Paul's Picks from the LCBO Vintages New Release of September 28, 2013

Hello to all my wine friends,

In this week New Release (NR), the main features are the wines from Tuscany (more on Tuscany later), with 11 wines to showcase as part of Thanksgiving pairing suggestions and finally, a small story on top-notch wines from Chile with 4 wines of interest. Overall the selection and quality in this NR is a big improvement over this past summer’s selection and it should keep improving as we slowly move closer to Christmas shopping season. My recommended whites are quite interesting and my featured three whites would work wonders with your Thanksgiving dinner.   

Now my favourite question; If I were allowed to buy only one wine from this NR, which one would that be?  Finca Villacreces Pruno 2011 from Ribero del Duero in Spain (312140) at $19.95. An age worthy robust blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon that could be paired with red meat or possibly cellared up to 5 years. Now here are a few wines I would like to bring to your attention;

Starting with white wines;

• If you are looking for a quality, great value white wine to serve at your Thanksgiving dinner look no further than Matetic Corralillo Sauvignon Blanc 2012 from Chile (347740) at $13.95

• If you have never tried a wine from Austria before, now is the time; Nikolaihof Hefeabzug Grüner Veltliner 2010 from Austria (328948) at $24.95. Fans of cool climate and aromatic whites will not be disappointed.

• Another great pairing with turkey and a perennial favourite of mine,  Reichsgraf Von Kesselstatt Scharzhofberger Riesling Kabinett 2008 from Germany (282343) at $20.95

Now for the red wines;

• Here are three good value French reds under $20.00; Château Haut-Bertinerie Elegance Merlot/Cabernet from France (295857) at $18.95 (blend of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc), Domaine des Lauribert Tradition Côtes du Rhône 2011 from France (343442) at $15.95 (blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah) and Tessellae Vieilles Vignes Carignan 2011 from France (343509) at $16.95 (100% Carignan from 70 years old vines)

• Looking for a mid-price California Cabernet Sauvignon, I have always enjoyed the elegance of this wine; Rodney Strong Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 from California (504427) at $29.95. I have reviewed two of the last three vintage on this blog.

• Classic pairing, Thanksgiving Turkey and mature earthy Pinot Noir (PN). Your host has gone through a lot of work to prepare the meal and this PN is worth the splurge; Seresin Leah Pinot Noir 2009 from New Zealand (655167) at $39.95

Tuscan Treasures; There is a good reason why Tuscany is the region that I have reviewed the most, with 59 reviews, because if I had to pick my top red grape, Sangiovese would definitely be one of them (together with Tempranillo). I just love the intricacies, complexity and food pairing possibilities of this grape. They produce wines in a style I enjoy; are food friendly and extra-dry. Here are my top three treasures from Tuscany; 

• Capezzana Barco Reale Di Carmignano 2010 from Italy (508531) at $16.95 – This is a great value wine to be paired with Italian pasta, pizza or grilled red meat.  A blend of mostly Sangiovese with Cabernet Sauvignon and Canaiolo in a supporting role, alcohol comes in at 13.5%

• Rocca Di Frassinello Le Sughere Di Frassinello 2010 from Italy (025700) at $29.95 – This wine would benefit from 2-4 years in your cellar, it is a blend of 50% Sangioveto, 25% each Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and alcohol comes in at 14%.

• Carpineto Farnito Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from Italy (996956) at $29.95 – This wine would be interesting in a line up of Cabernet Sauvignon blind tasting. This maturing wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon with maturation in a combination of French and American oak barrels for 12 months and alcohol comes in at a low of 12.5%. Pairing possibilities; lamb, venison, Moroccan cuisine or even on its own after a meal. 

My top three wines from this release;

1- Catena Alta Malbec 2010 from Argentina (982355) at $49.95

2- Seresin Leah Pinot Noir 2009 from New Zealand (655167) at $39.95

3- Carpineto Farnito Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from Italy (996956) at $29.95

My top three wines for value;

1- Matetic Corralillo Sauvignon Blanc 2012 from Chile (347740) at $13.95

2- Domaine des Lauribert Tradition Côtes du Rhône 2011 from France (343442) at $15.95

3- Capezzana Barco Reale Di Carmignano 2010 from Italy (508531) at $16.95

My wine picks from this New Release for your consideration;

Red Wines;

1- San Felice ILGrigio Chianti Classico Riserva 2009 from Italy (716266) at $26.95 

2- Tenuta Friggiali Brunello Di Montalcino 2007 from Italy (211631) at $42.95

3- Capezzana Barco Reale Di Carmignano 2010 from Italy (508531) at $16.95

4- Rocca Di Frassinello Le Sughere Di Frassinello 2010 from Italy (025700) at $29.95

5- Carpineto Farnito Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from Italy (996956) at $29.95

6- Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Apalta Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 from Chile (947929) at $24.95

7- Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 from California (709881) at $147.95

8- Dry Creek Heritage Zinfandel 2010 from California (574491) at $21.95

9- Ridge Three Valleys 2011 from California (652875) at $35.95

10- Rodney Strong Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 from California (504427) at $29.95

11- Catena Alta Malbec 2010 from Argentina (982355) at $49.95

12- Two Hands Lily’s Garden Shiraz 2011 from Australia (683086) at $59.95

13- Seresin Leah Pinot Noir 2009 from New Zealand (655167) at $39.95

14- Château Grand Village 2009 from France (192997) at $20.85

15- Château Haut-Bertinerie Elegance Merlot/Cabernet from France (295857) at $18.95

16- Domaine des Lauribert Tradition Côtes du Rhône 2011 from France (343442) at $15.95

17- Sélection Laurence Féraud Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2010 from France (211474) at $47.95

18- Tessellae Vieilles Vignes Carignan 2011 from France (343509) at $16.95

19- Finca Villacreces Pruno 2011 from Spain (312140) at $19.95

White Wines;

1- Henry of Pelham Barrel Fermented Estate Chardonnay 2011 from Ontario (268342) at $19.95

2- Lafond SRH Chardonnay 2011 from California (998641) at $25.95

3- Matetic Corralillo Sauvignon Blanc 2012 from Chile (347740) at $13.95

4- Churton Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from New Zealand (159244) at $23.95

5- Kumeu River Hunting Hill Chardonnay from New Zealand (167072) at $41.95

6- Nikolaihof Hefeabzug Grüner Veltliner 2010 from Austria (328948) at $24.95

7- Domaine le Verger Chablis 2011 from France (181289) at $19.95

8- Reichsgraf Von Kesselstatt Scharzhofberger Riesling Kabinett 2008 from Germany (282343) at $20.95

9- Fantinel Vigneti Sant’ Helena Ribolla Gialla 2011 from Italy (339028) at $20.95

10- Paco & Lola Albariño 2011 from Spain (350041) at $17.95

Well, this is my last LCBO Vintages New Release newsletter as I am moving to Alberta in a couple of weeks. I will continue to blog about wine, but from a different perspective.

In the province of Alberta there are no government run stores, all are privately owned businesses. This should be interesting, personally I prefer the British Columbia model where there are 50% government stores and 50% privately own stores. It’s with mixed feelings that I am ending these newsletters, on one hand they occupied a lot of my time researching and writing my wine picks but on the other hand it keeps my wine knowledge sharp. If you have read my Vintages NR picks, it’s because you also desire to buy the best wine possible for your hard earn dollars through your own research.

There are few bloggers that I read and who share their Vintages NR wine picks. I would like to recommend that you visit Jason Solanki’s wine Blog, “Vintages Wine Picks & Reviews”. I always enjoy reading his wine picks, there are well thought out, interesting wine choices with an attractive blog layout. 

  http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.ca 

Cheers

Paul YWG