Paul's Picks from the LCBO Vintages New Release of June 22, 2013 - Best from the Rhône offering of the 2009, 2010 and 2011 vintages and My picks for...

Hello to all my wine friends,

The main features of this NR showcases the wines from the Rhône Valley (more on this latter) with the secondary feature being the wines from South Africa, and as often is the case with the secondary feature unfortunately, the selection (6 products) is pretty un-inspiring. As for the rest of this release, when you look closer, there are a few gems spread thought this NR which are worth taking under consideration. From a strong selection of Chardonnay's, a classic Aussie Cabernet Sauvignon, a Pinot Noir from Louis Jadot and a solid Brunello from the family-owned Castello Banfi.

Now my favourite question;  If I were allowed to buy only one wine from this NR, which one would that be? Marqués De Murrieta Finca Ygay Reserva 2006 from Spain (209148) at $24.95. There is something real special about wines from Rioja in Spain. The style of wines from Marqués De Murrieta is very traditional, sensuous and very elegant. No time in your cellar, they have done all of that for you. If you have never tried a quality wine from Spain, this would be an excellent start. 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;

• There are many recommended Chardonnay's in this release, apart from the Stags' Leap Winery Chardonnay 2011, which I will talk about later, here are three which are recommended; starting with an un-oak, Flat Rock Unplugged Chardonnay 2012 from Ontario (068015) at $16.95; also from the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir specialist La Clos Jordanne, La Clos Jordanne Village Reserve Chardonnay 2010 from Ontario (033936) at $30.00 and finally Penfold Thomas Hyland Chardonnay 2012 from Australia (611228) at $19.95.

• An interesting wine and the only recommended from the South Africa feature, Avondale Cyclus 2010 from South Africa (295220) at $29.95. A blend of Viognier, Chenin Blanc, Rousanne and Sémillon.

Now for the red wines;

• Looking for a good value red blend; Alvaro Castro Red 2009 from Portugal (285288) at $16.95. A medium-body and fruity red blend of Touriga National, Alfrocheiro and Tinta-Roriz.

• As for my premium Italian picks; for fans of Barolo, Cascina Dardi Bussia Barolo 2006 from Italy (268516) at $35.95 and for fans of Sangiovese and fuller bodied Brunello, Banfi Brunello Di Montalcino 2007 from Italy (378257) at $59.95. Now let's get started;

Best from the Rhône offering of the 2009, 2010 and 2011; I like the idea of showcasing three different vintages from the same region. But to really have an idea about vintage variation it would have been more interesting to offer a vertical. For example, Domaine Saint Gayan Gigondas 2009, 2010 and 2011. The blend would have been very similar same with the maturation process. The differences would have been the three different growing seasons and the time already spent in bottles. Unless it was a very bad growing session, I usually would buy an older vintage. Most wines are usually best 7 to 10 years after the vintage year.

• Domaine Saint Gayan Gigondas 2009 from France (718221) at $29.95 - Gigondas are usually more elegant and approachable in their youth than Châteauneuf-du-Pape. This wine is a blend of 80% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre, average age of the vines are 65 years old with alcohol coming in at 13%.
•  Château Mont-Redon Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2009 from France (959627) at $39.95 - If you are looking for a more elegant style of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this one would be it. A blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 8% Mourvèdre and 2% Cinsault with alcohol coming in at 14%.

• Château La Nerthe Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2010 from France (735407) at $43.95 - Château La Nerthe are known for being a very reliable producer and this wine is a blend of 42% Grenache, 39% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre and 4% Cinsault, with maturation taking place in barrels (51%) and the remaining 49% aged in casks, alcohol comes in at 13%.

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

• My Chardonnay pick; Stags' Leap Winery Chardonnay 2011 from California (655381) at $34.95 - I rarely spend this money on a Chardonnay but after tasting at this year’s Vancouver International Wine Festival, I purchased one of these at the festival store. A beautiful, full bodied, creamy but well balanced Chardonnay. 

• My Canada Day pick; Creekside Laura's Red 2010 from Ontario (117960) at $19.95 - From the very ripe 2010 vintage here in Ontario, this wine is a blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon at 47.3% with Merlot in a strong co-star role at 37.2% with Shiraz 10.8% and Malbec 4.7% in a supporting role. A strong candidate to pair with any barbequed red meat, including hamburgers.

• My summer BBQ pick; Finca El Origen Gran Reserva Malbec 2010 from Argentina (065425) at $21.95 - This is a perennial favourite of mine, a big, luscious style of Malbec (95% Malbec, 3% Bonarda and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon) and this year a much environmentally friendly bottle. This Malbec is always delicious serve slightly chilled (a review to come in the next few days). 

• My Zin pick; Kunde Zinfandel 2008 from California (965921) at $21.95 - There is something about Zinfandel and summer which makes them such great partners. Mostly Zinfandel with a small amount of Petite Sirah and Syrah, with maturation in a combination of American, French and Hungarian oak for 19 months. This could have easily been my summer BBQ pick, ready to go.

My top three wines from this release;

1- Château La Nerthe Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2010 from France (735407) at $43.95

2- Stags' Leap Winery Chardonnay 2011 from California (655381) at $34.95

3- Cascina Dardi Bussia Barolo 2006 from Italy (268516) at $35.95

My top three wines for value;

1- Alvaro Castro Red 2009 from Portugal (285288) at $16.95

2- Domaine de la Gravelle Vieilles Vignes Muscadet Sèvre et Maine 2011 from France (322610) at $12.95

3- Poggio IL Castellare Rosso Di Montalcino 2010 (330662) at $19.95

My wine picks from this New Release for your consideration;

Red Wines;

1- Domaine Saint Gayan Gigondas 2009 from France (718221) at $29.95

2- Château Mont-Redon Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2009 from France (959627) at $39.95

3- Château La Nerthe Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2010 from France (735407) at $43.95

4- Creekside Laura's Red 2010 from Ontario (117960) at $19.95

5- Kunde Zinfandel 2008 from California (965921) at $21.95

6- Finca El Origen Gran Reserva Malbec 2010 from Argentina (065425) at $21.95

7- Concha Y Toro Marqués de Casa Concha Syrah 2009 from Chile (019042) at $19.95

8- Grant Burge Corryton Park Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from Australia (317834) at $32.95

9- The Hedonist Shiraz 2009 from Australia (090191) at $23.95

10- Château Moulin de Clotte Cuvée Dominique 2008 from France (325928) at $18.95

11- Louis Jadot Beaune Theurons 1er Cru 2010 from France (042838) at $45.95

12- Cascina Dardi Bussia Barolo 2006 from Italy (268516) at $35.95

13- Banfi Brunello Di Montalcino 2007 from Italy (378257) at $59.95

14- Poggio IL Castellare Rosso Di Montalcino 2010 (330662) at $19.95

15- Alvaro Castro Red 2009 from Portugal (285288) at $16.95

16- Marqués De Murrieta Finca Ygay Reserva 2006 from Spain (209148) at $24.95

White Wines;

1- Avondale Cyclus 2010 from South Africa (295220) at $29.95

2- Flat Rock Unplugged Chardonnay 2012 from Ontario (068015) at $16.95

3- La Clos Jordanne Village Reserve Chardonnay 2010 from Ontario (033936) at $30.00

4- Stags' Leap Winery Chardonnay 2011 from California (655381) at $34.95

5- Penfold Thomas Hyland Chardonnay 2012 from Australia (611228) at $19.95

6- Sileni Cellars Selection Pinot Gris 2012 from New Zealand (032292) at $17.95

7- Domaine Schlumber Kessler Pinot Gris from France (249623) at $25.95

8- Domaine de la Gravelle Vieilles Vignes Muscadet Sèvre et Maine 2011 from France (322610) at $12.95

That is all for me and my team. We will be back for the next New Release of July 6, 2013 where the featured segments are "A California-casual get-together" and "Perfectly pure wines" whatever that means. The New Release of July 6 will be my last newsletter, as I am preparing to move to Alberta. This should prove to be very interesting as there are no government or monopoly wine and spirit merchandisers in Alberta, all of them are privately run.

Cheers

Paul YWG