Vintages Nov.09 - Here come The Holidays!

For me, Vintages November releases are among the most anticipated releases of the year.  Annually they provide a selection of interesting wines to augment my cellar. In the past there were always two (or more) wines that would have me visiting a number of stores to ensure I procured enough of each of the coveted labels. What happened this year? Certainly from this first November release the excitement seems to be missing. Am I getting jaded in my old age? Or just getting old?    

There are good sub $30 and good big buck options in this release, so don’t think that it is just a top heavy waste of paper. There are even a few very good under $20 wines available for you. My top 6 choices are the first three reds ‘Under $30’ along with the first three reds in the ‘Big Buck’ group.  As I consider my options it is still almost two weeks before the products will be available. There is a chance that the priority of my picks from the release could change but you can’t go wrong with any of the ones selected below. 

For now, the VRSS comes in over 70 points this week.   

As I often try to do, I’ve used  Michael Vaughan’s Vintageassessments.com to ascertain the case counts.  My thanks to him for making the info available to the public via his website. Those not familiar with his site should take a look at it.

The Under $30 Picks

Castello D’Albola Chianti Classico Reserva  2008 – $22.95 – 1400 cases - A WoM and Winner of 3 of 3 Bicchiere from two major Italian publications, this should be a buy for you to serve with anything Italian.

I expect a more traditional flavour profile here (less fruit and more saliva inducing acidity).

Bodegas LAN Vina Lanciano Reserva  2005 – $28.95- 239 cases – Whether it’s the red label crianza, the blue label reserva or another of the LAN lineup, Bodegas LAN is a superior producer of Riojan reds. This single vineyard option might be a sleeper in this release. Just don’t expect a fruit bomb.

Marchesi de Frescobaldi  Tenuta di Castiglioni 2011 - $21.95 – 1000 cases- Serving lamb with an Italian flair? Here’s the wine to accompany it. Best vintage I’ve had was the 2007 which Suckling gave 93 points while he was still at WS. This year his 92 point score is like a Christmas gift for the LCBO - 89-90 is realistic always. It’ll open tannic and soften with air. A Cab S/ Cab F/ Merlot/ Sangiovese blend.

Domaine Michelas St. Jemms Signature Crozes Hermitage 2010 – $24.95 – Syrah from the baby Hermitage. You get the short term pleasure if not the ageworthyness.  Look for black fruit, smoke and a tarry note on the finish.

Perrin Vinsobres Les Cornuds 2011 - $17.95 – 299 cases - Always a very pleasantly sophisticated wine (or is that sophisticatedly pleasant?), this vintage may not match up to 2010, but you’ll find enough acidity and fruity goodness to be happy.

Nashwauk Shiraz 2010- $19.95 – 1200 cases From the McLaren Vale, expect a big bold wine with black licorice, black cherry notes.

Ninquen Antu Syrah 2011 - $17.95 – 699 cases- Deciding what to wear could be the toughest thing about this wine. History asks “Do you wear your lederhosen to accompany this chocolate Black Forest cake in a glass or your Timmins tuxedo to go with all that wood?”

Bellingham The Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2012 –$22.95 – The lone white that caught my eye, this is $7 to $10 more expensive than some recently recommended Chenin Blancs. It might be worth it.  

Antinori Chianti Classico Reserva 2009 - $29.95 –597 cases - A superior Tuscan producer gives you the big factory take on CCR. Consistently very good and lots of it.

Wakefield Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 $17.95 -1023 cases– A well priced offering from Australia which always over delivers.  Proof of its popularity is in the number of cases.

Rustenberg John X Merriman  Cabernet 2010– 2010 - $24.95 – 30 cases - An ISD, sorry FSE,  so that explains the tiny quantities but it’s a good, if very rare, wine.

Descendientes de J Palacios  Petalos 2011 - $24.95 – 539 cases - The mencia grape from Bierzo in Spain. Always a classy label that makes for a great host/ hostess gift if you’re dropping in at friends. Most years the wine backs up the label with equal class, quality and finesse. What’s it taste like? To me - Pinachyrah – (Pinot Noir, Grenache and Syrah notes– YMMV).

Kaiken Ultra Cabernet Sauvignon – 2010 - $19.95 – 1364 cases  - WoM so lots of it. A very good, solid wine. 

Cicchitti Gran Reserva 2004 – 21.95 – 239 cases- Annually a very good malbec. Note that this is a 2004 so it may have lost some of the primary dark fruit that I find so engaging in young malbec.

Columbia Crest Grand Estates Amitage 2010- $16.95. – 559 cases - This is an unusual blend of syrah, cab franc and merlot.  I’ve not tried this one before but the producer is so solid.

The Big Bucks

Remember, these are my big bucks, so $50 is the ceiling unless I suffer a moment of serious weakness. (It happens!)  

Pierre Amadieu Le Pas de L’Aigle Gigondas 2010 - $32.95 – 249 cases- A very good producer, region, and vintage. It’s hard not to choose it. So I did. All the Gigondas notes will be  there - dark fruits, herbs, some licorice.

Elderton Ode to Lorraine – 2010- $39.95  (467 cases of 6) - Big, brooding but at the same time fruity, this is always a terrific blend from the Elderton folks.

Francis Ford Coppola’s Director’s Cut Cabernet $34.95 –447 cases - To my palate this line is far superior to the Coppola Vineyards’ other cab labels. 

Domaine Durieu Lucille Avril Chateauneuf du Pape 2010- 299 cases – The best thing that could have happened to this wine was pairing it on a page with the Vieux Telegraphe.  At $45 and 94 pts it looks like a bargain. Needs time, serious time.

Burrowing Owl Syrah 2010 - $41.95 – Get together with a bunch of friends and order a case direct from the winery in BC. You can, it’s your own small political statement and in the end it’ll save you a few bucks.

The Chocolate Block – $39.95- 448 cases - From South Africa, you might want to try serving this and the Chilean syrah Ninquen Antu  together.  Maybe with a something in a chocolate mole sauce, or perhaps Coco Puffs.

Donnatella Cinelli Columbini Brunello di Montalcino 2007 – $48.95 – 299 cases -A wonderful vintage in Brunello. New to me, this’ll need another 5-7 years to begin to show its best.

Adaptation 2010  Cabernet Sauvignon $49.95. 223 cases - From Plumpjack in Napa, this is a NAPA cab for sure. Cassis, cedar, but then other dark and red fruit notes.

Jonata Todos 2009 - $59.95 – 166 cases - Misnamed methinks, should have called it Smorgasbord instead.  Expect a circus in your mouth. I dare you to pick out a dominant flavour as this wine is a veritable blendfest.  

Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 - $59.95 – Another of the good, but pricey Californians available in this release. If you read this soon enough I think I’d skip this one and buy the Stag’s Leap that’s on sale until early Nov.  Save yourself $15.  

 Two Hands Bella’s Garden 2011 –$59.95- (599 cases of 6)- Always exceptional, this is possibly the lowest score  I’ve ever seen attributed to this wine.

D’Arenberg The Dead Arm 2009 - $54.95 –(516 cases of 6)- A former icon that, like many big name Australians, fell on hard times. This might be a comeback vintage for the Dead Arm. Certainly the LCBO thinks it’ll sell. Me too, but only at $10 less than this price.

Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape 2010 - $88.95. 299 cases – Last on the list but first on my wish list, the critics’ scores and this price have driven the VT way past the point where I can consider it. Too bad! When I could afford this wine, I really, really enjoyed it!