August 16 - Southern France and Argentine Malbecs

Ahhh back in Canada and back in the routine. I missed the previous release (not much there at all) as I was out of the country in Brazil. Make a note, Brazilian wine is not very good. Beer and cachaca on the other hand are just what the doctor ordered for the climate of the Brazil north – heat and humidity sucks the fluids from you faster than you can say “Set up another round!”

This week’s release is a good double header for me. Southern France (the Languedoc  region, not to be confused with the Southern Rhone although many of the grape blends used are similar) and Argentine Malbecs are featured in this release.  There are some real QPR winners in both features as well as a couple of Big buck ones among  the Argentine offerings.

The Reds

From the Languedoc both the Gerard Bertrand wines will offer good value, especially the 2009 St. Chinian. The Pic St. Loup is also very good.

H&B ( Hecht and Bannier) are well represented – from this release I suggest the Minervois at $5 less than their St. Chinian.

The Chateau Gourgazaud Cuvee Mathilde offers great value at $14.95 and is always solid.

The Tessellae Old Vines Carignan 2012 comes in at 90 points but is a far cry from last year’s 93 point offering. Still very solid for this underappreciated grape.

From Argentina, the Bousquet and Graffigna Malbecs will both provide good value for the money especially if homemade burgers are on the menu!

Moving on to the rest of the release, there are some real bargains to be had.

From Australia, the 2011 Thorn Clarke Shotfire Cab/Shiraz  blend is a big wine for $21.95.

Wakefield’s Shiraz from the Clare Valley in Australia will not be quite the big mouthful  but is always very good and true to the slightly cooler climate there. At $15.95, it’s hard to beat.

The  best buy  in the release is from the Southern Rhone, in my opinion. The best is the 2011 Domaine le Grand Retour Plan de Dieu. Just across the valley  from Chateauneuf, this named village flies under the radar and produces some spectacular bargains.  

Also very good should be the Domaine Autrand Cotes du Rhone 2012. Both these wines come in at $13.95.  

It is not often that I can recommend a Barolo among the red buys of the release. They’re usually stuck in the Big Buck options but this week the Patrizi Barolo 2008 a 5 star wine (from Decanter) slides in at $28.95. Well worth a shot. Lay it down for a few years and try with lamb or beef.

The Big Bucks

First on the list is a 2012 Chardonnay from Norman Hardie. This somewhat schizophrenic listing is indicated as a VQA from Prince Edward County, but is made from strictly Niagara grown fruit. So, is it really VQA Niagara or is it VQA PEC? Or did the LCBO just screw up in their catalogue? The VQA minefield claims another victim!

Two big buck Malbecs are worth considering. The Bramare 2011 and the Colome 2010 are both excellent but the Bramare is the better buy. At $30 less it’s a no brainer if you must spend big bucks on a Malbec.

The other big buck option that I might spring for is the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape from Domaine Montpertuis. We’re beginning to see the end of releases from the excellent 2010 vintage so if you have a good place to age them, get them while you can.