Paul's Picks from the LCBO Vintages New Release of September 14, 2013

Hello to all my wine friends,

This New Release (NR) is a big moment for our local wine producers as the wines from our province of Ontario take center stage. There is no secondary feature in this NR as Ontario is the sole focus, with 23 wines being released. As for the remainder of this week’s offering, the stand out country is France; from a solid selection of 2009 Bordeaux’s, a couple of recommended 2010 Rhône blends, a red blend from the Midi and a great value Chardonnay from Burgundy. Also added for fans of full bodied Aussie Shiraz, two of them from very good producers are being released. As for the disappointment, the Italian offering leaves a lot to be desired.

 

Now my favourite question; If I were allowed to buy only one wine from this NR, which one would that be? As much as I would like to pick an Ontario wine, it’s hard for me not to ignore the very good value and quality of this Spanish beauty; Lan Gran Reserva 2005 from Spain (928622) at $27.95. Now here are a few wines I would like to bring to your attention;

Starting with white wines;

• I like cool climate, refreshing and mineral rich wines like this one; Momo Pinot Gris 2012 from New Zealand (163535) at $17.95
  
  
• Here are three recommended Chardonnays; from the mother land of Burgundy, Domaine Raphaël Sallet Mâcon Uchizy 2011 from France (130450) at $15.95, from the cooler region of Orange in New South Wales, Printhie Mountain Range Chardonnay 2011 from Australia (336701) at $19.95 and a premium full-bodied and rich Chardonnay from Sonoma County, Ramey Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2010 from California (288035) at $41.95.

Now for the red wines;

• This is my favourite premium Shiraz, - Jim Barry The McRae Wood Shiraz 2008 from Australia (737817) at $59.95. Not technically part of this NR but the LCBO In-Store-Discovery program (ISD). These products are available in limited quantities and not available in all stores. If you are interested in this Shiraz you better put on your running shoes and elbow pads as there are only 228 bottles for the entire province (38 cases of 6 bottles).

• Another full bodied Shiraz, which is strongly recommended, Penfold Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz 2010 from Australia (422782) at $34.95

• Now, for the recommended 2009 Bordeaux’s, here are three option to be considered, these three wines would be strong cellar candidates; Château D’Aiguilhe 2009 AC Côtes de Castillon (194092) at $44.85, Château Fleur Cardinale 2009 AC Saint-Émilion (197541) at $64.85 and the second wine from Château Grand-Puy-Lacaste, Lacoste Borie 2009 AC Pauillac (196493) at $38.85.

• And finally, for fans of Spanish wines, apart from Lan Gran Reserva 2005 here are two very good values to considerer; Domeco De Jarauta Lar De Sotomayor Vendimia Seleccionada 2010 from Spain (336099) at $17.95, this is a blend of mostly Tempranillo with 5% each of Mazuelo and Graciano and Ônra Negre 2009 from Spain (343079) at $16.95 a blend of Grenache, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.  

Ontario Wines; Much attention has been given to Canadian and local wines lately, from the National Wine Awards of Canada, organized by WineAlign, recently released results; to the month long promotion starting on September 15 of Ontario wines in over 130 Ontario restaurants plus LCBO stores; to the Free My Grapes movement. For fans of full bodied reds, Ontario wines can be a hard sell. As a cool climate growing region, early ripening grapes work best. Therefore when it comes to Ontario wines, competing on the world stage, focus should be given to these grapes, for whites; Riesling and Chardonnay; and reds, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc, as they perform consistently well. When it comes to Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, they need an outstanding vintage like 2010 and 2012 to fully ripen. I simply could not forgive myself if I failed to mention the excellent Icewine made in Ontario. This is one of the few wine growing regions where the grapes can naturally freeze on the vine. 

My opinion is that if you are looking for quality wines, buying local is not cheap. That being said, you may well feel better knowing that you are helping the local wine industry establish itself on the world stage. An industry that helps to employ hundreds of people who are passionate about  our local wine industry and the work they do. Here are three Ontario wines for your considerations;

• Featherstone Black Sheep Riesling 2012 from Niagara Peninsula (080234) at $16.95 – From the warm 2012 vintages, these grapes where picked three weeks early in order to retain the vibrant acidity, this Riesling is off-dry and alcohol comes in at 11%.

 

• Norman Hardie Unfiltered Chardonnay 2010 from Prince Edward County (184432) at $35.00 – The winemaking style from Norman Hardie is in making elegant wines, which allow the grapes to express their terroir. Very little new wood is used in the making of this Chardonnay and alcohol comes in at a reasonable 11.9%.

• Coyote’s Run Red Paw Vineyard Pinot Noir 2011 from Niagara Peninsula (079228) at $22.95 – One of the best Ontario Pinot Noir I have ever tasted came from this vineyard. Their 2003 Reserve Pinot Noir, was a real “barnyardy” little number, just how I like them. This Pinot Noir is medium-bodied, fruity with alcohol coming in at 13%.

               

My top three wines from this release;

1- Château Fleur Cardinale 2009 from France (197541) at $64.85

2- Jim Barry The McRae Wood Shiraz 2008 from Australia (737817) at $59.95

 

3- Lan Gran Reserva 2005 from Spain (928622) at $27.95

My top three wines for value;

1- Featherstone Black Sheep Riesling 2012 from Ontario (080234) at $16.95

2- Domeco De Jarauta Lar De Sotomayor Vendimia Seleccionada 2010 from Spain (336099) at $17.95

3- Domaine Raphaël Sallet Mâcon Uchizy 2011 from France (130450) at $15.95

My wines picks from this New Release for your consideration;

Red Wines;

1- Tawse Growers Blend Pinot Noir 2010 from Ontario (130989) at $26.95

2- Coyote’s Run Red Paw Vineyard Pinot Noir 2011 from Ontario (079228) at $22.95

3- Cooper’s Hawk Cabernet Franc Reserve 2010 from Ontario (335729) at $39.95

4- Beaulieu Vineyard George de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from California (080218) at $109.95

5- Rodney Strong Knotty Vines Zinfandel 2011 from California (363358) at $24.95

6- Shafer One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 from California (045476) at $89.95

7- Jim Barry The McRae Wood Shiraz 2008 from Australia (737817) at $59.95 (ISD)

8- Penfold Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz 2010 from Australia (422782) at $34.95

9- Wynns Coonawarra Estate The Siding Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 from Australia (333229) at $22.95

10- Château D’Aiguilhe 2009 from France (194092) at $44.85

11- Château Fleur Cardinale 2009 from France (197541) at $64.85

12- Lacoste Borie 2009 from France (196493) at $38.85

13- Alain Jaume & Fils Grande Garrigue Vacqueyras 2010 from France (233916) at $24.95

14- M. Chapoutier La Bernardine Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2010 from France (972331) at $49.95

15- Corte Pavone Brunello Di Montalcino 2007 from Italy (237263) at $49.95

16-Àlvaro Palacios Camins Del Priorat 2011 from Spain (216291) at $22.95

17-Domeco De Jarauta Lar De Sotomayor Vendimia Seleccionada 2010 from Spain (336099) at $17.95

18-Lan Gran Reserva 2005 from Spain (928622) at $27.95

19-Ônra Negre 2009 from Spain (343079) at $16.95

White Wines;

1- Featherstone Black Sheep Riesling 2012 from Ontario (080234) at $16.95

2- Flat Rock Cellars Riesling 2012 from Ontario (043281) at $16.95

3- Bachelder Niagara Chardonnay 2011 from Ontario (302083) at $29.95

4- Norman Hardie Unfiltered Chardonnay 2010 from Ontario (184432) at $35.00

5- Ramey Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2010 from California (288035) at $41.95

6- Printhie Mountain Range Chardonnay 2011 from Australia (336701) at $19.95

7- Momo Pinot Gris 2012 from New Zealand (163535) at $17.95

8- Domaine Raphaël Sallet Mâcon Uchizy 2011 from France (130450) at $15.95

That is all for me and my team. I hope you enjoy my picks this week. My team and I will be back for the next New Release of September 28, 2013 where the featured segment will be “Tuscany’s innovative IGT wines”, “Premium Chilean wines” and “Easy Thanksgiving”. Sad to say, and with some relief, my next NR newsletter will be my last. I will be moving west, to Alberta, in the next few weeks.

Cheers

Paul YWG