LCBO Sale Wine of the Week: November 22

Piqueras 2014 Black Label Old Vine Garnacha (Almansa, Spain)

Sale $10.95, Regular $11.95
Discount (until November 26): $1.00
LCBO #470245 | 750 mL bottle

Tastes like: Dark ripe plum, sour cherry, black currant, chocolate and sage. It’s robust, rustic and delicious.
Pairs with: Stuff you like. Make it meaty, red sauced, smoky, or deeply stewed. Or, screw it, get a pizza.
Good for: Accompanying a good long reading session with Giller Prize winner Michael Redhill’s “Bellevue Square.” (Congrats, Michael!)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink: Now to 2019.

Why we're drinking this
Here’s a wine that really teaches you just what ten bucks can buy you. This is “value” wine. It’s not great (do you really expect greatness for ten bucks?!) but it’s solidly good. And in the realm of wine rating, a good wine is exactly what the word says. It’s good. The next tier is “very good” and the next is “outstanding.” A very good wine is rarely less than $25 and an outstanding wine… well, if you can find one under $50, buy it immediately. And think of it this way: You can easily spend $20 or more on a wine that is not even good, but just “acceptable.” You don’t want to do that, do you? Nope. So get this “good” wine, made in the Almansa region of Spain from Garnacha grapes. It is what it is. Good? Good.

Tasting note
Aromas of plum, sour cherry, black currant and damp earth—maybe even a little wet dog, in a good way. Some herbal touches: mint, sage and tomato leaf. Sweet spice, vanilla and chocolate. It’s dry, but generously ripe and robust in the mouth. The tannins are easy, but the wine does have some bite. You can sip it, but it might appeal better with some food. Think of the dry landscape of northern Spain in summer. That should help get you through this winter… with a few bottles of this by your side. And a good book: go Giller or go home.

Find it at your LCBO
Check availability on the LCBO website!

Sign Up for LCBO Sale Pick of the Week.
A FREE Service from kwäf!

This week's selection by kwäf Taste Bud Dick Snyder