April 16th Vintages Release - New Zealand and not much else

New Zealand is in the Spotlight this week and this release seems to have a couple of things going for it. One, it appears to be a far superior release to last year’s New Zealand release and two, it also appears to be far superior to the recent Vintages Burgundian disaster.  There are plenty of Pinot Noirs for you Pinotphiles to compare to the supposedly renowned Burgundies that were foisted on Vintages consumers in that debacle. Also there appear to be lots of sauvignon blancs to load up on for planked salmon or ‘shrimp on the Bar-B’ season.

In on the mix is a feature called ‘Easter Best’ food and wine matches but I’d rather pull something from the cellar than follow most of the LCBO picks. 

Whites

New Zealand

I find it most interesting that none of the reviews highlight the traditional green, grassy notes for any of these wines but I expect to find some anyway:

Eradus Sauvignon Blanc - $17.95 – well priced.

Giesen Sauvignon Blanc - $14.95 – A bargain

Jules Taylor Sauvignon Blanc $18.95 – A Kim Crawford protégé, so expect high quality and style.

Momo Sauvignon Blanc -  $18.95 – Always terrific.

Seresin Sauvignon Blanc -  $21.95 – Another great producer

Canada

Fielding Estate Unoaked Chardonnay 2008 – Fruit driven,with mineral tones. Cool climate Chardonnay ready to drink $15.95

Reds

Argentina

Luigi Bosca Reserve Cabernet sauvignon- Black fruits and a real mouthful at $17.95

Urraca Malbec 2008 – A new one for me and for the LCBO – good review though.$19.95

USA

Grove Street Cabernet - at $15.00 this is worth a shot - not for holding but for immediate consumption.

Hogue Reserve Merlot 2006 – Ready to drink – mocha notes over black fruit.$19.95.

OZ

Thorn Clarke Shotfire Quartage – A 4 grape Bordeaux blend from a very reliable producer, might be a bit overpriced and should have hit $19.95 not $21.95, but  you won’t care after a glass or two.

France

Cave De Rasteau La Domeliere Rasteau Cotes du Rhone Villages 2009 – Phew, that’s a mouthful. No wonder the French wine industry is suffering. You go into a store and try to ask where this wine is, halfway thru the name you give up and just say, “Oh Never mind, where’s the Hogue”? But don’t give up, it’s worth the effort especially at $15.!!

Italy

Apollonio Valle Cupa  2004 – A seven year old wine from a terrific producer – black fruit, licorice, some herbal notes too. Lots going on here. $17.95

Falesco Vitiano 2008 – right in its drinking window, but as the review says, watch for bottle variation – and that always scares me! $15.95

The Big Buck Buys

Whitehall Lane 2006 – Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa profile aromatically and flavour wise - $47.95

Chateau Gigognan Vigne du Regent Chateauneuf Du Pape- 2007 – from the ’07 vintage, should be excellent at $39.95

Tenuta Friggiali Brunello di Montalcino – 2004 – 3 glasses from Gambero Rosso and a great review but at $46.95 it's not cheap.

Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 -  $69.95 - good score from James Laube.