Vintages Marketing - oxymoron or bunch of morons? The March 2nd release.

The spiffy Vintages release catalogue for March 2nd has among the most glaring goof ups ever, even for the monopoly! The front cover and almost a quarter of a page within has an image of one wine, the Eberle Chardonnay. Is it for sale in this edition? Nope.  Not in the book, not in the stores, not even in the general list. But there it is - front cover all by itself!

What a joke! Who proofs these things?

Forgetting for the moment the cover debacle, let’s look at the March 2 release in more detail. Already two full months are gone in 2013 and to date our friends at Vintages have really whimpered through them.   This release appears to be more of the same – gurgitations if not regurgitations , rehashes, and  rereleases.  California and South Central Italy are the primary features this time around.  It’s also time for another round of Food and Drink ‘$17 that really should be $15’ Specials. Yawn.

Looking for more numbers? This is a 62 point release on the VRSS.

I think the following sub $20 wines  will provide a small ray of sunshine for you this March. Each should deliver if QPR is important to you.

Cave de Rasteau ‘La Domeliere’ 2010 – $15.95 – 1001 cases. Another Cotes du Rhone Villages from the 2010 vintage and one that was a Smart Buy in the WS. The 2010 CdRVs must come to an end but Vintages seems to have pulled a lapin out of their chapeau to bring this one to market. Do watch the local wine writers’ reviews – Beppi,  Stimmell, Winealign, etc. - and if you read a glowing review of this wine, see if the reviewer identifies which lot number he or she tasted.  Michael Vaughan at Vintage assessments is often very good about highlighting the lot numbers he’s tasted in his subscriber based newsletter. This long after the very good WS review there may be a few different lots combined to make up the 1000 cases and the quality can vary wildly from lot to lot. If you find a great one, buy it up. If you get a bad one take it back and check the other boxes/ bottles  in your store to see if there’s a different lot to try.  Or go to another store. The next lot might be far superior.

eMinor Shiraz 2010 - $18.95 – 399 cases - From BVE, this is no Ebenezer, but it’ll be very good and should be adaptable to those early spring BBQs. Save yourself $11 and buy this over the Mollydooker Boxer.

Aldiano Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva  2008 $17.95 – 549 cases- Not to be confused with Vino Nobile de Montepulciano, this’ll be a tasty, busy mouthful of food friendly goodness.  Historically not as sophisticated as Vino Nobile, think of the Abruzzo as  “the Full Monty”  -raucous and loud. It was an editor’s pick in the Wine Enthusiast.

Casale dello Sparviero Chianti Classico Riserva 2009 $18.95 –A WoM so there’ll be lots - 1399 cases.  A well priced Chianti Classico Riserva, expect red fruits , olive notes, some meatiness but without the rich depth and fullness of the ‘06s and ‘07s. A food wine.

Apollonio Copertino Rosso 2007 – $16.95 – 449 cases - Another change of pace - 70% Negroamaro, the balance Montepulciano, Malvasia and Sangiovese. Previous vintages have been nice for the price. Good on its own but also ready to accompany whatever you’re serving from pizza thru eggplant parmesan to spaghetti bolognese. For a casual meal   you won’t go far wrong.

Altamira de Los Andes Reserva Malbec 2009 – $28.95 - 279 cases - From the Uco Valley, this one is a little cher but it’ll be more than good to share.  Red meats call its name – NY strip steak with a peppercorn sauce or maybe cross the ocean and match to bistecca alla Fiorentina!

Mollydooker The Boxer Shiraz 2009 - $29.95 – 223 cases -Cough medicine? Grape Syrup with a shot? Big is too small to describe this wine. Massive perhaps?  Great gobs of fruit, it’ll be teeth staining and palate purpling.  Who knew purple could be a verb?

Big Bucks

SAN GIORGIO UGOLFORTE BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2006 $47.95 – 199 cases– A well praised offering, scored over 90 from all the major reviewers. I’m not familiar with the producer, but it might be worth a shot if only because the 2006 vintage was so good in Tuscany.

California, ho hum.  The good reds are way over my price ceiling. 

The whites? There might be one or two but I’ll take mine from Ontari-ari-ario. “Especially the chardonnay” he said with more than a hint of sarcasm.  

February 16 - Tuscany and Passover - ho hum.

Tuscan Triumphs and Passover Prerequisites – still more alliteration from our moribund monopoly’s marketing mooks and midriffs (ah ha, two can play at that game!). The Tuscan feature is an interesting history lesson but not a compelling reason to spend.  Once again the Passover wines are just that, wines I’ll pass over. Another ho hum release barely scores 62 points on the VRSS.

Best wine for the $ in the release is the Delas Freres Crozes Hermitage Les Launes 2010 – $20.95 199 cases The pick of the release for me. Last year’s and many  vintages  prior have been excellent . Expect  full, ripe, black fruit, hints of pepper and licorice. If you must open now, decant it otherwise give it a year or more in a nice quiet place.

Schild Estate Shiraz 2009 – 499 cases, the inside back cover and 92 points counterbalance the higher price of  $28.95. This winery has been the subject of a number of reports outlining some  questionable conduct concerning re (and re and re)  releases of  their WSTop 10 wine a couple of vintages ago.. Even yours truly chimed in at one point. But the wine always scores well in the WS and has made their Top 100 multiple times.   Expensive and getting more so but next to the pricing insanity that is the Penfold’s lineup (see Bin 389), it appears to be downright cheap!

Palacios Remondo La Montesa 2009 - $17.95 - A real bargain for a Rioja. 349 cases.
Turkey Flat GSM sorry SGM, 2010- $19.95. Full ripe southern Rhone blend from Oz. Unlike last release’s the Strapper, there’s more Shiraz than Grenache this time. Look for a meatier wine with just hints of raspberry.

OK there is a Tuscany feature so I should find a couple to put in the top 10 – my best bets are:

Castello di Querceto Chianti Classico Riserva 2008 – $27.95 Calls out for a multi course Tuscan feast. These wines are so good with food.

Poliziano – Vino Nobile de Montepulciano- 2009 - $25.95- Black fruits, good mouthfeel, very tasty.

Bodegas Balbas Ardal 2005 $16.95 – Ready to drink immediately, this has as much age as it’ll need and should be soft and smooth.

McPherson Basilisk 2010 Shiraz/ Mourvedre 2010 - $18.95 –Based on the image, the bottle appears to be festooned with multitudinous gold medals.  If the wine lives up to half of them this should be pretty good. But look carefully at them to be sure they’re not all from the Humptydoo Tractor Pull and Wine Show.

Luigi Bosca Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 – At $17.95, this is a terrific, crowd pleasing cab value. Burgers are calling from the ‘Q!

Big Bucks

Majella Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 - $36.95 – My choice for the Cabernet of the release. Coonawarra terrior will impart mint and black fruit flavours, not as cassis-y as a Napa Cab but the climate and soils of the region really lend themselves to this grape.

Terre Nere Brunello di Montalcino 2006 - $34.95 – A Brunello at Chianti prices. Among  the buys of the release! Of the other Three Brunelli, I prefer the Altesino – too bad it’s over my price ceiling!

Vintages February 2 - A good time to save some bucks!

This week’s main feature is called Signature Study, the selection of the signature grapes from a number of new world wine producing areas or countries. The presentation is pretty much as you would expect, big reds from Chile, whites from Ontario, as well as a red and white each from California, Argentina and Australia. I’m sure you can guess from which grapes the latter three reds are made.  The second feature is more fizz.

Looking for the positives, this is a release that makes one very happy because there is little temptation to spend much money! It scores an estimated 61on the VRSS.

The Whites

There are three inexpensive white options and they may be among the better QPR’s in the book.

Man Vintners Chardonnay $13.95 From South Africa, very well priced and a real mouthful.

Bestheim Reserve Pinot Gris 2011 -$14.95 – A gold medal winner but just dry so expect a slight sweetness to it.

Château de Pocé Touraine sauvignon blanc 2011 $13.95 – Another Gold medal winner at a bargain price. This Sauvignon Blanc just shouts “Oysters anyone?”.

The Reds

Domaine Grand Veneur Les Champauvins Cotes du Rhone Villages 2010. - $18.95- A single vineyard offering from the domaine, this one delivers almost everything a good Gigondas or Chateauneuf might except the price. Expect the cognoscenti to rush for this one.

Yalumba  The Strapper GSM 2010 - $19.95 – I’m a big fan of the southern Rhone blends from almost anywhere but especially Oz. This one will deliver for you. Think of it as your favourite expensive Cotes du Rhone Villages  from a very hot vintage! Not huge, but big enough to hold its own.  Grilled or roast chicken is calling!

Jip Jip Rocks Shiraz 2010 - At $16.95 this one’ll be a good option for casual get togethers and BBQ’s come the summer. Mmmm, Lamb burgers!

Also, both Chapel Hill offerings should also be very very good in this release.

Cabernet Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 -$19.95 – Doesn’t get the high score of the KJ in the big buck options, but it’ll always please a crowd.

Suzanna Balboa Signature Malbec 2010  -$19.95– A rerelease methinks. The score is too high but it’ll be very good.

Tarapaca Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon $16.95 – A well priced offering from the Maipo Valley. The Maipo  has always been among my favourite areas for Cabs from Chile so it’s worth trying.  I expect some coarseness to accompany the black fruit.

Les Halos de Jupiter 2010 Costieres de Nimes. $14.95 - Ah the geography lesson of last month paid off! Well priced for a fruity, pleasing blend.

Hecht and Bannier Cotes du Roussillon Villages 2010 - $23.95 – H&B is among the highest quality producers in the Midi. You’ll be happy with this bad boy but the two options from the Southern Rhone for $5 to $9 less will be just as good.

Stefano Farina Solers La Bocce 2009 – Italy, at $15.95 and well scored by Bruce Sanderson in the WS, this one could be a terrific accompaniment to rich pasta dishes.

Beronia Reserva 2008 - $18.95 – Spain,  High quality and always very tasty but I take umbrage with the Vintages Panel’s quote that it “really delivers for the price”. Sorry but this one really delivered when the price was $2 less. Now it just delivers.

The Big Buck Options

Tour de L’Ile Chateauneuf du Pape 2010 – $39.95 Another long lived option from the fabulous 2010 Vintage, this can be enjoyed early with sufficient decanting or some red meat to cut the tannins. Big and bold to be sure but this is one that I’d consider taking a pass on and trying the Clos Du Calvaire for $11 less.

Chappellet Signature 2009 - $68.95, I love  Chappellet’s wines, but this is just too much for what you’re getting. If you check out Vinopedia, you’ll find two and a half pages of retailers listed before you even hit the $50 mark.  The scary thing is, this’ll sell. But not to me!

Kendall Jackson Jackson Hills 2007 – $44.95. Hmmm, interesting review. Calls it young and yet says just drink though 2013. Seems at odds with itself. I’m at odds with the price.

Ebenezer Shiraz 2007 - $40.95 – After pushing against the $40 ceiling for so long, this big brute has finally broken  through it. Is it worth it? Only your palate can tell for sure but it is a huge mouthful of black fruit, pepper, hints of mint and alchohol.  

Tenimenti Angelini Val di Suga Brunello di Montalcino 2007- $49.95- From a wonderful vintage in Tuscany, this one is probably one of the best of the big buck options.

Cirrus Syrah 2007- At 33.95 this one is expensive for a wine whose ‘best before date’ from James Molesworth was last year. Take that part of his review with a grain of salt, but if you do buy, be advised you might not be buying for a 5 yr. rest in the cellar.

BP goes slumming on the General List and finds a gem and a gold star for a Vintages consultant

Clos du Calvaire from Domaine du Pere Pape 2010 – I recently opened the 2007 vintage of this wine (purchased from Vintages a number of years ago) and thought it was splendid. So when I saw the 2010 for under $30 at my local LCBO, I had to jump in and try one. The 2010 vintage of this Chateauneuf du Pape has to be among the best buys on the General List at the LCBO right now.   Decanted for an hour or so, it shows a slightly reticent nose with hints of funk that leads to forest floor. That soon gives way to cassis and then ganache notes. On the palate, it’s fruit driven with cassis/ black berries and red raspberry notes.  It finishes nice and long with olive and licorice notes supporting the fruit, but is also possessed of enough acidity to accompany the richest of dishes (slow cooked lamb shanks perhaps). At $28.95 this is every bit as good as CdP’s costing $6 to $11 more.  It should sell like crazy but it seems to be oh so  cleverly concealed in plain view on the general list.  It’s nice to find a well priced wine that is available for more than two weeks, will age for years but can also be enjoyed now. I stocked up on it.  Above are my tasting notes, now let's do the math. At about half the price of the brilliant 2010 Vieux Donjon and I’d say at the very least 96% as good, it would seem a no brainer!  Seek one out and let me know if you concur. BP gave this bad boy 92 points and I feel it'll only improve over the next 3 to 7 years given proper storage. It'll age much longer but my palate seems to like these best around that age.

Planets from Prior Pons in the Priorat region of Spain earned my local consultant the gold star. At $22.95 and from the Jan.19 Vintages release, this was not among my recommendations last week but should have been! At the suggestion of my local Vintages consultant Anna, I tried a bottle of this. It’s a fabulous wine! Accompanying osso bucco, we had it immediately following a bottle of Il Greppo Greppicante 2007, which if memory serves me correctly was a WS Top 100 wine. The Planets was head and shoulders above it in quality of (warning: LCBO alliteration alert!) fruit, fullness, and finish. This Spanish blend was a standout. Thanks to Anna for her suggestion! 

January 19 - A few Spanish bargains and more

The January 19^th release features a number of options priced in the under $20 range from that bastion of bargains, Spain. Also featured, but at a far higher average price point is the Okanagan. Regardless of whether or not my wallet was beaten to within an inch of its life over Christmas and New Years (it was ) only three wines make my ‘must buy’ category.  While there might be other options available, these three really stand out to provide a combination of value and quality.  

The release scores 62 on the VRSS. Below in order are the wines that interest me.

Columbia Crest H3 Merlot 2009 – $19.95 Ripe, hints of black cherry, chocolate, vanilla, coffee. From Columbia Crest’s  renowned Horse Heaven Hills (H3)  vineyards. I really enjoy this merlot.

Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha 2010 – $19.95 My top pick from the Spanish entries, this Grenache comes from a terrific producer. Do you like raspberry? Wait for it, you’ll get it.

Les Hauts de Castellas 2010 Vacqueyras – $19.95- I expect we’re getting near the end of the entries from the Southern Rhone’s brilliant 2010 vintage so buy some while you can.

Luzon Seleccion 12 Meses  Crianza 2008 – From the South of Spain  so loaded with fruit (and like the wine below, an  unusual  Crianza for us). Among all the Spanish 90 pointers, this one is a real 90 point wine, not a Jay ‘Captain 90’ Miller 90 point wine.  

Solar de Sael  Crianza Mencia 2007 from Bierzo. Made from Mencia grapes so don’t expect your normal Spanish Crianza. Unlike most Spanish Crianzas we see this is not tempranillo.  Crianza refers not to the region or the grape but rather to the amount of time the wine spends in wood prior to bottling – one year.

Heartland Shiraz 2009 - $19.95 – Usually not so mouth filling and unctuous as their Director’s Cut, this one should be pretty good nonetheless.

Domaine Tournon Shay’s Flat  Shiraz 2010 –$29.95  From Michel Chapoutier’s multinational wine oligarchy, this Aussie option scores and fits into the Parker style very well.  95 points? I doubt it, but it’ll be good and there are many others that are far more expensive and not nearly as good!

MollyDooker the Maitre D’2010 – $29.95 - Massive Cabernet fruit from Southern OZ. Very close to jammy!  

Edge Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 $26.95 – A Cali cab without pretense but still with the ‘more than it’s worth’ price tag. Enjoyable but $21 or $22 is an accurate reflection of the contents of the bottle.

Wakefield Shiraz 2010 - $17.95 – Wakefield produces perennial quality bargains regardless of the grape. The Wakefield Shiraz from the Clare Valley may pack in some nori notes as well as everything in the review. If you’re a fan of older style Bin 61, you might enjoy this at 7 or 8 dollars less.

Marceau Chateauneuf du Pape 2009 - $34.95 – If this was the Marcel Marceau CNdP, could I say a word about it? Has anyone had this producer before? Not me, so I am intrigued enough to mention it and perhaps buy one.  

The January 5, 2013 Vintages release.

  A new year always brings hope and although by now I should know better, resolutions. Wine wise, our hope is for better things from the people tasked with buying the biweekly Vintages releases at the LCBO.  Last year (2012) seemed like a rough one from where I was sitting.  Resolution wise, I have two, one for me, one for the monopoly.  The first one is for me to try to be nicer to them. The second one? It can be summed up in four simple words - Better wine, lower prices.  The resolution can be said many ways, as simply Better wine, lower prices,  or mix the 4 words  in a  Q and A, “Wine Prices? Better Lower.” or perhaps mix ‘em as a threat “Wine prices better lower!” (with the unspoken “or Hudak says you’ll all be sent to your rooms”). If the monopoly can manage to live by the mantra BW-LP, then the year 2013 will have a chance to be regarded as a success.  

On to the new release. Traditionally the first release of the year is the LCBO’s attempt to defibrillate your dead wallet. Their hope is that the bargains populating this release will have the wallet reviving effect of an electric shock after that  crise cardiaque of conspicuous consumption brought on by three of the  last four releases of 2012. See I can be illiterately alliterative, or was that alliteratively illiterate? And I can mix my metaphors too!   I’ll bet I could have a job naming each future feature (see there’s another!) in the upcoming Vintages releases, if I want one.  And yes, I AM trying to stick to my resolution to be nice!

For the Jan.05 release, the VRSS is low at 62 points.

The Picks

All Reds, no whites or fizzies make the grade this time around.

Finca VillaCreces Pruno 2010 - Steel toed boots, elbow pads and mouth guards may be called for when you go for this one - At $19.95 and from just next door to the renowned Vega Sicilia in the Duero, the Parker review quoted in the Vintages catalogue says you could pay from $75 up to $150 for a wine of this quality.  It is a WoM (wine of the month) so there should be lots but watch out, with a Parker review like this one I expect  they’ll be blowing out of the stores. If you buy a box, don’t hesitate to let it rest for a bit.  If the wine is as good as the review, kudos to the Vintages buying team for managing to pull this one off. If it’s not as good , well  I’ll try to be nice.

El Molet Tinto 2009 –$14.95 The wine was number 33 on the Wine Enthusiasts Top 100 Best Buys for 2012 and best of all it’s buried way at the back on the bottom of a page.  My opinion? This might be a great wine to have when you feel like letting your hair down. “What? It’s Molet not mullet? Oh…..Never mind.” (With apologies to the late Gilda Radner as Emily Litella).

The first release also contains two more of the Food and Drink ‘$17 that should be $15’ wines. One is an Australian with a silly name - Baron von Nemesis Shiraz from Zonte’s Footsteps. Where is the monocle on pack? Recent vintages of this wine score and drink above the price point (and the silly name). It shows lots of black fruit, white pepper and licorice hints while not breaking the bank.

Another good QPR option from OZ should be the Mr. Black’s Little Book ($17.95) from Small Gully, the same folks who delivered the Formula to the Ontario market. If this one matches that for hedonistic pleasure at a reasonable price, then it’ll be worthy of some attention. Being a WoM means there’ll be plenty of it as well.

Terres D’Avignon Reserve des Armoirres 2010 – At $14.95 this gold medal winner should provide ample pleasure for midweek meals,  Friday pizzas, or as an option for a big open house gathering that doesn’t merit you opening one of your higher price point wines. Lots of up front fruit and a slight tannic backbone, it’s ready for immediate consumption.

Coppi Peucetico Primitivo 2007 – Past vintages have been pleasant surprises, especially at the price. Another super pizza/ lasagna/ burger wine and very well priced at $13.95.

Charles and Charles Cab Sauv/Syrah 2010 - $15.95 is a good price for this Washington St. collaborative effort. Look for some upfront fruit and in spite of the syrah, a hint of Bordeaux in the tobacco notes.

 Alta Vista Premium Estate Malbec 2010 - $14.95 – A fine inexpensive malbec for those nice warm January days that allow you to fire up the BBQ for burgers.

Thorne Clarke – Shotfire Cab/ Shiraz 2010 – At $24.95, this is getting expensive, especially compared to the two Australian options up above. Is this  $7 better than them? It’ll be very good, but I don’t think so.

The Big Bucks

Our Big Bucks category starts a bit lower than usual just because there are so few over $25 in the release.

La Pieve Barolo 2008- At $28.95, it’s hard to beat this price for a Barolo. You’d have to go to the general list to match it methinks.  A good intro to an early drinking sample of one of the world’s  great wines at a price that won’t break the bank.

Monsanto Chianti Classico 2008 - $29.95 – A previous vintage made the WS Top 100. On its own  I’m not sure the wine was worthy of those previous accolades but it is much better with food than alone, to be sure. Steak Florentine, pasta with a fresh tomato sauce, eggplant parmesan are all better off with it.

Kendall-Jackson Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2009 – $34.95 – Your standard Cali cab, always very solid.

Keenan 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon - $60.95. Out of place in this release? Yes it is but there are benefits to being the big fish in the small pond!

And a new member of the Vintages Essentials has been added – Stags Leap Cellars Napa Cab. Nice wine but expensive ($49.95).  It’s early to say this but the key will be to watch for it as the vintage years begin to change. You can usually get a slight buy (10% off) then.

December 8th Vintages goes out with a whimper.

After the last two big buck, massive money, terribly taxed, wallet wrecking, dollar discarding delights (see, I can use alliteration to describe the Vintages features too), the December 8^th release seems to be an afterthought unless you want some fizz. The good news is there are some really big quantities on order in this release because it’s the only one in December. The bad news? The majority of the big quantities are ‘who cares?’ kind of wines.

Like so many of the 2012 Vintages releases, the December 8th Vintages release is sadly lacking in excitement. The result is the LCBO ends the year with a whimper, not a bang.  The release merits  a VRSS score of 59. There are only 3 wines that are in my both my ‘have to buy’ category and my ‘within my budget’ category.

My Red Picks

Perrin Vacqueyras Les Christins 2010 - $22.95– Broken record time! The Southern Rhone, Vacqueyras, 2010, the Perrin boys – buy it. You’ll like it.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 - $19.95 – Nice wine, spicy, lots of cassis notes, hints of cedar.  Priced where the Wynn’s should be. Nice segue, if I do say so myself.

Wynn’s Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 - $24.95 – Always could be recommended on quality, its black fruit and hints of eucalyptus make it a natural for lamb chops,  but too costly.

Foncalieu Reserve du Crouzeau St. Gervais  Cotes du Rhone Villages 2010 $15.95 – Another reasonably priced CdRV from the amazing 2010 vintage, this one has the palate pleasing combination of full on fruit and an almost contradictory dryness.  According to the review, rich stew is called for. Failing his availability ladies  I suggest you try rich Bob.

Cuvelier de Los Andes $21.95 – a WoM so you can buy one, try one, then go back for more if it meets your fancy. With a rare prime rib this’ll be superb. Lots of black fruit and tannic enough to hold its own against the sanguine beef.

Susana Balboa Signature Malbec 2010 - $19.95 – From the queen of Argentine winemakers, this gets an amazing score from Tastings.  I don’t expect it will reach that lofty height in your glass but it will be very good and the two bucks you’ll save on the WoM might as well go in your pocket .

Ninquen Antu  Chilean Mountain Syrah 2010 - $16.95 – Chocolate and coffee and gobs of black fruit. Last couple of vintages I bought were overoaked with lots of heat on the back. Watch for that.

Bodegas Del Abad  Dom Bueno Mencia $15.95 – 92 points, 5 years to age to reach its prime. Worth a try but if you must open it, do let it breathe. See last release’s notes on Petalos for more on what to expect from the mencia grape.

Bodega LAN Crianza 2008 - $15.95 – Well priced, good quality. Bring on the post New Years diet tapas!

Domaine Clavel Bonne Pioche Pic St.Loup 2010 -$19.95 – A new one from the Languedoc that is going to be really food worthy if you’ve served up something in the ‘herbes de provence’ spectrum.

Zonte’s Footsteps – 2010 Sangiovese Barbera – Just because you’re in a place where you can grow some things and make wine from them doesn’t mean you should grow some things and make wine from them.  This wine might an example that.

The Whites

Lailey Unoaked Chardonnay -$14.95 – A good price for the pure expression of Ontario Chard fruit unencumbered by toasted hardwood.

Jim  Barry The Lodge Hill Reisling $19.95 – Excellent producer, from the Clare Valley so think cooler climate (for Oz, not for here)  and extra dry. Should age well.  Blind tasting against some from Europe and Niagara? Sounds like fun.

The Big Bucks

Elderton Ode to Lorraine 2009 –$39.95-  A cab/shiraz/merlot blend delivers a massive wave of black fruits that hits your palate with a Tsunami-like intensity.  Gee, without  hyperbole how would I describe some of these wines? In your glass, opaque; on your palate, oplaque. My own word for teethstaining, mouthfilling , viscous monsters.

Another pair of big Aussies – the 2008 Mitolo Serpico Cabernet at $57.95 will be an enormous glass of spicy, black fruited cabernet. Far less of the eucalyptus that you’d find in say a Coonawarra cab but look for some cedar notes if you can find them under that fruit. The Glaetzer Bishop is equally big but a shiraz, and from 2010 so it’s two years younger than the cab. Think black fruited soy sauce, maybe.  At $39.95, it’s much less expensive. Both these wines used to have/ still have a bit of a cult following. For sure the latter will need  some time to rest before you attack it.

Two reds from BC – Church and State’s Vanessa Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 and Burrowing Owl Syrah 2009 are both highly priced and in some circles highly prized. I like them both but have a hard time with the QPR. Church and State has a pair of wineries now open so should you find yourself visiting Victoria and heading to Butchart Gardens, leave yourself time to visit the original  one just up the road from there.    The new Okanagan winery is home to an apparently spectacular tasting bar.  Burrowing Owl?  Better (financed) competition may have taken the bloom off that rose but it’s still very good.  Ageworthy? Not sure about either one.

Stonestreet Monument Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon - $49.95 – Just under my self-imposed ceiling, the reviews for this one read like it should cost many times this price. Watch for the local reviewers take on it – 94 to 96 points is hard to ignore but also hard to live up to!

J.Lohr Hilltop Vineyard Cab Sauv 2009 - $38.95 – Bigger brother to the Vintages Essential J. Lohr  Cabernet, this one’ll provide immediate pleasure and also age for a time. Is it four dollars better than the Stark Conde or one dollar worse than the Elderton blend? Only your palate will know for sure and it’s a somewhat expensive exercise to find out, but I think you’ll be happy with any of them.

Stark Conde Three Pines Jonkershoek Cab Sauv 2008 -$34.95 - a big, brawny cab from one of South Africa’s more respected producers. Has a fine pedigree and although this is a new product so is unfamiliar to me, I have had previous Stark Conde cab vintages and found them a pleasure with anything grilled or roasted.

Pietranera Brunello di Montalcino 2006 - $35.95 – Great price for a great vintage in Brunello.

Poggio Il Castellare Brunello di Montalcino 2006 - $47.95 – I’m not familiar with the producer but oh what a vintage this was. If you’re not sure about your palate but want to try a brunello, go for the one above.