All of my picks are from the LCBO Vintages magazine for the release date of Saturday, February 18. If you have a magazine already, feel free to make notes, just like I do.
My Sparking Pick
On page 13 is the Louis Bouillot Perle D’Ivoire Brut Blanc de Blancs from Burgundy. This well made Cremant has notes of green apple and toast. It is dry and very well balanced on the finish. I give it 9 points and the price of this delicious sparkling wine is only $18.95.
White Wine Picks
On page 42 is the 2009 Bachelder Chardonnay from the Willamette Valley in Oregon. A very interesting wine with notes of apple and melon but some notes of buttered toast and fine minerality round out the finish. The price is $34.95 and I give this wine 8.5 points. Try it tonight with chicken alfredo or butter poached lobster. Can age for another 5 years.
Also on page 9 is the 2011 Mount Riley Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand. This is a must try for all Sauvignon Blanc fans. Look for dill, tomato vine, some citrus notes such as lime on the nose and palate. A great wine for the price. Only $16.95 and I give it 9 points. This is a drink now wine and will not improve with age.
On page 47 is the 2010 Domane Wachau Terrassen Federspeil Gruner Veltliner from Wachau, Austria. If you’ve never tasted a Gruner Veltiner before here is your chance. This is a bone dry wine that is gives notes of white pepper and citrus that leads to a lingering finish. This wine would be delicious with a bitter green salad or just on its own. Very good value at $17.95 and I give it a 9.
Red Wine Picks
First off is the Crowd Pleaser wine. You buy this wine and everyone will love it. And I’m excited to say that it’s a Cabernet this week. So turn to page 5. It is the 2009 Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon for $22.95. It also come in a half bottle for $12.95. Look for black cherry, vanilla, baking spices and cocoa on the nose and on the palate. Very smooth finish. I give it 9 points. Great on its own or with any grilled red meats.
My drink now or cellar a few more years pick for this month is on page 6, the 2008 Allegrini Palazzo Della Torre from the Veneto region in Italy. This wine is a blend of Corvina, Rondinella and Sangiovese. Look for black fruits and well balanced acidity. Great price at $24.95 and I give it 9 points. Would pair well with meat dishes or with cheese. Decant for about an hour or let it age for another 5 – 8 years and see how it develops.
My Tuesday night special is on page 14, the 2007 Bodegas Lan Crianza from Rioja, Spain. This 100% tempranillo has notes of sweet, ripe fruit on the nose with lots of new oak here but finishes dry with notes of cherry and raspberry. It’s only 15.95 and it gets an 8.
My interesting pick this week is on page 50 it is a blend of Nero d’Avola and Cabernet Sauvignon. It is the 2007 Donnafugata Tancredi Contessa Entellina from Sicily, Italy. Lots of big chewy tannins with this wine and ripe fruit. Excellent finish. I recommend this wine with hearty rich foods like lamb stew. The price is $25.95 and I give it 9 points.
My Brunello pick is on page 51, and this month it’s a half bottle. Look for the 2006 Castelgiocondo Brunello di Montalcino. This is a very well balanced Brunello that delivers with a nice, lingering finish. I recommend decanting this wine for about an hour or it can age for another 10 years. Great way to try a Brunello and not break the bank. Price is $26.95 and it gets an 8.5.
My steak night wine this week is on page 13, the 2009 Clos du Val Zinfandel from Napa Valley. Look for blueberry cheesecake, ripe blackberries on the nose leading to well integrated tannins and acid on the finish. This wine is delicious and the price is $23.95 and I give it 8.5 points.
My Canadian pick this week is on page 41, the 2007 Township 7 Syrah from the Okanagan Valley, BC. First off, if you are a fan of big, bold Shiraz from Australia, then this wine is not for you. But if you want to try a great food wine that has nice notes of pepper, spice plum and earthiness then this wine is for you. Very well balanced finish. Price is $25.95 and I give it 8 points. Would be delicious with peppercorn steak.
The “usual suspects” this week are the 2008 Dominus at $149.95 and the 2009 Duckhorn Merlot at $56.95, both Napa Valley wines. The Dominus is also my Cellar wine pick as this wine has the potential to age for another 25+ years. The structure is there but it’s young so I say “Do not touch…if you can!” I give it a 9.5. The Duckhorn Merlot is a much more approachable but could be cellared for another 3 – 4 years. It gets a solid 9 points. Both wines should be enjoyed with any red meat, especially steak!
Until the next LCBO Vintages release on March 3, enjoy good wine, good food and good health!