VALUE:

Laura Hartwig ’06 Cabernet Sauvignon – Colchagua Valley, Chile
So I didn’t have much from the “dirt-cheap” end of the spectrum that I particularly enjoyed this week, but I consider this bottle to be great value at the $20 mark. Mocha (heavy on the chocolate), red fruit, hints of spearmint. Full body and some chewy tannins with a ridiculously long finish. A bold dark Chilean Cab, yet not sticky or syrupy, with good length. Limited availability at private stores. $19.99 @ Everything Wine; $20ish @ Firefly.
Food: Anything bold flavoured and beefy. A quintessential steak and potatoes wine, meatloaf, lentil dishes, aged cheddar.

LOCAL:

Tantalus ’08 Riesling – Okanagan Valley, BC
Yesterday, English wine writer Jancis Robinson posted her notes and reviews of over 100 BC wines which she tasted during her visit to BC last month. Of all the reviews, there were eight wines which she awarded 17/20 and one at 17.5/20. The Tantalus Riesling was one of the 17s which she went on to call “truly outstanding.” I’ve long considered Tantalus’ basic tier Riesling to be one of the best examples of BC wine and as it was relevant this week, decided to taste it again. Very lifted and lively, minerally and citrusy – lime, grapefruit with granny smith apple characters. There is some sweetness, however the razor sharp acidity balances it out perfectly. I don’t believe this is a wine everyone will enjoy as it has acidity that some people find uncomfortable (not to mention the acid in their Old Vines Riesling which many would describe as downright painful). But if you enjoy the leaner German Mosel Rieslings or top examples from Australia and New Zealand, it’s hard not to love the Tantalus. Fairly available at private wine shops where you’ll be hard pressed to find it for less than $28. Brewery Creek, Firefly, Liberty Granville Island all stock it.
Food: Pork in general! Anything from Memphis Blues Barbeque House. Ideally? I’ll take a plate of choucroute garnie please.

FAVOURITE:

Pfaffenheim ‘01 Tokay Pinot Gris, Grand Cru Steinert – Alsace, France
Unsurprisingly, my standout wine of the week was the Pinot Gris-redeeming bottle from Alsace I posted about yesterday. “Remarkably coconuty at first with a nose of freshly baked macaroons and spiced poached pears. The palate is a full bodied (15%!) and viscous marriage of honey and unprocessed apple juice. An astounding wine at $34.” Again, like I mentioned, it’s going to be difficult to find a bottle with 8 years of age off the shelf at this price, but the ’04s are available now. If not this wine, I urge you to revisit Alsace whites in general where you can find some world-class examples of top French white wine at a fraction of price of what you’d pay for Burgundy. Available at BCLDB, Firefly, and Everything Wine (currently out of stock).
Food: Did I already mention choucroute garnie? Indian and Asian inspired dishes (pork, chicken or tofu mainly) especially with spice as the rich mouth coating viscosity will nicely balance the heat from the food. Pfaffenheim really thinks you should drink it with Foie Gras, and frankly that sounds about perfect to me.