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 on the right bank (across Margaux, which is on the left bank). James Suckling rewarded this wine with 91 and provided it with all the right “adjectives” for me to want and try it – “blueberries, dark chocolate, full body”.
France – Bordeaux – Chateau Senejac 2009 (193177) $28.95
I have had Chateau Senejac since their 2001 vintage and it’s always been an excellent Bordeaux choice for the buck. The wines age nicely between 10-12 years which makes them GPCi worthy. The 2009 version was rewarded a high score of 93 by RP, indicating it can be cellared until 2022. I’d recommend buying 3-6 bottles.
France – Bordeaux – Château Lestruelle Cru Bourgeois 2009 (295840) – $18.95
Chateau Lestruelle is situated on a fine plateau, 3.5 miles inland from the Gironde with a unique soil composition. This is mainly Merlot based blended with Cab Sauv and Cab Franc. WS rewarded this wine with 90 and indicated a short-medium cellaring window (until 2017). If you like Merlot based wines from Bordeaux, this can easily turn into your house-wine.
Top picks from the rest of the release:
#1 Choice – Spain – Rioja – Gra2 Graciano 2010 (190819)-$16.95
The 2010 vintage in Rioja has been rated by many as excellent indicating that it may be even better than the very good 2009 (RP rated 2009 92T). Some said it may be as good as the legendary 1964 vintage. Based on RP who gave it 91, you should buy this wine by the case. It can probably be cellared for 5-8 years.
#2 Choice – Italy – Tuscany – Antinori Marchese Chianti Classico Riserva 2008 (512384)-$29.95
A 1.76 GPCi based on RP who rewarded this wine with 91 and gave it a generous drinking window of 2017 until 2029. The first vintage I have tried of the Antinori Marchese Chianti Classico Riserva, was its outstanding 1997. Since that vintage I’ve been enjoying this wine. I had the 1999 vintage less than a year ago, and it was spectacular. If you like long-lived Chainti Riserva buy 2-6 bottles.
#3 Choice – Portugal – Douro – Meandro Do Vale Meao 2009 (244731)-$22.95
I’ve been exploring more of the wines from Portugal lately. This Meandro is an interesting blend of 35% Touriga Nacional, 30% Touriga Franca, 25% Tinta Roriz and 5% each of Sousao and Tinta Barroca. RP rewarded it with 91 indicating a cellaring window of 2014 until 2023 (GPCi ~2!!). I’d buy 2-6 wines.
For deeper pockets:
#1 Choice – France – Rhone – Domaine Du Vieux Telegraphe La Crau Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2009 (951475)-$79.95
Well, this is an interesting one… WS rewarded the 2009 Telegraphe CdP with a very impressive 94 (cellaring between 2014 until 2024), while RP reward it with a “humble” 91 indicating a longer cellaring potential -until 2031 (which he usually does compared to WS). When it comes to CdP (and Bordeaux), I tend to go more with RP both on ranks and cellaring window, so I’ll be very curious to see if this wine is “only” 91. This Telegraphe CdP is composed of 65% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre and the rest are other authorized varietals (from vines that average 60 years of age). I have been collecting this wine since 2001. So in order to have this vertical going, I’ll have to buy a bottle (or 2). What can I do? Hey John – we can start planning another CdP dinner – I’ll have enough now for a serious vertical.
United States – Napa Valley – Stag’s Leap wine cellars Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 (708982)-$51.95
The first time I’ve heard about Stag’s Leap, was several years back when I read about the famous May, 1976 United States vs. France wine competition. That was the year that put California on the wine world map. If I recall correctly, Stag’s Leap, with their 1973 Cab Sauv, won among the French first/second-growth. Since then, I have tried a few Stag’s Leap and understood why this wine is so sought after. Although I usually avoid buying expensive American wines, I find Stag’s Leap to be relatively fairly priced. This Artemis Cab Sauv (with 2% Merlot) received 95 (!) by Wine Enthusiast. Although the 2008 was no more than a “good vintage” (RP gave the vintage 88), I believe this wine can be cellared for 8-12 years. If you have the budget, buy 1-3 bottles.
Gaby Israel has been providing wine tasting notes and buying recommendations for several years now.
The name WineGPCi (pronounced Wine Gypsy) was given by his friends. GPCi stands for Gaby’s Potential Cellaring Index. While searching for “treasures for the cellar” without going to the bank, the GPCi was initially used to calculate the ratio between the price of the wine and the number of years it can potentially be cellared for; trying to find the wines that had the smallest index/ratio possible.
Any good wine that had a GPCi of 3.5 and under, was worth buying (mainly if you were planning to develop a cellar). Many years and “750 bottles in the cellar” after, his knowledge, experience and passion continued to grow. He continues to focus on helping the consumer finding “logical” ways of buying wines and planning the budget for it.
His great passion for wine revolves around old-world wines such as Spain, France and Italy while experimenting the new world exciting regions of Chile, Argentina, Australia, Canada, the United States and others.
Posted with permission of the LCBO.
