French wine fans will enjoy the March 3rd LCBO Vintages segment featuring signature varieties of France, many of which have now proliferated around the globe. Among the whites are classic crisp intensely aromatic varietals from Alsace (Pinot Gris, Riesling and Gewurztraminer), Chardonnay in two unique styles from Burgundy (Chablis and Meursault), and a vibrant penetrating Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire (Sancerre). The selection of French red wines in the feature provides the opportunity to taste well-known single-varietal wines, such as Morgon (Gamay), Volnay (Pinot Noir), Crozes-Hermitage (Syrah) and Cahors (Malbec). For a sampling of the unique blends found in some of France’s best-known appellations, try a Cabernet or Merlot-dominated Bordeaux, a Grenache-based Vacqueyras or Châteauneuf-du-Pape, or a Grenache-Carignan blend from the South. The selection emphasizes the wide range of terroir and wine styles to be found in this long-established Old World region.

There’s also a fabulous selection of Chilean Carmenère red wines in this release with a French connection! Did you know that Carmenère grape was part of the Bordeaux red wine blend prior to the vineyard devastation caused by infamous plant louse phylloxera? The grape was brought to Chile in the mid-1800s and misidentified as the Merlot grape until the mid-1990s. It’s a late-ripening varietal that prefers richer clay soils. When fully ripened, it displays an intense purple-red hue, a full velvety texture, aromas of berry fruit, spice and chocolate. The wines in this selection range from the iconic Montes Purple Angel, to Natura’s organic Carmenère. Enjoy these substantial and flavourful wines.

There are several good values at or under $15, including Cattail Creek ‘Estate’ Sauvignon Blanc, Don Cristobal 1492 Bonarda, Umani Ronchi ‘San Lorenzo’ Rosso Conero, Casa Silva Carmenère, Château de Parenchères and Palacios Remondo La Vendimia.

Among the Canadian wines, I would recommend the robust Jackson-Triggs Gold Series Sunrock Vineyard Shiraz  and the round, fruity Featherstone Red Tail Merlot.

Cheers and Enjoy,
Susan

If I only had $100, I would buy . . .
LCBO Vintages Release as of Saturday, March 3, 2012

Marimar Estate ‘La Masía Don Miguel Vineyard’ Chardonnay 2007

Russian River Valley, California
$19.95 (Vintages #270090) 14.2% alcohol
Produced from organic grapes grown in a vineyard named after Miguel Torres, this Chardonnay has loads of personality. Dry, medium-full bodied white wine, it’s fragrant with ripe apple, pear and pineapple mingling with nutty, spicy aromas. Round, silky yet juicy and fresh, it delivers the zing of citrus, hints of caramel apple and roasted pear and a long mouthwatering finish. Enjoy now with chicken casserole or cellar 3-5 years.

Yalumba ‘The Y Series’ Viognier 2011

South Australia
$15.95 (Vintages #624502) 13.5% alcohol
Featuring perfumed floral and fruit aromas, this dry, mid-full bodied white wine is reliably good. It delivers nicely matched acidity and depth of fruit flavours—stone fruit and  sweet citrus to the fore—finishing with an appealing slightly bitter hint of zest adding tang to the fruit.

Perrin & Fils ‘Les Christins’ Vacqueyras 2009

AOC Vacqueyras, France
$23.95 (Vintages #973453) 14.5% alcohol
This appealing red wine blend of Grenache (dominantly) and Syrah displays great integration and balance while delivering a complex array of aromas—sweet fruit, spiced vanilla, floral notes and sweet dried herbs. Dry, medium-full bodied red wine, the sweetness of licorice mingles with the rich fruit flavours across the palate, subtle nuances of spice and toast persisting on the smooth supple finish. Enjoy it now or cellar medium term.

Misiones de Rengo ‘Gran Reserva Cuvée’ Carmenère 2010

Rapel Valley
$19.95 (Vintages #264937) 14.0% alcohol
Intriguing notes of dried herbs, flowers, red berries, cherries and exotic spice drift from the glass of this dry, medium-full bodied red wine. The framing is subtle, the texture fresh, well-integrated oak exists in fine balance with delicious red fruit and attractive notes of spiced dark chocolate. Quite refined, offering persistent fruit and notes of spice and toast on the lasting finish, this is a very good value that will cellar medium term.

Umani Ronchi ‘San Lorenzo’ Rosso Conero 2008
 DOCRosso Conero, Italy

$14.95 (Vintages #981191) 13.5% alcohol
Deep ruby violet, this is a very nice valued red wine produced from the Montepulciano grape, part of the wine aged in barrique and large cask. Aromas of sweet ripe fruit, black licorice, herbs and earth lift from the glass. Dry, medium bodied, the dark berry fruit is framed by sleek tannins and lively acidity, earthy notes and hints of char adding layers of flavour that persist through the mouthwatering dry finish. Enjoy now or cellar short term.

Grand Total: $94.75

The February 18th LCBO Vintages release showcases the depth and breadth of the LCBO's global reach and the wide-ranging tastes of you, its customers. Your favorites are featured (Customer Faves), wines from around the world, of various styles at differing price points. This edition of If I had $100 focuses on customer choices, including a Crèmant de Bourgogne (you're probably out of bubbly after Valentine's Day!), a clean dry New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, three great reds from France, Italy and Spain, and a powerful Australian Shiraz as an optional wine if you have extra $$ to splurge. There are, of course, many other wines to choose from in this feature, from great-value wines to tried and true crowd pleasers, through cellarable iconic wines—don't hesitate to do a little shopping on your own!

This release also offers a unique opportunity to sample three Chardonnays crafted by Thomas Bachelder, former celebrated winemaker at Le Clos Jordanne turned 'wine gypsy'. His goal is to let the cool-climate terroir of Niagara, Oregon and Burgundy speak through these beautifully balanced wines.

And for those fans of 13^th Street Winery Riesling, there is a duo in the Terroir feature that offers a great opportunity to contrast and compare.

In the main release is an excellent Mike Weir Wines Riesling (unbelievably only $14.95) which you may also enjoy. There's a good selection of Kosher wines in this release, of which I would recommend the Castell d'Olerdola Brut Cava, the Recanati Shiraz, and the Côtes du Rhône blend from Vignobles David.

For good value under $15, try the Perrin & Fils Réserve Côtes du Rhône Blanc and the Hacienda Araucano 'Reserva' Syrah. Looking for a fabulous wine from an iconic producer. Choose the customer favorite, Duckhorn Merlot.

Cheers & Enjoy,
Susan

If I only had $100, I would buy . . .
LCBO Vintages Release as of Saturday, February 18, 2012

Louis Bouillot ‘Perle d’Ivoire’ Brut Blanc de Blancs n/v

AOC Crémant de Bourgogne, France
$18.95 (Vintages #48801) 12.0% alcohol
Dry, light in body, offering a fine creamy mousse, this lovely Crémant balances refreshing vibrant acidity, clean minerality and subtle notes of citrus, green apple and brioche. Long and bright on the finish, it is an excellent value and can be enjoyed on its own or with light appetizers.

Mount Riley Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Marlboroug, New Zealand
$15.95 (Vintages #981670) 13.0% alcohol
Almost transparent, this wine offers a harmonious profile and the attractive pungency of lime, grapefruit, gooseberry and fresh herbs—oregano comes to mind. Dry, medium bodied, it’s juicy and crisp, with a tangy, refreshing slightly pithy finish. Try it with a crustless goat cheese and vegetable quiche.

Château Saint-Roch Chimères 2009

AOC Côtes du Rousillon-Villages
$18.95 (Vintages #119354) 14.5% alcohol
This blend of Grenache and Syrah with a dash of Carignan delivers on all counts. The aromas are enticing and complex—sweet fruit underlies herbal/lavender notes, a mineral character, hints of spiced chocolate. Dry, medium-full bodied, there’s depth and breadth to the fruit—blackberry, plum and tangy raspberry—a refreshing texture, ripe tannins and a nuance of spiced vanilla. The finish is warm, lasting and loaded with ripe fruit. A great value, enjoy it now with herbed lamb chops or cellar medium term.

Masi Brolo di Campofiorin 2007

IGT Rosso del Veronese Appaxximento, Italy
$24.95 (Vintages #976092) 14.0% alcohol
Dense, robust, inky and concentrated, this is another beautifully crafted winner, commanding attention with intense aromas of dark fruit, smoke, earth and dried fruits. Offering great substance, structure and weight, it’s dry, velvety and intensely flavourful, with a punch of spice and pepper lifting the concentrated dark fruit. Enjoy the slightly warm, spicy, well-balanced finish. Serve with a strongly flavoured meat dish, or cellar medium term.

Bodegas Lan Crianza 2007

DOCa Rioja, Spain
$15.95 (Vintages #166538) 13.5% alcohol
This classic ruby-toned Tempranillo entices with layered aromas of red fruit, spice, vanilla and hints of flowers and leather. Dry, medium-full bodied, well-framed red fruit is matched with lively acidity, spicy notes tingling on the palate, a peppery note adding a tang to the full fruity finish. Enjoy with a cheesy tourtière.

Grand Total: $94.75

Worth the splurge  
A big bold Australian Shiraz that's always a winner!

 Pirramimma Shiraz 2009

McLaren Vale, Australia
$26.95 (987784) 15.5% alcohol
Inky and intense from start to finish, this is a big, robust, flavourful wine with great depth of flavour and well-defined structure. Intense aromas of sweet dark fruit, dried fruit, licorice allsorts, spice and vanilla captivate. The fruit jumps to the fore on the palate and carries right through the extended finish, subtle acidity and ripe tannins bringing balance, spice and pepper tantalizing. This calls for a big juicy steak with a balsamic herb dressing. Cellar medium term.

With the holiday season approaching, you may want to select wines for entertaining at home or for offering a host that you know are consistently available. The Vintages Essentials program is a great choice! A defined group of products, always available at select LCBO retail outlets, Essentials is a collection of hand-selected, finely crafted wines from around the world whose proven popularity makes them a reliable choice for any event.

The  LCBO Vintages releases provide a great opportunity to discover new wines and spirits, but once they’re sold out, the release wine are no longer available. The program was created to satiate the increasing consumer desire for interesting boutique wines, as opposed to the large-scale production wines that could supply every store year round. So when a wine sells out, it's the end of that vintage - or year of production - and to get more from these small-scale wineries you just have to wait until next year.

The wines in the program are regularly reviewed, and choice wines are added periodically. Recent additions include the south Okanagan’s Osoyoos Larose (626325, $45.00), a Bordeaux-style blend known for its depth and ageability, Frescobaldi CastelGiocondo’s spicy Brunello di Montalcino (650432, $49.95) and Cakebread Cellars’ opulent Cabernet Sauvignon (710426, $99.95).

The collection includes a number of  icewines, iconic Champagnes, and a wide selection of white and red wines for all occasions, including Canadian wines such as Henry of Pelham Sauvignon Blanc (430546, $14.95), Trius Red (303800, $21.95) and Mission Hill ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon (553321, $22.95). The medley below is designed to offer a range of wines that will please every palate, readily accessible for hosting or gifting as you attend various events through the holiday season.

Cheers and Enjoy,

Susan

Willm ‘Réserve’ Riesling 2009
Alsace, France
$15.95 (Vintages #11452) 12.5% alcohol
Dry, zesty and juicy, this medium-bodied hand-harvested Riesling offers a bouquet of aromas with floral, stone fruit and citrus predominant. On the palate, it’s a pure citrus play—grapefruit and lemon/lime to the fore with flinty notes. They replay on the lingering tangy aftertaste making a great match with light appetizers or creamy seafood linguini.

Anselmi San Vincenzo 2010
Veneto, Italy
$16.95 (Vintages #948158) 12.7% alcohol
Here’s a bright golden blend of Garganega, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc that offers light floral and tree fruit aromas. Medium bodied with a refreshing acidity, it has appealing sweet fruit flavours—pears and peaches come to mind. It’s well integrated and balanced with a crisp and lingering finish. This is a versatile wine that pairs well with a range of light meat or pasta dishes.

Pérez Cruz ‘Réserva’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Maipo Valley, Chile
$14.95 (Vintages #694208) 14.5% alcohol
Offering exceptional value, this dry, medium-full bodied hand-harvested wine features complex aromas—cherry berry fruit, toasty oak, sweet spice and a whiff of herbs. The texture is smooth, the tannins ripe, the taste experience flavourful and well-balanced. Attractive notes of dark chocolate and spice garnish the long polished finish. A great choice for rich meat dishes.

Mitolo ‘Jester’ Shiraz 2009
McLaren Vale, Australia
$21.95 (Vintages #659607) 15.0% alcohol

If you enjoyed the Mitolo ‘Jester’ Cabernet Sauvignon featured in a recent Vintages release, you will also enjoy this vibrant Shiraz. From vineyards that benefit from a maritime climate and long even ripening period, this ample wine is partially barrel fermented, then aged in French oak for nine months. Deep, dark and loaded with blackberry and boysenberry jam flavours, this dry, full-bodied wine offers great depth of fruit, notes of licorice, spice and toast, and a fine supporting frame. Approachable and generous, enjoy it now with grilled meats and roasted veggies, or cellar medium term.

Tommasi Ripasso Valpolicella ‘Classico Superiore’ 2009
Valpolicella, Italy
$19.95 (Vintages #910430) 13.0% alcohol
Expect depth and intensity from this classic wine of the region, which undergoes a second fermentation with the still-warm skins of the partially dried grapes pressed for Amarone. The aromas and flavours display added complexity, the core of black cherry and berry augmented with notes of sweet dried fruit. Spice, pepper and hints of cedar join the chorus. A rich, smooth, dry full-flavoured wine, it will pair well with robust meat dishes, but is very enjoyable with a fine Pecorino, dried fruits and roasted nuts.

Grand Total: $89.75

Options:

For an outstanding bubbly, elegantly packaged, try this unique Cava from the November 26 release.

Segura Viudas ‘Brut Réserva Heredad’ Cava
DO Penedès, Spain
$29.95 (Vintages #558825) 12.0% alcohol

Golden, with some green notes, this limited-production Cava, a blend of the first pressing of estate-grown Macabeo and Parellada, displays depth and lovely balance. Intense aromas of pear, citrus and toasted butter pastry entice. Dry, bright and fresh, it has a refined creamy mousse and a lively, crisp texture. Rich flavours of Bosc pear and lemon-lime wash across the palate and linger on the clean, persistent finish. A sparkling wine of presence and weight in an elegant hand-blown bottle with a pewter crest and base, it presents well as a gift or served at any holiday gathering.

If I only had $100, I would buy . . .

LCBO Vintages Release as of Saturday, November 12, 2011

As the holiday season approaches, premium wines and gifts for that special someone are the theme in the upcoming Vintages releases.

The principal feature in the November 12 LCBO Vintages release includes a range of top-of-the –line wines. Among the whites, a Moet & Chandon Vintage Champagne as well as select Chardonnays from California, New Zealand and Burgundy. Unique blends such as the Jonatas Todos Red, signature Malbec from Argentina and Shiraz from Australia, classic Bordeaux and Italy’s grand slam of Barolo, Brunello and Amarone are but a few of note among the reds. In this selection, several Canadian wines beckon including the Closson Chase ‘Beamsville Bench’ Chardonnay, Flat Rock’s ‘Gravity’ Pinot Noir, and Mission Hill’s ‘Quatrain’.

Looking for something sweet to share with your sweetie, or for a special holiday season meal? You’ll appreciate the extensive collection of dessert wines on offer. Consider a 10-year-old Tawny Port, a Trockenberenauslese from Germany, Moniak Mead (honey wine) from the UK, a rich Recioto from Valpolicella, or a luscious and lively Canadian treat such as Henry of Pelham’s Cabernet Franc Ice Wine.

Releases like this can make for a very short list within our target $100, but as always, we’ve found some excellent buys outside the release features as well. Don’t blow the whole holiday shopping budget, as there will be more outstanding fine wines and sparklers in the next November release and the final release of 2011 in early December!

Cheers and Enjoy,

Susan

Lenz Moser ‘Prestige’ Trockenbeerenauslese 2008
Burgenland, Austria
$19.95 (Vintages #729657) 10.0% alcohol 375 ml
Golden tending to amber, produced from select botrytis-affected berries, this harmonious well-balanced dessert wine is rich with aromas of preserved peach, apricot jam and fruit marmalade. Full bodied, luscious and satiny in texture, the apricot replays, tangerine joining the chorus, providing a perfect counterpoint of tang and honey. The underlying structure delivers a refreshing lift on the lengthy fruit-filled finish. Enjoy on its own or match it to apple strudel with crème anglaise.

Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Gris 2009
Willamette Valley, Oregon
$18.95 (Vintages #940528) 13.0% alcohol
Whole cluster pressed, aged sur lie, blended with a touch of Muscat and Pinot Blanc, this Pinot Gris evokes the sun-ripened fruits of summer. Delicate floral aromas and the scent of ripe orchard fruit drift from the glass. Dry, medium-full bodied, it’s rich, ample yet refreshing, the ripe fruit matched by a seam of fine acidity and a trace of minerality. Smooth yet fresh, delivering a lasting fruity finish, this is a well-crafted wine.

Stalking Horse Shiraz 2008
McLaren Vale, Australia
$17.95 (Vintages #251215) 15.0% alcohol
Aged in new American oak, inky and voluptuous, the aromas of vanilla, sweet spice, rich ripe black fruits, and an elusive smoky note leap from the glass. Fruit forward—think boysenberry jam and blackberries—the wine has a distinctive note of black licorice, a smooth, velvety texture, and a subtle structure. An ample, rich wine offering a sweetly spiced warm finish, enjoy it now and over the next few years.

Delas Frères ‘Saint-Esprit’ Côtes du Rhône 2009
AOC Côtes du Rhone, France
$14.95 (Vintages #729962) 13.5% alcohol
Dominantly Syrah blended with Grenache, Carignan and Mourvèdre, this deep violet Rhône blend is fresh and vibrant on the nose—raspberry and boysenberry to the fore, a hint of vanilla and a whiff of garrigue that transports. Dry, medium-full bodied, beautifully balanced and structured, it delivers a wash of lively fruit across the palate, a lingering peppery note and a fresh dry crisp finish. At this price, a few bottles are in order!

Duque de Medina Gran Reserva 2000
DO Cariñena, Spain
$18.95 (Vintages #148494) 12.5% alcohol
Ruby with a touch of garnet, this mellow, well-aged wine offers evolved aromas and flavours. Floral and autumnal notes, a hint of leather and subtle sweet ripened fruit drift from the glass. Displaying a velvety texture, dry, medium-full bodied, the taste experience is all about restraint and integration—tannins that melt, acidity that freshens the red fruits, hints of sweet spice and cocoa adding complexity, a lasting slightly warm finish. Very appealing and easy to drink, you could enjoy this with bison bourgignon.

Grand Total: $90.75

Options:

For a premium wine to gift or cellar, consider Mission Hill’s Quatrain!

Mission Hill Quatrain 2008
VQA Okanagan Valley, B.C.
$41.95 (Vintages #218636) 14.0% alcohol
Following on the heels of the 2006 vintage, featured in the March 15 Vintages release, this blend of Merlot, Syrah and the Cabernets is composed from the estate’s best south Okanagan fruit, separately fermented and aged in French oak. Highly aromatic and intense, the nose offers boysenberry, black cherry, spiced floral notes, and sweet cedar. Dry, full bodied, built on a firm frame, the wine delivers depth and complexity, flavours of cassis, plum, spice and herbs, and notes of toast that carry through on the long dry finish. Serve it with robust meat dishes or age 5-7 years.

If I only had $100, I would buy . . .

LCBO Vintages Release as of Saturday, October 29, 2011

California’s famed Sonoma region, the cradle of wine production in northern California, is at the forefront of the October 29 LCBO Vintages release, offering the opportunity to sample wines from a variety of sub-appellations (AVAs, or American Viticultural Areas) characterized by their own unique terroir. Some of the better-known AVAs include Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley and Russian River Valley. There are also more commodious AVAs, such as Sonoma Cast and Northern Sonoma, that allow wineries to create unique wine styles by blending grapes grown in quite different climatic zones. Russian River is one of the coolest AVAs, and is known for its well-made Pinot Noir. Dry Creek tends to be cool in the valley, and warmer on the hillsides, where Zinfandel shines. The Alexander Valley is warmer still, sheltered from the cool Pacific breezes, and reliably ripens rich, distinctive Cabernets. The Sonoma Valley is warmer to the north, so that vineyards in the lee of Sonoma Mountain produce some very attractive Chardonnay. The town of Sonoma itself, for those who may visit, is quite historic, with old missions buildings and barracks, while the surrounding hills host some of the more famous wine estates established in the 19^th century. Among the Sonoma wines on offer, Paul Hobbs’ Crossbarn Chardonnay is finely crafted and balanced, while the Benzinger Family Cab Sauv is deep and rich.

For something a little lighter, try the Et Cetera Sauvignon Blanc. With the holiday season fast approaching, the party feature offers a range of wines at a variety of price points. For a well-priced, flavourful well-crafted red, try the Sabor Real Tempranillo ‘Viñas Centenarias’.

If you’re feeling adventurous, try the intriguing Lento Lamezia Riserva, a blend of three indigenous grapes of Calabria. A favorite Ontario white is Tawse ‘Sketches of Niagara’ Riesling, while 13^th Street has a delightful blend called ‘Red Palette’ (both wineries have been featured in Savvy Selections). And if you want to impress, offer a bottle of Château de Beaucastel Coudoulet de Beaucastel, an outstanding and complex wine that can be enjoyed now or cellared long term.

There are some other attractive values in the release, including a Chilean Carmenère at $12.95 and the always reliable Lingenfelder ‘Bird Label’ Riesling at $13.95. One of my absolute favorite sparkling wines is also on offer, Louis Bouillot ‘Perle Rare Brut’ Crémant de Bourgogne, at $19.95, a lovely sipper for a party, or for a cheery evening at home. So many wines, so little time . . .

Cheers and Enjoy,

Susan

Louis Bouillot ‘Perle Rare Brut’ Crémant de Bourgogne 2007
AOC Bourgogne, France
$19.95 (Vintages #178137) 12.0% alcohol
Pale straw with a delicate yet abundant mousse, this vintage dry Crémant offers a lovely nose of stone fruit, honey melon, citrus and lightly toasted bread. Crisp acidity and lively minerality offer a fine counterpoint to the orchard fruit and citrus. A hint of the toasty lees lingers on the long vibrant finish. Pop the cork for any occasion!

Natura Chardonnay 2011
Casablanca Valley, Chile
$15.95 (Vintages #61895) 14.0% alcohol
Using organic cultivation to bring out the character of the terroir and the full expression of the grapes, Emiliana offers this unoaked refreshingly crisp Chardonnay. Dry, medium bodied, it proffers aromas of melon, peach, apple and citrus, delivering a zesty emphasis on the apple and citrus on the palate. Juicy and flavourful, with a hint of warmth on the finish, this is a great value. Shrimp salad with a lemon dressing, or grilled salmon anyone?

Mitolo ‘Jester’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
McLaren Vale, Australia
$21.95 (Vintages #43244) 14.9% alcohol
Twenty percent of the hand-picked fruit was air-dried for 8 weeks, adding depth and texture to this ripe well-crafted Cab. A subtle earthiness and scent of spiced rose underlies the ripe berry fruit and vanilla. Dry, medium-full bodied and generous, the well-integrated tannins and refreshing acidity provide balance to the ripe spice-infused fruit. Long, fresh spicy on the finish, it’s looking for a nice juicy steak

Château Moulin de Canhaut 2006
AOC Médoc, France
$17.95 (Vintages #190983) 13.0% alcohol
An award-winning blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon this dry medium-full bodied Bordeaux has an intriguing nose offering a whiff of old-fashioned rose, smoke, spice, cassis and field berries. Rich, smooth and flavourful, it’s remarkably fruity, though well balanced with fine acidity and well-integrated tannins. Layered notes of spice, pepper and underbrush add complexity, a trace of roasted coffee beans lingering on the finish. A very good value, this wine is well matched with hearty meat dishes.

Sabor Real Tempranillo ‘Vinas Centenarias’ 2007
DO Toro, Spain
$15.00 (Vintages #244772) 14.5% alcohol
Produced from ancient century-old vines, this Tempranillo shows a hint of mahogany and enticing aromas of licorice, cigar box, spice and raspberry/blueberry pie. Dry, medium-full bodied, it’s deftly structured and balanced, offering ripe fruit on the palate embellished with subtle earthy notes, herbs and spice that follow through on the extended finish. Pick up a few bottles of this exceptional value, as it is expected to cellar a further 5-7 years.

Grand Total: $90.80

Options:

Enjoy this second wine of one of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s premier producers!

Château de Beaucastel Coudoulet de Beaucastel 2009
AOC Côtes du Rhône-Villages, France
$29.95 (Vintages #48884) 14.0% alcohol
A blend of Mourvèdre, Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault from a producer proud of its natural winemaking strategy—no chemicals, pesticides or herbicides are used, and the wine is unfiltered—this wine is reliably good year after year. Attractive red berry fruit, spice, autumnal notes and a hint of leather drift from the glass. Dry, full bodied, rich with ripe black fruit, spice and herbs, the wine is round and balanced, firm, well-integrated tannins and fresh acidity providing just the right counterpoint to the well-ripened fruit. A savoury spicy wine that keeps you coming back for just another sip. You’ll want to enjoy it now, but a couple of bottles will cellar long term.

If I only had $100, I would buy . . .

LCBO Vintages Release as of Saturday, October 15, 2011

The classic red wines of Italy’s best-known regions, Piemonte and Toscana, feature in the October 15 LCBO Vintages release. Italian wines can be named for either the grape, the region they're from, or out of traditional use of a name with a likely fictional history. Piemonte, as its name suggests, is at the foot of the Alps, with a unique climate that includes a hot growing season, a misty autumn and a cold winter often characterized by fog. Nebbiolo, the famous grape used in the creation of Piemonte’s signature wine, Barolo, is named for the fog. Barolo and Barbaresco (also a Nebbiolo wine though generally more approachable) are named for their local villages, but other well-known wines, such as Barbera and Dolcetto, are named for the varietal, often followed by a district name (such as Barbera d’Alba) which indicates the limited area in which the wine is produced.

The release provides an opportunity to try all four of these wines, as well as a value-priced blend of Dolcetto, Barbera and Nebbiolo. Among the wines of Tuscany, you’ll find the Chianti Classico, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Brunello di Montalcino, all crafted from clones of the great Sangiovese grape, as well as IGT blends that include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

A recent visit to Tuscany offered the opportunity to visit one of the featured wineries, Volpaia. The winery is located within the limits of a Medieval fortified hillside hamlet, ringed by beautiful vineyards and olive groves that melt into the surrounding hunting preserve. When the owner and winemaker, Giovannella Stianti, decided to establish the winery, historic site restrictions required very special arrangements. All the winemaking facilities are tucked under or within the hamlet’s stone structures, and the wine is transported under the medieval cobbled lanes through stainless steel pipes. The average tourist wandering through the site would never know the winery exists except for the charming tasting room on the small town square!

The secondary feature highlights the focus Argentine winemakers have placed on matching varietal to site, selecting high altitude vineyards to bring vibrancy and balance to their concentrated wines, limiting yields and introducing innovative techniques and technologies. It offers a selection of eight unique premium wines from Argentina, including the famous Catena Alta Malbec of Bodega Catena Zapata. Fifteen years of vineyard research, three years of experimentation and careful selection of specific lots within designated vineyards at significant elevation go into the creation of Nicolás Catena and his daughter Laura’s ‘Alta’ wines. Several of these select Argentine wines are designed for cellaring, so consider adding one or two to your collection! Among the Canadian wines, there are two fabulous Pinot Noir, one from Innikillin, the other Le Clos Jordanne vineyard, as well as a silky Riesling from Lailey and a rich Chardonnay from Jackson Triggs’ Sun Rock vineyard in the south Okanagan.

Cheers and Enjoy,

Susan

Lailey Riesling 2010
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
$17.95 (Vintages #72736) 10.5% alcohol
Pale gold, the fine aromas of honeyed stone fruit and citrus drift from the glass. Just off-dry, medium bodied and lusciously fruity, this wine tastes fresh and bright, underlying minerality and the backbone of lively acidity ensuring a beautiful balance. Juicy and tasty, a mouthwateringly delicious wine! My choice for pan-fried halibut.

Guenoc Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Lake County, California
$17.95 (Vintages #104240) 14.5% alcohol
From an estate established in 1888 by a famous American actress comes a big powerful value-laden wine that captivates with intense aromas of ripe dark fruit, cocoa, spice and dark toast. Showcasing a boatload of intense dark berries, spice box and toast, this dry, medium-full bodied wine achieves balance with fine acidity and a firm tannic structure. The finish is long and dry, crying out for a robust stew.

Montes ‘Limited Selection’ Cabernet Sauvignon/Carmenère 2010
Colchagua Valley, Chile
$14.95 (Vintages #16071) 14.5% alcohol
This robust blend is a great value displaying intense, complex aromas of cedar, vanilla, toast, chocolate and black fruits. Dry, full bodied, round and rich, perceptible tannins and fine acidity frame concentrated berry fruit, sweet spice and tangy notes of char. There’s good balance through the long dry finish, the ripe fruit flavours lingering. Robust meat dishes are in order.

Volpaia Chianti Classico 2008
DOCG Chianti Classico, Italy
$21.95 (Vintages #953828) 13.5% alcohol
Everything about this wine is subtle, almost delicate, from the aromas—floral, dried herbs and sweet red fruit—through the gently spiced red berry flavours garnished with fine notes of white pepper unfolding on the palate. Fruit, tannins and fine acidity are harmoniously integrated, delivering a lasting graceful finish. Enjoy it now or cellar a bottle or two to savour in a year or two.

Domaine Grand Veneur ‘Les Champauvins’ Côtes du Rhône-Villages 2009
DOC Côtes du Rhône-Villages, France
$18.95 (Vintages #76331) 15.0% alcohol
Here’s a knock-your-socks-off value with the concentration and power of a Châteauneuf at a fraction of the price. A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, this wine delivers a stream of plush rich fruit, vanilla and faintly autumnal notes. Dry yet beautifully silky, medium-full bodied, it displays a wonderful balance of subtle structure, freshness and spiced fresh raspberry and blackberry fruit, the earthy notes recurring. Pleasing, harmonious and finishing long and warm. Pair it with duck cassoulet, or cellar 5-7 years.

Grand Total: $91.75

Options:

An iconic wine from Argentina’s storied producer, Nicolás Catena!

Catena ‘Alta’ Malbec 2008
Mendoza, Argentina
$49.95 (Vintages #982355) 13.5% alcohol
Produced from grapes specially selected from 4 family vineyards, the vibrant aromas of this dense inky wine stream from the glass—dark berries, dried herbs, mint, vanilla, spice, incense and a whiff of cocoa, all intermingling to create the fabulous complex bouquet. Full fruity black berry flavours and a rich velvety texture coat the palate, finely balanced acidity and well-integrated tannins kicking in to assure freshness. The finish is extended, notes of herbs and cocoa persisting. Bring on the prime rib, or cellar 5-7 years.

A phenomenal day today... so much so that I must create two entries because things developed in two directions...the wonders of wine and the magnificence of the Oregon Coastline.

A one hour and fifty seven minute ride led by my British tour guide, GPS, began to take on a disastrous character when her shortest distance programming (rather than shortest time) told me to leave I-5N and take secondary roads to get to my first destination, Domaine Serene, the winery Robert Parker refers to as the Chateau LaFite of Oregon Wineries.

What a great faux-pas, if that's what it was, because we took a trip through countryside I may never have seen and it let me discover things like the huge acreages of hops that are grown here in Oregon, as well as the row upon row of orchards dedicated to the growing of hazelnuts. The Babe and I also got to scale the Willamette River in a cable-powered ferry on Wheatland Ferry Road. Pretty awesome for $2.

To be quite honest, apart from the hazelnuts and the hops, the agricultural landscape in most of the area looks a lot like Southern Ontario except for the backdrop of the Cascade Mountains. Corn is in full swing as well as all the apple orchards, blueberry farms, market gardens and various mixed farm produce. There is one other big difference today, the Willamette was 86 to 92F depending on where you were. The harvesters were not happy.

Domaine Serene is what everyone dreams of when they fancy their winery dream: Hispanic architecture on the top of a mountain surrounded by rows of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah.

I tasted a very good Chard, two Pinots I was already familiar with (Yamil and Eventstad Blocks) and then a cross tasting of Rockblock Syrah, the 2007 and the 2008. This proved quite interesting as they showed the differences 2 different years of weather can make as well as 2 different blending styles. The 2007 was much creamier and more fruit forward with overtones of caramel while the 2008 shone in minerality and elegance and showed good acidity. Both were more than 14 per cent alcohol that provided a warm toasty impression and made both appropriate for some nice Lamb Shanks.

I was supposed to meet Grace Evenstad at the winery today, but she was suffering on a Mediterranean Tour so I left her message at the office to say I would see her this Winter.

Then a 45 minute ride to The Ponzi Vineyards with a brief lunch stop at Subway in Dundee.
As much as Domaine Serene is chiseled out of the landscape, Ponzi Vineyards is a pastoral function of the landscape, right down to the structural reality of being built on the side of an incline that feeds the harvested grapes in the high end of the facility and distributes the wine from the lower end of the facility so that gravity eliminates the need for pumping and cycling the must and the effluent.

Anything Pinot is what this tasting was all about... Blanc, Gris and Noir. All were creamy and delicious with good acidity and thirst quench and they screamed to be mated with some pan-fried Halibut steaks cooked in butter and seasoned with orange juice.

I was supposed to meet Maria Ponzi as well, but she was off site and the Tasting Ambassador assured me she had not vacated to the Med, at least not today.

I'm very disappointed in my ability to happen upon good food recipes to go with these great wines I'm experiencing although my next adventure for the day showed promise in that regard.

Since it was only 3:30 and my touring was complete, I decided I could trust my guide to take me on the legendary tour of Highway 101 down the coast of Oregon from Lincoln City to Florence...it was breathtaking...a drive everyone should put on their "Bucket List".

If I only had $100, I would buy . . .

LCBO Vintages Release as of Saturday, October 1, 2011

Taste a world traveller in the October 1 LCBO Vintages release, which offers a range of different styles of Syrah/Shiraz from around the world. Why the two different spellings?Cooler climates such as the Northern Rhône, the original home of Syrah, produce ageworthy wines known to be dry and structured, characterized by bright fruit flavours, black pepper and mint. In climates where the warmth allows the grapes to fully ripen, such as South Australia, winemakers will often label their wines as Shiraz to distinguish their wines as bigger, more full bodied, ripely fruity, spicy and more softly structured. Of course, there are wines of every style in between and from newer regions, such as Chile and Argentina where the climate facilitates the creation of a wine with fairly soft texture and ripe sweet fruit underpinned with the classic Rhône structure. And Syrah is also found in a range of blends, including the wines of the southern Rhône, where it typically is blended with varietals such as Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Carignan.

There’s also a good example of an Australian blend in this release, Hickinbotham’s Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon. Consider tasting a range of these wines, from Guigal’s classic Crozes-Hermitage, to the powerful full-bodied eminently ageable Barossa Valley Estate Ebenezer Shiraz, to the Syrah from Chile or Sicily. The substantial secondary feature is perfect for those who want to start a cellar. The quality of the fruit, levels of acidity and tannic structure are critical factors affecting the ageability of wines. With certain varietals and blends, classic examples being Burgundian and Bordeaux wines, methods of oak aging are also of significance. Perhaps you selected one or two Bordeaux wines from the Septembere 17 release to start your cellar. With this release, you can consider two Canadian whites—Le Clos Jordanne’s Talon Ridge Chardonnay, or Vineland’s St. Urban Riesling—a Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa or South Australia, a Burgundy from Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils, a Brunello or Barolo from Italy, and a Vintage Port, among others. You won’t go wrong with any of these and can create a small selection to choose from and to build on in the future.

Finally, Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and there are some wines in this release that are a perfect match for that festive meal. For an all-Canadian line-up, consider the Cranberry Wine from Stoney Ridge to whet your appetite or with the meal, a choice of Tawse Sketches of Niagara Chardonnay or Wayne Gretzky’s Pinot Noir for the main course, and finish up with the Pomme de Glace Ice Cider with your apple pie and ice cream!

Happy Thanksgiving,

Susan

Vineland ‘St. Urban’ Riesling 2009
VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
$19.95 (Vintages #38117) 8.4% alcohol
While almost transparent, this wine is very fragrant—pear, sweet citrus and a fine mineral quality drift from the glass. Definitively off-dry, there’s a faint hint of spritz, lovely lemon-lime flavours, traces of stone fruit and mineral, balanced by a clean stream of fine acidity. Beautifully crafted and tasty, you just want more . . . so buy a few bottles, as this will cellar medium-long term.

Babich ‘Black Label’ Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Marlborough, New Zealand
$17.95 (Vintages #9142) 14.0% alcohol
Big and substantial are not the usual terms for a Sauvignon Blanc, but they’re just right in the case of this fragrant wine. Inhale the aromas and savour the rich flavours of ripe tropical fruit—imagine lime-splashed papaya—gooseberry, nettle and a hint of fresh ginger. Beautifully balanced, dry, full on the palate, this is a gorgeous wine with some zip on the fruit-filled finish.

Luigi Bosca ‘Single Vineyard’ Malbec 2008
Luján de Cuyo, Argentina
$21.95 (Vintages #74922) 14.4% alcohol
The impressive pedigree—fruit from a 70-year-old vineyard, 14 months oak aging—from a highly reputable producer portends the quality and depth of this wine. Notably complex and lush aromas of berry, plum, cocoa, toasty oak and dried herbs lead the way to a full dry velvety palate that’s equally complex. Subtly framed by ripe tannins and fine acidity, rich fruit flavours and notes of cocoa persist on the lasting supple finish. Drinking well now, the wine will cellar 5-7 years.

Pérez-Cruz ‘Limited Edition’ Syrah 2009
Maipo Alto, Chile
$19.95 (Vintages #588812) 14.0% alcohol
Produced from hand-picked grapes wrested from stony soils, this is a dry, medium bodied wine with layered aromas and flavours. Earthy herbal notes, a hint of balsamic, a whiff of spiced rose and the tang of ripe raspberries mingle with focused dark berry fruit,The texture is appealingly fresh, the tannins somewhat chalky, the overall experience intriguing and consistently flavourful through the lasting finish. A match for lamb or beef.

Feudo Principi di Butera Syrah 2008
IGT Sicilia, Italy
$16.95 (Vintages #247510) 13.0% alcohol
Appealing aromas of rich ripe dark fruit, sweet spice and smoky toast waft from the glass. Dry, medium-full bodied, the core of intense berry fruit wraps around a firm structure, the notes of spice and pepper lasting through a balanced savoury finish. Approachable and very flavourful, this is a wine to enjoy with robust meat dishes.

Grand Total: $96.75

Options:

Tuck this Barolo away in the cellar – a great value!

Marchesi di Barolo Barolo 2005
DOCG Barolo, Italy
$34.95 (Vintages #168179) 14.0% alcohol
A very attractive, elegant designed-to-age wine that offers subtle alluring floral notes and aromas of earth, red fruit, toast and vanilla. Dry, medium bodied and tight-knit, the tannins are notable, the flavours of wild strawberry, pepper and spice box balanced by fine acidity. Delivering a long intense finish, this wine is a great value. Created for long-term cellaring, hold it for a few more years, or serve decanted accompanied by veal chops with porcini mushrooms.

More about my blog post: If I only had $100, I would buy…
There is a myriad of wines out there, so it’s often a challenge deciding what to select when the LCBO Vintages catalogue comes out every two weeks or so. Like a kid in a candy shop, your attention darts from one treat to another, but what to choose . . . Something to serve to your guests this weekend? Something to put away for a special occasion? Something to store for a autumn afternoon?

I recognize that each person’s tastes and preferences are unique. “If I had $100 . . .”, will be posted just prior to LCBO Vintages releases and will highlight unique wines I have tasted that provide good value; the selection will total no more than $100.

Occasionally, I may include an optional wine – you can substitute or add it for a little more or a little less! Print this off as your shopping list knowing that these wines have been selected by a Savvy Sommelier who has sipped, savoured & swirled countless wines before they arrived on the shelves in Vintages.  Hopefully you too will find a new favorite wine.  And when you do, quickly save your pennies to buy a bottle or two more.  Warning that once a wine is gone from a particular Vintages release, that vintage, and sometimes that wine, is gone for good!

If I only had $100, I would buy . . .

LCBO Vintages Release as of Saturday, September 17, 2011

Highlighting the 2008 vintage in Bordeaux, the September 17 LCBO Vintages release also includes an opportunity to compare cool-climate Pinot Noir originating from Oregon and Burgundy as well as a special selection of four New Zealand wines. The 2008 vintage in Bordeaux was full of ups and downs, including erratic bud break in the early spring and a killing frost in April that severely reduced yields. The early summer was wet and damp, impacting flowering. Although the sun shone in July, August and early September were cool requiring green harvesting which further reduced yields. Fortunately, the warm dry weather returned in September and carried through October, creating favorable harvest conditions for those properties willing to let their fruit hang. In general, it seems the fruit was in good condition, but there was much less of it. Bordeaux watchers indicate there is significant variability from one appellation to another, so this LCBO Vintages feature creates the opportunity to compare a wide range of wines from both left and right bank producers. Look for fragrance, freshness and fruitiness.(1) Select a wine from each major region, for instance Château Pontet-Caillou and Château des Moines, and give them a try! And keep in mind that the October 1 release features wines chosen for those beginning a private cellar – with the September 17 selection of Bordeaux wines, you can get a head start right now! The Pinot Noir face off features samples from the 2008 and 2009 vintages in Burgundy and Oregon’s Williamette Valley which, like Burgundy, has a number of sub-regions (known as AVAs) that produce distinct types of wines. This is another opportunity to compare and contrast wines whose character will vary, in this case based on geography, terroir, clonal selection, growing philosophy and winemaking methods. Parent’s Bourgogne Pinot Noir and Red Shot Lane Pinot Noir offer a good starting point. Finally, if you are an aficionado of premiium New Zealand wines, you can choose from a Sauvignon Blanc, a Chardonnay, a Pinot Noir and a Bordeaux-style blend, all rated 90+.

Cheers

Susan

Château le Grand Moulin Cuvée Collection 2008
AOC Bordeaux, France
$15.95 (Vintages #245357) 13.0% alcohol
This award-winning wine gets points for value and approachability. There’s a nuance of vanilla drifting over lovely rich spiced fruit. Dry, mid-weight, it’s subtly structured, silky on the palate and loaded with ripe red cherry/berry flavours, notes of fines herbes and spiced toast garnishing the mid-length finish. Savour it now or put some bottles aside to enjoy in the next couple of years.

Château des Moines 2008
AOC Lalande-de-Pomerol, France
$22.95 (Vintages #206789) 12.5% alcohol
Semi-opaque, ruby hued, this Merlot-based Bordeaux delivers aromas of smoky toast, spicy roses, cedar and field berries. There’s a firm underlying structure, a velvety caressing texture, and an attractive balance of fresh acidity and concentrated flavours of plum, dark berries, spice and roasted peppers. Persistent and dry on the finish, it’s a good candidate for mid-term cellaring.

Domaine Parent ‘Bourgogne’ Pinot Noir 2009
AOC Bourgogne
$19.95 (Vintages #597971) 13.8% alcohol
This is a very nice value, delivering a subtle floral fragrance, earthiness and aromas of spiced red berries. Dry, medium bodied and supple, there’s a well-crafted balance of tangy red fruit, soft tannins and lively acidity. A lovely flavourful well-structured wine. Enjoy it now with roast duck breast, or cellar medium term.

Gehringer Brothers ‘Private Reserve’ Pinot Gris 2009
VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
$17.95 (Vintages #347203) 13.2% alcohol
Dressed in the pink straw tint of an autumn grass, this is a mouthwateringly delicious wine with tantalizing aromas of stone fruit, honey melon, musky floral and subtle citrus notes. Dry, medium bodied and fresh, the fine flavourful orchard fruit rides on a backbone of lively acidity, finishing with a tangy little kick. A versatile wine that’s a great value.

Emiliana ‘Winemaker’s Selection’ Syrah/Mouvèdre 2007
Colchagua Valley, Chile
$18.95 (Vintages #243394) 14.5% alcohol
Biodynamic vineyard and winemaking practices were used to produce this dense tantalizing wine. Complexity on the nose—earthy autumnal notes, sweet herbs, a hint of tapenade and rich dark fruit—is evident on the palate. Dry, medium-full bodied, fresh acidity and firm structure frame dark berries and cherries overlaid with enticing nuances of toast, herbs and spice. A wine that lingers and invites another sip, and another. Enjoy it with grilled beef marinated in balsamic and herbs.

Grand Total: $96.75

More about my blog post: If I only had $100, I would buy…
There is a myriad of wines out there, so it’s often a challenge deciding what to select when the LCBO Vintages catalogue comes out every two weeks or so. Like a kid in a candy shop, your attention darts from one treat to another, but what to choose . . . Something to serve to your guests this weekend? Something to put away for a special occasion? Something to store for a autumn afternoon?

I recognize that each person’s tastes and preferences are unique. “If I had $100 . . .”, will be posted just prior to LCBO Vintages releases and will highlight unique wines I have tasted that provide good value; the selection will total no more than $100.

Occasionally, I may include an optional wine – you can substitute or add it for a little more or a little less! Print this off as your shopping list knowing that these wines have been selected by a Savvy Sommelier who has sipped, savoured & swirled countless wines before they arrived on the shelves in Vintages.  Hopefully you too will find a new favorite wine.  And when you do, quickly save your pennies to buy a bottle or two more.  Warning that once a wine is gone from a particular Vintages release, that vintage, and sometimes that wine, is gone for good!

(1)Source: thewinedoctor.com

If I only had $100, I would buy . . .
LCBO Vintages Release as of Saturday, September 3, 2011

If you enjoy the complexity, depth and texture of big red blends, the September 3 LCBO Vintages release delivers! The release leads with classic Bordeaux blends, such as Château le Monteil d’Arsac. There’s Inniskillin Okanagan’s Merlot-dominated Meritage, de Toren Z, a rich South African Bordeaux-style blend that also leads with Merlot, classic Rhône blends such as the Lavau Gigondas (Mourvèdre, Grenache and Syrah) and the Domaine Chante Cigale Tradition Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a blend which can include as many as 13 varietals, although this one is principally Grenache, married with regional classics such as Syrah, Mouvèdre and Cinsault.

Other blends include Yalumba’s Iconic Cabernet Sauvginon/Shiraz, combining the plush texture and spice of the former varietal, with the structure and aging potential of the latter, and classics such as Brigaldara’s Amarone. A Spanish winemaker, discussing her wines, once said that she felt that blending was the best way to create wines—in this manner, she could bring out the unique attributes of each varietal and vintage, blend the wines to optimize particular characteristics and offer unique intriguing creations with significant complexity.

For those interested in the building blocks of a classic blend, there’s a fabulous education in the component tasting and presentation by Pascal Madevon, winemaker and vineyard manager at Osoyoos Larose. At a seminar a couple of years ago for instance, he described the 2008 Grand Vin, leading with Merlot, providing big structure and volume, Cabernet Franc, whose chocolaty notes and strong tannins envelope and provide more power, Malbec contributing a big nose and acidity, Petit Verdot the source of more tannic structure and aromas, and Cabernet Sauvignon adding complexity and additional ageability to the blend.

In addition to classic red blends, we are seeing more appealingly aromatic blended whites from Ontario and British Columbia, for instance, 13^th Street’s White Palette, included in an earlier release, and Road 13’s Honest John’s White in the current release. It includes Riesling, Kerner, Gewürztraminer, Schoenerger, Muller Thurgau and Pinot Gris, delivering lifted and complex aromatics on a backbone of zesty acidity. Try some of these blends, and take the opportunity to compare say an Australian Cab Sauv/Shiraz blend with a varietal Australian Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvginon.

The second feature marks the 150^th anniversary of Italian unification with a selection of wines from some of Italy’s best-known appellations and varietals—Piemonte’s Dolcetto, Barbera and Barbaresco, Sangiovese-based Chianti Classico and Morellino di Scansanco from Toscana, a tasty Amrarone from Valpolicella, and Negroamara and Primitivo from Puglia in the south. There’s something here for every palate and pocketbook. This selection includes an irresistible dessert wine, Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise. Share it with friends over the long weekend!
Cheers,
Susan

de Toren Z 2008
WO Stellenbosch, South Africa
$32.95 (Vintages #178194) 14.5% alcohol
Well-crafted and finely balanced, the aromas of this classic Right Bank Bordeaux-style blend draw you right in—dark berry and plum, roasted peppers and sun-kissed herbs. Dry, medium-full bodied, robust yet supple, the components all knit together—well-integrated tannins, lovely fresh acidity and ripe fruit nuanced with mint and herbs. The finish is long, warm, fruity and slightly peppery. Full flavoured and just plain delicious.

Luis Felipe Edwards ‘Reserva’ Merlot 2009
Colchagua Valley, Chile
$14.95 (Vintages #250340) 14.0% alcohol
Enjoy the tantalizing array of aromas—floral, herbal, spice, raspberry and black cherry—in this big, deep inky wine. Dry, medium-full bodied, displaying lively texture and great underlying structure, the flavourful fruit is complemented with a replay of spice and herbs, some notes of toast garnishing the lengthy warm dry finish.

Inniskillin ‘Winemaker’s Series Barrel-Aged’ Pinot Gris 2009
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
$19.95 (Vintages #177766) 14.0% alcohol
Offering an elegant twist on the varietal, this dry award-winning medium-bodied wine is subtle, spiced and fruity on the nose. Lush yet lively in texture, it brings to mind preserved peaches, honeyed roast pear and lemon chiffon pie. There’s a nice lift from spice and pepper on the fresh lasting fruity finish. Delish!

Domaine des Bernardins Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise 2009
AOC Beaumes-de-Venise, France
$16.95 (Vintages #129999) 15.0% alcohol (375 ml)
It’s a dream, seducing you with notes of dried apricot, peach nectar, honeysuckle, honey and fruit of the vine. The texture is luscious and silky, the sumptuous preserved stone fruit and dried mango is poised on a backbone of generous acidity, and a hint of warmth glides through the delectable finish. A lovely closer, sip it on its own or with an orange crème brulée, or cellar long term.

Grand Total: $84.80

Worth the splurge:
Here’s a tasty modestly priced Amarone for your enjoyment!
Corte Majoli Amarone della Valpolicella 2007
DOCG Valpolicella, Italy
$33.95 (Vintages #81943) 15.5% alcohol
Head straight to the display for this classic value-laden Amarone. Savour the warm aromas of ripe fruit, dried berries, chocolate-coated caramel and cedar. Dry, medium bodied, the texture is like satin across the palate, the balance exquisite, and the layers of flavours fascinating—from ripe red fruit, through bittersweet chocolate, a toffee-like note and exotic spice. The finish is warm, fruity and so tasty, you just want more. Savour it with an aged Pecorino.

More about my blog post: If I only had $100, I would buy…
There is a myriad of wines out there, so it’s often a challenge deciding what to select when the LCBO Vintages catalogue comes out every two weeks or so. Like a kid in a candy shop, your attention darts from one treat to another, but what to choose . . . Something to serve to your guests this weekend? Something to put away for a special occasion? Something to store for a autumn afternoon?

I recognize that each person’s tastes and preferences are unique. “If I had $100 . . .”, will be posted just prior to LCBO Vintages releases and will highlight unique wines I have tasted that provide good value; the selection will total no more than $100.

Occasionally, I may include an optional wine – you can substitute or add it for a little more or a little less! Print this off as your shopping list knowing that these wines have been selected by a Savvy Sommelier who has sipped, savoured & swirled countless wines before they arrived on the shelves in Vintages.  Hopefully you too will find a new favorite wine.  And when you do, quickly save your pennies to buy a bottle or two more.  Warning that once a wine is gone from a particular Vintages release, that vintage, and sometimes that wine, is gone for good!