Paul's Picks from the LCBO Vintages New Release of August 31, 2013

Hello to all my wine friends,

 

 

The central feature of this New Release (NR) showcases; “Settling the Scores, All about 90+ Wines” plus a small secondary feature of 5 super-stars of Champagne ranging from $62.95 to $287.95 that coincides with the arrival of big hitters from the entertainment industry, in town (Toronto) for the annual Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). As for the 90+ feature, I am not a big fan of this feature; I would prefer that Vintages would showcase wines from countries that don’t have much exposure like Greece, Portugal, New Zealand and South Africa. These scores represent the opinion of one wine expert; I am sure that for many of these wines, if you researched, that you would most likely find scores for many of them, under 90 points. As for the remainder of this release, the overall selection of both reds and whites from France is very solid, and finally, a wine from one of my favourite Amarone producer.

 

 

 

Now my favourite question; If I were allowed to buy only one wine from this NR, which one would that be? Achaval Ferrer Malbec 2011 from Argentina (024737) at $24.95. Always delicious, this is a great example of a full bodied, concentrated, but well balanced Malbec from low yielding, old vines. The only disappointment here is the price, the 2010 vintage was released at $19.90 and this year, it is priced at $24.95...yikes. Now here are a few wines I would like to bring to your attention;

 

 

 

Starting with white wines; 

• From the French offering, here is a strongly recommended dry Riesling from Alsace, Zind Humbrecht Turckheim Riesling 2010 from France (031039) at $26.95; also from Alsace, Joseph Cattin Pinot Blanc 2011 from France (224642) at $15.95; and for fans of Chablis (Chardonnay from Burgundy),  Jean-Marc Brocard Sainte Claire Vieilles Vignes Chablis 2011 France (329995) at $24.95.
 
• One of my favourite wines tasted at the German Wine Fair in Toronto last will be released this week, Bollig-Lehnert Trittenheimer Apotheke Riesling Spätlese 2011 from Germany (338186) at $20.95. This is soooo delicious and at a great price for the quality, the sweetness level is medium.
 
• A must try for those of you who would like to venture into the interesting whites of the island of Santorini; Santo Assyrtiko 2011 from Greece (627760) at $16.95. To see my review follow this link.

 

  http://paulnjoywine.blogspot.ca/2013/02/santorini-assyrtiko-2011-pdo-santorini.html

 

 

Now for the red wines;

 

• For fans of Pinot Noir, here are two of them for your consideration. From the Pinot Noir motherland of Burgundy and my top wine of this release; Louis Jadot Beaune Boucherottes 1er Cru 2010 France (121319) at $52.95 and a great value Pinot from Central Otago, NZ; Thornbury Pinot Noir 2010 from New Zealand (329706) at $24.95.
  
• Also from France, wines from the 2011 Rhône Valley vintage are starting to make their way into our stores. Here are three of them for your consideration; Perin Peyre Blanche Cairanne Côtes du Rhône-Village 2011 France (650960) at $17.95, Domaine Fontaine du Clos Reflets de L’Âme Vacqueyras 2011 from France (343392) at $20.95 and Pierre Amadieu Romane Machotte Gigondas 2011 France (017400) at $24.95.
  
• From one of my Amarone producer; Farina Amaronne Della Valpolicella Classico 2009 from Italy (995910) at $35.95. I just love the style from this house, always very rich and sensuous.
  
• And Finally, here are two BBQ picks for your long weekend coming up; Lupucinus Reserva 2009 from Portugal (336297) at $19.95 and Simi Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from California (025221) at $24.95.

 

 

 

 

My top three wines from this release;

 

1- Louis Jadot Beaune Boucherottes 1er Cru 2010 France (121319) at $52.95

 

2- Farina Amaronne Della Valpolicella Classico 2009 from Italy (995910) at $35.95

 

3- Zind Humbrecht Turckheim Riesling 2010 from France (031039) at $26.95

 

 

 

 

My top three wines for value;

 

1- Perin Peyre Blanche Cairanne Côtes du Rhône-Village 2011 France (650960) at $17.95

 

2- Bollig-Lehnert Trittenheimer Apotheke Riesling Spätlese 2011 from Germany (338186) at $20.95

 

3- Santo Assyrtiko 2011 from Greece (627760) at $16.95

 

 

 

 

My wines picks from this New Release for your consideration;

 

Red Wines;

 

1- Plume Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 from California (287367) at $31.95

 

2- Simi Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from California (025221) at $24.95

 

3- Achaval Ferrer Malbec 2011 from Argentina (024737) at $24.95

 

4- Nugan Estate McLaren Parish Vineyard Shiraz 2010 from Australia (076603) at $24.95

 

5- Thornbury Pinot Noir 2010 from New Zealand (329706) at $24.95

 

6- Château Haut Selve 2009 France (738120) at $20.95

 

7- Louis Jadot Beaune Boucherottes 1er Cru 2010 France (121319) at $52.95

 

8- Perin Peyre Blanche Cairanne Côtes du Rhône-Village 2011 France (650960) at $17.95

 

9- Pierre Amadieu Romane Machotte Gigondas 2011 France (017400) at $24.95

 

10- Domaine Fontaine du Clos Reflets de L’Âme Vacqueyras 2011 from France (343392) at $20.95

 

11- Domaine le Grand Retour Plan de Dieu 2011 from France (224592) at $13.95

 

12- Rivera Cappellaccio Riversa Aglianico 2006 from Italy (305276) at $17.95

 

13- Fonterutoli Chianti Classico 2010 from Italy (977629) at $24.95

 

14- Mandrarossa Cartagho 2009 from Italy (346593) at $19.95

 

15- Farina Amaronne Della Valpolicella Classico 2009 from Italy (995910) at $35.95

 

16- Lupucinus Reserva 2009 from Portugal (336297) at $19.95

 

 

 

 

White Wines;

 

1- Two Rivers of Marlborough Convergence Sauvignon Blanc 2010 from New Zealand (277707) at $24.95

 

2- Zind Humbrecht Turckheim Riesling 2010 from France (031039) at $26.95

 

3- Champy Pernaud-Vergelesses en Caradeux 1er Cru 2010 France (344143) at $49.95

 

4- Joseph Cattin Pinot Blanc 2011 from France (224642) at $15.95

 

5- Jean-Marc Brocard Sainte Claire Vieilles Vignes Chablis 2011 France (329995) at $24.95

 

6- Bollig-Lehnert Trittenheimer Apotheke Riesling Spätlese 2011 from Germany (338186) at $20.95

 

7- Santo Assyrtiko 2011 from Greece (627760) at $16.95

 

 

 

Champagne; (For Reese Witherspoon or Hugh Jackman if they read my blog)

 

1- Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé Champagne (724559) at $91.95

 

2- Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Brut Champagne (158550) at $99.95

 

3- Dom Pérignon Brut Champagne (280461) at $222.95

 

4- Cristal Brut Champagne (268755) at $287.95

 

 

That is all for me and my team. I hope you enjoy my picks this week and we will be back for the next New Release of September 14, 2013, where the featured segment will be “Top tastemakers take a shining to Ontario wine”

 

Cheers

Paul YWG