & Spirits Columnist
Saturday, February 14, 2004
LIVE
WINE LINK
www.winefind.ca
(CLICK ON THE NAME - All
listings are automatically linked to the LCBO database)
If there is a product that interests you,
just click on the name below and you will instantaneously connected with
the LCBO database. The product will appear in blue and all you have to do
is click on the name again
and then the next screen will provide details along with the store search.
Just click on store search.
The number of bottles in each store is updated nightly. You should call
the store first to see if stock still remains (each store phone number is
listed).
It
isn’t always easy to track down the perfectly seductive wine for your
Valentine. I remember inviting a prospective girlfriend over for a
romantic fireside dinner and serving a decanted, fine, very pricey, bottle
of Bordeaux. Imagine my sense of deflation when I discovered that she
didn’t drink reds. Thus, rule number one is to check out the preferences
of your prospective partner.
The
second rule is that while diamonds may be a gal’s best friend, there’s
nothing like a glass or two good bubbly to get things kick started. My
first choice for that special Valentine celebration is the classic, light
salmon coloured Laurent-Perrier
NV Champagne Cuvée Rosé Brut (158550 Vintages Essential) at
$66.95 along with 7 bonus Air Miles. Made entirely from Pinot Noir grapes,
it comes in a seductively shaped “pot de Champagne” bottle dating back
to the 17th century. Look for an attractive, gently plumy nose
and very dry, ripe plum and elegant light strawberry flavours.
If
you want to choose something closer to home at even a better price,
don’t miss the just-released Henry
of Pelham. ‘Cuvée Catharine’ Rosé Brut
(616458 Vintages) at $27.95. This very fine VQA effort from the
Niagara Peninsula also has a light salmon pink colour but without as much
effervescence as Champagne. It is respectively dry on the nose with fine,
attractive, fresh, ripe strawberry notes. Although basically dry, it is
just faintly sweeter on the palate with lively, slightly tangy, rather
juicy, ripe strawberry-cherry flavours. Referred to as a “Method
Traditionnelle” this blend of 78% Pinot Noir and 22% Chardonnay spent 30
months aging on the lees vs. 48 months for the Laurent-Perrier.
Fortunately,
those in deep economy mode need not be deprived from tasting great bubbly.
Everyone is certain to enjoy a bubbly glass of Spain’s Codorniu
Brut Clasico (503490 general list), which is bargain-priced at
only $10.95 and has even outperformed some of the lesser brands of
Champagne.
Moving
on to whites, it is always important to get the right white to match
seafood and poultry. As Chardonnay is the world’s most popular grape, it
is a pretty safe bet for your Valentine. Without wanting to seem cheap, I
have been trying to find something to beat the recommended California Talus
2002 Chardonnay
(473462 general list), which has delicious, complex, toasty,
ripe pear purée flavours at a mere $11.95 a bottle. No success yet!
If
you feel you have to get a more upscale Chard, try the recent InStore
discovery Domaine
Patrick Javillier 2001 Bourgogne Blanc Cuvée des Forgets
(Vintages 734863) $28.95. Although it is just a Bourgogne, you
will find the spicy, rich, ripe Anjou pear nose complete with buttered
toast most alluring. It is a winner on the palate - dry, medium bodied,
tangy, ripe Anjou pear flavours balanced by solid, ripe lemon acidity and
a fine toasty finish. A definite destination!
Moving
on to reds, from last week’s Vintages release comes a delicious new
entry from Portugal’s Douro that shouldn’t be missed – especially if
you are looking for something organic with a miniscule 6 ppm of sulphur. Pinto
e Cruz 2000 Majara Reserva
(92388)
at $13.95 comes festooned with whopping eight labels/award stickers on
each bottle. This serious, non-run-of-the-mill, prizewinner is made from
indigenous Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, and Tinta Cao
grapes. Look for a medium bodied red with juicy ripe plums and black
cherries on the palate along with a pleasing lingering finish. A glass of
this delicious, versatile, Valentine value will make you bush that you
haven’t looked at Portuguese values long ago.
Last but not least
is a little gem from South Australia’s Clare Valley. At only $16.95 Leasingham
2000 ‘Magnus’ Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon
(995787)
is going to be very hard to beat. You should be moved by one whiff of the
spicy, bright, plummy, dried cherry nose. On the palate it is dry and
well-balanced with very nicely structured, mouthfilling, juicy ripe cherry
flavours, which are augmented with some toasty notes on the lingering
finish. Simply charming!
2001-2002-2003-2004 Tasting Note Database
Our tasting note database from December 31, 2000 to January 2004, covers every Vintages release product for the past 36 months. There are more than 5,000 notes in the database data. Just enter the name of the product, supplier name or CSPC number. Or you can search by type of wine, country of origin, even wine agent! Nothing could be easier. Also you can get information on the agent by clicking on the agent’s name, as well as current LCBO store inventory by clicking on "Check LCBO Availability", which will automatically tell you the number of bottles at LCBO as of last night.
To use our winefind.ca Tasting Notes Database: click here
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