Paul Picks from the LCBO New Release of April 16, 2011 - New Zealand Wines, Petit Sirah and Kilikanoon Covenant Shiraz

Hello to all my wine friends,

A look at this release reveals wines of good value at mid-price range, which is good for your wallet, including a great deal of interesting Pinot Noir and a good selection of wines from $15.00 to $30.00. Let’s get started.

New Zealand Wines: The wines of New Zealand are one of two featured themes of this release. Now before we start, I need to vent. This year the New Zealand Wine Fair is skipping Ottawa as one of their destinations. They will be in Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto but not Ottawa. I am not sure why they missed Ottawa after having presented their wines here for the last 5 years, this is disappointing and unfortunate. Now, NZ is well known for there Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. Pinot Noir from NZ are usually of a medium body, with light berries and floral with good acidity. So here are my top wines starting with Pinot Noir. All three of these Pinots are from the cooler region of Central Otago, 1-Amisfield Pinot Noir 2008 (179754) at $44.95; (This wine needs a year or two in your cellar) 2-Carrick Pinot Noir 2007 (919837) at $34.95; this is a reliable producer who produces complex wines, ready now or hold for a few years, 3-Ant Moore Pinot Noir 2009 (220657) at $24.95; very good reviews at a great price. If I was buying only one wine from this release, it would be Craggy Range Te Kahu Gimblett Gravels Vineyard 2009 (163584) at $27.95. This is a Bordeaux blend of 80% Merlot (you know me, I like Merlot), 12% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Malbec. I love the style of this winery, I have never had a bad bottle from them. Admittedly,  I have no Sauvignon Blanc in my cellar. From the five Sauvignon Blanc available, my pick is Jules Taylor Sauvignon Blanc 2009 (224428) at $18.95.

Petit Sirah: Now Petit Sirah is not the same or related to Syrah or Shiraz. It is very popular in California, the Petit Sirah grape usually produces a wine which is almost purple, black fruit flavour, savoury character, and peppery. This wine is great for the BBQ season, paired with hamburger, sausage, steaks and lamb chops.  On my shopping list this week is Napa Ridge Petite Sirah 2007 (213686) at $19.95. I say go for it, try something new.

Kilikanoon Covenant Shiraz: Last week at the Vancouver Wine show I tasted Kilikanoon R Reserve Shiraz from Barossa Valley 2008 and Kilikanoon Covenant Shiraz 2008 from Claire Valley both $30.02 (BC price). I definitely enjoyed the Covenant much better. The Claire Valley region is cooler and produces wines with better acidity and less jammy character, this produces a more balanced wine. I managed to purchase one bottle of the Covenant 2008. Now, there seemed to have been a problem with the pricing of this wine as the agent of the winery stated that the price should have been $46.99, but the BC Liquor Store located at the show posted the price at $30.02. For once the BC price was lower than the LCBO, no a complaints from me. The LCBO is now releasing  the 2007 vintage of this wine, I have enjoyed this  vintage before (in BC) and I believe that this wine would be much better now, as it is a year older and most likely smoother. I will buy a bottle of Kilikanoon Covenant Shiraz 2007 (674747) at $39.95.

My top three wines from this release:
1- Amisfield Pinot Noir 2008 from New Zealand (179754) at $44.95
2-Craggy Range Te Kahu Gimblett Gravell Vineyard 2009 from New Zealand (163584) at $27.95
3-Carrick Pinot Noir 2007 from New Zealand (919837) at $34.95

My top three wines for there value:
1-Grove Street Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from California (161190) at $15.00
2-Ant Moore Pinot Noir 2009 from New Zealand (220657) at $24.95
3-Jules Taylor Sauvignon Blanc 2009 from New Zealand (224428) at $18.95

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

Red Wines;
1-Amisfield Pinot Noir 2008 from New Zealand (179754) at $44.95
2-Luigi Bosca Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon from Argentina (128629) at $17.95
3-Urraca Malbec 2008 from Argentina (214379) at $19.95
4-Josef Chromy Pinot Noir 2009 from Australia (163022) at $27.95
5-Wolf Blass Gold Label Shiraz from Australia (590273) at $27.95
6-Château Gigognan Vigne du Régent Châteauneuf-Du-Pape 2007 from France (219899) at $39.95
7-Villa Matilde Rocca Du Leoni Aglianico 2007 from Italy (165035) at $19.95

White Wines;
1-Featherstone Black Sheep Riesling 2009 from Ontario (080234) at $16.95
2-Beringer Chardonnay 2009 from California (084988) at $24.95

 Fortified Wine;
1-Gonzalez Byass Elegante Palomino/Pedro Ximenez Sweet Cream Sherry from Spain (196824) at $14.95

My team and I will be back for the next New Release of April 30, 2011.

Cheers,

Paul, YWG.