September 28 - The First of Fall - Tuscany, Turkey and Chile (but just barely)

September 28^th  and it’s the first release of fall. Three features this time around, the first  focusing on Tuscan options but wait, didn’t we just focus on Italy? As a tribute to the upcoming World Series, the second  feature is little more than a bunt sign of a feature on Chile - What, you blinked and missed it?  How can you tell this is a wine retailer run by government bureaucrats?  Four pages that sell nothing accompanied by  one page with one wine and one page with four out of the six pages devoted to Chile.  How perfect that the next page has a big turkey on it. I thought it was an editorial comment on the Chilean feature but it's actually the first page of the Thanksgiving one.

Looking at the cover when I first received the release, I thought “This’ll be very good”.  Upon further review, it’s not. It’s OK. There are some worthy wines, three sub $25 Cabs. I think you’ll find them tempting if your palate aligns with mine. They are definitely three different, new world perspectives on the Cabernet Sauvignon grape (sometimes with a little help from its friends).

Back to the turkey, I think the best wine to serve with it is not in the feature but rather is the $25.95 Stellar’s Jay from Sumac Ridge.  Is that Carole Pope I hear off in my subconscious? “Birds of a feather, flock together.  Yes they do, Yes”  Whoa, here comes a Nona Hendryx flashback too! The wine has enough acidity to cut the rich gravy yet with fruit to match nicely to the raisins and apricots in your stuffing.

The VRSS says 62-64 points again. On to the picks!

The Best Reds

LaPostolle Cuvee Alexandre Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 - $24.95 –  Tied for my number one pick  in the release. Tuck it away for a few months to allow it to settle and to get the best from it.  An Excellent wine – almost on par with the Concha Y Toro Terrunyo cab and about $5 less.

Gallo Frei Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 - $19.95 – At this price I had to look twice to see if this was the 375ml bottle. Turns out it’s not! If you like red and black fruit followed by flavours of smokey tar on the finish then this is for you. Tied for numero uno in the release.

Pirramimma Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 $24.95 – Among my favourite Aussie producers, their Shiraz, Petit Verdot and Cab are always first rate. Black fruits galore here!

Capezano Barco Reale di Carmignano 2010 - $16.95 – Underpriced for the quality. Worthy of your consideration. A cab / Sangiovese blend.

Tenuta di Trecianno Daniello Toscano 2008 -$29.95 – Decant this bad boy, or drop it in the cellar and forget it for a few years. Even decanted this one is probably not for immediate consumption.

Beronia Elaboraccion Especial Tempranillo 2010 - $!7.95 – Very tasty option from Spain. Always very good and aimed at a more global palate. Smooth fruit.

Luis Canas Crianza Rioja 2009 - $17.95 – Will benefit from some time in a cool dark place.

Fattroia Carpoli Sada Integolo 2010 – $18.95 - New to me but well scored and priced.

Oscars Estate Vineyard Shiraz Viognier 2010 $17.95 – Recommended in spite of Nathalie Maclean’s dreadfully overblown  review. This might be a 90 pointer. Shiraz with a touch of viognier to round out the aroma and flavour profiles.

Dirty Laundry and Burrowing Owl Merlot 2009 – In each case I think you can buy them direct from the winery.  Consider that option and think of it as your opportunity to make a political statement.

Chateau du Cedres 2009 - $21.95 – A malbec from Cahors, this is a terrific producer and given the quality of the vintage, this should be a very good, old world take on the grape.  Needs some time. Expect tannins, and black fruit.

Chateau Maris Las Combes  Minervois Cru La Liviniere 2009 - $25.95 – A Southern Rhone type blend. This should be nicely in its drinking window. Expect smoky  red fruitiness, or is that red fruity smokiness?

Big Bucks

Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon $79.95 – Good news and Bad news.  The good news, this is an exceedingly  high quality wine from Concha Y Toro and if it was from California it’d be $100. The bad news, it’s from Chile and not so many years ago it was under $45. Vintages Classics now has the 2003 listed for around $120. That’s insane! Save your bucks and if your Cab Sauv must be Concha Y Toro, buy the aforementioned Terrunyo when it becomes available.

Paul Hobbs Crossbarn –$47.95 -  A nice cabernet, this one seems to have jumped about 10 bucks(ok, $8) in a year. Maybe that’s where half the Frei Ranch markup went!

2 Brunellos ( Brunelli?), both in the $40 + range, but neither really excite me.

2 Hands Lilly’s Garden Shiraz -$59.95 – One of the Garden series wines from 2 Hands. Annually a very, very, good wine.

Ridge Three Valleys 2011 - $35.95 – A California Blend, the majority zinfandel, great for beef or anything grilled.