JUSTIN'S WINE PICKS OCTOBER 24, 2012

Wines will be released for sale in Ontario on October 27 2012.

You have heard this here before but nonetheless it is true: Christmas doth approach us and waves of high-end vinos are being offered up for our purchasing pleasure! If you are in the Christmas shopping mode or need a hint for someone buying for you here's your chance.

I think I will give you three price groups for reds, starting with the most expensive, since there are a ton of wonderful wines. There is also a special release of 2009 Bordeaux, touted as a remarkable Vintage Year! So slip on your shop to you drop outfit and ensure that good old Ontariario has a Happy and profitable Christmas! ( Note: there is no need to panic shop here! There will be several more offerings before Christmas.)

2009 Bordeaux.

Ch. Lestruelle 2009 Medoc $18.95. “ Core of raspberry, blackberry and boysenberry fruit.”

Ch. La Croix Chaigneau 2009 AC Lalande de Pomerol $ 23.95. “bright, spicy fruit.”

Ch. Cheval Brun 2009 AC St.-Emilion Grand Cru $24.95. Drink 2014-15.

Ch. Teyssier 2009 AC St-Emilion Grand Cru $39.95. Parker Score 92.

Best White: Cave De Ribeauville Giersberger Brut Cremant D'Alsace $19.95. This is made in the traditional Methode Champenoise and is very dry and very delicious! Goes remarkably well with a wide range of foods.

Fine Whites.

Coyote's Run Red Paw Vineyard Pinot Gris 2011 Niagara $17.95. Light & refreshing. Good Wine!

Domaine Delorme Et Fils Sur La Roche Pouilly-Fuisse 2009 $29.95. “Dry & quite ripely fruity with a rich, long finish.”

Stadt Krems Gruner Veltliner 2011 Austria $13.95. I am a fan of this grape since our Sept. Danube cruise. Very well balanced!

Preiss-Zimmer Riesling 2008 Alsace $18.95. Try this with crab-cakes.

Dr. Loosen Red Slate Riesling 2011 Mosel $19.95. Perfect with Christmas dinner!

Mountadam Riesling 2010 Australia $24.95. Complex, nuanced flavour profile.

Jules Taylor Sauvignon Blanc 2011 N.Z. $19.95. “passion fruit & lime.”

Tedeschi Filadonna Pinot Grigio 2011 Veneto $15.95 Compare with the Coyote above.

Best Red: Antinori Solaia 2009 Tuscany $251.95. This is one of the best wines in the world, no question! In the same class as top flight Bordeaux, and when you compare it's price to the $1000 range they demand it's a bargain

Fine Reds In The High-Rent District.

I Castei Campo Casalin Amarone 2007 $47.95. Drink 2020 to 2030.

Fattoi Brunello Di Montalcino 2007 $34.95. Wonderful Vintage!

Domaine Du Vieux Telegraphe La Crau Chateauneuf-Du-Pape 2009 $79.95 Drink around 2020+.

Howard Park Scotsdale Shiraz 2009 Australia $39.95. Huge, powerful and strong. A big, juicy treat. Will last until 2030 or so.

Melville Verna's Estate Pinot Noir 2010 Santa Barbara $34.95. “jammy raspberries & cherries.”

Great Gift Reds $20 to $30.

Freemark Abbey Merlot Napa $29.95. “Lovely, elegant merlot.”

Clos De Los Siete 2009 Argentina $21.95 “ Ripe, succulent, balanced.”

Concha Y Toro Terrunyo Block 27 Carmenere 2009 Chile $29.95. A real sleeper! This is lovely, fruity, balanced and just delicious!

Dandelion Vineyards Lionheart Of The Barossa Shiraz 2009 $20.95. This is for those who like them thick and juicy with big spice. Just IMMENSE!!

Leconfield Merlot 2010 Coonawarra $22.95 Superb cherry/cassis profile.

Louis Jadot Ch. Des Jacques Morgon 2009 $23.95. Morgon wines are considerably more dense and longer lived than most Cru Beaujolais. EXCEPTIONAL VALUE!!

Domaine Cros De Romet Cairanne Cotes Du Rhone Villages 2010 $21.95. Fabulous Wine!!

Antinori Chianti Classico Reserva 2008 $29.95. “terrific length and balance.”

Great Gift Reds under $20.00

Peninsula Ridge A.J. Lepp Vineyards Reserve Merlot 2010 Niagara. A fine, hot vintage.

Ironstone Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 California $17.95. A MUST BUY WINERY!!

Trapiche Fincas Las Palmas Malbec 2007 Argentina $17.95. “Dry, big & powerful.”

Melk's Cabernet Sauvignon/ Shiraz 2010 S. Africa $15.95. Spicy berry. Very Tasty!

Delas Freres Saint-Esprit Cotes Du Rhone 2010 $15.95. BEST BUY!!!

Lornano Chianti Classico 2007 $15.95. Perfect with lamb!

Great Reads: Beast Of Burden by Ray Banks is a really dark/noir detective story set in Manchester.

It's part of a series which has me hooked but be warned that the story is REALLY GRIM!

One of my all-time favourite reads is Bachelor Brothers Bed and Breakfast by Bill Richardson. There are actually three Volumes. You'll laugh and you'll cry!

Thanks,

Justin