May 21/07 - Top Import Wine Picks in Canada

SPARKLING

85 Seaview Brut Sparkling Wine N/V Chardonnay - Pinot Noir
South Eastern Australia, Australia
AB $12.50 private wine shops; BC $13.56 general listing; MB $13.99; NF $13.48; ON $11.60; SK $12.99
Floral, baked apple, peach, earthy aromas. Fresh mousse, crisp entry in a somewhat sweeter brut style. Peach, candied apple, citrus, mineral flavours with a crisp, green apple skin finish. Solid, affordable fizz for large gatherings.

87 Arrogant Frog Chardonnay Viognier 2006 Chardonnay - Viognier
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, South of France, France
BC $13.99 speculative listing - Charton-Hobbs
Hmm, viognier and chardonnay in a screw cap, how New World. Actually it's Old World, form the south of France. The Arrogant Frog white is a show stopper for the price. Round rich and oily, it's packed with spicy tropical fruit and a dash of refreshing minerality. The finish is clean and warm. Chill down and party with Thai or Indian food. Great value.

87 Bisquertt Casa La Joya Reserve Gewurztraminer 2006
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, Chile
BC $14.05 estimated price
Open spicy honeyed notes on the nose with floral undertones. Quite spicy and warm on the palate with typical litchi nut tropical fruit flavours with a pinch of rose water. Clean and fresh is served well chilled. Try with curry dishes.

87 Carmen Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, Chile
AB $13.50 private wine shops; BC $13.95 specialty listing; NB $12.99; NF $11.98; NS $10.99; PEI $12.98
Carmen winemaker María del Pilar González is doing an excellent job of fine tuning the Carmen varietal range. Sauvignon blanc is the varietal Carmen built a huge following with and after some recent so-so efforts the 2006 is all over the mark. Fresh, clean mineral nose with citrus and melon fruit and now finally closed with a screwcap. It simply doesn't get any better for the money. Ridiculous value here. Drink all spring and summer.

87 Vina Casablanca Sauvignon Blanc Coleccion Privada 2006
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, Chile
BC $14.06 specialty listing
Edition two is as solid as the previous year and it's great value for $14. The nose is clean and fresh with plenty of lifted gooseberry, green apple and lime rind aromas. It's New Zealand for $5 less. Love the balance and freshness here. Perfect seafood/shellfish wine. Drink all summer.

87 Casillero del Diablo Chardonnay 2005
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, Chile
AB $11.50; BC $12.95 general listing; MB $10.95; NF $11.57; NS $12.95; SK $13.10
Floral, tropical fruit, pear, butter, vanilla aromas. Ripe, round, fresh palate with butter, citrus, vanilla, baked apple and pineapple flavours. A touch sweet and oily on the finish but good freshness and balance. Continued good quality and with a new screw cap.

87 Fleur du Cap Chardonnay 2005
Coastal Region, South Africa
BC $11.99 specialty listing
A perennial bargain the 2005 is in a perfect spot in its life right now. The nose is attractive showing nutty toasted notes and citrus fruit that carry through on the palate. Fresh melon nutty flavours with flecks of butterscotch finish clean and vibrant. Fine intensity. Well done. Great value.

87 Gustav Adolf Schmitt Niersteiner Riesling Spatlese Late Harvest 2005
Rheinhessen, Germany
BC $12.95 Specialty
Orange, spicy, peach, pineapple, candied ginger, baked green apple aromas. Ripe, fat, slightly sweet entry but elegant. Spicy, slate, rose, orange, cement, mineral, peach skin flavours. Good solid drink if a bit fat on the finish. Try with Indian curry.

87 Paul Mas Viognier 2005
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, South of France, France
BC $13.99 speculative listing - Charton-Hobbs
Very floral, perfumy, butter, ginger, slate, mineral, honey and lees aromas. Dry, round, elegant, slightly lean entry but crisp. Apricot, ginger, mineral, butter, orange, honey and butter flavours. Very attractive style for food and very good value.

87 Red Bicyclette Chardonnay 2005
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, South of France, France
BC $14.99 specialty listing
Flinty, butter, honey, garlic, melon aromas. Fairly dry entry with red apple skin, melon, honey, garlic lees, and citrus flavours. Solid, fresh, well balanced.

87 Rocca delle Macìe Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2006
Maremma, Tuscany, Italy
QC $14.80
A 100 per cent Vernaccia white that sees only stainless steel. Look for a clean, fresh style from thin skinned grapes that must be handles with care. The nose is fresh and floral with hints of melon and quince. On the palate it is crisp, clean and dry. A wonderful wine for shellfish or light seafood or pork or chicken sandwiches. The finish is bright and lean with citrus highlights. Well done.

87 Weingut Lorch Riesling Hochgewachs Bergzaberner Altenberg 2005
Pfalz, Germany
AB $10.95 private wine shop; BC $12.99 specialty listing
Nectarine, green apple petrol, honey aromas with some slate. Firm fresh fruit on the mid-palate with more nectarine, peach, mineral, apple and slate flavours. Consistent with last year's fine effort. Great riesling value.

87 X and Y Chardonnay Margaret River 2006
Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia
ON $17.99 speculative listing - Authentic Wine and Spirits
Fresh open bread crumbs nose with nutty, buttered popcorn, honey, citrus aromas. Soft, round, dry palate with a touch of oiliness and chalk. Grassy, buttery, leesy, spicy flavours with a slightly bitter citrus rind finish and a touch of vanilla. Solid, stylish chardonnay for the price.

86 Arrogant Frog Ribet White 2006
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, South of France, France
BC $13.99 speculative listing - Charton-Hobbs; ON $13.00 consignment - The Yorkville Wine Company
Paul Mas has the pulse of the public wine taste and he's not from Australia. That's right the former Domaine Virginie winemaker is making wine far more serious than his Arrogant Frog moniker. This is a crisp, light, mineral, citrus, grassy white with freshness in the mouth that cries out for oysters or shellfish. This is killer value and will reward any who choose to pour a cool glass on a hot patio. Only in private wine shops in B.C....go figure.

86 Bisquertt Casa La Joya Reserve Viognier 2006
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, Chile
BC $14.95 estimated price
Orange, ginger, floral, mineral, slate aromas with a hint of butter and matchstick. Round, moderately dry, soft palate with mineral, flinty, ginger, orange blossom, light butter, apricot skin flavours. Solid if a bit warm and bitter on the finish. Good value.

86 Bouchard Aîné & Fils Chardonnella Chardonnay 2005
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, South of France, France
AB $11.99 private wine shops; BC $14.99 specialty listing
A new listing from the Boisset folks who own Bouchard Aîné & Fils, Chardonnella is a simple straight-up chardonnay from the Pays d'Oc. The wine is fresh with citrus, melon, red apple notes and a clean, dry finish. It is a very serviceable luncheon style/picnic white that will work with most dishes as opposed to against them. Solid value.

86 Carmen Chardonnay 2005
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, Chile
AB $13.00 private wine shop; BC $13.95; MB $10.99; NF $11.98; ON $9.95; QC $12.15
Another super fresh, floral, green apple scented chardonnay from Carmen. You can taste the cool Casablanca style here mixing green melon, lime rind, mineral and a touch of caramel. Perfect patio wine and the price is hard to beat.

86 Cookoothama Chardonnay 2005
Murray - Darling, Australia
BC $13.99 specialty listing
Cookoothama takes it's name for the large Riverina vineyard that is home to the fruit. It's owned by the Nugan family who have turned out an affordable everyday. Melon apples and hazelnuts mark the nose and palate with bits of smoky spice. Clean and fresh, if a bit sweet and sour. Easy sipping style chardonnay.

86 Drostdy-Hof Chardonnay 2005
South Africa
AB $10.95 private wine shop; BC $9.99 specialty listing; PEI $10.85
Mature grapes from Stellenbosch, Malmesbury and Robertson, planted at 100 to 250 metres deliver a bright, fruity citrus version of chardonnay with a nutty tropical fruit undertone. Fresh and lively. Everything you want in a $10 wine and more. Well done.

86 La Chamiza Chardonnay 2006
Mendoza, Argentina
AB $8.75; BC $7.98 general listing
Surprisingly fresh and fruity with mineral, pear and a splash of honey. Fresh and clean attack on the palate with green apple, melon and grapefruit flavours. Sweet but balanced and will have mass appeal at this price point. A super patio sipper.

86 La Vieille Ferme Côtes du Luberon Blanc 2005 Grenache Blanc - Bourboulenc - Ugni Blanc - Roussanne
Côtes du Lubéron, Provence, South of France, France
AB $12.00; BC $12.99 specialty listing; NS $11.66; ON $11.30; QC $13.30
Floral, lemon oil, quince, nutty, buttery, citrus nose. Clean, round, fresh, dry style with buttery, lemon oil, citrus rind, slate, pear skin flavours with a light floral, orange peel finish. Solid food wine.

86 St. Hallett Poacher's Blend Semillon Sauvignon 2006 Sémillon - Sauvignon Blanc
Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia
AB $11.95 private wine shops; BC $12.99 specialty listing; MB $11.95; NS $15.00; ON $14.15; QC $15.10
Grassy, canned grapefruit, mineral, floral nose. Fresh, round, zesty palate with grapefruit, honey, mineral, butter flavours with a rind-y, slightly sour finish. Good value.

86 McWilliam's Hanwood Chardonnay 2004
South Eastern Australia, Australia
AB $14.99; BC $14.99 general listing; MB $12.99; NS $14.99; ON $11.95 general listing; SK $14.99
Baked apple, melon, buttered popcorn, pear aromas. Fresh, round, somewhat sweet entry with cream, buttered popcorn, citrus, apple, melon flavours. Good freshness but a bit too sweet and sour.

86 Nederburg Chardonnay 2004
Western Cape, South Africa
AB $10.99; BC $12.99 specialty listing; ON $13.45
A nice improvement over the previous year offering a clean mineral, red and apple and citrus rind nose with a dusting of bread dough. Round on the palate with mineral, leesy, red apple, buttery flavours with a clean crisp finish. Well done, fresh style that works well with shellfish and assorted light seafood dishes.

86 Pasqua Soave 2005 Garganega - Trebbiano
Soave, Verona, Veneto, Italy
BC $10.41 specialty listing
Pear, floral, wet slate nose with an herbal note. Ripe, full, round and dry with good acidity. Green apple skin, pear, buttery, floral, citrus flavours. A bit warm but solid and well balanced for an easy seafood wine. Good value.

86 Stone Cellars Chardonnay 2005
California, United States
AB $14.00 private wine shops; BC $13.99 specialty listing; MB $13.49 private wine shops; NF $14.95; ON $14.15; PEI $15.95; QC $14.95; SK $14.95
Stone Cellars has made the effort to modernise its chardonnay and the 2005 is the best yet. The entry is soft and is California approachable but the fruit is fresh. Its creamy lees textures mix well with the acidity in essence making this a much wine for food. Good value in useful, mid-week, chardonnay.

86 Voga Pinot Grigio 2005
Veneto, Italy
BC $14.99 specialty listing
Fresh aromas of citrus with bits of almond nutty lemon oil. On the palate there are grassy, honey, lime rind, nutty notes. The finish is dry and clean with honey, floral, baked apple nuances. Simple sushi wine.

85 Caliterra Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2006
Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, Chile
BC $12.10 specialty listing; QC $11.75
Fresh nervy notes mark the nose of this simple white that hails form a cool year in Chile. Tropical fruits with an herbaceous undertone and a touch of passion fruit. Fairly smooth on the palate with lime rind and sweaty, mineral notes on the finish.

85 Finca Flichman Misterio Chardonnay 2005
Mendoza, Argentina
BC $12.99 speculative listing - Charton-Hobbs
A new label from Finca Flichman that explores the mid/entry level chardonnay. A splash of oak adds a vanilla sheen to its floral, nutty fruit flavours. Round soft and very easy sipping. Sip solo or serve with white meats and pasta.

85 Juno Chardonnay 2006
Robertson, Breede River Valley, South Africa
BC $12.95 speculative listing - Next Beverage
Fresh melon oaky style chardonnay with butter and orange flecks on the nose. Round entry with more mineral orange and lime rind flavours rind. It's alcoholic for the structure but otherwise sound. An easy sipping chardonnay you should chill down on hot summer day and serve liberally on the patio.

85 Round Hill Chardonnay 2004
California, United States
AB $13.95 private wine shops; BC $14.99 specialty
Very approachable soft round easy sipping style of California chardonnay. The colour looks a bit tired but the wine is still fresh offering citrus green apple with a touch or orange blossom. The finish is even smoother with caramel butter highlights. Simple but attractive style. Needs drinking.

85 Santa Carolina Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2006
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, Chile
AB $11.75 private wine shop; BC $12.99 specialty listing; MB $11.26; NF $11.11; ON $11.95
Open canned grapefruit nose with flecks of asparagus, lime rind and passion fruit. The palate is a touch soapy but otherwise fresh with more lime rind and grapefruit in the finish. Solid entry level sauvignon.

87 La Vieille Ferme Côtes du Ventoux Rosé 2005 Grenache - Shiraz - Mourvèdre - Cinsault
Côtes-du-Ventoux, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, France
AB $12.00; BC $13.87 specialty listing; ON $10.95 general listing; QC $13.90
Attractive, pale raspberry colour. Very floral, raspberry, strawberry, mineral, citrus and rhubarb nose. Dry, round, soft, easy style with earthy, mineral, floral, raspberry and sour cherry flavours. Good balance if a bit lean, now under screwcap which really lifts the fruit. Perfect luncheon wine.

88 Southern Most Red 2006 Merlot - Malbec - Cabernet Sauvignon
Patagonia, Southern Region, Mendoza, Argentina2
BC $13.03 specialty listing
I really like this Argentine blend from Bodega Del Fin de Mundo. The end of the earth winery has employed global wine consultant Michel Rolland and he's paying early dividends. The mix is merlot, malbec, and cabernet sauvignon. It has the smoky savoury Argentine notes on the nose and the earthy peppery fruity mid-palate with just enough acidity to keep it interesting. This is a serous contender for the barbecue red of the summer. The price is incredibly sensible for a simple red that over delivers and is so natural it is all but certified organic. Hamburgers, grilled beef, casseroles and stews will all fit the bill.

87 Casillero del Diablo Merlot 2005
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, Chile
AB $11.95; BC $13.33 specialty listing; MB $11.39; NB $12.49; NF $11.64; NS $12.95; ON $11.85; SK $13.10
The merlot comes out of Chile's Central valley about 70 per cent is aged in small American oak barrels for 8 months. The style is ripe, sweet, juicy red wine with savoury spiced fruitcake and olive notes. Fine quality for the price.

87 Michel Torino Altimus 2003 Malbec - Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot
Cafayate, Calchaqui Valley, Salta, Northern Region, Argentina2
US $50.00 retail
Smoky, saddle leather, tobacco, peppery, savoury, chocolate, vanilla aromas with a bit of cedar bark and cherry jam. Dry, somewhat tight palate with some young, cedar-y tannins. Lots of vanilla, savoury, tobacco, soy, peppery, floral, cedar, cherry, chocolate flavours. A bit dry and austere on the finish with tight tannins. High altitude red malbec blend.

87 Michel Torino Ciclos Malbec - Merlot 2004 Malbec - Merlot
Calchaqui Valley, Salta, Northern Region, Argentina2
MB $19.05
Spicy, chocolate, peppery, floral, cherry, slightly meaty nose with a touch of licorice root. Dry, round, slightly tannic palate but full bodied. Cedar, tobacco, cherry, cassis, leather, licorice, vanilla flavours. Good intensity if a bit rustic and tannic on the finish.

87 Pascual Toso Malbec 2005
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, Argentina2
AB $9.99 private wine shops; BC $11.99 specialty listing; MB $11.99
Big savoury, gamey, spicy, menthol, black cherry, cedar, licorice, shoe leather aromas. Ripe, round, fat, full bodied style with smooth tannins. Peppery, menthol, black cherry, orange, cedar, tobacco, savoury flavours. Continued good value and intensity.

86 Casillero del Diablo Carmenère 2005
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, Chile
AB $11.95; BC $13.98 general listing; MB $11.30; NS $11.54; ON $12.55
Typically spicy with that smoky resin, black olive nose but in the case of Casillero always with brighter, fruit, vanilla aromas. This is fun smoky, spicy, cherry flavoured red with tobacco, cedar and coffee notes. Raw but easily tamed by grilled beef.

86 Chaman de Santa Cruz Carmenère Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 Carmenère - Cabernet Sauvignon
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, Chile
BC $13.99 estimated price
A simple straight-up carmenère cabernet blend with some bright up front fruit. Look for cassis and raspberries followed by some earthy, minty chocolate notes and a touch of cigar ash. A soft easy-sipping red you can serve liberally around the barbecue. Decent value.

86 Illuminati Riparosso Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2005
Abruzzo, Italy
BC $14.95 Specialty
It's amazing what a sunny, warm vintage will do for some of Italy's lesser lights. This Montepulciano has put on some weight and texture to go with its smoky, peppery, licorice, plum flavours and firm acidity. It's now a very enjoyable spaghetti red that offers value for money. Look for this to show up on the Italian/Mediterranean wine list circuit.

86 La Chamiza Cabernet Merlot 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot
Mendoza, Argentina
AB $7.50; BC $8.95 general listing; ON $7.55
Another fine edition for this dirt cheap red. Love the savoury gamey chocolate notes with the requisite black fruit. Liable supple palate with more mocha, tobacco, spicy, black cherry meaty flavours. An attractive, inexpensive red wine bargain.

86 Michel Torino Coleccion Pinot Noir 2004
Calchaqui Valley, Salta, Northern Region, Argentina2
NS $21.95 private wine shops
Very floral, red berry fruit, leafy, celery root aromas. Dry, round, elegant palate with light tannins. Fresh with raspberry, leafy, mineral, spicy flavours. Simple, easy style with some finesse for current drinking with food.

86 Montresor Nero del Nago 2004 Corvina - Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon
Veneto, Italy
BC $13.99 speculative listing - The Seacove Group
Floral, spicy, smoky, gamey, rubbery, lifted cherry nose. Round, dry, slightly tannic palate with earthy, tobacco, cherry, cedar, mocha, cassis flavours. Simple, easy, slightly chunky style.

86 Straccali Chianti 2005 Sangiovese - Canaiolo Nero - Merlot.
Tuscany, Italy
AB $11.99 private wine shop; BC $13.99 speculative listing - Saverio Schiralli; ON $10.58 general listing
Meaty, floral, cherry, leather aromas. Round, ripe, supple, balanced palate with cherry, chocolate, tobacco, earth and meaty flavours. Simple, ripe, forward-style Chianti at a fair price.

86 Talamonti Moda Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2003
Abruzzo, Italy
BC $14.99 specialty listing
I was hoping for a bit more richness from such a warm year but the Moda remains a bit tight and dry on entry with simple, grapey, earthy fruit flavours. More of a tumbler red for a rustic, mid-week meal. Best at a place like Salt in Gastown where the rich, cured meats will tame the acidity and dryness.

86 Vitae Sangiovese Puglia 2004
Apulia, Italy
BC $13.25 specialty listing
Smoky, resin, spicy, plum jam nose with black pepper, floral, rootsy, game notes. Dry, soft, round and supple with plum, cherry, spicy, smoky, licorice root flavours. Simple, easy going food wine with a solid fruit core and solid value.

85 Aymura Pedro Jimenez 2005
Coquimbo Region, Chile
BC $12.49 specialty listing
Very floral, buttery, matchstick, almond, peach skin aromas with a bit of lime. Round, soft, fresh style with lemon oil, baked apple, butter, perfumy, spicy flavours. Warm, long finish. An unusual aromatic expression of fruit and herb that may go well with Indian dishes.

85 Finca Flichman Malbec Oak Aged 2005
Mendoza, Argentina2
BC $10.99 specialty listing
Light purple colour previews a smoky rubbery black fruit nose. The entry is soft and round with more rubber notes mixed with black fruit. The finish is smooth and stylish for the price. Good value that you can enhance by decanting this red for 30 minutes. Serve liberally around the barbecue.

85 Frontera Carmenère 2006
Region del Valle Central, Chile
BC $8.99 general listing
Carmenère can be an acquired taste but once you acclimatise to the leafy black olive tobacco aromas and flavours you can usually get plenty of bang for your buck. Definitely dry and earthy but with supple tannins and some black fruit and smoky tobacco notes. A decent barbecue red.

85 La Chamiza Merlot - Malbec 2005 Merlot - Malbec
Mendoza, Argentina
BC $8.95 specialty listing
Mixing malbec and merlot will appeal to those who like their sippers soft and this price point who can blame them. Savoury berry fruit and a pinch of pepper make this a very serviceable hamburger red.

85 Mapu Cabernet Sauvignon Carmenère 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon - Carmenère
Region del Valle Central, Chile
BC $10.99 specialty listing; QC $12.45
Mapu means earth in the native Mapuche language of Chile and it's the earth that highlights the licorice and spice and cigar ash in this red. Made with purchased fruit this is entry-level stuff you can use around the barbecue, any sort of grilled meat dishes should work with it and help smooth out the dry leafy edges.

85 Spinelli Quartana Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2004
Abruzzo, Italy
BC $8.99 specialty listing
Meaty, prune, smoky, peppery, cherry nose showing a bit of reduction. Fresh, round, dry, slightly tannic entry. Cherry, plum, meaty, spicy, rootsy flavours. A bit tart and lean on the finish but has decent fruit intensity. Solid rib wine at a good price.