April 4th, Happy Easter, may the bunny bring you egg-cellent wines!

Two releases ago it was Tuscany, this time around we’re off to Venice. If you’re a fan of the styles of the region, go for them. The Zenato Valpolicella is always solid but I would definitely pick a few wines from other regions that are in this release before that one. Among the reds, two Spanish, two French, then one each from Italy, Greece, OZ and Wahington St. make the grade. 

My picks, in order this week.

Muriel Reserva Vendimia Seleccionada 2008 - $18.95 – If it’s the correct wine, it was Decanter’s number 8 wine from 2013, and was terrific when previously released (last year). For under $20 it’s a thought provoking wine on its own that becomes even better with food.  Tapas here we come! Only concern is this is the second LCBO release of this wine and sometimes they’re not quite so good the second time around….. just sayin’.

Alain Jaume Clos de Sixte Lirac 2012 - $24.95 – Always superior and although ready to drink with some decanting, this one will be even better in a year or two. Look for black fruit on the palate, licorice hints on the finish. I wish it was a few dollars less, but don’t I always?

Mazzei Ser Lapo Chianti Classico Reserva 2011 - $24.95 – Young but always first rate if you are patient enough. Do give it some time though.

Finca Villacreces Pruno 2012 - $21.95- If I recall correctly, two years ago this flew off the Vintages shelves. Last year it was almost as good but was a slower mover comparatively speaking. It’s all in the review I guess. Vineyards right next to Vega Sicilia, the Spanish equivalent to a Bordeaux first growth, it should be good over the next 5 or 6 years.

Dandelion Vineyards Lionheart of the Barossa 2012 - $19.95 – A winner in the Ontario market, and from a great Aussie vintage, this one should be superior for those fans of it. Big black fruits, white pepper, and maybe hints of soy sauce (or is that salty seaweed?). And available in two sizes so when you want a bottle and a half, you can have them (but only if you thought ahead).

Gerard Bertrand Fitou 2011 -$17.95 – This wine might be the second best buy in the release and would be higher among my picks if not for the following. At one of the Vintages consultant tastings both of the   samples were suffering from apparent premature oxidation. So try one early if you buy more than one or better still visit a store that allows tastings. Bertrand is among the finer producers in the Languedoc and his wines are generally deeply flavoured, complex and often deliver a level of sophistication and quality above their price points. There should be plenty going on here but the above concerns me.

Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 - $17.95 Excellent producer. Two warnings – one, watch out for the oak and two, their H3, which is a slightly better wine is on sale in April for three dollars off at $16.95.  Buy it instead.

Costa Lazaridis Amethystos Red 2011 - $23.95 – Is dinner Greek themed? Saganaki, spanakopita, souvlaki and tzatziki? Try this one. Fruit forward reflecting the Michel Rolland style.  

BIG BUCKS

The choices above mean I won’t even consider going above $40 in this release.

Hess Allomi Vineyard 2012 - $39.95 – Might buy one for a special occasion. The pro reviewers rarely seem to score this one where I think it should be but given some time, it’s a very, very nice wine. Full of black current, cedar and very full bodied. $10 (a full 25%) over the US price though.

Burrowing Owl Syrah 2011 - $39.95 – Big bucks for a renowned Canuck producer of first rate wines. Maybe buy one to put away for Canada Day.

Ebenezer Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 - $39.95 – Massive comes to mind when contemplating this wine. It is a big brute, vicious on your wallet, viscous on the palate to be sure. Not a brilliant vintage in South OZ but a very classy producer.

March 21, finally some interesting wines, but not the Icons.

March 21, 2015 and this Vintages release finally provides us with one that has a variety of medium  priced options that are, unlike previous releases, not lacking in interest. There are more than a few delectable, selectable wines, and considering not a single one is from this week’s Big Dollar Napa errr California  contingent, I think that’s a great percentage from the balance of the release.

Pick carefully, some of the choices are going to have to find a quiet, cool, dark spot on the floor of your basement for a while.

Here we go, once again sorted by country, my best bets get an asterisk beside their names.

FRANCE

Chateau Vincens 2011 $17.95 334 cases  ****– A Wine Enthusiast Top 15 wine from 2103. At this price you expect a fruit bomb for immediate consumption but this one wants to be treated like the cave dweller it is. Just leave it for in the dark for 3 years or more.

 ARGENTINA

LUCA LABORDE DOUBLE SELECT SYRAH 2012 335 cases of 6 $24.95 ****– Among the upper level of the Catena brands, the Luca Syrah has managed to consistently pull down scores of over 90 points for its sophistication, flavor profile and depth.

Chakana Estate Selection Red Blend 2012 $26.95 **** but only 249 cases of 6 – Malbec, Cab Sauv, and Syrah. Strap on the elbow pads and call in the favours. If you can find a few of these, I’m sure there’ll be a battle to buy them just based on Parker’s review.

 PASCUAL TOSO BARRANCAS VINEYARDS RESERVE CABERNET 349 cases of 12 -  $19.95 – Probably will be almost as good as the above and all cab.

CHILE

BISQUERTT LA JOYA GRAND RESERVE SYRAH 2012 495 cases $16.95 ****– Another end of year Top 100 wine, this time from Wine Spectator, this one should be good and solid, especially at the price.

AUSTRALIA

SCHILD ESTATE SHIRAZ 2012 599 cases of 12 $24.95   - A blind taste off between this and the Luca might yield some very interesting and surprising results.  Keep in mind that Schild has tried to go upscale with some single vineyard products so what was their ‘estate’ shiraz in past years may not be the same this year. Spiffy label though.

 YALUMBA THE GUARDIAN SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER 2010   447 cases of 10 - $21.95 – Another Cote Roti-esque option from Oz.

SOUTH AFRICA

THE MENTORS  SHIRAZ 2011  KWV   139 cases of 6 $29.95 – A few bucks over the Luca and Schild but worth buying if you’re going to have a shiraz-fest and want the out of town sleeper. 

TUSCANY

MARCHESI DE' FRESCOBALDI TENUTA DI CASTIGLIONI 2011 ****  600 cases of 12 $21.95  - Always a very solid performer. Best left alone for a year (up to 7 or 8) but can be decanted and enjoyed right now with something red on a plate. Disregard Suckling’s comment. He has scored this wine the same in past vintages.

 VILLA CERNA RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2010   270 cases of 12 $28.95 – Worth one if only for the vintage.

GREECE

BOUTARI GRANDE RESERVE 2008 ****   299 cases of 12 $17.95 – A well priced Xynomavro – think cab franc visits the nude beaches of the Aegean.

Big Bucks

 BREZZA BAROLO 2010 217 cases of 12 -$46.95

Chateau Pinerai l‘Authentique 2011 only 116 cases of 6 - $39.95 – 5 Stars from the oft derided Decanter magazine, but that is a terrific score. While this one appears readier to consume, it’ll still benefit from a bit of time.

CASTELLO DI AMA RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2009 184 cases of 12 - $16.95 – Small bottles for those of you who are fans of the producer. I am, and bought a bunch of the 750ml bottles so I can open these to see how the bigger brothers are maturing. Makes the big bucks because these are half bottles.

And a bunch of overpriced Cali stuff that is way above my level of affordability. YMMV.

January 24th Vintages, these really are the dog days of winter!

First off, let’s take a quick look at the LCBO Vintages email for this release. It indicates that this week will have Superstars from Argentina and Chile but looking at the selection, these are the Dave Clarksons of South American wine, not the Sidney Crosbys. Buyer beware!

This week does have very few good options  below $20 but if you’re willing to spend more than $30, then there are a few worthy of your attention. Spain continues to be a source of well priced age worthy reds but not many here excite me. It’s not the only country represented in my choices though. France, Italy and the USA all earn mentions in the sub $30 range but not for the right reasons. There are a trio of  higher priced wines that will provide real pleasure for you.

El Molar 2011 - $17.95- Want a wine that you can sink your teeth in to? This is it. (Oh I kill myself sometimes!)  From Spain, this is among the better ones available.

Casas del Bosque Gran Reserva Syrah 2012 – Very nice Chilean syrah from the Casablanca Valley. Here’s looking at you kid.

Zonte’s Footsteps The Chocolate Factory Shiraz 2012 - $17.95 – Hate the producer’s name and the names they call their wines but the wines produced are first rate.

Hedges CMS -$19.95 – Too expensive really, but good nonetheless. Should be $17.95.

Vignobles de Balma-Venitia Cuvee St. Roch Vacqueyras 2011 - $24.95 – A new one for me, but I’ll try it. I like this village in the Southern Rhone.

Chateau Haut –Monplaisir Malbec 2011 -$17.95 –Want to compare a French malbec to the recently released Zolo from Argentina? Here it is, but leave it alone for a few years and serve it alongside something charred, yet red and bloody. Perhaps an earlier season  Game of Thrones episode?

Durigutti Cabernet Sauvignon  2010 - $19.95 – 2 bucks more than the Ravenswood, this is a better buy!

Ravenswood Cabernet Sauvignon $17.95 – Usually a well priced example of non Napa Cali fruit, this is nowhere near past examples but is an OK $13.00 wine.  Too bad it’s priced 5 bucks above that.

Big Bucks

Luca Malbec 32.95 – From Laura Catena and this year it made it to #19 in the the WS Top 100. The Luca brand is nestled above the Catena brand  in the upper middle of their marketing scheme and is quite excellent. Their  Chardonnay has been  one of my favourites for quite some time as well. This is as close to a superstar as there is in the release!

Gemma Barolo 2010 - $29.95 – Looking for a Barolo but don’t want to break the bank? Here’s another one hot on the heels of last release’s $32  one.

Chateau Fortia Cuvee du Baron Chateauneuf du Pape 2012 - $39.95 – If you have 5 years and a quiet dark place, this is the wine to buy.

January 10th 2015 Release - Cheapies

January 10^th and the new year starts with the traditional Vintages Smart Buy issue. In many cases you will be further ahead to watch for upcoming price reductions on higher quality, slower moving in store items than to buy from this collection. Which reminds me, as a tax paying citizen why do I have to rely on my local Vintages consultant to put up sales item signage when items are discontinued? Why can’t I find out the week or two before? Given ample patience and a few clever search keys, we used to be able to search the LCBO B2B website to freely see upcoming delists the week before the reductions took effect. At least then we were free to strategize our shopping to pick up the few true LCBO bargains available. (This has to be one of the few times where free, bargain, and the LCBO are used in the same sentence). But for at least a year now, my government’s retail monopoly has chosen to hide that info behind its firewalls. The info seems to be made available to a select few. Some websites seem to be able find the info and then use it as a carrot to sell access and to make a profit. Hmmm, they get access to the info and sell it to make a profit while you and I can’t access it to save ourselves a few measly bucks.  Life with the LCBO, ain’t it grand?

The RED selections

Poggio al Tuffo Rompicollo 2011 -$17.00 – Interesting how two reviewers can differ on a wine. Wine Advocate scored this one 87 points, Wine Spectator  92 points. Both reviews are positive but if your palate matches the WS reviewer’s then this is a well priced WS Top 100 wine.

Zolo Reserva Malbec 2011 – Another 2014 WS Top 100 wine but the LCBO had chosen to stealth release this one for some reason. At $17.95 you can do a lot worse, especially if you’re serving rare, grilled red meat on a platter.

Columbia Crest H3 Merlot - $19.95 – Consistently very good if you like ‘em woody (lots of oak).

Concha Y Toro  Serie Riberas Cabernet Sauvignon - $17.95 – A well scored, well priced, bargain from one of Chile’s  premier producers across all price points. Look for green and brown aromas and flavours  backing up dark purple fruits.

Puig – Parahy Cuvee Georges 2011- $16.95 – New to me and with a very interesting review from David Schildknecht, this seem like it’s worth a try – a red wine with Shrimp on the nose and Swiss Chard on the palate. Hmmm.

The White selections

Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc $14.95 – tasty and a change from Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay.

Wakefield from Oz and See Ya Later Ranch chardonnay from the Okanagan. Both under $18.

Big Bucks

Barolo – La Pieve - $31.95 –2010 – Perhaps one of the better Barolo vintages on record, some Barolophiles have been ignoring the last few vintages awaiting this one. Remember what I said about the 2010 vintage in the Southern Rhone? Well, it now applies to Barolo. This is not for immediate consumption though. Even at almost 5 years of age, this’ll enjoy a few more years in a quiet, dark place.

Vintages Release Report December 6, 2014 - we hit 50,000 page views!

Thanks to all the readers out there. This week we surpassed the 50,000 visitors mark. 

  

Here we are – the final  Vintages release of the year. The previous release had some very tempting entries and if you broke your bank to buy some of them you may be disappointed in yourself this time around. I must say it was almost worth a paid admission last week to see the folks lined up at 9:00 am on a Saturday morning for the 2010 Pontet Canet @ $250 and the Faustino 1 at about $40!  Ahhhh,  first world problems, aren’t they grand?

Back to this release, there are some well priced wines in this one. Argentina and South Africa lead the charge among the reds. Two malbecs - One under $20 and the other at almost $40 look very good as do the two South African blends.  After that, I’ll leave the selections to your palate. Any and all of the wines listed below should bring you pleasure. 

REDS

ARGENTINA – Bring on the medium rare prime rib for any of the following 4 – if you’re in the market for a malbec, this is the order I’d pick them in

SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE MALBEC 2012   1199 $19.95 – Balbo has been a fave for quite some time and a real rarity in the macho world of Argentina winemaking.

TERRAZAS DE LOS ANDES RESERVA MALBEC 2011   647 cases $18.95 

CLOS DE LOS SIETE 2011   630 cases $21.95 – Michel Rolland’s (and 6 others ) investment has taken on some age now. 

CICCHITTI GRAN RESERVA MALBEC 2004  300 cases $22.95 – Note the year, this has some age on it now and an old review from the no longer active Jay Miller.

SOUTH AFRICA

MULDERBOSCH FAITHFUL HOUND 2011    167  cases $19.95 – A WS Top 100 Pick this year, this is always a pleasant wine. A fine Bordeaux blend for prime rib, there are so many from which to choose this week but this was among my top picks.

ERNIE ELS BIG EASY 2012 279 cases $19.95 – A kitchen sink blend with Rhone varieties sharing centre stage with Cabernet Sauvignon.

MIDI

DOMAINE DE BILA-HAUT OCCULTUM LAPIDEM 2012 (M. Chapoutier)   913 cases $24.95- Lots going on here. Black fruit, licorice,  some herbiness. Needs some time to let it all settle down and then will be excellent . It’ll age like a Gigondas given the right cellar climate.

AUSTRALIA

DOMAINE TERLATO & CHAPOUTIER SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER 2012   1199 cases $23.95 – Another of Chapoutier’s global wine holdings, not so in your face as the Dandelion.

DANDELION VINEYARDS LIONESS OF MCLAREN VALE SHIRAZ 2012   1198 cases $19.95 – A big, black fruited, peppery mouthful.  

WAKEFIELD JARAMAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012   383 cases $24.95  - The bottle image has the look of Idi Amin with  all those medals but Wakefield is a terrific producer of well priced wines.

TUSCANY

IL MOLINO DI GRACE RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2006   997 cases $23.95 – Nicely aged and from a terrific vintage. With food, excellent.

SPAIN

In the mood for a Spanish wine? Try some of the Finca El Encinal 2010 from last release. And Doug says if you can find the Bordon from Oct.25^th, buy it.

 CALIFORNIA

RUTHERFORD RANCH CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012   1299 cases $22.95 – A very pleasant unpretentious  cabernet.   

WASHINGTON STATE

 POMUM SHYA RED 2008   209 cases $24.95  - New to me. I might have to try one.

WHITES and BUBBLIES

Lots of inexpensive bubbles this time around! Try the Mumm Napa from the general list too – very good around $26.

JACKSON-TRIGGS ENTOURAGE GRAND RESERVE BRUT 2011   239 cases  of 6 $22.95 

PIERRE SPARR BRUT ROSÉ CRÉMANT D'ALSACE   151 cases $17.95 

CAVE DE RIBEAUVILLÉ GIERSBERGER BRUT CRÉMANT D'ALSACE   648 cases $19.95 

ALBERT BICHOT BRUT ROSÉ CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE   359 cases  of 6 $21.95 

FREIXENET ELYSSIA GRAN CUVÉE BRUT CAVA   489 cases  of 6 $19.95 

MOUNTADAM ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2009   611 cases  $21.95 

 JACKSON-TRIGGS DELAINE CHARDONNAY 2012   55 cases of 6 $24.95  

DOMAINE LOUIS MOREAU CHABLIS 2013   399 cases $24.95   

BIG BUCKS

TRAPICHE VINA JORGE MIRALLES TERROIR SERIES SINGLE  VINEYARD  497 cases  of 6 $39.95 – Within a release or two this seems to be the annual spot for this wine.  A single vineyard wine, very well made, for that special prime rib roast or steak. The same vintage was available last year at the same price. It would have been nice to try one of the other of Trapiche’s single vineyard releases but that would necessitate some work  by  the LCBO buyer I guess.  Too much to hope for? Apparently.

FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA DIRECTOR'S CUT CABERNET   449 cases $36.95 – I like this wine but it’s too much this time around.

ELDERTON ODE TO LORRAINE CABERNET   467 cases  of 6 $39.95  -Last release was a disappointment. Very thin, I almost thought I was pouring an old world Bordeaux blend.

LADIES WHO SHOOT THEIR LUNCH SHIRAZ 2012 (Fowles Wines)   479 of 6 $35.95 – Well marketed, well made.

Want a Canuck Christmas wine? Try either of these –

LAUGHING STOCK BLIND TRUST RED 2012     110 cases $37.95 

BURROWING OWL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011      167 cases $44.95 

MONTES PURPLE ANGEL 2011   249 cases  of 6 $62.95  - What was an annual treat for me is over my price threshold now.

BERINGER CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011   501 cases $49.95  - Good wine, bad vintage.

CORTE PAVONE BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2008   398 cases  of 6  $49.95  

CAPRILI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2009   209 cases $44.95  

CHÂTEAU MONT-REDON CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2011   199 cases $44.95  

CHÂTEAU DE LA GARDINE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2012   300 cases $39.95  

DOMAINE DU GRAND TINEL CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2010   199 cases $49.95  

Vintages November 22nd release - another year come and gone almost

November 22, 2014 is usually Vintages Best of the Best release. After the most recent release this one has a lot to atone for and at first glance it does so. From the sub $20’s (barely) to the multi hundred $’s, there is something for most wallets and reasonably good prices and bottles across all price points. Herein, I’ve tried to pick all the ones that are worthy of your consideration. Anything in the triple digits has been ignored – why would I tempt myself?

Whites and Bubblies

BURGUNDY

LOUIS BOUILLOT PERLE D'AURORE BRUT ROSÉ CRÉMANT DE BORGOGNE   599 cases $19.95  - Looking for a rose champagne?  Save your bucks and dive into this as a stand in. Great with brunch, popcorn, salmon (gravlax, smoked or planked) or just because your palate needs awakening.

 DOMAINE DE FUSSIACUS VIEILLES VIGNES POUILLY-FUISSÉ 2012  179 cases $27.95 or ALAIN GEOFFROY BEAUROY CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2012  299 cases $29.95  – I know it’s Christmas time, but how about a Chardonnay throw down? One of these two from Burgundy, a Hamilton Russell if you have one, the Clos Jordanne and maybe one of Stormin’ Norman’s creations from the county.  

 VENETO

BELCANTO DI BELLUSSI PROSECCO DI VALDOBBIADENE 548  cases of 6 $18.95

REDS

AUSTRALIA

 D'ARENBERG THE HIGH TRELLIS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011   447 cases $19.95 – An under rated cabernet and well priced.

GRANT BURGE THE HOLY TRINITY  2011 -  498 cases of 6 $29.95  - As close to a CdP as you’ll find from Australia. Will age well for a few years and is priced close  to where it should be.

WOLF BLASS GOLD LABEL CABERNET $24.95 – From Coonawara, this traditional Aussie  cab shows eucalyptus, black fruit and some hints of licorice.

CHILE

SANTA RITA MEDALLA REAL GRAN RESERVA CABERNET  798 cases $17.95 – Age worthy, great with roasted or grilled beef or lamb. More loamy -greens and brown flavours in with the black fruit - than the High Trellis or the Wolf Blass.

WASHINGTON STATE

SEVEN FALLS CABERNET SAUVIGNON2011 - $19.95 – Think of it as an H3 in slightly different clothes. ‘Smart Buy’ earlier this year in the WS, less smart in Ontario due to the LCBO’s pricing.

MIDI

NOSTRE PAÏS COSTIÈRES DE NÎMES 2012 (Michel Gassier)  237 cases $21.95 – This is the middle priced of the three Costieres de Nimes in the release. Perhaps miscategorized for some nefarious reason, I would have thought this should be with the Rhone entries since other offerings in this release are categorized there. Since 2004 Costieres de Nimes has been in the Rhone. Per Wikipedia, the move of Costières de Nîmes to the regional committee of the Rhône valley was effected in the 19 July 2004 version.  Up until the version of 8 July 1998, which the 2004 version superseded, Costières de Nîmes was assigned to the regional committee of Languedoc-Roussillon.

RHÔNE

LES HALOS DE JUPITER COSTIÈRES DE NÎMES 2012  594 cases $16.95 – Same Costieres de Nimes, excellent producer, much better price!

CHÀTEAU DE NAGES JT COSTIÉRES DE NÎMES 2012   238 cases $24.95  - Another Costieres de Nimes but this one knows from whence it came. Also the most expensive.

GRANDS SERRES LES HAUTES VACQUIERES VACQUEYRAS 2012  400 cases $24.95 – I never miss a chance to recommend a Vacqueyras.

M. CHAPOUTIER PETITE RUCHE CROZES-HERMITAGE 2012  196 cases $24.95 – From younger vines surrounding the renowned Hermitage, expect this to be ready sooner. Made with no exposure to oak, it’ll show pure syrah fruit.

PERRIN L'ANDÉOL RASTEAU 2012  443 cases $19.95 – Among the better of the lesser named villages in the Cotes du Rhone Villages, the Perrin family does everything right.

PIEDMONT

PAOLO CONTERNO BRICCO BARBERA D'ALBA 2013   329 cases $19.95

TUSCANY

PALAZZO VECCHIO MAESTRO VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO   299 cases $24.95

ROCCA DELLE MACÌE CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2010  1198 cases $21.95

SAN FELICE IL GRIGIO CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2010   297 cases $27.95

SPAIN

 FINCA CONSTANCIA ALTOS DE LA FINCA 2011   576 cases of 6 $21.95

FINCA EL ENCINALCRAINZA 2010 -$17.95 – 94 points from a panel at Wine and Spirits – my opinion of the wine is not quite that high, but for the price and with tapas or roasted or grilled meats it does come alive.

BODEGA DIVINA PROPORCIÓN MADREMIA 2011   167 cases $29.95 – Don’t spend  your money here. I guess the LCBO thinks we won’t calculate the exchange rate – 15 euros  equal $21.30 Cdn.

BIG BUCKS

FAUSTINO I GRAN RESERVA 2001 12 748 $35.95 – 13 years old and a Decanter number one wine from last year, this was gobbled up earlier this year and I expect the same to happen again. Not a fruit bomb  but even now redolent of red berries, backed by tannins and acid this wine has plenty of stuffing to continue to age gracefully.  Perhaps the buy of the release.

LE CLOS JORDANNE VILLAGE RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2011   309 cases of 6 $30.00  - 5 cents less and it doesn’t get stuck here with the big boys. Too bad.

CUNE GRAN RESERVA 2008   996 cases of 6 $39.95 – Already 6 years old but will be better if aged for a few more, if you can keep your hands off it. A quality Rioja from a quality producer.

TWO HANDS BELLA'S GARDEN SHIRAZ 2012   299 cases of 6 $63.95  - Now back in its sweet spot  points wise (the mid 90’s), Micheal Twelftree and this wine epitomize  everything good about Oz wine. This was the #16 wine in this year’s WS Top 100 Wines. 

BAROSSA VALLEY ESTATE E&E BLACK PEPPER SHIRAZ 2008   79 cases of 6 $89.95 – Huge, brilliant wine but you do have to love those big boys and have lots of $$’s.

CHÂTEAU DE BEAUCASTEL CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2012   249 cases $89.95 – Among the finer CdP’s every year, this’ll need at least 7 years to open up, and probably more like 10.

DOMAINE DE VIEUX TÉLÉGRAPHE TÉLÉGRAMME CHÂTEAUNEUF    149 cases $49.95 – Vieux Telegraphe’s first wine has gotten crazy price wise (into  Beaucastel territory) so this  their 2^nd cru is available. There are better CdP’s around for the $$’s.

LA VITE LUCENTE 2012 (Luce Della Vite) Luce Della Vite   248 cases $34.95 – Luce’s second wine.

TENUTA SETTE PONTI CROGNOLO 2011  299 cases $34.95 – James Suckling gave this 95 points, everyone else gave it 90. You be the judge – I think the lower score is a better indication of the wine.

BREZZA SARMASSA BAROLO 2009 139 cases $49.95 – Tremendous score for a very age worthy wine.

FATTORIA DEI BARBI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2008  247 cases $49.95 – Well made, slightly more fruit forward yet still a traditional Brunello.

A couple of ISD’s which you may or may not be able to find:

MEERLUST RUBICON 2008 - $33.95 – a South African Bordeaux blend that really delivers. 

CASTELLO DI NIPPOZANNO VIGNETO MONTESODI RISERVA  CHIANTI RUFINA 2010 $49.95 – Priced in Brunello territory, this is a fine vintage of a rarely available wine.  Needs time.

November's First release is a bit of a dud....

I just checked the calendar. It is November 1^st not April 1^st !!!! Yet here we are, with about 7 wines   recommended from this entire release!  Seems like a cruel joke - how can we be at this late time in the year and only be recommending 7 wines (with an average price of about $35.00)?  Because, just because.

Next week I’ll take a look at the Vintages Christmas gifts – but they are less inviting! than last year and last year was not a great year.

WASHINGTON STATE

CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE INDIAN WELLS CABERNET SAUVIGNON     335 cases $25.95  - Roast beef, roast pork, steaks? I expect this to be very good and one of the best buys  in this release.  It is ready to drink now with spice, cedar, currant notes, but flavours will age on the short term into more oaky vanilla and black cherry.

ARGENTINA

Argentina appears to be the Spain of this release, with quality across a number of price points. The two sub $20 wines are both very good for the money but my recommendation from the release is:

Manos Negras Malbec Atrevida 2010 - $22.95 – Should be right in its drinking window.  It behooves you to pair with anything with hooves (and then hoover it down). Look for this phrase next year in Vintages.

SPAIN

ALVARO PALACIOS CAMINS DEL PRIORAT 2013 321 cases $24.95 – Very young, so give it some time.

VIÑA REAL ORO RESERVA 2009   449 cases of 6  $29.95  - Almost a pick.  Almost.

BIG BUCKS

Expensive for Argentina so it’s in the big bucks, FINCA FLICHMAN DEDICADO 2011 $29.95 – Apparently produced only in exceptional years, this blend reflects the quality that can be achieved. Ageworthy but also ready to drink with some air and some red meat.  I’ll spring for one for that prime rib roast.

CHILE

CONCHA Y TORO TERRUNYO VINEYARD SELECTION CABERNET  2010 335 cases of 6  $34.95 – Among my favourite Cab Sauvs. To my palate and especially to my wallet this is a better buy than C y T’s  flagship Don Melchor as it is very close to just  as good most years.  

ONTANON GRAN RESERVA 2001   200 cases $39.95

LE VIEUX DONJON CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2012     148 cases $63.95  - If I were to buy one it would be  just to keep a vertical alive.