February 19th - This could be a very expensive Cab ride!

Nothing in this release or at least nothing in this release that I can afford makes me say “I have to have that!” The Cab Feature does have a couple of spectacular wines but I'm sad to say that pricewise the ones that merit that adjective have grown through my informal, periodically ignored but most times followed, price ceiling. However, these wines do present an interesting example of ‘perspective’. For instance, it's not that many vintages ago that I recall debating the merits of buying the Don Melchor with it priced in the low $40’s! Since then The Donald has gained about 70% in price while many of its very good siblings have increased no more than 15-20%. As a result, when compared from a QPR perspective to others in the Concha y Toro portfolio, the Don Melchor doesn’t seem to be a great buy. However, when compared from the same perspective to many Cali Cabs it’s a screaming bargain! And in case you wondered, Yes I am trying very hard to talk myself in to a bottle or two!

My Picks:
Columbia Crest H3 Cabernet
Jackson Triggs Shiraz
And the Abbona Papa Celso (or either the Wakefield Shiraz or the Nashwauk Shiraz.)
“Hey, who put that Don Melchor in my shopping basket?”

Cab feature – these are the ones that I think represent the best value
USA
COLUMBIA CREST H3 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007 Horse Heaven Hills Vineyard, Score: 90 (Harvey Steiman) The brother to the H3 Merlot in the last release. Washington style Cabernet - Verrrrrry nice. $19.95.
Italy
MARCHESI DE’ FRESCOBALDI TENUTA DI CASTIGLIONI 2008 $21.95 – Consistently very good, this one may not quite measure up to the ’07. Somewhat tannic so decant for a while and serve with something red on a plate.
OZ
KATNOOK ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006. Coonawarra Cabernet, I’ve never had a bad bottle of this wine. Big black fruits and hints of minty eucalyptus make it a natural for lamb. Score: 93 (James Halliday) $29.95
Chile
ARBOLEDA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008 $17.95 – on price alone, but there is a better Chilean cab in the next release so wait for it

The release
Canada
JACKSON-TRIGGS OKANAGAN ESTATE PROPRIETORS’ GRAND RESERVE SHIRAZ 2006 Score: 92 (Tony Aspler) - Not quite the JT Sun Rock Vineyard Shiraz (if you ever have a chance at that one, buy it!!!!) but almost as good for much less at $24.95! Blind taste this one against your favourite 2007 Ontario Shiraz!
Argentina
LUIGI BOSCA RESERVA MALBEC 2008 $17.95 – Malbecellence - I should be in marketing - at a great price! I know it’s still February but Fire up the BBQ and throw on a steak!
OZ
WAKEFIELD ESTATE SHIRAZ 2008 This wine was named one of the Top 100 Wines at the 2010 Sydney International Wine Competition (www.top100wines.com). Made with Clare Valley fruit so if you like Bin 61 or the Lodge Hill, this might be for you. Far fewer bucks too! $17.95
Nashwauk Shiraz 2007 - The second release (methinks) of this new Kaesler undertaking has a real Canadian Connection. The name means "between the waters" in Algonquin and was also the name of a cargo ship made in Nova Scotia. The ship sank just off the coast of Australia in the Gulf of St. Vincent not far from these vineyards. The vineyards themselves share many of the same soil traits as Coriole and Chapel hill, so if you are a fan of those wines, or the Fleurieu Peninsula/ McLaren Vale in general, you may enjoy this well priced offering.$19.95
South Africa
CATHEDRAL CELLAR TRIPTYCH 2007 $16.95 – Very, very good quality, very well priced.
France Rhone
CHÂTEAU GOUDRAY CUVÉE EXCELLENCE RASTEAU 2009 AC Côtes du Rhône-Villages Gold Medal winner at the Concours des Vins Orange 2010. $15.95
CHÂTEAU MOURGUES DU GRÈS LES GALETS ROUGES 2009 AC Costières de Nîmes $14.95
LES GRANDES SERRES LA COMBE DES MARCHANDS GIGONDAS 2009 $26.95 – It appears the LCBO may be jumping over a weak 2008 Rhone vintage and into the ’09 vintage. This is one for the mid to longer term, so feel free to let it rest.
Italy
ABBONA PAPÀ CELSO 2008 - A Dolcetto from the Piedmont region – I don’t expect a Barolo but I do expect to be pleased. I’m looking forward to deep purple colour, heavily scented, and powerful on the palate. It reads like an Australian! Score: 3 Glasses (out of 3) (Gambero Rosso) $19.95
ABBAZIA BAROLO 2005 $28.95

Big Buck wines in order of preference and if $$’s were no object!

CONCHA Y TORO DON MELCHOR CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006 Score: 95 (Jay Miller) $69.95 – This is a great wine but I wait for the Concha Y Toro Terrunyo Cab each year. At less than half the price it’s almost as good.
SHAFER ONE POINT FIVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007 Score: 93 (Robert Parker Jr) $79.95 – In a word – spectacular!
ZENATO AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2006 This wine ranked #36 in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 of 2010. Highly recommended by James Suckling . Score: 94 - 375 mL $24.95; 750 mL $47.95
CHÂTEAU FORTIA CUVÉE DU BARON CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2007 $34.95 – Scoop a few 07s while you can.
NAPANOOK – worth a look always.
PININO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2005 OK review for an OK priced Brunello. Score: 90 (Antonio Galloni) $33.95