By Gaby Israel United States 2007 Villa Mt. Eden Zinfandel Antique Vines Grand Reserve, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Amador County, Napa County, California -$19.95. I can’t skip any opportunity to buy a good hefty Zin. This wine is for you John M to try! Great supportive review, fair price. What’s not to like? Australia 2008 Yalumba Shiraz Viognier, Eden Valley, South Australia – $21.95. Although 2008 was far from being a stellar vintage (RP ranked it a relatively low 85 score), this wine received good reviews and I personally love this Northern Rhone blend. I’ve tried this Yalumba version a […]
Gaby Israel
Yalumba Viognier, Errazuriz Carmenere, Perrin & Fils Vacqueyras Among Best Cellar Wines in LCBO Vintages Release March 3
By Gaby Israel Australia Yalumba Y Series Viognier 2011 – $15.95 You cannot go Wrong with Yalumba, even with this entry level Viognier. I like serving it chilled and have it with any type of dish – from grilled fish, to seafood pasta. Chile Errazuriz Single Vineyard Carmenere 2009 2009 – $18.95 Errazuriz Don Maximiano Single Vineyard Cabernet – $19.95 Two great QPR wines from Errazuriz. As I said before, never had less than a great experience from this winery. You get so much value for your money with these ones. Expect lots of fruit and concentrated flavors. A great ‘house […]
Beronia Reserva, Santa Rita Medalla Cabernet Sauvignon, D’arenberg Shiraz Among Best Cellar Wines in LCBO Vintages Release February 18
By Gaby Israel 2006 Beronia Reserva, Rioja, Spain – $19.95 After an amazing 2005 vintage in this Spanish region, 2006 is not as promising, nevertheless, my number one choice from this release based on quality and price. This is what traditional Rioja is all about – you get value for your money. This wine is short-medium term cellaring (probably until 2016). I’d buy 3-12 bottles. 2008 Santa Rita Medalla Cabernet Sauvignon Real Gran Reserva, Maipo Valley, Chile – $19.95 My number 2 choice of this release for the same reason mentioned above re the Beronia Reserva. Had this Chilean wine […]
Epsilon Shiraz, Australia, Xavier, Chateauneuf-Du-Pape, Ravenswood Zinfandel, California Top Cellar Wines in LCBO Vintages Release February 4
By Gaby Israel 2009 Epsilon Shiraz, Barossa Valley, South Australia – $24.95 2009 was the third in a row series of ‘Good’ yet not amazing vintages in the Barossa region. Nevertheless, based on James Halliday’s review as well as Natalie’s, who gave it 90 and 92 respectively, it seems a successful effort for the vintage. This Shiraz is made for short-medium term cellaring, which makes the GPCi challenging. If you need to carefully allocate your cellar budget this month, I’d wait and read on… 2009 Xavier , A.C., Châteauneuf-Du-Pape, Rhône – $39.95 The hunt for great 2009 CdP continuous… Consistently […]
Descendientes De J. Palacios Pétalos, Domaine De Cristia, Beronia Gran Reserva Among Best Cellar Wines in the LCBO Vintages Release January 21
By Gaby Israel 2009 Turkey Flat Butchers Block Shiraz Grenache Mourvedre – $19.95 For all of you out there that love a GSM blend. This one is by Turkey Flat – an excellent consistent wine producer. Obviously, for this price it’s their entry level wine. Nevertheless, got a very good review by JH (94) and RP (90) and seems to be a QPR wine. 2009 Descendientes De J. Palacios Petalos – $21.95 From Bierzo DO, part of the Castilla y León region in Spain (north-west. “above Portugal”). Great vintage in this area (RP rated the vintage as 91). The wine […]
La Pieve Barolo, Fattoi Brunello di Montalcino, Domaine De L’arnesque Cuvée Capalane Among Top Wine Picks for LCBO Vintages Release January 7
By Gaby Israel The “Day After Tomorrow” is not only a name of a apocalyptic movie. It’s also a phenomena known at the LCBO as the month of January. After all the December hype with a huge variety of expensive wines a person can find in one single release, there isn’t any money left in the wallet (regardless of how deep your pocket used to be), and it seems as if there is nothing interesting left on the shelves… Or is there? Here are my top 3 picks for ‘The Day After Tomorrow’ release: 2007 La Pieve Barolo – $28.95 […]
Montes Carmenere, Casa Lapostolle Cabernet Sauvignon, Château La Dauphine Among the Top Wine Picks for LCBO Vintages Release December 10
Chile: 2009 Montes Carmenère Alpha, Colchagua Valley – $19.95 Love this Carmenere from Montes and buy it at every opportunity. From the Casa Lapostolle entry level, it’s a ‘high-end’ Carmenere for a fair price. Expect medium-full wine with beautiful mixed berries flavors. Drink it in the next 2-5 years. Chile: 2010 Casa Lapostolle Cabernet Sauvignon Cuvée Alexandre, Colchagua Valley – $24.95 Always consistently good. Never had less than very good wines from this winery. This is Casa Lapostolle mid level. Their Cab Sauv is a new world style wine with lots of fruit and ‘in-your-face’ flavors. Still very well balanced. […]
Seasonal Cellar Wines – Best Picks from LCBO Vintages Release November 26
Yes, it’s this time of year in which all the good AND expensive stuff is offered at the LCBO – very seasonal. Here are a few exceptionally good “investments” to the cellar (in a decline price order) : 2009 Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape – $89.95 If Chateauneuf-du-Pape had a similar classification as Bordeaux, no doubt that Beaucastel would be rewarded as “first growth”. However (and this is the good part), for this quality in Bordeaux, you would have paid 10-12 times more. Beaucastel has been consistently top quality wine with a “GPCi worthy” qualification. You can cellar these wines for 20-30 […]
Cellars Wines from France, Spain, Italy and Argentina from the November 12 Vintages Release
TRAPICHE FAUSTO ORELLANA DE ESCOBAR SINGLE VINEYARD MALBEC 2007 – $39.95 On the edge of being GPCi worthy (a bit too expensive for the years it can be cellared). Trapiche is an outstanding and a consistent producer. Their single vineyard is especially good. If you want to treat yourself and see the difference between a $15 and a $40 Malbec, this is a good opportunity. You don’t need to be an expert to taste the difference. D’ARENBERG THE DEAD ARM SHIRAZ 2007 – $54.95 I really like D’Arenberg Dead Arm Shiraz, but the reviews were not as […]
Terrific Cellar Wines from Spain, Italy and France in the LCBO Vintages Release October 29
Spain – 2009 Bodegas J.C. Conde el Arte de Vivir – $15.95 I had this wine last year (it cost $2 less last Oct). A good wine, still a good price. Look for a modern style Spanish wine. Black fruit flavors. Juicy. Excellent for BBQ. Try one, see if you like the style, and if so, stock ’em up for day to day. Spain – 2001 Rioja Bordón ‘Gran Reserva‘ – $23.95 Don’t even think twice here. 2001 was a great vintage in Rioja. Gran Reserva is an indication for the quality (as well as the aging process). 10 years […]
