Friday, September 23, 2011

Vintages release - September 17, 2011

The major focus of last Saturday’s release was the wines of Bordeaux and Burgundy, possibly the most storied wine regions in the world.

Just before I get started on the wines, however, I thought I’d pass along what looks like a pretty good deal on wine cellars (the refrigerator style) which is now on sale at the Wine Establishment. You can view the unit here:



http://thewineestablishment.com/shopping?page=shop.browse&manufacturer_id=12


The cellar in question is the KoolR 220 Bottle Wine Cellar, which regularly sells for $995, but the black model is now on sale for $695. For an additional $125 they will deliver and set it up for you.

This is a very good price for a decent unit, and a good way to protect your better wines while they mature. It will hold up to 220 Bordeaux bottles (a somewhat lesser number of bottles from other regions because of their shape) at a constant temperature and humidity. I have one of these units, and it was served me well for about 8 years. If you browse the site, you will note that you can pay up to $5,000 and more for smaller, although no doubt prettier, units.

If you are interested, the Wine Establishment is at 250 The Esplanade, Courtyard Suite 104, Toronto, M5A 1J2 (near St. Lawrence Market). Telephone 416.861.1331 • Toll Free: 1.800.268.8418 • Email: mail@thewineestablishment.com. And before you ask, I have no financial interest in the business, and have not received or been promised anything for noting this offer.


As to the wines from last Saturday, I was really happy with:

· The Chateau Semonlon 2008 ($17.95) from the Haut Medoc on the left bank of Bordeaux. You will not often find a good Bordeax under $20, and this one is very much worth your while, with a gamut of flavours – raspberry, blueberry, leather, spice, plum and blackcurrent. It will, and did, go well with a barbecued roast. It’s quite ready now (with a little aeration) and sports some soft tannins and a medium finish. Vintages suggests that it will last for up to three years, but I wouldn’t keep it that long. It should easily last a year though. Strongly recommended.


· The Chateau St. Georges is back, and the 2008 version($29.95) is as good as ever. This right bank wine (mostly merlot) has been a favourite for years and represents (despite the price) good value. This is a wine I’m going to be putting away for 2- 3 years. It is drinking well now, with flavours and aromas of earth, cherry and tobacco, with notes of plum and sweet oak, but it will be better when the tannins have had a bit of time to smooth out. If you want a reasonably priced Bordeaux to put away, this is it.


· For those of you who missed the Albert Bichot Pinot Noir Bourgogne Vielles Vignes 2008 burgundy at $13.25 a bottle, all I can say is that you missed a bargain. The Bouchard Pere et Fils Cote de Beaune-Villages 2008 will set you back $22.95, which is still a pretty good price for a decent burgundy, even though it’s not the steal the Bichot was. The Bouchard is still very much worthwhile though, with beetroot and candied sour cherry, great balance and mouthfeel and a long, slightly acidic finish that does really well with pork. Drink now, or within the next two years, but aerate for at least 30 minutes first.


· Rhone lovers should really take to the Domaine Grand Veneur Clos de Sixte Lirac 2009 ($23.99). This wine has a lot of similarity to a chateauneuf-du-pape, although I’m not going to tell you that it has all of the flavours and layers of some of the best from that region. However, at this price point, it is a pretty good imitation. It’s a big, chewy wine, and needs beef or cheese, to bring out some of the spice and earthy flavours, with notes of black fruit, leather and smoke. A very good, all purpose wine to go with most red meat dishes.


· Finally, you’ll have to look pretty hard to find better value than the First Press Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 ($19.95) from California. This is a great price for a wine of this quality, with lots of smooth complexity; an aroma of cassis and vanilla; and lovely notes of chocolate, mint, cedar, dark fruit and spice. The structure and finish yield a beautifully balanced wine that’s drinking well now, and will keep for at least 2 years. Enjoy it on its own, or with virtually any red meat (as long as it isn’t too spicy). Strongly recommended.