The feature of this release is Thirty Reasons to love
Vintages. Oh brother! So typical of a government operation to toot its own horn.
If they can give us thirty reasons to
love them, they must be doing a good job, right? Suuuure.
Reading through the thirty reasons my first thoughts were that the
propaganda ministry has been hard at
work and that this might be the first Vintages catalogue that could be considered a work of fiction. Somehow I think it would be much easier for
us to come up with more than thirty one reasons to not love the LCBO.
This release comes hot on the heels of the previous ‘California
release for the wealthy’. This one could
be California for the middle class. Am I
enthused? Not especially by the release
but for me there is one wine that I’ll buy. It’s relatively well priced, has some age on
it and comes in just under $25. OK ok, I have now found one reason to like
Vintages this week.
The Reds
The wine that interests me the most in the release? Domaine
Montirius Terre des Ainés Gigondas 2007 - $24.95 – This is the entry level
Gigondas from Montirius. A wonderful
vintage, nicely aged, from a very good, biodynamic
producer. This should be everything you could want to accompany grilled or
roasted fowl, lamb or beef. It’s in a perfect place right now and will be for
another few years. On the nose it could be meaty and a little funky early on
but that funk should blow off. On the palate expect dark fruits, lots of herby
notes, hints of licorice and a nice
finish. 80%Grenache and 20%mourvedre, from vines at least forty years old but
some that were planted as early as 1925.
The Black Chook 2012 -$17.95 – Shiraz viognier blend. Want your wine bottles to be dressed up like Idi
Amin or Augusto Pinochet? Then this is
the vino for you. The bottle image is sporting more medals than the leader of a
third world military junta; this wine is probably terrific for the price but
the medals are a bit much, aren’t they?
Especially if they’re for Kangaroo Crossing’s annual Sheep Shearing and Wine Festival. Tone ‘em down boys and girls. Yes the
wine scores 90’s from anyone who reviews
it so, if you like the style, you will
get what you expect for your dollars. Fans of the Formula should step up for
this Aussie take on a Cote Rotie blend.
Wakefield Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 - $17.95 – Always high
quality and very well priced. Decoration wise,
the bottle is not quite in the Pinochet range.
Cathedral Cellars Shiraz 2009 - $15.95 – Think of this
product line as a South African, slightly
less expensive, Wakefield.
Yalumba The Strapper GSM 2011-$19.95 – An Aussie GSM that’ll
be tasty around the BBQ this spring.
Santa Rita Medalla Real Carmenere 2009 - $17.96 – Smokey,
merlotesque wine from Chile. A nice departure from Cab Sauv if you’re grilling
burgers or saucisses.
From California, a few sub $30 Cabernet options:
Chateau St. Jean at $29.95, Napa Cellars 2011 Cabernet at
$25.95, Rutherford Ranch 2011 at $21.95 all are pleasant alternatives offering
plenty of fruit including black cherry and cassis as well as some cedar nuances.
All are ready for immediate consumption, the St.Jean will age.
The Whites and Rosés
Darenberg Hermit Crab Viognier/ Marsanne 2012 - $19.95– an Aussie take on a white Rhone blend.
It’s not as good as the written review, but it’ll be a nice change.
Jip Jip Rocks unoaked Chardonnay 2012 - $15.95– well priced,
no butter, all fruit.
Kim Crawford 2013 Pansy – $17.95 - From the well known New
Zealand producer, this rosé is just off dry. It
was originally developed for and targeted at the gay market in New Zealand and
Australia - hence the tongue in cheek
name (oh what a bad pun that one is!). It’s a nice patio wine for those first
warm days of spring when the sun is shining and this damn winter is but a fading
memory.
The Big Bucks
Beronia Gran Reserva 2006 - $34.95 – The delights of Spanish
wines! If this was from Bordeaux it’d be twice the price. From a more modern
than traditional producer, this one is almost eight years old and should be in
a very nice place right now. Serve with
tapas, hard cheeses, or grilled anything.
Gemma Giblin Riserva Barolo 2006 - $40.95 – Superior review
from Decanter, well aged already and not a bad price for a Barolo.
Ringbolt 21 Barriques Cabernet Sauvignon – 44.95 – The Ringbolt
$20 Cab is a perennial Ontario favourite in the $20 and under
range and is from Yalumba’s Margaret
River property. The 21 Barriques might take
them to another level as their top priced option . It’s named for a parcel of
exceptional quality that produces about 21 Barriques annually. I suppose it
might be worth a try to see how it
compares to their regular bottling but two
of their regular cuvée for the price of one of these makes it really
hard to justify.
