My Picks:
If I buy nothing else, I’ll buy the Concha y Toro Terrunyo. And I’ll buy as much as I can afford.
2005 Concha y Toro Terrunyo Vineyard Selection Cabernet Sauvignon - $29.95 – If you like The Vintages Essential Marques de Casa Concha and especially if you like Concha Y Toro’s now exorbitantly priced Don Melchor, buy this up! It is the best QPR cab coming out of Chile and maybe the best cab period in my opinion. If the label said Napa, it’d be $75 minimum!
2007 Dominio del Plata Susana Balbo Signature Malbec - $27.95 WS90 – Fabulous winemaker, gets the best from her grapes. Always full bodied, ripe and intense – the wines, not her.
2006 Kaiken Ultra Malbec - $19.95 – Probably the best buy QPR wise among the Malbecs, should be lots of it.
2008 Mulderbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Rose - $12.95 An annual favourite rose. I’ll buy more than a few.
2007 Domaine Galevan-Paroles de Femme Cotes du Rhone - $15.00 – Lots of it and well priced. Parker says 89 -90…might only be 86 but a terrific summer sipper with char-B-Q! (Not burnt Barbq but rather Charcouterie and or BarBQ – ahhh, BP you are so continental!)
2006 Valpantena Terre di Verona Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso - $17.95 – My sleeper pick, I’m going to try one and if I like it go back for more.
And as always, keep your eyes open for the biweekly Vintages sleeper sales. Anything that has not sold a certain % after so many weeks goes on markdown. Some substantial MD%’s for very good, but under appreciated wines!
ARGENTINA MALBEC SPOTLIGHT
2008 Altos Las Hormigas Malbec - $14.95 WS87 – The best bargain.
2006 Kaiken Ultra Malbec - $19.95 – Probably the best buy QPR wise among the Malbecs, should be lots of it.
2007 Dominio del Plata Susana Balbo Signature Malbec - $27.95 WS90 – Fabulous winemaker, gets the best from her grapes. Always full bodied, ripe and intense – the wines, not her.
2006 Vina Cobos Bramare Malbec - $39.95- RP94 – Hobbs in Napa, Vina Cobos in Argentina. Should be huge but give me 3 Susanas for two of these.
2006 Trapiche Broquel Malbec - $15.95– A toss up with the Altos las Hormigas for Best bargain.
2006 Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec - $24.95 –WS88
2006 Navarro Correas Alegoria Gran Reserva Malbec - $18.95 – IWC88
2008 Chakana Malbec - $13.95 – Always good.
2007 Michel Torino Estate Don David Reserve Malbec - $12.95 – Don’t know it, so a sleeper in the release. Might be the wine to have if you’re going to watch Clint in Gran …ahhh couldn’t resist…
Canada Day Feature
Gotta wave the flag! But where are the BC wines? Last time I looked, Ontario was NOT Canada, it was just part of Canada.
2006 Hidden Bench Terroir Cache Meritage - $34.00
2008 Henry of Pelham Cabernet Sauvignon Rose - $14.95
FATHER’S DAY FEATURE – Just get me a gift certificate and let me pick my wines.
MAIN RELEASE
2005 Concha y Toro Terrunyo Vineyard Selection Cabernet Sauvignon - $29.95 see my picks!
2007 Domaine Galevan-Paroles de Femme Cotes du Rhone - $15.00 – see my picks
2006 Santa Carolina Reserva de Familia Cabernet Sauvignon - $19.95 – always very good
2005 Echevverria Family Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon - $21.95 WS89 – always very good
2005 Greg Norman California Estates Cabernet Sauvignon - $24.95
2006 Clayhouse Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon - $18.95
2004 Evans & Tate Shiraz - $19.95 WS88;
2005 Pierre Sourdais Cuvee Tradition Chinon - $20.95 DEC4
2005 Tenuta Cocci Grifoni Le Torri - $18.95 RP88
2006 Firriato Chiaramonte Nero d’Avola - $18.95 (1) WS88
2006 Fontodi Chianti Classico - $28.95 (1) RP91
2006 Valpantena Terre di Verona Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso - $17.95
The two Rose Picks:
2008 Peter Lehmann Rose - $15.95
2008 Mulderbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Rose - $12.95 My annual favourite rose. I’ll buy more than a few.
IN STORE DISCOVERIES
2005 Planeta Syrah - $39.00 90 plus points…terrific wine but it'll be hard to find.
The Big Buck Entries including a few ex VSO opportunities
2003 Clarendon Hills Moritz Syrah - $65.00 RP95; WS93; WE93; NW99;
2006 Petaluma Shiraz - $48.00
2005 Vina Cobos Bramare Cabernet Sauvignon - $39.95 RP92;
2006 Vina Cobos Bramare Cabernet Sauvignon - $39.95 RP93; - see the Vina Cobos Malbec note earlier on…These would also be over $70 out of Napa. And a few years after the world economy turns around, they probably will be.
Ojai Thompson Vineyard Syrah - RP93+
J.J. Hahn 1928 Shiraz - $38.95 – RP91-93;
2004 John’s Blend Individual Selection No. 31 Cabernet Sauvignon - $39.95
2005 Chateau St. Jean Cabernet Sauvignon - $39.95
2003 Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino - $59.95 –RP92
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Vintages June 6th release - An Ironic release, not iconic, ironic
Ahhh, the LCBO and their fine sense of irony - That this would be a Burgundy focused release, yet the best pinot noir value and maybe the best Pinot Noir in it is an In Store Discovery from South America!
THE ROSE Picks – Will buy a few to compare to the Sandbanks rose that we enjoy so much, but I’ll also hold out for the Stellenbosch rose from South Africa in the next release.
2008 Tawse Sketches of Niagara Rose - $12.30
2008 Thirteenth Street June’s Vineyard Cabernet Rose - $15.95
2008 Kim Crawford Pansy! Rose - $17.95 – really enjoyed it last year.
MAIN RELEASE
The Top Picks:
2006 Jim Barry The Lodge Hill Shiraz - $24.95 WS91/ RP90; / WE91; / 3 Golds – Luv this wine…usually very similar to and a wee bit better than Leasingham’s Bin 61. You cannot go wrong here but move fast.
2007 Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon - $21.95 – Luv this wine and producer…the ’06 was a stealth release…this is the ’07 I think!
2006 Famiglia Bianchi Cabernet Sauvignon - $16. WE88 – in an apparent toss up with the Zolo, I’ll take the Famiglia Bianchi – less $$’s and it just never disappoints.
2003 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Merlot - $23.95 – Washington State, Ready to drink right now for sure, some age on it.
2005 Chateau de Serame Reserve du Chateau Minervois - $22.95 WS90 – Southern Rhone style from the Midi.
The best of the rest
2006 Catena Syrah - $19.95 – Quality producer on a real hot streak.
2007 Calafate Reserva Malbec - $16.95 –IWSC Silver(Best in Class) – stick with the Cabs from Argentina this time around. The Next Release has a Mr. Malbec feature.
2005 Zolo Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon - $18.95 RP88; in an apparent toss up, I’ll take the Famiglia Bianchi – it just never disappoints.
2006 Tabali Reserva Especial - $21.95 This is a proprietary blend that got Five Stars from Decanter and $22?! Gotta try one at least!
2006 Odfjell Armador Cabernet Sauvignon - $15.95: IWC88 – Another bargain cab!
2005 Glen Eldon Dry Bore Barossa Shiraz - $29.95 –RP91 – Nice wine, but too expensive. If you can find the Lodge Hill Shiraz, do!
2006 Wyndham Estate Founder’s Reserve Limestone Coast Shiraz / Cabernet - $23.95 –Gold medal winner
2006 Domaine Costa Lazaridis Amethystos Red - $24.95 WE90 – Having a Greek inspired BBQ? – Look no further for your wine!
Price is no Object
2004 Pio Cesare Barolo - $74.95 WS94; RP93; IWC92-93 – WS Top 100 number 6 – they’ll be lining up for it!
2005 Tardieu-Lurent Vieilles Vignes Chateauneuf-du-Pape - $84.95 – WS96; RP91-93 Would love to buy some but sorry, too much!
724336 – 2002 Peter Lehmann Mentor - $42.95– RP91
932400 – 2006 Frog’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon - $63.95 –
2006 FOLEY RANCHO SANTA ROSA PINOT NOIR Score - 92 - $53.95 – Buy this if you want to spend big bucks on a Pinot.
IN STORE DISCOVERIES
2007 Cono Sur 20 Barrels Limited Edition Pinot Noir - $27.95 – might be the best Burgundy in the release…ironically, it’s Chilean!
THE ROSE Picks – Will buy a few to compare to the Sandbanks rose that we enjoy so much, but I’ll also hold out for the Stellenbosch rose from South Africa in the next release.
2008 Tawse Sketches of Niagara Rose - $12.30
2008 Thirteenth Street June’s Vineyard Cabernet Rose - $15.95
2008 Kim Crawford Pansy! Rose - $17.95 – really enjoyed it last year.
MAIN RELEASE
The Top Picks:
2006 Jim Barry The Lodge Hill Shiraz - $24.95 WS91/ RP90; / WE91; / 3 Golds – Luv this wine…usually very similar to and a wee bit better than Leasingham’s Bin 61. You cannot go wrong here but move fast.
2007 Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon - $21.95 – Luv this wine and producer…the ’06 was a stealth release…this is the ’07 I think!
2006 Famiglia Bianchi Cabernet Sauvignon - $16. WE88 – in an apparent toss up with the Zolo, I’ll take the Famiglia Bianchi – less $$’s and it just never disappoints.
2003 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Merlot - $23.95 – Washington State, Ready to drink right now for sure, some age on it.
2005 Chateau de Serame Reserve du Chateau Minervois - $22.95 WS90 – Southern Rhone style from the Midi.
The best of the rest
2006 Catena Syrah - $19.95 – Quality producer on a real hot streak.
2007 Calafate Reserva Malbec - $16.95 –IWSC Silver(Best in Class) – stick with the Cabs from Argentina this time around. The Next Release has a Mr. Malbec feature.
2005 Zolo Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon - $18.95 RP88; in an apparent toss up, I’ll take the Famiglia Bianchi – it just never disappoints.
2006 Tabali Reserva Especial - $21.95 This is a proprietary blend that got Five Stars from Decanter and $22?! Gotta try one at least!
2006 Odfjell Armador Cabernet Sauvignon - $15.95: IWC88 – Another bargain cab!
2005 Glen Eldon Dry Bore Barossa Shiraz - $29.95 –RP91 – Nice wine, but too expensive. If you can find the Lodge Hill Shiraz, do!
2006 Wyndham Estate Founder’s Reserve Limestone Coast Shiraz / Cabernet - $23.95 –Gold medal winner
2006 Domaine Costa Lazaridis Amethystos Red - $24.95 WE90 – Having a Greek inspired BBQ? – Look no further for your wine!
Price is no Object
2004 Pio Cesare Barolo - $74.95 WS94; RP93; IWC92-93 – WS Top 100 number 6 – they’ll be lining up for it!
2005 Tardieu-Lurent Vieilles Vignes Chateauneuf-du-Pape - $84.95 – WS96; RP91-93 Would love to buy some but sorry, too much!
724336 – 2002 Peter Lehmann Mentor - $42.95– RP91
932400 – 2006 Frog’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon - $63.95 –
2006 FOLEY RANCHO SANTA ROSA PINOT NOIR Score - 92 - $53.95 – Buy this if you want to spend big bucks on a Pinot.
IN STORE DISCOVERIES
2007 Cono Sur 20 Barrels Limited Edition Pinot Noir - $27.95 – might be the best Burgundy in the release…ironically, it’s Chilean!
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