Paul's Picks from the LCBO Vintages New Release of May 11, 2013 - Best from the Australian Feature and Mother's Day?

Hello to all my wine friends,

Looking at this New Release (NR), I see another featured countries wine offering, that could have been much better. Also as an observation, even after having been heavily featured in March and April, the presence of wine from California is still dominating this NR offering. Oddly enough, Australia occupies the front cover of this release, in the mean time, the California offering outnumbers Australia's 17 to 12. As for the second featured story, “Rosé on the menu” I will give it a pass. I rarely enjoy rosé, in that I find that quality is often lacking and dry rosé is definitely not my thing. For fans of Italian wines, again you are in luck as this offering has many temptations. 

Now my favourite question; If I were allowed to buy only one wine from this NR, which one would that be? My answer would be; Matchbook Tinto Rey 2007 from California (317859) at $21.95. Spain meets California in this interesting blend of Tempranillo, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Graciano and Petit Syrah, a very smooth medium bodied wine ready to enjoy. 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 white wines;

• Many recommended Chardonnay's in this release are produced by Dashwood Chardonnay 2011, from New Zealand (312942), at $19.95 to Blue Mountain's Chardonnay 2011 from British Columbia (350108) at $23.95. And the always very good wines from La Crema, their 2011 Chardonnay from California (962886) at $28.95.
• For fans of Pinot Grigio, it is worth spending an extra few dollars for Tiefenbrunner Pinot Grigio 2012 from Italy (954024) at $18.95.

Now for the red wines;

• The best Baco Noir from this province in my view and previously released on September 15, 2012 (for the same price), Henry of Pelham Reserve Baco Noir 2010 from Ontario (461699) at $24.95. I have one of these in my cellar, and cannot wait to open this one over a BBQ steak this summer.
  
  
• Lighter wines are always best in the summer served slightly chilled, and this one from Veneto definitely would be a nice pick. La Montecchia Ca’Emo Colli Euganei Rosso 2009 from Italy (316141) at $18.95, a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with alcohol coming in at a modest 12.5%.
  
  
• Finally another lighter, easy drinking Côte-du-Rhône-Villages previously released on August 18, 2012, Domaine Les Grands Bois Cuvée Philippine Côte-du-Rhône-Villages 2010 from France (286344) at $19.95. I thought that the previously release price of $17.95 was a good value, to read my review follow the link here; 

http://paulnjoywine.blogspot.ca/2013/02/domaine-les-grands-bois-cuvee.html


Best from the Australian Feature; This is the annual Australia feature at Vintages (mind you that there will be a Australian White feature on August 17). Featured here are 12 wines in total, 9 reds and 3 whites from the region of Barossa, Victoria, New South Whales and Margaret River in Western Australia. As per my Australian regions of preference, I usually prefer cooler regions like Western Australia, Claire Valley, Hunter Valley, Coonawarra and Heathcote in Victoria. I do enjoy wines from the very hot regions of Barossa and McLaren Vale, but they are rarely ready upon release. They are usually big, concentrated wines which needs 5-7 years in bottle after release to be enjoyed at their best. As for my favourite Australian wine, I would say it has to be Jim Barry McRae Wood Shiraz from Claire Valley. A wine with great balance and texture and pretty consistent from vintage to vintage. Here are my top three wines picks and a non pick from this Australia feature;

• Château Tanunda Grand Barossa Shiraz 2010 from Barossa (311365) at $22.95 – A reasonably priced Shiraz for the BBQ session, a blend of Shiraz grapes from different vineyard site throughout Barossa Valley with maturation in seasoned French and American oak hogsheads for 18 months and alcohol comes in at 14.5%.
  
  
• Grant Burge The Holy Trinity Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvèdre 2010 from Barossa (236257) at $29.95 – Consistently one of Australia best Châteauneuf-du-Pape style wine, in this case a blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre with alcohol coming in at 14.5%.
  
  
• Ladies who Shoot their Lunch Shiraz 2010 from Strathbogie Ranges in Victoria (243592) at $35.95 – This is a cool climate Shiraz, full bodied wine with maturation in a combination of English oak casks, French oak hogsheads and puncheons and 1/3 in stainless steel with alcohol coming in at 14.5%. Best enjoyed after giving it 2-3 additional years in bottle.
  
  
• Stella Bella Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2009 from Margaret River (047639) at $29.95 – This would be my non pick and let me explain why. I have been following this wine for many vintages, for vintage like 2007 this wine was very good and most years the wine is consistently good, reliable and around $20.00. The last vintage (2008) was released at the LCBO for $21.90 in November of 2011, but for this 2009 vintage, the price is $29.95. Think I will pass.

Mother' Day? Every year the LCBO Vintages New Release have a Fathers’ Day feature (this year will be the June 8 NR) but what about Mothers’ Day? Mothers’ don’t drink wine? What, they drink milk with their pasta dish or tea with their filet mignon. In general, women prefer white over red and for the reds not overly tannic. Well, let me pick three wines which my mother would truly enjoy over the next few months;

• Dr. Pauly-Bergweiller Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Auslese 2010 from Germany (678011) at $29.95 – It’s no secret that generally, both women and sommeliers are fans of Rieslings. The sugar level of this Riesling Auslese is medium-sweet with alcohol coming in at 9.5% and would be a nice treat with any spicy dish like Thai, Indian or Vietnamese, sushi or a cheese platter.
  
  
• Terredora Campore Fiano Di Avellino 2009 from Campania in Italy (905596) at $23.95 – Don’t go looking for this wine in the NR booklet, you won’t find it. It is actually part of the In-store-Discovery (ISD). ISD are products released without fanfare, no mention in any booklet except for the Vintages website and these products are usually in very small quantities and only in the bigger stores. This white wine is made with 100% Fiano, maturation in a combination of stainless steel tanks (50%) and French oak barrels (50%). This is a very special and classy Italian white wine worth seeking out, only 69 cases for the whole province.
  
  
• Manzone Gramolere Barolo 2007 from Italy (318105) at $51.95 – From the region of Piedmont in Italy and my pick for the best wine from this NR. Made with 100% Nebbiolo, with alcohol coming in at 14.5% and with flavours you expect from a Barolo, like red fruit, liquorice, tar and floral notes.

My top three wines from this release;

1- Manzone Gramolere Barolo 2007 from Italy (318105) at $51.95

2- Dr. Pauly-Bergweiller Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Auslese 2010 from Germany (678011) at $29.95

3- Lazzeretti Brunello Di Montalcino 2006 from Italy (318352) at $37.95


My top three wines for value;

1- La Montecchia Ca’Emo Colli Euganei Rosso 2009 from Italy (316141) at $18.95

2- Tiefenbrunner Pinot Grigio 2012 from Italy (954024) at $18.95

3- Matchbook Tinto Rey 2007 from California (317859) at $21.95



My wine picks from this New Release for your consideration;

Red Wines;

1- Château Tanunda Grand Barossa Shiraz 2010 from Australia (311365) at $22.95

2- Grand Burge The Holy Trinity Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvèdre 2010 from Australia (236257) at $29.95

3- Ladies Who Shoot Their Lunch Shiraz 2010 from Australia (243592) at $35.95

4- Henry of Pelham Reserve Baco Noir 2010 from Ontario (461699) at $24.95

5- Matchbook Tinto Rey 2007 from California (317859) at $21.95

6- Simi Landslide Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from California (067744) at $39.95

7- La Chamiza Legend of Polo Malbec 2010 from Argentina (301267) at $18.95

8- Château de Chantegrive 2009 from France (321356) at $34.95

9- Château Tour Saint-André 2010 from France (138677) at $26.95

10-Famille Perin Les Simards Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2010 from France (005975) at $19.95 – 375 ml

11-Krastistos 2008 from Greece (067473) at $18.95

12-Manzone Gramolere Barolo 2007 from Italy (318105) at $51.95

13-Travaglini Gattinara 2007 from Italy (713354) at $29.95

14-Antonori Pian Delle Vigne Brunello Di Montalcino 2007 from Italy (651141) at $59.95

15-Lazzeretti Brunello Di Montalcino 2006 from Italy (318352) at $37.95

16-La Montecchia Ca’Emo Colli Euganei Rosso 2009 from Italy (316141) at $18.95



White Wines;

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

2- Blue Mountain Chardonnay 2011 from British Columbia (350108) at $23.95

3- Hartford Four Hearts Vineyards Chardonnay 2010 from California (095919) at $49.95

4- La Crema Chardonnay 2011 from California (962886) at $28.95

5- Dashwood Chardonnay 2011 from New Zealand (312942) at $19.95

6- Main Divide Riesling 2010 from New Zealand (309567) at $19.95

7- Domaine Serge Dagueneau & Filles Tradition Pouilly-Fumé 2011 from France (323634) at $28.95

8- Dr. Pauly-Bergweiller Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Auslese 2010 from Germany (678011) at $29.95

9- Tiefenbrunner Pinot Grigio 2012 from Italy (954024) at $18.95

10-Terredora Campore Fiano Di Avellino 2009 from Italy (905596) at $23.95 - In-store-Discovery 

That is all for me and my team. We will be back for the next New Release of May 25, 2013 where the featured segments are "Pinot Noir around the world" and "German Riesling: old school and new wave". I am especially excited with the German Riesling feature, hope I will not be disappointed.


Cheers
Paul YWG