Paul's Picks from the LCBO Vintages New Release of August 3, 2013

Hello to all my wine friends,

As you may recalled my last newsletter mentioned that I would be unable to provide my picks for this week New Release (NR).  However, many of you have asked if I could provide a brief review with a list of recommended wines. I am more than happy to provide an abbreviated version of my newsletter. The central feature of this New Release (NR) showcases; "Fresh from France, refreshing whites", an interesting variety of grapes and sweetness level of which 4 are recommended out of the 13, with the remainder still a good option. The secondary feature is the "Syrah and Shiraz, one grape, two names, many styles" with only 1 wine recommended out of the 7 wines (from 6 different countries). For me, when you say Shiraz, the first country I think about is Australia but there is none to be found in the featured Syrah/Shiraz offering, which is a bit peculiar. If you are looking for an Aussie Shiraz, two of them are here, in the Australian section of the NR. My pick for top wines of this release, St. Hallett Blackwell Shiraz 2009 from the Barossa Valley (535104) at $34.95 and Swings & Roundabouts Shiraz 2011 from the cooler climate Margaret River in Western Australia (329839), at $21.95.

 

Now my favourite question;  If I were allowed to buy only one wine from this NR, which one would that be?  Poggio Al Tesoro Mediterra 2010 from Italy (333567) at $23.95. Syrah wines from Tuscany can be very sensuous and this wine is a full bodied blend of 40% Syrah, 30% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Now here are a few wines I would like to bring to your attention;  

Starting with white wines;

 

• If you have never tried a wine made with Chenin Blanc grapes these two wines would be a great start; from the Chenin Blanc specialist in South Africa, Ken Forrester Reserve Chenin Blanc 2011 (231282) at $17.95 and Marc Brédif Vouvray 2011 from la Loire, France (685362) at $19.95 (I have reviewed there last two vintages of their Vouvray, 2009 and 2010), I love their wines.
   
   
• Here is a rich style of Pinot Gris from California to consider; Mac Murray Ranch Pinot Gris from Russian River Valley in Sonoma County (047787) at $19.95.

   

   
• For the off the beaten track adventurous out there, here are two of them to consider; Lua Cheia Em Vinhas Velhas 2011 from Portugal (336073) at $15.95 (from old vines native grapes) and Pedro Escudero Fuente Elvira 2011 from Spain (218313) at $15.95 (made with Verdejo grapes)

 

Now for the red wines;

• My local pick from the very good 2010 vintage in Ontario, Tawse Laundry Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2010 from Niagara Peninsula (130997) at $31.95.
  
  
• For fans of Bodegas Lan, don't wait too long to pick a few bottles of Bodegas Lan Reserva 2007 from Spain (042929) at $21.95.
  
  
• Lovers of California Cabernet Sauvignon, here is a good value, mid price Cab to consider; Cameron Hughes Lot 257 Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from California (329854) at $24.95.
  
  
• And finally, here is my BBQ pick for you; Ventisquero Grey Single Block Carmenère 2010 from Chile (325415) at $19.95 with a nice medium rare steak would be awesome.

My top three wines from this release; 

1- St. Hallett Blackwell Shiraz 2009 from Australia (535104) at $34.95 

2- Tawse Laundry Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2010 from Ontario (130997) at $31.95 

3- Poggio Al Tesoro Mediterra 2010 from Italy (333567) at $23.95

 

My top three wines for value; 

1- Ken Forrester Reserve Chenin Blanc 2011 from South Africa (231282) at $17.95 

2- Monte Zovo Sa' Solin Ripasso Valpolicella 2011 from Italy (650713) at $17.95 

3- Ventisquero Grey Single Block Carmenère 2010 from Chile (325415) at $19.95

 

 

My wines picks from this New Release for your consideration;

Red Wines; 

1- Tawse Laundry Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2010 from Ontario (130997) at $31.95 

2- Cade Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from California (325027) at $104.95 

3- Cameron Hughes Lot 257 Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from California (329854) at $24.95 

4- Decoy Zinfandel 2010 from California (327502) at $29.95 

5- Nickel & Nickel State Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from California (292300) at $115.95 

6- Altivo Balance Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from Argentina (324202) at $21.95 

7- Ventisquero Grey Single Block Carmenère 2010 from Chile (325415) at $19.95 

8- St. Hallett Blackwell Shiraz 2009 from Australia (535104) at $34.95 

9- Swings & Roundabouts Shiraz 2011 from Australia (329839) at $21.95 

10- Lawson's Dry Hills Pinot Noir 2010 from New Zealand (034827) at $24.95 

11- Château Puygueraud 2009 from France (189423) at $22.85 

12- Poggio Al Tesoro Mediterra 2010 from Italy (333567) at $23.95 

13- Monte Zovo Sa' Solin Ripasso Valpolicella 2011 from Italy (650713) at $17.95 

14- Bodegas Lan Reserva 2007 from Spain (042929) at $21.95 

15- Lealtanza Gran Reserva 2005 from Spain (927913) at $29.95

 

White Wines; 

1- Domaine Chevallier Chablis 2010 from France (112227) at $19.95 

2- Marc Brédif Vouvray 2011 from France (685362) at $19.95 

3- Rolly Gassmann Riesling 2009 from France (328898) at $20.95 

4- Mac Murray Ranch Pinot Gris from California (047787) at $19.95 

5- Paul Hobbs Chardonnay 2010 from California (329615) at $49.95 

6- Ritual Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from Chile (328401) at $19.95 

7- Ken Forrester Reserve Chenin Blanc 2011 from South Africa (231282) at $17.95 

8- Lua Cheia Em Vinhas Velhas 2011 from Portugal (336073) at $15.95 

9- Pedro Escudero Fuente Elvira 2011 from Spain (218313) at $15.95

 

Sparkling Wines; 

1- Château Moncontour Tête de Cuvée Brut Vouvray from France (207936) at $16.95

 

That is all for me and my team. I hope you enjoy my picks this week and I am off for a small vacation in Newfoundland. We will be back for the next New Release of August 17, 2013, where the featured segments are Fine wines from the "other" Italy and Refreshing Aussie whites.

 

Cheers

Paul YWG