quicksearch
Gismondi on Wine 2005 Our Top 100by Anthony Gismondi and Stuart TobeWe taste thousands of wines a year including a large number of wines that are no longer available through traditional retail channels.
Gismondi on Wine 2005 Our Top 100
by Anthony Gismondi and Stuart Tobe
We taste thousands of wines a year including a large number of wines that are no longer available through traditional retail channels. This list is our top 100 picks that for the most part were released in 2005. Some may still be available somewhere in your market at better wine shops or on auction. Notes and prices are from the year they were tasted.
Number 1
98 Penfolds Blocks 42 Kalimna Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia, BC $330.00 estimated B.C. retail, AB $330.00 estimated retail, ON $330.00
Block 42 is hallowed vineyard ground. First planted in 1886 vines it is the oldest cabernet sauvignon vineyard in all Oz and is said by Penfolds to contain vines of 'ancient genetic disposition.' For over 110 years the vines planted on their own rootstock have given some of the most flavourful mineral rich fruit seen anywhere in the world. In 2004 Block 42 sings again - black fruits, chocolate power, grip and gobs of weight and length. This is a blockbuster cabernet in the sense of Latour, Montebello and or Cullen with a long life ahead of it. Both the 2004 Bin 60A and Block 42 will be priced just above Grange. In Ontario, the pre-release price was $330. In fact, it was a steal when compared to the recent Christie's auction price in New York City where a six-pack of 2004 Bin 60A sold for US $4935.00, or US $822 per bottle. That converts to AUS $1084.54 per bottle that according to Langton's auction house in Australia, set a new record for highest ever price for a new release 750ml bottle of Australian wine. (AG-ST)
No.2
En primeur the latest reincarnation of Bin60A began with select parcels of Coonawarra cabernet mixed with Koonunga Hill and Magill shiraz. The finished wine holds 56 per cent Block 20 Coonawarra cabernet and 44 per cent shiraz from Kalimna Blocks 4 and 14 and 44 and Koonunga Hill Block 53G all hand-picked and fermented in stainless steel and open top vessels before finishing the process in 300 litre new French oak barriques for 15 months. The nose is young and powerful showing predominately dark fruit (plums) and raisins with black pepper, macchiato and nutty leather nuances. Fabulous structure and weight and no doubt destined for greatness. Winemaker Peter Gago and his team are counting on the longer hang tine and flavours to place the classic Bin 60A label back onto the tasting circuit for decades to come. One to watch. Both the 2004 Bin 60A and Block 42 will be priced just above Grange. In Ontario, the pre-release price was $330. In fact, it was a steal when compared to the recent Christie's auction price in New York City where a six-pack of 2004 Bin 60A sold for US $4935.00, or US $822 per bottle. That converts to AUS $1084.54 per bottle that according to Langton's auction house in Australia, set a new record for highest ever price for a new release 750ml bottle of Australian wine. (AG-ST)
No.3
97 Glaetzer Amon Ra Shiraz 2004 Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia BC $84.99 specialty, AB $72.99 fine wine boutiques, MB $76.99 private wine shops, ON $100.00
Amon-Ra, the King of all Gods is Ben Glaetzer's moniker for his best shiraz. After a difficult '03 vintage, where a single day's rain wiped out most of the crop, the '04 Amon-Ra is all it can be and more. Glaetzer is all about the purity of the fruit and with overnight temperatures in the 18 to 25 degree range, he appears to have a handle on the acidity question as well. The 105 to 115 year-old vines are situated in the Northern Ebenezer region of Barossa. The oak is a 40/60 mix of American/French, and it's all new. Spicy nutmeg black fruit scented flavours melt across the palate. Dense rich and powerful this is a considerable jump in quality and quantity over the '03. Love the savoury undertones and the supple fine-grained tannins. Very hedonistic without going over the top. There are only 12,000 bottles for the world. Definitely, a bargain among top end Barossa shiraz. (AG)
No. 4
97 Château de Beaucastel Hommage à Jacques Perrin 2001 Grenache - Mourvèdre - Syrah - Counoise Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, France BC $250.00 private wine shops, AB $200.00 fine wine boutiques, ON $239.00 Vintages, QC $231.00
The Hommage à Jacques Perrin is a 60/20/10/10 blend of mourvèdre/grenache/counoise/syrah and in the case of the mourvèdre ― it is all extremely old, low-yielding vines. To say this is a cult wine is an understatement. Just finding some is an accomplishment and getting to taste it even more challenging. But unlike too many 'cult' wines, Hommage delivers. To date it has honoured Jacques Perrin in 1989, '90, '94, '95, '98, '99, 2000 and 2001. I haven't tasted any previous editions but I can tell you the 2001 is the real deal. The '01 is just losing its baby fat and sweet edge as the mourvèdre begins to dominate. Rich dense, clean and with peppery, savoury meaty flavours and soft supple tannins. A monster in waiting that should sleep comfortably for a decade or more in bottle. Drink it if you must but cellar if you can. Approx. 5000 bottles produced. (AG-ST)
No. 5
96 Jim Barry La Florita Riesling 2004 Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia BC $47.00 speculative listing - Charton Hobbs
Sometimes a wine just knocks you off your feet and that is what happened when I tasted the 04 'The Florita.' The vineyard is in Watervale, Clare Valley and was made famous, at least to those in the know in Oz, by the folks at Leo Buring. Peter Barry tells me they checked the rights to the vineyard name for years and somewhere in the Southcorp / Rosemount / Foster's transition, someone forgot to renew the moniker and the historic La Florita name has re-surfaced under the Jim Barry line-up. A stunningly clean, fresh, mineral nose with citrus throughout. Balanced, long and simply perfect this is exceptional, bone dry riesling. The screw cap assures this wine will live for half a century or more. Fabulous. (AG-ST)
No. 6
96 Hartford Court Chardonnay Seascape Vineyard 2003 Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, United States BC $54.99 speculative listing - Summit Fine Wines, AB $46.99 fine wine boutiques, US $50.00 retail
Fog seldom leaves the six-acre coastal vineyard that is one of the coolest and further west in California. Intense green apple skin with floral notes and exotic hints of orange zest make this highly appealing before you sip it. Less than two tons per acre assure the flavours are intense and the cool site keeps them clean and fresh. Look for a nutty citrus, leesy nectarine / orange flavoured chardonnay that make this a one-of-a-kind chardonnay. (AG)
No. 7
96 Benziger Tribute 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon - Cabernet Franc - Merlot - Petit Verdot Sonoma Mountain, Sonoma County, California, United States BC $99.95 Specialty
The second release of Tribute may be even better than the very fine inaugural 2001. Year two appears to have a finer tannin structure and a slightly softer demeanour - perhaps it's the increase in merlot from 11 to 21 per cent. The aromas mix liquorice black olives and cassis with flecks of milk chocolate and tobacco. The entry is silky, the tannins soft and the flavour packed full of black cherries, earth, chocolate and tobacco. Tribute is aged for 19 months in French oak (35% new barrels) and approximately 1 year in bottle before release. It is unfiltered and unfined. The blend is 51/21/21/7 cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc and petit verdot. This one to lie away for a decade. (AG-ST)
No. 8
96 Jim Barry The Armagh Shiraz 2002 Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia BC $125.00 specialty, AB $125.00 fine wine boutiques
The dense colour signals another big Armagh It may not be as firm as previous editions but rich, lush, weighty and intense are all fine descriptors. The black pepper and blueberry aromas continue on the palate with a touch of cola and smoky leather. The consummate blockbuster that actually has the stuffing to back it up. You can drink it now or hold it for a decade. Very fine. (AG-ST)
No. 9
96 Yalumba The Octavius Edition VII 1996 Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia BC $72.95 Speculative - Marfful Consultants
A perfect season in Barossa accounts for the 72/38 fruit split between Barossa and Eden Valley. The colour is still dark and the nose ebullient. Look for vanilla chocolate, plums figs liquorice and spice. On the palate, the textures are sleek and supple with gorgeous fine slippery tannins. Love the deep berry fruit flavours and the warm long velvety finish. Outstanding and one of the first year's to take advantage of the on-site seasoned wood. (AG-ST)
No. 10
96 Artadi Viña El Pison Rioja 1996 Rioja Alavesa, Rioja, Spain BC $350.00 speculative listing - Liquid Art Fine Wines, AB $265.00 fine wine boutiques
A single, 208-hectare vineyard that appears under the Viña El Pisón label only in exceptional years. Resin, garrigue, saddle leather, gamey, meaty, white pepper notes with cigar and black cherry flecks. Fat, rich, and dry on entry showing some heat, but well balanced too. Big smoky, resin, peppery, cigar, liquorice root, black cherry, compote, orange, bitter chocolate flavours. Long, rich, intense and still very young. Needs 3-7 years. Very fine. (AG-ST)
The complete list is available here
