July 7th Vintages release - an improvement over the last few

A better release than the recent ones that the LCBO has foisted upon us, this one actually contains a number of attainable and desirable wines. Helped in large part by the ‘Stones’ being delayed from May, this week’s release climbed over the 70 point mark in the VRSS (Vintages Release scoring system) , coming in at 72 points overall.

 WS Top 100 fans will like it because there are three wines that scored well enough and were well priced enough to make that list.  From an overall perspective, the Tour de France doesn’t quite merit the yellow jersey while the cool Climate Chards and the Governor General’s awards hold little interest.  On the plus side, South Africa’s white wines are not without some interesting options.

Reds

2009 Mas D'Auzieres Sympathie Pour Les Stones - $19.95 – Originally 250 cases were to have been released in the May 26, 2012 release. Oh crap, here I go again with the Mick  impression…This wine was universally praised by Ontario reviewers at that time. I suppose they were able to taste samples of it even if the balance of the shipment was late arriving. Or was it improperly labeled? With any luck a combination of things will happen:

• The reviewers  will not rereview it and so the masses will forget about how good it was
• We will receive the same lot numbers as the reviewers tasted earlier in May so we will actually get what they tasted.  As it was then, it is my Number 1 pick.

You also won’t go wrong with anything from the Tuscany section of this release but there are a few that really stand out:

2009 Argiano NC Non Confunditur - $24.95 – 249 cases of the #46 wine from the  Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2011 & 92 points. I’m not sure why the LCBO didn’t highlight the Top 100 info since it did for the others in this release.

2009 Fonterutoli Chianti Classico - $25 95 – 349 cases, this one was #49 on Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2011 & 92 points & Smart Buys 

Poggio Bonelli Chianti Classico Reserva 2007 – 249 cases of another well scored CCR from the ’07 vintage, this one should be just coming into its prime now. 

E Guigal Gigondas 2009 – Almost 500 cases of an annual treat. Lots of everything going on here. Licorice, smoked meat, weeds,(ok, garrigue),  big fruit. Age worthy and very, very nice.

Santa Rita Medalla Real Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from Chile is always very good value at $19.95 and  available in this release for $17.95. There’ll be 839 cases of it.

Those looking for a well priced (by Ontario standards at least) Washington State Cab Sauv could do worse than the Hogue 2007 Cab at $17.95. 500 plus cases – expect something similar to the recently released  Chateau Smith for a few dollars less. This’ll be fruitier and softer than the big Chilean above.

2009 Chateau du Donjon Grande Tradition Minervois - $12.95 600 cases but at this price it may blow out by the boxload. From the midi this one is not only very well priced but should also taste delightful. If you like Cotes Du Rhone style wines (only from the Languedoc), I think you’ll be pleased.

Cave de Rasteau La Domeliere 2009 with 1331 cases coming in and a $15.00 price point there’ll be lots to choose from.

Two Hands Sexy Beast Cabernet 2011 will need some time and at $29.95 is expensive compared to most of those above. There’ll be 449 cases but leave it alone for a few years unless you like Welch’s grape juice and vodka-style.

Hickinbotham Cabernet/ Shiraz  2009  should be a massive mouthful at  a reasonable $16.95 and there are almost 1200 cases being released.

2007 Nashwauk McLaren Vale Shiraz – 450 cases at $19.95  - Repeat of a  Feb. 2011 release. OK around the BarBQ but if you miss it, no big deal.

Domaine Durand 2009 Les Coteaux St. Joseph – Should be a tasty 100% Syrah, Parker scored it 90 – 93 points and liked the licorice aromas and intense fruit.

2008 Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz – 519 cases, based strictly on price it finishes up the track to the blend and the Shiraz above.$24.95

Whites

2010 Vinum The Winery of Good Hope Chenin Blanc - $14.95 – Well scored and a tasty departure from the Chards  below.

Kim Crawford 2011 unoaked Chardonnay – $17.95 - 610 cases of bursting pure fruit. No oak so if you like those big buttery chards, you may not like this one.

2008 Kumeu River Kumeu Estate Chardonnay – 167 cases $34.95 - #78 on Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2011 & 92 points.

Sterhuis Barrel Selection Chardonnay 2009 – At $25.95 this could be a better buy than the Kumeu but without the Top 100 score.