May's Favourites Release. Really? This was the best you could do?

The first release of May oft times set us up for a summer of backyard grilling and cottage visiting. This year? Not so much. While this is supposed to be a ‘Favourites’ release, I  think there are a few options of interest but to be kind, let’s call it a release you can miss without suffering. No cabernet catatonia, no grenache grief, no merlot melancholy, no pangs of pinot envy, no syrah sorrow, not even xenophobia induced by a lack of, dare I state it, xinomavro. Just go about your life. Or check out the remnants of some past Vintages releases. Me? I’m considering the Gigondas, the Shotfire, and maybe one Barolo on price alone, but c’est tout.

There’s also a nod to New Zealand if you are a fan.

RHÔNE - PIERRE AMADIEU ROMANE-MACHOTTE GIGONDAS 2013 598 cases of 12 $24.95 – In a better year this would be a brilliant buy but even taking into account the Grenache issues for this vintage it is a pretty good option.  Look for more pepper notes than usual.

OZ - THORN-CLARKE SHOTFIRE QUARTAGE 2013   335 cases of 12 $21.95 – Well made, well done wine. Never lets you down.  

OZ - ZONTE'S FOOTSTEP LAKE DOCTOR SHIRAZ 2013 1997 cases of 12 $17.95  - Pretty good quality in the Aussie style.

MIDI -   GÉRARD BERTRAND SYRAH/GRENACHE 2013 1199 cases of 12  $16.95 – Vintages begins to be a Bertrand playground again.

MIDI - SAINT-ROCH VIEILLES VIGNES SYRAH/GRENACHE 2013 615 cases of 12  $16.95 – A toss up between these two from the Midi.  

GREECE - BOUTARI GRANDE RESERVE XINOMAVRO 2010 450 cases of 12  $18.95  - A well priced entry into better, if not finer, Greek wines.

PIEDMONT - CASETTA BAROLO 2011 299 cases of 12 $29.95  - A Barolo under $30? Seems like a no brainer for at least one but hold for a few years and decant well before serving.

 TUSCANY -CASTELLARE DI CASTELLINA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2013 249 cases of 12  $24.95  

TUSCANY -RENDOLA ROSSO DI MONTALCINO 2009 599 cases of 12 $15.95  - Bargain priced Rosso for the BBQ  ready to drink right now if not last year.

 TUSCANY -SAN LEONINO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2012 299 cases of 12  $19.95  

SOUTH AFRICA - CATHEDRAL CELLAR SHIRAZ 2014 (KWV) 559 cases of 12 $16.95  - Solid summer quaffer.

SPARKLERS and ROSES

ONTARIO - FIELDING ROSÉ 2015 119 cases of 12 $15.95 – OK pink from a good family producer.  

SPARKLING WINE-BURGUNDY- BAILLY LAPIERRE RÉSERVE BRUT CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE 800 cases of 6  $19.95  - Like a pink sparkler every now and again but don’t want to break the bank? Here it is.

BIG BUCKS

TUSCANY -VAL DI SUGA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2010 198 cases of 12 $48.95 – Another from the brilliant 2010 vintage. 

RHÔNE - DOMAINE COURBIS SAINT-JOSEPH 2013 118 cases of 12 $36.95  - Vines of the Northern Rhone were not as hurt by the cold spring so this is a Rhone vintage where the North is better than the south.