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.
Starting with white wines;
- a very good value wine from Veneto, Adalia Singat Soave 2011 from
Italy (289603) at $13.95;
- a perennial favourite Villa Maria Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc
2011 from New Zealand (974527) at $21.95; and
- for fans of Chardonnay, a wine from a "virtual winery",
(more on that later) here in Ontario Bachelder Niagara Chardonnay 2010
from Ontario (302083) at $29.95.
Now for the reds;
- another outstanding Brunello from the 2006 vintage, Collosorbo
Brunello Di Montalcino 2006 from Italy (285742) at $49.95,
- staying with Italian wines, for fans of Amarone, the always
delicious Michelle Castellani Colle Cristi Amarone Della Valpolicella
Classico 2007 from Italy (221109) at $44.95;
- a couple of Malbecs to consider, Maipe Reserve Malbec 2010 from
Argentina (247320) at $17.95 and Luigi Bosca Single Vineyard Malbec 2009
from Argentina (074922) at $21.95;
- how about an Australian Grenache from Pirramimma Old Bush Vine
Grenache 2008 from Australia (108068) at $24.95;
- and finally a full bodied red from California, Stags’ Leap Winery
Petite Sirah 2008 from California (590356) at $44.95, which would benefit
from 2-3 years in your cellar.
Well let’s get started.
Local Talent, Ontario Wines; Ontario wines seem to be a difficult sell in its own province, compared
to it's more respected cousin, the wines of British Columbia. Residents of BC
seems to embrace their wine industry, through BC VQA wine outlets and
restaurant wine lists, much more than Ontarians (having recently lived 4 years
in BC, I can attest to that). The weather is a great deal warmer in the
Okanagan Valley, which allows them to make bigger and bolder reds. Case in
point, the LCBO, by giving the spotlight to wines of Ontario in this NR are
releasing wines better suited for cooler climate. There is no Cabernet
Sauvignon, Syrah or even Merlot being released this weekend, only cooler
climate grapes like Riesling (4 been release), Chardonnay (5), Cabernet Franc
(3), Pinot Noir (5) and 1 Baco Noir (the only full bodied Ontario red in this
NR). At this moment, I am with those who believe that Ontario and Burgundy
climates are similar, which means that Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are best suited
for the Ontario climate, Riesling is also a good fit here. But with climate
change, who knows what's in store for Ontario's winemakers, we may very well be
moving closer to a climate similar to that of Bordeaux. Here are four Ontario
wines to consider in this NR;
- 2027 Falls Vineyard Riesling 2011 VQA, Vinemount Ridge, Niagara
Peninsula (294041) at $18.95 - Don't go looking on Google Map to locate
this winery, this is one of those "virtual wineries". All you
need is the skill and passion for wine and winemaking, without having to
invest an enormous amount of money to start a winery. You buy fruit from
local farmers and lease space in a winery, to produce your own wine. This
is one of those products, made in small quantities.
- Le Clos de Jordanne Claystone Terrace Pinot Noir 2009 VQA Niagara
Peninsula, Twenty Mile Bench (033951) at $45.00 - Le Clos Jordanne
specialize in, and produce only Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. I just opened
up their 2008 vintage the other night, a more masculine Pinot Noir with
flavours of dark berry fruit, crush stone and strong minerality.
- Norman Hardie County Unfiltered Pinot Noir 2010 VQA Prince Edward
County (125310) at $35.00 - Prince Edward County is one of the youngest
wine producing regions of Ontario and one of the coolest. This Pinot Noir
is from the warmer 2010 vintage, maturation took place in 40% new oak for
10 months and alcohol coming in at a low of 12.2%.
- Henry of Pelham Reserve Baco Noir 2010 VQA Ontario (461699) at
$24.95 – By far the most full bodied red wine from Ontario in this
release. Henry of Pelham had a very good hand in making this Baco Noir.
Maturation took place in a combination of new and one/two year old
American oak for 15 months with alcohol coming in at 13.4%. This is a big,
rich and jammy autumn or winter red which calls for a BBQ steak.
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, a blend of favourite grapes from
the lesser known regions, which are worth a serious consideration;
- Ataraxia Sauvignon Blanc 2011, WO Western Cape, South Africa
(282814) at $17.95 - Here is a Sauvignon Blanc from Western Cape, which is
a cooler region of South Africa. Ataraxia specialize in, and only makes 3
wines, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and a red blend called Serenity. From
this SB expect, strong minerality and citrus fruit with alcohol coming in
at 13%.
- Pio Cesare Gavi 2011 from Italy (952523) at $19.95 – This wine is
made with 100% Cortese grape, sourced exclusively on hillside vineyards.
As for vinification; slow fermentation at low temperatures in stainless
tanks on lees for four months, as for aging; the wine is kept on stainless
steel tanks at low temperatures until March, after the harvest, when its
bottled. Best served with fish or shellfish.
- Argiolas Perdera 2009 from Italy (297556) at $17.95 – This wine is
from the island of Sardinia and is a blend of the local grape Monica at
90% with Carignano at 5% and Borale also at 5%, with alcohol coming in at
13.5%. This wine is medium bodied and would fall under the style of earthy
and spicy. This wine would pair well with a traditional pasta dish with
tomato sauce, stewed lamb or fish.
- Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet/Shiraz/Merlot 2010 from Australia
(511600) at $19.95 – I love the wines of Wynns from the Coonawarra region
of Australia, a rich and full bodied blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35%
Shiraz and 6% Merlot, alcohol coming in at 14%, maturation taking place in
French and American oak for 12 months. Ready to enjoy now with BBQ steak
or lamb chops, cellar 3-4 years.
My top three wines from this release;
1- Collosorbo Brunello Di Montalcino 2006 from
Italy (285742) at $49.95
2- Signorello Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from
California (060152) at $62.95
3- Stags’ Leap Winery Petite Sirah 2008 from
California (590356) at $44.95
My top three wines for value;
1- Adalia Singat Soave 2011 from Italy (289603) at
$13.95
2- Ataraxia Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from South Africa
(282814) at $17.95
3- Maipe Reserve Malbec 2010 from Argentina
(247320) at $17.95
My wines picks from this New Release for your
considerations;
Red Wines;
1- Henry of Pelham Reserve Baco Noir 2010 from
Ontario (461699) at $24.95
2- Le Clos de Jordanne Claystone Terrace Pinot Noir
2009 from Ontario (033951) at $45.00
3- Norman Hardie County Unfiltered Pinot Noir 2010
from Ontario (125310) at $35.00
4- Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from
California (189795) at $79.95
5- Signorello Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from
California (060152) at $62.95
6- Stags’ Leap Winery Petite Sirah 2008 from
California (590356) at $44.95
7- Summers Ranch Reserve Merlot 2008 from
California (273372) at $34.95
8- Cristom Summers Reserve Pinot Noir 2008 from
Washington State (942490) at $44.95
9- Luigi Bosca Single Vineyard Malbec 2009 from
Argentina (074922) at $21.95
10-Maipe Reserve Malbec 2010 from Argentina
(247320) at $17.95
11-Cono Sur 20 Barrels Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from
Chile (094128) at $26.95
12-Charles Cimicky The Autograph Shiraz 2008 from
Australia (027326) at $34.95
13-Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz 2009 from
Australia (422782) at $34.95
14-Pirramimma Old Bush Vine Grenache 2008 from
Australia (108068) at $24.95
15-Two Hands Lily’s Garden Shiraz 2010 from
Australia (683086) at $62.95
16-Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet/Shiraz/Merlot
2010 from Australia (511600) at 19.95
17-Villa Maria Cellar Selection Pinot Noir 2009
from New Zealand (285361) at $35.95
18-Château Philippe-Le-Hardi
Mercurey Les Puillets 1er Cru 2009 from France (295071) at $29.95
19-Domaine de la Côte de
L’Ange Châteauneuf-Du-Pape 2010 from France (074856) at $37.95
20-Famille Perrin Peyre
Blanche Cairanne Côtes du Rhône-Villages 2010 from France (650960) at $17.95
21-Argiolas Perdera 2009 from Italy (297556) at
$17.95
22-Collosorbo Brunello Di Montalcino 2006 from
Italy (285742) at $49.95
23-Le Fonti Chianti Classico 2009 (295162) at
$19.95
24-Michelle Castellani Colle Cristi Amarone Della
Valpolicella Classico 2007 from Italy (221109) at $44.95
25-Tommasi Amaronne Della Valpolicella Classico
2008 from Italy (356220) at $49.95
26-Bodegas Lan Reserva 2007 from Spain (042929) at
$21.95
White Wines;
1- 2027 Falls Vineyard Riesling 2011 from Ontario
(294041) at $18.95
2- Bachelder Niagara Chardonnay 2010 from Ontario
(302083) at $29.95
3- Lailey Chardonnay 2010 from Ontario (193482) at
$19.95
4- Dierberg Chardonnay 2008 from California
(289918) at $31.95
5- Benton-Lane Pinot Gris 2010 from Oregon State (064253)
at $24.95
6- Sol De Andes Reserva Especial Chardonnay 2009
from Chile (254326) at $17.95
7- Villa Maria Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc
2011 from New Zealand (974527) at $21.95
8- Ataraxia Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from South Africa
(282814) at $17.95
9- Rolly Gassmann Stegreben De Rorschwihr
Gewurztraminer 2009 from France (289439) at $27.95
10-Domaine La Soufrandise Clos
Marie Pouilly-Fuissé 2010 from France (042622) at $27.95
11-Pio Cesare Gavi 2011 from Italy (952523) at
$19.95
12-Adalia Singat Soave 2011 from Italy (289603) at
$13.95
Dessert Wines;
1-Château des Charmes Estate Bottled Vidal Icewine
2009 from Ontario (565861) at $25.95
2-Inniskillin Riesling Icewine 2008 from Ontario
(558288) at $69.95
That is all for me and my team. We will be back for
the next New Release of September 29, 2012, where the featured segments are;
“The Pillars of Tuscany”, “Pinot Noir; New Zealand vs. Australia” and “Perfect
Thanksgiving pairings”.
Cheers
Paul YWG
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