Spring at last!: LCBO Promo 2009, 6 Tasted of 6

A new Promo two weeks in a row and another ten wines - six reds and four whites from the General shelves - complete with appetizing recipes. Nobody can say the LCBO doesn’t do a great presentation of their products.


I recognized some of the wines in this promo as ones previously tasted so have summarized the results below. I have to do my taxes soon and that usually means I have a balance to pay to the wonderful group of accountants in the Tax department. Mr. McGuinty, not him personally but his Party, adds more taxes and surcharges to my return every year to balance what they do for Ontario businesses. Give 1% here, take 8% there… and the LCBO doesn't pass on the advantage of a strong loonie offshore. The net? I've purchased just a few from this Promo.


The vintages shown are as illustrated in the Promo and prices asterisked are ‘sale’ prices. Five wines, indicated with an RP, made it to Rod Phillips book, 500 Best Value Wines in the LCBO 2009, although most were an earlier vintage.

I hope this is useful in some way. Cheers, Ww

• Philippe de Rothschild Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, RP, Not tasted -- #407551 $10.95
• Hillebrand Artist Series Meritage 2007 VQA, RP, Not tasted -- #056390 $12.95
• Fetzer Valley Oaks Zinfandel 2007, RP, 74(2005) -- #234617 $13.95*
• Santa Rita Chardonnay Reserva 2007, RP, 82(2006) -- #348359 $12.95*
• Beringer Stone Cellars Chardonnay 2007, 82 -- #606806 $12.95*
• J.P. Chenet Founder’s Reserve Merlot - Cabernet 2007, 89-2 -- #621995 $11.95
• J.P. Chenet Cabernet - Syrah 2007, 82 -- #090472 $9.95
• Wyndham Estate Bin 444 Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, 82 -- #110486 $14.45*
• Inniskillin Reserve Series Riesling 2007 VQA Niagara Peninsula, Not tasted -- #034025 $13.25*
• Trius Riesling Dry 2007 VQA Niagara Peninsula, RP, Not tasted -- #303792 $13.95

(r-v - Rating-Value)

TASTINGS:

PHILIPPE DE ROTHSCHILD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007, Languedoc, France, #407551 $10.95
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A General wine described as “Deep purple; intense cassis aroma & flavour with herbal note;. Medium bodied with firm tannins and raspberry notes in the finish.” My notes: Not tasted. The 2007 Sauvignon Blanc (#407536, $10.95) was tasted last Dec and rated Ww80 saying ’A commercial drink now.’ This appears to follow the same oenological philosophy so I wouldn’t buy into this label. If you try it let me know.

HILLEBRAND ARTIST SERIES MERITAGE VQA 2007, Niagara, Canada, #056390 $12.95
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From Andres Wines Ltd. and a General listing described as “Colour; ruby red. Aromas; cassis, blackberry, plum and chocolate. Palate; full-bodied, rich, well-structured and harmonious.” My notes: Not tasted. The 2007 Gewurztraminer (#554378, $10.95) was tasted last September and rated Ww77 with the comment ‘I’d put this in the category of a ‘recipe’ wine… etc. ‘ This could follow the same oenological philosophy so I wouldn’t buy into this label. If you try it let me know

FETZER VALLEY OAKS ZINFANDEL 2007, California, USA, #234617 $13.95* ($14.95)
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A General listing described as “Ruby red colour; aromas and flavours of ripe brambleberry with pepper, spice and vanilla notes; dry, well-balanced balanced with zesty acidity, lively fruit and spicy oak nuances; long finish.” My notes: The 2005 vintage was tasted in Dec 2007 with a rating of Ww74 and a comment ‘a dry texture on the first swallow with flavours resembling cherries and bramble not well established and finishing blandly etc. ‘ It was priced at $15.25. At the price I could be tempted to try it again.

SANTA RITA CHARDONNAY RESERVA 2007, Chile, #348359 $12.95* ($13.95)
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A General listing described as “Bright yellow colour; tropical fruit, pineapple and toasty oak aromas with earthy notes; dry, medium-bodied, rich tropical fruit flavours with vanilla notes on the a long finish.” My notes: The 2006 vintage was tasted in Feb 2008 with a rating of 82 and the comment ‘… The flavours include apple, pear and distant honey with a nice tang and very slight roundness…etc. ‘ The price was $13.40. I’ll give this a try sometime.

BERINGER STONE CELLARS CHARDONNAY 2007, California, 13.0% D, #606806 $12.95* ($13.95) (Tasted April 23, 2009)
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A General listing described as “Medium straw colour; toasty oak, vanilla, citrus and tropical fruit notes on the nose; dry, creamy palate with medium body and length.” My notes: The Beringer Founders’ Estate Pinot Grigio 2006 (#045641, $18.05) and Chardonnay 2006 (#534230, $17.30) were rated 88 and 89 when tasted in Nov and May resp. last year so I thought their entry label was worth a try. There is a light but overly floral tinge to a delicate, slightly oaked chardonnay nose. A swirl brings a film that recedes slowly with few tears leading to a full mouthfeel and crisp green apple flavour. A moderate tang persists leaving the palate warm and refreshed. As a commercial sipper it’s an interesting but unusual sipper. Better with sliced chicken breast or a mushroom risotto. A drink now. 82

JP CHENET FOUNDERS RESERVE MERLOT CABERNET 2007, Languedoc, France, #621995 $11.95
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A General listing described as “Medium dark red ruby colour; aromas of black berry and spice; dry, medium bodied, with rich fruit centre and good structure.” My notes: This vintage ws tasted in Dec 2008 with a rating of 89 with the comment ‘… The first sip is velvet smooth, full-bodied with flavours of blackberries muted by blueberries. etc.’ imho, this is suitable to have as a house red. The price at that time was the same.

J.P. CHENET CABERNET SYRAH 2007, Languedoc, France, #090472 $9.95
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A General listing described as “A deep, flavourful blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon that’s perfect with beef strips or rosemary-rubbed filet mignon.” My notes: I tasted this vintage in Dec 2008 with a rating of 82 and the comment ‘… Silky and medium-bodied, soft tannins and a bright acid - seems more like a Grenache blend than Syrah - a cherry flavouring and a moderate finish that is smooth, lightly flavoured and a touch of spice… a value house red for a crowd.’ The price was the same.


WYNDHAM ESTATE BIN 444 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005, Australia, #110486 $14.45* ($15.45)
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A General listing described as “Deep garnet colour; dry and medium-bodied with aromas and flavours of cocoa, cassis and eucalyptus; medium tannins. Long finish.” My notes: This vintage was tasted in Sep 2008 with a rating of 82 and the comment ‘… Dry tannins and firmer oak (and flavour) differentiate this from the merlot (#336347) but the same slow legs and body, on the lightish side of medium, and a faint violet hue… etc.’ Purchased at the same price.