Paul Picks from the LCBO New Release of November 12, 2011 - Exciting French Reds and a Solid Italian Selection

Hello to all my wine friends,

This is the first of three massive Holiday LCBO New Release (NR) with 140 new products and 29 of them over $50.00. This is the time of the year where premium wines are sold, either as gift giving, for Holiday entertainment or simply to stock up your cellar. Apart from many great French and Italian wines here, there are a few other wines that catch my attention; From Australia, Kilikanoon Parable Shiraz 2007 (059824) at $39.95 I have never tried this wine before but love this winery and their Shiraz came highly recommended. For Napa Valley Cabernet fans, the Rubicon Estate Cask Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 (029553) availabe at $74.95, 750ml or in a half bottle at $39.95. If you are looking for a smart buy for entertaining, try the Santa Carolina Reserva De Familia Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from Chile (000612) at $17.95 I have been enjoying this wine for the last 4-5 vintage, always a fantastic value and this year 35% lighter bottle than the past. They need to be commended for this. Finally from BC, Mission Hill Quatrain 2008 (218636) at $41.95, a blend of Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Last winter the LCBO released the 2006 vintage, now the 2008 vintage is being released, although not yet offered in BC, not even at there flagship stores (Artisan Wine Shop) where the price in BC will be $45.00. Well let’s get started.

Exciting French Reds; When I prepare to write this newsletter for you, I go through the entire NR book and write down every wine which appeals to me, regardless of the price. From this NR, 31 wines made it into my list and of those 11 from France. Now here are my top four;

• Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2009 (700922) at $57.95 From Wine Spectator November 30, 2011 France’s Rhône Valley issue, le Vieux Donjon is one of there Top wines at 93 points and listed price in US dollars is $66.00 but in this market at $57.95 it is a great value for a wine of this quality.
• Château le Caillou 1998 from Pomerol in Bordeaux (045685) at $49.95 this is a great opportunity to experience a mature wine, not a great deal of fruit left at this point, more secondary aromas like earthy, leather etc, and ready to drink.
• E. Guigal Gigondas 2007 (331900) at $29.95 from the very good 2007 Rhône vintage and a top notch producer, this is a blend of Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah.
• Château Malescot St. Exupery 2008 from Margaux in Bordeaux (136630) at $64.00 not from one of those “vintage of the century”, which means that the price is more reasonable compared to the 2009 and 2010 vintages in Bordeaux. This wine is from a Third Growth Château, to fully experience a great wine like this, 2-4 years in the cellar is strongly recommended.

Solid Italian Selection; Many people enjoy the wines of Italy, like yours truly and my Italian friend Tony who enjoys Barolo and Chianti. Well here is my top four;

• Poderi Colla Bussia Dardi le Rose Barolo 2006 from Piedmont (596890) at $49.95 This Nebbiolo based wine is considered one of the best from the 2006 vintage and needs at less 3-4 years in the cellar. A Barolo for the collectors but if you are looking for a Barolo to enjoy right now consider Gemma Colarej Barolo 2006 (232447) at $34.95.
• Castello Di Querceto Chianti Classico Riserva 2007 from Tuscany (650754) at $27.95 From the very good 2007 Tuscany vintage, a complex Chianti ready to enjoy now or cellar short term 2-3 years.
• Ruffino Modus 2007 from Tuscany (912956) at $28.95 At this time last year (November 13, 2010) the 2006 vintage of this wine was released at the same price as this year. It was my first experience with Ruffino Modus but will not be the last, it is delicious rich and complex. I will definitely buy this vintage, which, I hear needs 1-2 year in your cellar.
• Villa Girardi Bure Alto Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2009 from Veneto (161844) at $17.95 Folks who enjoy there wine slightly sweet (as this wine is dry, compare to most wine which are extra dry) are likely to enjoy with a cheese platter or to sip after a meal instead of Port.

My top three wines of this release;

1-Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2009 from France (700922) at $57.95

2-Kilikanoon Parable Shiraz from Australia (059824) at $39.95

3-Rubicon Estate Cask Cabernet Sauvignon from California (029553) at $74.95 or (029553) for a 350ml bottle at $39.95

My top three wines for Holiday Gift (Around $30.00)

1-Castello Di Querceto Chianti Classico Riserva 2007 from Italy (650754) at $27.95

2-E. Guigal Gigondas 2007 from France (331900) at $29.95

3-Ruffino Modus 2007 from Italy (912956) at $28.95

My top three wines for value;

1-Delas Frères Saint-Esprit Côtes du Rhône 2009 from France (729962) at $14.95

2-Santa Carolina Reserva De Familia Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from Chile (684597) at $17.95

3-Vinum Africa Chenin Blanc 2009 from South Africa (739995) at $14.95

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

Red Wines;

1-Flat Rock Cellars Gravity Pinot Noir 2009 from Ontario (001560) at $29.95

2-Stratus Red 2008 from Ontario (131037) at $44.20

3-Borrowing Owl Syrah 2008 from British Columbia (073072) at $41.95

4-Four Vines Maverick Zinfandel 2008 from California (249300) at $27.95

5-Jonata Todos Red 2007 from California (218941) at $59.95 – Cellar Candidate

6-Rubicon Estate Cask Cabernet Sauvignon from California (029553) at $74.95

7-Montes Alpha Syrah 2009 from Chile (000612) at $19.95

8-Château le Caillou 1998 from France (045685) at $49.95

9-Château Malescot St. Exupery 2008 from France (136630) at $64.00 – Cellar Candidate

10-Château Rozier 2008 from France (024539) at $28.95

11-Maison Roche de Bellene Volnay Pitures 1er Cru 2008 from France (241083) at $44.95

12-Château de Haute-Serre Malbec 2008 from France (693952) at $23.95 – Cellar Candidate

13-Gemma Colarej Barolo 2006 from Italy (232447) at $34.95

14-Poderi Colla Bussia Dardi le Rose Barolo 2006 from Italy (596890) at $49.95 – Cellar Candidate

15-Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto 2009 from Italy (072439) at $49.95

White Wines;

1-Tawse Estate Chardonnay 2009 from Ontario (253518) 375ml at $16.95

2-Kumeu River Maté’s Vineyard Chardonnay 2008 from New Zealand (204032) at $44.95

3-Winery of Good Hope Vinum Africa Chenin Blanc 2009 from South Africa (739995) at $14.95

Dessert Wines;
1-Markus Molitor Riesling Auslese 2007 from Germany (249714) at $24.95
2-Osborne Pedro Ximenez 1827 Sweet Sherry from Spain (047944) at $17.95

My team and I will be back for the next New Release of November 26, 2011 where the main Feature is “Our Finest wines and premium spirits for holiday giving”, now this sounds expensive. Also my friend Roger will be happy to know that one of his favourite wines is back, the next vintage of BenMarco Malbec 2009 from Argentina.

Cheers
Paul YWG