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The November 20th LCBO Novello/Nouveau Release

  I attended a blind tasting on Thursday, November 19^th of 13 nouveau/novello wines (including the 7 appearing at the LCBO below).  The news is mixed.  The hands down best buy is the Jeanjean Syrah Primeur at $8.65.  Both Ontario entries were disappointing – all three bottles of the Chateau des Charmes appearing to have stability problems.  The Patriarche Nouveau had good typicity  and should satisfy those wanting this style of wine.  Beware of bottle variation – anything that isn’t right should be returned to the LCBO for refund!

General List Releases
France
Patriarche Pere & Fils 1999 Beaujolais Nouveau ($11.50)
**+ Recommended – Bright, fairly rounded, fresh red apple-plum fruit flavours with a nicely balanced crisp cherry-driven finish.

Jeanjean 1999 Syrah Primeur ($8.65)
**+ Recommended & Best Buy – At first I though that this was the Beaujolais Villages!  Fairly full bodied, well structured, fresh red apple flavours.

Italy
Valpolicella Negrar 1999 Vin Novello dell Veneto ($8.25)
** Worth Exploring – Very bright, slightly sour, tart, cranberry-dried red cherry flavours.

Ontario
Chateau des Charmes 1999 Gamay Nouveau ($9.95)
After last year’s wonderful top rated release, there were problems on the nose and/or palate of all three samples tasted with disconcerting flavours of coffee, roast beef and/or popcorn! 

Pelee Island 1999 Gamy Noir Nouveau ($8.95)
* Somewhat better than average, this wine is rather sweetish with sour black cherry notes notes.  Some bottle variation was evident.

Vintages

France
George Duboeuf 1999 Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau ($13.95)
*+ Somewhat thin, light bodied with green apple flavours.  Not up to expectation especially for the “Villages” status.

Italy
Mezza Corona 1999 Vino Novello ($9.95)
* Reasonable body but with slightly sour, tart, green apple and cranberry flavours. Not up to last year’s quality.