Vintages Labour Day Release

Labour Day Weekend signals that the end of summer is almost upon us. For the LCBO it usually signals the beginning of better Vintages releases as we get into autumn. Remember that better is generally accompanied by ‘lots more expensive’ with the LCBO. Check the prices to see.

An interesting side note, there is only one wine from Australia in this release and it’s a white. This may have happened in the recent past but I can’t remember when. On to the picks!

SOUTH AFRICA

MULDERBOSCH FAITHFUL HOUND 2012 222 cases of 12 $20.95 – Excellent, very well done in a juicy, albeit tannic Bordeaux style. I know that contradicts, but the wine is fruity and tannic so they’re the descriptors I’ve got. Best laid down for a year or so based on past vintages.

SPAIN

OLARRA CLÁSICO RESERVA 2009 501 cases of 12 $18.95  - Let the battles begin! A score of 97 points combined with a sub $20 price point almost guarantees fisticuffs. Schedule your Saturday accordingly!

CHILE

MONTGRAS ANTU SYRAH 2012    2199 cases of 12 $17.00  - A full bodied if somewhat oaky syrah. Look for black fruits, vanilla notes and hints of dark chocolate. While a nice wine this is really no bargain considering how many cases are being bought by the LCBO. For quite some time the 2013 Vintage has also been available at Vintages for 95 cents more. (Update - Now I'm confused! The 2013 and the 2012 are both priced at $17 on the vintages website and as of Sept. 2, all the inventory in store was applied to the 2013, not the 2012. Seems ironic that the Vintages folks can't seem to keep track of different, wait for it, vintages! Shop accordingly.)

MIDI

DOMAINE LAFAGE TESSELLAE CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON OLD VINES 2013  3494 cases of 12 $17.00 . Think of this Domaine Lafage/ Eric Solomon coproduction as an upper price point Cotes du Rhone Villages and don’t forget that you can oft times get a CdR-V of equivalent quality for under $15.  The Tessellae was designed and built for American tastes (Solomon is the American importer) and is the other Food and Drink Special. It was available at some small Mom and Pop stores south of the border for less than $12. so to call it a ‘special’ might be stretching advertising credibility.  

RHÔNE

LE GRAVILLAS GIGONDAS 2013   448 cases of 12 $22.95 – well priced for a Gigondas,  about the same as 2012, but remember there was a poor grenache vintage in the Southern Rhone in 2013 so you may find a different flavor profile than in the past.

TUSCANY

BRANCAIA TRE 2012 476 cases of 12  $23.95  - This scores like mad but like so many Italian wines, it shows its best when  served with food.

CASTELLO DI QUERCETO CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2011 235 cases of 12  $29.95 

PICCINI SASSO AL POGGIO 2009   795 cases of 12  $19.95  

VIGNAMAGGIO GHERARDINO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2012   243 cases of 12  $24.95

SPAIN

BODEGAS ALTANZA HACIENDA VALVARÉS 2011 471 cases of 12  $19.95  - OK

ABAD DOM BUENO MENCÍA 2008 698 cases of 12  $15.95  - Another Mencia for those seeking a red that’s a little different.

WASHINGTON STATE

SAGELANDS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013   299 cases of 12 $18.95  - Nice black cherry attack, loamy mid-palate with a moderately long finish. $9.99, yes $9.99, on Amazon.com  

CALIFORNIA – all three of the cabs below finish a close second to Sagelands in my opinion.

KENDALL-JACKSON VINTNER'S RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 616 cases of 12  $22.95  

IRONY SMALL LOT RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 1958 cases of 12 $21.95  

HESS SELECT CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 782 cases of 12 $24.95  

BIG BUCKS

J.L. CHAVE SELECTION SILÈNE CROZES-HERMITAGE 2013   75 cases of 12  $33.00 – Rack of lamb anyone? Maybe have a J.L. Chave/ Fess Parker syrah off with the winner getting a coon skin cap.

FESS PARKER THE BIG EASY SYRAH 2012 193 cases of 6 $35.95 Best served with beef jerky while  watching black and white reruns of Disney’s Davey Crocket or Daniel Boone. Or if you’re feeling up to colour, go for Old Yeller. Although I usually reserve a Chardonnay (yellow dog after all) and a box of Kleenex for that one.

FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA DIRECTOR'S CUT CABERNET 446 cases of 12 $34.95  - Among if not my favourite Alexander Valley/ Sonoma  cabs and priced where it was last year.
CHATEAU MONTELENA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 110 cases of 12 $70.95 –Kaching.

 GALLO SIGNATURE SERIES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012   223 cases of 6 $49.95  

TENUTA DEGLI DEI CAVALLI 2010   240 cases of 6  $49.95

INSPIRACIÓN VALDEMAR GRACIANO 2005 375 cases of 6 $34.95  - Ten years on, this is ready to rock!

VERBENA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2009 247 cases of 12 $39.95

TIGNANELLO 2011   601 cases of 6 $102.95

PATRICK LESEC GALETS BLONDS CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2012   108 cases of 12  $56.95  

FERDINANDO PRINCIPIANO DEL COMUNE DI SERRALUNGA D'ALBA   192 cases of 12  $44.95