The August 20, 2016 LCBO release has some interesting tasting and cellaring opportunities.
Based on the tasting notes I would cellar these for at least a year and preferably 2-3 years to enhance the tasting experience. So get 3 friends together, commit $25 each, buy now and make a date for a very interesting Labour Day weekend tasting 2019!
Bordeaux wines are highly regarded, futures are traded on them, the Houses of Bordeaux are legendary. The price of some of the more favoured Bordeaux regions quickly become legendary as well. Just for fun I looked up St. Emilion product in the LCBO product finder – 1 bottle was $20 and the other was $1,175. ‘Nuff said.
Bordeaux has 60 appellations recognized as AOC (Appellation d’Origine Controlle), which stipulate among other things – allowable varietals, sugar levels, alcohol levels and vinification practices all aimed at allowing the consumer to be able to expect consistency in the style and character of the wine of that appellation.
Discussion of appellations is often broken into Left Bank and Right Bank.
Well known appellations of the Left Bank are Saint Estephe, Pauillac, Saint Julien, Margaux and Haut Medoc. Right Bank highly sought after appellations are Saint Emilion and Pomerol.
The appellations of Sauternes and Barsac are reknown for their production of sweet white Bordeaux wines while Pessac Leognan and Entre Deux Mers are known for their dry white Bordeaux wines.
There are 3 Bordeaux wines in the August 20, 2016 LCBO release that would make an interesting tasting. All 3 are approachable now but will also cellar.
The first 2 wines are good representations of bordeaux wines at reasonable price. The third from Margaux is a rare opportunity to experience one of the more sought after Bordeaux appellations at a reasonable entry price.
Chateau Hauchat 2013
#123489 price $16.95
This wine is from the Fronsac region of Bordeaux which is recognized as a potential source of very good value Bordeaux. Vintage tasting notes describe ‘aromas of spice box, sandalwood, plum, cherry and warm, earth.’ On the palate it is fruity with dry tannins.
Chateau Lamothe-Vincent Intense 2014
#458588 Price $19.95
This wine won a Gold Medal at the 2015 Paris Concours General Agricole. Be warned- the name says intense and the food pairing suggestion is lamb so I would expect it to be intense. This is from the Right Bank. Vintage tasting notes describe ” Mocha, dark cherry and cedar with some spice box on the nose. The fruit has a sweet, ripe edge and makes for a lovely bright feel. Well-balanced and long with chalky tannins.”
L’Expression de Margaux 2010
#431734 Price $33.95
Beppi Crosariol of The Globe and Mail scored this as a 92 and describes “Full-bodied and brimming with intense currant-like fruit along with sweet tannins, spicy oak and classic Margaux-style pencil shavings, this is a cellar, bargain, approachable now but worth cellaring for up to a decade.”