What a joke! Who proofs these things?
Forgetting for the moment the cover debacle, let’s look at the
March 2 release in more detail. Already two full months are gone in 2013 and to
date our friends at Vintages have really whimpered through them. This release appears to be more of the same –
gurgitations if not regurgitations , rehashes, and rereleases.
California and South Central Italy are the primary features this time
around. It’s also time for another round
of Food and Drink ‘$17 that really should be $15’ Specials. Yawn.
Looking for more numbers? This is a 62 point release on the
VRSS.
I think the following sub $20 wines will provide a small ray of sunshine for you this
March. Each should deliver if QPR is important to you.
Cave de Rasteau ‘La
Domeliere’ 2010 – $15.95 – 1001 cases. Another Cotes du Rhone Villages from
the 2010 vintage and one that was a Smart Buy in the WS. The 2010 CdRVs must
come to an end but Vintages seems to have pulled a lapin out of their chapeau to
bring this one to market. Do watch
the local wine writers’ reviews – Beppi, Stimmell, Winealign, etc. - and if you read a glowing
review of this wine, see if the reviewer identifies which lot number he or she
tasted. Michael Vaughan at
Vintage assessments is often very good about highlighting the lot numbers he’s
tasted in his subscriber based newsletter. This long after the very good WS review
there may be a few different lots combined to make up the 1000 cases and the
quality can vary wildly from lot to lot. If you find a great one, buy it up. If
you get a bad one take it back and check the other boxes/ bottles in your store to see if there’s a different lot
to try. Or go to another store. The next
lot might be far superior.
eMinor Shiraz 2010
- $18.95 – 399 cases - From BVE, this is no Ebenezer, but it’ll be very good
and should be adaptable to those early spring BBQs. Save yourself $11 and buy
this over the Mollydooker Boxer.
Aldiano
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva 2008
$17.95 – 549 cases- Not to be confused with Vino Nobile de Montepulciano, this’ll
be a tasty, busy mouthful of food friendly goodness. Historically not as sophisticated as Vino
Nobile, think of the Abruzzo as “the
Full Monty” -raucous and loud. It was an
editor’s pick in the Wine Enthusiast.
Casale dello
Sparviero Chianti Classico Riserva 2009 $18.95 –A WoM so there’ll be lots -
1399 cases. A well priced Chianti Classico Riserva, expect
red fruits , olive notes, some meatiness but without the rich depth and fullness
of the ‘06s and ‘07s. A food wine.
Apollonio Copertino
Rosso 2007 – $16.95 – 449 cases - Another change of pace - 70% Negroamaro,
the balance Montepulciano, Malvasia and Sangiovese. Previous vintages have been
nice for the price. Good on its own but also ready to accompany whatever you’re
serving from pizza thru eggplant parmesan to spaghetti bolognese. For a casual
meal you won’t go far wrong.
Altamira de Los Andes
Reserva Malbec 2009 – $28.95 - 279 cases - From the Uco Valley, this one is
a little cher but it’ll be more than good to share. Red meats call its name – NY strip steak with
a peppercorn sauce or maybe cross the ocean and match to bistecca alla
Fiorentina!
Mollydooker The Boxer
Shiraz 2009 - $29.95 – 223 cases -Cough medicine? Grape Syrup with a shot?
Big is too small to describe this wine. Massive perhaps? Great gobs of fruit, it’ll be teeth staining
and palate purpling. Who knew purple
could be a verb?
Big Bucks
SAN GIORGIO UGOLFORTE
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2006 $47.95 – 199 cases– A well praised offering,
scored over 90 from all the major reviewers. I’m not familiar with the producer,
but it might be worth a shot if only because the 2006 vintage was so good in
Tuscany.
California, ho hum. The good reds are way over my price ceiling.
The whites? There might be one or two but I’ll take mine from Ontari-ari-ario. “Especially
the chardonnay” he said with more than a hint of sarcasm.
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