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Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Paul's Picks from the LCBO Vintages New Release of June 8, 2013 - Wine gifts for dad and My top three picks for value

Hello to all my wine friends,

       
Looking at this New Release (NR) I see a better selection than usual of wines under $20.00, which I know will please many of you, with few high price temptations and a few off the beaten path options. If you are a fan of Australian wines this NR is not for you, with only one OZ wine being released, a Two Hands Cabernet Sauvignon from the 2011 vintage, a baby straight out of the barrels, which means a cellar candidate. 





Now my favourite question;  If I were allowed to buy only one wine from this NR, which one would that be? Giuseppe Campagnola Le Bine Monte Foscarino Soave Classico 2011 from Italy (134551) at $13.95. With summer approaching ever so slowly, we will have more opportunities to drink white wine over the next 3-4 months. But Soave? Yes, give it a try, a beautiful complex and refreshing wine for $13.95. Here are a few wines I would like to bring to your attention;
 

Starting with white wines;

  • For fans of classic New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc; Astrolabe Province Sauvignon Blanc 2012 from New Zealand (10421) at $21.95.


  • Here is a fine Italian Pinot Grigio for summer patio sipping, Istituto Agrario San Michele All’Adige Pinot Grigio 2011 from Italy (249540) at $17.95.
 
Now for the red wines;

  • Here are two BBQ options, first a Zinfandel from California, DeLoach Zinfandel 2010 from California (149237) at $29.95 and a full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile, Urraca Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from Argentina (271080) at $19.95. In the summer don’t forget to serve slightly chilled around 16 °C to 18 °C, this will bring out the fruit and tame the alcohol and tannins.


  • Lately I have enjoyed discovering red wines from Portugal and this one is highly recommended, Quinta De Lubazim Grande Reserva 2008 from Portugal (317073) at $28.95. Now let's get started; 
 


My Father's Day wine gift ideas;  With Fathers Day fast approaching (June 16), if you are looking for a fine bottle of wine to show your appreciation to your father, here are a few recommendations. Most men that I know prefer a full bodied red wine, I have four of those wines for you to consider and I will try to cover all the bases with these three picks; a full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon blend from California; two wines from Italy; an Amarone and a Brunello. My suggestion, if your father prefers a white, how about this full bodied Chardonnay from California, Grigich Hills Estate Chardonnay 2010 from California (346304) at $54.95.
 
  • Ridge Santa Cruz Mountains Estate Cabernet/Merlot 2009 from California (89284) at $52.95 – For dad who likes them big, a blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon at 77% and in a strong supporting role Merlot at 23%, ageing for 19 months in primarily used air-dried American oak barrels (only 15% new) and alcohol comes in at 13.5%.


  • Tommasi Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2009 from Italy (356220) at $49.95 – A few years back, I developed a slight addiction to Tommasi Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2004. I keep going back to my dealer to repurchase, that wine was so good. Very consistent from vintage to vintage, as for this 2009 vintage, a blend of 50% Corvina Veronese, 30% Rondinella, 15% Corvinone and 5% Molinara, ageing took place in Slavonian oak casks and alcohol comes in at 15%.

   
  • Poggiotondo Brunello Di Montalcino 2006 from Italy (276576) at $34.95 – If dad prefers a mature old world type of wine, here is a elegant, classic Brunello (100% Sangiovese), which I had the opportunity to enjoy last November. This Brunello, six months later, should be even smoother but I still recommend decanting before serving, follow the link below for the review. 

 


My top three picks for value; I have often been asked to recommend wines under $20.00. Well in this NR, there are many wines of great value and worth stocking up, that I decided to elaborate on three of these wines. These wines should offer enjoyable drinking pleasure, delivering quality well above their asking price and not likely to disappoint.

 
  • Giuseppe Campagnola Le Bine Monte Foscarino Soave Classico 2011 from Italy (134551) at $13.95 – I know that Soave can be a hard sell but when in good hands and not over cropped, you get a great wine like this one. This wine is from a single vineyard, hand harvested blend of 70% Garganega and 30% Trebbiano, ageing took place in ox tanks (no oak) and alcohol comes in at 12.5%. Food pairing suggestions; ideal as aperitif, hors d’oeuvres, vegetarian meal and white fish dish.

  • Les Halos de Jupiter Côtes du Rhône 2010 from France (276956) at $17.95 – I had the opportunity to visit this winery both at the Vancouver International Wine Festival this year and tasted all four of their wines. I am not a fan of their Rasteau and Gigongas 2010, but loved their Châteauneuf-du-Pape and this Côtes du Rhône 2010. A full bodied and easy drinking blend of mostly Grenache at 85% with Syrah at 10% and Mourvèdre at 5% with alcohol coming in at 15%. Now here is the kicker, this wine is sold in British Columbia for $24.99 and here in Ontario for $17.95. At $17.95, I feel it represents an awesome value.

  • Lealtanza Crianza 2009 from Spain (114835) at $16.95 – For fans Spanish Rioja wines, here is a not to be missed, a red Rioja, made with 100% estate grown Tempranillo. Maturation taking place in French oak for 12 months plus an additional 12 months in bottle before release, alcohol coming in at a moderate 13.3%. Pairing suggestions; beef, lamb, game, grilled pork or chicken, cheese or tapas.
 


My top three wines from this release;

1- Ridge Santa Cruz Mountains Estate Cabernet/Merlot 2009 from California (89284) at $52.95

2- Poggiotondo Brunello Di Montalcino 2006 from Italy (276576) at $34.95

3- Altamira De Los Andes Navigato Family Selection Grand Reserve 2008 from Argentina (314872) at $46.95
 


My top three wines for value;

1- Giuseppe Campagnola Le Bine Monte Foscarino Soave Classico 2011 from Italy (134551) at $13.95

2- Les Halos de Jupiter Côtes du Rhône 2010 from France (276956) at $17.95

3- Lealtanza Crianza 2009 from Spain (114835) at $16.95
 


My wine picks from this New Release for your consideration;

Red Wines;

1- Chakana Estate Selection Red 2011 from Argentina (322602) at $29.95

2- Altamira De Los Andes Navigato Family Selection Grand Reserve 2008 from Argentina (314872) at $46.95

3- Urraca Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from Argentina (271080) at $19.95

4- DeLoach Zinfandel 2010 from California (149237) at $29.95

5- Ridge Santa Cruz Mountains Estate Cabernet/Merlot 2009 from California (89284) at $52.95

6- Sileni The Triangle Merlot 2010 from New Zealand (586081) at $16.95

7- Château Cap de Faugères 2010 from France (321372) at $34.95

8- Château La Clare 2009 from France (331751) at $29.95

9- Les Halos de Jupiter Côtes du Rhône 2010 from France (276956) at $17.95

10-Paitin Sori’ Paitin Barbaresco 2008 from Italy (106591) at $32.95

11-Leone De Castris Riserva Salice Salentino 2009 from Italy (597534) at $18.95

12-Poggiotondo Brunello Di Montalcino 2006 from Italy (276576) at $34.95

13-Masi Brolo Campofiorin Oro Appaxximento 2009 from Italy (976092) at $24.95

14-Tommasi Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2009 from Italy (356220) at $49.95

15-Quinta De Lubazim Grande Reserva 2008 from Portugal (317073) at $28.95

16-Lealtanza Crianza 2009 from Spain (114835) at $16.95
 


White Wines;

1- Flat Rock Cellars Riesling 2012 from Ontario (43281) at $16.95

2- Grigich Hills Estate Chardonnay 2010 from California (346304) at $54.95

3- Cooper Mountain Reserve Pinot Gris 2011 from Oregon (324491) at $20.95


4- Astrolabe Province Sauvignon Blanc 2012 from New Zealand (10421) at $21.95

5- Domaine Raoul Gautherin & Fils Vaillons Chablis 1er Cru 2010 from France (159236) at $28.95

6- Château de la Gravelle Muscadet Sèvre & Maine Gorges 2006 from France (656736) at $15.95

7- Istituto Agrario San Michele All’Adige Pinot Grigio 2011 from Italy (249540) at $17.95

8- Giuseppe Campagnola Le Bine Monte Foscarino Soave Classico 2011 from Italy (134551) at $13.95
 

That is all for me and my team. We will be back for the next New Release of June 22, 2013 where the featured segments are “Southern Rhône: the 2009, ’10 and ’11 vintages” and “Modern South Africa wines” 
 

Cheers
Paul YWG

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