Looking at the May 12th Vintages Release thru Rosé coloured glasses

May 12th Release

I was looking for something good to say about this release and I think I found it. This release provides a good opportunity to read through previous notes or go back to the list of wines that you’ve enjoyed from previous releases and see if any of them are still in stock at your local LCBO. If they are, go buy them. Why? Because unless you just won a lottery, this is a brutal release. How bad is it? With apologies to Rodney Dangerfield, you’d have to tie a pork chop to this release to get the dog to play with it; I phoned a rep at the LCBO customer service line to complain about this release – I said “Everyone hates it!” She said ”Ridiculous, not EVERYONE has read it yet!”; it’s so bad that the WCTU is gladly giving out copies to stop people from drinking! Badaboom.
California, Global Rosés and Israel are the focus points. California? Bring a big, full wallet. Rosés? The good news is they can be inexpensive! Israel? Really?


So out of this whole release I’ll pick up the Cremant de Bourgogne and a few of the Rosés - that’s it, that’s all.


Muga Rosé 2011 – $12.95 1099 cases – Lots of cases, well priced and so nice on the deck in the summer with tapas/ antipasto/ snacks/ junkfood. (See, it matches with every level of sophistication!)


Mas des Brassades Cuvée Tradition Rosé 2011 - $13.95 – 1299 cases – Tart and tangy, again with light munchies on a deck in the sun this wine’ll be perfect


Carpineto Rosato 2011 - $12.95 – 298 cases. If you really want one of the three rosés and you see this one, buy it first because it’ll be gone first.


My nationalistic sensibilities insist I should pick an Ontario Rosé as well, so let’s try the Featherstone or the Fielding from this release. Full Disclosure: I usually spring for the annual release of the rosé from Sandbanks down in PEC. (winery only, methinks)


There are a few other wines that earn a mention, among them the Wallace by Ben Glaetzer at $28.95 and a pair of Tuscans, the Banfi Rosso de Montalcino 2009 at $22.95 and the San Fabiano Calcinaia Chianti Classico 2008 at $19.95 but will I be buying any of them? I don’t think so.


Big Bucks

Of the insanity that is California, I’d suggest the Shafer One Point Five - $84.95 – How good is this wine? Even served on a moving bus headed for Niagara on the QEW the 2006 vintage was a great wine. The 2007 was even better (although to be fair it was served with a BMW1200RT parked in front of it). Just imagine how good it could be if allowed to rest in a cellar and then breathe for a time before serving. It’s a superb wine for a special, special occasion. Like someone’s 50th or someone else’s 60th or any dinner that I’m invited to.



Drink well my friends and be patient - the May 26th release looks better.