Paul's Picks from the LCBO New Release of February 18, 2012 - Popular Front / Customer Favourites and In The Sweet Zone

Hello to all my wine friends,

I was able to gather a decent list of wines from this New Release (NR) that caught my attention, most of them in the sweet zone of $15.00 to $25.00 range. Apart from the wines featured in the following two highlighted segments, here are a few other wines I would like to bring to your attention, first, a couple of reliable California Cabernet Sauvignon; McManis Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 (212126) at $19.95 and Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (331603) at $22.95 (also available in half size bottle for $12.95), definitely good wines for house party. Also from the very good 2009 Rhône Valley vintage; Domaine Les Aphillanthes Cuvée des Galets Plan de Dieu Côtes du Rhône-Village 2009 from France (252270) at $22.95 (now that is a long name), and from a winery with a leading role in the movie Sideways; Hitching Post Hometown Pinot Noir 2008 from California (256644) at $26.95. Finally, from my top three for value, a Chardonnay from Argentina worth multiple purchase Xumek Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2010 (265231) at $15.95. Well lets get started.

Popular Front / Customer Favourites;  In this NR, there is a pretty decent selection of wine which have become over the years, some of Ontarions favourite wines. How popular are these wines? Some people will purchase these wines by the case. Here are four wines of very good quality which should appeal to new or returning customers;

• Beronia Reserva 2006 from Rioja, Spain (050203) at $19.95 - Of all 22 wines featured in this section, this is the wine I am the most excited about. A blend of 90% Tempranillo, 5% Mazuelo and 5% Graciano, aging took place in mixed American and French oak for 18 months. A favourite of mine, I expect it will sell out pretty quickly.

• Masi Brolo Di Campofiorin 2007 from Veneto, Italy (976092) at $24.95 - This Ripasso style wine (sometimes call baby Amarone) is a blend of the usual Veneto grapes of 70% Corvina, 25% Rondinella and 5% Molinara, aging took place in a combination of French and Slovenian oak barrels for 18 months.

• Pirramimma Shiraz 2009 from McLaren Vale, Australia (987784) at $26.95 - This Shiraz from Pirramimma is always very good, the last vintage released at the LCBO was the 2006 vintage, last February 5, 2011 (I am not to sure what append to the 2007-2008 vintage) I gave it 92 points on WineAlign. My final comment was "yummy", unfortunately the price went up by $3.00 since the 2006 vintage.

• Duckhorn Merlot 2009 from Napa Valley, California (992529) at $56.95 - Life would be so wonderful, if I could afford this wine as my house wine. A blend of mostly Merlot with 84% with Cabernet Sauvignon at 10% and Cabernet Franc at 6% adding texture and complexity to the overall package. Ageing took place in 100% French oak barrels (25% new and 75% second vintage) for 15 months. This price of this wine is a little steep, but people who will purchase this Merlot should not be disappointed.

In The Sweet Zone;  I have had many requests to feature more wines which I will call "Sweet Zone" wines between $15.00 to $25.00. My concern, sometimes red wines at the lower end (around $15.00) are often to sweet. Here are a few dry (not sweet), food friendly, well priced wines for you to consider;

• Helfrich Pinot Gris 2010 from Alsace, France (141788) at $14.95;  If you are looking for an off-dry, well priced wine to pair with spicy Thai or Indian food or to serve as an aperitif wine, this wine should definitely be considered.

• Bodegas Lan Crianza 2007 from Rioja, Spain (166538) at $15.95;  This is another well priced, ready to enjoy, easy drinking 100% Tempranillo aged 12 months in French and American oak. This wine would be great served with appetizers, cheese platter or veal.

• Santa Rita Medalla Real Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from Maipo Valley, Chile (275594) at $19.95;  This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon wine, aged in French oak for 12 months, a big and generous red to serve with steak, hearty stews, casseroles and hard cheese.

• Tawse Sketches of Niagara Chardonnay 2009 from Niagara Peninsula, Ontario (089037) at $19.95;  This gold medal winning Chardonnay is from Tawse Winery, the winner of 2010 and 2011 Wine Access Canadian Wine Awards for the best winery of the year. This is a good opportunity to try some wines from great local talents.

My top three wines of this release;

1-Piccini Villa Al Cortile Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva 2005 from Italy (205724) at $41.95

2-Manuel Olivier Gevrey-Chambertin 2008 from France (265371) at $47.95 Cellar Candidate

3-Banfi Riserva Chianti Classico 2007 from Italy (998328) at $27.95

My top three wines for value;

1-Bodegas Lan Crianza 2007 from Spain (166538) at $15.95

2-Xumex Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2010 from Argentina (265231) at $15.95

3-Santa Rita Medalla Real Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from Chile (275594) at $19.95

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

Red Wines;

1-Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from California (331603) at $22.95

2-Masi Brolo Di Campofiorin 2007 from Italy (976092) at $24.95

3-Clos Du Val Zinfandel 2009 from California (590216) at $23.95

4-McManis Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 from California (212126) at $19.95

5-Bodegas Lan Crianza 2007 from Spain (166538) at $15.95

6-Duckhorn Merlot 2009 from California (992529) at $56.95

7-John Glaetzer John's Blend Margarete's No. 13 Shiraz 2007 from Australia (927657) at $39.95 Cellar Candidate

8-Yalumba Patchwork Shiraz 2008 from Australia (098392) at $21.95

9-Manuel Olivier Gevrey-Chambertin 2008 from France (265371) at $47.95 Cellar Candidate

10-Santa Duc Les Garancières Gigondas 2009 from France (234989) at $27.95

11-Castello Di Nipozzano Mormoreto 2008 from Italy (951210) at $59.95 Cellar Candidate

12-Piccini Villa Al Cortile Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva 2005 from Italy (205724) at $41.95

White Wines;

1-La Crema Chardonnay 2009 from California (962886) at $28.95

2-Xumek Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2010 from Argentina (265231) at $15.95

3-Rodney Strong Reserve Chardonnay 2009 from California (210039) at $34.95

4-Helfrich Pinot Gris 2010 from France (141788) at $14.95

That is it for me and my team. I will be back for next New Release of March 3, 2012. I will post my picks a few days earlier than usual as I will be attending the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival Trade Tasting March 1 & 2.

Stay tuned for a post on the Wine Festival in early March.

Cheers

Paul YWG