September 3rd Vintages Release- Blends, an Anniversary, and some Sake

Various Grape Blends, the 150^th Anniversary celebration of Italy combined with Sake make for another forgettable Vintages release. Have we reached the dog days of the Vintages releases? It seems so.  The last two have been in a word, weak.  Next week's mini release of Ontario wines promises more of the same. For  this week's, I might take a pass altogether or buy just one or two bottles out of  all those listed below.

Ah well, Let’s start with the blends. $23.95 seems like a good place to start:

Lavau Gigondas at $23.95, a 2009 this one will benefit from a year or two in a cool dark place or open early and decant it. Good price for a Gigondas from a terrific vintage.

The Inniskillen Dark Horse Meritage 2007 from the Okanagen will be nice with beef or lamb. Luv the Okanagen, especially heads up against the green, vegetable reds from Ontario. Make special note though, the 2011 could be the rare Vintage that Ontario smokes BC in the all Canadian wine awards. It has been a bad spring and summer out there so far.

The three South African blends are all good but go for the price and take the Lammershoek Roulette 2006. It should be ready to drink and is well priced also at $23.95. If you want to spring for something upscale you could do far worse than either the De Toren Z or the Ruste en Vrede 2007 Estate blend, but they are expensive. The best South African might be the Mullineux Shiraz at $28.95. Fire up your food processor - a Moulinex of course - and make something special to go with it...a Mullineux Moulinex masterpiece perhaps. Say that 10 times fast! 

From OZ, go for the Musician Cab / Shiraz 2009 at $19.95, Gotham Shiraz 2009 or the Black Chook Shiraz/Viognier 2009 at $17.95.  All three under $20 will be good.

In keeping with the past $15.00 releases of the LAN Crianza and the Perrin Vinsobres, there is another good looking bargain this month at $15.00. The 2008 Single Vineyard Malbec from LaMadrid should be able to hold its own with $18 to $20 buck Malbecs but might need a bit of time to settle in. Not a case worthy buy, but OK.

Looking for something different from Italy? Try the Aglianico del Vulture. Terrific value at $14.95, this one might be worth considering buying a few but try one first to be sure it matches your palate.

Want a sparkler? Go for the Cremant de Loire Rose at $16.95. I'm liking examples of these Cremants from the Loire and Burgogne more and more.

Whites? Loooking for a Chardonnay? Try the MOMO 2009 at $18.95 from New Zealand or either of the age worthy reislings from Germany should be great now and for many years to come. Best of all, both of them are less than $22.

The Vintages August 20 Release - Better late than never, I suppose.

California’s lesser known regions share the spotlight with the wines of Southern France in the Aug.20  Vintages release. Having been away in BC for the week prior to this release, I’m a little late  reviewing this one  but there weren’t  many  to tempt my palate anyway so I’ll use this as an opportunity to save you some money.

Chateau des Flaugergues Sommeliere 2007 – Well priced at $17.95, this wine exhibits black fruit on the nose with hints of herbs and olive. The big sniff is followed by raspberry ganache/ black cherry on the fore palate with hints of smoke and olive tapenade bringing up the rear. WS had it at #50 in their Top 100. It’s a very nice wine, well priced and ready to consume now or over the next 3 or 4  years. Best of all, there is still some around even today!

Ampelos Gamma Syrah  2006 – From the makers of one of the few Pinot Noirs that I have enjoyed, I expect this to be a big mouthful of sophisticated flavours. A tad pricey at $27.95, but a good bottle from the Santa Rita Hills of California.

Pirramimma  Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 – Could this be the answer to Doug’s quest for an affordable, sophisticated Aussie Cab? I think it might, if $24.95 is not too high a price. Terrific producer across the board.

Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 – as good a price as you’ll find for a quality Napa cab. $29.95 for currants, smoke  and cedar hints.

Les Celettes 2009 – A gold medal winner, this Cotes du Rhone is well priced at $13.95

Domaine de Bila Haut Occultum Lapidem 2008. The ’07 release of this wine was very highly rated by most reviewers but  was lost on me. I expect more of the same here –  I will  avoid it.

August 6th - Where is this summer going? This week, to Chile and BC!

The August 6^th  vintages release from your local Ontario government sponsored purveyor of distilled spirits has a Chilean focus. Good news because that means one of our favourite product lines, the Terrunyo line from Concha Y Toro is represented. I think Terrunyo translates to terroir but perhaps terroir viewed from a uniquely South American perspective. Not so much what the earth gives the wine but rather how the earth shapes the people themselves. Or maybe that’s unique to Argentina.  Anyhow, to me, the Concha Y Toro  Terrunyo Cab is the best $30 Cab Sauv going and I would put it up against any at twice the price. Got your hopes up? Good, now I send them crashing on the rocks of despair! The Cab is not in this release. However, the 2007 Terrunyo Carmenère is. This is a terrific wine -  smoky, spicy, choclatey, ample tannins yet fruit laden. The 2006 was fantastic. The ’07 might be even better and it may be something new for many of you to try. Think Mercabec. Hints of merlot, a soupcon of cabernets  and a dash of malbec, all in one terrific but not cheap wine. Yes I will be buying some.  Terrunyo Block 27 is the standard by which I measure all carmenères.

Also in the release are some BC beauties. They are expensive, but to my palate better than an equivalently priced Ontario offering. There is something to be said for growing grapes in a desert.

My red picks, in order,

CONCHA Y TORO TERRUNYO BLOCK 27 CARMENÈRE 2007 $ 29.95

LES VIGNERONS DE VISAN VISAN CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2007 $ 12.95 – a named village, under $13. Last ‘07 Visan I had was as good as either of the two Gigondas that followed it and they were 2 to 2 and a half times the price! Oh, and they were very good too!

PETER LEHMANN LAYERS RED 2008 $ 17.95 – A Rhone blend from OZ with an added touch of tempranillo – so let’s call him Pedro Lehmann this week!

SANTA EMA RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008  A bit coarse, tannin wise, but black fruit and loamy $ 16.95

TERRA D'ALIGI TATONE MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2007  $ 15.95 – always very good.

ROCCA DELLE MACÌE CHIANTI RISERVA 2006 $ 15.95 – I’m not sure if the wine matches the review in the Vintages book. Buyer beware, do your own DD.

2008 KARMA CABERNET SAUVIGNON PASO ROBLES $ 15.95 – Paso Robles doesn’t have the cachet or the big buck prices of Napa but the wines are very good.

Five Chardonnays! OMG, Blame it on the heat!

GLEN CARLOU CHARDONNAY 2008 $ 17.95 – South Africa – my pick as the best Chard in the release.

2009 VASSE FELIX CHARDONNAY $ 19.95 –OZ – My pick as the other best chard in the release.

MONTES ALPHA CHARDONNAY 2007  $ 19.95 –Chile – not quite up to the previous two, but close.

2008 CHARDONNAY 3 RIVERS COLUMBIA Valley $ 19.95

BURROWING OWL CHARDONNAY 2008 $ 32.95 – Love the winery, like the wine, hate the price.

Big Bucks

SIGNORELLO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007 $ 59.95 – Perennially this is a year end top pick by  Anthony Gismondi. Either he knows the owners or it’s really, really good. I don’t know the owners and past  bottles I’ve had were in the really, really good category.

LA VELONA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2005 $ 42.95

MONTES PURPLE ANGEL 2007  $ 49.95 – ready to drink according to the review, this is a blend of Carmenère and Petit Verdot. Should be everything that the Terrunyo is plus a bit more with the addition of licorice hints from the Petit Verdot. Superb wine but big $$’s too.  94 points from Parker if it matters to you.

Vintages July 23rd release - A tour of Italy, some Chards, and a few goodies too!

As an Italian Grape Primer, this week’s release works pretty well but once past the 2 bottles a page ‘features’ this release strikes me as a new world vs old world shiraz/syrah fest! But more on that later, let’s start with the Italians. I think this overview of the more popular grapes in the Italian wine industry has been well done. As for the wines, nice variety, no blockbusters but no bank breakers either. There are some tasty options available around the $20 mark.


Terredora Loggia della Serra Greco di Tufo 2009 at $17.95 – want to try something new in whites? This might do it for you.

Tedeschi Capitel San Rocco Ripasso Valpolicella Superiore 2008 – one of the wines of the month, imagine a bargain priced almost-Amarone at $18.95

VESEVO BENEVENTANO AGLIANICO 2008 – usually black fruit and licorice notes, at $14.95 should be good.



CANTINA TOLLO ALDIANO MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO RISERVA 2007 $16.95

FRANCO MOLINO BAROLO 2006 $29.95 – a real bargain for a Barolo – under $30 – but lay it down.

Also included this week is a cool climate chardonnay feature – best buys from it for me are the Inniskillen 3 Vineyards and the Ataraxia from South Africa.

Now on to the Shiraz/Syrah and blend fest:

This week’s release marks the return to the LCBO of last year’s wildly popular “The Formula” made by Australia’s Small Gully. Better still, No conspiracy theories this week! What you’ll get with the July 23rd release of The Formula Robert’s Shiraz 2006 may not be exactly what you got from the releases last February and August but it should be good. This is a new vintage (2006) and it’ll cost you a dollar more than last year’s effort if I recall correctly. Nonetheless it should be a smoking wine for casual gatherings around the ‘Q, the cottage, the backyard or the pool.

Equally enticing from OZ and a dollar less is the Wakefield Shiraz 2008 at $17.95.

Nk’Mip 2007 Syrah – Inca Meep is how I pronounce it…might be right, might not. A native Canadian winery that began as a joint venture between Canadian wine visionary Don Triggs and the local Indian band. Their ’07 Shiraz is a little overpriced at $31.95 but should be a beaut to compare to an ’07 Ontario version at an equivalent price. I’m betting on this BC one.

Tabali reserve Syrah 2008 from the Limari valley in Chile. At $19.95 this’ll stand up to the either of the Aussies above.

MAS DE LA DEVÈZE LA 66 2007 – From a terrific vintage in the Languedoc at $19.95. One more 6 and this would be a devil of a wine.

CHÂTEAU PUECH-HAUT PRESTIGE SAINT-DRÉZÉRY 2009 – 93 points from The Parker himself and $26.95? Expect OZ-doc or maybe the LangueVale. Big and fruity! This  score may also elicit a rush to buy it.

DELAS FRÈRES LES REINAGES GIGONDAS 2007 – A gigondas? What a surprise! I love this area more and more and the Brothers Delas are well known for their quality wines. Not cheap at $29.95 but a better buy than the Chateauneuf du Pape in this release.

CHÀTEAU DE NAGES JT COSTIÉRES DE NÎMES 2007 –A little expensive at $20.95 - The JT is Joseph Torres, the wine is 100% Syrah. Finely ground, densely pressed, well herbed lamb sausages on the bar-b-q while overlooking the bay. You know whose sausages, you know which bay, you know whose deck  and you know who you are…Heaven!

ÉRIC TEXIER TERROÍR DE VAÍSON-LA-ROMAINE CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2007 $13.95 – Buy it!

DOMAINE DE LA VIEILLE FERME DE L'EOURNE RASTEAU 2009 - $17.95 – Another of the named villages from the Cotes du Rhone Villages, Rasteau is usually fruit forward and eminently drinkable. I expect this one will be ready now, or can lay down for a year or three. But why wait?

Two Bargains


There are a couple of bargains that don’t fit the earlier categories.

Prelius Cab Sauv 2008 from Castello di Volpaia. At $17.95  The notes indicate it may not taste like a cab, just very good!

Alta Vista Premium Estate Malbec 2008 at $13.95. Is this a 90 point wine? I don’t think so but it’s very,very good and shows the Canadian wine industry exactly what they are up against in price, fruit and flavor profiles.

Big Bucks?

Yacochuya 2005 – at $50 bucks it’s a big amount to pay for an Argentinian Malbec but the best of them can hold their own with any wine from anywhere. Decant it carefully and let it breathe if you must try it but there is no rush to open. This effort from Michel Rolland might be the best of the big buckers but let’s temper Dr. J’s 95 points with 91 from Int’l Wine Cellar!

Balnaves Shiraz 2008 – at $34.95 it might not be fair to include it here but compared to the Aussies above it’s up there $-wise. Expect more mint notes than your normal big Aussie Shiraz.

The Brunello – Il Marroneto 2005 - $49.95, not cheap but ….

2 Napa Cabs - Mount Eden at $49.95 or Silver oak at $112.95 – nah, forget about it!

The Chateauneuf du Pape Domaine de la Presidente Nonciature 2007 - $44.95

The July 9th Vintages Release – A few good buys but mostly overrated and overpriced 90 pointers.

The July 9^th Vintages Release has a few good buys but mostly overrated and overpriced 90 pointers. For fans of fizz, there are a couple of tasty options for you without breaking the bank on Champagne.

What am I buying? I’m not blown away by the release. I might buy a few LANs (so good with food), and no more than singles of a Schild,  a  Cicchitti and a Tenuta di Ghizzano if I can find one.

Argentina

Cicchitti Gran Reserva 2004 – Tannins should be very soft in this 7 year old for $21.95. I’ve held off buying Malbecs lately so I might have a small hole to fill. Lamb Chops? Steaks? Mmmm.

LaMadrid Cab Sauv 2007 – At $16.95 this should also very nicely accompany something grilled and bleeding.

Oz

Schild Shiraz 2007 – Although the 2007 Schild Shiraz ranked number 43 in the WS top 100 of 2009 it is OVERPRICED at $27.95. This should be $20 to $22. Also, you may recall the questionable winemaking ethics that Schild displayed last year. Schild management was  caught with their pants down making a ‘No one will catch us, let’s profit while we can!’ rerun of their 2008 vintage with afterthought bought, non estate fruit once their original 2008 vintage became a 2010 WS Top 10 wine.  The fact that the 2007 vintage of a Top 100 wine is still available concerns me that this may be another of the same sneaky doings only done a year earlier before anyone was aware.  I have a bottle of the ’07 at home that I purchased a year or two ago in BC (at about the same price – hello LCBO!) so I’ll be checking lot numbers and doing a head to head with one from this release. Let’s see if my somewhat crude palate can detect a difference and of course let’s see if the LCBO got taken again (see my opinion of the Dandelion Shiraz a few weeks back). Watch this space for the results. Oh and I will only be buying one. Another Schild note, Wine Spectator did an Aussie Wine review recently and refused to include Schild’s 2008 Estate Shiraz in their ‘Top Aussie wines’ in spite of it making the Top 10 of their Top 100 last year.  The quality issues with the second batch of ‘08s are apparently just too big to overlook. So buyer  beware with this ’07 and especially buyer beware if the ’08 makes an LCBO appearance in the future!!! It might be very good, but then again  it might be drek.  It amazes me that a company could, would and did jeopardize their reputation for such short term, limited profits.

The Rhone

Domaine Des Bosquets Gigondas 2007 – At $31.95, this is considerably more expensive than other recent LCBO releases of wines from Gigondas but might be worth buying one. I would describe this as a better buy than the Chateau Neuf du Pape in the release.

Domaine Duseigneur  Antarès Lirac 2007 –  Lirac is another of the named villages in the Cotes du Rhone Villages, so it’s a step or two up in quality. At $19.95 this 2007 vintage wine should be ready to drink and for you fans of the environment, it’s organic. 

Italy

Viticcio Bere 2007 – A super Tuscan at $17.95? And 90 points? What’s the catch?

Tenuta di Ghizzano 2007 - $29.95 – 94 points from the usually stingy Antonio Galloni for under 30 bucks. Hard to argue but get there early for it! This wine’ll probably be lucky to make it to the shelves. 

Paolo Leo Salice Salentino Reserva 2006 comes in at only $14.95 for a Decanter  gold medal winner. Again, it’s very hard to argue!

Spain

Arrocal 2008 - $16.95 for a nice young tempranillo. This wine could use a bit of time to come together but then should be quite nice.

 Bodega LAN Reserva 2005 – LAN is a terrific producer of quality Spanish wines. A great food wine at a good price $19.95.

USA
Atalon 2004 From Napa should be a very nice sample of what a Napa cab should be. Except, look at the prices from around the world and look at the Napa Cab price - $36.95? Too much.

Sparklers

Avoid the true Champagnes and save your money. I’d go with one of the following:

Roederer Sparkling Brut from California at $28.95  or the even better priced and slightly pink hued  Louis Bouillot Cremant De Bougogne  for $18.95.

Three under Thirteen

Pléyades Reserva 2005 – At  $12.95 this might be the bargain sleeper red of the release.

Vina Aljibes Syrah rosé 2010 – Tapas on a summer deck? Good call!

Cesari Bardolino Chiaretto Classico rosé 2010 – should be a tasty rosé to serve with a nice seafood antipasto.

June 25th Vintages release – Some terrific bargains and one or two bigger buck highlights.

School is out and as if on cue the LCBO makes at least two bargain priced (for them) high quality wines available for summer quaffing. Whether you’re at the cottage, around the pool, or just when the kids become too much these wines’ll provide inexpensive ‘go to’ enjoyment. The best of these cheap and cheerful wines are sophisticated, somewhat complex, and only $15.  Even better, it appears the LCBO has purchased  the wines in industrial quantities so there’ll be no shortage of them for quite some time. You might consider case lots anyway though!

I had been looking forward to the Argentina focus in this release but it is a bit of a disappointment. Completely overshadowed  by  the quality bargains in the  balance of the release, it seems to be  a rehash of almost ‘general list’  type wines. The wines presented from Argentina are all good wines  but  when the LCBO puts a region in focus, they should be striving to present  good,  better,  and  best.  And they should strive to present  regional greatness, not just more of the same. Oh, and price them competitively with the best of the pricing that is available less than an hour away.  From the LCBO HQ -  take the Gardner/QEW combo, drive west, then  south, then east, across the bridge over the Niagara river if you need to find pricing samples.  Is this asking too much? Rhetorical, I know.

In this release there is also a July 1^st Canada Day focus. Nationalists might find pleasure in one of two Ontario white wines:  the Gretzky Sauvignon Blanc from Niagara or the Huff chardonnay from the cool climate PEC.

The Best for the Least 

Perrin Vinsobres Les Cornuds 2009– $15. A high quality Cotes du Rhone Villages from the excellent 2009 vintage, this wine is a blend of Syrah and Grenache and annually rates around 90 points from all the reviewers. The 2009 vintage should be that good or better and provide drinking enjoyment for a few years. The hard part will be letting it age that long.  Unlike my next recommended wine you can serve this with anything from grilled lamb chops to roasted or  rotissereed chicken. A food match  here if you have a Starsky’s nearby. Stop in for their vacuum packed sun dried tomato and basil flattened chicken. Amazingly good on the ‘Q and I think it’ll pair nicely with this wine.

Marquis Phillips Shiraz 2008 – This time from Oz, another $15 beauty for those who like to get their new world fruit via viscose, teeth staining, palate coating,  almost black, purple  fluids. Great around the BBQ, it’ll stand up to anything grilled, spicey  and smoky but is also an easy quaffer.  Quaffers  beware though. This is a 16% alchoholic exocet.  Is that a hole in your hull or have you had too many glasses of this wine?  Ahhh, it’s  an Argentina theme this week so  what would these  wine reviews be without at least one Falklands war reference – even if the wine in question  isn’t Argentinian? 

Mulderbosch Rose – A Cab Sauv rose for $12.95. Annually, one of my favourite roses.  Great on a sunny deck with seafood antipasto, grilled shrimp, chicken satays, soft cheeses or just by itself. Serve nicely chilled and buy lots.

Gladiator Primitivo – Cousin (uncle?  grandfather?) to zinfandel, this is annually a very good primitivo and available for a not too bad price of  $15.95. Another wine to be enjoyed in the presence of charred meat  or while fighting Goths, or both.

2007 Cotes Du Rhone Visan Garde des Lions – From the terrific 2007 Vintage, this just sneaks in under $15 but should be right in its drinking window now.

A Spanish equivalent from  TORRES,  GRAN SANGRE DE TORO RESERVA 2007 at $ 15.95 should be a not bad Spanish take on a Southern Rhone blend

2007 MALBEC CARLA CHIARO $14.95 – Ready to drink and a buy at under $15.

Ben Marco Cabernet Sauvignon and the Zuccardi Q are OK. The Ben Marco might be the better buy at $16.95

Altocedro’s Tempranillo will be a good choice for something a little different.  Might provide an opportunity for a new world vs old world tempranillo throwdown $16.95

Cheap Whites?

Alamos Chardonnay at 13.95

SOLAR DAS BOUÇAS LOUREIRO VINHO VERDE – if you’re looking for something white,  light and refreshing, with just a hint o’ frizzante, try this vinho verde from Portugal. $13.95

So there they are, 11 wines all under $17.

The Big Buck Wines

There aren’t many that stood out but there is a pair of Italians that caught my eye.

The Viticcio Chianti Classico reserva 2007 is my first choice. The ’06 was super, and the ’07 should be even better. Worth picking some up and leaving them for a while in a cool dark place. Open with some friends who’ll appreciate them.

Strap on your helmet if you’re going after the POGGIO SCALETTE IL CARBONAIONE 2007. It appears to be almost 10 bucks less than the ’06 for perhaps a slightly better vintage. Even at almost 60 bucks the 97 points will have the door crashers out to load up.  I’d let them battle for it and grab a few of the Chianti above instead.

If you like OLD…

MONTIVERDI VIGNETO CIPRESSONE CHIANTI CLASSICO 1998 $ 24.95 – If you want to see how some of the ’06 or ’07 Chianti Classicos will age, the LCBO has a ’98 available in this release for under $25. Nice for those who like some maturity in your wines.

Veneto and Dad's day are nothing special - the June 11 Vintages release

Let's start with special thanks to Rick from Ottawa and Laura from Guelph for their comments on the Dandelion Shiraz. Don't be shy, folks, feel free to add your 2 cents worth!

This week’s focus is on another of the big 3 Italian regions. This time around it’s Veneto, home of Amarones and Valpolicellas among others but I didn’t see much to enthuse me. As well, there  appears to be almost an afterthought entry for Father’s day. For that, there are some big buck selections that are just too much for this time of year.

Summer is here and I find myself really busy so for the next little while you’ll find me cutting back on my entries and just highlighting the wines I’m considering.  My first choices are:

Gigondas La Cave L’intense Gigondas 2007 – From a renowned year in the Southern  Rhone at $26.95 I’ll be picking up a few of these.

Castello De Gabbiano Chianti Classico Reserva 2007 – $22.95 Also great vintage in Chianti, this one can be enjoyed now or be good for a short lay down.

Pascuale Pelissero Bricco San Giuliano Barbaresco 2007 – Should be an excellent wine especially with food. Decant this one and let it breathe for a time. $27.95

Now lets move on to an under $20 Shirazfest. Ok so maybe it’s a syrahfest too but it’s a fest….

For me, the first choice in the fest will be the Thelema Shiraz 2006 – For a buck or two more than the following pair of Aussie Shiraz, spring for this South African beauty! It should be big and bold – a superb wine at this price point. $19.95.

A pair of entry level shiraz from two great Aussie  producers,  Elderton and Barossa Valley Estates. Both are within a buck of one another and both very good for the price. Elderton Friends and BVE E minor shiraz should be great BBQ wines for casual get togethers  and BBQs.

Jean Claude Fromont Le Comte de Parme Crozes Hermitage 2009. A really well priced syrah from another great vintage in the Rhone. $16.95

Last entry in the ‘fest is the Falernia Reserva Syrah 2007 from the Elqui Valley in Chile. 90 points from Jay Miller and only $15.95, this should not disappoint. I’m not familiar with the producer, nor the region, so it slips down in my ratings.

The near misses:

Catena Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from Argentina. Terrific producer, good solid wine. Are you grilling something red?  You’ll never be disappointed with this one. $19.95

Vitalonga Terra di Confine 2006  $22.95 Might be the sleeper of the release, especially if you are a Vino Nobile de Montepulciano fan.

 Castiglion Del Bosco Rosso di Montalcino 2006 – At $19.95, this should be a very nice on its own but even better with food.

Bodegas Hermanos Laredo Senorio de Laredo gran reserva 1998. Yes, 1998 and  $25.95. For you fans of older wines who can’t wait for your own stash to age.

Last but not least, if you are looking for something really special for your wine cellar, there is an ISD that could be the ticket. A 3000 ml (4 normal bottles) of the 2006 Barone Ricasoli Castello di Brolio Chianti Classico for $247.95. This wine was #5 on the WS TOP 100 of 2009 and is a terrific wine that’ll age gracefully until that special big event.  Very few bottles of it are available though!