After the big buck temptations of November and the bubblies
of December, this first Vintages release of 2014 traditionally presents a truckload
of cheap and cheerful wines which one hopes will provide some pleasure without
breaking the bank. This release also has
me hoping for a bin end sale to accompany it. We always need one of those so watch
for news about that possibility. Regardless of whether there is a bin end sale
or not, there are some wines in the first release of 2014 worthy of
consideration. Best of all, they shouldn’t cause your wallet too much undo
stress. If you were lucky enough to get an LCBO gift card for Christmas use it
on some of the bargains this week. Or perhaps wait for the Holiday 1500ml’s to
go on sale?
The VRSS merits 62- 66 points. Remember, the scoring system
starts like Parker’s 100 point system. In his system, a wine gets 50 points for
showing up. Well I give a release 50 points just for getting printed on that
nice glossy paper. From there, if I ‘must buy’ a wine that wine adds points to
the score of the release. if a wine must be bought, whites and bubblies score 3
points each, reds merit 4. Unlike Parker’s system, a release can score more
than 100 points but I haven’t seen it happen yet.
The Picks
Chateau La Bastide 2010 - $13.95 – 900 cases- Three of Three
from Guide Hachette is exceptional at any price but especially at this price. Ready to drink with a meal or on its own.
Cusumano Noa 2010 - $19.95 –1999 cases- A Sicilian equivalent to the Tuscan Terriccio
in the Big Bucks section, just substitute Nero d’Avola for Sangiovese
and save $10! If you must drink it now, this one’ll benefit from a short decant, methinks.
Pierre Amadieu Les Grangelieres Vacqueyras 2011 - $19.95 –499
cases- Among the better wines in the release even though the vintage
wasn’t stellar. It’ll need a few months to calm down.
Seven Falls Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 - $18.95 – 167 cases – New
to me, this one is from vineyards located on the Wahluke slope in the Columbia
Valley. You know I like red wines from Washington St. This one is no different.
If you enjoy the Columbia Crest H3 Cab, I think you’ll enjoy
this one.
Domaine Tournon Shiraz Mathilde 2011 - $19.95 – 489 cases-From
the Australian winery of Chapoutier, stylistically this’ll exhibit as much
southern Rhone syrah as Australian Shiraz.
Zonte’s Footstep Avalon Tree Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 -
$17.95 –255 cases- High quality juice from an Australian winery with a silly name. All Zonte’s Footstep
products seem to be well scored by North American critics.
Wakefield 2010 Shiraz -$17.00 – 4000 cases- Quality yes, but regardless of what the LCBO would have you believe, this really isn’t a bargain.
Geografico Montegiachi Chianti Classico Riserva 2009- $24.95
– 499 cases - This’ll need some time, but should be a smoking wine. Leave it in
a cool, dark place for a year or so for it to begin to show its best.
Looking for a bargain cabernet? Try the St. Alicia from the
Maipo valley in Chile. Maipo is home to many of the finest Cab Sauv’s coming
from Chile, so this one at $14.95 is worth a shot. 419 cases.
Coppi Peucetico Primitivo 2007 – $13.95- 1000 cases- Looking
for something inexpensive and Zinfandel-esque
to accompany midwinter bbq’d burgers or
ribs? This is always excellent and well priced.
Azul Portugal 2008 - $14.95 – 248 cases of 6-With the fanfare
in this release it may go early but not to worry – any of the three from
Portugal will provide the same pleasure
– but you have to like the Portuguese flavour profile.
The Bigger Bucks
(comparatively speaking, that is.)
J.L. Chave Offerus St. Joseph – 2011 - $33.95 – 50 cases- An
ISD or FSE or perhaps make that a YCBI
(you can’t buy it) so there’ll be very few and the few there are will be
snapped up by the cognoscenti.
Castello del Terriccio Tassinaia 2006 - $29.95 – 399 cases- Among
the more expensive bottles in the release
this is from a brilliant vintage in Tuscany. A Blend of 1/3rd
each Sangiovese, Merlot and Cab sauv, this should be an interesting wine and
right in its drinking window.
La Pieve Barolo – 2009 $29.95 – 500 cases- Wonderful price
for a food friendly wine. This will also benefit from a bit of aging to soften the tannins.
Welcome to the new year boys and girls.
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