The Smart Buys Issue - January 5 VINTAGES release

January 5, 2012 VINTAGES release

Instead of the usual photos, I am making a simple shopping list ... apparently, I still have gone over my limit with pics. In the meantime, I will provide a list of those most likely to make it into my bag ... the visual of my red sharpie & yellow highlighter has been replaced by bolded text (as to what caught my eye).  I must add that price plays a factor - I don't usually buy wine over $30 unless it is something spectacular.

In this release, January 5, 2013, VINTAGES features:

• smart buys
• delicious dinner wines
• local talent - Ontario Cabernet Franc

My picks include ...

ACACIA PINOT NOIR 2011 VINTAGES 235960 $24.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Intriguing aromas of wild blueberry, sour cherry, plum, baking spices and sandalwood. Ripe, fleshy and fruity Pinot with good concentration and a nice fresh lift on the finish. Youthful tannins suggest it will evolve nicely in cellar for 1-2 years, and drink for 5 beyond that; if enjoying tonight, try it with blackened lamb in a red wine sauce. (VINTAGES panel, Nov. 2012)"

RABBIT RIDGE ESTATE GROWN ZINFANDEL 2010 VINTAGES 695072 $23.95 - LCBO Description: "Since you're bound to wonder, this winery was named for founder and winemaker Erich 'The Rabbit' Russell, who was a world-class runner in college". LCBO Tasting Note: "Warm aromas of blackberry, blueberry, cherry, spiced plum and vanilla. Sunny and concentrated on the palate, with a medium-full body and fruity jam notes backed by fleshy tannins. Pair with beef tenderloin in a berry chimichurri sauce. (VINTAGES panel, Feb. 2012)"

ALTA VISTA PREMIUM ESTATE MALBEC 2010 VINTAGES 677443 $14.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "The 2010 Alta Vista Premium Malbec is a blend of the vineyard in Clos dos Los Siete and Serenade in Alto Agrelo. It is raised 50% in French oak of third and fourth use. It has a simple but fresh nose that veers towards an earthier style, but it bestows great freshness and a sense of personality. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins that do not distract from the crisp blackberry and bilberry fruit. The finish is focused with a tang of sea salt. This is a superb entry-level Malbec. Drink now-2017. Score - 89. (Neal Martin, erobertparker.com, Oct. 2012)"

AD LIB HEN & CHICKEN OAKED CHARDONNAY 2010 VINTAGES 297697 $19.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "The 2010 Hen & Chicken Chardonnay gives notes of warm apricots, guava and pineapple with a toasty/nutty undercurrent. Medium-bodied with crisp acid and a nice silky texture, it has good concentration and a long, mealy finish. Drinking now, it should remain good through 2015. Score - 91. (Lisa Perrotti-Brown, MW, erobertparker.com, Dec. 2011)"

PETER LEHMANN FUTURES SHIRAZ/MUSCADELLE 2009 VINTAGES 301309 $24.95 - LCBO Description: "The first wine Peter Lehmann ever sold when he struck out on his own was called 'The Futures' and was sold according to the Bordeaux model; the Futures line of premium Barossa wines are named for that initial offering. As his label states, 'My Word is My Bond.'  LCBO Tasting Note; "Always the innovator, Lehmann rounds out his Shiraz here not with Viognier, but with the increasingly rare third white variety of Bordeaux, Muscadelle. Bursting with lovely dark fruit and vanilla, along with savoury herbs and floral overtones. There's tons of ripeness on the palate, with a medium-full body and a nice round texture. Pair with smoky sausages or meat stews. (VINTAGES panel, Feb. 2012)"

RABL ST-LAURENT 2009 VINTAGES 301960 $15.95 - LCBO Description: "St-Laurent made its way to Austria from Alsace via Germany. At first, many thought it was, or related to, Pinot Noir, but the intensity of colour and intriguing aroma and flavour profile disproved that before science finally did." LCBO Tasting Note: "The bright, well-defined fruit flavours are solid from attack to finish, and they're paralleled by a seam of clean, fresh acidity. It's 15% oak-aged, but the sensory influence is minimal, making this a fresh and fruity, but serious red. Score - 4 Stars (out of 5). (Rod Phillips, rodphillipsonwine.com, April 28, 2011)"

JEAN GEILER RÉSERVE PARTICULIÈRE CHASSELAS 2011 VINTAGES 141150 $13.95 - LCBO Description: "It's rare to see a single-variety Chasselas from Alsace where it is more commonly used in the region's blended wines (known as Edelzwicker). An amazingly good value, it's easy to see why this version from Jean Geiler was singled out. Look for lime, spring flowers, pear and mushroom aromas. Dry and soft-textured wine with a lively, crisp finish. Perfect quaffing white or serve it with goat cheese appetizers."

DOMAINE RODET CHÂTEAU DE MERCEY PINOT NOIR BOURGOGNE HAUTES CÔTES DE BEAUNE 2009 VINTAGES 706523 $19.95 - LCBO Description: "Burgundy's 2009 is hailed as a blockbuster vintage. Here's a chance to taste the character of the vintage at a very approachable price." LCBO Tasting Note: "Classic Burgundian Pinot aromas of field berry, cherry, earth, meat and smoke with touches of leather, mineral and baking spice. Ripe and structured with a medium body, and lovely dark cherry fruit at the core. Exceptional value. Pair with beef bourguignon, coq au vin, or mushroom-and-lentil stew. (VINTAGES panel, May 2012)"

M. GASSIER NOSTRE PAIS COSTIÈRES DE NÎMES 2010 VINTAGES 295410 $18.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "The sexy, medium to full-bodied 2010 Nostre Pais Rouge exhibits velvety tannins along with copious garrigue, lavender, licorice, black currant, cherry, kirsch and spice box characteristics. This luscious, fruit forward, undeniably seductive red is composed of 35% Grenache, 25% Carignan, 20% Mourvedre, 15% Cinsault and 5% Syrah. Aged six months in French oak, mostly on its lees, the price point is ridiculous for a wine of this quality. It is best drunk over the next 1-2 years. Score - 90. (Robert Parker Jr., erobertparker.com, June 2012)"

WERNER ANSELMANN EDESHEIMER ROSENGARTEN SIEGERREBE SPÄTLESE 2011 VINTAGES 910554 $14.95 - LCBO Description: "Siegerrebe is a cross between two little-known varieties creating a rich, robust, round and ripe wine. It is so rich that it is wise never to blend it with another variety as it will overpower it. This award-winning example shows off Siegerrebe's big, bold nature beautifully. Medium sweet, this wine is filled with mango, guava, ripe peach, apricot and pear aromas and flavours. It is a terrific match for fiery Asian dishes as the intensity and sweetness of the wine refreshes the palate for another plunge into the heat of the dish."

COTNARI FETEASCA ALBA 2009 VINTAGES 12088 $12.95 - LCBO Description: "Feteasca Alba is an aromatic, Muscat-like grape and is the single most important white wine variety in Romania. This wine won a Silver Medal at the 2010 VinAgora Competition in Budapest. The nose displays intense aromas of melon, mirabelle plum, grapes, Golden Delicious apple, and honey. It is medium in sweetness with good fruit replays balanced by gentle acidity. Try it with a fruit-stuffed pork roast."

TORRES VIÑA ESMERALDA 2011 VINTAGES 113696 $13.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "... It's also a great white to pull out of your fridge at the end of a trying day because it's floatily aromatic. As soon as you unscrew the top and start to pour you can smell the gentle florals and feel your shoulders going down. There's no oak here, just muscat (85%) and gewürztraminer (the rest) grown in the mountains of north-east Spain -- not usually my favourite grapes but although you might think this smells of honeysuckle and has a gentle spice to it, it's got edges as clean as a shiny window pane and a crisp pertness that makes it refreshing too. (Victoria Moore, planetvictoria.co.uk, July 14, 2012)"

My list is a little longer than usual but this release is chock full of great picks and values.  I will have my work cut out for me to whittle this down some.

sit. sip. savour.
Éva Nagy - accredited sommelier & yummy food enthusiast