Did you know that every two weeks on a Saturday, Vintages releases a selection of new wines in limited amounts and when they're gone, they're gone! I enjoy this rotation because it allows me to purchase and taste wines that are not standard staples in the LCBO like Two Oceans, Jackson Triggs etc.
Ok, so there is new wine every two weeks but how do I know which one to buy? Excellent question reader.
Step Number 1. Sign up and become a Vintages insider and receive the Vintages magazine delivered right to your door free of charge from the LCBO. Become a Vintages Insider
Step Number 2. Read through this great magazine that has various education topics from regions, to grapes to styles and soak up some wine lingo. Near the back of the magazine are brief reviews and prices of all the new wines coming out. Circle some that might match your preference.
Step Number 3. Read my blog as I'll try and pick out my favourites from the new release which combine either something unique and/or wine with an excellent quality at an affordable price.
Step Number 4. Head to the LCBO and purchase them before they are gone.
My Picks for the new release this upcoming Saturday, October 28th!
2015 Featherstone Canadian Oak Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula at $21.95
This is a rare opportunity to drink a Canadian Chardonnay that has been fermented and aged in Canadian Oak for 12 months. American Oak often offers a bolder oakiness to the wine while French Oak tends to be more subtle, I suppose Canadian oak would add a bunch of "sorry" to the wine? This full-bodied and rich chardonnay would be perfect with a big Sunday supper perhaps pork chops with some late harvest vegetables like squash and pumpkin.
2015 Salentein Reserve Malbec, Uco Valley, Mendoza Argentina at $17
Argentina offers some exceptional value in its wine and this bottle is no exception. This Malbec is very aromatic, fruit driven and balanced with a silky smooth finish. This wine spent 12 months in neutral oak meaning the barrels have already been used for probably three vintages previous imparting only very subtle oak. In Argentina meat is king so perhaps a nice roast smothered in a Chimichurri rub, you'll feel like a Gaucho roaming Mendoza. #Meat&Wine
2014 Vina Cobos Felino Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza Argentina at $19.95
I had the pleasure of tasting this wine last week as part of my CAPS program. Vina Cobos came in and presented to me and other hopefull future Somms their different wines. Vina Cobos is a very serious winery and this bottle backs up that statement. This wine is balanced, fruit forward yet balanced quite well. This refined wine I feel deserves a little more special attention so place a nice clean steak (salt n pepper) on the BBQ and let the smokey meat flavors mix with this stylish Argentinian wine. I'll certainly buy more than one.
2013 Mancura Gran Reserva Syrah/Cabernet Franc/ Merlot, Casablanca Valley, Chile at $17.95
76% Syrah, 14% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot will certainly cure any man of sorrows (Man-Cura). The syrah provides a spicy black pepper note, Cabernet Franc a green note like green peppers and the Merlot some cherry notes. This wine has already had some time to mellow but I would decant an hour to let it open up. Perhaps pair it with a peppercorn steak with a cranberry reduction and grilled asparagus to match the spicy, green and red fruit notes. You'll think you won an entire bar in Casablanca in a card game because this is a steal.
2015 Chateau Saint-Roch Chimères, Cotes du Roussillon-Villages, France at $19.95
This Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan blend are giving south of France charm on an Alabama budget. Serving up real deal realness. Displaying raspberries, licorice, smoked herbs, and chocolate shows this would pair well with a fabulous fall stew, perhaps Beouf Bourguignon? It's a tad young so let it settle down in your decanter as your stew simmers. Surly to impress!
2015 Rustenberg Chardonnay, WO Stellenbosch, South Africa at $19.95
Have you heard about the wine "Two Oceans" before? Good, throw out that memory and rethink South African wine completely. This bottle will certainly help you rediscover what South Africa is all about. This Chardonnay is done in a Burgundian style which means they are doing it in the style of Chardonnay from Burgundy France. This means the wine will be well rounded, complex and filled with minerality giving the essence of the Terroir of Stellenbosch into the wine. This wine promises to be so pleasurable I say drink it alone or perhaps with some rich sea bass baked in the oven with scalloped potatoes. Is this from Burgundy or Stellenbosch, taste it and find out. #BurgundyOnABudget
Lucky Number 7 for those special occasions or that special someone!
2010 Segla, Margaux, Bordeaux, France at $69.95
Let's start with a brief understanding of Margaux, France. Margaux is a designated area in Bordeaux on the left bank of the Gironde river dividing Bordeaux. Left bank Bordeaux tends to be more gravel and limestone-based soils while the right bank tends to be more sand and clay. The soils of the left bank greatly favor Cabernet Sauvignon which is why this wine is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend with some Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot to help round it out. Expect blackberry and cherry notes as they swirl with some smokey earthy notes to harmonize into one refined wine. This will be structured with fine tannins and worthy of a lengthy decant in the 1-2 hour range at minimum. Perhaps pair it with Steak Frites done in a skillet so the fat of the meat makes the fries worthy of being in a dish called "Steak Frites".
Don't be afraid to spend some money on your next bottle of wine. A great bottle of wine paired well with a great meal can be more than just something to help you "wash your food down." A good meal will fill your stomach but a good bottle of wine paired with your meal can elevate it to an almost heavenly experience. Good luck hunting this Saturday because come opening hours the deal hounds will be buying some of these by the case.
Happy Sipping,
Ryan Sullivan
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