Greetings, winelovers,
Finally! Our new Room 6 Fine Wine Room is ready to go! The recipients
of this newsletter are invited to our opening this Friday, Nov. 19 from 4
P.M. to 8 P.M. or Saturday, November 20 from 4 P.M. to 8 P.M. Come in and
see what we have, enjoy a glass of wine, and enter a draw for prizes.
We have received too many new wines since the last newsletter to include in this
newletter, but I will describe as many as I think is reasonable.
The wines:
It's been so long that I've had any good wines from South Africa, and these
next three were worth waiting for.
Saxenburg Private Collection Pinotage 2000 from South Africa. Deep, dark
color with a young purple rim. Full ripe plummy flavor rounded off with clean
oak, vanilla and violets. Full bodied , elegant and a long finish. Excellent
wine with great style.
Saxenburg Private Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 from South Africa.
Deep color. Clean, elegant minty flavors. Very concentrated. Will mature
excellently over 10 - 15 years. Great with all red meat dishes and cheese.
Saxenburg Private Collection Shiraz 2000 from South Africa. Lively
subtle fruit and peppery aroma. warm spicy flavors and hints of coffee strike a
fine balance between fruit and tannins. Well balanced, full bodied and should
develop as a great shiraz over the next 10 years. Ideal with steak, cheese and
full flavored meat dishes. www.saxenburg.com
Sandhill VQA Pinot Gris 2002 from British Columbia. Pinot Gris is
certainly a hit this year, and this one is great. It has flavors of pear with a
hint of honeyed spice. Also has some spice and toastiness from barrel
fermentation in French oak. Just over $16.
Ironstone Vineyards Obsession Symphony 2003 from California The
Symphony grape was developed over 50 years ago from a cross of Muscat and
Grenache Gris. A harmony of fragrances and pleasant fruit flavors. Drink by
itself or as an accompaniment to any spicy dish. Just over $13. www.ironstonevineyards.com
Yalumba Viognier 2003. South Australia A rare grape variety that is
also known as one of the most delicious and seductive wines in the world.
Golden in color with a heady perfume of honeysuckle. Intense lemon and hints
of spice. Palate is rich, luscious and silky with citrus, tropical fruit and
lychee flavors. Under $15. www.yalumba.com
Peter Lehmann Barossa GSM 2002 from Australia The Grenache provides
softness and palate sweetness, shiraz gives a superb richness and structure
while the spicy, peppery wildness comes from the Mourvedre. Has hints of
chocolate, liquorice and dark plums. Soft textured w a long persistent finish.
Excellent with a healthy casserole or spicy foods. Just over $18. www.peterlehmannwines.com.au
Peter Lehmann The Furures Shiraz 2001 from Australia Classic Barossa
Shiraz. Has a richness of flavors--dark plums with mocha chocolate. Balanced
structure witha superb finish. Excellent with lamb, rich casseroles or strong
cheeses. I just had it with spicy Cajun food. What a perfect match! Just over
$23.
Peter LehmannMentor 1999 from Australia This is Lehmann's flagship
Cabernet Sauvignon and is blended with Merlot, Shiraz and Maqlbec. Deep black
red color with flavors of forest fruits and dark chocolate. Full bodied with a
firm tannic finish. Will improve over the next 4-5 years. Under $34.
Tinhorn Creek Pinot Noir VQA 2001. British Columbia This is but one of
a number of fine Pinots coming out of BC. About $15.
Sandhill Burrowing Owl Vineyards Merlot VQA 2001. Okanagan Valley, BC.
Concentrated blackberry aromas and flavors. Rich and smooth with plenty of
soft integrated tannins and a long finish. Under $18. www.sandhillwines.ca
Sandhill Burrowing Owl Vineyards Cabernet Merlot VQA 2002. Okanagan Valley,
BC. Deep colored with flavors of dark cherries and hints of bittersweet
chocolate.
Under $18.
St. Hallett Barossa Gamekeepers Reserve 2002. South Australia.
Grenache, Shiraz, Touriga and Mourvedre. Full flavored and medium bodied.
Generous gamey, juicy raspberry with spicy pepper, with an earthy texture. Onoaked.
Enjoy now with light meats, poultry game and vegetarian dishes. Under $13.
Lake Breeze Pinot Blanc VQA 2002. British Columbia. This consistent
award winner is beautifully balanced, with intense flavors of green apples and
tropical fruit. About $16. www.lakebreezewinery.ca
Montes Alpha Chardonnay 2003. Chile. Subtle, elegant. Selected as the
best Chardonnay in the world by Vin Italy! Under $21.
Charles Cimicky The Pressings Grenache 2000. Barossa Valley, South
Australia. Intense concentration of flavors. True essence of Grenache has
been captured. A superb wine. Under $29.
Stoneleigh Marlborough Pinot Noir 2001 from New Zealand. Classic
Marlborough wine that displays a fragrant bouquet of red berry fruit coupled
with savory spice. Soft supple palate has lingering sweet fruit and fine
velvety tannins. About $17.
Penfolds Club Tawny Port from South Australia. A rich and lushious tawny
port from the Kalimna Cellars in the Barossa Valley. Superb value! $12 - $13.
Quails Gate Chenin Blanc 2003. Okanagan Valley, B.C. Refreshing palate
that abounds with flavors of melon, citrus and green apple, complemented by
herbaceous tones. A dry, crisp wine that has aromas of crushed green leaves,
passion fruit and grapefruit. Pair with oysters, mussels, halibut and other
seafood. About $15.
Peter Lehmann The Barossa Reserve Riesling 1998 from South Australia.
Delicate green, gold color, a bouquet of fresh toast, honey and limes, and a
crisp, austere palate. Cellar with confidence for at least another five years.
Gold medal winner at the Sydney Wine Show, as well as the Hobart Wine Show.
About $19.
Wynn's Coonawarra Estate Shiraz 2002 from South Australia. Ripe plum and
blackberry, with notes of black pepper and spice add to this classic shiraz.
Enhanced by black tannins and mocha oak. Under $16.
Ironstone Petite Sirah 2002 California. Exceptional fruit used to
produce highly concentrated flavors and a very dark color. Well balanced. $15
- $16.
Bleasdale Mulberry Tree Cabernet Sauvignon 2001. Langhorne Creek, South
Australia. Attractive aromas of berries and mint along with big fresh toasty
oak flavors. Dark fruit on the palate, complex and rich--good mouth feel. Can
cellar for 4-6 years. About $16.
Wynn's Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 from South Australia. A
very low yielding vintage. Small intensely flavored berries made a concentrated
wine showing excellent cabernet sauvignon varietal characteristics of mint and
cherry. If you like big cabs, you have to try this one! $16 - $17.
The Room 6 Fine Wine Room include some of these wines as well as some
surprises, even some Penfolds Bin 707.
I hope to see you this weekend.
Al from the Beer Box
York Hotel
101 St. & 101 Ave.
Grande Prairie 532 5945, or 532 1511 ext. 305. Fax 532 0617
Remember, life is too short to drink poor but not necessarily cheap wine!
Cheers,
Al (from The Beer Box)
