Shafer Merlot 2007, Napa Valley, California, USA

If you want to experience the best of California, without paying $100 for a Cabernet Sauvignon, try Merlot for half the price. Shafer certainly knows how the make a nice Merlot. Shafer included 15% Cabernet Sauvignon to this Merlot which makes this wine a very elegant, finely textured, fruit driven and very aromatic with aromas of ripe dark plum, blackberry, chocolate, vanilla and cedar forest. On the palate this full body Merlot (with alcohol coming in at 14.9%) achieves an  excellent balance with surprisingly fresh acidity for a Napa wine, loads of flavours and fined grained tannins which makes the alcohol only slightly noticeable. The finish is long with rich and savoury flavours and all wrapped up in fine ripe tannins. A robust Merlot, yet approachable, an awesome wine.

This wine was purchased October 2, 2010 LCBO   New Release at $54.95.

Santa Carolina Reserva De Familia Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Maipo Valley, Chile

I have enjoyed the last several vintage of this Santa Carolina Cabernet and the 2009 vintage is the best I have had so far. Although not a very deep colour for a Cabernet, it is more like a medium ruby with aromas of dark plum, black cherry blueberry, spice oak and vanilla. The palate has loads of flavours, spiciness, with lively acidity, grippy tannins and noticeable heat from the 14.5% alcohol. Good length on the finish with robust texture and mild tannins. This year the bottle is 35% lighter than the past, a commendation to be awarded for sure. Awesome Cabernet Sauvignon for $18, great value and strongly recommended. 

This wine was purchased November 12, 2011 LCBO New Release at $17.95.

Tawse Sketches Riesling 2010, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

This wine opens up with very lively aromas of pear, green apple, grapefruit and minerals. On the palate this off-dry Riesling is medium body with alcohol coming in at 10% and where the crisp acidity and sweetness are perfectly match. The finish is long with lemon zest and mineral note lingering. A terrific and well balanced refreshing Riesling. I paired this wine chicken curry and roasted cashews, it work beautifully.

This wine was purchased October 29, 2011 LCBO New Release at $17.95.

Frei Brothers Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA

A more cool climate Cabernet than a warmer one, with aromas of blackberry, dark plum, tobacco leaf and vanilla. On the mouthfeel, even with alcohol at 14.2%, it feels more like medium body to me with gentle tannins and balance acidity. Medium length on the finish with flavours of red fruit, earthy notes and mild tannins. A youthful and uncomplicated Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine is actually a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and remaining Petit Sirah and Petit Verdot.

This wine was purchased October 29, 2011 LCBO New Release at $23.95

Pazzo Call Me Crazy Proprietary Red 2007, Napa Valley, California, USA

A funky blend of 74% Sangiovese, 8% Syrah, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Syrah and 6% Viognier with a funky orange label and synthetic cork to match. All wines were aged in new and older French Oak barrels for 21 months, alcohol comes in at 16%. I have really enjoyed this wine the last three or four vintages, but had a hard time to warm up to this 2007 vintage. Call me crazy, but I did find it much sweeter than usual, unless my palate is moving on to dryer wines. This blend aromatics was pretty complex with aromas of dark plums, stewed rhubarb, savoury herbs, blackberry jam and violets. Full bodied mouthfeel, jammy characteristics, low acidity and smooth tannins. The finish is long, savoury with luscious fruit, much better on the nose then mouthfeel. I would have prefered a little more structure, tannins and acidity and a little less fruity characteristic and alcohol.

This wine was purchased October 15, 2011 LCBO New Release at $31.95.

Benziger Family Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Sonoma County, California, USA

Deep violet in colour with aromas of blackberry, dark cherry, vanilla, cassis, leather and smoky. This Cabernet is very dry, full body with alcohol coming in at 14.5%, concentrated flavours, fine acidity and firm tannins.  The finish is long with flavours of black cherry, cassis and puckering tannins. Enjoyable now if you don’t mind the tannins but, lacking finesse right now. It should be much better after shedding some of its oak, demands two to three years in the cellar.

This wine was purchased October 29, 2011 LCBO New Release at $29.95.

Paul Picks from the LCBO New Release of November 12, 2011 - Exciting French Reds and a Solid Italian Selection

Hello to all my wine friends,

This is the first of three massive Holiday LCBO New Release (NR) with 140 new products and 29 of them over $50.00. This is the time of the year where premium wines are sold, either as gift giving, for Holiday entertainment or simply to stock up your cellar. Apart from many great French and Italian wines here, there are a few other wines that catch my attention; From Australia, Kilikanoon Parable Shiraz 2007 (059824) at $39.95 I have never tried this wine before but love this winery and their Shiraz came highly recommended. For Napa Valley Cabernet fans, the Rubicon Estate Cask Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 (029553) availabe at $74.95, 750ml or in a half bottle at $39.95. If you are looking for a smart buy for entertaining, try the Santa Carolina Reserva De Familia Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from Chile (000612) at $17.95 I have been enjoying this wine for the last 4-5 vintage, always a fantastic value and this year 35% lighter bottle than the past. They need to be commended for this. Finally from BC, Mission Hill Quatrain 2008 (218636) at $41.95, a blend of Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Last winter the LCBO released the 2006 vintage, now the 2008 vintage is being released, although not yet offered in BC, not even at there flagship stores (Artisan Wine Shop) where the price in BC will be $45.00. Well let’s get started.

Exciting French Reds; When I prepare to write this newsletter for you, I go through the entire NR book and write down every wine which appeals to me, regardless of the price. From this NR, 31 wines made it into my list and of those 11 from France. Now here are my top four;

• Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2009 (700922) at $57.95 From Wine Spectator November 30, 2011 France’s Rhône Valley issue, le Vieux Donjon is one of there Top wines at 93 points and listed price in US dollars is $66.00 but in this market at $57.95 it is a great value for a wine of this quality.
• Château le Caillou 1998 from Pomerol in Bordeaux (045685) at $49.95 this is a great opportunity to experience a mature wine, not a great deal of fruit left at this point, more secondary aromas like earthy, leather etc, and ready to drink.
• E. Guigal Gigondas 2007 (331900) at $29.95 from the very good 2007 Rhône vintage and a top notch producer, this is a blend of Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah.
• Château Malescot St. Exupery 2008 from Margaux in Bordeaux (136630) at $64.00 not from one of those “vintage of the century”, which means that the price is more reasonable compared to the 2009 and 2010 vintages in Bordeaux. This wine is from a Third Growth Château, to fully experience a great wine like this, 2-4 years in the cellar is strongly recommended.

Solid Italian Selection; Many people enjoy the wines of Italy, like yours truly and my Italian friend Tony who enjoys Barolo and Chianti. Well here is my top four;

• Poderi Colla Bussia Dardi le Rose Barolo 2006 from Piedmont (596890) at $49.95 This Nebbiolo based wine is considered one of the best from the 2006 vintage and needs at less 3-4 years in the cellar. A Barolo for the collectors but if you are looking for a Barolo to enjoy right now consider Gemma Colarej Barolo 2006 (232447) at $34.95.
• Castello Di Querceto Chianti Classico Riserva 2007 from Tuscany (650754) at $27.95 From the very good 2007 Tuscany vintage, a complex Chianti ready to enjoy now or cellar short term 2-3 years.
• Ruffino Modus 2007 from Tuscany (912956) at $28.95 At this time last year (November 13, 2010) the 2006 vintage of this wine was released at the same price as this year. It was my first experience with Ruffino Modus but will not be the last, it is delicious rich and complex. I will definitely buy this vintage, which, I hear needs 1-2 year in your cellar.
• Villa Girardi Bure Alto Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2009 from Veneto (161844) at $17.95 Folks who enjoy there wine slightly sweet (as this wine is dry, compare to most wine which are extra dry) are likely to enjoy with a cheese platter or to sip after a meal instead of Port.

My top three wines of this release;

1-Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2009 from France (700922) at $57.95

2-Kilikanoon Parable Shiraz from Australia (059824) at $39.95

3-Rubicon Estate Cask Cabernet Sauvignon from California (029553) at $74.95 or (029553) for a 350ml bottle at $39.95

My top three wines for Holiday Gift (Around $30.00)

1-Castello Di Querceto Chianti Classico Riserva 2007 from Italy (650754) at $27.95

2-E. Guigal Gigondas 2007 from France (331900) at $29.95

3-Ruffino Modus 2007 from Italy (912956) at $28.95

My top three wines for value;

1-Delas Frères Saint-Esprit Côtes du Rhône 2009 from France (729962) at $14.95

2-Santa Carolina Reserva De Familia Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from Chile (684597) at $17.95

3-Vinum Africa Chenin Blanc 2009 from South Africa (739995) at $14.95

These wines did not make my shopping list but are worth considering;

Red Wines;

1-Flat Rock Cellars Gravity Pinot Noir 2009 from Ontario (001560) at $29.95

2-Stratus Red 2008 from Ontario (131037) at $44.20

3-Borrowing Owl Syrah 2008 from British Columbia (073072) at $41.95

4-Four Vines Maverick Zinfandel 2008 from California (249300) at $27.95

5-Jonata Todos Red 2007 from California (218941) at $59.95 – Cellar Candidate

6-Rubicon Estate Cask Cabernet Sauvignon from California (029553) at $74.95

7-Montes Alpha Syrah 2009 from Chile (000612) at $19.95

8-Château le Caillou 1998 from France (045685) at $49.95

9-Château Malescot St. Exupery 2008 from France (136630) at $64.00 – Cellar Candidate

10-Château Rozier 2008 from France (024539) at $28.95

11-Maison Roche de Bellene Volnay Pitures 1er Cru 2008 from France (241083) at $44.95

12-Château de Haute-Serre Malbec 2008 from France (693952) at $23.95 – Cellar Candidate

13-Gemma Colarej Barolo 2006 from Italy (232447) at $34.95

14-Poderi Colla Bussia Dardi le Rose Barolo 2006 from Italy (596890) at $49.95 – Cellar Candidate

15-Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto 2009 from Italy (072439) at $49.95

White Wines;

1-Tawse Estate Chardonnay 2009 from Ontario (253518) 375ml at $16.95

2-Kumeu River Maté’s Vineyard Chardonnay 2008 from New Zealand (204032) at $44.95

3-Winery of Good Hope Vinum Africa Chenin Blanc 2009 from South Africa (739995) at $14.95

Dessert Wines;
1-Markus Molitor Riesling Auslese 2007 from Germany (249714) at $24.95
2-Osborne Pedro Ximenez 1827 Sweet Sherry from Spain (047944) at $17.95

My team and I will be back for the next New Release of November 26, 2011 where the main Feature is “Our Finest wines and premium spirits for holiday giving”, now this sounds expensive. Also my friend Roger will be happy to know that one of his favourite wines is back, the next vintage of BenMarco Malbec 2009 from Argentina.

Cheers
Paul YWG