Hello to all my wine friends,
Looking at this New Release (NR), the LCBO features are; a very good selection of Southern Rhône 2010 vintage, an uninspiring selection from the Pacific Northwest (6 wines in total) and a selection of Sake. Since I am not an expert or enjoy Sake I will give it a pass. Now 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 the white wines, few of them stand out for me in this NR, but if your a fan of Riesling, 2 of them here for your consideration, Bollig-Lehnert Trittenheimer Apotheke Riesling Kabinett 2009 from Germany (284448) at $17.95 and Dr. Loosen Blue Slate Riesling Kabinett 2009 from Germany (160846) at $19.95; and for fans of Sauvignon Blanc, the always delicious and refreshing Coopers Creek Sauvignon Blanc 2010 from New Zealand (957407) at $17.95. As for the reds, for fans of California Cabernet Sauvignon, here are two mid priced treats for you, Geyser Peak Block Collection Walking Tree Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 (161323) at $28.95 and Summers Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 (279398) at $29.95; for Zin lovers, (be warned, a bit expensive) I did have the opportunity to taste Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel 2009 from California (056879) at $49.95 at the California Wine Fair here in Ottawa in March, an absolutely delicious, rich, spicy full bodied Zinfandel. I also want to highlight Due Torri Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2008 from Italy (724740) at $39.95, I know there a lot of fans of this style, including me. Now let’s get started;
Southern Rhône 2010 Vintage; Here is a pretty solid selection of wines from the very good 2010 vintage in Southern Rhône, France. Keep in mind, many of these wines are young and will improve with time in bottle. There are 13 wines being released, all red with the exception of Brotte Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2010. Many varieties of red grapes are grown in this region, the most important being Syrah and Grenache, followed up by Mourvèdre, Carignan and Cinsault in a supporting role. I love the Grenache as a grape varietal, especially those coming from southern France and Spain, as for Mourvèdre, I am not a huge fan, but in moderation 10-15%, it had color, complexity and flavour and when well blended, those wines can be quite spectacular. Here are my picks of Côtes du Rhône, Gigondas and Châteauneuf-du-Pape from this NR;
- Domaine Les Grands Bois Cuvée Les Trois Soeurs Côtes du Rhône 2010 (281147) at $16.95 – This wine is a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Carignan from 30-60 years old vines. Ready to enjoy now or short term cellar 1-2 years. Pairing possibilities, hearty winter stew, roast leg of lamb or grilled lamb shops.
- Domaine Les Grands Bois Cuvée Philippine Côtes du Rhône-Villages 2010 (286344) at $17.95 – This wine is a blend of 55% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 10% Carignan from 10-70 years old vines. A great value Rhône blend which would benefit from 2-3 years in your cellar.
- Famille Perrin Les Cornuds Vinsobres 2010 (566844) at $17.95 – This Southern Rhône 2010 vintage wouldn’t be complete without showcasing a wine from the outstanding wine produce by la Famille Perrin (makers amounts many great wine of Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape). This wine is 50/50 Grenache and Syrah blend.
- Domaine Le Clos des Cazaux La Tour Sarrasine Gigondas 2010 (279562) at $26.95 – This wine is a blend of 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre from 30-60 years old vines. Wines from the appelation of Gigondas are more elegant then their neighbour of Vacqueyras, with generally a higher portion of Grenache in the blend, as is the case here.
- Domaine du Père Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2010 (277608) at $37.95 – This wine is a blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 15% Cinsault from 45 years old (approx average). As for the ageing process, 1/3 ages in barrels and 2/3 in cement tanks for 12-18 months with bottling on the 2nd spring following the harvest. Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines often shows best 5 plus years after vintage.
My red picks for…; I thought that I might give you my picks by the predominant grapes used;
- My Cabernet Franc pick: Les Vignoles Terroirs et Lieu-Dieu de Loire Saumur-Champigny 2009 from France (662585) at $15.95 – Cabernet Franc is mostly used as a blending grape, as in Bordeaux. But Cabernet Franc on its owne is made widely in la Loire region of France and is becoming more popular in places (Canada) like Ontario and British Columbia. Interesting fact about Cabernet Franc, it is one of the parents of Cabernet Sauvignon the other being Sauvignon Blanc. Cabernet Franc is lighter in color than Cabernet Sauvignon with flavours from red and black fruit, bell pepper, cassis, peppery and floral notes. Subjective pairing, coq au vin.
- My Sangiovese pick: Altesino Rosso Di Altesino 2009 from Italy (658369) at $18.95 – This wine from Tuscany is a blend of mostly Sangiovese at 80% with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot sharing the supporting role at 20%. An everyday drinking wine to pair with pasta in a meat and / or tomato sauce.
- My Shiraz pick: Evans & Tate Metricup Road Shiraz 2009 from Australia (606905) at $19.95 – This wine is a blend of 90% Shiraz and 10% Merlot, from the very good producers Evans & Tate in the cooler region of Margaret River in Western Australia. Each grape (Shiraz and Merlot) with maturation in new and old American and French oak barrique to mature for 12-15 months. Wines from this region are more elegant and better balanced, because of its cooler climate, the wines are lower in alcohol with a better, natural acidity.
- My off the beaten path pick: Rustenberg RM Nicholson 2009 from South Africa (278390) at $19.95 – This wine is from the Stellenbosh region of South Africa and a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Shiraz, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Malbec. The primary fermentation accurred in tanks, followed by malolactic fermentation in 20% French and 80% American 2nd-fill barrels after 9 months the wine is then blended a further 7 months with oak maturation. Perfect pairing, a steak on the BBQ
My top three wines from this release;
1- Domaine du Père Pape Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2010 from France (277608) at $37.95
2- Verbena Brunello Di Montalcino 2007 from Italy (165126) at $37.95
3- Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel 2009 from California (056879) at $49.95
My top three wines for value;
1- Les Vignoles Terroirs et Lieu-Dieu de Loire Saumur-Champigny 2009 from France (662585) at $15.95
2- Altesino Rosso Di Altesino 2009 from Italy (658369) at $18.95
3- Rustenberg RM Nicholson 2009 from South Africa (278390) at $19.95
My wines picks from this New Release for your considerations;
Red Wines;
1-Domaine Les Grands Bois Cuvée Les Trois Trois Soeurs Côtes du Rhône 2010 from France (281147) at $16.95
2-Domaine Les Grands Bois Cuvée Philippine Côtes du Rhône Villages 2010 from France (186344) at $17.95
3-Famille Perrin Les Cornuds Vinsobres 2010 from France (566844) at $17.95
4-Domaine Le Clos des Cazaux La Tour Sarrasine Gigondas 2010 from France (279562) at $26.95
5-Gonnet Selection L’Olivia Gigondas 2010 from France (289306) at $23.95
6-Famille Perrin La Gille Gigondas 2010 from France (906073) at $29.95
7-Bosquet des Papes Cuvée Tradition Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2010 fromFrance (726687) at $42.95
8-Domaine du Père Pape Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2010 from France (277608) at $37.95
9-Calera Pinot Noir 2009 from California (933044) at $31.95
10-Geyser Peak Block Collection Walking Tree Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from California (161323) at $28.95
11-Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel 2009 from California (056879) at $49.95
12-Summers Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from California (279398) at $29.95
13-Deumayen Trez Reserva Malbec 2007 from Argentina (284000) at $27.95
14-Evans & Tate Metricup Road Shiraz 2009 from Australia (606905) at $19.95
15-Tar & Roses Shiraz 2010 from Australia (282731) at $21.95
16-Delta Pinot Noir 2010 from New Zealand (675231) at $23.95
17-Rustenberg RM Nicholson 2009 from South Africa (278390) at $19.95
18-Les Vignoles Terroirs et Lieu-Dieu de Loire Saumur-Champigny 2009 from France (662585) at $15.95
19-Altesino Rosso Di Altesino 2009 from Italy (658369) at $18.95
20-Cennatoio Oro Chianti Classico 2009 from Italy (121210) at $21.95
21-Renzo Masi Chianti Riserva 2008 from Italy (969469) at $15.95
22-Verbena Brunello Di Montalcino 2007 from Italy (165126) at $37.95
23-Due Torri Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2008 from Italy (724740) at $39.95
White Wines;
1-Quails’ Gate Chardonnay 2010 from British Columbia (377770) at $21.95
2-Calamus Riesling 2010 from Ontario (158642) at $16.95
3-Coquena Torrontés 2011 from Argentina (287458) at $19.95
4-Coopers Creek Sauvignon Blanc 2010 from New Zealand (957407) at $17.95
5-Southbank Chardonnay 2010 from New Zealand (278523) at $17.95
6-Bollig-Lehnert Trittenheimer Apotheke Riesling Kabinett 2009 from Germany (284448) at $17.95
7-Dr. Loosen Blue Slate Riesling Kabinett 2009 from Germany (160846) at $19.95
That is all for me and my team. We will be back for the next New Release of September 1, 2012, where the featured segments are; “Wines for an end-of summer soirée”, “Explore Sonoma’s Russian River Valley” and “Fizz for a film festival toast”.
Cheers
Paul YWG
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