Which new wines have appealed to you lately?

We have similar threads on wine forums....what are you opening this weekend/which wine did you enjoy last weekend and so on.
So I thought maybe give this idea a whirl? Have you noted any new wine arrivals in your area recently? Maybe listing them here might encourage some discussion so lets see eh.

Downtown today, on the tasting bar, I found the following samples/probable new listings from various agents.....>

`07 Herdade dos Grous Alentejo.
`07 Montepulciano d`Abruzzo La Quercia.
`05 Cambria Syrah Tepusquet Vineyard.
`06 Cien y Pico Knights Errant, Manchuela Sp.

Any thoughts or comments welcome!

Bob
Always keeping my eye out at auction, but they're rarely 'new' wines. I'm not too hopeful of snagging many though, as auction prices went through the roof here this year.

More generally, there are areas I'm keen to explore, such as:
- Dao (covered recently on Open Mike and whilst enthusiasm is dampened, I'm still keen to find some in the style I seek)
- Southern France. The Mourvedre Open Mike was also a bonus here, and I'm slowly dipping my toes in the water.
- Other countries (apart from Italy) attempts at Nebbiolo. Prices are a bit of a turn-off though, as £25-40 for unproven wines is a big hurdle.
- Plenty of others. There are thousands of wines I'd like to try. Over time, I'll chip away at them.

As for the wines listed - sorry, no experience with those wines at all.

regards

Ian

A Pinot from Chile
A Gewurztraminer from Italy
A dessert wine from the region next to Sauternes (don't remember the name)

Not this year's personal discoveries but in the last couple the following have opened up new perspectives -

Bierzo (Mencia)
Valdeorras (Godello)
Etna rosso and bianco (Nerello Mascarese-R- and Carricante -W)

I have ploughed more furrows in France than elsewhere but am deepening my appreciation of Jurançon and Jura. Another revelation was Chardonnay from Limoux in Languedoc, which had a freshness and minerality rare so far South in the Northern hemisphere.

I think that there are more discoveries to be made in Spain where new appellations and grape varieties still seem to be coming onto the radar screen; my main plea to the Spaniards is to go easy on the new oak so as to avoid obscuring original flavours. I would also like to learn more about German pinot noir, Portugal and Greece but I have yet to find enterprising and dynamic importers such as exist with Spanish and Italian wine.

We had some family come over the last weekend and they brought over a bottle of 1998 Beaucastel; I have to say that I was pleased. It went very well with the food and the atmosphere that we had going on.

A Pinot from Chile
A Gewurztraminer from Italy
A dessert wine from the region next to Sauternes (don't remember the name)

Sam, was it Loupiac?

Deb, did you note any brett tones with the Beaucastel.

Tim, as you know from my notes, Portugal is offering up some very good whites as well as nicely structured reds.

A dessert wine from the region next to Sauternes (don't remember the name)

Barsac?
Cadillac?
Cerons?
Loupiac?
Saint Croix du Mont?

Some bottles I have seen in the last month but had never seen before:

A Pinot Noir from Italy (did not try)
A Pinot Noir from Argentina (also did not try)
A Zinfandel from Australia (excellent)
A Pinot Noir from Languedoc-Roussillon (I was expecting worse)

I think it would be of interest to find out if anyone has seen any wines from Cornelissen?

http://www.wineanorak.com/frank_cornelissen.htm

I think it would be of interest to find out if anyone has seen any wines from Cornelissen?

http://www.wineanorak.com/frank_cornelissen.htm

Sure. They're quite the topic of debate. Have you had any?

No, not here. I looked around when in London but did not hit the jackpot.
Hope things going well for you Rahsaan!

[David M. Bueker]

I am starting my investigation of 2008 Gemans, as well as doing test drives of 2004 Piemonte reds. I am also into my annual Champagne mini-splurge, though it's more to replace stock than just to pop and pour for the holidays.

Finally got my hands on some Vissoux (Chermette) Beaujolais for the cellar as well a little while back, along with a killer deal on some 2005 Zind Humbrecht Gewurztraminers (and a little Muscat) that should arrive next week. Oh, and finally going to try some of the Wind Gap wines (Pax Mahle's new venture) as well as some Southern French bits and pieces.

No, not here. I looked around when in London but did not hit the jackpot

I think like many people I've had some nice wines and some funky wines, and I have not been convinced that it is worth paying the exorbitant prices for the Magma. But I haven't tasted the Magma either so that's purely speculation.

Been going through a lot of 08 Germans lately that have been hitting the shelves at Crush and Table& Vine. Generally lots of reasonably priced, refreshing and food-friendly options there keeping me happy.

Among new experiences; I attended an OL a couple of weeks ago (Dale posted notes) for cassoulet and mostly Southern French wines. Got to try Juracon sec, Irouleguy blanc, Cahors, Madiran and proper Cornas (only previous experiences were with more internationally-styled bottlings from Tardieu-Laurent and JL Colombo). Really enjoyed the red experiences (struggled with the Jura and Irouleguy), and do plan on exploring Madiran and Cornas in more depth. Just got some 2000 Verset Cornas too that I'm looking for an occasion to open soon.

Also been exploring cru Beaujolais and Loire reds a bit more - just bought some Roilette Fleurie Cuvee Tardive, and opened a Baudry Franc de Pied a few nights ago that was stunning. Lots of new interesting stuff to experiment with!

and opened a Baudry Franc de Pied a few nights ago that was stunning.

Salil, aren`t you already an Honorary Loire-head?!!

Barsac?
Cadillac?
Cerons?
Loupiac?
Saint Croix du Mont?

Saint Croix du Mont is it! I picked up a Chatueau du Tich (?) from the region that was an excellent QPR at $18. The wine is not as dense and layered as the Sauterenes, but it shows excellent honey and pear notes.

I saw and tried a bottle of 2006 Conde-Starke Cab Sauv from South Africa a couple of days ago. I was very impressed with the wine: lovely mouthfeel, rich without being overwrought, nice structure and a pretty good value. Still young but ready to go after a 4 hour decant.

Great tip John. I have been looking for something drinkable from SA! We all know the stories of past experiences...rubber, green so on!

http://www.stark-conde.co.za/index.html

Just back from a couple of weeks on our "wet" west coast in Tofino and Victoria.

When we travel we try to "drink local" and had a number of good British Columbia wines that we cannot find or more to the point "afford" here in Alberta....Canadian wine prices are a scandal here.

The one I enjoyed the most was the 2007 Tinhorn Creek Cabernet Franc that I picked up at the Broughton Street VQA store in Victoria for $17.00. None of that grassy, green bell pepper, underripe flavours that I often associate with cab franc.

I had read about it in the Globe & Mail and went for a walk in a west coast "monsoon" and picked up a bottle somewhat to the surprise of the clerk who had behind the 2007 vintage. A couple of days later I picked up their last bottle as apparently the "word was out".

Tasted through Matt Cline's lineup at his new place called "Three". Mostly old vine Contra Costa stuff. Very nice.

I've been enjoying Chilean Carmenere and Argentine Malbec quite a bit lately. The Rhones in my cellar are feeling neglected.

Great to hear from you Bob. Are you retired and retarded now! Will look for that Tinhorn asap. Seems Liquor Depot might have it but which vintage?

Doug, which Carmenere do you rec?

Today whilst looking around downtown I found a "Petit Sirah", not "Durif", from Rutherglen Estates. Wonder if they are labelling this like that for the USA market???
The Luis Pato sparkling Baga red is back too (Portugal).

Bob - I've enjoyed Panilonco (3.99 at Trader Joes) and Casillero del Diablo (Concha y Toro) but my current favorite is the Santa Rita Reserve Carmenere. It's got lots of stuffing behind the distinctive Carmenere profile. Earthy/dusty with red fruit and spices.

Thought I might pick up a new listing here. A Radford Dale Chenin Blanc, SA. There is also a `07 Chasseloir Muscadet (Ramee) that I need to add to the cellar!