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Friday, September 28, 2012

Paul's Picks from the LCBO New Release of September 29, 2012 - A Solid Selection from Tuscany and My picks for...



Hello to all my wine friends,
 
Looking at this New Release (NR) the main feature is “Tuscan Tradition”, with a very good selection, 16 new products in all, but with few bargains and a whole lot of pricey options, an interesting Australia vs. New Zealand Pinot Noir with three from each country. 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 a few whites;



·        highly rated (but not cheep) Malvasia wine, and not from Italy but from California, Palmina Larner Vineyard Malvasia Bianca 2010 (289157) at $35.95; and

·        for fans of Riesling, two of them to consider, Hoffman-Simon Piesporter Goldtropfchen Riesling Spätlese 2011 from Germany (216499) at $21.95 and from Alsace France, Trimbach Réserve Riesling 2009 (995316) at $24.95.

Now for the reds;

·       an affordable and delicious Zin and feature has "Arrive in Style" in this NR, Artezin Zinfandel 2010 from California (302943) at $21.95;

·       for fans of Barolo, here is one for your consideration Gianni Galiardo Barolo 2006 from Italy (713602) at $44.95;

·         how about a premium Malbec? Luca Malbec 2009 from Argentina (167312) at $29.95;

·         a mid-price St-Emilion from the 09 vintage, Château St. Georges 2009 from France (960310) at $34.95;and

·         a Pinot Noir from that battle between Australia and New Zealand, Carrick Pinot Noir 2009 from New Zealand (919837) at $37.95. Well now let's get started;
 

Tuscan Tradition;  I love the wines from Tuscany, one of my favourite wine regions by far. Now I can never emphasize this point enough, Italian wines and definitely wines made with Sangiovese are meant to be enjoyed with food. It’s hard to showcase just 4 wines since there are 8 wines I would recommend (4 of them on my shopping list) but here it goes;

·       Moris Morellino Di Scansano 2010 from the Toscan Coast (992560) at $18.95 – This wine is made with 100 % estate grown Morellino (local name for Sangiovese) grown in the maritime influenced region of Scansano and is my pick for the best value wine in this release.


·       Le Pupille Poggio Valente Morellino Di Scansano Riserva 2007 from the Toscan Coast (230680) at $29.95 – This wine is a blend of mostly Sangiovese with 97% and with a supporting role, Alicante at 3%. Maturation took place in French oak barrel (40% new) and 60% second use and a further 7 months in bottle before release.


·        Jacopo Biondi Santi Sassoalloro 2008 from Maremma (981407) at $35.95 –I had the opportunity to enjoy this wine a few weeks ago at a local restaurant (Bekta Fine Dining), a beautiful, well made, elegant style of Sangiovese with great aromatics. Maturation took place in French oak (Troncais) for 14 months. Could be enjoyed now (they did decant the wine for us) or cellar up to ten years. Strongly recommended.


·        Antinori Pian Delle Vigne Brunello Di Montalcino 2006 from Italy (651141) at $59.95 - Brunello is the premium Sangiovese wine from Tuscany with rigorous production rules, the wine must be 100% Sangiovese, with maximum yield of seven tons per hectare, minimum of two years in oak plus an additional four months in bottle before release, an a minimum alcohol strength of 12.5% which usually explains the high price.
 

My picks for...;  I thought that I might give you my picks by these predominant grapes or blend;

·       My Sauvignon Blanc pick:  Dog Point Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from New Zealand (677450) at $21.95 - This is the style of Sauvignon Blanc which I prefer with tropical fruit and citrus flavours with few herbaceous notes and unoak. Dog Point Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc sells out quickly every year.


·       My Pinot Noir pick:  Stonier Pinot Noir 2010 from Australia (025338) at $24.95 - Highly rated Pinot Noir from the cooler region of Victoria, this winery only makes 3 styles of wine; a Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sparkling wine. Maturation took place in French oak (approximately 10% new) for 10 months with alcohol coming in at 13.9%.


·        My Merlot pick:  Hogue Genesis Merlot 2008 from Washington State (349415) at $18.95 - Washington State has a great reputation for Merlot and Hogue Genesis Merlot 2008 is a good example of that. Don't expect a California style of Merlot here, more like a mid weight, savoury and of great value.


·         My Rhône blend pick:  La Crau De Ma Mère Châteauneuf-Du-Pape 2010 from France (941740) at $44.95 - From the highly rated 2010 Rhône vintage, La Crau De Ma Mère makes a more modern style of Châteauneuf-Du-Pape, mostly Grenache with Syrah and Mourvèdre in a supporting role.
 

My top three wines from this release;

1- La Crau De Ma Mère Châteauneuf-Du-Pape 2010 from France (941740) at $44.95

2- Tenuta Sette Ponti Oreno 2009 from Italy (735597) at $71.95

3- Poggio Al Tesoro Sondraia 2008 from Italy (292391) at $44.95
 

My top three wines for value;

1- Finca Nueva Fermentado En Barrica Blanco 2010 from Spain (280560) at $15.95

2- Artezin Zinfandel 2010 from California (302943) at $21.95

3- Moris Morellino Di Scansano 2010 from Italy (992560) at $18.95
 

My wines picks from this New Release for your considerations;

Reds Wines;

1- Dei Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2008 from Italy (285510) at $28.95

2- Antinori Pian Delle Vigne Brunello Di Montalcino 2006 from Italy (651141) at $59.95

3- Poggio Al Tesoro Sondraia 2008 from Italy (292391) at $44.95

4- Moris Morellino Di Scansano 2010 from Italy (992560) at $18.95

5- Le Pupille Poggio Valente Morellino Di Scansano Riserva 2007 from Italy (230680) at $29.95

6- Jacopo Biondi Santi Sassoalloro 2008 from Italy (981407) at $35.95

7- Ruffino Modus 2008 from Italy (912956) at $28.95

8- Tenuta Sette Ponti Oreno 2009 from Italy (735597) at $71.95

9- Stonier Pinot Noir 2010 from Australia (025338) at $24.95

10-Kooyong Estate Pinot Noir 2010 from Australia (282673) at $49.95

11-Carrick Pinot Noir 2009 from New Zealand (919837) at $37.95

12-Artezin Zinfandel 2010 from California (302943) at $21.95

13-Beaulieu Vineyard BV Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from California (987420) at $25.95

14-Elk Cove Pinot Noir 2009 from Oregon (234534) at $37.95

15-Hogue Genesis Merlot 2008 from Washington State (349415) at $18.95

16-Luca Malbec 2009 from Argentina (167312) at $29.95

17-Polkura Syrah 2009 from Chile (283978) at $23.95

18-Santa Ema Amplus One 2008 from Chile (169987) at $23.95

19-D’Arenberg The Laughing Magpie Shiraz/Viognier 2008 from Australia (936971) at $29.95

20-Shaw & Smith Shiraz 2009 from Australia (686659) at $44.95

21-Château St. Georges 2009 from France (960310) at $34.95

22-Domaine Les Grands Bois Cuvée Maximilien Cairanne 2010 from France (286336) at $21.95

23-La Crau De Ma Mère Châteauneuf-Du-Pape 2010 from France (941740) at $44.95

24-Pharus Castellano Rosso Piceno Superior 2007 from Italy (174086) at $16.95

25-Gianni Galiardo Barolo 2006 from Italy (713602) at $44.95

26-Remo Farina Le Pezze Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2009 from Italy (171587) at $33.95
 

White Wines;

1-Cave Spring Estate Bottled Cave Spring Vineyard Chardonnay 2010 from Ontario (256552) at $18.95

2-Forman Chardonnay 2010 from California (236117) at $52.95

3-Macrostie Chardonnay 2009 from California (244467) at $30.95

4-Palmina Larner Vineyard Malvasia Bianca 2010 (289157) at $35.95

5-Dog Point Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from New Zealand (677450) at $21.95

6-Trimbach Réserve Riesling 2009 from France (995316) at $24.95

7-Gilles Blanchet Pouilly-Fumé 2011 from France (141747) at $19.95

8-Hoffman-Simon Piesporter Goldtropfchen Riesling Spätlese 2011 from Germany (216499) at $21.95

9-Markus Molitor Riesling 2011 from Germany (295956) at $18.95

10-Vesevo Beneventano Falanghina 2010 from Italy (289538) at $15.95

11-Finca Nueva Fermentado En Barrica Blanco 2010 from Spain (280560) at $15.95

That is all for me and my team. We will be back for the next New Release of October 13, 2012, where the featured segments are; Australia: The scoop on 5 wineries to watch and Chile: Premium wines from perfect sites.

Cheers
Paul YWG

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