Last release of the year- Dec.05, 2009.

Ahhh technology, I'm ending the year by trying something new. Embedded links to the Vintages Catalogue...you might need to adjust your browser settings for this to work but let me know if you like this format or if you prefer the old tried and true list.

I've provided links to what I consider the good ones below, but my top picks right now are the Pirramimma Shiraz, Helfrich Pinot Gris, and Bertrand's L'Hospitalet but I might switch for a Cotes du Rhone(see note below), all under $20.


http://digital.turn-page.com/issue/4768/39


The Luigi Bosca reserve Chardonnay and the Le Mascota Cab from Argentina should both provide real pleasure at very reasonable prices.Both are $17.95

http://digital.turn-page.com/issue/4768/41

If you want to splurge on a big buck Cabernet, go for the Don Melchor. It's overpriced at $69.95 but what the hell, it's Christmas! This wine was in the mid -$40's a few years ago!


http://digital.turn-page.com/issue/4768/43

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the Aussie Shiraz or Shiraz Blends, but I've always been partial to the Pirramimma, and at $19.95 this is a superior product for the price.

http://digital.turn-page.com/issue/4768/44

Go for the Astrolabe Sauvignon Blanc from NZ if you're looking for something to acompany any seafood. $19.95

http://digital.turn-page.com/issue/4768/46

From France, the Helfrich Pinot Gris seems a wonderful buy at $13.95 for a WS 90 pointer!

http://digital.turn-page.com/issue/4768/49

Bertrand's Chateau L'Hospitalet 2005 was a fave two years ago. The '07 Vintage should be really good and it is one of my picks, but it did not stand out at the tasting according to a palate-wise Vintages Consultant friend of mine. So while it's still a pick, it'll be a 'buy one and taste it' pick to see how it stacks up. $19.95

http://digital.turn-page.com/issue/4768/50

Two Cotes du Rhones - One the WoM from the terrific Alain Jaume, Domaine Grand Veneur@$19.95, the other 5 bucks less, both should be very good.

And there are a number of Big Buck wines in this release - I'd go for the Don Melchor then stick it in the basement for a few years, but the Antinori Guado al Tasso is a close second at $89.95. The Schaefer One point Five and the Silver Oak are good but too much for me!

Proof that the economy is suffering, The Bacio Davino 'Call Me Crazy' has come down in price by $30 bucks from a few years ago - well LCBO price anyway.

Meantime, in spite of the Australian wine glut, The St. Henri is going the other way price wise. Kudos to Penfolds propaganda er sorry, marketing team for linking its origins to the wildly expensive Grange (making it "The Baby Grange" if you will) but sorry, it's just too much now.

And last but not least, remember, January's first release is usually a bargain release and there is usually a big bin end sale early in the new year so keep watching for it!