By Gaby Israel This is the release for the Spanish wine lovers (like me). Spain has been one of my favorite wine regions for many years now. They consistently produce great wines for the right price. You can enjoy 8-12 years old wines for $20 to $30, and their quality is absolutely stunning. Here are my top picks from this release: Choice #1 – Spain –2010 Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha, Campo de Borja (273748) – $19.95 Last time I was in Spain in 2007, I visited this region – Campo de Borja is a county in Aragon, Spain. It […]
Gaby Israel
Duran Gran Reserva Brut, Langtry Guenoc Petite Sirah: Best Cellar Wines, LCBO January 5
By Gaby Israel The release we’ve been all waiting for – Smart Buys! After the last two expensive releases, January comes and gives us hope for the new year. Here are my top picks: #1 choice – Spain – Ribera del duero – Finca Villacreces Pruno 2010 (312140)-$19.95 2010 was a remarkable vintage in that region in Spain. wine critics have provided very supportive reviews indicating a 10 years cellaring potential, and for $20, this is a very attractive buy. I’d buy 3-12 bottles. About the winery/vineyard from www.DrinkRiberawine.com: “The first vines were planted on this amazing estate in the […]
Mitolo Cabernet Sauvignon, Pietranera Brunello: Best Cellar Wines in LCBO December 8
By Gaby Israel The December releases are known to be the most expensive releases at the LCBO. Out of the very many great wines that are offered in the Dec 8 release, I have chosen the following top 3 wines for the cellar: Australia – MITOLO SERPICO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009 (659599) – $57.95 I remember seeing a TV show in the late 70s called Serpico. Serpico was a famous New York police officer who wasn’t afraid to ‘work against the grain’ and in doing so exposed immense depth of police corruption in the era. With Mitolo Serpico the winemaker aimed […]
Pazo Pondal Leira Albarino, Pierre Amadieu La Grangeliere Vacqueyras, Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape : Best Cellar Wines in LCBO Vintages Release November 10
By Gaby Israel Here’s my best cellar wines list for this release as a shopping list that you can print and will show you LCBO stock availability. Top picks for under $20: Choice #1 – Spain – Rias Baixas – Pazo Pondal Leira Albariño 2011 (115816)-$15.95 I have mentioned the uniqueness of this grape a few times before – it doesn’t resemble any other white grape, yet it’s absolutely delicious. The Albariño white Spanish wine is a great match with fatty sea food. This 2011 Pazo Pondal Leira Albariño receievd 95 by Decanter (I thought Decanter had a […]
Chateau Senejac, Antinori Marchese Chianti Classico Riserva, Meandro Do Vale Meao: Best Cellar Wines in LCBO Vintages Release October 27
By Gaby Israel Here’s my best cellar wines list for this release as a shopping list that you can print and will show you LCBO stock availability. This release is dedicated to the very successful 2009 vintage in Bordeaux. Many of the wines seem interesting and fairly priced, however, I tried to pick the ones that fit my palate and are “cost-effective” to my cellar. Here are my top three 2009 Bordeaux wines from this release: France – Bordeaux – Clos Des Moiselles Le Bord’eaux 2009 (191528) $16.85 This is from Cote De Bourg, which is north-west of Saint Emilion […]
Best Cellar Wines in LCBO Vintages Release October 13
By Gaby Israel Here’s my best cellar wines list for this release as a shopping list that you can print and will show you LCBO stock availability. Top picks $16-$26 #1 choice – Italy – Mazzei Ser Lapo Chianti Classico Riserva 2007 (288530)-$25.95 It’s not that often you see WS rating a wine with 95 and the wine costs $26.00. 2007 (together with 2006) was an outstanding vintage in Tuscany. This Chianti Riserva sounds more than promising. These wines can gracefully age for 8-12 years. I would buy 3-12 bottles. #2 choice – Spain – Arrocal 2009 (067868)-$16.95 This wine […]
Best Cellar Wines in LCBO Vintages Release September 29
By Gaby Israel Here’s my best cellar wines list for this release as a shopping list that you can print and will show you LCBO stock availability. #1 choice – France – Midi – 2010 Les Vignes Bila-Haut Cotes Du Roussillion-Villages (168716) – $14.95 The Roussillon history is complex and compelling, and has at times been quite violent. Terraces on stony soil, with a rich geological background and a climate that man has adopted for his crops. The Roussillon was bound to attract Michel Chapoutier’s attention. He decided to locate his domain at Latour de France. Black and brown […]
La Font Des Grieres Gigondas, Columbia Crest, Gemma Barolo: Best Cellar Wines in LCBO Vintages Release September 15
By Gaby Israel Here’s my best cellar wines list for this release as a shopping list that you can print and will show you LCBO stock availability. GPCi top 4 for up-to $22: #1 choice – Italy – Abruzzo – 2008 Barba I Vasari Old Vines Montepulciano D’Abruzzo – $18.95 It’s not every day that you see Gambero Rosso giving a high 3 out of 3 glasses rate and for a $19 (!) bottle of wine. Besides… I have a very soft spot for Montepulciano wines. Seems like an excellent QPR wine-of-the-house option. I’d buy 3-12 bottles. #2 choice – […]
Ribera del Duero, Vina Tarapaca, Capraia Classico Riserva: Best Cellar Wines in LCBO Vintages Release September 1
By Gaby Israel Here’s my best cellar wines list for this release as a shopping list that you can print and will show you LCBO stock availability. Spain – Ribera del Duero – 2008 Legon Crianza (276089)-$15.95 This is my #1 GPCi choice of the Sep 1st, 2012 release. 2008 was a very good vintage in Ribera del Duoro region (wait for the 2009 wines – they are even better!). RP gave this Legon Crianza 90 with a 8 year cellaring window (until 2020), which makes the GPCi almost par with 2 (remember, any GPCi below 3.5 is a good […]
Verbena Brunello De Montalcino, Domaine Roche Cairannie, Bosquet Des Papes: Best Cellar Wines in LCBO Vintages Release August 18
By Gaby Israel Here’s my best cellar wines list for this release as a shopping list that you can print and will show you LCBO stock availability. Spain – Montsant – Celler Besllum Besllum 2008 (283515) – $15.95 My #1 “must try” wine of this 8/18 release. RP gave it 93 and its GPCi is “crazy” (1.45!) – can be cellared until 2023. I was looking for the meaning of the word Besllum and found two interesting definitions: 1 – Besllum is a Catalan word with no literal translation meaning ‘imperfect, uncertain understanding of something’ 2 – Besllum means “a […]
