April 28th Vintages release - Veneto and New Zealand

April 28 Preview - it's early, but here are the picks  

The April 28^th release features  Veneto and New Zealand but the best choices might be from  a number of other wine producing areas.  There is some good news this week.  There are quite a number of  appealing under $17 wines in this release but as always with the LCBO, good news is offset with equally bad news. The bad news is that the recent Food and Drink $15 specials seem to have moved to the $17 price point.  It’ll be interesting to see how long it’ll take to jump to $19. As it is, I’m into a bit of an austerity programme so  while I’d love to buy any of  the wines listed you’ll find my picks have been  down-dollared a bit this week.

ARGENTINA

There’ve been lots of good Malbecs in recent previous releases. The two below will be good picks if you’re grilling something  but neither one makes the top 5.

PASCUAL TOSO ALTA RESERVE MALBEC 2008 279 cases $31.95 – Expensive  and should be in the big buck section but I’ll leave it here. You can find some malbecs from previous releases that are almost as good and $10 less.

SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE MALBEC 2009 (Dominio del Plata) 971 cases  $21.95 – like this one perhaps?

AUSTRALIA

 (Pick #2 tie) LEASINGHAM BIN 61 SHIRAZ 2008 559 cases $24.95 – I have fond recollections of the 2000 vintage of this wine. It was one of my 'Ahah!'  wines. That vintage was made with fruit from the Classic Clare Shiraz vineyards that had been damaged by hail. If you like the Jim Barry Lodge Hill Shiraz (I do!) then try one or two of this one. Same region, similar cooler climate style, watch for pepper, black fruits, olive notes  and licorice in a very nice wine.  If you need another reason to buy it, this appears to be the penultimate vintage ("Or is it the last?" he asked, wiping away a tear.) for the Clare Valley Leasingham Bin 61 Shiraz as we know it. Leasingham was owned by Constellation Brands and in 2009, under financial duress, Constellation  closed the winery.  Tim Adams had already purchased one of the Leasingham vineyards  from Constellation and in 2010 he bought  the winery as well. The sale did not include the Leasingham brand, just  the winery and equipment .  The Leasingham brand, among other Australian wine assets was later sold by Constellation to CHAMP, a private equity company.  It’s a sad end for the iconic Classic Clare and Bin series brands and something to keep in mind if you ever begin to see bottles of them with a more recent (post 2010) vintage.

TWO HANDS GNARLY DUDES SHIRAZ 2010 399 cases $29.95 – From a quality and breadth of range of wines, you simply cannot beat Two Hands. If I wasn't down pricing this week, I'd buy some of this for sure!

SALTRAM MAMRE BROOK CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008   708 cases of 6 $24.95 – Very good Cab and age worthy in the short term

MAJELLA SHIRAZ 2008 399 cases $29.95 –Remember last release’s Katnook Estate? Well the Majella shiraz is also produced from grapes grown in the Coonawara.  It’s probably not as famous for Shiraz as the Barossa Valley or McLaren Vale but good nonetheless and right in its drinking window.

CHILE

NINQUÉN ANTU CABERNET SAUVIGNON/CARMENÈRE 2010   504 cases of 6 $16.95 – Chocolate, coffee, smoke and black fruits but previous cabs and syrahs were heavily oaked so watch for some big creamsicle vanilla notes late on the palate.

France

ARNOUX ET FILS 2009 VACQUEYRAS $19.95 – Rare is the Vacqueyras that I don’t recommend! So here I am recommending another one!

(Pick #3 tie) LE GRAVILLAS PLAN DE DIEU CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2009  599 cases $14.95 – A  very good producer of Southern Rhone blends (Vacqueyras, Gigondas among them) and this one from the village of Plan de Dieu should be no exception. Black berries should jump from the glass.

CHÂTEAU NOZIÈRES CUVÉE AMBROISE MALBEC CAHORS 2008 $15.95 – A French malbec from the Cahors region, a nice counterpoint to all those Argentinians we’ve had lately.

GREECE

TSELEPOS DRIOPI AGIORGITIKO 2008   139 cases  $18.95 – take a step off  the beaten grape path and try this with a homemade pork or  lamb souvlaki.

ITALY

(Pick #1) CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA (CANONICA A CERRETO) 2007 $17.00 – Equal reasons  to worry and to be happy here – does  this  seemingly late availability of gobs of an  ’07 with a big Galloni (Parker)  score mean we’ll get  leftovers and dregs or will we get a wine that truly merits the 92 point score at $17? When this one is released, watch the local reviewers’ tasting notes or try one first. There will be oodles (+2000 cases) around and if it’s as good as the score, it might merit buying a case. ***Update*** Tried a bottle with a homemade spagehetti bolognese. It's good, but not 92 points good. I'd be happy at $15, I'm a little disappointed at $2 more. Also, all the boxes on the floor at Weston Rd. were marked as Lot 2011/04, but the bottles I could see in all the open cases were labelled 2011/11. What gives  with that? If someone tries a bottle labelled with lot 2011/04, let me know how it is. Meantime, floral notes and red fruit on the nose, hints of vanilla yet woodsy (forest floor?).  On the palate, more red fruit than black, hints of smoke, earthy, not full bodied and just a wee  tad short on the finish.

Of the BRANCAIA TRE 2009, I've had past vintages which were very well scored by international critics and frankly, I found them not up to the marks. I was expecting full and rich.  Maybe my palate isn’t so educated, maybe the ones I had were a little off,  or maybe buyer beware on this one. Regardless, I dare say it’ll blow out on past reputation alone.

ISOLE E OLENA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2008 199 cases $26.95 – In a normal week, I’d pick this Chianti Classico but the ’07 reserve above at $10 less is hard to resist!

(Pick #3 tie) TEDESCHI CAPITEL NICALÒ APPASSIMENTO VALPOLICELLA 2009 $15.95  - I enjoy this one annually  but to some it is an acquired taste. Might need some time first and if you get a little hint of effervescence, don’t be too surprised.

(Pick#3 tie) MONTE DEL FRA TENUTA LENA DE MEZZO VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2008 –$15.95 - Another age worthy, almost bargain priced,  suggestion from the Veneto focus.

SPAIN

CONDADO DE HAZA TINTO 2008 179 cases  $23.95 – I’m a fan of this Spaniard, more red than black fruit and  have food handy.

BODEGAS OLARRA ANARES RESERVA 2005 - $17.95 – More traditional in style but still provides good fruit. Well priced.

(Pick #2 tie)BORSAO TRES PICOS GARNACHA 2009 - $19.95 – A very nice Grenache, excellent consistent producer. Gobs of fruit, hints of smoke.

MONTEBUENA 2009 - $12.95 – I’m not familiar with the wine, but 90 points from Suckling means it might be worth a shot, especially at that price.

CALIFORNIA

FREI BROTHERS CABERNET SAUVIGNON RESERVE 2008, 1000 cases at $23.95. One of the Gallo brands from the Sonoma region of California. A  WOM (Wine of the Month) so there’ll be lots initially.

IRONY MERLOT 2009 – The second of this month’s $17 specials, this is a nice, fruity, unassuming, summer  ’burgers and buds’  type of  BBQ wine. It’ll blow out as well, I’m sure.

BIG BUCKS

EBERLE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007  12 111 $43.95 – I presumed this was to be a re-release of the Eberle Vineyard Select product  that I enjoyed so much a year or so ago until I saw the price!  $43.95?  I hope this is the Estate Cabernet  at that price.  The previous release of  the Vineyard Select line was VERY GOOD but  it was priced in the lower to mid twenties  and  I thought then that the LCBO should knock a buck or two off that!  So buyer beware, if this has a VS watermark on the label, it’s the  Vineyard Selection and we’re just really, really taking it in the ear again! At $23 it was an OK buy, at $44? Fahgedaboud –it!  If it doesn’t have the VS and you’re looking for a splurge wine,  you could try this one. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Actually, it’d be fun to compare this and the next one in a blind tasting.

STAGS' LEAP WINERY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008 12 382 $49.95 – If you must spend $50 on a wine this week and you like Napa cabs, try this one.

MARZIANO ABBONA TERLO RAVERA  BAROLO 2006 $42.95 – Look for lineups and foolishness  for no other reason than the high score (96 pts) but be prepared to age it before you consider opening it.

VENTURINI CAMPOMASUA AMARONE CLASSICO 2005 gets 3 of 3 from Gambero Rosso and comes in at a cool $59.95

CABREO IL BORGO 2007 – If you’re looking for a bit of a rarity here’s this week’s  ISD  treasure.  Coming in at a cool $34.95 for a 90 to 94 point wine, there will only be 79 cases of 6 delivered to the province. Cuddle up to your LCBO consultant at one of the ‘biggy’ stores if you hope to score any!

CHÂTEAU FORTIA CUVÉE DU BARON CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2009   149 cases $35.95 – Fortia can be big, closed, and tannic but with lots of air or some time it’ll display good fruit too!

April 14 Vintages Preview - The Gauchos are coming - fire up the BBQ!

Argentina and Wine Biodynamics are the focal points this week.  Sadly, the trend of hohum, inflation inducing releases continues. This one has some nice wines but there are few  stellar ones under that most important $20.00 mark and most are barely under the $30 mark!

Whites

Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc 2011 $22– Gooseberry and grass with some lemon. You better have some seafood close by.

Hamilton Russell Chardonnay 2010 – The result of a business venture between Actor George Hamilton and former Boston Celtic centre Bill Russell, this’ll be tannic with a long finish (‘tan’nic with a loooong finish, get it?  Of course I’m kidding and No, I could not stop myself!).  Seriously now, if you want to throw your entire tax return at a new world white, try this one. It is pricey for a South African  white wine at the LCBO ($32) but annually it’s a terrific wine.  There’ll be 99 cases of 6 and it’s a bit ‘cult-y’ so watch out. If you ever decide to stage a New World Chard blind tasting, this one, a Clos Jordanne, a Luca from Argentina, a Leeuwin from Oz and something from Cali would be very interesting especially if you were to toss in one of Norman Hardy’s PEC offerings as a counterpoint!

If you can’t find the H. R. Chardonnay, you might try the Hoopenburg Integer. At $22 it’s ready to drink now.

Reds

If you’re lucky enough to live near a store that receives ISD’s, go for the 2009 DELAS DOMAINE DES GRANDS CHEMINS CROZES-HERMITAGE. This is another terrific syrah made by the Delas clan in the Rhone valley. There are only 79 cases of 6 though so expect very limited amounts in a very limited number of stores, at $28.95. It’ll need a bit of time to come around.

Among the Argentinians, I suggest taking a run at 3 of them.  First, the Norton Privada 2008 $24.95 – Michael Vaughan at VintageAssessments.com projects 13 cases. I hope it’s a typo and means 130 or possibly 1300 cases. Buyer Beware:  If it’s as good as the first and best example I had from the previous vintage and if you enjoy say, Clos de Los Siete, you’ll be blown away. If it’s like the later ones I had last year, you’ll be taking the bottle back. Clearly I’m hoping it’ll be like the first sample I had in BC. Think $50 Cali Bordeaux blend at half the price. Christmas cake spices, black fruits, some drying tannins, it may have it all. But what the hell is this three dollar jack up from last year’s price in less than a year?  My other choices from Argentina include the Mapema Malbec at $22 and the Fabre Montmayou Cabernet  bargain priced at only $15.

From Australia, Katnook Estates Cabernet  Sauvignon 2008 223 cases $29.95 – From the red clay of Coonawarra, the legendary Cab home in South Oz, Katnook is an excellent  big wine exhibiting  prominent cassis and  black cherry  on the palate along with eucalyptus hints supported by a firm tannic backbone. It’s a perfect accompaniment to anything grilled or just on its own but it’s not for the faint of heart. I have fond memories of two samples from the Barracuda Club in Umm Al Quwain that were near perfect. Served on a starlit rooftop halfway between the Jumeirah Beach hotel and the Burj Khalifa, with both loved ones and something well spiced and grilled on a stick close by, they were mouth filling, unctuous, and ripe.  And speaking of the Burj, (segue alert!) how about….

Grant Burge The Holy Trinity $33.95 499 cases of 6 – A tip of the cap to the pope with the religious  reference and aptly named for the three main grapes in many Southern Rhone blends (Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvedre) this is as close to a Chateauneuf du Pape Rhone Clone as Australia produces. More tannic than most GSMs from Oz, it’s also big and fruity but at the risk of sounding like a broken record, it should really be under 30 bucks. On the inflato-front, this one was $29.95 perhaps two  releases ago, I think. And since we’re still on the subject of Burge,

Are you looking to really splurge? Basil, does your wallet have an urge to purge?  Two 2006 Brunellos (Brunelli?) come available this week. Both will require either careful  forethought  and large decanters or patience and a  cool, dark place. I know you have both! Open and decant 4 to 6 hours ahead of serving, or just lay them down for years. Both should be super – La Gerla and Mastrojanni. The latter comes in two sizes so those who just can't wait can buy a small one and quickly get a preview of where the 750 ml will be in a few years. Both come in at just under $50. each.  (A little over half that for the half bottle).  

A Great little Merlot Video from the Gundlach Bundschu Winery by way of the Gang of Pour

Hilarious, and so well done.

March Madness pervades the LCBO Vintages Offices

Three releases this month - let’s consider it the LCBO’s version of March Madness! Here’s a preview of what I consider to be the highlight wines of the next two March releases. These selections are subject to change or expansion once I have a chance to review the releases more closely. March 17th is a Spanish focus - see notes below for picks from that one but the March 31 one is not completed yet now completed as well. For instance, next one is a Spanish focus and I haven’t yet picked any. Also, few cheapies and no white wines or bubblies have been chosen yet either. So remember, it’s early people, but it’s best to conserve your precious financial resources now!



March 31 Preview

In keeping with the March Madness theme, this week the LCBO presents a full court (Corte) press. Or maybe someone in the LCBO’s marketing department  has a date before a judge and it’s playing on their mind. Either way, there are 5 wines named Corte  (or Corté) in this  release. Regardless of that fact , this one is a better release than the last bunch we have been subjected to.

 RHONE
DOMAINE DE LA JANASSE CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2009 650 cases $15.95 Number 1 - super fruit'll jump from the glass, bit of tannic backbone, great producer.
ALAIN JAUME TERRASES DE MONTMIRAIL GIGONDAS 2009 220 cases $27.95 Number 2 - think Chateauneuf for much less. Structure, fruit, another terrific, high quality producer.
WASHINGTON STATE
CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE INDIAN WELLS MERLOT 2008 199 cases $25.95 Number 3 - mocha, chocolate, black fruits. Like the Columbia Crest H3, but a few bucks more.
ARGENTINA (pick one)
ZUCCARDI Q MALBEC 2009 419 cases $19.95 Number 4 (tie)
VISTALBA CORTE B 2008 636 cases $19.95 Number 4 (tie) (I like this one a lot)
ACHAVAL FERRER MALBEC 2010 374 cases $23.95 Number 4 (tie) - I like this one even more but 4 bucks is four bucks!
TUSCANY
LA CASTELLINA TOMMASO BOJOLA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2007 349 cases $21.95 Number 5 - on price and name ( see below)
MONSANTO CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2007, 299 cases $29.95  Number 6 but only because I can't help but think of genetically modified corn when I see this producer's name. I know, I know, it's not the same one!

Among the also rans, but almost in the selection list:

Italy

Aldiano Montepulciano D’Abruzzo Riserva 2007 – At $17.95, A nice casual pizza vino with some sophistication.

Rhone

Domaine Grosset Cairanne CdR-V – 2009 – At $17.95 it’s a buck less than the wine of the month, from a named village. Probably the better buy among those two.

Les Dolia Laudun CdR-V -2009 – $18.95 and ready to drink, this should accompany anything on the grill very nicely too.

Midi

There are two from among my favourite producers in the midi. Hecht and Bannier and Gerard Bertrand are both first rate. I brought Bertrand’s  top of the line wine,  L’Hospitalitas,  back from France last year and am just waiting for the right reason to open it. His L’Hospitalet, a Southern Rhone blend from the  ’05 and ’07 vintages was a go to wine for me. This week’s Minervois should be very good at $15.95.

H & B’s products are oft  superb and this week's Cotes de Rousillon Villages merits  another David Schildknecht opus. The only caveat with it is that I’m a little shakey on the ’08 Vintage. Try one to be sure before you leap in with both feet.

Australia

There are three under $20 Shiraz to choose from – all are OK. The best from Oz is actually the Moculta from BVE (a favourite producer) but is a wee bit overpriced. As a result I’ll take a pass on it.

Whites

From France, White fans have 2 Chablis that should be superb and the Roquetaillade La Grange Blanc is an easy sipper.

From NZ, the Momo Sauvignon Blanc is always first rate – with shrimp on the bar-B or scallops,  mmmmm!

Big Bucks

Terre Nerre Brunello di Montalcino 2006 - $35.95 – Both Brunellos manage equal scores but I’d go with the ’06 on vintage quality and price. The '06 will need some time to come around though. Look for it in a cool dark place in a couple of years.

Corte Pavone Brunello di Montalcino 2005 – $49.95 – Previous vintages ( 01, 03) have left me longing for a good Chianti instead.

2 Chateauneuf du Papes – Both from 2009, I’d hold off, at least one of these will eventually be marked down  I’m sure.

If I was to buy a big bucker, it's be one of these two.

TWO HANDS BELLA'S GARDEN SHIRAZ 2009 499 cases of 6 $64.95 Gee why wasn’t I born rich instead…?

SODARO FELICITY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006 111 cases $43.95 - a new one for me to try.

ST. FRANCIS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007 559 cases $29.95 - this and the Elderton are kind stuck in between.
ELDERTON CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008 (The Ashmead Family) 299 cases $30.95 I wish it was a few bucks less!

CORTÉ RIVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005 383 cases $39.95  - I'm sure they marked this down in previous releases of this vintage. Who's friends with this distributor?

March 17 Preview
TUSCANY
PICCINI CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2007 599 cases $18.95 Number 2

MARCHESE ANTINORI CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2007 499 cases $29.95 Number 4
PORTUGAL - DOURO
QUINTA DO PORTAL GRANDE RESERVA 2006 149 cases $28.95 Number 5
USA - WASHINGTON STATECOLUMBIA CREST H3 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009 335 cases $19.95 Number 1

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

WAKEFIELD SHIRAZ 2009 900 cases $17.95 Number 3 Tie for value

ST. HALLETT BLACKWELL SHIRAZ 2009 384 cases of 6 $29.95 Number 3 Tie for quality but the Halliday score of 96 points is off the chart – 91, 92 points is a far more realistic score.
ARGENTINA
Pascal Toso Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 and the Luigo Bosca Blend 2008 - Both are first class producers making first class products. I'll go with the Toso on price.
SPAIN
Oh yeah, there's a Spain focus - my top picks are the young Mencia, the Pago de Valdoneje - it fits under $15 too - or the Vega Sauco Adoremus 2004 or perhaps the Valdemar Inspiracion 2006.
Bubblies
See Ya Later Ranch Brut  and Lefevre Remondet Brut Rose Cremant de Burgogne
UNDER $15
Michel Chiarlo Barbera d'Asti Superior 2009 - $14.95 - worth a try
Manas Negra 2007 - $14.95 - Grilling something like burgers? Midweek? Here's the ticket.
Cathedral Cellars Chardonnay 2010- $14.95 Faultless producer of inexpensive South African wines.
Foncalieu Cotes du Rhone Villages - 2009 - $14.95 - Juicy, fruit driven with some acidity. Good reflection of the vintage.
BIG BUCKS
Mocali Brunello De Montalcino 2006 - 279 cases - '06 is an excellent vintage just now beginning to make it to the LCBO. Clearly Bruce Sanderson likes it a lot and it's under $50. The review reads like this one will be a Basil special.
Chateau de Beaucastel 2009 - $89.95 - 249 cases - One for long term cellaring - spend $90 now but you can't enjoy it for 10 years.
Concha y Toro Don Melchor 2007 - $79.95 - 299 cases of 6 Tremendous wine. Black fruit, smoke, hints 'o mints. If this was from Napa it'd be twice the price. First bottles I bought were $40. Out of my range now.
Yalumba Menzies Coonawara Cabernet 2007-Only 95 cases of 6 - $53.95 - If you thought there was mint on the Don Melchor, wait until you try the Menzies. Open one  and you'll soon have a room full of koala bears.
Treanna Red 2008 239 cases $39.95

3rd Day of the 3rd Month and another hohum Vintages release is upon us

France’s 13 best known grapes, along with Chile’s Carmenere and Irish Whiskey for St. Paddy’s Day make up the 3 points of focus of the March 3^rd release. Slightly improved on the previous week’s release (or is that the previous weak release?), this one doesn’t blow my socks off but it does provide some interest.  Two of the three entries in the Rhone portion of the France Focus make my top six (big surprise, I know!). Carmenere , once thought to have been  merlot makes the grade with one of my top picks and returns as a choice in one of the Big Buck entries as well. The Irish whiskies? One glass too many and I think I can perform Riverdance – ‘nuff said.

Top Six

DELAS FRÈRES LES LAUNES CROZES-HERMITAGE 2009   219 cases $20.95 – If you combine price, quality and taste, I expect this one to be among the top three wines in the release.  100% Syrah from a great vintage, producer and location.   

JIM BARRY THE COVER DRIVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009   499 cases $23.95 - From another excellent producer, this is a really nice Cab that needs to rest a bit. I’ve found past samples to have been just good but nothing special when opened fresh from the LCBO.  However, if you leave them to settle in for just a few months in the cellar they really come on. Big cassis, mint and later chocolate. Great stuff.

CONCHA Y TORO TERRUNYO VINEYARD SELECTION BLOCK 27   483 cases of 6 $29.95 – Everything you could ever want in a Carmenere. Smokey, a bit of tar, black fruit.  While not cheap, the C y T Terrunyo line of wines always exhibit the highest quality. This one’ll have you saying “I like Carmenere – who knew?” especially if served with something cooked on the grill or rotisserie.

THE WATCHER SHIRAZ 2008 – $19.95 – A second Vintages release of this WS Top 100 from 2010. The earlier release of this wine was recommended and it was very good in that blousy Australian way.  Big but not a blockbuster, the nose and palate combine juicy black cherries with liquorice hints, subtle wafts of meat and pepper and wait for it, is that nori I detect on the finish?   

JACKSON-TRIGGS GOLD SERIES SUNROCK VINEYARD SHIRAZ 2008   223 cases of 6 $26.95 – Grapes from among the best southern Okanagan vineyards, this’ll please every palate. What every Ontario Shiraz/ Syrah hopes to be when it grows up.

PERRIN & FILS LES CHRISTINS VACQUEYRAS 2009 349 cases $23.95 – One of my go to wines but I’d prefer to go to it at $21.95. Black fruit, some red, some hints of garrigue.

One Cab gets an honourable mention.  The Errazuriz Don Maximiano Single Vineyard  Cabernet 2008. This one never quite lives up to the Santa Rita or the Santa Carolina Famiglia Reserva releases at about the same LCBO price but it’s always a very nice wine.

Two  Cabs get dishonourable mentions for their LCBO pricing. One goes to Ravenswood’s Vintner’s Blend Cabernet at $18.95. It’s a nice easy drinking cab that’s great around the BBQ and is available in Buffalo for $6.95. Retail. Yes, $six, not $16. The average retail price of this wine in all US stores carrying it is $9. The LCBO pricing here is brutal!  The second is the Hess Select. This WoM  is a good easy drinking wine but should be priced with the LCBO’s Ravenswood price ($18.95) and even then it’d be well above market price south of the border.  

THE LITTLE BUCKS

The reality is that none of these should be more than $10 and they don’t make the Top 6 but they’re the best bargains in the release. LCBO Bargain – isn’t that an oxymoron?

Domaine La Montagnette Sinargues Cotes du Rhone Villages 2009 – You may need a ventilator to be able to ask for this one in one breath, but it should be immediately quaffable for $13.95.

El Transito Pietro Marini Malbec 2008 – 90 points from Mr. Ninety himself, Jay Miller but at $13.95 worth trying one or two.

Palacios Remondo la Vendimia 2010 –At $14.95 I expect this’ll be another good quaffer  but in the Spanish style so it will require some food or snacks.

THE BIG BUCKS

If you’ve got’em, spend ‘em.

Montes Purple Angel 2009 – A wonderful sample of Carmenere (with hints of Petit Verdot) but at $56.95 this is among the more expensive Vintages offerings from Chile. However, if you want to bring something different to a big buck wine party, this’ll fill the bill. Please note, ‘big buck’ is a relative term. What’s big bucks to me might be exorbitant bucks to some and small potatoes to others.

Marchesi de Frescobaldi Montesodi Chianti Ruffina Riserva 2007 – Always very good, I’ll take the fuller, more rounded flavours of this one over many Brunellos. $49.95

Antinori Guado al Tasso 2008 – An Italian Bordeaux blend – no indigenous grapes - $89.95

Banfi Brunello di Montalcino 2006 - $59.95 – The drying tannins in past vintages make this (to my palate) not quite as good as the Frescobaldi Brunello (or the Montesodi), but still a real keeper if you have the $$’s.

Caymus Special Selection  Cabernet 2009 – At $119.95, this one’ll make a real dent in your budget but might almost be worth it.

February 18th release - In a word, weak. In two words - price gouging!

Oh we’re going to have some fun discussing this latest weak LCBO vintages release. In spite of the catalogue's title, there is very little to enthuse me. It’s titled Popular Front. Now most Popular Fronts that come to mind are associated with either communist or terrorist organizations. Should we draw a subtle conclusion about the leanings of our beloved LCBO’s marketing team or should we just wonder if this is how they perceive their customers? It’s an unusual choice for the title of a Vintages release containing what are supposed to be ‘our favourites’. By the way, the other three focal points in this release are Terroir (some say that’s French for April Fool), Kosher wines (avoid ‘em), and Ontario Gold Winners (ho hum).



Let’s delve deeper into the main focus of the release, shall we? The Popular Front is divided into ‘Old Friends’, ‘For the Wine Pantry’, ‘Party Favourites’ and last but not least ‘Icon wines’. One would expect me to be picking many more this week but there just aren’t that many that excite me. Also, in these times of strong Canuck buck, fiscal restraint, tough negotiations, the U.S. buying American first, and the LCBO’s supposed volume buying power, why are so many of these prices going up?


OLD FRIENDS


ALLEGRINI PALAZO DELLA TORRE 2008 - $24.95, WS Top 100. This one has never been one of my old friends but one or two are worth a shot.


D'ARENBERG THE FOOTBOLT SHIRAZ 2009 574cases $22.95 – Big, juicy, OZ’s take on the traditional Cote Rotie blend of Shiraz and Viognier. Not that long ago this was under $20 at the Board. Strong dollar, weak wine market, rising prices. Which one of these three doesn’t belong? I thought old friends didn’t screw old friends over a few bucks. As a result, I’ll pass.


FOR THE WINE PANTRY




BERONIA RESERVA 2006 749 cases $19.95 A tie for my top pick is the always good Beronia but it was a real favourite at $17.95, not $19.95. Is the LCBO really so dumb as to tell us it’s a favourite and then jack up the price? Well, in a word, yes.


PIRRAMIMMA SHIRAZ 2009 959 cases $26.95 – My second in the tie for favourite of the release, there are lot’s of cases of this one.  I really enjoy this producer's wines - Cabernet, Shiraz or Petit Verdot.


CHATEAU ST. ROCH CHIMERES 2009 – From the Cotes de Rousillon, but I have to ask a question here, if this was so wildly popular, why did the LCBO have to mark it down in the last couple of releases to get rid of it?


PARTY FAVOURITES


Party Favourites of the LCBO, not necessarily us


BODEGAS LAN CRIANZA 2007 1000 cases $15.95 – Another hugely successful wine but last time out the Board blew through about 5,000 cases of this one priced at $15 even. While not crazily expensive, this reflects a price increase of about 6 and a quarter percent in a year. How’s your portfolio been doing?


MCMANIS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010 1999 cases $19.95 – An under $10, great big Cali wine that earned infamy when Parker scored it 90 a number of years ago. Expect a great summer BarBQ fruit bomb but also expect to bend over (pricewise) and get royally ripped by the governmental wood rasp again. South of the border, this is available for under $9 per bottle with a case discount of 20% on top of that. Here a case will cost you $239.40 Cdn, there it costs $86.40US. Is that an eye opener?


ICON WINES


Few if any of these are icons so I think the marketers must mean icon as in, (said with a haughty British accent)”ICON very easily say NO THANK YOU to all of these wines!”


On to the rest of the release:


AUSTRALIA


YALUMBA PATCHWORK SHIRAZ 2008 384 cases $21.95 - I’m a Yalumba fan so I’ll go with this one but that entire page of James Halliday reviews and scores is hilariously inflated.


BRITISH COLUMBIA


TOWNSHIP 7 SYRAH 2007 111 cases $24.95 – Love those Okanagan wines. One to match to an Ontario Shiraz but it should be from ’07 or ’10 to make it a fair fight.


CHILE


SANTA RITA MEDALLA REAL GRAN RESERVA CABERNET 350 cases $19.95 – New world meets Bordeaux. Big, tannic, black fruit, good for short term ageing too, probably my 3rd pick overall.


ARAUCANO SYRAH 2009 (François Lurton) 451 cases $14.95 – Massive doses of black and blue fruit with hints of smoked bacon and perhaps some chocolate. Quite a combo.


PORTUGAL


Two entries under $15.95 and both are new to me and to Vintages. The AZUL Portugal 2008 is $13.95 and the Lua Nova Em Vinhas Velhas 2009 comes in at $15.95. The review of the latter reads like it’ll be the better wine – I might try one.

February 4th - Cali Cabs for the 1 percenters

The February 4th release is focused on California Cabs which means there’ll be plenty of big wines available at equally big prices. Fiscal Restraint is in order lest you  suffer from the dreaded wallet lightening effect of these oft overrated beverages. There are 10 samples available in this release with an average price of over $60. If you remove the three that are available at under $25, the average price of the remaining 7 jumps to a staggering $77. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!



Ironically, and I really do think our friends at the LCBO do have a sense of irony in these time of ‘fiscal responsibility’, the other focus this week is Greece. Those of you who don’t get it should read the newspapers more often. The wines available have an average price of $17.80.


Enough about the politics of finances (or was that the finances of politics?), on with the picks!


Fizzies


Jackson Triggs Entourage Silver Series Methode Classique 2006 - $22.95 – I oft times shy away from Ontario wines with showy scores from local reviewers (call it a Canadian equivalent to the James Halliday effect) but I think this one might actually merit both good reviews.


Cordoniu Seleccion Raventos Brut Cava - $14.95 – A Spanish specialist in fizz, the price gives it the nod over the Cremant de Limoux.


Whites


MMMMMMmmmm, Not this week.


Reds


Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot 2007 – $15.95 - Ready for immediate consumption, this one has come down in price over the last few years. Yes I know it’s because the Canadian dollar has appreciated against the Yankee greenback (see paragraph 3 above). One of the better buys in the release from a Washington State producer of consistent high quality.


Maycas Del Limari Especial Reserva 2007 – $19.95- This one also should be right in its drinking window, from my second favourite Chilean region.


Epsilon Shiraz 2009- $24.95 – I’m picking this one on its track record over the Stone Dwellers but just by a hair. And The Stone Dwellers is 5 bucks less and is one of the WoMs so there’ll be plenty of it anyhow.


The Best of the rest


Of all the California Cabernets, my pick is the Hall but it’s $59.95. Note to the LCBO, I’m not made of money and it is only February! Interestingly the 2007 is on sale in Buffalo for $39.09 ( the ’08 is $42.49). Yes, more than 40% less at a  3 store operation 1 hour away from me. Aren’t we lucky to have the LCBO buying power or we might be paying 50- 60- 70 % more! What’s wrong with that picture?


Of the rest from California, if you must have one and don’t have a huge bank account try the Sebastiani or the Dry Creek. Both have good track records for quality and consistency. I’m not buying either one. I’ll go for the aforementioned merlot and the Maycas de Limari. I expect big things there.


Lavau Vacqueyras 2009 - $19.95 – Should be good and if you want to compare it to a Gigondas, the same producer’s is (gasp) on sale at almost the same price. Try ‘em both!


M. Chapoutier Petite Ruche Crozes Hermitages 2009 - $22.95 – Rack of Lamb in your future? Here’s the wine to serve.


There is a quartet  of Malbecs from Argentina - sorted in price
Crios De Susana Balbo Malbec 2010 - $13.95 – Always good especially at that price point.


La Posta Angel Paulucci Vineyard Malbec 2008 - $15.95 – A burger on the bar-b kind of wine.


Don Nieto Senetiner Don Nicanor Malbec 2008 $17.95 – My introduction to Argentinian Malbec 5 or 6 years ago. It was good then and still is but other producers have surpassed them.

And one new one that received 92 points from Jay 'Call me 90' Miller is the most expensive of the malbecs at $22.95, the Deceros Remolinos Vineyard 2008 is worth investigating too.






Last but not least, try the South African Barista Pinotage if you like your wine with a coffee flair – otherwise nahhh.