Paul Picks from the LCBO New Release of October 15, 2011 - Tuscan vs. Piedmont and Pazzo Call Me Crazy

Hello to all my wine friends,

As a big fan of Italian wines, what grabbed my attention while looking at this New Release (NR) is the solid selection from Tuscany. I was also excited about a trio of wines from California; Peju Merlot 2006, Shafer One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 and Pazzo, Call Me Crazy Proprietary Red 2007 (more on this one latter). Fans of Luigi Bosca should look for their good valued Reserva 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon. Next up an Australian blend; Elderton Ode To Lorraine Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz/Merlot 2008 from Barossa Valley (976423). This wine was originally released last December 11, 2011 and is being released again this week. A wine I happened to have enjoyed this past week, you can see my review here; http://paulnjoywine.blogspot.com/2011/10/elderton-ode-to-lorraine-2008-barossa.html     So let’s get started.

Tuscan vs. Piedmont; The main feature of this NR are these two regions of Italy. Incidentally, there are only 5 wines from Piedmont and 11 from Tuscany. With the exception of Giacomo Fenocchio Bussia Barolo 2005 (232421) at $42.95, which should be strongly considered by fans of Barolo, the selection from Tuscany is far superior. Here are my top three Tuscan wines from the NR, now if you only buy one wine from this NR it should be this first one;

• Poliziano Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2007 (988055) at $25.95. From the superb 2007 Tuscan vintage and a very good producer (never had a bottle from them which I did not enjoy) Poliziano wines have lots of class, elegance, well balance and a good value, drink now or over the next 5-6 years.
• Tenuta di Nozzole La Forra Chianti Classico Riserva 2007 (177279) at $29.95 A classic Italian table wine with Sangiovese grape aged in French oak and unfiltered. Drink now or over the next 10 years.
• Poggio Verrano Chance 2005 (239707) at $33.95 a Bordeaux blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc from warmer region of Tuscany call Maremma. You should expect a wine style between Italy and California. This wine is already 6 years old, drink now or over the next little while.

Pazzo Call Me Crazy; I have enjoyed the last two or three vintages of this California – Italian inspired blend, Pazzo Call Me Crazy Proprietary Red. Pazzo means crazy in Italian, and this blend is definitely a bit crazy. A blend of 74% Sangiovese, 8% Syrah, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Syrah and 6% Viognier. All wines were aged in new and older French Oak barrels for 21 months. This wine is meant to be consumed sooner rather then later, in the first 2 or three years after it is released, this will emphasize the fruity characteristic of this blend. I have to be honest here, this is not a wine that will appeal to everyone, not everyone likes big fruity wine with high alcohol (16%), what it lacks for in elegance it more then makes up for in great aromatics, loads of flavour and a great mouthfeel. Pair with strong flavoured dishes like slow cooked stew, lamb shank and some pasta dishes. If you enjoy big, fruity new world wines but with an Italian twist try Pazzo Call Me Crazy Proprietary Red 2007 from Bacio Divino Cellars (677708) at $31.95.

My top three wines of this release;

1-Poliziano Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2007 from Italy (988055) at $25.95

2-Elderton Ode To Lorraine Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz/Merlot 2008 from Australia (976423) at $39.95

3-Michele Castellani Cinque Stelle Amaronne Della Valpolicella Classico 2006 from Italy (075127) at $52.95

My top three wines for value;

1-Montes Limited Selection Cabernet Sauvignon/Carmenère 2010 from Chile (016071) at $14.95

2-Guenoc Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from California (104240) at $17.95

3-Marchesi De’ Frescobaldi Terre More Dell’ Ammiraglia 2009 from Italy (239889) at $19.95

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

Red Wines;

1-Giacomo Fenecchio Bussia Barolo 2005 from Italy (232421) at $42.95

2-Volpaia Chianti Classico 2008 from Italy (953828) at $21.95

3-Marchesi De’ Frescobaldi Terre More Dell’ Ammiraglia 2009 from Italy (239889) at $19.95

4-Catena Alta Malbec 2008 from Argentina (982355) at $49.95

5-Peju Merlot 2006 from California (147322) at $44.95

6-Luigi Bosca Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from Argentina (128629) at $17.95

7-Montes Limited Selection Cabernet Sauvignon/Carmenère 2010 from Chile (016071) at $14.95

8-Elderton Ode To Lorraine Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz/Merlot 2008 from Australia (976423) at $39.95

White Wines;

1-Santa Barbara Wine Company Chardonnay 2009 from California (235937) at $19.95

2-Penfolds Thomas Hyland Riesling 2008 from Australia (146746) at $19.95

3-Kumeu River Village Chardonnay 2008 from New Zealand (247171) at $18.95

4-Iona Vineyards Chardonnay 2009 from South Africa (236026) at $24.95

5-Maculan Pinot Grigio 2010 from Italy (734921) at $13.95

My team and I will be back for next New Release October 29, 2011 that will feature the wines of Sonama, California and highlight great value party wines.
 
Cheers
Paul YWG