Quite an un-inspiring selection in this New Release (NR), which is unfortunate, but it is often the case during the summer months. If you happen to be on vacation outside the province you are not missing much. The main feature in this NR is “California wines for summer gatherings” with “Perfectly pure wines” getting second billing. As for the rest of the release, there are a few gems or “blue chip” wines worth considering.
Now my favourite question; If I were allowed to buy only one wine from this NR, which one would that be? San Pedro 1865 Single Vineyard Carmenère 2010 from Chile (249201) at $19.95. A very good value for a full bodied red wine with so many food pairing possibilities, mostly red meat of the BBQ. This is ready to go for those of you who likes there reds chunky and chewy but would benefit from a short time in your cellar (6 months to a year). 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;
- For fans of Riesling, two excellent Riesling to consider; the first, Hidden Bench Estate Riesling 2011 from Ontario (183491) at $23.95 sweetness level listed at extra-dry; and from the motherland of Riesling, Bollig-Lehnert Dhroner Hofberger Riesling Auslese 2009 from Germany (313536) at $21.95, with sweetness level listed at medium-sweet.
- My off the beaten path pick, Rabl Käferburg Grüner Veltliner 2011 from Austria (032532) at $19.95. My suggestive pairing; grilled white fish, chicken or pork.
Now for the red wines;
· Looking for a good value Barbera, ranked #66 in the Wine Spectator top 100 of 2012 is Marchesi Di Barolo Maràia Barbera Monferrato 2011 from Italy (748277) at $16.95.
· Here is a light, fruity and good value Pinot Noir to considered; Redwood Pass Pinot Noir 2011 from New Zealand (326041) at $18.95.
· And finally here is a full bodied red to pair with any red meat of the BBQ, Rutherglen Petite Sirah 2008 from Australia (179127) at $21.95. Now let's get started;
California wines for summer gatherings; Is it me or have Californian wines had more than its fair share of attention in our Vintages NR this year? Just a thought. I do love California wines, having reviewed 61 of them on my blog, the second highest, Italy being first. But I find the title of this California segment a bit odd since for me summer gathering means many friends and family over for BBQ and more affordable wines, around $16.00 to $18.00 wines. When I think of value, wines from Argentina, Chile, Spain and South Africa come to my mind first, not California. For me wines of California are better at the mid price to premium range. Again, just a thought to share with you, here are my top three picks for the California feature;
· Ghost Pines Winemaker’s Blend Merlot 2010 from Napa & Sonoma Counties (329649) at $19.95 – A good example of a rich, juicy California Merlot, made with 100% Merlot with 71% of the fruit coming from Sonoma County and 29% from Napa County, with maturation in a combination of American and French oak with alcohol at 13.9%.
· Seghesio Zinfandel 2011 from Sonoma County (942151) at $29.95 – From my favourite Zinfandel producer, most years the wine is very good and in other years like 2007 the wine is truly spectacular. I did taste this wine at the California Wine Fair here in Ottawa last April and found it to be a bit awkward at that moment; a bit more integration is needed at this point but should be beautiful in a year from now.
· Ridge Vineyards Estate Chardonnay 2011 from Santa Cruz Mountain (241646) at $55.95 – This winery is better known for their Zindandel, but also produces this stunning Chardonnay. This wine is 100% Chardonnay, all dry farming fruit with maturation in air-dried American oak, and alcohol comes in at 13.8%. This is a bit out of my price range but definitely worth tasting once in your life.
My picks for...; I thought that I might give you my picks by these predominant grapes, blend or region;
· My Sauvignon Blanc pick; Neil Ellis Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from South Africa (673913) at $17.95 – For fans of New Zealand SB, venture into the South African section of your LCBO store to give this a try. This wine 100% Sauvignon Blanc, barrel fermented in new and used French oak sur lees and alcohol comes in at 13%.
· My Riesling pick; Hidden Bench Estate Riesling 2011 from Ontario (183491) at $23.95 – From the “Perfectly pure wines” feature, this extra-dry Riesling from the Niagara Peninsula would fall under the aromatic, crisp and flavourful category with alcohol coming in at a low of 11%.
· My Italian red pick; Mazzei Ser Lapo Chianti Classico Riserva 2008 from Italy (288530) at $24.95 – This wine is a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot with maturation in small French oak barrels for 12 months and alcohol comes in at 13,5%. This is an excellent candidate for short cellar time of 1-2 years.
· My Spanish red pick; Pinyolet Garnacha 2011 from Spain (271791) at $17.95 – This wine is 100% dry farmed and organically grown Garnacha (Grenache), aged completely in stainless steel on its lees for 6 months (no oak barrels) and alcohol comes in at 14%. Great patio wine, serve slightly chilled.
My top three wines from this release;
1- Ridge Vineyards Estate Chardonnay 2011 from California (241646) at $55.95
2- Seghesio Zinfandel 2011 from California (942151) at $29.95
3- Château la Rouvière Bandol 2006 (332908) at $25.95
My top three wines for value;
1- Neil Ellis Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from South Africa (673913) at $17.95
2- San Pedro 1865 Single Vineyard Carmenère 2010 from Chile (249201) at $19.95
3- Château de Panigon 2010 from France (230 367) at $18.95
My wine picks from this New Release for your consideration;
Red Wines;
1- Ghost Pines Winemaker’s Blend Merlot 2010 from California (329649) at $19.95
2- Seghesio Zinfandel 2011 from California (942151) at $29.95
3- Château du Charmes Old Vines Cabernet/Merlot 2010 from Ontario (222372) at $19.95
4- Decero Remolinos Vineyard Malbec 2010 from Argentina (247304) at $22.95
5- San Pedro 1865 Single Vineyard Carmenère 2010 from Chile (249201) at $19.95
6- Rutherglen Petite Sirah 2008 from Australia (179127) at $21.95
7- Redwood Pass Pinot Noir 2011 from New Zealand (326041) at $18.95
8- Château de Panigon 2010 from France (230 367) at $18.95
9- Château la Rouvière Bandol 2006 (332908) at $25.95
10- Collefrisio Uno Montepulciano D’Abruzzo 2008 from Italy (337857) at $19.95
11- Marchesi Di Barolo Maràia Barbera Monferrato 2011 from Italy (748277) at $16.95
12- Mazzei Ser Lapo Chianti Classico Riserva 2008 from Italy (288530) at $24.95
13- Santa Marguerita Chianti Classico 2009 from Italy (091694) at $19.95
14- Pinyolet Garnacha 2011 from Spain (271791) at $17.95
White Wines;
1- Stags’ Leap Winery Viognier 2012 from California (597369) at $36.95
2- Ridge Vineyards Estate Chardonnay 2011 from California (241646) at $55.95
3- Hidden Bench Estate Riesling 2011 from Ontario (183491) at $23.95
4- Seresin Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from New Zealand (735043) at $21.95
5- Rabl Käferburg Grüner Veltliner 2011 from Austria (032532) at $19.95
6- Martin Códax Albariño 2011 from Spain (984906) at $17.95
7- Tawse Sketches of Niagara Riesling 2012 from Ontario (089029) at $17.95
8- Neil Ellis Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from South Africa (673913) at $17.95
9- Caves des Vignerons de Buxy Montagny les Chaniots 1er Cru 2010 from France (159020) at $22.95
10- Bollig-Lehnert Dhroner Hofberger Riesling Auslese 2009 from Germany (313536) at $21.95
I had mentioned in my last newsletter that this week would be my last Vintages picks due to my upcoming move to Alberta. But I will be able to give you my picks for the Vintages New Release of July 20, 2013, where the featured segments are "Barbecue goes global” and “Cool-climate Chardonnay”
Paul YWG
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