July 25th Vintages Release - Sleep in, nothing to see here.

The last release of July is almost here and it’s time to pull a cork on a nice rosé and quietly consider just where this summer is going so quickly. While contemplating that unfortunate circumstance we can also consider this release - Three features this time around including Chill Out Summer Sippers, Argentina, and Greece. The latter two seem like afterthoughts used to fill up a few pages. As well there is an Ontario winery regurgitation.

There are some good wines here but none that I consider ‘must haves’.

WHITES

Want to try something unusual? Try the TENUTE MESSiERI VISIONI OFFIDA PECORINO 2012 – Made with the Pecorino grape that is thought to have originated somewhere in the Sibilini Mountains. Note that 15 years ago this grape was planted on 215 acres in all of Italy.  This is not your everyday Pinot Grigio and it bears no relation to the cheese of the same name other than the Italian word for sheep is pecora.

Fielding UNOAKED CHARDONNAY 2013 - $14.95 – Always a tasty summer sipper - full, pure Niagara chard fruit in a glass. Well priced for what you get.

THE REDS

ARGENTINA

 PASCUAL TOSO RESERVE MALBEC 2012   349 cases of 12  $19.95 Solid,  standard Malbec – get that grill heated up. If you really need a sub $20 Malbec, this one will fill the bill.

AUSTRALIA

D’ary’s Original 447 cases of 12 $19.95 – A consistently priced, well made wine from Oz. Big fruit across the palate. Syrah and Grenache.

PAXTON AAA SHIRAZ/GRENACHE 2012   575 cases of 12 $19.95  -Biodynamic and certified organic as well as just a bloody good pour.

 FRANCE 

CHÂTEAU PESQUIÉ TERRASSES 2013   649 cases of 12 $17.95  - From the Cotes de Ventoux this is a wine that used to perform above its price point when its price point was $14.95. Now it’s a tie.We used to pay less than Quebec, now they pay less. How'd that happen? Yes it is a Parker favourite so you’ll be getting lots of fruit.

GRAVILLAS SABLET Cotes du Rhone Villages 2013 - $15.95 - You might want to save yourself  2 bucks and buy the Sablet instead of the Pesquié. Or at least try one of each before diving in. This named village is among the superior viillages of the Cotes du Rhone but not quite up to AOC standards. The village name denotes an overall quality to the vineyards and producers of the area.

 DELAS LES LAUNES CROZES-HERMITAGE 2012   249 $24.95 – Superior syrah – give it some time and serve with rare lamb rack or chops.

TESSELLAE VIEILLES VIGNES CARIGNAN 2013 1293 cases of 12 $17.95 – Plenty of tannins and a big acidic mouthful to be sure. Look for dark fruits and herbal notes.  Very lightly oaked, if at all, as it is 80% aged in concrete, 20% in demi-muids (I presume oak). Not to be confused with the Tessellae GSM, this is another of U.S. Importer Eric Solomon’s productions and it would seem to be built to Parker’s palate.  Jeb Dunnuck certainly continues to propagate Parker’s palate perceptions post Parker’s departure. (all this alliteration is for the Vintages marketing team!)

MIRAVAL ROSÉ 2014   399 cases of 12 $22.95 The Jolie Pitt Perrin profitable pink production returns for another run.  I think this has been reduced in price by a buck or two over last year. It is a well made rosé but the bottle is a bit awkward and there are as good rosés for less. I wonder how many times that bottle and ice bucket fell over when they were staging the image for Vintages?

ITALY

SAN FABIANO CALCINAIA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010 ISD 49 cases of 12  $24.95 An ISD with an unusually low price. Will be in very limited supply.

SPAIN

 BODEGAS ALTANZA - LEALTANZA RESERVA 2009 B 12 659 cases of 12  $19.95 Solid, pleasant food wine with some age on it.

CALIFORNIA

 NAPA CELLARS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012   949 cases of 6 $26.95 –An OK BBQ wine if grilled steaks are in the offing.

 ST. FRANCIS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012    616 cases of 12 $29.95 – Another OK Cali cab.

BIG BUCKS and  ISD’s

LADIES WHO SHOOT THEIR LUNCH SHIRAZ, FOWLES WINE 2012   287 cases of 6 $35.95 – Expensive but a good wine. It goes with squirrel and rabbit and I just happen to have lots of both eating their way through my backyard garden. Could it be that some good grillin’ is in the offing? Furry things, you have been warned!

OSOYOOS LAROSE LE GRAND VIN 2010 ISD   84 cases of 6  $44.95 – The fruit is South Okanagan, the winemaking French. It is among the better Canadian wines. Give it a couple of years though.

CAPEZZANA CARMIGNANO 2010 ISD 12 29 $32.95  - In good vintages this is usually a superior wine. Over the next 5 years or so my expectation is that this’ll be very nice. It might be the sleeper of the release. An ISD so not many units at not many stores.

CAPARZO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2008 B 12 149 $44.95 – Still waiting on the ‘10s? This has some age on it and should be ready to go anytime. Decant it.