May 16 Vintages release- Australia backed up by some global alternatives

May 16 and we’re looking at Australian First Families of wine supported by Mouth Watering Whites. The latter are the LCBO’s descriptors, not mine.   There are some good options across all the price points and wine styles and, choice wise, we are not limited to the Australian contingent. White wise, I think a few of the roses provide as good or better QPR especially as we get into the warmer weather.

LAPOSTOLLE CUVÉE ALEXANDRE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012   168 cases of 12 $24.95 – Among  the best options in the release although well over the $20 mark. To me this is among the more attractive Cab options from Chile each and every year. But do give it some time.   Too bad the Cover Drive is not a 2012 as well. It would be nice to try the same Vintage head to head.

Three from AUSTRALIA

YALUMBA THE STRAPPER GSM 2012   1499 cases of 12 $19.95 – A Grenache Syrah and Mourvedre blend hence the GSM. Yalumba is a very good producer of intermediate priced wines.

JIM BARRY THE COVER DRIVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013   391 cases of 12  $26.95

JIM BARRY THE LODGE HILL SHIRAZ 2012   599 cases of 12 $26.95  - Cooler climate, but not cool. Does that make sense? From the Clare valley – has supplanted Bin 61 as my preferred Shiraz from that area.

Two from France

CHÂTEAU DE GOURGAZAUD CUVÉE MATHILDE MINERVOIS 2013   498 cases of 12  $14.95 A good buy.  Think of it as a Minervois version of Plan de Dieu  –  but it will need a bit of time to mature the fruit.

 CLOS TROTELIGOTTE K-OR MALBEC 2012   100 cases of 12 $17.95 – A French Malbec from Cahors (K-or, get it?  Witty wineguys from France, who’d have thought it!?). Give it some time to settle in. It’ll need it.

AND TWO FROM ITALY

ASCHERI SAN GIACOMO NEBBIOLO D'ALBA 2012   166 cases of 12  $24.95 –A Barolo from another mother, perhaps?

COPPI PEUCETICO PRIMITIVO 2008   996 cases of 12 $13.95 – Anything from Pizza to burgers to grilled steak, here’s a nice wine to have. From Puglia. With some age. And relatively inexpensive.

SPAIN

ONDARRE RESERVA 2009   601 cases of 12  $18.95 – Craving a Spanish alternative? Solid choice here.

 ROSÉS

 DELAS SAINT-ESPRIT CÔTES-DU-RHÔNE ROSÉ 2014   699 cases of 12 $14.95  

 FRANCOIS LURTON LES HAUTS DE JANEIL SYRAH ROSÉ   139 cases of 12 $13.95  

BIG BUCKS

FAUSTINO I GRAN RESERVA 2001   1487 cases of 12 $36.95 –Somehow the LCBO has managed to get its hands on 1487 more cases of Decanter’s Number 1 wine from 2013 for a rererelease. They’ve chosen to run the 100 point review again rather than highlight that it was Decanter’s wine of the year but is it a 100 point wine? Not to my palate but it was and is very good. Will this batch be as good as previous ones? We’ll soon find out but for sure it’s 14 years old and was still showing plenty of fruity youth.

BURROWING OWL MERITAGE 2011   55 cases of 12  $59.95 – You must be kidding. 60 bucks, really?

 Viticcio Beatrice Gran Selezione Chianti Classico   2010 $47.95  - A  Brunello priced wine  in Black Rooster’s clothing from the Chianti Classico folks. Very limited release here – 99 cases of 6.

RHÔNE

DOMAINE LA FOURMONE LE FAUQUET GIGONDAS 2012   122 cases of 12 $34.95 – Another Gigondas that is creeping into Chateauneuf’s price range.

E. GUIGAL CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2009   238 cases of 12  $58.95  - A bit of age on it and a good producer but nothing exceptional for a wine this expensive. The ’07 was coming into its own about a year ago.

MIDI

 DOMAINE L'OSTAL CAZES GRAND VIN 2011   110 cases of 12  $31.95 – A new one for me, consider this among the more expensive LCBO options from the Midi.

 OZ

HENSCHKE HENRY'S SEVEN 2013   78 cases of 6  $42.95

 D'ARENBERG THE COPPERMINE ROAD CABERNET SAUVIGNON   155 cases of 6  $49.95