Paul's Picks from the LCBO New Release of January 7, 2012 - Smart Buys / "The Frugal Shoppers New Release

                                                                

Hello and Happy New Year to all my wine friends,

This certainly is a very different New Release (NR) then the last four of 2011. The LCBO is introducing 110 new products with only one wine over $50.00 (except for the five Scotch Whisky between $60.00 to $100.00) and 76 of them under $20.00. As you know the holidays have come and gone, our bills will arrive any day and our stock of wine has taken a hit, you may very well be in need of some frugal re-supply. Well, this and the next NR is meant to inspire good value and smart buys. I will do my best to point you in the right direction, so lets get started.

Smart Buys; My definition of smart buy is not a cheap wine. It means a wine of quality, which should appeal to many people and over delivers for the price. A $50.00 wine could be a smart buy if I feel that it is of high quality and could easily pass for a $65.00 wine.

Smart Buy Red;

* Trivento Amado Sur Malbec/Bonarda/Syrah 2009 from Argentina (037036) at $15.00 Mostly Malbec with 73%, with Bonarda at 15% and 12% Syrah aged in French oak. Scoring a 90 points on Wine Spectator, is definitely worth considering.

* Capezzana Barco Reale Di Carmignano 2008 from Italy (508531) at $15.95. This wine is a blend of 70% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Canaiolo (a native Italian grape) from Tuscany. A lighter red with generous tannins at this point.

* Sabor Real 2008 from Spain (172932) at $15.95. Produced from 70 years old vines, expect big and rustics flavours from the 100% Tempranillo grapes.

* Luis Felipe Edwards Gran Reserva Carmenère 2009 from Chile (169854) at $16.95. Chile sure knows how to make full bodied reds at a decent price. Try this Carmenère with steaks, lamb or hamburger on the BBQ, ready to drink or hold 1-2 years.

* Domaine Saint Andéol Séduction Cairanne Côtes du Rhône-Village 2007 (248575) at $17.95 From 50 to 90 years old vines, this wine is a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Carignan from the very good 2007 vintage. 

* Perrin & Fils Peyre Blanche Côte Du Rhône-Village Cairanne 2009 from France (650960) at $17.95. From a very good producer, this blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah is from the very good 2009 vintage, ready to drink or hold for 1-2 years.

* Fattoi Brunello Di Montalcino 2006 from Italy (033498) at $34.95 Brunello's is one of Italy's best know and most expensive wine. Made 100% with Sangiovese grape, aged in oak for a minimum of 2 years and at least 4 months in bottle before release. The very good Fattoi Brunello Di Montalcino 2004 was one of the first wine reviewed on my blog last March. Brunello usually sells for $50.00 and up, which makes in my view, this Fattoi Brunello a smart buy.

Smart Buy White;

* Loma Larga Chardonnay 2009 from Chile (257048) at $15.95. A killer value, well balanced Chardonnay from the cooler region of Casablanca in Chile.

* Kim Crawford Unoaked Chardonnay 2010 from New Zealand (991950) at $17.95. I tasted this unoaked Chardonnay last November at the Ottawa Wine and Food show. Of all the Kim Crawford wines, this one is my favourite, lots of flavour and very refreshing, almost creamy. Well priced.

* Domaine du Chardonnay Chablis 2009 from France (183574) at $19.95. This is another unoaked Chardonnay, this time from the region of Burgundy in France. Expect a wine with good acidity, minerality and refreshing finish. Would be fantastic with roast chicken.

My top three wines of this release;
1-Fattoi Brunello Di Montalcino 2006 from Italy (033498) at $34.95
2-Domaine du Grand Montmirail Vacqueyras 2009 from France (251579) at $24.95
3-Domaine du Chardonnay Chablis 2009 from France (183574) at $19.95.

My top three wines for value;
1-Perrin & Fils Peyre Blanche Côte Du Rhône-Village Cairanne 2009 from France (650960) at $17.95.
2-Trivento Amado Sur Malbec/Bonarda/Syrah 2009 from Argentina (037036) at $15.00.
3-Luis Felipe Edwards Gran Reserva Carmenère 2009 from Chile (169854) at $16.95.

These wines did not make my shopping list but are worth considering;

Red Wines;
1-Rosewood Merlot 2009 from Ontario (211896) at $21.95.
2-Brutocao Hopland Ranches Estate Zinfandel 2007 from California (259325) at $22.95.
3-Trivento Amado Sur Malbec/Bonarda/Syrah 2009 from Argentina (037036) at $15.00.
4-Château Ampélia 2008 from France (136770) at $24.00.
5-Château de la Lamarque 2006 from France (194159) at $29.95.
6-Domaine du Roche-Guillon Fleurie 2010 from France (269514) at $17.95.
7-Uggiano Prestige Chianti 2009 from Italy (250852) at $15.95.
8-Vignamaggio Terre Di Prenzano Chianti Classico 2008 from Italy (164822) at $17.95.
9-Sabor Real 2008 from Spain (172932) at $15.95.

White Wines;
1-Kim Crawford Unoaked Chardonnay 2010 from New Zealand (991950) at $17.95.
2-Domaine Carrette Chardonnay Pouilly-Fuissé 2009 from France (264481) at $21.95.

My team and I will be back for the next New Release of January 21, 2012 where the main features will be Australia's diverse wine style and Great grapes to discover. As a fan of Merlot there will be a Selection of local talent - Ontario Merlot, looking forward to it.

Cheers
Paul YWG