Of late, more and more wine and spirits agencies have been offering annual portfolio tastings. Large agencies with diversified and long portfolios represent hundreds of brands. There are now several agencies with long list of wines and have become more interested in gaining market share.
Some agencies favour brands with mass appeal and low prices; others specialize in high-end products with worldwide reputations.
Recently, I had the privilege to attend the bi-annual portfolio tasting of Halpern Enterprises. It represents some of the best wineries from several countries with worldwide reputations of quality and integrity.
A huge well appointed and illuminated venue was rented to accommodate hundreds of brands, some of which offered by the Vintages division of the L C B O, others in the Classics Collection offerings, and many on consignment, or as special imports.
There were several outstanding wines that could grace the tables of nobility, but are available to those who can afford and hopefully appreciate them. Surprisingly, many are fordable even by ordinary citizens across the country.
Here are the wines I found to be extraordinary:
The list is long and space is restricted, hence I had to omit descriptions, but you can log on to halpernwine.com to obtain all the information you need.
Their service is prompt, friendly and efficient

White Wines:

Falanghina, 2008, Terredore, Campania, Italy

Husarenkappe, 2007,Heitlinger, Rheingau, Germany

Chante Alouette, 2003, Chapoutier, Cotes du Rhone, France

Meursault, 2006, Chateau de Puligny, Burgundy, France

Morey St Denis, 2007, Remoissenet, Burgundy, France

Chardonnay, 2007, Azienda Agricola Planeta, Sicily, Italy

Chateau du Nozet, 2007, Loire, France

Chardonnay, 2006, Jordan, Sonoma County, California, U S A

Riesling, 2007, Hugel, Alsace, France

Pinot Gris, 2005, Hugel, Alsace, France

Gewurztraminer, 2005, Hugel, Alsace, France

Puligny-Montrachet Les Pucelles, 2007, Boillot, Burgundy, France

Acininobile, 2004, F. Maculan, Veneto, Italy

Cabernet France Icewine, 2007, Pillitteri, Ontario, Canada

Champagnes:

Rose, Gosset, Champagne, France

Vintage 1999 Champagne, Gosset

Red wines:

Pintia, 2006, Vega Sicilia, Toro, Spain

Valbuena, 2004, Vega Sicilia, Ribera del Duero, Spain

Twomey, 2005, Silver Oak, Napa Valley, California

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004, Silver Oak, Napa Valley, California

Santa Cecilia, 2006, Azienda Agricola Planeta, Sicily, Italy

Nero d’Avola, 2007, Morgante, Sicily, Italy

Don Antonia, 2005, Morgnate, Sicily, Italy

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005, Jordan, Sonoma County, California

Shiraz, 2006, Eleventh Hour Winery, Barossa Valley, South Australia

Volnay, 2007, Boillot, Burgundy, France

St. Chinian, 2005, Hecht et Bannier, Languedoc, France

Minervois, 2006, Hecht et Bannier, Minervois, France

Barbaresco, 2004, A. Gaja, Piedmont, Italy

Camarcanda, 2006, A. Gaja, Tuscany, Italy

Brunello di Montalcino, 2004, A. Gaja, Tuscany, Italy

Amarone della Valpolicella, 2004, Fumanelli, Veneto, Italy

Brunello di Montalcino, 2004, Fuligni, Tuscany, Italy

Arrubias, 2006, Feudi della Medusa, Sardinia, Italy

Norace, 2005, Feudi della Medusa, Sardinia, Italy

Tenuta Il Grepo Brunello di Montalcino, 2004, Biondi-Santi, Tuscany, Italy

Barolo, 2004, Conterno, Piedmont, Italy

Olive Hill, 2006, Grant Burge Family, Barossa Valley, South Australia

Chianti Classico, 2005, Castello di Ama, Tuscany, Italy

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004, chalk Hill, Sonoma County, California

Barolo Zonchera, 2004, Ceretto, Piedmont, Italy

Barolo Bricco Roche, 2001, Ceretto, Piedmont, Italy

Chinati Classico Riserva, 2006, Badia a Coltibuono, Tuscany, Italy

Vosne Romanee Les Malconsort, 2007, Domaine Dujac, Burgundy, France

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Tags: HALPERN ENTERPRISES, Portfolio, TASTING

This entry was posted on Saturday, December 26th, 2009 at 06:00 and is filed under Food & Wine. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.