New at the LCBO: Essentials and Good Buys for June

Picking through the New Arrivals
by Steve Thurlow with selections from Sara d’Amato

Steve Thurlow

Here is what’s new – and what’s good – on the LCBO’s General List and VINTAGES Essentials Collection – the wines that are widely available and probably on shelf now at your local LCBO.

The LCBO is constantly adding new wines to the General List (GL) to replace wines that fail to achieve sales targets that have been removed or “delisted”. This keeps the number of wines available at around 1500. There were 27 new wines presented at a recent tasting. Most were underwhelming but we found some that we thought to be noteworthy.

We also tasted through over 100 of the VINTAGES Essentials Collection (E). These are wines that are always available in the VINTAGES section of the store. We found a few new wines and some new vintages that we think are worth a try.

The Reds

Viticoltori Acquesi Brachetto D’Acqui, Piedmont Italy ($13.35 GL) It’s actually a sparking rose, so almost a red with lots of flavour and aroma.

Porcupine Ridge 2013 Syrah, Swartland, South Africa ($14.95 E) This has been a great buy for the last umpteen vintages. A flavourful versatile well-balanced red.

Lan 2010 Crianza, Rioja, Spain ($15.95 E) New to the Essentials Collection. Classy, distinctive and just as appealing on its own or with grilled flank steak.

Featherstone 2012 Cabernet Franc, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario ($17.95 E) This is impressively fine – very characteristic of cabernet franc and a prime example of the surprisingly wonderful results this grape can achieve in Niagara .

Louis Jadot 2012 Beaujolais Villages Combes Aux Jacques, Beaujolais, France ($17.95 E) Although this vintage is considerably lighter than previous, it is still lovely, compelling and highly enjoyable.

19 Crimes 2012 Shiraz Durif, Victoria, Australia ($18.95 GL) Great packaging for this perfumed, dense very fruity shiraz that’s perfect for bbq meats.

Concha Y Toro 2012 Marques De Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon, Puente Alto Maipo Valley, Chile ($21.95 E) Always reliable this is the best vintage in a while of this well structured, very classy cabernet from the Maipo Valley.

Stags’ Leap Winery 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA ($44.95 until June 22; was $49.95 E) This is a beautiful California cabernet, balanced, elegant and nicely structured for mid-term cellaring.

The Whites

Fleur Du Cap 2013 Chardonnay, Western Cape, South Africa ($12.80 GL) This wine has been sadly absent from our market for a few years and it is a welcome return to the LCBO list. It’s a mildly oaked richly flavoured bold chardonnay.

Torres Viña Esmeralda 2013, Catalonia, Spain ($13.95 GL) It is great to have this aromatic white blend once again in our stores.

Bonterra Chardonnay 2012, Mendocino County, California, USA ($16.95 until June 22; was $18.95 E) Well priced for a complex floral lively Californian chardonnay.

Cave Spring 2012 Estate Riesling, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario ($17.95 E) An unbeatable riesling value, the 2012 shows a real dynamic tension and complexity of flavours that can only come from older vines and vigilance in the cellar.

Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2013, Marlborough, New Zealand ($31.95 E) Cloudy Bay is back on top with one of its finest ever sauvignons from the exceptional 2013 harvest. This is classic Marlborough sauvignon blanc.

We would love to get your feedback on this report. We will look at the July thematic at LCBO next month, as well as more new arrivals. Meanwhile check out all of my top values by dipping into the Top 50 LCBO and Vintages Essentials wines. There will surely be something inexpensive that suits your taste. And in two weeks time I will be back with the June 20 Under $20 report.

Cheers
Steve Thurlow

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