Paul's Picks from the LCBO New Release of March 17, 2012 - Intro to Spanish Wine and Interestin​g off the Beaten Track Choices

Hello to all my wine friends,


 I am back from Vancouver on such a high from all the great wines tasted at the Vancouver International Playhouse Wine Festival 2012. You can read all about it on my blog. It’s a shame my disposable income is not on par with the price of all these great wines. Looking at this New Release (NR), apart from the wines featured in the following two highlighted segments, here are a few wines I would like to bring to your attention. Starting with white wines, three great value Chardonnay from Burgundy in France; Domaine Christophe Camu Chablis 2009 (268532) at $18.95 (Unoaked), Domaine Rodet Château de Mercey Mercurey 2009 (265058) at $22.95 and Sylvaine & Alain Normand Macon La Roche-Vineuse 2010 (268946) at $17.95. Now for the red wines; Valle Reale Montepulciano D’Abbruzzo 2007 from Italy (216408) at $17.95 at this price is worth stocking up, Truchard Zinfandel 2008 from California (054858) at $25.95, an ultimate BBQ wine and finally two expensive, premium “trophy” wines; Concha Y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from Chile (315176) at $79.95, I enjoyed their new 2008 vintage at the Vancouver wine show two weeks ago, and finally Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2009 from France (711317) at $89.95 I tasted this wine in Vancouver as well and this is a stunner, worth every penny. Well lets get started with this NR.


Intro to Spanish Wine;   In the conclusion of my last newsletter, I had mentioned that I couldn’t wait to review the next NR with a promised feature section called “Signature Spanish Flavours”. It was renamed the “Flavour Fiesta Spanish Wines”, nothing to throw a party or light up fireworks, for sure. I always like Spanish wines, even more since I attended last year Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival were Spain was the theme country. This country produces so many great wines in the $20.00 to $40.00 range, but few find there way to the LCBO. If you enjoy Spanish wines the SAQ have a much better and more interesting selection. Here is my Spanish wines wish list for the LCBO; Alvaro Palacios Les Terrasses 2008, Muga Especial Reserva 2005, Telmo Rodriguez wines like Lanzaga Rioja and M2 De Matallana, Marqués De Riscal Gran Reserva 2003 to name a few. Here are the only three Spanish wines which caught my attention in this NR;

• Bodega Del Abad Dom Bueno Crianza 2001 (244699) at $14.95 – By Spanish labelling laws, Crianza must be aged for 2 years with at least 6 months in oak. This wine is made with 100% Mencia grape and ready to drink, but don’t expect a fruit bomb, this is a soft and mature wine.

• Vega Sauco Adoremus Tinta De Toro 2004 (268813) at $19.95 – This wine is new to me and one that I am the most exited to try in this NR. This wine is 100% Tinta de Toro, the local name for Tempranillo, aging took place in 50% French and 50% American oak for 18 months, than 1 year in the bottle before release. I am thinking BBQ lamb chops with mint sauce for me.

• Baron De Ley Gran Reserva 2001 from Rioja (642496) at $29.95 – By Spanish labelling laws, Gran Reserva (GR) must have a minimum aging of 5 years, at least 18 months in oak and a minimum of 3 years in bottle. In general GR wines are aromatic, elegant, smooth and spicy. I like to serve them with slightly spicy food like Indian, authentic Chinese food (not sweet) Vietnamese or Thai. This wine was available at the SAQ last fall and since I like Spanish wines and wines by Baron De Ley, knowing that it would be released in Ontario at some point, I did purchase a few bottles. Baron De Ley Gran Reserva 2001 is an excellent example of the style and you can read my review of this wine here;

http://paulnjoywine.blogspot.com/2011/11/baron-de-ley-grand-reserva-2001-rioja.html

Interesting off the Beaten Track Choices;  Time to veer off course, and to try something different. Here is my selection of either unusual grape varietals, blends or favourite grapes from lesser know region which are worth a serious considerations;

• Luigi Bosca De Sangre Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot / Syrah 2008 from Argentina (261933) at $21.95 – We are all familiar with Luigi Bosca Malbec by now, from the Maipu region of Mendoza in Argentina, this wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon at 70% with Merlot and Syrah with each 15% in a supporting role. The wine requires protein, perfect with the BBQ session coming up.

• Campbells Shiraz / Durif 2010 from Australia (271569) at $19.95 – From Campbells family owned vineyard in a cooler climate (aka better acidity) of Victoria region, this wine is a blend of Shiraz at 90% with 10% Dirif (Aussie name for Petit Sirah). To enjoy now with BBQ hamburgers, pizza,cellar 3-4 years.

• Spice Route Shiraz 2009 from South Africa (263657) at $24.95 – From the lesser known, very hot and dry region of Swartland in South Africa, this Shiraz from old bush vines is aged in French and American oak for 18 months. Cellar this full bodied Shiraz until the summer and serve with BBQ steaks or lamb.

• Burgerspital Trocken Silvaner 2010 from Germany (260273) at $16.95 – We all know of my love for Germain Riesling, how about white grape Silvaner from the Franken region of Germany. Very consistent with each vintage, expect a aromatic, crisp wine with citrus and tree fruit flavours. The bottle alone (squat bottle) makes for an interesting conversation piece. I would pair this with white fish or a vegetarian dish.

• Quinta Nova Pomares 2009 from Portugal (214007) at $16.95 – Earlier I was saying that I was excited to try a new wine. Now this wine, I had great joy with there 2008 vintage of this wine reviewed on my blog March 23, 2011. Quinta Nova Pomares 2009 is a blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinto Roriz (traditional Port grapes), with part of the blend stored in French and American oak barrels for 6 months. I would serve this wine with foods rich in flavour like Indian, Moroccan or Vietnamese.

My top three wines of this release;

1-Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2009 from France (711317) at $89.95

2-Concha Y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from Chile (315176) at $79.95
3-Baron De Ley Gran Reserva 2001 from Spain (642496) at $29.95

My top three wines for value;

1-Domaine Saint Andéol Prestige Cairanne Côte du Rhône-Villages 2009 from France (251512) at $17.95

2-Burgerspital Trocken Silvaner 2010 from Germany (260273) at $16.95
3-Valle Reale Montepulciano D’Abbruzzo 2007 from Italy (216408) at $17.95

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

Red Wines;
1-Baron De Ley Gran Reserva 2001 from Spain (642496) at $29.95
2-Taja Reserva 2006 from Spain (243329) at $14.95
3-Bodega Del Abad Dom Bueno Crianza 2001 from Spain (244699) at $14.95
4-Cain Concept The Benchland 2007 from California (590299) at $58.95 – Cellar Candidate
5-Frog’s Leap Merlot 2008 from California (707489) at $49.95
6-Geyser Peak Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from California (343467) at $21.95
7-Tim Barn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot / Cabernet Franc from California (201202) at $37.95
8-Concha Y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from Chile (315176) at $79.95 – Cellar Candidate
9-St-Hallett Blackwell Shiraz 2009 from Australia (535104) at $29.95
10-Yalumba The Menzies Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from Australia (473645) at $53.95 – Cellar Candidate
11-Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2009 from France (711317) at $89.95 – Cellar Candidate
12-Domaine St-Andéol Prestige Cairanne Côte du Rhône Villages 2009 from France (251512) at $17.95
13-Jean-Marie Arnoux Vacqueyras 2009 from France (172668) at $21.95
14-Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 2007 from Italy (512384) at $29.95
15-Piccini Chianti Classico Riserva 2007 from Italy (134791) at $18.95

White Wines;
1-Flat Rock The Rusty Shed Chardonnay 2010 from Ontario (001552) at $24.95
2-Henry of Pelham Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2010 from Ontario (268342) at $19.95
3-Chateau Montelena Chardonnay 2009 from California (701748) at $59.95
4-Simi Chardonnay 2009 from California (673806) at $19.95
5-Domaine Christophe Camu Chablis 2009 from France (268532) at $18.95
6-Domaine Rodet Château de Mercey Mercurey 2009 from France (265058) at $22.95
7-Sylvaine & Alain Normand Macon La Roche-Vineuse 2010 from France (268946) at $17.95

This is it for me and my team. I will be back for next New Release of March 31, 2012.

Cheers,
Paul YWG