At Le Sommelier, we have two wines to share with you in this Saturday’s VINTAGES release. The Loan Special Reserve Semillon 2004 was made from organic grown, dry farmed and hand-harvested fruit. It was fermented in tank and has never seen any wood, and it has been ageing gracefully in bottle for 9 years and is an incredible value at $15.95!! Check out John Szabo’s 90 point review below!
Over the years, Eos Estate has garnered quite a reputation for their Petite Sirah, and after tasting the 2009 Petite Sirah, you will understand why. Not only does it taste good, but it’s also good for the environment. Eos was the first winery in the Central Coast AVA to operate on 100% solar energy! (Happy post Earth Day!) At under $20, now you’re talking value, warm and fuzzies, honest, big, full and rich red from California. You can’t go wrong. Check out the review from the Fairmont Royal York’s Sommelier extraordinaire Gint Prunskus below…
In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the wines as much as I did sourcing them for you!
Sincerely,
Le Sommelier
416.603.7026
TASTING NOTES
Eos Estate Winery Petite Sirah Paso Robles 2009
Named for the Greek goddess of dawn, this is sure to wake up your next barbecue. Good fullness to the nose, with lots of blackberry and spice. Very fruit-forward with great balance throughout and a nice long flavourful finish. Enjoy this with a grilled gourmet burger, or with a mildly spiced Mexican bean salad. (VINTAGES panel, July 2012)
Tasting note:
Has an inky, dark purple color with aromas of fruit jam, black pepper, coconut oak, and subtle tones of vanilla and grilled meat. The palate is rich, full-bodied, and finishes with a firm tannic structure.
Review:
“Dense purple with violet, sweet oak, roasted coffee and cassis aromas. The palate is ripe with black currant, vanilla and cola notes… very drinkable!”
Score: 4/5
(Gint Prunskus, Sommelier, Epic Restaurant
Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Toronto)
Varietal: 100% Petite Sirah
Region: Paso Robles, California
Price: $19.95 (per bottle)
LCBO #317677
Loan Wines Special Reserve Semillon 2004
This wine was aged 5 years in bottle before release, and it is a fascinating accomplishment. The aromas are varied and exotic with clay, yellow plum, crushed rocks, butternut squash and mineral oil. There is also a lovely birchwood complexity; think of the warm smell of a sauna. Enjoy with planked or smoked fish. (VINTAGES panel, March 2013)
Review:
“Here’s a fine value well worth discovering for intrepid, off-the-path drinkers. The colour is deep yellow gold, while the nose serves up an intriguing array of cold orange pekoe tea, tangerine, lemon crème brulée, wet hay, honey, beeswax and more – astonishing complexity for the money. The palate is mid-weight, creamy yet fresh, with excellent length and more of the same complex flavours. What a treat for $16. Try with soft cheeses, white meats, poultry or fish carpaccio with pink peppercorn.” Tasted March 2013. Value Rating: ***
Score: 90
(John Szabo, MS, Wine Align)
Varietal: 100% Semillon
Region: Barossa Valley, Australia
Price: $15.95 (per bottle)
LCBO #301127
Le Sommelier is a Certified Good Food Fighter. please support the businesses and organizations that support Good Food Revolution.
Of course I am completely biased, but Petit Sirah for <$20 is pretty rare and a must try. The Loan (as I recall from previous years) is an amazing, lovely and interesting white wine, that is ridiculously under-priced. It's fun to serve it to guests blind and get them to guess what it is.