Hi, I’m back in Canada after spending a couple of weeks in the good old USA (or, as my brother now calls that country, the Excited States of America). In my last email I noted that most of the wines in the August 20 Vintage release struck me in shades of mediocrity. So I did not run out to the KGBO (a.k.a. the LCBO) to buy in quantity.
I did try one wine from that release… a Vermentino from Sardegna: the 2014 Contini Pariglia Vermentino di Sardegna. http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo/product/contini-pariglia-vermentino-di-sardegna-2014/455238#.V8nPPvkrLIV. My admiration for the wines of Sardegna continues to grow. I suggest that you read Ian D’Agata’s description of the wine (that is posted on the KGBO website) to see if those flavors appeal to you as much as they appeal to me. If they do, buy the wine, take a sip and see if you can identify the flavors (by then, if you are like me, you will have forgotten Ian’s description). I think you will find the mineral and fruit flavors of this wine will grab your attention. If this wine was a person you would want him or her to visit you and tell you a story or two. At $19 it’s a great buy. I bought my KGBO store out. Supply exists still in the KGBO system. Buy it while you can.
I also recommend the 2014 Louis Tête Coteaux Bourguignons. http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo/product/louis-tete-coteaux-bourguignons-2014/448860#.V8pBNfkrLIV. This wine was a Vintage release from April and the KGBO just reduced the price to $15. This wine will appeal to fans of Pinot Noir. Yes, I realize that Gamay is not Pinot Noir but I am willing to bet if you tasted this wine blind you would guess that Pinot Noir was in your glass. Don’t let the KGBO’s description of this wine fool you. Yes, it is light bodied and fruity if you popped the cork, poured the wine in your glass and drank it immediately. Don’t be a sucker and take that approach. Pretty please! Instead pour a glass and leave it for at least 15 minutes (30 would be better). You will then find that there is a lot going on in this wine. Drinking this wine made me feel happy…maybe because I found the wine lovely; maybe because it is a complete steal; probably both. Buy this wine before it disappears. If you are serving this wine to guests decant it for 30 minutes before serving. You don’t need a fancy decanter. Pouring the wine to another container works just fine.
Finally, one of my favorite house wines from the KGBO’s general listing (the wines on the normal shelves of the KGBO, not the Vintage section of your store) is a Rioja from the producer Bordon. I find it amazing that you can go to the KGBO and buy an 11 year old Grand Reserva Tempranillo wine for $23. http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo/product/rioja-bordon-rioja-gran-reserva/428060#.V8pD9vkrLIU. A source told me that the KGBO will not be receiving any more of the 2005 (the vintage presently in their stores). It will soon be replaced by the 2006 vintage. If you want and appreciate the extra year of age (at no extra cost) go stock up on the 2005 vintage now. I was also told that the 2006 vintage is small. If you like this wine you may want to stock up early when the 2006 appears on the shelves. This wine is another example of one that benefits from 30 minutes in a decanter.
If you do not wish to receive these emails please let me know and I will remove you from my distribution list. If you know someone else that would like to receive it please let me know and I would be happy to add him or her to the list. I hope to have time to spend these notes out periodically. I will be traveling extensively until early October. It is unlikely that you will hear from me until then.
All the best
The Wine Muddler 