September 28 - The First of Fall - Tuscany, Turkey and Chile (but just barely)

September 28^th  and it’s the first release of fall. Three features this time around, the first  focusing on Tuscan options but wait, didn’t we just focus on Italy? As a tribute to the upcoming World Series, the second  feature is little more than a bunt sign of a feature on Chile - What, you blinked and missed it?  How can you tell this is a wine retailer run by government bureaucrats?  Four pages that sell nothing accompanied by  one page with one wine and one page with four out of the six pages devoted to Chile.  How perfect that the next page has a big turkey on it. I thought it was an editorial comment on the Chilean feature but it's actually the first page of the Thanksgiving one.

Looking at the cover when I first received the release, I thought “This’ll be very good”.  Upon further review, it’s not. It’s OK. There are some worthy wines, three sub $25 Cabs. I think you’ll find them tempting if your palate aligns with mine. They are definitely three different, new world perspectives on the Cabernet Sauvignon grape (sometimes with a little help from its friends).

Back to the turkey, I think the best wine to serve with it is not in the feature but rather is the $25.95 Stellar’s Jay from Sumac Ridge.  Is that Carole Pope I hear off in my subconscious? “Birds of a feather, flock together.  Yes they do, Yes”  Whoa, here comes a Nona Hendryx flashback too! The wine has enough acidity to cut the rich gravy yet with fruit to match nicely to the raisins and apricots in your stuffing.

The VRSS says 62-64 points again. On to the picks!

The Best Reds

LaPostolle Cuvee Alexandre Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 - $24.95 –  Tied for my number one pick  in the release. Tuck it away for a few months to allow it to settle and to get the best from it.  An Excellent wine – almost on par with the Concha Y Toro Terrunyo cab and about $5 less.

Gallo Frei Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 - $19.95 – At this price I had to look twice to see if this was the 375ml bottle. Turns out it’s not! If you like red and black fruit followed by flavours of smokey tar on the finish then this is for you. Tied for numero uno in the release.

Pirramimma Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 $24.95 – Among my favourite Aussie producers, their Shiraz, Petit Verdot and Cab are always first rate. Black fruits galore here!

Capezano Barco Reale di Carmignano 2010 - $16.95 – Underpriced for the quality. Worthy of your consideration. A cab / Sangiovese blend.

Tenuta di Trecianno Daniello Toscano 2008 -$29.95 – Decant this bad boy, or drop it in the cellar and forget it for a few years. Even decanted this one is probably not for immediate consumption.

Beronia Elaboraccion Especial Tempranillo 2010 - $!7.95 – Very tasty option from Spain. Always very good and aimed at a more global palate. Smooth fruit.

Luis Canas Crianza Rioja 2009 - $17.95 – Will benefit from some time in a cool dark place.

Fattroia Carpoli Sada Integolo 2010 – $18.95 - New to me but well scored and priced.

Oscars Estate Vineyard Shiraz Viognier 2010 $17.95 – Recommended in spite of Nathalie Maclean’s dreadfully overblown  review. This might be a 90 pointer. Shiraz with a touch of viognier to round out the aroma and flavour profiles.

Dirty Laundry and Burrowing Owl Merlot 2009 – In each case I think you can buy them direct from the winery.  Consider that option and think of it as your opportunity to make a political statement.

Chateau du Cedres 2009 - $21.95 – A malbec from Cahors, this is a terrific producer and given the quality of the vintage, this should be a very good, old world take on the grape.  Needs some time. Expect tannins, and black fruit.

Chateau Maris Las Combes  Minervois Cru La Liviniere 2009 - $25.95 – A Southern Rhone type blend. This should be nicely in its drinking window. Expect smoky  red fruitiness, or is that red fruity smokiness?

Big Bucks

Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon $79.95 – Good news and Bad news.  The good news, this is an exceedingly  high quality wine from Concha Y Toro and if it was from California it’d be $100. The bad news, it’s from Chile and not so many years ago it was under $45. Vintages Classics now has the 2003 listed for around $120. That’s insane! Save your bucks and if your Cab Sauv must be Concha Y Toro, buy the aforementioned Terrunyo when it becomes available.

Paul Hobbs Crossbarn –$47.95 -  A nice cabernet, this one seems to have jumped about 10 bucks(ok, $8) in a year. Maybe that’s where half the Frei Ranch markup went!

2 Brunellos ( Brunelli?), both in the $40 + range, but neither really excite me.

2 Hands Lilly’s Garden Shiraz -$59.95 – One of the Garden series wines from 2 Hands. Annually a very, very, good wine.

Ridge Three Valleys 2011 - $35.95 – A California Blend, the majority zinfandel, great for beef or anything grilled.

September 14 - Ontario wines and the end of summer

September 14 release. Sorry for the late posting but I was in BC for a week enjoying the sunshine, wines,  golf, kayaking, as well as some fine fish and seafood. 

Yes this is the last release of summer 2013. Is it a worthy release for this auspicious occasion? Nah! It appears to be just much more of the same from our friends at Vintages. It gratuitously presents wine writers opinions of Ontario wines (Here’s the Coles notes version  -  ‘Please look at me, experts say I’m special’). The release also presents  a nice little restaurant travelogue in a ‘Come eat here cuz I like Ontario wines’ kind of way.  I thought that the LCBO was selling beverage alcohol, not pimping restaurants.  Wait a second,  why not do an equivalent article pimping Ontario wine bloggers? Blog traffic skyrockets, Google Bucks start flowing in! We can turn our blogs into money making enterprises and not have to worry about all that restauverhead (see what I did there?).  As a mystery blogger  I’ll pose for a pic perched before my PC  in my gonch and motorcycle helmet swirling a nice Cabernet and looking every bit the world weary, motorcycle riding, wine aficionado that I think I am!  Also, I’ll appeal to the 1%’ers out there which will help to satisfy the LCBO’s quest to appeal to minorities. Can’t get more minority than that! 

Back to the release!  A few interesting wines. Most of the balance, uninspiring.

In spite of the paucity of recommended wines, the few I liked, I really liked so the VRSS score is 62-64 points.  

Whites

Norman Hardie PEC Chardonnay 2011 $35.00 – I love the county and it’s my blog so I can like this wine if I want to!  And I do want to! This has become a cultish icon among Canadian wines and is priced accordingly.  Stormin’ Norman should go into the Canadian Wine Hall of Fame for no other reason than Matt Kramer’s WotY mention. That little paragraph introduced (exposed?) Norman’s wine to the world (well to the US anyway).  By simple geographic proximity, all of PEC has benefited.  Is it a great wine?  Try it heads up against a good Chablis or Pouilly Fuissé and you be the judge.   

Reds

Alain Jaume Vacqueyras Le Grand Garrigue 2010 – $24.95- On August 25^th I had a bottle of the 2009 vintage from an earlier release (at $22.95 by the way).  It was served at home with an opener of saganaki, then ably accompanied  spicy lamb skewers with an equally spicy tahini sauce alongside the Mediterranean flavours of fresh oregano and peppery olive oil on a feta and tomato salad. The spiciness of the lamb/ tahini brought out the pepperiness of the 20% syrah in the Vacqueyras blend. And of course 2010 was a gold star vintage. While ready to drink anytime, you can certainly give this a few more years in your cellar. I’ll pick up more than a few of this one, even at this price!

Mas d’Auzieres Les Eclats 2007 – $17.95- Really? 2007? Brother to Sypathie pour les Stones  which  was a recommended wine a year or so ago. This one should give you a good idea of how your Midi 2010’s will be in a few years time. I think the vintages are similar. This of course assumes that you were and are able to keep your hands off your samples from the later vintage.  I was not!  I do recommend you  consume this ’07 in the near future.

As in the previous release, Spain has come to the front with an apparently  terrific selection of wines. The one that appeals most to me is the Bodegas LAN Gran Reserva 2005 at $28.95.

Big Bucks

Ste. Michelle Ethos – Wow, Part One. $44.95. It might be worth it BUT I had a bottle of the previously recommended Ste. Michelle Canoe Ridge Cabernet at almost $10 less than this and it was sooooo good.  Rich, mouthfilling, lot’s of spice, cedar , black currants and other black fruit.  It was a natural combination served with rare filets, baked potatoes and  caesar salad. So, I repeat, $44.95? Rather than buy two of these I think I’lI just buy 2 more Canoe Ridge and an H3 until they’re gone. Another enticing option for a left coast cab might be last release’s Beringer Cab at $49.95.

M. Chapoutier  La Bernardine 2010 - $49.95 – Wow, part two! Too much $’s. There are lot’s of 2010 CdP’s around for much less.

Jim Barry The McRae Wood Shiraz 2008 - $56.95 – Wow part three! Top of the line price for a top of the line Aussie Shiraz. Give it some air. Rare though, it’s an ISD.

Corte Pavone Brunello Di Montalcino 2007 - $49.95 – 96 points from Monica Larner. Not cheap but hard to argue with the score.

Vintages August 31st release - 90 pointers, Champers I can't afford and a geography lesson.

August 31^st already! I was going to proclaim this the final release of the summer but we still have over three weeks of September days before the arrival of the autumnal equinox so that’d be premature. And we all know there’s only one thing worse than a premature proclamation. Those three September weeks translate into one more (probably forgettable) Vintages release before autumn officially arrives. 
So instead of end of summer proclamations, let’s start this week’s review with a brief geography lesson for our friends at Vintages. Cahors is in the Southwest of France, roughly east and a bit south of Bordeaux. It is not anywhere near Burgundy and should not be included in that region.  Red wines from Cahors are predominately made with malbec grapes. Red wines from Burgundy, pinot noir!  End of lesson.

On to the release - the first feature is a big batch of 90 Point (+) Wines. Some of them might even merit their advertised scores. The second feature is one I like to call ‘Champagnes that no one with any sense should buy’.  No wonder I drink Cava, Prosecco,  the various Cremants and the odd Canuck bubbly!

The VRSS scores the release anywhere from 62 to 66 points. It has some good sub-$20 variety and quality but few wines that absolutely demand to be purchased.

The Reds, in order*

*= subject to some shuffling if my mood changes, the top 5 or 6 are all worthy of consideration but are very different wines

Rivera Cappellaccio Riserva 2006 - $17.95 – This wine has entered its prime drinking window yet even at this price it still shows the ability to age further. A good buy. (Words not often said when talking about the LCBO!).  93 in a recent review from Antonio Galloni.  Look for tannins, black fruit, hints of licorice and spice, I suggest decanting.

Breca Old Vines Garnacha 2010 - $19.95 – A brilliant wine according to Robert Parker, this is one that’ll probably have folks scrambling to buy in bulk. If you like raspberry ganache, I expect you’ll adore this one!

Poggio alle Querce Il Guado Bolgheiri 2009 -$22.95 – An Italian take on the traditional international Cab and Merlot blend, this one earned a great review from Bruce Sanderson in the Wine Spectator but is not included in the 90 point wines feature. Even paired with rare lamb or beef, it could still use a few years in a cool, quiet, dark place to really show its stuff.

Perrin  Cotes du Rhone Villages Cairanne Peyre Blanche 2011 - $17.95 – Annually it’s neck and neck  between this wine and the Perrin Vinsobres for the best bargain from this excellent producer.  2011 seems to be no different. So far the Cairanne is ahead by a nose (yes that is a terrible wine pun)!

Pierre Amadieu Romane Machotte Gigondas 2011 – $24.95 - From two vineyard sites  (La Romane, La Machotte hence the name), this is not the prestige label from this very good producer but is a superior wine nonetheless. Those who might have purchased the 2010 can now compare the two vintages – the brilliant 2010 and the not quite so inspiring but still very good 2011.

Mandrarossa Cartagho 2009 - $19.95 – 3 glasses  of 3 from Gamberro Rosso, if you like  Nero D’Avola

Domaine Le Grand Retour Plan de Dieu 2011 - $13.95 –We’re pretty much finished with the southern Rhone  2010’s now so you bargain hunters will have to wrap your palate around the next vintage of the Cotes du Rhone Villages. This named village is bargain priced  - great for burgers on a weeknight but sophisticated enough for far more.

Los Clop Cabernet 2009 or Malbec 2009 – $16.95 – Given my unsophisticated language skills,  my pronunciation of this  winery’s name sounds like a Clydesdale on concrete. Do not hold my linguistic failings against these wines. Both are from the Mendoza and both received 90 point scores.  They’re new to me but the reviews and the prices are definitely right.

Achaval Ferrer Malbec  2011 – $24.95 - Always a winner but has steadily increased in price over the last few years moving it down the list of options.  Should be priced at the $21.95 price point as there are many almost as good in the $18 - $22 range (or priced even better, see Los Clop for a sample perhaps). A-F seems to be following the same marketing plan as the Penfolds brand. Might work, might not.

Domaine Fontaine du Clos Reflets de l’Ame Vacqueyras 2011 – $20.95 - Not yet recommended, I’ll have to try one of these first – stay tuned.
Fonterutoli Chianti Classico 2010 $24.95 – A young chianti, open in advance and allow to air.

Once again reflecting its status as a bargain hunter’s delight Spain has three more entries that look to be worthy of very serious consideration.    

Luis Canas Reserva 2005 – From the esteemed 2005 vintage in the Rioja, this is another pretty good buy at $22.95.

Bodegas del Abad Dom Bueno 2008 - $15.95 - From the Bierzo region and made from the Mencia grape (tastes like Pinacheyrah to me). Here in North America both were largely unknown until the last few years but they’ve become a favourite of wine trendoids everywhere.  The trendoids won’t tell you why but it’s because Bierzo wines are generally inexpensive!  Also, even at 5 years old you can leave this particular one alone for a while.

Barco de Piedra Tinto 2011 - $17.00 – Another of the Food and Drink $17 that should be $15 wines. Well reviewed, this one should be right in its drinking window.

And now three under $20’s from Oz – The Billi Billi shiraz might merit 90 but not 94, and there are opening price point labels from two quality producers – Elderton Friends  Shiraz and Katnook’s Founder’s Block Cabernet. Having a crowd for an end of summer BBQ? Can’t go wrong here.

Chateau Pinerai Cahors 2009 - $15.95 – Cahors, South West France, not Burgundy! To receive 2 stars from the Guide Hachette at this price is like a fast food joint getting a star in the Guide de Michelin.  Want to compare old and new world malbecs? Try this one against the Los Clop perhaps.

Two Whites

Excelsior Chardonnay 2012 - $12.95 – Really? This review looks too good to be true for this price. Should not be overoaked, but should provide a tiny hint of butteriness on a slightly sweet, fruit driven  finish.

Falchini Vigna a Solatio Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2012 - $16.95 – Recommended only because I spent a week this past summer a few kilometers from San Gimignano. Minerally and slightly bitter on the finish, not for you buttery chard fans by any stretch of the imagination!

Big Bucks

(My big Bucks are not nearly big enough to include any of the champers)

Beringer Reserve Napa Cabernet 2010 - $49.95 – An excellent Napa offering from Beringer. Expensive though!

Villa I Cipressi Zebras Brunello di Montalcino 2006 - $45.95 – Both the name and the interesting label reflect  the owner’s fascination with zebras. The label is taken from a mural that is actually painted on the walls of the winery’s cellar. From the very good 2006 vintage, this is almost riserva quality from this producer. Very ageworthy.

Dauvergne Ranvier Grand Vin de Chateauneuf du Pape 2010 - $36.95 – A new (to me) CdP from the esteemed 2010 vintage. This has a richly adjectival text review from James Molesworth lthough the numerical score may not reflect his effusive wordiness. ;-)

August 17th - A rosé with star power, less common Italians, and an old favourite returns in big numbers.

Let’s get this out of the way right off the bat. Yes, this release has the Brad and Angelina Miraval  rosé from Provence.  The LCBO, ever the celebrity stalker, managed to buy 996 cases of it and will be making them available to the lucky Ontario public for $24.95 per bottle.   Expensive as it is it’ll probably sell quickly for three reasons – the hype of the big names, the curiousity factor, and it appears to be in a very different, stylish bottle so it’ll stand out among the acres of rosés populating the shelves. Reviews have been generally positive for it but…..

The Aug.17^th release features ‘Off the beaten track’ Italian wines. Certainly there are many that are made from red grapes other than nebbiolo, sangiovese, and the international grapes like merlot or cabernet sauvignon. As well, the whites are a departure from Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio. It is nice to see Vintages try to push them a bit to expand their merchandise lines and our palates. Also in this release are Australian whites. Again, there are some unusual grapes and grape combinations (perhaps uncommon is a better word than unusual) than the normal Aussie Chards. OK, ok there is a chard too.  As well there are a few new to Vintages products, and  new vintages and rereleased vintages of old favourites.   

The VRSS  crawls into the  62 point  territory, mostly because I finished my last H3 cab and my last Clos de Sixte in the last few weeks.  

Top 3 Picks Under $25

Columbia Crest H3 Cabernet Sauvignon  2010 $19.95 – 1799 cases – This should be $15 at the most  (Google is your friend, look it up!).  Pricewise we’re taking a real beating here but this wine is good enough to make you forget about that! It’s a very good, very consistent wine and under $20. Consider a case buy or perhaps try to find 6 Rust en Vrede’s marked down cab and go for 6 and 6.

Alain Jaume Domaine Grand Veneur  Clos De Sixte Lirac 2010 - $23.95 – 398 cases – Jaume’s Lirac is among my favourites of the non-Gigondas/ Vacqueyras/ CdP Southern Rhone villages.  For this wine the 2007 has been the benchmark for me. I think the 2010 is not quite there but it is very, very  good. Timing is everything, I finished my last bottle of the previous release of this vintage just a week or so ago! And yes it is a dollar more than last November.

Beronia Reserva 2008 - $18.95 – 1100 cases – Plenty of cases of this popular, high quality  Spanish option. As in the printed review, the ’05 was my benchmark for this one – it’s fruit driven,  smooth,  just tannic enough and a tasty accompaniment to any meal.

Top White

Fielding unoaked Chardonnay  2012 279 cases -$14.95 – Pure, tasty fruit for grilled fish or to accompany summer pasta salads. Take this one over the rosés (one of Brad and Angelina’s excepted, perhaps).

An Easy Three from The Italian Feature

Villa Mora – Montefalco Sagrantino. $19.95 – 1299 cases - If only because it’s so close in name to Villa Nora. Those of you who understand that joke will get this one!

Taurasi Villa Raiano 2008 $23.95- 249 cases An Aglianico, even though this one has some age, it may be less approachable than the next from Puglia.

Girolamo Capo di Gallo Aglianico 2011 – $18.95 - 298 cases- younger by three vintages than the Taurasi, look for black fruits to dominate the palate but I think you’ll find some licorice notes too. Decant it.

Big Bucks

Chateau Ste. Michelle Canoe Ridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 $34.95 – 223 cases of 6– Overpriced in our market but a very nice wine.  From a specific vineyard in the H3 region, this one’ll be an interesting counterpoint  to the  recently released  Ste. Michelle Indian Wells and the CC H3.  Given the option, you can buy three CC H3’s for less than two of these.

Kenwood Jack London Cabernet 2010 - $39.95 – 269 cases of 6 - Almost as good as the Ste Michelle but even more expensive for what you get.

Chateau Fortia Cuvee du Baron 2010 - $38.95 – 219 cases– Big, bold, but there have been as good CdP’s this year for less.

August 3rd - I'm hoping there'll be a surprise or two but it doesn't look good!

Aug.03, 2010. The dreary releases of the summer continue with very few selections that make us want to race out and part with our hard earned dollars. Are there any ‘must buy’ wines in this release? In a word, One.

The VRSS staggers in at 54 points.

Pinks and Whites

Alain Jaume Domaine Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone rosé - $14.95 – As summer rolls on, here’s another nice selection for the back deck.

Ken Forrester Chenin Blanc 2011-$17.95 – Last year’s release was very good. A refreshing, light  accompanyment to grilled tuna, or grilled veggies in goat cheese perhaps.

The Reds

If you’re a fan of reasonably priced Cabs, three leap out at me.

Santa Carolina Reserve de Famiglia Cab Sauv $17.95 (139 cases) and Montes Alpha Cab Sauv $19.95 – (1009 cases)  Two different takes on the same wine from  two different Chilean vintners. Both are good for the price and will accompany anything on the ‘Q.

D’Arenberg The High Trellis Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 - $19.95 – (319 cases) D’Arenberg seems to have fallen on hard times over the last few years. Their Dead Arm certainly does not generate the excitement it once did. The High Trellis continues to provide ample pleasure around the BBQ and is well priced.

Zonte’s Footsteps ‘The Lake Doctor’ Shiraz Viognier 2010 – (639 cases) A bargain at $16.95

Barone Riccasoli Rocco Guiciarda  Chianti Classico 2010 –$24.95  (599 cases) Always a nice food wine. On its own, less than thrilling but with a meal, it shines. Decant it for sure.

Big Bucks

St. Hallet Blackwell Shiraz - $34.95 – (383 cases of 6) Ignore the James  Halliday score, as usual it’s just too good to be true. However, the wine is a big bruiser that’ll provide ample pleasure in the right context and in the right crowd.

Raymond reserve Selection Cabernet $37.95 – Quality from Cali.

Cameron Hughes Lot 257 Cabernet - $34.95. Did you like their Lot 285? If so, try this one. If not, save your $$’s.

July 20th Vintages release.

July 20^th  already!!!  Hot and wet means the time passes quickly, I suppose. This week’s primary Vintages  feature is “BBQ and Outdoor Entertaining” wines which I presume will go well with mosquitoes after all our rain. The second feature is Cool Climate Chardonnays.  I think they stretched the limits of what cool climate means in order to put together this group of wines.

The VRSS merits 64 to 68 points. Some “I must buy!” wines in this one and overall it is better than many have been lately. The problem will be finding the 'must buys' in any of the LCBO stores.

Whites, Roses and Fizzies

The Hamilton Russell Chardonnay 2011 is almost a cult chard that comes in at $32.95. Seems like a lot but if the label said Napa, this’d be $65 easy. There are only 150 cases of 6 coming to the province so cuddle up to your consultant, hope the central ordering system graces your local store with a healthy supply, and get there early!

Simonsig  Chenin Blanc at $12.95. Light, but full of flavour, halibut burgers strike me as the perfect match!

Cordoniu Pinot Noir Brut Rose Cava -$16.95 – 879 cases of 6 – From Spain  $16.96 - Bright Pink and fizzy, this’ll accompany spicier foods nicely or work well as an aperitif.

Reds

There are a few good reds, many under $20.

Casamatta Sangiovese 2011 – $14.95 – 698 cases - From the renowned and sometimes politically incorrect  producer Bibi Graetz   (if you’ve been to Florence and dined at the Golden View, you’ll know.).  I expect this to be good and disappear fast.  

Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 – $17.95 – 599 cases – Since I’m in Ontario, at this price  I’d back up the truck except I know that in the next release or two the H3 cabernet will be  making another appearance so I’ll hedge my bets.  I like this wine a lot with anything red.

M. Chapoutier Occultum Lapidem 2010 - $24.95 – 199 cases – nice vintage, quality wine. A WS and RP fave although I prefer others from the region (for less $’s). Inflated score from Parker means you better be ready to fight for this one!

Roman Duvernay Vacqueyras 2010 $26.95 – 349 cases-  Fruit’ll burst from the glass in this rich and fulfilling sample from the southern Rhone.  Let the others fight over the Occultum Lapidem,  you can be quite happy with this option.

Mazzei Baddiola 2010 $18.95 - 599 cases -  A 92 pointer that will do better with food but can also be enjoyed on its own.

Cerro Anon Riserva 2006 - $17.95 – 599 cases-A blend of the best of Spain, tempranillo, grenache and mazuelo, this’ll be full and round with tapas.  

Vizcarra Senda del Oro Roble 2011 - $17.95 –629 cases- Tempranillo from the Ribeiro del Duero, this one is tucked away on its own page and might be the sleeper of the release. Certainly  Mr. Parker raved about it!

Cathedral Cellars Tryptich 2008 - $15.95 – 500 cases of this very popular, well priced, well made, South African red blend.

Small Gully ‘The Formula’ Shiraz 2008 -$18.95 – The number of cases (1669) in this release  is a testament to the popularity of this wine. Big, BBQ burger, grilled anything kind of wine!

Big Bucks

Fantina Cascina Dardi Bussia Barolo Riserva 2004 - $39.95 – With 9 years on it, this one is entering its primetime.  Very well scored by Anthony Galloni.

Domus Vitae Brunello  di Montalcino 2007 – $45.95 - Wonderful vintage. I’m not familiar with this one.

Mollydooker Blue Eyed Boy 2009 - $55.95 – Shiraz, big shiraz. 139 cases of 6. Always scores over 90 in the American wine mags. Not for the faint of heart.

Vintages July 6th Release - The dog days of summer come early?

July 6^th Vintages Release provides 4 features – the first is California, the second Pure Pleasure – a white wine compendium of fresh and fruity flavours (Take that you LCBO alliterationists), a Niagara on the Lake tourist feature and last but not least  a page containing 12 limited production/ release Ontario wines. Funny thing about this last one though. These wines ‘won’t be on your Vintages shelves’.  You have to go to the LCBO link in the Vintages catalogue  (well actually you have to go four clicks from the link) to find the stores that might be carrying each of these wines. Really? Whose brain child was this? As of this writing on June 25th, the wines are already in store and available so you can be sure the demand for most of them can be best described as tepid. I think Gord Stimmel wrote about them in last weekend’s Star too.

Back to the wines in the release.  It would appear that this one is a return to the mediocrity to which we have become accustomed.  The release works very hard to score only 64 points in the VRSS.  Those of you pressed for time can turn to page 42 for the best (or is that the only good?) single page in the release.  If they are to your tastes, the five wines on the page should provide good QPR value. In a bizarre Big M tribute (or maybe it was to Darryl Sittler?) two of them were #27 on the Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 wines of the year for ’11 and ’12.

Whites

Kung Fu Girl Evergreen Reisling 2011 – $18.95 – 279 cases - Sweet on the fore palate but with sufficient acidity to balance the sweetness, I quite like this wine. So does my 20 year old daughter.  My wife? Not so much. Buy accordingly.

REDS

Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Cabernet Sauvignon - $25.85 – 167 cases. This one is a favourite of mine in spite of the fact that the LCBO has the Indian Wells Cab overpriced by between eight and ten dollars. Spice, black fruit- currants especially, hints of cedar.

Dandelion Vineyards Lionheart of the Barossa – $20.95- 767 cases- A big Barossa Shiraz that has become quite popular here in Ontario. Peppery, black fruit, nice hints of licorice, and for you visual marketing types, a very classy label.

Mazzei Ser Lapo Chianti Classico 2008 $24.95 – 599 cases of 6 – Well scored, 93 points from James Suckling but remember this is James Suckling, Web Wine Guy, not the JS of the Wine Spectator. The ’06 and ’07 of this wine were very good. You can do far worse in this release.

Pinyolet Garnacha 2011- $17.95 – 499 cases - Grenache, so expect big raspberry aromas and flavours. Mr. Parker’s review reads like one for a big southern Rhone bargain!

Vina Olabarri Gran Reserva 2004 $24.95 – 279 cases - A Rioja for you fans of the genre.

Cameron Hughes Lot 285 Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 - $29.95 – 299 cases – I had to work very hard to find something worthwhile in the Cali feature of the release. This wine could be very good or less than average. At this price it had better be very good.  

Rosés

There are eight rosés in this release. My picks are two west coast options and an Ontarian. Try  the See Ya Later Ranch Nelly 2011 or the Charles and Charles  2012 rosé or the Featherstone 2012 at $16.95, $15.95  and $14.95 respectively.

BIG Bucks

Spend ‘em if you’ve got ‘em –

Mastrojanni Brunello di Montalcino 2007 – $49.95 - Very well scored and age worthy! Galloni and Suckling liked it a lot!

Xavier Cuvee Anonyme Chateauneuf du Pape 2009 - $59.95 – Parker says 96 points. Give it a few years in a quiet dark place before you try to find out!