The November 27 Vintages Release - Huuuuuge!

Nov.27 Vintages Release, Wallet killing Cali Cabs, Big buck Brunellos, Savings Shocking Shirazes, Overpriced Ontarians, but some terrific, if not quite bargain wines that are worth hunting down! But a word of warning, don’t stand in front of the doors at opening . The Crau will get you! OK so it’s the “Crow” not the Craw, but close enough ….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftgAG3Vnif8

So what am I buying from this cornucopia of vinous delights?
Some Leasingham Bin 61, Clos de los Siete, the Vacqueyras, Marquis Phillips, Jalon Altos Las Pizarras, an Ebeneezer (What would Christmas be without one?), a Rieninger , and if I can find it, one bottle of the Vieux Telegraphe, aughhhh, somebody save me from myself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

$15 - $25

2007 Domaine Galevan Paroles de Femme Cotes du Rhone - $15.00 – Lots of fruit, terrific vintage, well priced. Second or third pass for this wine in vintages in the last 18 months or so.
2008 Peter Lehman Layers $17.95 – If you like Lehmann’s ‘Clancy’s Barossa’ try this. It’ll be similar, with Tempranillo added as well. Lots of fruit here for sure.
2006 The Garden Path Shiraz / Cabernet Sauvignon - $17.95 – Langhorne Creek Aussie Blend. I expect a fruit bomb.
2007 Quinta do Coa Tinto - $19.95 – Should be a very good Portuguese red, not for all tastes but very nice.
2008 Marquis Philips McLaren Vale Shiraz - $19.95 - For those of you who like The Formula, try this. Same wine style, just from a different vintner.
2007 The Show Cabernet $19.95 – A burger wine from California
2007 Shottesbrooke McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon - $19.95
2005 Jalon Altos Las Pizarras – For Grenache fans, this one should be super and really well priced. $18.95
Bodega Y Vinedos Fernandez Rivera Dehasa de la Granja 2004 $21.95 – Tempranillo, great with food and also well priced.
2008 Clos de los Siete - $21.95 - Annually a favourite – An Argentinian Bordeaux blend that exhibits all the pluses of the terroir as defined by Michel Rolland but so far this has held its own pricewise.
2005 Leasingham Bin 61 Shiraz - $24.95 - A Clare Valley Shiraz, so a slightly cooler climate Shiraz and annually very good. If you like the Lodge Hill, then I suggest you try this one. The 2005 already has a bit of age so is drinking really nicely right now. I had one on the weekend. My notes: Decant it, super wine, meat, bacon, red fruit, olive tapenade, black fruit, nori , espresso. Good to the last drop. Yes I will buy more.
2007 Domaine La Fourmonne Vacqueyras - $24.95 - A Southern Rhone Blend that is a step up from the Cotes Du Rhone Villages but not quite there with the Chateauneuf du Papes, if you read me often you know I have a soft spot for this little zone. The ’07 Vintage was wonderful and this one should be nicely in its drinking window now and for the next few years.

$25 - $40

2007 Elderton Cabernet Sauvignon $29.95 – Nobody buy this one. Doug wants it to sit untouched so he can pick it up on sale in 6 months or so.
2007 Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo IGT Toscana - $31.95 – Great Producer, vintage and wine.
2001 Beronia Gran Reserva Rioja - $31.95 – Some age on your wine, sir? Try this! The Beronia Reservas are always so good – this one has more age and is their next level up – the Gran Reserva
2007 Kendall Jackson Reserve Cabernet - $35.95 – Had an ’06 Jack London on the weekend. I wasn’t knocked out by it. I expect similar flavours and profiles here.
2007 Burrowing Owl Merlot or Le Vieux Pin both from the Okanagan both around $39.95 – I like them but hard to justify the price when there is so much great wine around for less.
Stratus and Tawse – Expensive wines, if I must buy Canadian, I’d buy the 2006 Osoyoos Larose from a while back before either one but that said, a blind tasting head up could really be fun!
2004 Barossa Valley Estate Ebenezer Shiraz - $39.95 – Big! No, BIG !!!!

Over $40

2007 D’Arenberg The Dead Arm – Another big boy from OZ , annually a very good wine and I think it has actually come down in price, if only by a few bucks. This used to be a bit of a cult wine here due to rarity but not so much anymore - palate backlash and more availability have conspired against it.
2007 CABERNET SAUVIGNON CHARLES REININGER – look for it. And while you’re doing that, perhaps The Vintages proofreaders can look at a map, there is no such place as the Walla Walley Valley. Or maybe someone has a sense of humour over there? At any rate, if this bottle said Napa on the label instead of Walla Walla it would be at least twice the price. Compared to most of the Napa cabs in this release it seems a screaming buy at $42.95!

2004 Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino - $43.95
2005 Le Ragnaie Brunello di Montalcino - $49.95
2005 Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino - $53.95

2007 Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe La Crau Chateauneuf-du-Pape - $76.95 - #3 in the WS Top 100 last year. Strap on the brass knuckles and start calling in favours already! It’s amazing that 3 vintages ago (the ’04), our LCBO friends had to mark this down to clear it out! Damn those wine reviewers.

The nosebleed section

2005 Black Label Wolf Blass $99.95 – Why wasn’t I born wealthy instead of good looking? A heads up blind tasting among this one, an Elderton Command and an E and E Black Pepper Shiraz would be such fun.

2005 Silver Oak Napa Cabernet Sauvignon - $119.95
2006 Chateau Montelena Estate Napa Cabernet Sauvignon - $135.95
2007 Caymus Special Selection Napa Cabernet Sauvignon - $139.95
2006 Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon - $114.95