September 1 means Labour Day is next Monday. Labour day,
a day to give the working man one last kick at the can that is
summer! The LCBO says “Let’s celebrate Labour
Day by selling a bunch of over priced Champagnes!” It’s Labour
Day! An average price of over $100 on these bubblies doesn’t say working man (or
woman) to me! Delving deeper into the
release, the Fall fêtes section is pretty much a waste of paper. I will say
that the scallops recipe looks terrific but I might pair it with the
inexpensive Spanish Cava ($13.95) or the DOMAINE DE
VAUGONDY BRUT VOUVRAY ($16.95) from this release. The Big and Bold table
setting is a laugh – too bad they couldn’t put one of the Big and Bold wines
they’re trying to sell on that table! After
fall fêtes comes the Russian Revelation (Stop, you’re killing me with your wit! No wait, let me get even! I was considering the Pinot but now I’m Lenin
towards the chard… or …. Where’s the informational map of California showing the Russian River
Valley with a big Karl over it? Karl Marx the spot. Bada-boom,
I’m here until Thursday, try the veal). That focus is followed by the
Ontario Royal Couple. The wines being sold almost duplicate the Russian River
repertoire. I suppose if you want to
compare wines, you could use the two as a basis for that comparison. Failing
that, use them to line your birdcage.
There is nothing in this release that I just have to buy so it
comes in at 51 points on the VRSS. I gave a point for the scallop recipe. But,
there is some good news …. A few sort of satisfying, ‘$17 and under’ wines are
available. Finally, there’s the nod to
the working man!
UNDER $17
Two Food and Drink ‘formerly
$15 now marked up to $17 specials’ are promoted like specials but priced above where they should normally be sold. Both
should provide some pleasure but let’s not be fooled into thinking we’re
getting a deal here. The 2008 OSCAR’S
ESTATE is an Aussie Cote Rotie blend from a hot vintage in the famous Barossa
Valley. The 2010 CHATEAU DE GALIFAY
CAIRANNE is a named village in the Cotes du Rhone Villages appellation meaning the
bottle should contain wines of a higher quality than the standard CdR or CdRV. Both reflect the LCBO’s opinion that Ontario
wine drinkers will pay more for their wines. Note to the LCBO, we’ll pay more (and
already do!!!) but only if the wines are worth the extra dollars – these aren’t. For
instance, below is the Wine Align review
for the Oscar’s Estate Shiraz. Is a dollop of viognier really worth $4.05 more?
So Buyer beware!
TEDESCHI CAPITEL DEI NICALO APPASIMENTO 2010 – I’ve been a
fan for some time. At $15.95 this is pretty well priced. Great pizza/ lasagna wine!
ZENATO VALPOLICELLA SUPERIORE 2010 – At $15.95 I think I’d
prefer the Tedeschi, but you can be the judge.
BODEGA LAN CRIANZA 2008 – Gee wasn’t an earlier vintage of this a Food and Drink special at $15? Yes but if it’s up
to LAN’s usual standards this is OK priced at $15.95.
GERARD BERTRAND ST. CHINIAN SYRAH MOURVEDRE 2009 – $16.95 Terrific
producer, this’ll be a smokey, spicy blend.
JEAN LUC BALDES TRIGUEDINA LA CHAPELLE DU CLOS MALBEC 2008 –
$16.95 Give it time if you expect to
compare it to an Argentinian Malbec.
SAMPETRIANA VIGNE DEL LA MONACHE RISERVA SALICE SALENTINO 2006
– At $15.95 a 5 star winner in Decanter, this one should be right in its
drinking window. Probably needs food.
LEGON CRIANZA 2008 – A 90 pointer from ‘90 points Miller’.
Again at $15.95, it’s a good price for a wine that might actually evolve.
BASEL CELLARS M 2007 - $28.95 - Creeping up on the big buck
segment but holding under the $30 line this blend of
Cab Sauv and Merlot should provide sophistication and Washington State
fruitiness. I haven’t tried this one
before but might be looking for one or two.
OTHERS THAT MIGHT
BE GOOD
The 2010 D’ARENBERG HIGH TRELLIS CABERNET SAUVIGNON is
always good and, unlike many of its siblings has managed to hold the line on
pricing . At $19.95 it’s a nice round the BBQ wine.
CASTELLO DI BOSSI C. BERARDENGA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2009 at
$22.95 might be allright but Mr. Suckling’s reviews seem to have slid over to
the wine shill side of the ledger rather than the wine critic side since he
left the Wine Spectator so keep that in mind.
BIG BUCKS
Ignoring the big buck
champers there are a number of more
expensive options that might be tempting.
SEBASTIANI CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008 – Cassis hits big time
but too highly priced at $34.95.
WAKEFIELD ST. ANDREWS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006 – Wakefield is
a wonderful producer of value priced Aussie wines. If you enjoyed their regular
releases and want to try taking a (big) step up, try this one at $49.95. Is it
3 times as good as their normal listing?
CASCINA BUSSIA DARDI BAROLO 2006 – Ageworthy and well priced
for a great Barolo vintage at $39.95.
BANFI BRUNELLO 2007 – At $59.95, this is out of my self
imposed price range but the quality is
always there – needs more than a few years to settle in.
FATTORIA DEI BARBI BRUNELLO 2006- Oft times a bit more
approachable in its youth than the Banfi, softer, more fruit forward
perhaps. A terrific vintage and at
$41.95, ok priced for a Brunello.
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