January 24th Vintages, these really are the dog days of winter!

First off, let’s take a quick look at the LCBO Vintages email for this release. It indicates that this week will have Superstars from Argentina and Chile but looking at the selection, these are the Dave Clarksons of South American wine, not the Sidney Crosbys. Buyer beware!

This week does have very few good options  below $20 but if you’re willing to spend more than $30, then there are a few worthy of your attention. Spain continues to be a source of well priced age worthy reds but not many here excite me. It’s not the only country represented in my choices though. France, Italy and the USA all earn mentions in the sub $30 range but not for the right reasons. There are a trio of  higher priced wines that will provide real pleasure for you.

El Molar 2011 - $17.95- Want a wine that you can sink your teeth in to? This is it. (Oh I kill myself sometimes!)  From Spain, this is among the better ones available.

Casas del Bosque Gran Reserva Syrah 2012 – Very nice Chilean syrah from the Casablanca Valley. Here’s looking at you kid.

Zonte’s Footsteps The Chocolate Factory Shiraz 2012 - $17.95 – Hate the producer’s name and the names they call their wines but the wines produced are first rate.

Hedges CMS -$19.95 – Too expensive really, but good nonetheless. Should be $17.95.

Vignobles de Balma-Venitia Cuvee St. Roch Vacqueyras 2011 - $24.95 – A new one for me, but I’ll try it. I like this village in the Southern Rhone.

Chateau Haut –Monplaisir Malbec 2011 -$17.95 –Want to compare a French malbec to the recently released Zolo from Argentina? Here it is, but leave it alone for a few years and serve it alongside something charred, yet red and bloody. Perhaps an earlier season  Game of Thrones episode?

Durigutti Cabernet Sauvignon  2010 - $19.95 – 2 bucks more than the Ravenswood, this is a better buy!

Ravenswood Cabernet Sauvignon $17.95 – Usually a well priced example of non Napa Cali fruit, this is nowhere near past examples but is an OK $13.00 wine.  Too bad it’s priced 5 bucks above that.

Big Bucks

Luca Malbec 32.95 – From Laura Catena and this year it made it to #19 in the the WS Top 100. The Luca brand is nestled above the Catena brand  in the upper middle of their marketing scheme and is quite excellent. Their  Chardonnay has been  one of my favourites for quite some time as well. This is as close to a superstar as there is in the release!

Gemma Barolo 2010 - $29.95 – Looking for a Barolo but don’t want to break the bank? Here’s another one hot on the heels of last release’s $32  one.

Chateau Fortia Cuvee du Baron Chateauneuf du Pape 2012 - $39.95 – If you have 5 years and a quiet dark place, this is the wine to buy.