Paul's Picks from the LCBO New Release of October 27, 2012 - Bordeaux's 2009 Vintage and My pick for...

Hello to all my wine friends,

Looking at this New Release (NR),  I was hoping for a much better selection from the featured Bordeaux. This is a much different Bordeaux release than those I witnessed in British Columbia. It was an amazing selection starting at $20.00, all the way up to Château Lafite Rothschild at almost $3000.00. Wine enthusiasts would be line up for hours before the stores opened, everyone from single collectors to restaurant buyers. When the stores would open, it would be complete chaos (certainly entertaining to witness), people rushing in, trying to locate their favourite Château. Okay, apart from the wines featured in the following two highlighted segments, here are a few wines I would like to bring to your attention.


First the white wines;

• For fans of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, here is a wine which should not disappoint, Jules Taylor Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from New Zealand (224428) at $19.95; and
  

• I am a big fan of German Riesling but this maturing Riesling from France got my attention and some terrific reviews, Preiss-Zimmer Vieilles Vignes Riesling from France (292193) at $18.95. I can’t wait to try this one.
  

Now for the red wines;

• Starting again with New Zealand, here is a nice and good valued Pinot Noir which I had tasted at the New Zealand Wine Fair, last May, here in Ottawa. Hunter’s Pinot Noir 2010 from New Zealand (586115) at $21.95. A mix of sweet and sour fruit, savoury and earthy notes framed by light tannins; and
  
• Looking for an inexpensive easy drinking wine to pair with pizza or to enjoy at a party, from the Spanish wine star Alvaro Palacios, Palacios Remondo La Vendimia 2011 from Spain (674564) at $14.95; and
  
• A superb value Brunello from the very good 2007 vintage in Tuscany, Fattoi Brunello Di Montalcino 2007 from Italy (033498) at $34.95. Well now let’s get stated;
  

Bordeaux’s 2009 Vintage; This release leaves me asking, How much space do you have in your cellar? In my case, very little. Although not all wines are meant to be aged, statistics show that most wine (more than 90%) will be consumed within 24 hours of being purchased. But in the case of Bordeaux’s 2009, these are young wines, which are well structured by long barrel fermentation with little bottle aging. These wines would most assuredly benefit from 2 plus years cellaring. I often wish that wineries would hold on to their wines until they believed that they are drinking at their best. Yes, they would be more expensive, but consumers would enjoy better tasting wine and gain a better understanding of how great these wines can be, with a little patience (aging). That being said,if you feel the need to open one of these now, make sure to decant for 1-2 hours before serving. Here are my top three 2009 Bordeaux picks from the 18 (16 reds and 2 whites) being released;

• Château Sénéjac 2009 from Haut-Médoc (193177) at $28.95 – A perennial favourite of many, this Bordeaux is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot and 10% Cabernet Franc with alcohol coming in at 13%. This wine is also available in the province of Québec (11350145) at $26.60;
  
  
• Christian Moueix Pomerol 2009 from Pomerol (903013) at $29.95 – This Merlot based wine is from the owners of Château Pétrus. In a great vintage year like 2009, this wine should represent a good value;
  
• La Dame de Malescot from Margaux (303842) at $49.95 - This is the 2^nd wine of Château Malescot St-Exupéry, a third growth Château in the Margaux appellation in Bordeaux. If you can afford their premium bottle, the price which was listed in the 2009 Bordeaux Future was $135.00
  
  

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

• My Chardonnay pick; Three Saints Chardonnay 2009 from California (297531) at $20.95 – This 100% Chardonnay is growned in one of California cooler region, Santa Maria Valley. Expect a good mixture of tree fruit and citrus fruit with good acidity, moderate alcohol at 14.1%. Maturation for 9 months in oak, which 15% was new oak.
  

• My un-oak Chardonnay pick; Simonnet-Febvre Chablis 2010 from France (041780) at $19.95 – Another 100% Chardonnay from vines with an average age of 35 years, maturation in stainless steel for 6-10 months on lees. I am a big fan of Chablis, I find them to be what I would call the “pure expression of Chardonnay”, expect vibrant acidity, citrus fruit and intriguing minerality from a mixture of soils (Kimmeridgian, Marl and Limestone).
  

• My local pick; Lailey Merlot 2010 from Ontario (591396) at $25.00 – I had the opportunity to taste some of Lailey 2010 wines at last years Ottawa Wine and Food Show (November 2011), including this Merlot. These wines were all barrel tasting (which means they had not been bottled yet), my favourite was there Cabernet Franc and this delicious, full bodied 2010 Merlot. This Merlot was fermented in small batches using three different yeast strains, including some “wild yeast”. Aging in second and third use French oak.
  

• My Shiraz pick; Wynns Coonawarra Estate Shiraz 2010 from Australia (433060) at $22.95 – I love the wines from this cooler region of Australia and especially from this producer Wynns Coonawarra Estate. I usually purchase every vintage of this Shiraz, 100% Shiraz grapes, maturation in a mixture of French and American oak for 10 months and alcohol coming in at 14%.
  
  
  
  
• My Sangiovese blend pick; Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo 2009 from Italy (727636) at $32.95 -This winery (Tenuta Sette Ponti) lies in the heart of Chianti area. Crognolo 2009 is a blend of mostly Sangiovese and a dash of Merlot. I really enjoy these two grapes and when well blended and superbly made like Crognolo, it makes for an enjoyable experience.
   

My top three wines from this release;

1- La Dame de Malescot from France (303842) at $49.95

2- I Castei Campo Casalin Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2007 from Italy (946558) at $47.95

3- Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe La Crau Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2019 from France (951475) at $79.95

My top three wines for value;

1- Palacios Remondo La Vendimia 2011 from Spain (674564) at $14.95

2- Simonnet-Febvre Chablis 2010 from France (041780) at $19.95

3- Hunter’s Pinot Noir 2010 from New Zealand (586115) at $21.95

My wines picks from this New Release for your considerations;

Red Wines;

1- Château La Croix Chaigneau 2009 from France (173278) at $23.95

2- Château Sénéjac 2009 from France (193177) at $28.95

3- Christian Moueix Pomerol 2009 from France (903013) at $29.95

4- La Dame de Malescot from France (303842) at $49.95

5- Lailey Merlot 2010 from Ontario (591396) at $25.00

6- Dunn Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 from California (296699) at $99.95

7- Chehalem 3 Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009 from Oregon (949909) at $31.95

8- Clos de Los Siete 2009 from Argentina (622571) at $21.95

9- Zuccardi Q Malbec 2010 from Argentina (723478) at $19.95

10-Howard Park Scotsdale Shiraz 2009 from Australia (923557) at $39.95

11-Langmeil Blacksmith Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from Australia (644039) at $24.95

12-Wynns Coonawarra Estate Shiraz 2010 from Australia (433060) at $22.95

13-Alpha Domus The Barnstormer Syrah 2010 from New Zealand (303396) at $22.95

14-Hunter’s Pinot Noir 2010 from New Zealand (586115) at $21.95

15-Louis Jadot Château des Jacques Morgon 2009 from France (653584) at $23.95

16-Domaine Puig-Parahy Cuvée Georges 2010 from France (171025) at $15.95

17-Domaine Cros de Romet Cairanne Côte du Rhône-Villages 2010 from France (042986) at $21.95

18-Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe La Crau Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2019 from France (951475) at $79.95

19-Fattoi Brunello Di Montalcino 2007 from Italy (033498) at $34.95

20-Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto 2010 from Italy (072439) at $47.95

21-Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo 2009 from Italy (727636) at $32.95

22-I Castei Campo Casalin Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2007 from Italy (946558) at $47.95

23-Palacios Remondo La Vendimia 2011 from Spain (674564) at $14.95

White Wines;

1- Domaine Eden Chardonnay 2009 from California (296145) at $27.95

2- Three Saints Chardonnay 2009 from California (297531) at $20.95

3- Mountadam Riesling 2010 from Australia (288266) at $24.95

4-Jules Taylor Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from New Zealand (224428) at $19.95

5-Tierhoek Chenin Blanc 2009 from South Africa (288175) at $25.95

6- Château de Cruzeau Blanc 2009 from France (966010) at $27.95

7- Preiss-Zimmer Vieilles Vignes Riesling from France (292193) at $18.95

8-Domaine Delorme et Fils Sur La Roche Pouilly-Fuissé from France (087460) at $29.95

9- Simonnet-Febvre Chablis 2010 from France (041780) at $19.95

10-Dr. Loosen Red Slate Riesling Dry 2011 from Germany (295923) at $19.95

That is all for me and my team. We will be back for the New Release of November 10, 2012 where the featured segments are; “Premium wines for the Holidays”, “Piedmont’s precious terroir” and “Our annual Holidays gift guide”.

Cheers

Paul YWG