Sept. 29 LCBO Wine Picks: Tuscany + Pinot Noir

The next Vintages wine release will be in LCBO outlets across Ontario on Saturday, September 29. This release focuses on Tuscan Traditions, which includes some very nice red wines at a very high price points.

The Poggio Al Tesoro (blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc) and the Tenuta (blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese) are both cellar dwellars right now should be aged for at least 3-4 years. While the Antinori Brunello di Montalcino is made using 100% Sangiovese (Brunello) and can be enjoyed now or cellared for at least the next decade.

The secondary feature is on Pinot Noir from two very specific regions in Australia and New Zealand, of which a version from the Mornington Peninsula (Victoria, AU) is worth checking out. There is also a small feature on pairing wine with Thanksgiving side dishes, with the Vouvray, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling Spätlese all making my list - and can be enjoyed on their own as well.

Among the rest of the wines from this release, the Spanish Monastrell (a.k.a. Mataró or Mourvèdre) offers great value at only $13.95, while the barrel-fermented Finca Nueva Blanco is made using the Viura varietal. The Finca Flichman from Argentina consists of 55% Syrah, 35% Malbec and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. From France, we have a Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend from the superb 2009 Bordeaux vintage, and a 2010 southern Rhône that is blended with 50% Grenache, 35% Mourvèdre, and 15% Syrah.

Enjoy my picks for this week! Cheers!


Red Wine:

• CASA CASTILLO MONASTRELL 2010 - DO Jumilla, Spain (#165621) (XD) - $13.95
• FINCA FLICHMAN PAISAJE DE BARRANCAS 2009 - Mendoza, Argentina (#017129) (D) - $17.95
• HOGUE GENESIS MERLOT 2008 - Columbia Valley, Washington, USA (#349415) (D) - $18.95
• CHÂTEAU MAISON BLANCHE 2009 - AC Médoc, Bordeaux, France (#295824) (XD) - $19.95
• DOMAINE LES GRANDS BOIS CUVÉE MAXIMILIEN CAIRANNE 2010 - Unfiltered, AC Côtes du Rhône-Villages, France (#286336) (XD) - $21.95
• STONIER PINOT NOIR 2010 - Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia (#025338) (XD) - $24.95

• POGGIO AL TESORO SONDRAIA 2008 - DOC Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy (#292391) (XD) - $44.95
• ANTINORI PIAN DELLE VIGNE BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2006 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#651141) (XD) - $59.95
• TENUTA SETTE PONTI ORENO 2009 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#735597) (XD) - $71.95

White Wine:

• DOMAINE DE VAUGONDY DRY VOUVRAY 2010 - AC, Loire, France (#189142) (D) - $14.95
• FINCA NUEVA FERMENTADO EN BARRICA BLANCO 2010 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#280560) (XD) - $15.95
• CAVE SPRING ESTATE BOTTLED CAVE SPRING VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2010 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#256552) (XD) - $18.95
• HOFFMANN-SIMON PIESPORTER GOLDTRÖPFCHEN RIESLING SPÄTLESE 2011 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#216499) (MS) - $21.95
• DOG POINT VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2011 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#677450) (XD) - $21.95
• PALMINA LARNER VINEYARD MALVASIA BIANCA 2010 - Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara, California, USA (#289157) (D) - $35.95

Icewine:

• TAWSE CABERNET FRANC ICEWINE 2010 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#306035) (S) (200 mL) - $34.95

The rest of the wines from this release can be found here.