The May 30, 2015 release has a real ‘for the birds’ quality
to it, what with the migrations, ravens, ducks, chooks and roosters adorning so
many of the bottles. Add in at least one angel and one can be forgiven for
thinking that perhaps the release was the result of a wing and a prayer?
Regardless, the main feature is one of my favourite wine
regions, the Southern Rhone. That feature is balanced by a New World Pinot Noir
feature. Pinot fans are on their own for
that one.
WHITE AND ROSÉ
TABLE WINES from the release
Lailey UnOaked
Chardonnay -$14.95 – A tasty, crisp sipper for those hot summer days.
Great with an avocado and shrimp or lobster salad methinks.
MULDERBOSCH CABERNET SAUVIGNON ROSÉ 2014 503 cases of 12 $12.95 – A favourite rose
each year. Cab Sauv, strong strawberry mid-palate and rhubarb on the finish.
Also great with the above salad.
PENINSULA RIDGE BEAL VINEYARD CABERNET ROSÉ 2014 299 cases of 12 $11.95
- Price is right. Tried this at Peninsula Ridge last weekend – quite
nice served very chilled with charcuterie and cheeses.
GASSIER SABLES D'AZUR ROSÉ 2014 900 cases of 12 $15.95 - An OK dry alternative.
Want to spend a bit more on a ROSÉ? Spring for one of these two
ROSÉS.
FAMILLE PERRIN TAVEL 2014 372 cases of 12 $19.95 or Castello di Ama RosaTo 2014. – I’m a big fan
of both producers so my BIAs mIGHT is probably clouding my judgement.
REDS from the
Release
RHÔNE
PERRIN LES CHRISTINS VACQUEYRAS 2012 698 cases of 12 $23.95 - The
Village of Vacqueyras is among the better of the named villages in the Southern
Rhone. The producer is consistently excellent – a better than safe bet.
ORTAS PRESTIGE RASTEAU 2010
498 cases of 12 $19.95 – This
should be in a good place right now. The 2010 vintage was excellent across the
Southern Rhone – consume away!
DOMAINE DUSEIGNEUR ANTARÈS LIRAC 2011 335 cases of 12 $18.95 - A toss up with the Rasteau above. If this
is anywhere as good as say Clos Du Sixte, it’s a bargain.
PIERRE AMADIEU ROMANE-MACHOTTE GIGONDAS 2012 249 cases of 12 $27.95
- another producer that always delivers.
DOMAINE LES APHILLANTHES PLAN DE DIEU CUVÉE DES GALETS
2011 299 cases of 12 $23.95 - Among the more expensive Plan de Dieu offerings
ever at the LCBO. Why? Who knows? Last time this wine was for sale it was
$14.75 according to the LCBO website, and that was for the 2010, a better
Vintage. Watch to see if this goes on sale soon. If it does go on sale a more
skeptical man than I might think that the LCBO is guilty of inflating the price
so they can show a big, albeit artificial, sale discount. From the federal competition bureau website:
The misleading advertising and labelling provisions enforced by
the Competition Bureau prohibit making any deceptive representations for the
purpose of promoting a product or a business interest, and encourage the
provision of sufficient information to allow consumers to make informed
choices.
The false or misleading representations and
deceptive marketing practices provisions of the Competition Act contain a general prohibition against
materially false or misleading representations. They also prohibit making
performance representations which are not based on adequate and proper tests,
misleading warranties and guarantees, false or misleading
ordinary selling price representations, etc, etc., etc.
And,
if that does happen, please remember this is a branch of our government
breaching the law and doing this (to us)! Where is the ombudsman and where is
the Competition bureau of the federal government? But perhaps that
skeptical person is jumping to conclusions…..back to the release.
ARGENTINA
DIAMANDES DE UCO MALBEC 2011 279 cases
of 12 $27.95 - The Uco Valley is among
the best locales in Argentina for Malbec. A bit of a bad pun on the name
AUSTRALIA
THE BLACK CHOOK SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER 2013 990 cases
of 12 $17.95 - Like your wines to wear more medals than Imelda Marcos had
shoes? Here’s the one to pick.
SERAFINO SHIRAZ 2012 279 cases of 12 $28.95 - A new one to me, Halliday’s score is always
bloated but even three or four points too high will still give you a 91 or 92
pointer.
South Africa
Boschendal 1685 S
& M 2013 - $19.95 - You’re
bound to enjoy this spanking good wine. Aromas of leather make it hard to beat.
The flavor profile exhibits a pinch of spiciness but can’t be tied down. Its concentrated berries will whip your
tastebuds into a frenzy and tickle your fancy until you finally succumb to its
long, fulfilling finish. (OK, OK, so it’s
Shiraz & Mourvedre and not the other S&M but it was still fun
writing the review).
PIEDMONT
PAOLO CONTERNO BRICCO BARBERA D'ALBA 2013 280 cases
of 12 $18.95
TUSCANY
CECCHI VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO 2011 671 cases
of 6 $21.95 - In a newer, more fruit driven style.
CASTELLO DI GABBIANO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2011 391 cases
of 12 $22.95 - Easy on the score there
James. Might not be quite that good but given a bit of time, you’ll enjoy with
pasta or steaks.
SAN MICHELE A TORRI CHIANTI COLLI FIORENTINI 2013 449 cases
of 12 $16.95 - Been to Florence lately
and want to rekindle some memories of it? Here you go.
BARONE RICASOLI ROCCA GUICCIARDA RISERVA CHIANTI 2011 700 cases of 12 $24.95 - Always very solid and even better with food.
VENETO
TEDESCHI CAPITEL NICALÒ APPASSIMENTO VALPOLICELLA 1000 cases
of 12 $17.95 To my palate this is among the better valued Valpolicellas. Made
after the grapes have undergone drying for a period of time (hence appassimento)
so this is a rich fruit filled wine. It has gone up slightly in price if memory
serves me correctly.
CALIFORNIA
RAVENSWOOD BESIEGED 2013 299 cases
of 12 $24.95 –Looking for a wine to hold until Hallowe’en? Maybe you’re hosting
a showing of Hitchcock’s ‘The Birds’?
Here’s a scary looking label from Ravenswood. A big, kitchen sink blend
of a wine featuring Petit Syrah, Carignane, Zin, Syrah, Barbera, Alicante Bouschet,
and Mourvedre. Lots to consider and probably great with something from the BBQ
grill.
RUTHERFORD RANCH CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013 900 cases of 12 $24.95 –Solid, can’t go wrong with this if
you’re bringing it to a BBQ party except it is too expensive. Save 5 bucks and
buy the Seven Falls instead.
WASHINGTON STATE
SEVEN FALLS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011 892 cases
of 12 $19.95 - Solid
and lots of it. Try one, if you like it, get more.
BIG BUCKS
INGLENOOK 1882 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 167 cases of 12 $66.95
Bacio Divino
PAZZO CALL ME CRAZY 111 cases of 12
$44.95
FOSSACOLLE BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2009 239 cases of 6 $48.95
BADIA A COLTIBUONO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2009 148 cases of 6 $38.95
PIETRANERA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2010 347 cases of 12 $39.95 – A 2010 Brunello
and under $40 so might be worth a shot. Suckling says it lasts for minutes on
the palate. James, you have to learn to swallow!
MARCHESI TORRIGIANI GUIDACCIO 2008 99 cases of 6 $48.95
- The review for this wine reads like it might just be a bargain - if an
almost $50 wine can be classified as a bargain!
Poggio Bonelli
Poggiassai 2010 – $32.95 - An ISD, so there’ll be very few cases, this Sangiovese/
Cabernet blend should be very good after a few years in the dark.
and last but not least, the witty and irreverent
Gundlach Bundschu Merlot 2011 $44.00 - Watch their old, previously mentioned on this site, video to get an idea.
http://www.gunbun.com/merlot
and last but not least, the witty and irreverent
Gundlach Bundschu Merlot 2011 $44.00 - Watch their old, previously mentioned on this site, video to get an idea.
http://www.gunbun.com/merlot
