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Thursday, November 22, 2012

Paul's Picks from the LCBO New Release of November 24, 2012 - Smart Buys for Holiday Entertaini​ng and Wine Gifts, La crème de la crème


Hello to all my wine friends,

     
Looking at this New Release (NR), this is the second of three massive Holiday Vintage LCBO NR. I have been waiting for the high priced trophy wines to appear, well, here they are. With 18 wines and spirits between $50 to $100 and 14 over $100, there are many options for the collectors and big spenders among us. Your spending can quickly get out of control from temptations like those in this NR. This is why I have a budget, and a plan to stick to it. What I’m looking for in this NR is wines which represent good value for your hard earn dollars. Meaning, no matter how much you spend on a bottle of wine, the enjoyment factor of that wine should justify the amount that you have spent on it. I have reviewed the entire NR book and wrote down every wine which appeals to me, regardless of the price. From this NR, 49 of them made it into my list. Now apart from the wines featured in the following two highlighted segments, here are a few wines I would like to bring to your attention.


First the white wines; 

  • Here is a good value Chardonnay from California, First Press Chardonnay 2010 from California (199810) at $19.95. 

  • Looking to splurge on a California Chardonnay, here are two options for you, Rodney Strong Reserve Chardonnay 2009 from California (210039) at $34.95; and Shafer Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay 2010 from California (045583) at $62.95. 

  • For fans of Australian dry Riesling, here is a Riesling which is highly recommended, Pewsey Vale Riesling 2011 from Australia (686600) at $19.95. 

  • A perennial favourite and always enjoyable Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa will be released this weekend, Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from South Africa (933424) at $18.95.
 

Now for the red wines; 

  • From this very good South Okanagan winery, Nk’Mip Qwam Qwmt Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from British Columbia (303719) at $28.95. 

  • Here is a wine which over delivered at the $20.00 dollar price point, Arboleda Carmenère 2010 from Chile (046284) at $19.95. 

  • For fans of Rhône Valley wines, from the 2010 vintages, two highly recommended wines, the first, from one of my favourite producers; Alain Jaume & Fils, Domaine Grand Veneur Clos de Sixte Lirac 2010 of France (076349) at $22.95 and one of the best values of this release, Pierre Amadieu Romane Machotte Gigondas 2010 from France (017400) at $23.95 and finally. 

  • A full bodied wine from Chile at a ridiculously low price of $15.95, worth multiple purchases, Santa Carolina Specialties Dry Farming Carignan 2009 from Chile (213520) at $15.95. Well let’s get started. 




Smart Buys for Holiday Entertaining;   With all those Holiday entertaining, parties and gatherings, here are three wines which are meant to be enjoyed with appetizers, finger foods and won't break the bank;
 
 
  • Musella Vigne Nuove Valpolicella Superiore 2009 from Italy (205757) at $15.95 – This light to medium red would pair well with appetizers, finger foods and cheese platter, a blend of  70% Corvina, 20% Rondinella and 10% Barbera with alcohol coming in at a reasonable 13.5%. 
 
  • Ballast Stone Shiraz 2009 from Australia (167064) at $18.95 – This wine is made with 100% Shiraz grape, maturation in a combination of French and American oak with alcohol coming in at 15%. This Shiraz is made to be enjoyed upon release but could cellar for 4-5 years. 
 
  • Canonica A Cerreto Chianti Classico Riserva 2007 from Italy (275867) at $18.95 - This wine was previously released at the LCBO on April 28 for $17.95. Even with a few extra dollars in price, this wine still qualifies as a wine of great value. There is a lot of complexity and texture for a under $20.00 wine. I have review this wine on this blog and you can read it here.
 

Wine Gifts, La crème de la crème;   So many good if not great wines will be released this weekend, I thought I would highlight wines (from different price point) which would be either a fantastic gifts for someone special or for yourself. Splurging on ourselves once in a while is good for the morale. Here are my splurge wine gift suggestions;
 
  • Salcheto Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2006 from Italy (685180) at $24.95 – Always nice to see an aged Vino Nobile in our stores, last years 2005 was absolutely gorgeous and this vintage is equally delicious. I just posted the review today, here are my thoughts;
 
 
  • Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 from California (186171) at $29.95 – Blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot, maturation taking place in 100% French oak (5% new oak) for 12 months and alcohol coming in at 13.9%. The 2010 vintage of Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon is not as approachable in its youth than the 2009 vintage, cellar for 1-2 years. A California Cabernet Sauvignon lovers Cab.
 
  • Domaine La Roquète Châteauneuf-Du-Pape 2009 from France (070862) at $46.95 – When you consider price vs. quality, this Châteauneuf-Du-Pape offers the best bang for your buck. Domaine La Roquète is a producer of a more elegant styles of Châteauneuf, this is a blend of mostly Grenache with 80% and the remaining 20% Syrah with alcohol coming in at 14.5%.
 
  • Cliff Lede Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from California (014217) at $74.95 – I had the great joy of tasting this Cab at the California Wine Fair here in Ottawa in March. It was my favourite Cabernet Sauvignon, a wine with a rich combination of fruit, great texture, robust wine, and very approachable. A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec and 1% each of merlot and Cabernet Franc with alcohol coming in at 14.9%.
 
  • Yalumba The Octavius Old Vines Shiraz 2006 from Australia (449017) at $110.95 – If Santa believes that I have been good this year, this wine would be a great gift in my Christmas stocking. From a family owned winery, made with 100% old vines Shiraz, maturation in a combination of French, American and Hungarian oak for 20 months with alcohol coming in at 14.5%. I can still taste the 2001 vintage of Yalumba The Octavius, which I enjoyed at the Bear Mountain Resort in Victoria BC a few years back.
 
My top three wines from this release;
 
1- Yalumba The Octavius Old Vines Shiraz 2006 from Australia (449017) at $110.95 
 
2- Cliff Lede Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from California (014217) at $74.95 
 
3- Concha Y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from Chile (315176) at $79.95
 
 
My top three wines for Holiday Gift (around $30.00)
 
1- Pierre Amadieu Romane Machotte Gigondas 2010 from France (017400) at $23.95
 
2- Salcheto Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2006 from Italy (685180) at $24.95
 
3- Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 from California (186171) at $29.95
 
 
My top three wines for value;
 
1- Musella Vigne Nuove Valpolicella Superiore 2009 from Italy (205757) at $15.95
 
2- Santa Carolina Specialties Dry Farming Carignan 2009 from Chile (213520) at $15.95
 
3- Ballast Stone Shiraz 2009 from Australia (167064) at $18.95
 
 
My wine picks from this New Release for your considerations;
 
Red Wines;
 
1- Nk’Mip Qwam Qwmt Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from British Columbia (303719) at $28.95
 
2- Cliff Lede Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from California (014217) at $74.95
 
3- Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 from California (186171) at $29.95
 
4- Dunn Vineyards Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from California (193763) at $99.95
 
5- Joseph Phelps Insignia 2008 from California (710400) at $224.95
 
6- Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from California (118695) at $38.95
 
7- Catena Zapata Nicolas Catena Zapata 2008 from Argentina (662072) at $109.95
 
8- Arboleda Carmenère 2010 from Chile (046284) at $19.95
 
9- Santa Carolina Specialties Dry Farming Carignan 2009 from Chile (213520) at $15.95
 
10-Concha Y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from Chile (315176) at $79.95
 
11-Ballast Stone Shiraz 2009 from Australia (167064) at $18.95
 
12-Elderton Command Single Vineyard Shiraz 2008 from Australia (716142) at $89.95
 
13-Hardys HRB D641 Heritage Reserve Bin Shiraz 2007 from Australia (289934) at $35.95
 
14-Kilikanoon Green’s Vineyard Shiraz 2009 from Australia (006007) at $74.95
 
15-Massena The Eleventh Hour Shiraz 2006 from Australia (039073) at $48.95
 
16-Penfold Bin 128 Shiraz 2010 from Australia (509919) at $36.95
 
17-Peter Lehmann The Futures Shiraz 2008 from Australia (606780) at $24.95
 
18-Yalumba The Octavius Old Vines Shiraz 2006 from Australia (449017) at $110.95
 
19-Villa Ponciago La Réserve Fleurie 2011 from France (299917) at $21.95
 
20-Maison Roche de Bellene Cuvée Réserve Bourgogne 2010 from France (299859) at $16.95
 
21-Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2010 from France (711317) at $89.95
 
22-Domaine Grand Veneur Clos de Sixte Lirac 2010 from France (076349) at $22.95
 
23-Domaine La Roquète Châteauneuf-Du-Pape 2009 from France (070862) at $46.95
 
24-Pierre Amadieu Romane Machotte Gigondas 2010 from France (017400) at $23.95
 
25-Canonica A Cerreto Chianti Classico Riserva 2007 from Italy (275867) at $18.95
 
26-Cennatoio Chianti Classico 2010 from Italy (232561) at $15.95
 
27-Ornellaia 2009 from Italy (722470) at $189.95
 
28-Salcheto Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2006 from Italy (685180) at $24.95
 
29-Sassicaia 2009 from Italy (480533) at $179.95
 
30-Volpaia Chianti Classico 2009 from Italy (953828) at $23.95
 
31-Brigaldara Amaronne Della Valpolicella Classico 2008 from Italy (300012) at $49.95
 
32-Musella Vigne Nuove Valpolicella Superiore 2009 from Italy (205757) at $15.95
 
 
 
White Wines;
 
1- Malivoire Moira Chardonnay 2009 from Ontario (243113) at $39.95
 
2- First Press Chardonnay 2010 from California (199810) at $19.95
 
3- Rodney Strong Reserve Chardonnay 2009 from California (210039) at $34.95
 
4- Shafer Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay 2010 from California (045583) at $62.95
 
5- Columbia Crest Grand Estates Chardonnay 2009 from Washington State (366542) at $14.95
 
6- Pewsey Vale Riesling 2011 from Australia (686600) at $19.95
 
7- Wither Hills Pinot Gris 2011 from New Zealand (214999) at $19.95
 
8- Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from South Africa (933424) at $18.95
 
9- Philippe Colin Chassagne-Montrachet Les Chaumées 1er Cru 2008 from France (299933) at $69.95
 
10-C. H. Berres Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Kabinett 2009 from Germany (207274) at $19.95
 
 
Champagne;

 
1-Charles de Cazanove 1er Cru Brut Champagne from France (299750) at $43.95
 
2-Charles Mignon Premier Cru Grande Réserve Brut Champagne from France (173484) at $47.95
 
3-Dom Pérignon Brut Rosé Champagne 2000 from France (091777) at $299.95
 
4-Krug Grande Cuvée Brut Champagne from France (038562) at $271.95
 
 
Dessert Wines;
1-Henry of Pelham Cabernet Icewine from Ontario (672402) at $39.95
 
2-Konzelmann Vidal Icewine 2009 from Ontario (167866) at $24.95
 
3-Stratus Riesling Icewine from Ontario (056671) at $39.95
 
 
That is all for me and my team. We will be back for the last New Release before the Holidays on December 8, 2012 where the feature segment is “Fine Wines for Holiday get-togethers” and “Fabulous Fizz”.
 
Cheers
Paul YWG


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