January 10th and the new year starts with the
traditional Vintages Smart Buy issue. In many cases you will be further ahead
to watch for upcoming price reductions on higher quality, slower moving in
store items than to buy from this collection. Which reminds me, as a tax paying
citizen why do I have to rely on my local Vintages consultant to put up sales
item signage when items are discontinued? Why can’t I find out the week or two before?
Given ample patience and a few clever search keys, we used to be able to search
the LCBO B2B website to freely see upcoming delists the week before the
reductions took effect. At least then we were free to strategize our shopping
to pick up the few true LCBO bargains available. (This has to be one of the few
times where free, bargain, and the LCBO are used in the same sentence). But for
at least a year now, my government’s retail monopoly has chosen to hide that
info behind its firewalls. The info seems to be made available to a select few.
Some websites seem to be able find the info and then use it as a carrot to sell
access and to make a profit. Hmmm, they get access to the info and sell it to
make a profit while you and I can’t access it to save ourselves a few measly bucks. Life with the LCBO, ain’t it grand?
The RED selections
Poggio al Tuffo Rompicollo 2011 -$17.00 – Interesting how
two reviewers can differ on a wine. Wine Advocate scored this one 87 points,
Wine Spectator 92 points. Both reviews
are positive but if your palate matches the WS reviewer’s then this is a well
priced WS Top 100 wine.
Zolo Reserva Malbec 2011 – Another 2014 WS Top 100 wine but
the LCBO had chosen to stealth release this one for some reason. At $17.95 you
can do a lot worse, especially if you’re serving rare, grilled red meat on a
platter.
Columbia Crest H3 Merlot - $19.95 – Consistently very good
if you like ‘em woody (lots of oak).
Concha Y Toro Serie
Riberas Cabernet Sauvignon - $17.95 – A well scored, well priced, bargain from
one of Chile’s premier producers across
all price points. Look for green and brown aromas and flavours backing up dark purple fruits.
Puig – Parahy Cuvee Georges 2011- $16.95 – New to me and
with a very interesting review from David Schildknecht, this seem like it’s
worth a try – a red wine with Shrimp on the nose and Swiss Chard on the palate.
Hmmm.
The White selections
Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc $14.95 – tasty and a change from
Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay.
Wakefield from Oz and See Ya Later Ranch chardonnay from the
Okanagan. Both under $18.
Big Bucks
Barolo – La Pieve - $31.95 –2010 – Perhaps one of the better
Barolo vintages on record, some Barolophiles have been ignoring the last few
vintages awaiting this one. Remember what I said about the 2010 vintage in the
Southern Rhone? Well, it now applies to Barolo. This is not for immediate
consumption though. Even at almost 5 years of age, this’ll enjoy a few more
years in a quiet, dark place.
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