March 19th Vintages Release notes - Italy and Israel.

March 19^th has almost arrived, (or if you’re reading this after that date, it’s come and gone), and with it comes a mixed bag of global wine options. Although Vintages features Italy and Israel this time around, there is a reasonably good variety of wines and wine origins from which to choose. I’ll sort them by country this week and highlight my top flight choices with an asterisk or two.

LUCA LABORDE DOUBLE SELECT SYRAH 2013 335 cases of 6 $29.95 – While expensive for an Argentinian Syrah, the Luca line of wines produced by Laura Catena is always very good. Gets the omnipresent 90+ points from James Suckling.

ALTA VISTA PREMIUM ESTATE MALBEC 2013 419 cases of 12 $19.95 – OK QPR

HOWARD PARK MIAMUP CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013 – $22.95 - A very tasty western Australian Cabernet. Less in your face than some Southeasterners from Australia.

*MONTGRAS ANTU SYRAH 2014 598 cases of 12 $17.95 – Always excellent. Best given a bit of time and served with anything red that’s been grilled.  Look for hints of vanilla, and lots of chocolate and black fruits.

MONTGRAS INTRIGA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 199 cases of 12  $22.95 – A close second to the Syrah, this cabernet from the Maipo Valley should be very good over the next few years offering currants, mint and hints of loam.

*Chateau du Cedre CEDRE Heritage 2012 - $17.95 – Chateau du Cedre is among the better houses in the Cahors region, producing superb Malbecs.  Roger Voss scored this 94 points but suggests you wait a couple of years to open. If you must open it, decant it early for a meal of grilled meats.

MIDI

CHÂTEAU DE L'OU INFINIMENT SYRAH 2012 279 cases of 12  $26.95 -100% syrah grapes from the Languedoc.

RHÔNE

**LE GRAVILLAS CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES SÉGURET 2014 698 cases of 12 $16.95 – When you can get a named Village for under $17, even if the village is not one of the ones regarded as a cru, you should consider it. This is among the first of the 2014’s to come in. 2014 appears to be regarded as a good vintage in the South Rhone.

TUSCANY

NOZZOLE CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2011 1298 cases of 12 $19.95 – Lots of cases so no rush here.

*BARONE RICASOLI ROCCA GUICCIARDA RISERVA CHIANTI 799 cases of 12 $24.95 – Always very good, this wine loves to be paired with braises, stews, Bolognese sauce – oh hell, any Italian food.

*LA BRACCESCA VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO 2012 299 cases of 12 $24.95 – From Antinori’s Montepulciano estate. Having tasted through a number of 2012  Vino Nobiles last fall, I expect this to be very good. Best given a wee bit of time to allow it to rest, you can serve over the next 3 years or so with any Tuscan specialty. Perhaps a big T bone?

SPAIN

*SEÑORÍO DE SOTILLO CRIANZA 2011 599 cases of 12  $19.95 – Dark, but not brooding fruit.

There are also at least three wines from the Vintages Essentials that are  worth considering this month. Each is on sale and they are among the better offerings. Look for the Louis Martini 2013 Cabernet, the Wynn’s Coonawarra Cabernet or the Two Hands Gnarly Dudes Shiraz.

BIG BUCKS

MUGA SELECCIÓN ESPECIAL 2010   152 cases of 12 $39.95 – Terrific producer, classic Spanish style. 

THORN-CLARKE WILLIAM RANDELL SHIRAZ 2012   89 cases of 6  $44.95 – Like ‘em big? I mean really big? Here’s your pick.

IL MOLINO DI GRACE IL MARGONE GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI 2010 149 cases of 12  $39.95 – The top of the Chianti Classico pyramid from Il Molino di Grace.

ORNELLAIA 2012   199 cases of 6 $195.95 - $200? Fahgedaboudit! Out of my snack bracket.

CHÂTEAU MONT-REDON CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2011   167 cases of 12 $46.95

BARONE RICASOLI CASALFERRO 2011   38 cases of 6 $51.95 – A single varietal (merlot) from a single vineyard in Gaiole (Chianti). The Baron is renowned for his quality – curses, two bucks lass and I might spring for one of these.

Donnatella Cinelli Columbini Brunello di Mantalcino 2008 $44.95 – Never has the value of a vintage been more obvious than with this wine. The 2010 was available for $58. An older but much less heralded vintage, this one comes in almost $14 less.

OLARRA ERUDITO RESERVA ESPECIAL 2009   99 cases of 6  $37.95 – Good, but don’t let the score fool you and there will not be many of them around.