The June 10 2023 LCBO Vintages Release is an on-line/Flagship only release.
There is a trend emerging in the online release. Wines on offer start well in to the $20+ range and quickly reach well beyond my $40 benchmark. Having said that none of the wines researched are smoking hot value wines to stock up on. Rather, they tend to be wines not typically on offer, unusual varietals or regions that have been well rated for the most part.
The wines singled out below are wines that might be of interest to those willing to experiment and expand their palate with good representatives of the unusual selections. If that is not you then go back to the May 27th release that had plenty of wines to stock up on!
White Wines
Casa Dea Melon de Bourgogne 2021 Prince Edward County, ON Canada Vintages # 33157 $24.95 This off-dry Melon de Bourgogne is of interest to me because it is the Ontario version of my 'workhorse' Muscadet' wine of Loire fame. Loire Melon de Bourgogne usually run in the $17 range but $24.95 is not out of line for an Ontario wine. Vic Harradine of winecurrent.com gives this a 93, other critics are running high 80s, low 90s. Look for smooth stone fruits, crafted to have broad appeal and slightly softer than many crisper County wines. Of particular interest to Melon de Bourgogne fans to compare Canada's version to the Loire version. Enjoy with lunch al fresco... One Pot Pasta with Mushroom White Wine Sauce would be nice!
Fans of Austria's crisp white wines may find these 2 of interest. Kremstal is gaining more and more recognition for its premium wine production.
Salomon Undhof Gelber Wildrosen Traminer 2019, Kremstal Austria Vintages # 30933 $29.95 scored 95 by Stephan Reinhardt of robertparker.com. Highly aromatic and floral. The Gelber Traminer is yellow fleshed compared to Gewurtz's pinkish flesh.
Winzer Krems Ried Kremser Wachtberg Reserve Grüner Veltliner 2018 Kremstal, Austria VINTAGES#: 15704 $29.95 Anne Krebiehl, MW of Wine Enthusiast gives this a 92 and describes ripe Mandarin orange notes, a juicy palate and a slightly zesty edge. The finish is dry, rounded and very juicy.
Try either with Dijon and Tarragon Grilled Chicken.
Red Wines
Las Veletas Almaule 2021 Maule, Chile, VINTAGES#: 30211 $29.95 This is 100% Pais, an old Spanish grape, medium bodied with high tannins defined by cherry, grape and herbal notes. Traditionally used for Rosé prduction but increasingly showing up as a red varietal. This was awarded 97 points, Platinum from Decanter World Wine Awards 2022. Notes indcate rose, blueberry and herbal notes on the nose with a bright, fresh palate with tannins present but under control. Try it with Spicy Black Pepper Beef.
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