Paul's Picks from the LCBO New Release of December 10, 2011 - Argentina Malbec and Christmas Gift Ideas

Hello to all my wine friends,

Just a little over two weeks before Christmas, a bit frightening. Time is going way to fast. After going through this “Holiday Cheer” New Release, apart from my two feature segments below, (Argentina Malbec and Christmas Gift Ideas) here are a few other wines that caught my attention. I did try Mission Hill Oculus 2007 (009316) at $70.00 at the Vancouver Wine Show last April and have two in my cellar, James Suckling formally of Wine Spectator gave it 95 points last winter, the highest ever for a Canadian Wine. Additionally as a fan of Merlot, Clos Du Val Merlot 2008 from California (065730) at $27.95 a big Napa Valley Merlot at a good price. This bold and funky blend (Syrah, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Viognier), The Chocolate Block 2009 from South Africa (129353) at $39.95 would make a great conversation wine over the Holidays. And from here in Ontario, Château Des Charmes Old Vines Riesling 2008 (277228) at $16.95, a winner of the best White Wine of the year at the Ontario Wine Awards and Gold medal at the Canadian Wine Awards. Well let’s get started.

Argentina Malbec; On occasion, I choose a bottle to open based on what type of grape I want to enjoy. Malbec is one of those grapes I look for, which reminds me, I have only one left in my cellar. This New Release has four to five of those wines which are worth considering, and it is time to restock. The last two are Malbec blends;

• Cicchitti Edicion Limitada Malbec 2008 (260893) at $23.95. I have reviewed there Gran Reserva Malbec 2004 on my blog last July, this winery producers big, bold and age worthy Malbec. I have read great reviews for this wine.
• Finca El Origen Gran Reserva Malbec 2009 (065425) at $19.95. This wine is mostly Malbec at 96% with 4% Cabernet Sauvignon added, wine is aged in French oak for 13 months. The 2008 vintage of this wine, release in Ontario last May 2010 was superb and on Decanter Magazine top Malbec list. Lets hope that the bottle is not as heavy as last year.
• Vina Cobos Felino Malbec 2009 (118067) at $19.95 This wine is dry compare to the last two which were extra dry, for people who prefer there Malbec a bit sweeter.
• Benmarco Expresivo 2008 (263517) at $36.95 This is a blend of 50% Malbec, 20% Syrah, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and the remaining 15% Tannat and Petit Verdot in a supporting role. A big bold and intense blend with lots of oak
• Clos De Los Siete 2008 (622571) at $21.95 This is a blend of 56% Malbec, 21% Merlot and 11% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot. This is the seventh vintage of this wine, as become a bit commercial over the last few years but this is still a very complex wine and at great value.

Christmas Gift Ideas; Any one of these wines would make a great gift for anyone who enjoys good wine. Here are five wines at different price points to consider. Starting with the most expensive one of them;

• Château Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from California (709881) at $134.95 Way out of my budget, but definitely the best wine on this release, from the very good 2007 California vintage. A great gift for someone cellar.
• Beringer Napa Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 from California (091058) at $39.95 A very nice gift for that special someone who enjoy big Napa Cab from this solid performer that is Beringer.
• Château Ségur de Cabanac 2004 from France (243287) at $39.95 It wouldn’t be a serious Christmas list without a Bordeaux wine, love the aromatics from wines of St-Estèphe and ready to enjoy now or cellar short term.
• Ramon Bilbao Gran Reserva 2004 from Spain (244715) at $29.95 For fans of Spanish wines, another wine ready to drink or cellar medium term, blend of 90% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano and 5% Grenache and aged in American oak for 30 months.
• Markus Molitor Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese 2008 from Germany (249706) at $24.95 From the best white grape on the planet, this medium-dry, light alcohol (7.5%) Riesling would make a great gift to about anyone who enjoy a sweeter white wine. Expect lots of flavours, complexity with some minerality.

My top three wines of this release;

1-Château Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from California (709881) at $134.95 Cellar Candidate

2-Alion 2007 from Spain (199331) at $78.95 Cellar Candidate

3-Markus Molitor Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese 2008 from Germany (249706) at $24.95

My top three wines for value;

1-Château Des Charmes Old Vines Riesling 2008 from Ontario (277228) at $16.95

2-Argiolas Costera 2009 from Italy (099028) at $17.95

3-Château Rochecolombe Côte du Rhône 2009 from France (255034) at $14.95

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

Red Wines;

1-Mission Hill Oculus 2007 from British Columbia (009316) at $70.00 Cellar Candidate

2-Château Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from California (709881) at $134.95 Cellar Candidate

3-Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from California (024190) at $74.95 Cellar Candidate

4-Macrostie Wildcat Mountain Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006 from California (012740) at $38.95

5-Benmarco Expresivo 2008 from Argentina (263517) at $36.95

6-Clos De Los Siete 2008 from Argentina (622571) at $21.95

7-Vina Cobos Felino Malbec 2009 from Argentina (118067) at $19.95

8-Casa Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from Chile (947929) at $24.95

9-The Chocolate Block 2009 from South Africa (129353) at $39.95

10-Château Rochecolombe Côte du Rhône 2009 from France (255034) at $14.95

11-Pierre Amadieu Domaine Grand Romane Cuvée Prestige Gigondas 2009 from France (968693) at $27.95 Cellar Candidate

12-Tenuta Sette Ponti Grognolo 2008 from Italy (727636) at $33.95 Cellar Candidate

13-Alion 2007 from Spain (199331) at $78.95 Cellar Candidate

White Wines;

1-Château Des Charmes Old Vines Riesling 2008 from Ontario (277228) at $16.95

2-Astrolabe Voyage Sauvignon Blanc 2010 from New Zealand (010421) at $21.95

3-Domaine De Vaugondy Dry Vouvray 2010 from France (189142) at $14.95

Champagne & Sparkling Wines;

1-Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve Champagne from France (036962) at $54.95

2-R. Dumont & Fils Brut Champagne 2004 from France (246702) at $54.95

3-Roederer Estate Brut Sparkling from California (294181) at $28.95

That is it for me. Please accept my best wishes and may you all have a wonderful Christmas, a safe healthy Holiday Season and may your stockings overflow with your favourite Vino. My team and I will be back next year for the next New Release January 7, 2012.

Cheers
Paul YWG