May 30 - The Southern Rhone and Pinot Noir - and birds, lots of birds.....

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

May 16 Vintages release- Australia backed up by some global alternatives

May 16 and we’re looking at Australian First Families of wine supported by Mouth Watering Whites. The latter are the LCBO’s descriptors, not mine.   There are some good options across all the price points and wine styles and, choice wise, we are not limited to the Australian contingent. White wise, I think a few of the roses provide as good or better QPR especially as we get into the warmer weather.

LAPOSTOLLE CUVÉE ALEXANDRE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012   168 cases of 12 $24.95 – Among  the best options in the release although well over the $20 mark. To me this is among the more attractive Cab options from Chile each and every year. But do give it some time.   Too bad the Cover Drive is not a 2012 as well. It would be nice to try the same Vintage head to head.

Three from AUSTRALIA

YALUMBA THE STRAPPER GSM 2012   1499 cases of 12 $19.95 – A Grenache Syrah and Mourvedre blend hence the GSM. Yalumba is a very good producer of intermediate priced wines.

JIM BARRY THE COVER DRIVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013   391 cases of 12  $26.95

JIM BARRY THE LODGE HILL SHIRAZ 2012   599 cases of 12 $26.95  - Cooler climate, but not cool. Does that make sense? From the Clare valley – has supplanted Bin 61 as my preferred Shiraz from that area.

Two from France

CHÂTEAU DE GOURGAZAUD CUVÉE MATHILDE MINERVOIS 2013   498 cases of 12  $14.95 A good buy.  Think of it as a Minervois version of Plan de Dieu  –  but it will need a bit of time to mature the fruit.

 CLOS TROTELIGOTTE K-OR MALBEC 2012   100 cases of 12 $17.95 – A French Malbec from Cahors (K-or, get it?  Witty wineguys from France, who’d have thought it!?). Give it some time to settle in. It’ll need it.

AND TWO FROM ITALY

ASCHERI SAN GIACOMO NEBBIOLO D'ALBA 2012   166 cases of 12  $24.95 –A Barolo from another mother, perhaps?

COPPI PEUCETICO PRIMITIVO 2008   996 cases of 12 $13.95 – Anything from Pizza to burgers to grilled steak, here’s a nice wine to have. From Puglia. With some age. And relatively inexpensive.

SPAIN

ONDARRE RESERVA 2009   601 cases of 12  $18.95 – Craving a Spanish alternative? Solid choice here.

 ROSÉS

 DELAS SAINT-ESPRIT CÔTES-DU-RHÔNE ROSÉ 2014   699 cases of 12 $14.95  

 FRANCOIS LURTON LES HAUTS DE JANEIL SYRAH ROSÉ   139 cases of 12 $13.95  

BIG BUCKS

FAUSTINO I GRAN RESERVA 2001   1487 cases of 12 $36.95 –Somehow the LCBO has managed to get its hands on 1487 more cases of Decanter’s Number 1 wine from 2013 for a rererelease. They’ve chosen to run the 100 point review again rather than highlight that it was Decanter’s wine of the year but is it a 100 point wine? Not to my palate but it was and is very good. Will this batch be as good as previous ones? We’ll soon find out but for sure it’s 14 years old and was still showing plenty of fruity youth.

BURROWING OWL MERITAGE 2011   55 cases of 12  $59.95 – You must be kidding. 60 bucks, really?

 Viticcio Beatrice Gran Selezione Chianti Classico   2010 $47.95  - A  Brunello priced wine  in Black Rooster’s clothing from the Chianti Classico folks. Very limited release here – 99 cases of 6.

RHÔNE

DOMAINE LA FOURMONE LE FAUQUET GIGONDAS 2012   122 cases of 12 $34.95 – Another Gigondas that is creeping into Chateauneuf’s price range.

E. GUIGAL CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2009   238 cases of 12  $58.95  - A bit of age on it and a good producer but nothing exceptional for a wine this expensive. The ’07 was coming into its own about a year ago.

MIDI

 DOMAINE L'OSTAL CAZES GRAND VIN 2011   110 cases of 12  $31.95 – A new one for me, consider this among the more expensive LCBO options from the Midi.

 OZ

HENSCHKE HENRY'S SEVEN 2013   78 cases of 6  $42.95

 D'ARENBERG THE COPPERMINE ROAD CABERNET SAUVIGNON   155 cases of 6  $49.95 

May 2nd Release - Food and Drink - prices are anything but special.

For Ontario wine buyers, no ‘special’ bargains but some OK options in this release.  

ARGENTINA

NORTON RESERVA MALBEC 2011   3494 cases of 12- $17.00  - An OK buy if you’re a Malbec fan.  Made the WS Top 100 last year so a multi unit purchase might be worthy of consideration, if only because BBQ season is upon us and charred red meats are in our future for some months to come.

TRIVENTO GOLDEN RESERVE MALBEC 2012 384 cases of 12-  $19.95   - Too bad for it that it’s up against Mr. Norton this release.

AUSTRALIA

  CHÂTEAU TANUNDA GRAND BAROSSA CABERNET SAUVIGNON   614 cases of 12-  $23.95  - A relative newcomer to Ontario producing quality juice.

 BRITISH COLUMBIA

JACKSON-TRIGGS SUNROCK RED MERITAGE 2010   111 cases of 6-  $29.95 – Produced using grapes from a wonderful site in the Southern Okanagan, SunRock holds a special place for me. This is a very well made wine.

CHILE

SANTA RITA MEDALLA REAL GRAN RESERVA CABERNET   839 cases of 12-  $17.95  - Always very good and a reflection of Chilean terroir – but definitely more green flavours than the Aussie options in this release.

MIDI

 GÉRARD BERTRAND LANGUEDOC SYRAH/GRENACHE 2011  3198 cases of 12-  $17.00  - 90 points from WS  and trumpeted as another Food and Drink ‘special’ by the LCBO. But don’t read CostcoWineBlog.com because you’ll find it there for $9.99 US. Explain to me again why we have to pay these prices?

 Dourthe Freres CHÂTEAU DE SÉRAME RÉSERVE DU CHÂTEAU  394 cases of 12-  $16.95 – Right there with the Bertrand and 5 cents less.

RHÔNE

BROTTE BOUVENCOURT VACQUEYRAS 2013   449 cases of 12- $23.95  - Love the fruit – and it’ll be fruity! Needs some time to come around. Give it a year or two.

E. GUIGAL CROZES-HERMITAGE 2011  302 cases of 12-  $28.95 – Lamb in your future? Go for this. Want to do an Old World Syrah vs New World Shiraz taste off? Go for this for your old world rep. Give it time and/or air. You’ll smell earth, bacon (well smokey meat fat anyhow) maybe even some barnyard. Relax, it’s part of the charm!

  PIEDMONT

G.D. VAJRA BARBERA D'ALBA 2011  273 cases of 12-  $21.95 – Want to try some Piedmontese examples but think Barolo is too expensive? Try this one.

TUSCANY

IL MOLINO DI GRACE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2011   1297 cases of 12-  $18.95 – Lots of bottles so no rush here.

 SPAIN

CASTAÑO SOLANERA VIÑAS VIEJAS 2012   999 cases of 12- $16.95 – Read carefully – this is not a recommendation but rather a FEW words of warning.   Do you already have some of this in your cellar? It wouldn’t surprise me a bit because in the August 27^th release last year it was a ‘Food and Drink Special’ at $17. Now here we are with our wonderful LCBO buying team buying less and somehow managing to sell it for less than that so called ‘Food and Drink special’. Further proof that this arm of the government is not here to serve the populace but to screw it with perhaps not false but somewhat misleading advertising! Even the laws of supply and demand don’t seem to apply to our intrepid bureaucrats.

MARQUÉS DE CÁCERES GRAN RESERVA 2005 - 349 cases of 12-  $29.95

WASHINGTON STATE

COLUMBIA CREST GRAND ESTATES MERLOT 2012   952 cases of 12-  $16.95 – Espresso, mocha, vanilla, black fruits. That about covers it.

BIG BUCKS

LA GERLA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2009  173 cases of 12-  $49.95

BOSQUET DES PAPES CUVÉE TRADITION  Chateauneuf du Pape 2012 149 cases of 12-  $49.95

CHÂTEAU DE VAUDIEU CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE   98 cases of 12-  $59.95

BERINGER KNIGHTS VALLEY RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON   223 cases of 6 -  $69.95

BREZZA CANNUBI BAROLO 2010   99 cases of 12- $64.95 

Update on the Plan de Dieu

I've now tried 3 bottles of the 2012 Plan de Dieu from this release. One with pizza, one with mushrooms in Phyllo and one with a kale salad. It worked with all of them! It is very, very good at any price. At $14.95 you can't go wrong.  At a dollar more, the Bila Haut is much younger - a year will make a real difference to it but it too is very good.

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.

April 4th, Happy Easter, may the bunny bring you egg-cellent wines!

Two releases ago it was Tuscany, this time around we’re off to Venice. If you’re a fan of the styles of the region, go for them. The Zenato Valpolicella is always solid but I would definitely pick a few wines from other regions that are in this release before that one. Among the reds, two Spanish, two French, then one each from Italy, Greece, OZ and Wahington St. make the grade. 

My picks, in order this week.

Muriel Reserva Vendimia Seleccionada 2008 - $18.95 – If it’s the correct wine, it was Decanter’s number 8 wine from 2013, and was terrific when previously released (last year). For under $20 it’s a thought provoking wine on its own that becomes even better with food.  Tapas here we come! Only concern is this is the second LCBO release of this wine and sometimes they’re not quite so good the second time around….. just sayin’.

Alain Jaume Clos de Sixte Lirac 2012 - $24.95 – Always superior and although ready to drink with some decanting, this one will be even better in a year or two. Look for black fruit on the palate, licorice hints on the finish. I wish it was a few dollars less, but don’t I always?

Mazzei Ser Lapo Chianti Classico Reserva 2011 - $24.95 – Young but always first rate if you are patient enough. Do give it some time though.

Finca Villacreces Pruno 2012 - $21.95- If I recall correctly, two years ago this flew off the Vintages shelves. Last year it was almost as good but was a slower mover comparatively speaking. It’s all in the review I guess. Vineyards right next to Vega Sicilia, the Spanish equivalent to a Bordeaux first growth, it should be good over the next 5 or 6 years.

Dandelion Vineyards Lionheart of the Barossa 2012 - $19.95 – A winner in the Ontario market, and from a great Aussie vintage, this one should be superior for those fans of it. Big black fruits, white pepper, and maybe hints of soy sauce (or is that salty seaweed?). And available in two sizes so when you want a bottle and a half, you can have them (but only if you thought ahead).

Gerard Bertrand Fitou 2011 -$17.95 – This wine might be the second best buy in the release and would be higher among my picks if not for the following. At one of the Vintages consultant tastings both of the   samples were suffering from apparent premature oxidation. So try one early if you buy more than one or better still visit a store that allows tastings. Bertrand is among the finer producers in the Languedoc and his wines are generally deeply flavoured, complex and often deliver a level of sophistication and quality above their price points. There should be plenty going on here but the above concerns me.

Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 - $17.95 Excellent producer. Two warnings – one, watch out for the oak and two, their H3, which is a slightly better wine is on sale in April for three dollars off at $16.95.  Buy it instead.

Costa Lazaridis Amethystos Red 2011 - $23.95 – Is dinner Greek themed? Saganaki, spanakopita, souvlaki and tzatziki? Try this one. Fruit forward reflecting the Michel Rolland style.  

BIG BUCKS

The choices above mean I won’t even consider going above $40 in this release.

Hess Allomi Vineyard 2012 - $39.95 – Might buy one for a special occasion. The pro reviewers rarely seem to score this one where I think it should be but given some time, it’s a very, very nice wine. Full of black current, cedar and very full bodied. $10 (a full 25%) over the US price though.

Burrowing Owl Syrah 2011 - $39.95 – Big bucks for a renowned Canuck producer of first rate wines. Maybe buy one to put away for Canada Day.

Ebenezer Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 - $39.95 – Massive comes to mind when contemplating this wine. It is a big brute, vicious on your wallet, viscous on the palate to be sure. Not a brilliant vintage in South OZ but a very classy producer.

March 21, finally some interesting wines, but not the Icons.

March 21, 2015 and this Vintages release finally provides us with one that has a variety of medium  priced options that are, unlike previous releases, not lacking in interest. There are more than a few delectable, selectable wines, and considering not a single one is from this week’s Big Dollar Napa errr California  contingent, I think that’s a great percentage from the balance of the release.

Pick carefully, some of the choices are going to have to find a quiet, cool, dark spot on the floor of your basement for a while.

Here we go, once again sorted by country, my best bets get an asterisk beside their names.

FRANCE

Chateau Vincens 2011 $17.95 334 cases  ****– A Wine Enthusiast Top 15 wine from 2103. At this price you expect a fruit bomb for immediate consumption but this one wants to be treated like the cave dweller it is. Just leave it for in the dark for 3 years or more.

 ARGENTINA

LUCA LABORDE DOUBLE SELECT SYRAH 2012 335 cases of 6 $24.95 ****– Among the upper level of the Catena brands, the Luca Syrah has managed to consistently pull down scores of over 90 points for its sophistication, flavor profile and depth.

Chakana Estate Selection Red Blend 2012 $26.95 **** but only 249 cases of 6 – Malbec, Cab Sauv, and Syrah. Strap on the elbow pads and call in the favours. If you can find a few of these, I’m sure there’ll be a battle to buy them just based on Parker’s review.

 PASCUAL TOSO BARRANCAS VINEYARDS RESERVE CABERNET 349 cases of 12 -  $19.95 – Probably will be almost as good as the above and all cab.

CHILE

BISQUERTT LA JOYA GRAND RESERVE SYRAH 2012 495 cases $16.95 ****– Another end of year Top 100 wine, this time from Wine Spectator, this one should be good and solid, especially at the price.

AUSTRALIA

SCHILD ESTATE SHIRAZ 2012 599 cases of 12 $24.95   - A blind taste off between this and the Luca might yield some very interesting and surprising results.  Keep in mind that Schild has tried to go upscale with some single vineyard products so what was their ‘estate’ shiraz in past years may not be the same this year. Spiffy label though.

 YALUMBA THE GUARDIAN SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER 2010   447 cases of 10 - $21.95 – Another Cote Roti-esque option from Oz.

SOUTH AFRICA

THE MENTORS  SHIRAZ 2011  KWV   139 cases of 6 $29.95 – A few bucks over the Luca and Schild but worth buying if you’re going to have a shiraz-fest and want the out of town sleeper. 

TUSCANY

MARCHESI DE' FRESCOBALDI TENUTA DI CASTIGLIONI 2011 ****  600 cases of 12 $21.95  - Always a very solid performer. Best left alone for a year (up to 7 or 8) but can be decanted and enjoyed right now with something red on a plate. Disregard Suckling’s comment. He has scored this wine the same in past vintages.

 VILLA CERNA RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2010   270 cases of 12 $28.95 – Worth one if only for the vintage.

GREECE

BOUTARI GRANDE RESERVE 2008 ****   299 cases of 12 $17.95 – A well priced Xynomavro – think cab franc visits the nude beaches of the Aegean.

Big Bucks

 BREZZA BAROLO 2010 217 cases of 12 -$46.95

Chateau Pinerai l‘Authentique 2011 only 116 cases of 6 - $39.95 – 5 Stars from the oft derided Decanter magazine, but that is a terrific score. While this one appears readier to consume, it’ll still benefit from a bit of time.

CASTELLO DI AMA RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2009 184 cases of 12 - $16.95 – Small bottles for those of you who are fans of the producer. I am, and bought a bunch of the 750ml bottles so I can open these to see how the bigger brothers are maturing. Makes the big bucks because these are half bottles.

And a bunch of overpriced Cali stuff that is way above my level of affordability. YMMV.