December 7 release - Another year come and gone at Vintages.

The final Vintages release of the year is traditionally the Bubbly release supported by a few big boys for you late Christmas shoppers. As well this release contains offerings for ‘Holiday Gatherings’. It appears the vintages team has tried to cross as many price points and wine styles as possible for this feature. Their strategy results in a somewhat muddled selection of wines with no focus or even trend. Speaking of muddled, if you’re driving anywhere this Christmas do not ask for directions from the Vintages editors. Once again they think Cahors is in the Rhone valley. That’s akin to telling you that Sarnia is just east of Cornwall on the St. Lawrence River.  Cahors should be categorized in the Southwest of France. Also, the wine that is listed under the Southwest is actually from the Languedoc-Rousillon which the LCBO usually categorizes as the Midi.  Perhaps a little early Christmas partying made the proof reading difficult?  

Back to the bubbly, I’m still trying to decide on a few wines to buy but the $$’s to palate ratio means Champagne doesn’t make the grade.  If I go nationalistic I might try to find some Stellers Jay from BC or perhaps a Hinterland from PEC, both from previous releases.  If I go international, there are a couple of new ones in this release that seem worthy - the Perlage Canah Brut Superiore Conegliano 2012 Prosseco (700 cases of 6) or the Juvé y Camps Cinta Purpura Reserva Brut Cava 2009 (300 cases of 12). Each of these is  under $20.

The final release of the year comes in with a VRSS total of 58 points. To arrive at that lofty level (cough) one of the wines was selected just to keep my vertical of it alive. Not an auspicious ending to what has been a pretty mundane year in Vintages.

Best Buys under $30

Beronia Reserva 2008 - $18.95 –1594 cases- Never mind what the review says, this is a modern style of Spanish Rioja, softer, smoother than most, black and blue fruits and maybe a wee bit plum-y and smokey. Can age but ready to drink now. On its own or with food this is much more than a good introduction to Spain.

La Ferme du Mont Cotes Jugunda Gigondas 2010 - $29.95 -299 cases– Just saying Cotes Jugunda Gigondas makes me smile.  A solid, ageable, meaty wine from a smokin' vintage. Look for garrigue, back fruit, perhaps a hint of iodine and licorice notes across the nose and palate.

Perrin Les Christins Vaqueyras 2011 -$23.95 – 249 cases- Annually this is a very solid wine from the Perrin family.

A trio of very solid Aussie Shiraz options:

• Dandelion Vineyards Lionheart of the Barossa - $19.95 – (896 cases) A tossup between this and the Formula.
• Small Gully The Formula Shiraz 2009 -$18.95 – (2100 cases) A tossup between this and the Lionheart.
• Thorn Clarke Shotfire Shiraz 2011 -$21.95 – (503 cases) Trying hard to make it an Aussie ménage a trois but needs to lose a couple of bucks first.

Saltram Mamre Brook 2010 - $26.95 – (approx 800 cases of 6 for each) - Either the cab or the shiraz will provide ample pleasure on a cold winter night paired with a rich braised or roasted meat.

The Big Bucks

Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf du Pape 2011 - $57.95 – 149 cases- Perennially among the better wines of the Southern Rhone, the 2011 vintage slipped a bit. It’ll still command attention but unlike past years I don’t expect you’ll have to arm wrestle anyone for it first thing on Saturday morning.  Masochists should check out KL wines website for this wine. They give you two current reviews and their US price - $39.95. Oooo there's a spank that'll sting!

Domaine  Chante Cigale Chateauneuf du Pape Tradition 2010 - $41.95 –320 cases - The Domaine scored brilliantly in the  excellent  2010 vintage and now benefits from being on the same page as the subsequent  vintage’s slightly less impressive but more expensive  Vieux Donjon. Parker’s review for Chante Cigale is a little over the top but the wine will be excellent now and improve in 5 years.

Fattoria de Barbi Brunello 2007 -$49.95 – 349 cases- When priced around the early to mid $40’s, I considered  this one an early drinking Brunello option. The price has jumped a tad but the early drinking aspect has not changed.

Pietranera Brunello  Centolani 2007-$37.95 –(599 cases)- A really well priced, well scored  Brunello from an absolute corker of a vintage.

Killikanoon Reserve Cabernet Clare Valley  -2012 - $34.95 – Clare Valley Cab from a slightly cooler climate than many  of the  Aussie Cabs that we see, look for big things from this – cassis with an herby backbone.

Last but not least is a gimmick Christmas gift for the wine lover who has everything -  a blending kit from Raymond  winery in California. They offer a DVD, pipettes, graduated cylinders, and 4 bottles of wine,(2 cab sauvs each with a different oak treatment, a cab franc and a merlot), along with an instruction booklet.  That special someone can become a blendmeister for only $294.95! For that price, I’ll stick with selecting my wine ready made!