LCBO Gift review
Every year at this time the LCBO promotes an array of gift
products, many of which began to be highlighted in the Nov.09 Vintages
catalogue. Some of them are gag gifts,
some are make you gag gifts and small number are worth buying especially if and when they are
marked down after Christmas. While the wines available are rarely serious
collector items, some quite good ones are available especially in 1500 ml
bottles. The combination of wine quality and large bottle size promotes graceful
if slower ageing. Perhaps the best news
is that if they don’t sell out in the pre Christmas/ New Years frenzy and if
the inventory quantities are right these big boys can be had for reduced prices
early in the new year. In the past I
have purchased 1500ml bottles of very nice wines at or below the same price as Vintages
was selling a 750 ml of the same wine. Yes you have to watch and be lucky but
from time to time a bargain can be had at the monopoly. I’ll be tracking
inventory in the following wines and recommend you do as well. They are my suggestions
for the best wines among the gift items but best is a relative term here and I
wouldn’t buy many, if any, at full price. The LCBO website will tell you what’s
in the stores but once we get past Christmas and New Years it’s what’s in the
warehouse that’ll really count.
The Frescobaldi
Brunello Vertical is the only gift pack that I’d consider– one bottle of
each of the 2005, 06 and 07 vintages packaged together. $149.95 it is a steep
price to pay for this trio but you get a readymade mini vertical and at least two
of the three years are superior vintages. Watch to be sure the ’06 and ‘07
bottles haven’t been switched out by other clever Vintages shoppers!
Of the big bottles, here are the ones to consider after Christmas.
Domaine du Vieux
Lazaret Chateauneuf du Pape 2010- $74.95-This 1500ml bottle is from one of
the better Southern Rhone vintages but the producer is not among my favourites.
That said, if it becomes well priced it will age for 10-15 years and look like
a screaming buy in five. Quantity wise, there are some but perhaps not enough
of these to hit the post-Christmas mark down rack. What’s in the warehouse?
Rocco Guicciardo
Chianti Classico Reserva 2010 – $49.95 – A personal favourite among the Baron Ricassoli CCR offerings. This 1500
ml will be a great buy if it gets marked down to $40. but I don’t hold out much
hope. There just don’t seem to be that many around. Again, what’s in the
warehouse?
Descendientes de J.
Palacios 2011 - $49.95 – Readers of the blog will recognize this wine as a
perennial pick at 750 ml. Again, if it hits the mark down rack, this 1500ml is
worth considering.
J. Lohr 7 Oaks
Vineyard – $43.95 - Having a big group for dinner? Can’t go wrong here. Lots of stock but they do pretty much sell out
in our market.
Marchesi di Barolo
Cannubi Barolo 2008 - $129.95 – A 92 point gem that’ll age for two decades.
It could outlast me but it’ll take a real price hit to get it low enough!
Stags Leap
Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 -
$139.95 – There appears to be lots around and with it being well over the $100 mark, there could be
limited demand. The Stags Leap name holds some cachet though. It would take a
serious price cut for this one to go below my self-imposed price ceiling per
750 ml bottle.
Any of the Masi, Remo
Farina and Tommasi Amarones will be OK if you’re a fan of the style. If you
have a serious cellar and can find one marked down, the 3000 ml Tommasi will provide a great
looking accent bottle long after the contents have been enjoyed.
As for the rest of the offerings, I’ll take a pass.
No comments:
Post a Comment