Paul's Picks from the LCBO New Release of March 31, 2012 - Ready to enjoy Reds and Welcoming Spring with Refreshing White Wines

Hello to all my wine friends,

I feel like I should be thanking the LCBO for this New Release (NR), there are very few high priced temptations to fill my cellar. Actually, I am now in the market for ready to enjoy red wines (more on that later). 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 two premium full bodied Chardonnay, Amayna Estate Chardonnay 2008 from Chile (076265) at $25.95 and the other from Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Karia Chardonnay 2009 from California (054585) at $37.95. If I bought only one red from this NR, it would be Achaval Ferrer Malbec 2010 from Argentina (024737) at $23.95.  Also worth considering; a good value Shiraz from Mount Langi Ghiran Billi Billi Shiraz 2007 from Australia (719575) at $17.95, Domaine Grosset Cairanne Côtes du Rhône-Villages 2009 from France (033852) at $17.95. Finally, my pick for the best wine of this release Château Larrivet Haut-Brion 2004 from France (264283) at $48.95. Well let’s get started.

Ready to Enjoy Reds; I have an abundance of wine which needs time in the cellar, allowing them to be enjoyed at there best. What I need right now, are wines that are not to tannic, good value and ready to drink now. As many of you have told me, we are all looking for good value wines (from $15.00 to $20.00) that are easy drinking but still packing lots of flavour with good structure. Here are a few suggestions from this NR;

• Taurino Riserva Salice Salentino 2008 from Puglia, Italy (177527) at $14.95 - My second pick for best value wine; a value wine should be flawless, well balanced and a delightful drinking experience at a price that allows it to be enjoyed on a regular occasion. Just like this traditional style red blend from the region of Puglia in the south of Italy (along the heel of the boot), a blend of 80% Negroamaro and 20% Malvasia Nera. My brother says that he can eat spaghetti almost every day of the week, well Robert this is a great value Italian red wine for your spaghetti.

• La Rosa Tinto 2008 from Douro, Portugal (933101) at $19.95 - There are really good wines being made in Portugal at the moment. If you want to try something different, consider this wine made with traditional Port varieties from the older dry stone terraced vineyards at La Rosa. Maturation took place in Allier French oak casks for 12 months with alcohol coming in at 14.2%

• Tyrrell’s Rufus Stone Shiraz 2009 from Heathcote, Australia (091488) at $19.95 – Speaking of Port, I know a lot of my friends love this style of deep colour, big, rich almost jammy Shiraz from Australia. Tyrrell’s Rufus Stone Shiraz 2009 is definitely a prime example of this style, but originating from the cooler region of Heathcote, this Shiraz has better acidity, alcohol at 14.5%.

• Zuccardi Q Malbec 2009 from Mendoza, Argentina (723478) at $19.95 - The always enjoyable series Q from Zuccardi, this wine is 100% Malbec, maturation took place in French medium toasted oak barrels for 12 months plus 6 months in bottle before release. Alcohol at 14.5%

Welcoming Spring with Refreshing White Wines; Now that warmer days are around the corner, are you looking to stock up on refreshing white wines? To be refreshing, a wine should have good acidity and lower alcohol if possible. These four whites are definitely great wines for spring and summer with suggested pairings of; salads, white meat, seafood, vegetable risotto or to enjoy on their own on the patio.

• Muralhas De Monção Vinho Verde 2010 from Portugal (080374) at $14.95 – I know many people how enjoy Vinho Verde (VV). For those of you who are unfamiliar with (VV); It means green wine in Portuguese, but what it really means is young wine. VV can be either red wine, rosé but mostly a white wine and meant to be consumed within a year of bottling. Vinho Verde are from the region of Minho in the north of Portugal and white VV are usually inexpensive, low alcohol, crisp and slightly spritzy and very refreshing on a hot summer day.

• Studert-Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese 2007 from Mosel, Germany (114777) at $17.95 – In my view, there are few wines which such complex aromatics as a German Riesling. This Riesling is from the very good 2007 vintage, the sweetness level is medium, the alcohol at a low of 8.5% and for fans of German Riesling an absolute steel at $17.95.

• Momo Sauvignon Blanc 2010 from Malborough, New Zealand (009167) at $17.95 – You cannot discuss Sauvignon Blancs (SB), without talking about New Zealand. This wine is made with 100% SB grapes, tropical fruit and citrus flavours, good acidity, dry and refreshing with alcohol at 14.0%. This style of SB is better enjoyed with food like grilled chicken salad or risotto.

• Frog’s Leap Sauvignon Blanc 2010 from Napa Valley, California (966036) at $27.95 – This wine is also made with 100% SB dry-farmed, organically grown grapes and stainless-steel fermented. This wine has crisp acidity, low alcohol at 12.8% and flavours of green apple and citrus fruit. I see this wine served with grilled white fish, baby potatoes and steamed vegetables.

My top three wines of this release;

1-Château Larrivet Haut-Brion 2004 from France (264283) at $48.95

2-Achaval Ferrer Malbec 2010 from Argentina (024737) at $23.95
3-Studert-Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese 2007 from Germany (114777) at $17.95

My top three wines for value;

1-Studert-Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese 2007 from Germany (114777) at $17.95

2-Taurino Riserva Salice Salentino 2008 from Italy (177527) at $14.95
3-Muralhas De Monçao Vinho Verde 2010 from Portugal (080374) at $14.95

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

Red Wines;
1- Barossa Valley Estate Moculta Shiraz 2007 from Australia (263707) at $24.95
2- Elderton Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from Australia (009175) at $30.95
3- Gotham Old Vine Salmagundi 2008 from Australia (265942) at $29.95
4- Two Hands Bella’s Garden Shiraz 2009 from Australia (636407) at $64.95
5- Tyrrell’s Rufus Stone Shiraz 2009 from Australia (091488) at $19.95
6- Flagstone Music Room Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from South Africa (205245) at $17.95
7- Château Haut-Surget 2009 from France (268680) at $24.95 – Cellar Candidate
8- Château Larrivet Haut-Brion 2004 from France (264283) at $48.95
9- Domaine Grosset Cairanne Côtes du Rhône-Villages 2009 from France (033852) at $17.95
10-Fontanafredda Riserva Barolo 2005 from Italy (967141) at $49.95 - Cellar Candidate
11-Corte Pavone Brunello Di Montalcino 2005 from Italy (237263) at $49.95

White Wines;
1-Frog’s Leap Sauvignon Blanc 2010 from California (966036) at $27.95
2-Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Karia Chardonnay 2009, California (054585) at $37.95
3-Yalumba Viognier 2010 from Australia (954644) at $24.95
4-Momo Sauvignon Blanc 2010 from New Zealand (009167) at $17.95
5-Vincent Marie-Antoinette Chardonnay Pouilly-Fuissé 2009 from France (525113) at $26.95
6- Muralhas De Monção Vinho Verde 2010 from Portugal (080374) at $14.95

That is it for me and my team. We will be back for next New Release of April 14, 2012

Cheers,
Paul YWG