Pascal Jolivet Sancerre 2010, Loire, France

This 100% Sauvignon Blanc was greeny straw in colour and opened up with aromas of grapefruit, lime, fresh chives, floral and mineral notes. On the palate, medium bodied, low alcohol at 12.5%, bright and edgy texture with racy acidity and citrus flavours. The finish is long, rich and refreshing. This wine is definitely made to enjoy with food like white fish, shellfish or grilled chicken salad with goat cheese. Very attractive Sauvignon Blanc, score 90 points.

Purchased March 3, 2012 LCBO New Release (264945) at $24.95

Marqués de Cáceres Gran Reserva 2004, Rioja, Spain

I really enjoyed this winery's last Gran Reserva, the 2001 vintage. This 2004 vintage is a blend of Trempranillo with the remaining 15% a mix of Graciano and Garnacha Tinto, maturation took place in French oak for 26-28 months than 4 years in bottle before release.

This wine opens up with attractive aromas of wild berries, plum, Asian spices, soft leather, tobacco and earthy notes. On the palate, medium-full bodied (with alcohol coming in at 14%), dry, good acidity and fine grained tannins. Good length on this wine finish with dried fruit, spices and those fine grained tannins making there presence felt 'till the end. Very seamless aromatics, silky smooth mouthfeel with good depth of flavour on the finish. However, I feel the best is yet to come. It still needs to shed some of its oak. For fans of traditional Spanish Gran Reserva, cellar 1-2 years and you should be rewarded. Score 90 points 

Purchased December 27, 2011 at the SAQ (00865535) AT $39.00

Paul's Picks from the LCBO New Release of April 28, 2012 - Sauvignon Blanc Challenge and My Top 5 Best Value from this New Release

Hello to all my wine friends,

While looking through the selection on this New Release (NR), I couldn’t believe how many good wines were available. This is a solid selection from around the world. Apart from the wines featured in the following two highlighted segments, here are a few wines I would like to bring to your attention. Looking at white wines first, here is a couple of mid-priced, well balanced, oaked Chardonnays; Cuvaison Chardonnay 2009 from California (988261) at $29.95, and this first class Dog Point Chardonnay 2009 from New Zealand (238568) at $39.95. Now, a few reds for your consideration; a must buy for fans of rich textured Merlot, Beringer Merlot 2009 from Napa Valley (919647) at $29.95, a mid price California Cabernet from Summers Andriana's Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from Knights Valley (275719) at $26.95. Here are a few gems from the old world starting with the 2009 French vintage; Château Des Moines 2009 from Bordeaux (206789) at $21.95 and from Burgundy Domaine Vincent Girardin Santenay les Gravières 1er Cru 2009 (940825) at $38.95. A Barolo for your cellar? how about Marziano Abbona Terlo Ravera Barolo 2006 (067918) at $42.95, and if like me, you are a fan of Spanish Rioja this wine should be on your shopping list, Allende 2006, Rioja from Spain (954560) at $24.95. Well let's get started.

Sauvignon Blanc Challenge;  With summer fast approaching, the sale of white wine is about to pick up. For fans of Sauvignon Blanc (SB), three very good SB are been released this weekend, two from New Zealand and one from California. What about a challenge? Dare to compare! There are two premium SB around the same price, one from California at $29 and the other from New Zealand at $30. If you decide to take this challenge, write me back to tell me which one of these two SB won you over?

• Seresin Sauvignon Blanc 2010 from New Zealand (735043) at $21.95 – I love the wines from this winery and their SB is definitely one of my favourite. A blend of 94% Sauvignon Blanc and 6% Sémillon, both of these grapes are certified organic. This wine was naturally fermented using wild yeast, the Sémillon and 10% of the SB were fermented in aged French oak.

• Two Rivers of Marlborough Convergence Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from New Zealand (277707) at $29.95 – This 100% SB grapes are from two separate vineyards located on the banks of the Wairau and Awatere rivers. A percentage of the wine was aged on natural yeast lees in French oak for 3 months to add complexity and texture, the rest of the aging process took place in stainless steel tanks.

• Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc 2010 from California (094375) at $28.95 - I tasted this SB at the California Wine Fair in Ottawa a month ago, here in Ottawa. Very refreshing with slight creaminess, flavours of pineapple, peach and citrus notes. This wine is a blend of 75% SB and 25% Sémillon with 15% barrel fermented in 100% French oak Château style barrels (60 gallons)

My Top 5 Best Value from this New Release; 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 five of these wines. These wines should offer enjoyable drinking pleasure, delivering quality well above their asking price and not likely to disappoint.

• Flat Rock Cellars Riesling 2010 from Ontario (043281) at $16.95 - From a very reliable producer, with a lot of attention to detail for $16.95. This wine is 100% Riesling grapes, hand picked and hand sorted, a selection of different yeast strains were used, fermentation lasted about four weeks and filtered prior to bottling. The alcohol comes in at 10.5% with sweetness level at medium-dry (26g/Littler)

• Raimat Abadia Cabernet Sauvignon/Tempranillo 2008 from Spain (935460) at $15.95 - This wine is made to be enjoyed upon release, and at this price, a great wine for the BBQ season. On the label its says Sauvignon/Tempranillo, but what it doesn't say is that Merlot is a big component with 29% of the blend and all the better for it, Cabernet Sauvignon with 48% and Tempranillo at 23%, maturation took place in nearly-new American oak for 10 months, followed by 6 months in French oak.

• Brigaldara Valpolicella 2010 from Italy (917864) at $14.95 – This wine is from a very good producer Brigaldara (love there Amarone), Valpolicella is usually a easy drinking, light bodied wine, medium to pale ruby in color and low tannins. This Valpolicella is a blend of Corvina 40% Corvina, 40% Molinara e Sangiovese and 20% Rondinella. This is a great light bodied, inexpensive wine, serve slightly chilled during the hot summer months.

• Tommasi Arele Appassimento 2009 from Italy (224188) at $17.95 – In the making of a Appassimento style wine, fully ripe grapes are dried for about a month before pressing, usually producing a fuller, sweeter and richer wine. This wine is a blend of 90% Corvina and 10% Oseleta with maturation taking place in Slavonian and French oak for 12 months. I tasted this wine at the Vancouver Playhouse Wine Festival last March, and I found it to be delicious. I would pair this wine with a cheese platter because of the rich and creamy texture of this wine.

• Canonica A. Cerreto Chianti Classico Riserva 2007 from Italy (275867) at $17.95 – I had the opportunity to enjoy this wine in a pizzeria in Montréal last December. From a very good 2007 Tuscan vintage, this Chianti Classico Riserva is very rich and concentrated and that an extra four to five months would make this wine even better. I had never tried this winery before, but was very happy with this wine and was hoping to find it in a store at some point. At $17.95, this is my choice of the best value wine in this NR. To see my review of this wine on my blog follow this link;    http://paulnjoywine.blogspot.ca/2011/12/canonica-cerreto-chianti-classico.html

My top three wines from this release;
1-Grgich Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from California (071407) at $74.95
2-Marziano Abbona Terlo Ravera Barolo 2006 from Italy (067918) at $48.95
3-Dog Point Chardonnay 2009 from New Zealand (238568) at $39.95

My top three wines for value;
1-Canonica A. Cerreto Chianti Classico Riserva 2007 from Italy (275867) at $17.95
2-Brigaldara Valpolicella 2010 from Italy (917864) at $14.95
3-Raimat Abadia Cabernet Sauvignon/Tempranillo 2008 from Spain (935460) at $15.95

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

Red Wines;

1- Maculan Brentino Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from Italy (708897) at $18.95
2- Farina Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2008 from Italy (995910) at $34.95
3- Grgich Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from California (071407) at $74.95 

4- Ravenswood Single Vineyard Pickberry Red 2007 from California (200865) at $44.95 

5- Andrew Rich Cuvée B Pinot Noir 2008 from Oregon (127043) at $29.95
6- Mendel Malbec 2009 from Argentina (108225) at $24.95
7- Majella Shiraz 2008 from Australia (269308) at $29.95
8- Saltram Mamre Brook Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from Australia (048579) at $24.95
9-Sister's Run Epiphany Shiraz 2008 from Australia (269464) at $15.95
10- Momo Pinot Noir 2009 from New Zealand (163972) at $19.95
11-Château Cantemerle 2008 from France (135004) at $43.00
12-Château Des Moines 2009 from France (206789) at $21.95
13-Domaine Vincent Girardin Santenay les Gravières 1er Cru 2009 from France (940825) at $38.95 14-Marziano Abbona Terlo Ravera Barolo 2006 from Italy (067918) at $48.95

15-Isole E. Olena Chianti Classico 2008 from Italy (704346) at $26.95
16-Condado De Haza Tinto 2008 from Spain (963348) at $23.95
17-Raimat Abadia Cabernet Sauvignon/Tempranillo 2008 from Spain (935460) at $15.95

White Wines;

1-Dog Point Chardonnay 2009 from New Zealand (238568) at $39.95
2-Flat Rock Cellars Riesling 2010 from Ontario (043281) at $16.95
3-Cuvaison Chardonnay 2009 from California (988261) at $29.95
4-Domaine Bachey-Legros Vieilles Vignes Chassagne-Montrachet Morgeot 1er Cru from France (268508) at $53.95
5-Chavet & Fils La Dame de Jacques Cœur Menetou-Salon Blanc 2010 from France (525048) at $19.95

That is it for me and my team. We will be back for next New Release of May 12, 2012 where one of the featured segments is California Chards, Zins and Cabs. Will that be an expensive selection?

Cheers,
Paul YWG

Casa Emma Chianti Classico 2009, Tuscany, Italy

I really struggled with this review. In total I bought 6 bottles of this Chianti and had already enjoyed four. I thought, I should write a review of this wine, it’s so good. I photographed bottle number 5, but unfortunately the wine was corked. I decided to take a chance, open number 6, it was even more corked than the previous bottle. This will not deter me from buying another bottle, the pure pleasure of this wine is worth the risk. At less in this jurisdiction, you can return a corked or faulty bottle for a full refund or exchange.  So, I will write this review based on the other four bottles which were consistently good, all four.

There is so much I like about this wine, from the very good 2007 vintage in Tuscany, this Chianti Classico is a blend of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo and 5% Malvasia Nara. On the nose this wine opens up with aromas of cherry, plum, sundried tomato, soft leather, savoury herbs and herbal notes. On the palate, light to medium bodied, red berry fruit flavours, fresh acidity and soft silky tannins. Very good energy and length on the finish with plumy-red berry fruit flavours lingering. To be enjoyed with a tomato based pasta, pizza, or on its own, its that good. Strongly recommended and very good value for fans of a more traditional style of Chianti Classico. Score 90 points.

Purchased March 3, 2012 LCBO New Release (056952) at $18.95

Brokenwood Shiraz 2009 McLaren Vale/Beechworth, South Australia/Victoria, Australia

This attractive Shiraz is a regional blend of fruit from the South Australia's regions of McLaren Vale (approximately 70%) and Beechworth (around 30%). This wine opens up with aromas of wild berries, plums, baking spices and cedar notes. On the palate, medium bodied, with alcohol coming in at 14.0%, a solid core of ripe fruit and sweet spices, lively acidity and rounded tannins. This Shiraz finish is medium length with flavours of plums, berries, vanilla and mild tannins lingering. This wine is not terribly complex, but it is very smooth, very enjoyable, almost too easy to drink. Enjoy now or over the next 3-4 years, recommended. Score 89 points.

Purchased April 14, 2012 LCBO New Release (265975) at $29.95

Duckhorn Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Napa Valley, California, USA

What a lovely wine here, a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Merlot, aged in 100% French oak. This wine opens up with aromas of blueberry, black cherry, cassis, vanilla and sweet toasty oak. On the palate, medium-full bodied (14.5% alc.), dry, rich and concentrated flavours, lively acidity and firm tannins. This Cabernet finish is long, very smooth with flavours of dark fruit, black pepper notes and fine grained tannins. Awsome mouthfeel, well balanced, well priced and delicious. Strongly recommended, score 91 points.

Purchased at the LCBO New Release (186171) at $32.95

Luigi Bosca De Sangre 2008, Lujan De Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina

This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon at 70% with Merlot and Syrah with each 15% in a supporting role. Maturation took place in French and American oak for 14 months. A beautiful ruby-violet in color and a very attractive aromatics with aromas of black currants, black cherry, strawberry, spice box, violet and camp fire smoke. On the palate, medium-full bodied (14.5% Alc.), juicy texture with good energy, lively acidity and silky tannins. Very tasty and good length on the finish with savoury notes, fresh berry and black currants and some light tannins lingering. I was concerned that the tannins would have been too much, but I found it drinking well right now. Possibly cellar 2-3 years. This red blend is easy drinking, good value and strongly recommended. Score 89 points

Purchased March 17, 2012 LCBO New Release (261933) at $21.95