October 1st Vintages release - a few good buys but no 'I've got to have that!'s

The October1st Vintages release has three subfeatures – Syrah/ Shiraz from around the world, How to start a Cellar, and Thanksgiving simplified. Prices are slowly rising as we head to Christmas but there are still some bargains to be had in this release.

Let’s review them in that order, shall we. Syrah starts with old world, Rhone versions from Guigal, one from the North and one from the south. The North is a Cote Rotie which traditionally  includes a soupcon of Viognier – yes I have my beret on for that bit of phrasing. For those who snicker at the Aussies proudly making this blend, here’s where it originated. Snicker no more. The second is a Crozes Hermitage, not to be confused with the Northern Rhone’s very expensive  Hermitage appellation.  Both are expensive for what you’ll get. If I had to choose between these two, I’d go with the ’07 Crozes Hermitage. OZ is next up with 5 offerings from  $17  thru $90. The best of these for me are the Thorn Clarke Terra Barossa 2009 at $`16.95 and the always impressive Ebenezer from Barossa Valley Estates at $39.95. The Mitolo GAM might be as good but it’s more money. The Elderton Command is an amazing wine too but again, too much money by far! Of all the Syrahs from other countries the Fess Parker The Big Easy Syrah is  the best @$34.95

Following the syrahs, the LCBO offers up  Cellar Choices – ironic when you consider that the LCBO has changed their returns policy so that none of the recommended wines could be returned if faulty, if held until the LCBO suggests you hold them. Of all of these, the Luigi Bosca Single Vineyard Malbec is the best QPR choice and is ready for consumption now with a little decant and a bleeding slab of red meat. If you want to try something different go for the Mollydooker Maitre D’ Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a polarizing winery. You either love their wines or hate them. They are BIG, they are viscous, and they are in your face. Subtle and understated? I don’t think so.

The Thanksgiving choices? Try ‘em if you’d like to. I prefer to simplify this further – it’s a turkey, it's gravy, it's stuffing  - just serve and drink what you like.

The rest of the release? There are some good under $20 wines available.

Ontario

The Coyote’s Run Pinot Gris 2009 at $17.95 should be nice.

Argentina – along with the Bosca Malbec try:

LaMadrid single Vineyard Cab Sauv at $13.95 should be a very good buy.

Nieto Senetiner Don Nicanor 2008 $16.95 – a nice blend.

Australia – along with those mentioned above:

The Yalumba FDW 7C Chardonnay – at $23.95 this is from a high quality producer and is a subset of their best grapes. Maybe not 95 points good but very good nonetheless.

Hickinbotham Cab Sauv/ Shiraz 2009 at $15.95 is a screaming buy.

South Africa –

The Post House Penny Black 2008 – $19.95 - The kitchen sink blend with Shiraz, Merlot, Cab Sauv, Petit verdot and a wee touch of Chenin Blanc but it’ll be tasty. Apparently this one failed the LCBO lab testing so was not available.

France

Cave de Roquebrun Roches Noir 2009 - $19.95 – A gold medal winner at Vinalie 2011. Should be very nice.

Hungary

Royal Tokaji 5 Puttonyos Tokaji Aszu 2006 $19.95 for 250 ml – A WS Top 100 dessert wine – nice to finish off Thanksgiving or perhaps try an ice wine throw down?

Italy

A well priced Barolo and a well priced Brunello highlight the Italian section. The Marchesi Di Barolo 2005 at $34.95 is a rerelease I think. The Caparzo Brunello2005 should be a real  buy for Brunello fans at $39.95

Vintages Sept.17th release - Liberace played rugby, who knew!?

The LCBO looks to be giving all the anal retentive early shoppers a head start at their Christmas gift lists with the spread in this week’s Vintages release. There are lots of $15 to $25 wines to spend on but also a truckload of $40 and up wines that seem more destined to be corporate Christmas gifts than to be the usual weekend drinkers. In this release a trio of focused specials also greet the shopper – to this observer’s palate, most rate a pass as in take a pass, not rating a passing grade. Bordeaux ’08 is described as a sleeper vintage – one glass and you’ll be nodding off. Pinots from France and Oregon? Yawn. New Zealand premium wines? Big bucks, but samples just as good of the same grapes are available for half the price. And speaking of New Zealand,  what was the LCBO thinking and where did they find the hand model to hold that rugby ball for the Rugby World Cup? Those look a lot more like Liberace’s fingers  than say, Jonah Lomu’s!
The good news? This is a better release than the last couple.
Top Red Picks
2009 Alaine Jaume Domaine Grand Veneur Clos de Sixte Lirac - $23.95 – Less expensive than in previous years, this should be a smoking wine for the next 4 or 5. My palate loves the GSM’s and this one is no exception!  Alain Jaume is a terrific, high quality Rhone producer. My pick of the release!
2008 Durigutti Mendoza Malbec - $16.95 - #74 in last year’s Wine Spectator Top 100, good to go now over the next few years. At under $17, throw a steak on and let’s get to it!
2008 Thorn-Clarke Terra Barossa Shiraz / Cabernet / Petit Verdot - $14.95 – Always good value for the price.
2007 Finca Flichman Paisaje de Barrancas Shiraz / Cabernet / Malbec - $17.95 – Could be the real sleeper of the release. A blend of three grapes from a single vineyard site and a real mouthful.
Top White Picks
2009 Gehringer Bros Pinot Gris $17.95 – If you enjoyed their unoaked Chard from earlier this year, or if you’re a fan of Kettle Valley’s Pinot Gris, then I think you’ll like this one. Slight pinkish hue due to the exposure to skins for a short time.
2010 Mount Riley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc - $15.95 Fans of New Zealand Sauv Blanc – step right up.
2010 Spice Route WO Darling Sauvignon Blanc - $14.95 – A Citric, grassy, SB from South Africa. Well priced to accompany a seafood dish!
The Rest
Jip Jip Rocks 2009 – Scored well but past vintages have left me unimpressed. Perhaps this’ll be better.
2008 Rivera Violante Nero di Troia - $15.95 Well scored by all reviewers (86 to 87 points) and a very solid wine with fall foods or on its own.
 2007 First Press Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - $19.95- First released last year, this is an OK Cali Cab for the money. It was better than I expected it to be last year.
2007 DOURO RESERVA RED from QUINTA DO COA – Wonderful review. If you are a fan of Quinta do Crasto Old Vines Reserva and are P.O.’d that you can’t get more, this will be a close approximation. Slightly tart to bitter annise notes on the finish. Not cheap though. 
Bodegas LAN 2003 at $26.95 is ready to drink now.

Big Bucks, Major Money, Piles o’ pennies
2008 Two Hands Bella's Garden Barossa Shiraz - $63.95 : #2 in the WSTop 100 last year. Is money no object? Line up early and with elbow pads on probably.
2007 Te Mata Hawkes Bay Coleraine  Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot / Cabernet Franc - $59.95- An unusual blend from New Zealand, we don’t see a lot of Cab Sauvs from there to be sure even if they are blended with other grapes.  
2008 Faust Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - $39.95
2004 Ladera Lone Canyon Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - $64.95  
    
 Encore appearance from an earlier Release:
2006 Barone Ricasoli Casalferro 2006 at $39.95  was a very nice big wine on first release.
2009 Perrin La Gille Gigondas - $29.95  - I really like this wine, even at this price. Ageworthy, complex, delicious. 
A couple of Spaniards have been rereleased as well but the 2008 Arrocal at  $15.95 is your best bargain bet.

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.