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Rick's
Picks - November 2008
by Rick VanSickle
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I'm
a sucker for the lovely, earthy, flavour-packed
Chianti Classicos from Italy. They
represent some of the best food wines
on the planet.
One
of the finest makers of good Chianti
for the money is Barone Ricasolio,
the oldest winery in Italy with
a history that dates back to the
12th century. This historic winery
can be trusted vintage in and vintage
out but every few years or so, I
am totally blown away by the regular
bottling of the popular and plentiful
Chianti Classico.
Ricasoli
Brolio Chianti Classico 2006 ($24)
The
Brolio 2006 is made from an excellent
growing season that benefited from
a late fall blast of hot days and
cool nights just before harvest.
The heating and cooling produced
wines with superb aromatics, complexity
and high alcohol levels. For $24
you get beautiful earthy, dark fruit
aromas with licorice and vanilla-oak
spice. It's smooth and flavourful
on the palate with blackberry, cherry
and raspberry flavours wrapped up
in brilliant (but not heavy handed)
oak. The key to this great vintage
(make sure it's 2006) is the wonderful
balance. Stock up and enjoy for
years to come.
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Some
other reds and whites to enjoy now:
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Ricasoli
Campo Ceni 2006 ($13)
Another
Tuscan gem and no one needs
to know the price. Made primarily
with Sangiovese grapes, the
nose is about ripe blackberries,
violets and anise. A good
little quaffer that's loaded
with fruit and just a touch
of toasted oak.
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Flor
de Crasto 2006 ($10)
A
recession-proof red from Portugal's
Douro region that's brimming
with red berries and plum
aromas. It delivers a mouth
of cherry fruit and savoury
spices.
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Wolf
Blass Premium Selection Chardonnay
2005 ($20)
From
South Australia, this white
always delivers more for less.
Loaded with pear, pineapple
and figs to go with notes
of vanilla and butterscotch
on the nose. This is a big
Chardonnay with full flavours
of peach, pear, citrus on
a solid foundation of oak
spice that echos on the finish.
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Prospect
Winery Birch Canoe
Pinot Blanc 2006 ($18)
I'm
a sucker for Okanagan Pinot
Blanc, particularly when made
without oak, such as this.
Good vibrant, fresh citrus
notes on the nose and palate
with lemon zest, tropical
fruits, a touch of minerality
and good acidity. A fresh
and exciting new brand from
the westcoast, which is essentially
a spinoff of the Mission Hill
brand of wines from the Okanagan
Valley. The brand is a welcome
addition to the mid-tier range
of Canadian wines.
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Prospect
Winery Larch Tree Hill Riesling
2007 ($17)
A
nice bead of lemon, lime and
peach on the nose. The fruit
carries to the palate. Crisp
and clean in a dry style.
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