So the 2013 Limited Release kits are now out and up for pre order from your favorite LHBS. Wondering what are peoples thoughts on the selections for this year? Anyone underwhelmed by the offerings ? The prices for this year seem to have really gone up. Quite a few of the kits are now ~$160!! 
Cellar Craft (KenRidge)
Australia (Murray River) Shiraz/Mataro (Mourvedre) ($133)
Shiraz provides rich ripe fruit flavors to this wine, along with soft velvety tannins and deep brooding color. Mataro, known as Mourvedre in many parts of the world, provides body, structure, firm tannins and earthy, spicy notes. This big, bold, beautiful wine will show soft tannins and rich flavors of jammy black fruits, sweet spice and chocolate. The wine should drink well within 4 months of bottling and cellar for up to 2 years.
California (North Coast) Grand Red - Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Shiraz ($160)
Cabernet Sauvignon is the backbone of this wine, providing great structure, body and depth of color. Merlot provides a silky mouth-feel, and Shiraz intensifies the rich fruit character. This full-bodied wine has velvety tannins and a rich mouth-feel with flavors of red and black berries, cherry, mocha, vanilla, Chai spice, chocolate and oak. Made with a 2.6 L Super Pack which includes over 14 lbs. of crushed grapes. The wine should drink well within 3 to 4 months of bottling and cellar for up to 2 years.
Italian Three Vineyards ($133)
White blends are becoming very trendy as people are looking for exciting new wines. Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Trebbiano, Riesling and Gewurztraminer are carefully blended together to allow each of the varietals to shine through. This refreshing, crisp, medium-bodied white wine has clean pure fruit aromas and flavours of citrus, pear, apple, tropical fruit and just a touch of floral. Drink young and fresh.
French Melange a Trois ($160)
This blend consists of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Merlot is the soft, charming varietal that takes the leading role in this wine, while Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot provide the structure, backbone, body and depth of colour. This classic Bordeaux-style, medium to full-bodied wine has soft tannins and aromas and flavours of red and black berries, plum, tobacco, dried herbs, leather, spice and oak. The wine should drink well within 3 to 4 months of bottling and cellar for up to 2 years.
Italian Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon ($125)
The dominant grape in the blend is one of Italy’s most famous, Sangiovese, and is supported by the international varietal, Cabernet Sauvignon. Sangiovese provides wonderful red berry and licorice notes with soft tannins and food-friendly acidity, while Cabernet Sauvignon, offers ripe black fruits such as blackberry and cassis, plus a firm backbone of tannin and deep colour. Made with a 2.6 L Super Pack which includes over 14 lbs. of crushed grapes. The wine should drink well within 3 to 4 months of bottling and cellar for up to 2 years.
RJ Spagnols RQ
Alsatian Style Riesling ($126)
Undeniably aromatic, the Alsatian style Riesling bursts with charm and character. Lead by intense aromas of citrus, green apple, grapefruit, and with slight hints of minerality on the nose, this refreshing white wine is sure to be a favorite. The back note of peach and apricot is the perfect finish to this food-friendly wine. It's refreshing palate and versatility in food-pairing make the Alsatian Style Riesling very appealing to wine enthusiasts. We suggest matching it with smoked salmon, sweet potatoes, lamb, turkey, or lemon meringue pie.
Chilean Style Cabernet Sauvignon ($158)
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon styles are known to range from fruity and approachable for everyday occasions to big and bold wines with plenty of "wow" factor. Notes of fresh black fruit and ripe red fruit are the perfect aromatic combination for this rich red wine. Spice and hints of vanilla on the palate lend a pleasant intensity while soft tannins create a perfect finish. Pair with gouda, smoke meats, short ribs, or chocolate cake. Includes 125 g of Genuwine Dried Grape Skins. Genuwine grape skins are crushed, whole grape skins, gently dried in a proprietary process that preserves their original color and fresh vineyard flavor. Fermentation on Genuwine dried grape skins enhances the color, flavor profile and bouquet of wine. Genuwine grape skins are easy to work with and consistently provide excellent results.
Australian Style Grenache Syrah ($158)
A respected leader in combining tradition with new ideas, the Australian style Grenache Syrah is the perfect example of an innovative wine style. The fragrant blend of exotic spices, pepper, and earth notes on the nose perfectly compliments the full flavor of dark fruit on the palate. This easy-to-drink wine features hints of herbaceous notes, adding a savory edge to the finish. Pair with brie, lamb chops, or grilled red meat. Includes 125 g of Genuwine Dried Grape Skins. Genuwine grape skins are crushed, whole grape skins, gently dried in a proprietary process that preserves their original color and fresh vineyard flavor. Fermentation on Genuwine dried grape skins enhances the color, flavor profile and bouquet of wine. Genuwine grape skins are easy to work with and consistently provide excellent results.
Italian Style Sangiovese Merlot ($140)
Combining old world charm and new world flair, Sangiovese Merlot styles are blended to create wines with soft texture and are more approachable in their youth. This medium-bodied wine shows a complex bouquet of dark fruit, chocolate, and cloves. With medium tannins and a long finish, the blend delivers a perfect punch on the palate. Pair with grilled meat, poultry, pasta in tomato sauce, or beef stew.
New Zealand Style Pinot Gris ($140)
Rich, flinty, and fruity in character, New Zealand Pinot Gris are easy drinking and approachable. Known for their beautiful blend of ripe tropical fruit, all the flavors are subtle on the palate. The delightful scents of apple, pear, and pineapple on the nose create a wonderfully complex aromatic profile. The intense fruit flavors on the palate of this medium-bodied wine, complimented by light spice notes on the finish, are simply brilliant. Pair with artichoke dip, calamari, snapper, or sweet and sour pork.
Cellar Craft (KenRidge)
Australia (Murray River) Shiraz/Mataro (Mourvedre) ($133)
Shiraz provides rich ripe fruit flavors to this wine, along with soft velvety tannins and deep brooding color. Mataro, known as Mourvedre in many parts of the world, provides body, structure, firm tannins and earthy, spicy notes. This big, bold, beautiful wine will show soft tannins and rich flavors of jammy black fruits, sweet spice and chocolate. The wine should drink well within 4 months of bottling and cellar for up to 2 years.
California (North Coast) Grand Red - Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Shiraz ($160)
Cabernet Sauvignon is the backbone of this wine, providing great structure, body and depth of color. Merlot provides a silky mouth-feel, and Shiraz intensifies the rich fruit character. This full-bodied wine has velvety tannins and a rich mouth-feel with flavors of red and black berries, cherry, mocha, vanilla, Chai spice, chocolate and oak. Made with a 2.6 L Super Pack which includes over 14 lbs. of crushed grapes. The wine should drink well within 3 to 4 months of bottling and cellar for up to 2 years.
Italian Three Vineyards ($133)
White blends are becoming very trendy as people are looking for exciting new wines. Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Trebbiano, Riesling and Gewurztraminer are carefully blended together to allow each of the varietals to shine through. This refreshing, crisp, medium-bodied white wine has clean pure fruit aromas and flavours of citrus, pear, apple, tropical fruit and just a touch of floral. Drink young and fresh.
French Melange a Trois ($160)
This blend consists of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Merlot is the soft, charming varietal that takes the leading role in this wine, while Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot provide the structure, backbone, body and depth of colour. This classic Bordeaux-style, medium to full-bodied wine has soft tannins and aromas and flavours of red and black berries, plum, tobacco, dried herbs, leather, spice and oak. The wine should drink well within 3 to 4 months of bottling and cellar for up to 2 years.
Italian Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon ($125)
The dominant grape in the blend is one of Italy’s most famous, Sangiovese, and is supported by the international varietal, Cabernet Sauvignon. Sangiovese provides wonderful red berry and licorice notes with soft tannins and food-friendly acidity, while Cabernet Sauvignon, offers ripe black fruits such as blackberry and cassis, plus a firm backbone of tannin and deep colour. Made with a 2.6 L Super Pack which includes over 14 lbs. of crushed grapes. The wine should drink well within 3 to 4 months of bottling and cellar for up to 2 years.
RJ Spagnols RQ
Alsatian Style Riesling ($126)
Undeniably aromatic, the Alsatian style Riesling bursts with charm and character. Lead by intense aromas of citrus, green apple, grapefruit, and with slight hints of minerality on the nose, this refreshing white wine is sure to be a favorite. The back note of peach and apricot is the perfect finish to this food-friendly wine. It's refreshing palate and versatility in food-pairing make the Alsatian Style Riesling very appealing to wine enthusiasts. We suggest matching it with smoked salmon, sweet potatoes, lamb, turkey, or lemon meringue pie.
Chilean Style Cabernet Sauvignon ($158)
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon styles are known to range from fruity and approachable for everyday occasions to big and bold wines with plenty of "wow" factor. Notes of fresh black fruit and ripe red fruit are the perfect aromatic combination for this rich red wine. Spice and hints of vanilla on the palate lend a pleasant intensity while soft tannins create a perfect finish. Pair with gouda, smoke meats, short ribs, or chocolate cake. Includes 125 g of Genuwine Dried Grape Skins. Genuwine grape skins are crushed, whole grape skins, gently dried in a proprietary process that preserves their original color and fresh vineyard flavor. Fermentation on Genuwine dried grape skins enhances the color, flavor profile and bouquet of wine. Genuwine grape skins are easy to work with and consistently provide excellent results.
Australian Style Grenache Syrah ($158)
A respected leader in combining tradition with new ideas, the Australian style Grenache Syrah is the perfect example of an innovative wine style. The fragrant blend of exotic spices, pepper, and earth notes on the nose perfectly compliments the full flavor of dark fruit on the palate. This easy-to-drink wine features hints of herbaceous notes, adding a savory edge to the finish. Pair with brie, lamb chops, or grilled red meat. Includes 125 g of Genuwine Dried Grape Skins. Genuwine grape skins are crushed, whole grape skins, gently dried in a proprietary process that preserves their original color and fresh vineyard flavor. Fermentation on Genuwine dried grape skins enhances the color, flavor profile and bouquet of wine. Genuwine grape skins are easy to work with and consistently provide excellent results.
Italian Style Sangiovese Merlot ($140)
Combining old world charm and new world flair, Sangiovese Merlot styles are blended to create wines with soft texture and are more approachable in their youth. This medium-bodied wine shows a complex bouquet of dark fruit, chocolate, and cloves. With medium tannins and a long finish, the blend delivers a perfect punch on the palate. Pair with grilled meat, poultry, pasta in tomato sauce, or beef stew.
New Zealand Style Pinot Gris ($140)
Rich, flinty, and fruity in character, New Zealand Pinot Gris are easy drinking and approachable. Known for their beautiful blend of ripe tropical fruit, all the flavors are subtle on the palate. The delightful scents of apple, pear, and pineapple on the nose create a wonderfully complex aromatic profile. The intense fruit flavors on the palate of this medium-bodied wine, complimented by light spice notes on the finish, are simply brilliant. Pair with artichoke dip, calamari, snapper, or sweet and sour pork.
