April 18 - A few interesting options

 Unless you have very deep pockets, here comes another less than thrilling Vintages release. This one has a few wines that I might buy (and can afford to buy) but I expect most of my selections to be available any time in the week subsequent to the release.  That’s the upside. The downside is there’ll be no frothing, rabid, wine connoisseurs engaging in hand to hand combat over some rare beverage in the Vintages section this week. Instead, there might be a few Bentley’s quietly waiting curbside. If you are wondering, there are 30 cases of 6 of the Mouton Rothschild in the province. None of them have my name on them.

For this week, my wine selections are presented and ordered by price point.

Under $20

DOMAINE LE GRAND RETOUR PLAN DE DIEU CÔTES DU RHÔNE VILLAGES 2012   1298 cases of 12 $14.95 – A pleasant combination in that both the underappreciated producer and the ‘Village’ over deliver on quality. Past vintages have presented wines worthy of full case consideration.  A great option for a casual weeknight BBQ with friends.

M. CHAPOUTIER LES VIGNES DE BILA-HAUT CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON  2013- 999 cases of 12 $15.95 –Winter is over but even now we’re now having a duel of the ‘Cotes’  (Badaboom, sorry, I can never resist a bad pun). You’ll find M. Chapoutier’s name gets more press than the Plan de Dieu above, but I think the PDD is as good for a buck less.

MUGA ROSÉ 2014   2096 cases of 12 $13.95 Lots of cases and although it’s not the first rose of the year at Vintages it is a sure sign of spring.  I can almost taste some pate, jambon and cheeses on the patio deck.

Under $30

PERRIN LA GILLE GIGONDAS 2012   220 cases of 12 $29.95 - Excellent family producer with first rate production from many of the appellations of the Southern Rhone.  They get the very best out of their sites and their grapes. This one is no exception.

FRANCISCAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012   299 cases of 12 $29.95 – Just squeaks in under the $30 mark this fine sample of Cali cab – cassis, cedar, vanilla hints – is from an excellent Napa vintage. Rare beef anyone?  

POLIZIANO VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO 2011   294 cases of 12 $29.95  Poliziano is a first rate producer but nearer to the upper price point for Vino Nobile at the LCBO. Give it a bit of time - with food this will be worth the wait.

There’s another Vino Nobile in the release as well. I’m not familiar with it but whoever proof read the tasting note should have truncated it. The second half is at best a backhanded compliment comparing the vintage in the release to the same vintner’s cheaper 2010 Rosso de Montepulciano.

CONDADO DE HAZA CRIANZA 2010   199 cases of 12 $24.95 – A young Spanish Rioja that is always very good, if more in a North American style. To my palate this one usually exhibits more red fruit than black (red cherry/ cranberry over cassis/ blackberries) and with 4 and a half years on it, it’s coming into a nice place.

CHAKANA ESTATE SELECTION MALBEC 2012   208 cases of 12 $24.95 – Did you miss out on the Chakana blend from 2 releases back? Here’s their Malbec as a consolation prize. Big, unctuous, and demands a rare steak.

ALPHA CRUCIS TITAN SHIRAZ 2012  1014 cases of 12 $24.95  - From the McLaren Vale, a lovely big wine

THORN-CLARKE SHOTFIRE QUARTAGE 2012   334 cases of 12 $21.95 – Thorn Clarke’s wines are well produced with attention to quality. Not usually for the faint of heart.

BAROSSA VALLEY ESTATE SHIRAZ 2012   386 cases of 12 $21.95 – Ebenezer’s baby brother.

BIG BUCKS

ANTINORI BADIA A PASSIGNANO GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO 411 cases of 6 $44.95 – This week’s big buck Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is from the famous house of Antinori. In a few years it will be interesting to do a blind comparison of this to a similar vintage of the Barbi Brunello or a Antinori’s own Pian delle Vigne.

Chateau de Beaucastel 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape – superb wine if you have the time. I think it’ll be at its best in 20 years. On the other hand, I was at my best more than 20 years ago!

And last but not least, if you have somewhere between $65 and $100 burning a hole in your pocket, try either of the Vega Sicilia offerings but give them serious time.