Wines
released for sale in Ontario on May 24, 2014.
I
have been extolling the virtues of Rhone wines for a long time and
for very good reasons.
From
Hermitage and Saint-Joseph in the Northern Rhone to
Chateauneuf-Du-Pape and numerous fine Villages in the South the
consistent quality is amazing! Wines from such villages as Rasteau,
Vinsobres, and Massif D'Uchaux are concentrated and fruity with a
touch of the local Garrigue ( underbrush & spice notes) to
heighten interest. Weather-wise they are usually blessed with lots of
sun and moderate conditions during the growing season. Price points
are highly competitive. Great Chateauneuf-Du-Pape, for instance sells
at a fraction of the price of top growth Bordeaux, Burgundy and Napa
wines.
A
large selection of these winners is available this time. Stock up for
barbecue season!
IMPORTANT
NOTE!! This wine letter is also produced in the form of a blog. We
have sent it out over the years in the form of a direct email but
feel it is time to get with the program and modernize. Starting in
July emails will cease and you can read the new issues on line ( as
you can do now !! ) every two weeks. The blog has been up for a long
time so you can view this issue as well as any of the past issues if
you like by googling JUSTIN'S WINE PICKS.
JUST
Google Justin's Wine Picks and it will magically appear. You can also
access previous editions.
I
want to own the following Rhone Reds.
Domaine
De La Valeriane Cotes Du Rhone 2012 $17.95. “Nose of raspberry,
strawberry and spice.”
Domaine
La Guintrandy Cotes Du Rhone 2012 $15.95.
Ch.
grand Dignitaire Cotes Du Rhone- Villages Gadagne 2012 $18.95.
Domaine
Martin Plan De Dieu Cotes Du Rhone-Villages 2011 $19.95.
Domaine
Courtois La Grange Vinsobres 2011 $20.95. Always buy Vinsobres!!
Ortas
Tradition Rasteau 2011 $17.95. Decanter World Wine Awards Winner!
Le
Gravillas Cotes Du Rhone-Villages Seguret 2011 $15.95
Clos
Bellane Cotes Du Rhone- Villages Valreas 2010 $19.95.
E.
Guigal Chateauneuf-Du-Pape 2007 $59.95. Age at least 10 more years.
#1
White: Roger & Didier Raimbault Sancerre Loire 2012 $27.95.
Perfect with grilled shrimp!
Tres
Tasty Vin Blanc.
Jean-Marc
Brocard Vaucoupin Chablis 1er Cru 2011 $27.95. Sip this before
dining.
Beauvignac
Picpoul De Pinet 2012 Midi $13.95. Picpoul De Pinet is the grape. I
sold boatloads of this dry bargain when I was working for a living.
Crios
De Susana Balbo Torrontes 2013 Argentina $13.95. Floral lime and
lemon.
Yamhill
Valley Vineyards Pinot Gris Oregon 2011 $17.95. “Brilliant ribbon
of acidity.”
Mission
Hill Family Reserve Pinot Gris 2012 Okanagan $17.95. “Tremendous,
floral nose.”
Vineland
Estates Chardonnay Musque 2011 $17.95. “Floral, fruity &
full-flavoured.”
Raza
Dolce Torrontes Sparkling Wine Argentina 2013 $15.95. Great aperitif!
#1
Red: Quintarelli Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2004 $99.95. One of
the original cult wines! Giuseppe Quintarelli was to wine making as
Einstein was to physics. Heaven in a glass!
I
saw this wino. He was eating grapes. I was like “Dude you have to
wait!” Thanks Ben.
I was
wrong last week when I stated that you could not sell your wine in
Ontario. There is an annual sale at Ritchie's Auction House, fully
endorsed by the LCBO. The auction house and the LCBO get a small
percentage. You can stipulate a floor price. Thanks to Barrack St.
Product Consultant Kent Currie for the information.
Superb
Reds to Purchase.
Meandro
Do Vale Meao 2011 Portugal $24.95. This is the one I am actually
buying this time.
Mica
Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 Napa $121.95. I would like to buy several of
this and several of Frog's Leap Cab. Sauv. Napa $55.95, but divorce
lawyers are even more expensive!
Marziano
Abbona Terlo Ravera Barolo 2008 $49.95. Age 10 more years.
Heredad
De Baroja Gran Reserva Rioja $24.95. “ Amazing Value!!”
Henry
Of Pelham Family Tree Red 2012 Niagara $18.95. “Generous fruit
flavour.”
Irony
Small Lot Reserve Cab/Sauv 2011 $19.95. “A truckload of dark fruit
flavour.”
Alta
Vista Premium Cab/Sauv Argentina 2012 $15.95. “Loaded with flavour
and character.”
Fabre
Montmayou Reserva Malbec 2012 Argentina $15.95. “Round, spicy and
generous.”
Rolf
Binder Hales Shiraz 2010 Barossa $18.95. Balanced, not super-heavy.
Audacia
Shiraz S. Africa 2011 $13.95. “Good structure and character.”
Ch.
Camp De La Hire 2010 Bordeaux $16.95. Great Vintage, SUPERB VALUE!!
Ch.
Saransot-Dupre 2010 Listrac $28.95. “Classified Growth Quality!
Ch.
Vincens Prestige 2011 Cahors $17.95. “Displays real elegance and
power.”
Fun
Reads: The Black-Eyed Blonde by Benjamin Black. A reincarnation of
Raymond Chandler's detective, Philip Marlowe. Every bit as good as
the originals!
An
old favourite: The Bachelor Brothers Bed & Breakfast by Bill
Richardson. I love this book! You'll laugh, you'll cry!
Thanks,
Justin
