Hello to all my wine friends,
Looking at this New Release (NR) , if California is your wine of choice, you are in luck. Another feature of this segment of the NR is Alsace wines from France. Here is a quote from John Szabo's , one of three of this countries Master of Wine, reviewing for WineAlign said , "One of the world's most distinctive wine regions, Alsace has a unique identity...says the LCBO catalogue. Agreed to be sure, it's just that Alsace's most unique wines will emphatically not be released on May 28th. I suppose the uncommonly challenging task to triangulating producer willingness, availability, price, agent competence and timing has eliminated all but a handful of rather mediocre Alsatian wines. Nobody said it was easy to buy for 10 million people, and there's no question consumers are suffering because of it." I have been saying this for a while now, too many mediocre wines are finding there way onto Vintages shelves. When consumers venture into the Vintages section, they should only find very good bottles of wine. I believe there are too many New Release events (the machine must be fed, like 24hr news shows), one per month would be enough and should eliminate many of those mediocre products from finding there way into our shelves for whatever reasons.
California Dreaming (Indeed); There are always takers for California (CA) Wines, no matter the prices. The sales of CA wines have gone through the roof in Canada, including the province of Québec, with sales of US wines in Ontario up by 21.5% over the past year to almost $71 millions dollars overtaking both France and Italy. The state of California is producing world-class wine, needed less time in the cellar with fruit forward style which appeal to a vast segment of the wine buying public. A lot of my friends, a steak and a big California Cabernet Sauvignon would make for a very enjoyable evening. Wines from CA are not always synonymous with value, as cost of making wine and real estate are certainly more expensive then say, Chile, Argentina or South Africa. There are exceptions of course, for example Grove Street Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 at $15.00 from NR of April 16, 2011 still available and great value for the money. Now in this release, here are a few of those California gems; Ridge Lytton Springs 2008 (982413) at $43.95 - blend of Zinfandel, Petit Syrah and Carignan and a wine I have been drinking for many vintages now, with a review of the 2007 vintage on my blog (April post), Duckhorn Merlot 2008 (992529) at $54.95, you try this wine once and you will be hooked, trust me, Gamble Family Vineyards Paramount 2005 (221143) at $59.95 a Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley, Villa Mt. Eden Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (706275) at $24.95 now here is a wine which should have a wide appeal, and finally Fess Parker Rodney's Vineyard Syrah 2007(232546) at $39.95 . A funny story here; I have enjoyed the last two vintages of this wine which was purchased in BC and I have read a lot of great reviews of this wine. Well, there is always an exception, I have a friend that works as a Product Consultant with the LCBO. He recently described a tasting held for all Product Consultants before this release. Their reaction to this wine was all the same, a very stinky wine. One PC referred to it as "les fesses de Parker" (ask a french speaking friend for the translation). Well, this won't deter me fron purchasing this, they could have simply had a bad bottle. When I open it and should the Bret be out of control (which is most likely due to a fault in the wine), I will definitely return it to the LCBO for a full refund or exchange.
Chenin Blanc; Which grape is the most planted in South Africa (SA)? Well, from SA Wine Industry Statistics, for the last year period ending in 2009, the answer is Chenin Blanc also referred to as Steen in SA, with a total of 282,206 tons, close second is another white grape, Colombar with 272 439 tons and a distant third is Cabernet Sauvignon at 93 852 tons. Have you ever tried a glass of Chenin Blanc? Most likely not. This is the flavour profile of Chenin Blanc; soft texture, light bodied, high-acid grape and produces dry to semisweet wines with flavour of apples, pear, guava, pineapple, honey and minerals. It is not usually meant to be aged. The Chenin Blanc grape also makes a great wine from the appelation of Vouvray in la Loire region of France. There are three Chenin Blanc up for release this week; 1-The Winery of Good Hope Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2009 (158121) at $11.95 2-Graham Beck Bowed Head Chenin Blanc 2009 (231357) $17.95 and 3-Ken Forrester Chenin Blanc 2009 (231282) at $17.95. My recommendation if you want to expand your wine horizons, try a Chenin Blanc from Ken Forrester Chenin Blanc 2009.
My top three wines from this release;
1-Duckhorn Merlot 2008 from California at $54.95
2-Gamble Family Vineyards Paramount 2005 from California at $59.95
3-Ruffino Greppone Mazzi Brunello Di Montalcino 2004 from Italy at $49.95
My top three wines for there value;
1-Winery of Good Hope Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2009 from South Africa at $11.95
2-Plunkett Fowles Stone Dwellers Merlot 2008 from Australia at $19.95
3-Villa Mt. Eden Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 from California at $24.95
These wines did not make my shopping list but are worth considering;
Red Wines;
1-Ridge Lytton Springs 2008 from California at $43.95
2-Gamble Family Vineyards Paramount 2005 from California at $59.95
3-Ruffino Greppone Mazzi Brunello Di Montalcino 2004 from Italy at $49.95
4-Ardal Crianza 2005, Ribera Del Duero, Spain at $16.95
White Wines;
1-Sanford Chardonnay 2008 from California at $26.95
2-Graham Beck Bowed Head Chenin Blanc 2009 at $17.95
Sparkling Wine;
1-Mumm Napa Rosé from California at $29.95
My team and I will be back for the next New Release of June 11, 2011, where there are usually some great wines release before Fathers Day.
Cheers,
Paul YWG
No comments:
Post a Comment