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Thursday, November 24, 2011

Paul's Picks from the LCBO New Release of November 26, 2011 - Smart Buys for Holiday Entertainm​ent and La crème de la crème

Hello to all my wine friends,

While going through this massive Holiday New Release (NR) with its 133 new products and 38 of them over $50.00, I saw a great deal of choice in good to very good wines at the high end and many good value wines between $15 to $20. Unfortunately a category which you would think would be well represented at this time of the year, the $25 to $35 range is lacking excitement and choice compared with the last NR. A NR where wines like Ruffino Modus 2007 and E. Guigal Gigondas 2007 (to name a few) were available, for a short time, and have since sold out. In addition to my two feature segment, here are a few other wines that caught my attention. I keep hearing about the quality of Port made in Australia , Grant Burge 10 Year Old Tawny (058388) at $30.95 would make an interesting choice in a Port Tasting. As a Merlot fan, Stag's Leap Merlot 2007 (655399) at $44.95 a full body Merlot from Napa Valley. From Wine Access 2011 Canadian Wine Awards, this silver medal winner Burrowing Owl Meritage 2008 from British Columbia (695148) at $59.95 (which is $15.00 more than the BC price). Looking for a good Brunello? How about Silvio Nardi Brunello Di Montalcino 2005 from Italy (922054) at $41.95 from a very good producer and ready now or cellar mid-term and finally two German Riesling Spätlese; one from Dr. Herman (181917) at $21.95 and the other from Kurt Darting (963207) at $19.95 are worth considering. Well let's get started.

Smart Buys for Holiday Entertainment; With all the Holiday entertaining, parties and get together, here are four wines which are meant to be enjoyed with appetizers, finger foods and won't break the bank. With one added note of caution, a wine which I would have added to this list but has received poor reviews compared to the last two good vintages, Ben Marco Malbec 2009, which is unfortunate. Now here are four wines to consider;
  • Palacio De Sada Crianza 2006 from Spain (246736) at $14.95 From the lesser know Spanish region of Navarra and a blend of 90% Grenache with Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon. Not a wine for sipping, needs food.
  • Valiano Poggio Teo Chianti Classico 2006 from Italy (250563) at $17.95 Chianti Classico's are often a great wine with cheese and appetizers.
  • La Ferme du Mont Le Ponnant Côte du Rhône-Villages 2009 from France (171371) at $17.95 Here is one of the first Côte du Rhône and Côte du Rhône-Village from the highly rated 2009 Rhône vintage to appear in our stores. These are youthful, spicy wines, usually blends of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre.
  • Lungarotti Rubesco Sangiovese & Canaiolo 2007 from Italy (247817) at $17.95 From the central Italian region of Umbria, a blend of native grapes Sangiovese & Canaiolo.

La crème de la crème; With twenty-one products over $90.00, there are plenty of options for people looking to splurge or looking for a special Holiday gift. Some might be thinking, who buys these wines? About the same time last year, I went to LCBO Ottawa flagship store at King Edward and Rideau on Saturday NR morning. Many customers where filing there carts with Sassicaia and expensive California Cabernet Sauvignon, some buying them by the case. If I had a unlimited budget, here are five wines which would end up in my cart (and no not necessarily the most expensive);
  • Dunn Vineyards Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from California (193763) at $96.95 from the very good 2007 Napa Valley vintage.
  • Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2009 from France (711317) at $89.95. From the highly rated 2009 Rhône vintage, its should age nicely over the next 10-15 years.
  • Château Pontet-Canet 2008 from France (137323) at $129.00. This is a Château with an excellent track record over the 5-6 years of making wines much better than there 5e Cru Status. From all account, one of the better wines from the challenging 2008 Bordeaux vintage.
  • Henschke Mount Edelstone Vineyard Shiraz 2005 from Australia (718601) at $99.95. A big Aussie Shiraz from Keyneston, a sub-district of Eden Valley.
  • Sassicaia 2008 from Italy (480533) at $186.95. This iconic wine from Tenuta San Guido in Bolgheri, Tuscany, blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc, aged 24 months in French Oak. Fans of this wine will have to spend $37.00 more this year compared to last November 27 Release of the 2007 which was $149.95.

My top three wines of this release;
1-Dunn Vineyards Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from California (193763) at $96.95
2-Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2009 from France (711317) at $89.95
3-Sassicaia 2008 from Italy (480533) at $186.95

My top three wines for value;
1-La Ferme du Mont Le Ponnant Côte du Rhône-Villages 2009 from France (171371) at $17.95
2-Valiano Poggio Teo Chianti Classico 2006 from Italy (250563) at $17.95
3-Palacio De Sada Crianza 2006 from Spain (246736) at $14.95

These wines did not make my shopping list but are worth considering;
Red Wines;
1-Burrowing Owl Meritage 2008 from British Columbia (695148) at $59.95
2-Dunn Vineyards Howell Moutain Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from California (193763) at $96.95
3-Jonata El Alma De Jonata 2007 from California (218925) at $143.95
4-Peter Michael L'Esprit Des Pavots 2006 from California (154732) at $144.95
5-Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from California (031351) at $123.95
6-Stags' Leap Winery Merlot 2007 from California (655399) at $44.95
7-Barossa Valley Estate E&E Black Pepper Shiraz 2005 from Australia (731620) at $89.95
8-Henschke Mount Edelstone Vineyard Shiraz 2005 from Australia (718601) at $99.95
9-Château Pontet-Canet 2008 from France (137323) at $129.00
10-Château Tour Saint Fort 2003 from France (244061) at $32.95
11-Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2009 from France (711317) at $89.95
12-Geografico Montegiachi Chianti Classico Riserva 2007 (962142) at $23.95
13-Sassicaia 2008 from Italy (480533) at $186.95
14-Silvio Nardi Brunello Di Montalcino 2005 from Italy (922054) at $41.95
15-Lungarotti Rubesco Sangiovese & Canaiolo 2007 from Italy (247817) at $17.95
16-Miguel Torres Mas La Plana Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from Spain (129676) at $46.95
17-Pesquera Tinto Reserva 2007 from Spain (323345) at $41.95

White Wines;
1-Momo Pinot Gris 2010 from New Zealand (163535) at $18.95
2-Amani Chardonnay 2009 from South Africa (687442) at $17.95
3-Dr. Herman Erdner Treppchen Riesling Spätlese 2006 from Germany (181917) at $21.95
4-Kurt Darting Riesling Spätlese 2008 from Germany (963207) at $19.95

My team and I will be back for the last New Release before Christmas on December 10, 2011, where the main Features are "Fine wines for relaxed holiday gathering" and "Fabulous, festive fizz" see you then.

Cheers
Paul YWG

2 comments:

  1. Fantastic Blog - am sharing with all my friends and family.

    Had the Momo Pinot Gris 2010 from New Zealand (163535) at last night - it was lovely. Looking forward to trying the Dr. Herman Erdner Treppchen Riesling Spätlese 2006 from Germany (181917) soon! - Megan & Andy, Kitchener.

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  2. Meghan & Andy, thanks for the comments and passing along my blog to your friends. Glad you enjoyed the Momo Pinot Gris. Dr. Herman Spatlese was not on my shopping list, but purchased it recently based on the advice from an LCBO Product Consultant. Cheers. Paul.

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