June 8th Release - a Quickie summary

In case you wonder, I missed reviewing the May 24^th release as I was in Tuscany catching a very bad case of strep throat and a head cold. My sense of smell and tastebuds were shot. Talk about a fate worse than death!  In the middle of wine heaven with no olfactory and gustatory senses. Life can be cruel sometimes!

June 8^th release celebrates Argentina, Dad’s Day and Ontario Roses. It’s another dull release with no ‘must buy’ wines.

Whites

Alamos Chardonnay 2012 - $13.95 – Hard to go wrong at that price with summer (and spritzers)  in the offing.

Domaine Raoul Gautherin et Fils Chablis 1er Cru 2010 - $28.95 – Up there in price for a white but I might spring for this to accompany some planked salmon.

Rolland Lavanturer 2010 - $19.95 – Nice wine.

The Red Picks

Decoy 2010 -$29.95 – Second label to Duckhorn, this is as good a price as the LCBO as I can recall the LCBO selling  this wine. That’s not to say it’s a bargain, just to say it won’t get much better, pricewise. Special note, for $5 more I ‘d spring for the Girard Cab from Napa.

Chakana Estate Selection Red 2011 - $29.95 – Scoring a 94 from the palate that walks like a man (RP) will not hurt the demand for this red blend. Expect  bigness in every way from the the top cuvee of this good MOR producer. If you can throw a slab of beef on the barbq, you’ll get even more from it!

Les Vignes de Bila Haut Cotes du Rousillon 2011 –$14.95 -  Looking for a nice sophisticated wine under $15? This could be the ticket. From Chapoutier’s Languedoc holdings, annually this is a good buy.

Domaine de la Tete Noir Vacqueyras 2010 - $22.95 – The second recent release from this supplier.

The Big Buck delights

Finca Altamira Navigato Family Reserve 2008 - $46.95 – Interesting to study the scores on this wine a bit. WS gave it an 88, Jay Miller sees fit to plop 93 big ones on it. Another big red blend. If you like Achaval Ferrer’s Quimera and have some disposable income, take a shot!

Ridge Santa Cruz Estate 2009 $52.95 – Think of it as the baby Monte Bello at an almost affordable price. Too bad it’s over my $50 ceiling.

Sebastiani Secolo Red 2007 – Some age on it and although expensive at $42.95, might be worth a look.

Oz options and rosé selections from the May 11th Vintages release

May 11^th highlights Australia and in preparation for lazy summer afternoons and evenings on the deck, rosé wines. Not a lot to choose at first glance.  Like many of my recent biweekly selections, this one has few certain red picks but unlike the recent ones it has 5 pinkies that could make the grade.  On the VRSS, this release merits a 62 with some possible upside among the red possibilities.

The Reds

Grant Burge Holy Trinity 2010 – 499 cases - $29.95 – The price is where it should be on this fine Aussie modeled on Chateauneuf du Pape.  This one and the Rosemount GSM used to battle for my upper price point Australian GSM dollars. When Rosemount went to their square bottomed, easy shipping  bottle, the Trinity became my go to choice. I always thought filling that Rosemount bottle with their GSM was like sticking a K car body on a Dodge Viper, but I digress. The Holy Trinity is a big wine, lots of tannins and ageworthy if you have the patience for it. It seems to flip flop from $29.95 through 33.95. This is well priced for the LCBO and will deliver years of pleasure.

Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot 2008 -799 cases  $15.95 – Always superior quality at a great (for Ontario) price. Might be worth buying lots to be a house wine. Available in the US for $7.09. Just saying since the LCBO saw fit to mention the bargain we’re getting on the Balbas from Spain.

Other RED Possibilities

Terlato and Chapoutier Shiraz Viognier 2011 - $24.95 - Rhoney-er profile than most other Aussie shiraz. Won't be a fruit bomb but will be fruity.

Robert Oatley Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 - $17.95 - A bargain for the price, expect something like The Ringbolt for 2 dollars less.

Catena Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 –500 cases - $19.95- Superior producer, this year’s cab should be very good with anything from the grill. A taste off between last release’s Susan Balbo and this might be interesting.

Chateau Puech Haut Prestige St. Drezery 2010 – 249 cases - $26.95 – Not cheap for a Languedoc but this one should provide Gigondas or Chateauneuf style at a reasonable rate.

Balbas Reserva 2001 20.95 – 1599 cases of 12 – Hmmm, where to go with this one?  A 5 and a half year old review that rated 93 points of a now twelve year old wine. There is a lot that could go wrong here. One hopes the wine is coming from the producer’s cellar and not some hot warehouse somewhere. Also, the LCBO pointing out to us how they are selling this for nearly half the US price is hilarious.  In the interest of providing their customers with full and accurate disclosure,  why don’t they do the same when they’re selling for nearly twice the US price? Why? Because the Vintages catalogue would weigh twice as much with all the extra ink it would require and it would become even more embarrassing!

Bodegas Langa PI 3.1415 Concejon 2008 at $17.95. 269 cases.If your choice must be Spanish, you might want to try this one.  I’ll refrain from making any wine pairings that involve watching Ang Lee films while listening to Don Mclean while talking about Johnny McKenzie and eating anything to do with steak and kidney.

The Rosés

Mulderbosch  Cab Sauv Rosé  2012– 503 cases - 12.95 – Among my favourite rosé wines annually. Watch for those strawberry rhubarb notes! Fabulous on a sunny, warm deck with a platter of antipasto.

Muga Rosé  2012 -1499 cases - $12.95 – An excellent Spanish rosé, lots of it coming.

Zenato Bardolino Chiaretto Rosé 2012 $12.95 – 549 cases - One from Venice,  worth trying if for no other reason than the colour evokes memories of  Ed “Big Daddy” Roth!  

Mas des Brassades Cuvee Tradition Rosé 2012 -1599 cases - $14.95 – A dry rosé option from the southern Rhone.

Alliment Laugner Cremant D’Alsace Brut Rosé 269 cases - $19.95 - A nice pink fizzy for light summer snacks

The Big Bucks

Burge Family G3 2010 - $45. – Priced like a mid range Chateauneuf, this is from the Burge Family, related to, but not to be confused with Grant Burge. There are only 4 cases of 12 coming to the province so this’ll be a rare find indeed.

Pian delle Vigne Brunello de Montalcino 2007 - $59.95 – A beauty!

Castelgiocondo Brunello de Montalcino 2007 - $26.95 – Baby bottles of Brunello. Ready to drink now.

Lazzeretti Brunello de Montalcino 2006 - $37.95  A well scored brunello from a special vintage!

Manzone Barolo Gramolere 2007 – 29 cases - $51.95 – Just over my own self imposed limit, this wine is an outstanding example of this sophisticate’s delight.  

April 27th Vintages - The drying rack, organics, and one 50 Shades of Grapes Review

April 27^th delivers a pair of features that are difficult to get enthused about. The first feature is   Appassimento styled wines. The second is the politically and environmentally correct Organic wines. Appassimento wines are an acquired taste but once acquired some nice wines can be had just not from this week. Many of my choices this week are from Italy but only one, and it was a stretch,  is from the ‘Drying art’. The second feature is more of a life choice but finding quality wines worthy of the organic descriptor can be pretty difficult. I don’t hold much hope for this one.

The release earns a VRSS of 62 points. It might be a bit higher if two of the best wines in the release weren’t ISDs.

The Reds

Marchesi de Frescobaldi Tenuta di Castiglioni 2010 $20.95 – Always a superior wine at a good price, this Vintage may not be up to my favourite for this wine (2007)  but will still be very good.  Lay down or decant and serve with spring rack of lamb on the bar-B.

Langa Tradicion Centenaria 2008 Garnacha – $14.95- Did you enjoy Tres Picos a while back? If so, jump in with both feet here, this one is 5 bucks less and could be very good.

Suzana Balbo Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 - $19.95 – From Argentina’s best known female wine maker. Her attention to quality in the vineyard and in the winery is displayed in this wine.

Torrevento Vigna Pedale Reserva 2008 - $20.95 – 3 of 3 from Gambero Rosso the $21 Italian made from the Uva de troia grape. It’s always nice to have a different option or at least a wine that’s off the beaten grape path. This is from Puglia in the south eastern extremity of the heel of the boot that is Italy.

San Jacopo Vichiomaggio Chianti Classico 2009 - $19.95 – Dry, saliva inducing. Where’s that roast pork, eggplant parmesan, veal scallopini, or other rich dish of your choice?

The Rose, Fizzy or White Picks

Carpineto Dogajolo Rosado 2012 $13.95 – Ahhh, those first warm springtime days. Means it’s time for a nice light strawberry hinted rose with some planked salmon or shrimp. Perhaps a duck saucisse snack?

 Huff Pinot Gris 2011- $19.95 This is a tad expensive  for a  sample of ‘The county’s’ dry, bracing Pinot Gris. The slightest hint of pink on this one brings to mind the terrific Kettle Valley PG from BC. Huff is not quite there yet but give them time. Mmmm, has pickerel season opened yet?

Duca di Quadri Catemario  Collezione Privat 2010 $14.95 - Pinot Grigio from Friuli. Has calamari season opened yet? (Yes I know it’s always open.)

Wakefield Clare Valley Chardonnay 2010-$14.95 – Simple, coolish climate chard with ample oak.

Miguel Torres Santa Digna Estelado $18.95 – A sparkler made with 100% Pais grapes. To quote the producer’s website “…..Chile’s oldest grape varietal has been recovered from the past…, a varietal that arrived in the 16^th century …cultivated by a large number of small growers".

The Big Bucks

Domaine St. Siffrein Chateauneuf du Pape 2010- $41.95 – A nice example of the 2010 vintage. Sweet, savoury, spicy, juicy.  I could go on. The finish of this wine surely does….But hey, it was 2 bucks cheaper last fall! Vintage? Same. Producer? Same.  Price? 5% increase! WTF?  The Vintages Panel should have given this wine a 50 Shades of Grey review as foreplay to get Ontario shoppers in the mood for the screwing they’re about to get.  Something along the lines of “A turgid wine with long, hard tannins that assault your forgiving tongue while the silky, burgundy coloured elixir pleasures it with fruit and spice. Your tastebuds just begin to acclimatize to the delightful assault flowing across your pink, vibrant, fleshy, mouth-muscle when the scent of soft calfskin fills your nose. You realize too late it’s the unstoppable fingers of the uncaring government bureaucrat roughly peeling open the supple, soft leather of your wallet, plundering  it of your hard earned wad of dough”.  Now that’s an appropriate Vintages Panel review for this wine. The same wine, the same vintage and a 2 buck increase in a few months indeed.

Fontannafreda Barolo Serralunga d’Alba 2007 –$37.95  I really enjoyed the 500ml bottles of this wine in previous releases. Perfect for when I’m bach-ing it! It’s a shame that they’ve reverted to the 750 ml size for this release.

Il Marroneto Brunello di Montalcino 2007 – Age worthy and well scored, if you’re looking for a splurge wine this one gets a terrific review from Antonio Galloni.

Monte del Fra Lena di Mezzo  Amarone della Valpolicella 2007 –$48.95 -  For me, the only choice from either feature.

And a pair of ISDs (In Store Discoveries) that are definitely  worthwhile hunting down

Thorn-Clarke William Randell Shiraz2010 – $45.00 – A big young brut with some subtleties. Think of it as an all pro linebacker who can play concert piano.

Delas Domaine des Grands Chemins Crozes Hermitage 2010 - $31.95. Almost 50 weeks to the day since its last vintage was available, this wine has taken a 10% increase in price. That’s the bad news. The good news is that it’s probably worth it if you can find it! Want a review? Read the St. Siffrein above.  

Vintages April 13 - NZ, Portugal and the county

The April 13^th Vintages release focuses on two of the smaller wine producing nations. New Zealand and Portugal are the features along with a nice little tourist feature on ‘the county’.  The NZ  focus is on a small number of very well known wineries  among them Kim Crawford, Cloudy Bay and Dog Point.  Among the three the cult leader  is Cloudy Bay.  Dog Point is almost as famous. Some say that’s the result of their incestuous (or was that oencestuous? ) relationship with Cloudy Bay. All of them  specialize in white wines which are particularly suited to NZ’s climate and soils.  

The second feature is Portugal. It’s interesting to see the disparate perceptions of the wines of the two countries. NZ is seen as an up and comer while Portugal, in spite of a long history of production of very good red and white table wines, is best known for the production of sweet Port. Try as they might, the Portuguese cannot shake the perception that they produce only cheap, cheerful, simple table reds. Publications like the Wine Spectator have tried to shift that paradigm by awarding midpriced Portuguese reds places in their Top 10 wines of the year but people are slow to come around. Perhaps it’s the fact that the most often used grapes are indigenous to Portugal and are simply not widely known outside that little strip of land.

As mentioned, the 3^rd feature is ‘the county’. In general, I like the whites, some sparklers  and the odd rose from the county better than the reds. That holds true for all of Ontario though.  If you’re going to take a visit and expect Niagara on the Lake pseudo-sophistication you should take a listen to the Frere Brothers for a preview of county culture. I like it. The county is a proud community of farmers who happen to be able to grow some great grapes among many other great things. 

On to the recommendations.  This is a slightly improved release, 64 points in the VRSS.

Quinta do Portal Frontaria 2009 - $13.95 for a Best Buy 90 pointer. At this price they’ll blow out of the stores I’m sure.

Delaforce Touriga Nacional 2009 -$18.95 From a renowned port house, this is a great sample of Portugal’s equivalent to Cab Sauv, Touriga Nacional. Just don’t expect it to be a cab sauv.

Marques de Caceres Tinto Reserva 2005 – $24.95 - Call me a point whore, but this one made the WS Top 100, scores 91 points from a reviewer’s palate that  I trust and is under 25 bucks!

Domaine de la Tete Noir Tradition Vacqueyras 2010 –$25.95 – Look for intense depth of flavour. A little steep in price for a Vacqueyras but I haven’t picked one in a while.

Balma Venitia Terrasse Pavee Seguret Cotes Du Rhone villages 2010 –$16.95 Another new one for me from the 2010 vintage , Seguret is one of the named ‘villages’ in the CdR. Could be very good.

Le Cirque CMS 2011 -$15.95 – From the Midi in France, I expect a big, solid mouthful at a very reasonable price. Very young , decant this bad boy  for an hour or so.

Castello di Monterinaldi Chianti Classico Reserva 2007 – From a terrific vintage, ready to drink and well priced.  New producer for me , so I’ll try one.

Beaulieu Vineyards Cabernet $25.95 – Well priced for a (somewhat  atypical) Napa cab.

Brampton Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 – $15.95 - New Product? I doubt it. If I could dig through my old empty bottles there’d be more than a few of these.  Given vintages predilection for alliteration, I’m surprised there is no mention of the big bull Brampton Beacon Bloomer.

Black Stallion Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 $29.95 – If this was the actual tasting note from the Vintages tasting panel, they should all be PUNished. The male Vintages panel members gelded perhaps? 

Of the whites, any of the Kim Crawford offerings always present the best in New Zealand.

Big Bucks

Domaine Durieu  Chateauneuf du Pape 2010 - $35.95 – Still another from the brilliant 2010 vintage, new to me so I’ll buy one just to have it.

La Velona 2007  - Brunello –$38.95 -  Recommended and best served with the 1979 hit by the Knack.  Well ok make that the slightly revised hit…. Two  glasses in and I’ll be singing

Oooo my little pretty one,   my pretty one. 
When you gonna give me some wine, Velona?
Ooh you make my motor run, my motor run. 
Gun it comin' off the line, Velona

Glen Eldon Dry Bore Shiraz 2004 - $46.00 – An ISD so it’ll be rare, at 9 years old, this Barossa beauty will be drinking so well and it makes a nice juicy filling for the two Italian wafers on each side.

Ferdinando Principiano Serralunga Barolo 2007 -$41.95 – Lay it down or decant.

E Guigal Gigondas 2009 – There are Gigondas examples from the slightly better 2010 vintage available for $2 to $5 less. Take a pass for now but watch it, it could go on sale.

March 30th - Vintages marches out like a lamb.

Just another dreary release that barely crawls above 60 points on the VRSS. This one focuses on the Midi area of France, a region that is home to some interesting bargain wines. A small number made it to this catalogue – a very small number. Second focus is Easter. The way winter is hanging on and since neither feature is very good perhaps the second feature should be a Nor’easter

There are a few conversation piece wines in this release. The first is represented in the Argentina section. Called Versado, it’s a small winery in the Mendoza with a Canuck connection. It’s co-owned by Peter Gamble, Ann Sperling, Moray Tawse and Gerry McConnell. All are well known in the Canadian wine biz, Gamble works with, among many others, McConnell’s Benjamin Bridge in Nova Scotia, and Sperling has her eponymous winery in BC as well as working with others in the Okanagan and Southern Ontario. Tawse of course owns Tawse winery, that bastion of overpriced excess in Niagara. The Versado vineyards are approximately 7 or 8 hectares in size (about 20 acres), 3 hectares of which are planted with 80 to 90 year old Malbec vines. According to the winery, each of the vines is 100% European (not grafted on) root stock. Indeed, ungrafted, true vinifera varieties are pretty rare anywhere in this day and age. The area’s extended growing seasons combined with naturally reduced yields from the old vines deliver the potential for a wine of enhanced aroma and flavor. I’m looking forward to big fruit with enough tannic backbone to stand up to the rarest of beef.

Versado Estate Old Vine Malbec 2010 $24.95 -223 cases – Expectations? Deep ruby , some oak on the nose; lively acidity, dry, savoury, black olive, tarry blackberry flavours with a somewhat herbal finish.

Versado Estate Malbec Reserva 2009: $59.95 - Bigger and fuller than the regular cuvee, I expect something along the lines of one of Trapiche’s special ‘best managed vineyard’ releases. Those ones are often brilliant and under $40 so I’ll stick with them. The Versado Reserva, perhaps suffering from the Tawse effect, is priced way over my own self imposed $50 ceiling coming in at almost $60.

Continuing on the conversation piece theme, fans of say D’Arenberg’s Laughing Magpie might want to try the Lion’s Tooth of the McLaren Vale at $19.95. Unlike the Syrah Viognier blend made famous in the Cote Rotie, this wine is comprised of the odd combination of Shiraz and Riesling. Could be interesting, or not.
 Last of the interesting wines is one called the Stray Mongrel from Hentley farms. This is a GSZ blend. Scratching your head? I was too! Zinfandel has been added to the traditional Southern Rhone blend of Grenache and Syrah. It’s an ISD, so 4 cases of 12 in the entire province. You’ll be very lucky to see a bottle, never mind be able to buy one! On with the real picks!

 

Jim Barry The Lodge Hill Shiraz $24.95 - from the Clare valley expect cooler climate stylings here but this’ll still be a big mouthful. Fans of the late, lamented Bin 61, this is even better.

Cave de Roquebrun La Grange des Combes Saint Chinian Roquebrun $17.95 – MSG  - that’s not monosodium glutamate but rather Mourvedre, Syrah and Grenache. Look for  meaty, earthy  aromas and flavours.

Calmel et J.Joseph 2009 Faugeres $16.95 – Described as having unctuous aromas. I always associated unctuous with an oily, slippery feel as opposed to smell. It received 5 stars from Decanter. Hard to beat the price.

H & B St. Chinian 2010 – $23.95 299 cases of 12 - Should be excellent. The 2009 was reviewed at 92-94 points. 2010 should be every bit as good a vintage and certainly the producer has shown no signs of reduced capabilities or quality.

Hickinbotham Cabernet Shiraz 2009 $16.95 – I’ll recommend this one in spite of the image of the  young dork wearing his little brother’s suit jacket in an effort to arrive in style.

Irony Small Lots Reserve 2010 – This seems to cover all the bases. Small Lots? Got it. Reserve? Got it. Cabernet Sauvignon?  For sure.  Napa. Yes indeed. Under $20? Barely. Is it worth it? Maybe. A Google of it gives me the first  little wine store selling it at $12.99. Wine searcher gives me a screen full and none above $13.50, but many below it. Ah well, BBQ season is coming and this’ll be a pleasant accompaniment to burgers and a change from Malbec.

Lander Jenkins Spirit Hawk Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 $18.95 - Might be worth a flyer on one and if you really like it, go for more.

The SUM 2010 from the Beckstoffers of To Kalon fame.  At $27.95, buying one might be worth a shot on the name alone.

Beronia Gran Reserva 2005 – $32.95- The Beronia Reserva is always very good and this should be no exception. Ready to drink now it’ll be smooth and fruity but still tannic enough to stand up to red meats.

March 16th - Vintages release of California Pioneers

March 16^th features California pioneers (Can you say Ca-Ching?) and a feature to compare similar wines to ascertain the differences of terroir, weather, altitude and I suppose palates. Having quickly gone through the release I have seven wines to recommend but none of them are true ‘must buy’ wines. Of them, I expect the best to be the Veneroso,  the ’07  Cellole CCR and the Luca syrah.  There are a number of big name,  big bucks wines from California in the release but the number of cases available for some is pretty small. It’ll be fun to watch the stock brokers, bankers, doctors, lawyers and plumbers fighting over those ones!   The release scores 58-62 on the VRSS.  For 2013 the Vintages releases have been consistent, if nothing else.

Luca Laborde Double Select Syrah 2010-$22.95 - 339 cases of 6 - From the Catena family’s Luca Winery, this is a very good example of higher altitude Argentina  Syrah.

San Fabiano Calcinaia Cellole Chianti Classico Riserva 2007- $26.95 -199 cases – Terrific vintage for a consistently very good to excellent wine. They also produce olive oil and are located about 25 km from Villa Nora (about 15 as the crow flies). 

Vicchiomaggio Agostino Petri Chianti Classico Riserva 2009 - $19.99 – 599 cases – A food wine from another producer who is deserving of your attention.

Tenuta di Ghizzano Veneroso 2009 $29.95 and 399 cases – 94 points from Galloni and under $30. The review reads like this should be a $50 or $60 wine.   Do you have time? You’ll need it to wait for this one to soften up and come around. I don’t expect this to be one to pop and pour so be ready to decant this morning and drink tonight, if you must drink now. And serve with something that’ll stand up to it.

Hewitson Miss Harry  2010 $19.95 – Another good Aussie GSM. Vintages has had a good run of them lately.  This one is OK priced based on Ontario prices for Aussie GSMs - unless you compare it to one of the many available 2010 Cotes du Rhone Villages. Then, not so much.

Skillogallee Shiraz 2008 –From the Clare Valley so not a massive fruit bomb. It’ll be interesting to compare this and the Jim Barry The Lodge Hill in the March 30^th release.

Menguante Garnacha Seleccion 2007 $17.95– Grenache, so imagine a Southern Rhone offering that has a lisp. Well priced.

Big Bucks

Taurasi  Vesevo 2007 – $35.95 – An acquired taste ISD with only 39 cases of 6 so become really good buddies with the Vintages consultant at one of about 6 stores. Otherwise, fahgeddaboud it.  Aglianico.

La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino 2007 – $49.95 - 199 cases – Another big buck charmer from Brunello.

Shafer One Point Five $84.95 “I won the lottery!” If you just uttered those words rush right out and buy a case of this wine. Wonderful wine, it just says Napa Cab!

Shafer Relentless 2009 $84.95 - 29 cases of 12 – A question to Vintages and LCBO management, “Why bother putting this in a Vintages catalogue?” Just send a few from each case off to your political cronies and be done with it!   

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.