Baron De Ley Gran Reserva 1998, Rioja, Spain

This wine is more than a decade old and has developed a great deal of elegance and finesse. It is a blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 24 months in French and American oak followed by 5 years in bottle before being released. The wine colour is darker than I expected, very generous aromas of ripe fruit, plums, raisin, sweet spices and vanilla oak. The mouthfeel is lively and fresh with silky smooth tannins. This wine finish is smooth and very enjoyable. Great wine here at a fantastic value, strongly recommended.

This wine was purchased on July 5th, 2011 at the SAQ for $28.55

I Sodi Chianti Classico Riserva 2006, Tuscany, Italy

I have enjoyed the last two vintages of this Chianti Classico Riserva and I admit, I did enjoy this one as well, but with some reservations . It had aromas of  black cherry, blackberry, licorice and leather. the palate is light on fruit, fresh acidity and drying tannins. Not as fresh as the previous vintage, too much oak, maybe? It could have been decanted I suppose, maybe it would have been better. The finish is medium length, smooth and ends with dusty tannins.

This wine was purchased through LCBO The Classics Collection of February 2011 at $ 29.00

Paul Picks from the LCBO New Release of July 23, 2011 - Solid Italian Feature and Cool Climate Chardonnay

Hello to all my wine friends,
Usually in January, February and the summer months, the LCBO New Release (NR) selections are not as robust as the remaining big buy months. This NR surprises and offers some interesting, off the beaten path choices with some good and great values wines.

The NR guide is a good read and well put together, filled with useful information, pairing possibilities and good value wines from each feature sections. Features include; Amazing Grapes – Italian and Cool Climate Chardonnays . I am also adding my own feature, a top three under $20.00 BBQ reds, so let’s get started.

Solid Italian Feature:This section in the LCBO NR catalogue features 12 of the more then 200 grape varieties that Italians harvest. Before I get started, in general, Italian wines are better paired with food, they are made to be enjoyed this way. Italians love a little vino with their food, who can blame them? There is a solid selection of both red and white wines to considered here. Looking at the white wines, starting with the more familiar grape, from the northeast region of the country, Pinot Grigio; two solid choices here Tiefenbrunner Pinot Grigio 2010 (954024) at $17.95 and Marco Felluga Mongris Pinot Grigio 2009 (230623) at $22.95. Next grape, from the southern Italy is Greco Di Tufo, a wine to match with white fish and white meat on the BBQ, from a very good producer in Campania, Terredora Loggia Della Serra Greco Di Tufo (983197) at $17.95. Now looking at the red wines, starting from the northwest region of Italy in Piedmont is Nebbiolo the grape which makes Barbaresco and Barolo and a very good value example of this is Franco Molino Barolo 2006 (212464) at $29.95. Next is the most know and planted grape in Italy, Sangiovese. This grape is grown all over Italy, but more well known in Tuscany and is the grape of the Chianti region. Look for La Castellina Chianti Classico 2007 (223313) at $18.95, Brunello di Montalcino region, look for Il Marroneto Brunello Di Montalcino 2005 (190108) at $46.95 and Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano region and I suggest; Rocca Delle Macie Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2006 (232488) at $24.95.

Cool Climate Chardonnay: The Chardonnay grape is the most popular white grape and is grown throughout the wine world because of its early ripening nature. I generally prefer Chardonnay from cooler growing region of the world, like Ontario, cooler regions of California, Chablis, Tasmania, South Africa, Fruili region of Italy to name a few. The reason, a fresher wine with a more natural acidity. Here is a selection of five Chardonnays from cooler regions starting with; Ontario Coyote’s Run Black Paw Vineyard Chardonnay 2009 (049775) at $21.95, from South Africa Ataraxia Chardonnay 2009 (232967) at $23.95, from Tasmania in Australia Josef Chromy Chardonnay 2009 (162982) at $29.95, from Burgundy in France Jean Féry & Fils Les Nosroyes Puligny-Montrachet 2008 (243568) at $52.95 and from Friuli in Italy Jermann Chardonnay 2009 (241992) at $29.95.
For people who like to enjoy a solid California Cabernet Sauvignon, here is a re-release from last December 11, 2010 from Mount Eden Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Santa Cruz Mountains, California (031831) at $49.95, 3 dollars less than in last Decembers release.

My top three wines of this release:

1-Mount Eden Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 from California (031831) at $49.95

2-Jean Féry & Fils Les Nosroyes Puligny-Montrachet 2008 from France (243568) at $52.95

3-Il Marroneto Brunello Di Montalcino 2005 from Italy (190108) at $46.95

My top three wines for value:

1-Terredora Loggia Della Serra Greco Di Tufo from Italy (983197) at $17.95

2-Tiefenbrunner Pinot Grigio 2010 from Italy (954024) at $17.95

3-Tabali Reserva Especial Syrah 2008 from Chile (213538) at $19.95

My top three BBQ reds under $20.00:

1-Wakefield Shiraz 2009 from Australia (943787) at $17.95

2-Tabali Reserva Especial Syrah 2008 from Chile (213538) at $19.95

3-La Castellina Chianti Classico 2007 from Italy (223313) at $18.95

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

Red Wines:

1-Franco Molino Barolo 2006 from Italy (212464) at $29.95

2- Il Marroneto Brunello Di Montalcino 2005 from Italy (190108) at $46.95

3-Cantina Tollo Aldiano Montepulciano D’Abruzzo Riserva from Italy (057706) at $16.95

4-NK’MIP Qwam Qwmt Syrah 2007, from BC, Canada (230094) at $31.95

5-Balnaves Shiraz 2008 from Australia (045237) at $34.95

6-Stella Bella Shiraz 2008 from Australia (048553) at $24.95

7- Wakefield Shiraz 2009 from Australia (943787) at $17.95

8-Delas Frères Les Reinages Gigondas 2007 from France (222604) at $29.95

9-Domaine de la Presidente Nonciature Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2007 from France (237339) at $44.95

White Wines:

1-Terredora Loggia Della Serra Greco Di Tufo from Italy (983197) at $17.95

2-Coyote’s Run Black Paw Vineyard Chardonnay 2009 from Ontario, Canada (049775) at $21.95

3-Jean Féry & Fils Les Nosroyes Puligny-Montrachet 2008 from France (243568) at $52.95

4-Sattlerhof Sterische Klassik Morillon 2009 from Austria (241992) at $22.95 – Chardonnay

5-Jermann Chardonnay 2009 from Italy (241992) at $29.95

My team and I will back back for the NR of August 20, 2011, I am leaving for a little trip to Europe (NJoy some wine) next week. I will do my best to post some reviews on this blog throughout my journey.

Cheers

Paul YWG

Mount Eden Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Santa Cruz Mountains, California

I had originally purchased two bottles of this from the massive LCBO New Release of December 11, 2010. Curiously, this wine is being re-released on July 23, 2011 and (surprise) at three dollars less, I was eager to taste this wine now and wondered if I would enjoy it enough to recommend it to you.

This wine is made with 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, with Merlot at 22% and Cabernet Franc at 3%.  Each element has spent 24 months in 50% French and 50% American oak barrels, of that 1/2 new oak, with no fining or filtration and the alcohol arriving at a very respectable 13.9%.

Aromas are a little muted at first but after taking some air, an expressive nose of blackberry, plum, dried currant, sage, leather and smoke. The mouthfeel is full bodied with spicy oak, savoury flavours, fresh acidity and firm tannins. A long finish with pepper, bitter chocolate, dark fruit all wrapped up in a fine dusty tannins. This Cabernet simply getst better and better over the evening and has all the elements to be an outstanding wine in a couple of years. Will definitely buy another one, so I can try this again next year and the following year. I would suspect that the Merlot and Cabernet Franc bring a great deal of complexity to this wine, absolutely superb. Strongly recommended

This wine was purchased on December 11, 2010 LCBO New Release at $52.95.

Aia Vecchia Lagone 2007, Tuscany, Italy

This entry-level red from the sub-appellation of Maremma in Tuscany is a blend of 60% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. The nose is rich and complex with dark fruits, plums, ripe blackberry, black olives and leather. The mouthfeel is refreshing with rich concentrated ripe fruit, balance acidity and dusty tannins. The finish is average length, savoury with lingering tannins. This blend is very sophisticated, very dry and very Italian, drinking well right now, I think this will be at it's best in about a year or two, great potential.
This wine was purchased February 5, 2011 LCBO New Release at $21.95

Poplar Grove 2007 Syrah, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

Wow, talk about intense and sensuous aromatics. I could smell this all night, with complex aromas of plums, ripe cherry, blueberry, leather, earthy, smoky and vanilla. This medium to full bodied Syrah is layered with fine acidity, silky tannins and fresh fruit. The finish is long, long and long, did I say long with cedar, white pepper and ripe berry fruit, refreshing and very elegant. I first tasted this wine at an industry tasting in Victoria BC, in April 2010, a few weeks before returning to Ontario and I was not able to purchase it until returning to BC to attend the Vancouver Playhouse Wine Festival this past April (2011). It has been sold out at the winery for a while but was still available in some private wine stores, lucky for me. After tasting this wine in April of 2010, I certainly wasn't surprised to see this wine go on to win many awards, including the Lieutenant Governor's Awards for Excellence in British Columbia wines. An absolutely stunning wine.  

This wine was purchased on March 30, 2011 at Liberty Wine Merchants in Vancouver at $33.29 

Cicchitti Gran Reserva Malbec 2004, Mendoza, Argentina

The aromas on this wine are pretty muted, after 12 months in French and American oak and about 5 years in bottle; blueberry, blackberry, tobacco, leather, pencil shaving and vanilla. The mouthfeel is thick, velvety and sweet with well integrated tannins. The finish is long, with concentrated fruit and earthy. All and all, enjoyable, great with BBQ meat. Only negative, I am not a fan of synthetic cork, a wine which spends this amount of time in bottle needs a real cork or quality Stelvin cap.

This wine was purchased July 9, 2011 LCBO New Release at $21.95

Josef Chromy Pinot Noir 2009, Tasmania, Australia

Holy cow, I love a Pinot Noir that's smell a little barnyard (a common characteristic in some Pinot Noir, i.e. earthiness), its like going to the country without leaving the city. Paired right, this can add to the enjoyment of both the food and wine. This light bodied Pinot opened up with red cherry, strawberry, rhubarb, barnyard and smokiness. The mouthfeel was well balanced with lively acidity, good tension between red fruit, rhubarb and oak characteristics like tobacco leaf and smoke, plus silky smooth tannins. This wine has a complex and elegant finish. This is a Pinot Noir that strikes a good balance between fruit and earthiness, strongly recommended.

This wine was purchased on April 16, 2011 LCBO New Release at $ 27.95

Beringer Bancroft Ranch Single Vineyard Merlot 2005, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley

First, I must admit (full disclosure here), I really enjoy Merlot. The problem is, it is often difficult to find a great Merlot at our local wine store (LCBO) or wine shows, like The First Families of Wine from Australia event, where not a single Merlot was to be found. With some good fortune, this past December I purhased a Beringer Napa Valley 2006 Merlot, which I really enjoyed, this persuaded me to try there more expensive single vineyard from Howell Mountain.  Great news!  This wine opens up with great and complex aromatics; cherry, black currants, violet, chocolate, cedar, savoury spices and vanilla. The mouthfeel is rich and elegant, with concentrated fruit flavours and toasty oak with great balance between fruit, acidity and tannins. The finish is long, savoury with fine integrated tannins. A fine maturing beauty, great stuff.
This wine was purchased on March 19, 2011 LCBO New Release at $69.95

Paul Picks from the LCBO New Release of July 9, 2011 - A mix bag of BBQ reds and France vs. Italy

Hello to all my wine friends,

Looking at this New Release (NR), I don't see many white wines to be excited about, on the other hand there is one Champagne and a Sparkling wine worth considering plus many affordable red wines for summer entertaining, so let's get started.

A mix bag of BBQ reds: What I look for in a summer BBQ wine, is a wine with lots of flavour, good acidity (refreshing), low tannins, not to high in alcohol (when possible) and at a decent price. Here are a few of, mostly affordable reds for summer entertaining; first Cicchitti Gran Reserva Malbec 2004 from Argentina (155713) at $21.95 with 14.0% alc. I know that a lot of my friends cannot get enough of Malbec, Concha Y Toro Marques De Casa Concha Syrah 2008 from Chile (019042) at $19.95 with 14.5% alc. from a very reliable producer, Rodney Strong Merlot 2007 from California (497933) at $19.95 with 13.8% alc, and again, one of my overall favourite California wineries, Domaine André Aubert Visan Côtes du Rhône-Village 2009 from France (224915) at $12.95 with 14.0% alc. mostly Grenache with a splash of Syrah. Lastly, what would a BBQ be without a Zinfandel, the quintessential BBQ wine for me in this release, Redemption Zin Zinfandel 2007 from California (224147) at $21.95 with 15.7% alc. Now I know the alcohol is a little high, Zin are often high in alc. What makes this work is a ton of great fruit and good acidity produced in the cool climate of Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma.

France vs. Italy: I have many friends who are either fans of wines from France or Italy or both. In this release there are wines from both countries which deserve your attention. Starting with France, from the Rhône region, another Châteauneuf-du-Pape from the very good 2007 vintage; Domaine du Vieux Lazaret Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2007 (983650) at $33.95 and at this price a very good value. Another great wine to consider, also from the 2007 vintage is Domaine des Bosquets Gigondas 20007 (209718) at $31.95, I have had the opportunity to enjoy one of there Gigondas in the past, and I am definitely purchasing one of these. Now with Italy, all of these wines are from Tuscany starting with, Tenuta Di Ghizzano Veneroso 2007 (103218) at $29.95, an IGT blend of mostly Sangiovese with a small amount 30% of Cabernet Sauvignon, Rocca di Castagnoli Chianti Classico 2007 from Italy (228810) at $19.95, from the very good 2007 vintage, a medium body wine which you can enjoy now or cellar medium term and Vecchia Cantina Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2007 from Italy (212571) at $18.95 a Sangiovese wine with a lot of complexity and flavour for $18.95 which should sell out quickly.

My top three wines of this release:

1-Domaine du Vieux Lazaret Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2007 from France (983650) at $33.95

2-Tenata Di Ghizzano Veneroso 2007 from Italy at $29.95

3-Saltram Mamre Brook Shiraz 2008 from Australia at $24.95

My top three wines for value:

1-Vecchia Cantina Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2007 from Italy (212571) at $18.95

2-Jean-Maurice Raffault Les Galuches Chinon 2009 from France (244798) at $16.95

3-Concha Y Toro Marques De Casa Concha Syrah 2008 from Chile (019042) at $19.95

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

Red Wines:

1-Cicchitti Gran Reserva Malbec 2004 from Argentina (155713) at $21.95

2-Concha Y Toro Marques De Casa Concha Syrah 2008 from Chile (019042) at $19.95

3-Domaine du Vieux Lazaret Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2007 from France (983650) at $33.95

4-Rocca di Castagnoli Chianti Classico 2007 from Italy (228810) at $19.95

5-Lomond Syrah 2008 from South Africa (146464) at $19.95

6-Rodney Strong Merlot 2007 from California (497933) at $19.95

7-Jean-Maurice Raffault Les Galuches Chinnon 2009 from France (244798) at $16.95

8-Domaine André Aubert Visan Côtes du Rhône-Village 2009 from France (224915) at $12.95

9-Villa I Cipressi Brunello Di Montalcino from Italy (214619) at $47.95

White Wines:

1-Groth Chardonnay 2008 from California (225672) at $37.95

Sparkling or Champagne:

1-Lallier Grand Cru Grande Réserve Brut Champagne from France (225318) 375ml at $24.95

(225284) 750ml at $47.95

2-Louis Brouillot Perle D'Aurore Brut Rosé Crémant de Bourgogne from France at $18.95

My team and I will be back for next New Release of July 23, 2011

Cheers

Paul YWG

Bodegas Ramon Bilbao Edition Limitada 2007, Rioja, Spain

This Rioja is 100% Tempranillo grape which hs spent 14 months in new French and American oak barrels,followed by a year in the bottle before release. The nose is classic Rioja with fresh red berry fruit, vanilla, smoke and spices. The mouthfeel is very elegant and smooth, with ripe tannins, high acidity with cherry flavours, and some minerals. The finish is medium length, and very pleasant. A medium bodied wine which would be easy to match with pretty much any food including BBQ chicken or pork, paired with a Coq au Vin it would be fantastic.

This wine was purchased at the Vancouver Playhouse Wine Festival, April 2001 at $ 28.00

Pikes Eastside Shiraz 2008, Clare Valley, South Australia

This delicious Shiraz is deep purple colour, almost black. The nose is a little muted, with dark fruit, menthol and cedar aromas. The mouthfeel is rich and generous with loads of fruit, crisp acidity and chewy tannins. The finish of this wine is long with fine grained tannins, toasty oak characteristics and slightly hot finish (14.5% Alcohol). What it lacks in elegance it more than makes up in power.  Nice drinking wine right now, but patience will be rewarded, this wine has all the elements to be aged for 5 to 7 years it will shed some of its oak, it will reveal a more aromatic and elegant wine. Lots of potential and a very good value.

This wine was purchased June 25, 2011 LCBO New Release at $23.95

Mission Hill Oculus 2005, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

Today, I thought I would open one of Canada's best Bordeaux inspired wine, in celebration of her 144th birthday today. Mission Hill Oculus 2005 is a blend of 42% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot, the fruit is hand harvested from their Osoyoos & Oliver Vineyard in BC. Each grape is aged separately in 100% French oak barrels for 13 months. This blend is lovely to smell, with rich and complex aromas of blackberry, cherry, dark plum, green pepper. tobacco and cedar. The palate is rich and concentrated, with balanced acidity and still noticeable tannins at this point. The finish is long and powerful with grainy tannins. A very serious and delicious wine which still has a lot of life left, will wait to open my last remaining bottle in a year or two.

To all Canadians, wherever you are, Happy Canada Day, bonne fête du Canada mes amis.

This wine was purchased upon release in September of 2008 and sold in this country anywhere from $60 to $80, but has long been sold out.