November 22, 2014 is usually Vintages Best of the Best
release. After the most recent release this one has a lot to atone for and at
first glance it does so. From the sub $20’s (barely) to the multi hundred $’s,
there is something for most wallets and reasonably good prices and bottles
across all price points. Herein, I’ve tried to pick all the ones that are
worthy of your consideration. Anything in the triple digits has been ignored –
why would I tempt myself?
Whites and Bubblies
BURGUNDY
LOUIS BOUILLOT PERLE D'AURORE BRUT ROSÉ CRÉMANT DE
BORGOGNE 599 cases $19.95 - Looking for a rose champagne? Save your bucks and dive into this as a stand
in. Great with brunch, popcorn, salmon (gravlax, smoked or planked) or just
because your palate needs awakening.
DOMAINE DE FUSSIACUS
VIEILLES VIGNES POUILLY-FUISSÉ 2012 179
cases $27.95 or ALAIN GEOFFROY BEAUROY CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2012 299 cases $29.95 – I know it’s Christmas time, but how about a
Chardonnay throw down? One of these two from Burgundy, a Hamilton Russell if
you have one, the Clos Jordanne and maybe one of Stormin’ Norman’s creations
from the county.
VENETO
BELCANTO DI BELLUSSI PROSECCO DI VALDOBBIADENE 548 cases of 6 $18.95
REDS
AUSTRALIA
D'ARENBERG THE HIGH
TRELLIS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011 447
cases $19.95 – An under rated cabernet and well priced.
GRANT BURGE THE HOLY TRINITY
2011 - 498 cases of 6 $29.95 - As close to a CdP as you’ll find from
Australia. Will age well for a few years and is priced close to where it should be.
WOLF BLASS GOLD LABEL CABERNET $24.95 – From Coonawara, this
traditional Aussie cab shows eucalyptus,
black fruit and some hints of licorice.
CHILE
SANTA RITA MEDALLA REAL GRAN RESERVA CABERNET 798 cases $17.95 – Age worthy, great with
roasted or grilled beef or lamb. More loamy -greens and brown flavours in with
the black fruit - than the High Trellis or the Wolf Blass.
WASHINGTON STATE
SEVEN FALLS CABERNET SAUVIGNON2011 - $19.95 – Think of it as
an H3 in slightly different clothes. ‘Smart Buy’ earlier this year in the WS,
less smart in Ontario due to the LCBO’s pricing.
MIDI
NOSTRE PAÏS COSTIÈRES DE NÎMES 2012 (Michel Gassier) 237 cases $21.95 – This is the middle priced
of the three Costieres de Nimes in the release. Perhaps miscategorized for some
nefarious reason, I would have thought this should be with the Rhone entries
since other offerings in this release are categorized there. Since 2004
Costieres de Nimes has been in the Rhone. Per Wikipedia, the move of Costières de Nîmes
to the regional committee of the Rhône valley was effected in the 19 July 2004
version. Up until the version
of 8 July 1998, which the 2004 version superseded, Costières de Nîmes was
assigned to the regional committee of Languedoc-Roussillon.
RHÔNE
LES HALOS DE JUPITER COSTIÈRES DE NÎMES 2012 594 cases $16.95 – Same Costieres de Nimes,
excellent producer, much better price!
CHÀTEAU DE NAGES JT COSTIÉRES DE NÎMES 2012 238 cases $24.95 - Another Costieres de Nimes but this one
knows from whence it came. Also the most expensive.
GRANDS SERRES LES HAUTES VACQUIERES VACQUEYRAS 2012 400 cases $24.95 – I never miss a chance to
recommend a Vacqueyras.
M. CHAPOUTIER PETITE RUCHE CROZES-HERMITAGE 2012 196 cases $24.95 – From younger vines
surrounding the renowned Hermitage, expect this to be ready sooner. Made with
no exposure to oak, it’ll show pure syrah fruit.
PERRIN L'ANDÉOL RASTEAU 2012
443 cases $19.95 – Among the better of the lesser named villages in the
Cotes du Rhone Villages, the Perrin family does everything right.
PIEDMONT
PAOLO CONTERNO BRICCO BARBERA D'ALBA 2013 329 cases $19.95
TUSCANY
PALAZZO VECCHIO MAESTRO VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO 299 cases $24.95
ROCCA DELLE MACÌE CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2010 1198 cases $21.95
SAN FELICE IL GRIGIO CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2010 297 cases $27.95
SPAIN
FINCA CONSTANCIA
ALTOS DE LA FINCA 2011 576 cases of 6
$21.95
FINCA EL ENCINALCRAINZA 2010 -$17.95 – 94 points from a
panel at Wine and Spirits – my opinion of the wine is not quite that high, but
for the price and with tapas or roasted or grilled meats it does come alive.
BODEGA DIVINA PROPORCIÓN MADREMIA 2011 167 cases $29.95 – Don’t spend your money here. I guess the LCBO thinks we
won’t calculate the exchange rate – 15 euros
equal $21.30 Cdn.
BIG BUCKS
FAUSTINO I GRAN RESERVA 2001 12 748 $35.95 – 13 years old
and a Decanter number one wine from last year, this was gobbled up earlier this
year and I expect the same to happen again. Not a fruit bomb but even now redolent of red berries, backed
by tannins and acid this wine has plenty of stuffing to continue to age gracefully. Perhaps
the buy of the release.
LE CLOS JORDANNE VILLAGE RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2011 309 cases of 6 $30.00 - 5 cents less and it doesn’t get stuck here
with the big boys. Too bad.
CUNE GRAN RESERVA 2008
996 cases of 6 $39.95 – Already 6 years old but will be better if aged
for a few more, if you can keep your hands off it. A quality Rioja from a
quality producer.
TWO HANDS BELLA'S GARDEN SHIRAZ 2012 299 cases of 6 $63.95 - Now back in its sweet spot points wise (the mid 90’s), Micheal Twelftree
and this wine epitomize everything good
about Oz wine. This was the #16 wine in this year’s WS Top 100 Wines.
BAROSSA VALLEY ESTATE E&E BLACK PEPPER SHIRAZ 2008 79 cases of 6 $89.95 – Huge, brilliant wine
but you do have to love those big boys and have lots of $$’s.
CHÂTEAU DE BEAUCASTEL CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2012 249 cases $89.95 – Among the finer CdP’s
every year, this’ll need at least 7 years to open up, and probably more like
10.
DOMAINE DE VIEUX TÉLÉGRAPHE TÉLÉGRAMME CHÂTEAUNEUF 149 cases $49.95 – Vieux Telegraphe’s first
wine has gotten crazy price wise (into
Beaucastel territory) so this
their 2nd cru is available. There are better CdP’s around for
the $$’s.
LA VITE LUCENTE 2012 (Luce Della Vite) Luce Della Vite 248 cases $34.95 – Luce’s second wine.
TENUTA SETTE PONTI CROGNOLO 2011 299 cases $34.95 – James Suckling gave this
95 points, everyone else gave it 90. You be the judge – I think the lower score
is a better indication of the wine.
BREZZA SARMASSA BAROLO 2009 139 cases $49.95 – Tremendous score
for a very age worthy wine.
FATTORIA DEI BARBI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2008 247 cases $49.95 – Well made, slightly more
fruit forward yet still a traditional Brunello.
A couple of ISD’s which you may or may not be able to find:
MEERLUST RUBICON 2008 - $33.95 – a South African Bordeaux
blend that really delivers.
CASTELLO DI NIPPOZANNO VIGNETO MONTESODI RISERVA CHIANTI RUFINA 2010 $49.95 – Priced in
Brunello territory, this is a fine vintage of a rarely available wine. Needs time.
