Paul's Picks from the LCBO New Release of November 10, 2012 - Wines Gifts and Interesting off the Beaten Track Choices

Hello to all my wine friends,

Looking at this New Release (NR), this is the first of three massive Holiday Vintage LCBO NR, although not as many pricey temptations as last year at this time. In this NR, there are 16 wines and spirits over $50.00 compare to 29 last year, my guess is the next two NR will be loaded with trophy wines. That being said, there is a very good selection in the $20.00 to $50.00 range. Included in the next three newsletters I will be adding a top three wines for Holidays gifts around, at approx the $30.00 price point. 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.

First the white wines;

·       Here are two premium Chardonnay, one from each of the two biggest wine producing region of Canada; Ontario and British Columbia. From a producer in Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, who specializes in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Le Clos Jordanne Village Reserve Chardonnay 2010 from Ontario (033894) at $30.00 and from the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, Burrowing Owl Chardonnay 2009 from British Columbia (208694) at $35.95.

·        Another Chardonnay worth considering from the region of Chablis in Burgundy, France; La Chablisienne Fourchaume Chablis 1er Crus 2010 from France (656835) at $29.95.

·       Finally, two Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand worth considering; Astrolabe Province Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from New Zealand (010421) at $21.95 and my number 1 pick for best value of this release, Eradus Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from New Zealand (225557) at $17.95.

 

Now for the red wines;

 

·       I am seriously considering splurging on this delicious Malbec from Argentina; Catena Zapata Catena Alta Malbec 2009 from Argentina (982355) at $49.95.

·       Here is a wine for those holiday get together that won't break the bank; Cicchitti Aniversario Merlot 2007 from Argentina (288167) at $17.95.

·        For fans of classic rich, full bodied Shiraz from Australia, two of them for your consideration; Saltram Mamre Brook Shiraz 2010 from Australia (032227) at $24.95 and Two Hands Bella's Garden Shiraz 2010 from Australia (636407) at $64.95.

·       If you are looking for affordable under $20.00 old world Spanish wines, here are two of them which you should be lining up for; Beronia Reserva 2007 from Spain (050203) at $18.95 and Nekes El Chaparral De Vega Sindoa Old Vines Granacha 2010 from Spain (291997) at $18.95. I am looking forward to the Old Vines Grenache myself. Now let's get started;

 

Wine Gifts; When looking for a bottle to give as a gift, look for proven producers that consistently deliver the goods. Any one of these wines would make a great gift for wine lovers on your list;

 

·       Poças Colheita Port 1994 from Portugal (216424) at $27.95 - Here an 18 years old Port which spent 14 years in oak, with alcohol coming in at 20%. Colheita is a tawny Port from a single vintage. Ready to enjoy now or after a meal with a plate of cheese, nuts and charcuterie. Once opened, a Colheita Port should last 1-2 weeks.

 

·       Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel 2010 from California (942151) at $29.95 - I love Zinfandel for its sheer peppery power, fruity and jammy flavours but I am always weary of alcohol content. I usually only buy them when they are under 15% alcohol, my favourite Zin producers are Ridge and Seghesio. Zinfandel are great wine to enjoy with any meat coming off the BBQ, pizza, or spicy food. The fruit for this bottle is from Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley, maturation taking place in 75% American (10% new) and 25% French oak (neutral) for 10 months with alcohol coming in at 14.8%.

 

·        Renato Ratti Marcenasco Barolo 2007 from Italy (713479) at $49.95 - This wine should be seriously considered for fans of Barolo. These premium wines from the region of Piedmont in northern Italy are made with 100% Nebbiolo grape (as per the DOCG rules) and are suitable for long aging. Patience here is the key, 3-5 years in your cellar and you should have an exquisite wine. Maturation in Slovenian oak and alcohol coming in at 14.5%.

 

·       Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-Du-Pape 2010 from France (700922) at $53.95 - This wine is a blend of 75% Grenache, 10% each of Mourvèdre and Syrah and 5% Cinsault with alcohol coming in at 14.5%. In my view, Le Vieux Donjon is one of the greatest Châteauneuf-Du-Pape estate. The Michel family only produce one red and one white, except for a barrel or two of special Mourvèdre rich Châteauneuf made for family and friends. Which means that virtually all of the juice from their oldest and best vines goes into their cuvée classique. This wine is also available at the SAQ in Québec (10817461) at $50.50.

 

·       Jonata Todos Red 2008 from California (218941) at $59.95 - This is one of the least expensive wines from this cult winery in Santa Barbara, a blend of mostly Syrah at 67%, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, 3% Viognier, 2% each of Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc and 1% Sauvignon Blanc (interesting), maturation for 21 months in 50% new French oak, this is a full bodied wine with alcohol at 14.7%.

 

·       Masi Serego Alighieri Vaio Armaron Amaronne Della Valpolicella Classico 2005 from Italy (462812) at $69.95 - What is more comforting and sexy on a cold winter nights then a glass of Amaronne by the fire place? Maybe Port, but my vote goes to the Amaronne. I just love the velvety texture and complex aromatics, this Amaronne is a blend of mostly Corvina with Rondinella and Molinara, maturation for 3 years in large Slovenian barrels, then 4 months in cherry wood cask, alcohol comes in at a generous 15.5% which is the norm for this style of wine.

 

 

Off the Beaten Track Choices; Time to veer off course and to try something different. Here is my selection of either unusual grape varietals, blends or favourite grapes from lesser know region which are worth a serious considerations;

 

·       Giacomo Borgogno Barbera D'Alba Superior 2010 from Italy (285486) at $19.95 - Now here is a unappreciated grape varietal, but when paired with the right food can be absolutely fantastic. The fundamental characteristics of this grape is its mixture of sweet and sour fruit and high acidity. Now, try this Barbara with an Italian pasta dish in a tomato based sauce. This wine is 100% Barbara, maturation for 12 months in oak barrels and alcohol coming in at 13.5%. This wine is also available at the SAQ in Québec (10388088) at $19.40.

 

·       Regali La Lus Albarossa 2008 from Italy (291575) at $24.95 - This wine is also from the same region (Piedmont) as the previous wine, made with the Albarossa grape, which is a cross between the fruity and high acid Barbara and the more complex, tannic and floral Nebbiolo. This wine is lighter, more feminine in style with alcohol at 13.5%.

 

·       Boekenhoutskloof The Chocolate Block 2010 from South Africa (129353) at $39.95 - I had the opportunity to enjoy a few vintage of this wine and the word chocolate is very appropriate, with texture that is full, chocolaty and slightly sweet. This 2010 vintage is a blend of Syrah at 72%, Cabernet Sauvignon at 13%, Grenache noir at 7%, Cinsault at 6% and Viognier at 2% with alcohol coming in at 14.5%.

My top three wines from this release;

1- Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-Du-Pape 2010 from France (700922) at $53.95

2- Jonata Todos Red 2008 from California (218941) at $59.95

3- Masi Serego Alighieri Vaio Armaron Amaronne Della Valpolicella Classico 2005 from Italy (462812) at $69.95

My top three wines for Holiday Gift (around $30.00);

1- Poças Colheita Port 1994 from Portugal (216424) at $27.95

2- Saltram Mamre Brook Shiraz 2010 from Australia (032227) at $24.95

3- Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel 2010 from California (942151) at $29.95

 

My top three wines for value;

1- Eradus Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from New Zealand (225557) at $17.95

2- Beronia Reserva 2007 from Spain (050203) at $18.95

3- Giacomo Borgogno Barbera D'Alba Superior 2010 from Italy (285486) at $19.95

 

My wine picks from this New Release for your considerations;

Red Wines;

1- Coyote's Run Black Paw Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009 from Ontario (116442) at $35.95

2- Inglenook Cask Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from California (029553) at $89.95

3- Jonata Todos Red 2008 from California (218941) at $59.95

4- Rodney Strong Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from California (226944) at $21.95

5- Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel 2010 from California (942151) at $29.95

6- Tertulia Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from Washington State (292276) at $33.95

7- Catena Zapata Catena Alta Malbec 2009 from Argentina (982355) at $49.95

8- Cicchitti Aniversario Merlot 2007 from Argentina (288167) at $17.95

9- Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 from Chile (322586) at $19.95

10-Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier Lieu Dit Malakoff Shiraz 2010 from Australia (290874) at $51.95

11-Two Hands Bella's Garden Shiraz 2010 from Australia (636407) at $64.95

12-Saltram Mamre Brook Shiraz 2010 from Australia (032227) at $24.95

13-Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Shiraz 2010 from Australia (018796) at $21.95

14-Vase Felix Cabernet-Merlot 2010 from Australia (947879) at $24.95

15-Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 from Australia (142398) at $25.95

16-Boekenhoutskloof The Chocolate Block 2010 from South Africa (129353) at $39.95

17-Hartenberg Shiraz 2007 from South Africa (906289) at $34.95

18-Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-Du-Pape 2010 from France (700922) at $53.95
1
9-Domaine de Longue Toque Gigondas 2010 from France (121327) at $29.95

20-Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Télégramme Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2010 from France (292722) at $46.95

21-Ornellaia Le Serre Nuove Dell'Ornellaia 2010 from Italy (606194) at $59.95

22-Masi Serego Alighieri Vaio Armaron Amaronne Della Valpolicella Classico 2005 from Italy (462812) at $69.95

23-Renato Ratti Marcenasco Barolo 2007 from Italy (713479) at $49.95

24-Giacomo Borgogno Barbera D'Alba Superior 2010 from Italy (285486) at $19.95

25-Regali La Lus Albarossa 2008 from Italy (291575) at $24.95

26-Rocca Di Castagnoli Poggio A'Frati Chianti Classico Riserva 2008 from Italy (023358) at $29.95
2
7-Quinta Dos Quatros Ventos Colheita 2008 from Portugal (902742) at $24.95

28-Alejandro Fernandez Tinto Pesquera Crianza 2009 from Spain (341461) at $26.95

29-Beronia Reserva 2007 from Spain (050203) at $18.95

30-Nekes El Chaparral De Vega Sindoa Old Vines Granacha 2010 from Spain (291997) at $18.95

White Wines;

1- Burrowing Owl Chardonnay 2009 from British Columbia (208694) at $35.95

2- Le Clos Jordanne Village Reserve Chardonnay 2010 from Ontario (033894) at $30.00

3- Landmark Overlook Chardonnay 2010 from California (356501) at $37.95

4- Yalumba Organic Viognier 2011 from Australia (288217) at $16.95

5- Cloudy Bay Chardonnay 2009 from New Zealand (359513) at $29.95

6- Astrolabe Province Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from New Zealand (010421) at $21.95

7- Eradus Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from New Zealand (225557) at $17.95

8- Kim Crawford Small Parcel The Mistress Riesling 2006 from New Zealand (090134) at $24.95

9- La Chablisienne Fourchaume Chablis 1er Crus 2010 from France (656835) at $29.95

10-Domaine Latour-Giraud Cuvée Charles Maxime Meursault 2010 from France (299784) at $44.95

11-Dopff & Irion Vorbourg Pinot Gris 2009 from France (292227) at $17.95

Fortifieds Wines;

1-Poças Colheita Port 1994 from Portugal (216424) at $27.95

2-Fonseca Guimaraens Vintage Port 2005 from Portugal (123695) at $73.95

Champagne;

1- Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage Brut Rosé Champagne 2002 from France (069831) at $87.95

2- A.R. Lenoble Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagne from France (299826) at $47.95

 

That is all for me and my team. We will be back for the New Release of November 24th, 2012 where the feature segment is “Our finest wines and premium spirits for the Holidays”. You know what this means, time to open your wallet and part with your hard earn cash.

Cheers
Paul YWG