Paul's Picks from the LCBO New Release of May 26, 2012 - 90 Points Wine Parade, New Discovery and Old Favourites

Hello to all my wine friends,

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. Here are three white wines under $20.00; from the producer of Seresin wines, a very good value, Momo Chardonnay 2010 from New Zealand (247247) at $17.95; for fans of a lower alcohol Riesling Kabinet, C.H. Berres Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Kabinett 2008 from Germany (207274) at $19.95; also a great wine for patio sipping and for warmer summer days the Adega Deu La Deu Alvarinho Vinho Verde 2010 from Portugal (040642) at $19.95. Now for the reds, one of the best values of the release, Di Majo Norante Ramitello 2009 from Italy (973214) at $15.95 a blend of Montepulciano and Aglianico that should be tucked away until the fall; the very traditional Vicchiomaggio Agostino Petri Chianti Classico Riserva 2008 from Italy (993360) at $19.95; and finally, here is a fine Burgundy Pinot Noir from the very good 2009 vintage Domaine des Tilleuls Clos Village Gevrey-Chambertin 2009 from France (264994) at $49.95, this Pinot Noir would benefit from 4-5 years in your cellar. Well let’s get started  

90 Points Wine Parade;  In this 90 plus wine feature of this NR, there are a total of 28 wines. I think that 90 point scores are all relative, meaning a wine I may score 90 points, someone else may appraise at a 92 or 87. What you should be looking for is consistency in the scoring, two to four reviews with similar scores. Reviewers are all looking for the same thing, varietal character, fruit/acid balance, quality of the tannins, aromatics, texture and finish. When the wine is deemed to be excellent it gets that 90 point score. Here are four of those wines for your consideration;

• Lealtanza Reserva 2005 from Spain (276097) at $19.95 – I have enjoyed some terrific Rioja lately like Allende 2006, Rioja from Spain (954560) at $24.95 from the April 28, 2012 NR. These wines are so smooth, complex and ready to drink. Lealtanza Reserva 2005 is 100% Tempranillo grapes which spent 18 months in French oak than a further 18 months in bottle before release. Three reviews read about this wine all 91 points, very consistent.

• Vasse Felix Chardonnay 2010 from Australia (903617) at $20.95 – I have met Vasse Felix, he is a very passionate winemaker, Virginia Willcock at a portfolio tasting of their wines at a private wine shop in Victoria, BC. I loved their Chardonnay, but don’t expect a big oaky, creamy, caramel type Chardonnay. This Chardonnay is more like a Sauvignon Blanc, from the cooler region of Margaret River in Western Australia, expect citrus fruit, crisp acidity and silky texture. Maturation took place in French oak for 10 months which only 34% new oak and low alcohol at 12.5%. For future reference their Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blends are also very good.

• Antinori Pian Delle Vigne Brunello Di Montalcino 2006 from Italy (651141) at $59.95 - There is something so sensuous about a well aged Brunello. Italian wine rules regulate the production of Brunello Di Montalcino, this wine is made with 100% Sangiovese grape with a minimum of two years in oak plus a minimum of four months in bottle. This wine could have easily made it into the Father’s Day gifts next NR.

• Castello Di Ama Chianti Classico 2007 from Italy (039768) at $33.95 – This was one of the wines I had the opportunity to enjoy last summer in Europe. A concentrated and powerful style of Chianti Classico with lots of cherry, spices and cedar notes. Follow the link to read my review of Castello Di Ama Chianti Classico 2007

http://paulnjoywine.blogspot.ca/2011/08/castello-di-ama-2007-chianti-classico.html

New Discovery and Old Favourites;  Here are four wines that I am going to highlight. The first two have been very well reviewed and are new to me, trying something new is always special, even better if they turn out to be fantastic. The other two highlighted wines are new vintages from a favourite of mine.

• Sequillo Cellars Red 2009 from South Africa (277996) at $29.95 – While researching for this NR, I think this to be the most interesting wine of the release, a wine I am most curious to taste. From the region of Swartland in South Africa, this wine is a blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache, Carignan and Cinsault grown in a variety of soil like granite, gravel, slate and clay. Maturation took place in French oak for 18 months, alcohol at 14.3%. As a fan of wines of great aromatics, I hear this blend is just terrific.

• Mas D’Auzières Sympathie pour les Stones 2009 from France (277046) at $19.95 – Another wine which I had never seen before, a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre from the South of France. This region makes some very interesting, unique and slightly rustic wines at good value, great for the BBQ season and served slightly chiled. The only problem is, even if this wine is listed in the NR booklet, it may not be available as per the comment in the booklet “Product Currently Not Available” What does that mean? I suppose it will become available at some point, so keep your eyes open or check back in the LCBO database over the next few months.

• Best’s Great Western Bin No. 1 Shiraz 2009 from Australia (222323) at $23.95 – I first discovered the wines from Best’s Western while living in British Columbia and really enjoyed the style of winemaking from this winery. Best’s Western is located in the cooler region of Victoria in Australia and produces Shiraz which are very attractive, elegant, not at all jammy, well balanced, with alcohol at 14.5%, good natural acidity and a flavour profile of plums peppery and spicy notes. Great wine for the BBQ season starting up.

• Mission Hill SLC Syrah 2009 from British Columbia (068379) at $37.95 - While working at the Artisan Wine Shop in Victoria, Mission Hill SLC (Select Lot Collection) Syrah was easily my favourite wine to recommend for a special dinner. From the very good 2009 vintage in the Okanagan, grapes are from the south Okanagan region of Oliver and Osoyoos where the climate is very hot and dry, ideal for the production of Syrah. Maturation taking place in French oak for 16.5 months and the alcohol is a very reasonable 13.5%. I did try this 2009 vintage at the Vancouver Wine show this year and I liked it a lot. I bought a bottle and intend to lay in down for 1-2 years for the oak to integrate with the wine, the result should make it very smooth and savoury and would make it a very good partner paired with lamb.

My top three wines from this release;
1-Rubicon Estate Cask Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from California (029553) at $74.95
2-Antinori Pian Delle Vigne Brunello Di Montalcino 2006 from Italy (651141) at $59.95
3-Sequillo Cellars Red 2009 from South Africa (277996) at $29.95

My top three wines for value;
1-Lealtanza Reserva 2005 from Spain (276097) at $19.95

2-Di Majo Norante Ramitello 2009 from Italy (973214) at $15.95
3-Momo Chardonnay 2010 from New Zealand (247247) at $17.95

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

Red Wines;
1- Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from California (232371) at $29.95
2- Ridge Lytton Springs 2009 from California (982413) at $46.95
3- Rubicon Estate Cask Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from California (029553) at $74.95
4- Di Majo Norante Ramitello 2009 from Italy (973214) at $15.95
5- Antinori Pian Delle Vigne Brunello Di Montalcino 2006 from Italy (651141) at $59.95

6- Castello Di Ama Chianti Classico 2007 from Italy (039768) at $33.95
7- Vicchiomaggio Agostino Petri Chianti Classico Riserva 2008 from Italy (993360) at $19.95 
8- Quinta Do Infantado Red 2009 from Portugal (095158) at $21.95

9- Mission Hill SLC Syrah 2009 from British Columbia (068379) at $37.95

10-La Crema Pinot Noir 2010 from California (719435) at $29.95

11-Stags’ Leap Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from California (202630) at $23.95 – 375ml

12-Barossa Valley Estate Ebenezer Shiraz 2006 from Australia (971705) at $39.95

13-Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from Australia (084996) at $24.95

14-Château Pipeau 2008 from France (138131) at $29.00

15-Domaine des Tilleuls Clos Village Gevrey-Chambertin 2009 from France (264994) at $49.95

White Wines;
1- Cave Spring CSV Riesling 2008 from Ontario (566026) at $29.95
2- Domaine Chenevières Fourchaume Chablis 1er Cru 2009 from France (277921) at $29.95

3- C.H. Berres Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Kabinett 2008 from Germany (207274) at $19.95
4- Adega Deu La Deu Alvarinho Vinho Verde 2010 from Portugal (040642) at $19.95
5- Momo Chardonnay 2010 from New Zealand (247247) at $17.95

That is it for me and my team. We will be back for next New Release of June 9, 2012 where one of the featured segments is, Father’s Day gifts. Last year Father’s Day gifts segment of June 11, 2011 was pretty solid, hoping for the same this year.

Cheers,
Paul YWG