Monday, January 5, 2009

The Jan. 10 Vintages release - a few bargains.

THE LCBO STARTS OFF THE YEAR IN A STRANGE WAY - WITH A BARGAIN RELEASE FOLLOWED ONE WEEK LATER WITH AN ARGENTINA FOCUSED 2nd 'sort of bargain' RELEASE.
THE BARGAIN RELEASE IS FOR 2 REASONS. ONE, YOU’RE BROKE AND TWO, THEY USUALLY HAVE A SALE TO COMPETE AGAINST THEIR FIRST RELEASE. THIS YEAR THEY HAD A SALE IN DECEMBER, SO IF THEY HAVE ANOTHER IN JANUARY IT SHOULD BE A GOOD ONE. WATCH FOR IT!

BARGAIN OF THE RELEASE - ZONTE'S FOOTSTEP SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER 2006 – Probably the BUY of the release if you can find it! Drink this hedonistic effort over the next three years.- 90. $14.95
D'ARENBERG THE STUMP JUMP WHITE 2007 – a perrenial bargain @ $14.95
KILIKANOON THE LACKEY SHIRAZ 2006. It is a Best Buy. Score - 89. $17.95
PILLAR BOX RED 2006 - this wine is unfined and unfiltered so if you don’t decant it be careful pouring the last glass. An good buy at $17.95
TORBRECK OLD VINES GRENACHE/SHIRAZ 2005 – A favourite producer of mine. $20.95
ST. HALLETT FAITH SHIRAZ 2006 – Always good 88 to 91 points $19.95
MARQUEE CLASSIC ARTISAN WINES GSM 2006 - a well priced Aussie GSM- new to me though $18.95
LAVAU VACQUEYRAS 2007 - partnership with 300 growers to create wonderful wines like this aromatic blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 10% Mourvédre. Packed with dense black cherry fruit and spice, both complex and elegant $20.95
CHÂTEAU PESQUIÉ TERRASSES 2006 AC Côtes du Ventoux unfined/unfiltered is a blend of 70% Grenache / 30% Syrah. Give it a bit of time - this should be a good wine to drink over the next 4-5 years.-90 $15.95
BARON PHILIPPE DE ROTHSCHILD RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007- Very young but well priced $14.95
MONTES LIMITED SELECTION CABERNET SAUVIGNON/CARMENÈRE 2007 $14.95
TERRANOBLE GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005 One of the LCBO Wines of the Month ( theirs, not mine) but should be good nonetheless. $18.95
TAJA RESERVA 2003 This Reserva is compliments of the owners of Bordeaux's famed Château Palmer.- 90 points $16.95
ALBADA VIÑAS VIEJAS GARNACHA TINTO 2005 Wine Advocate rated this a 'Best Buy' This should be a wine with spicy black fruits, a silky texture, and ripe tannins. It will evolve for 1-2 years and drink well through 2015. Score - 90. $15.95

N SENTIDO 2005 The big priced wine of the release for me. $25.95

But remember, I'm watching for the sale.