Wine Picks LCBO VINTAGES Release July 7, 2018: Mediterranean + Cool Chardonnay

The main theme from the upcoming LCBO VINTAGES Release on July 7 features Mediterranean wines, while the mini-theme is the annual cool-climate Chardonnay feature. All of these wines - plus many others - will be on LCBO shelves across Ontario this Saturday.

We'll begin with the main theme that explores seven Mediterranean hot spots that are as alluring as their wines. Twelve wines are listed in this theme, and only three are included among my wine picks. From Southern France, the rosé from Provence is a blend of 39% Cinsault, 37% Grenache, 11% Syrah, 6% Mourvèdre, 3% Rolle, 2% Sémillon, 1% Ugni Blanc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, while the Languedoc red is a blend of 60% Syrah, 30% Grenache, and 10% Mourvèdre. The last of the three wines is a Primitivo (a.k.a. Zinfandel) from Puglia.

From the cool-climate Chardonnay theme, four of the ten wines made my list of top wine recommendations. First up is one of my favourites from Prince Edward County, while the Chardonnay from South Africa is always a classy, elegant wine. There is also a nice Chardonnay from Jura, France, while the Chardonnay from Südtirol/Alto Adige is an unoaked style.

Among my top red wine picks from the rest of the release, the Taurasi is made with 100% Aglianico, while the Brunello is 100% Sangiovese Grosso. The Napa Cab consists of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot, and 1% Malbec, while the spectacular Antinori wine is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. From Vacqueyras, the lovely Rhône red is a blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre. For fans of lighter wines, you'll want to check out either the Bardolino or the Beaujolais, which is made with Gamay Noir.

White wine blends among my top white wine picks include a Rhône white, which is a blend of 50% Roussanne, 30% Grenache, 10% Marsanne, and 10% Viognier, while the blend from Lazio consists of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Trebbiano Giallo.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this Release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• ROMIO PRIMITIVO 2016 - IGT Puglia, Italy (#569954) (XD) - $13.95  87 pts  wine review
• MONTE DEL FRÁ BARDOLINO 2016 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#134544) (D) - $15.95
• DOMAINE D’ALBAS ROUGE 2015 - AP Minervois, Languedoc, France (#562587) (XD) - $15.95
• CONO SUR RESERVA ESPECIAL CARMENÈRE 2017 - DO Cachapoal Valley, Chile (#569657) (XD) - $16.95
• BAPTISTE & LAURENT LE MEILLEUR DES 2 MONDES SAINT-AMOUR 2015 - AP, Beaujolais, France (#556449) (XD) - $19.95
• LAVAU VACQUEYRAS 2014 - AC, Rhône, France (#104927) (XD) - $26.95  90+ pts  wine review
• ANTICA HIRPINIA TAURASI 2010 - DOCG, Campania, Italy (#542126) (XD) - $36.95
• TRUCHARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014 - Carneros, Napa Valley, California, USA (#059683) (XD) - $41.95
• CARPINETO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2012 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#515486) (XD) - $64.95  92 pts  wine review
• ANTINORI GUADO AL TASSO 2015 - DOC Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy (#986380) (XD) - $117.95

White Wine:

• MACULAN PINOT GRIGIO 2016 - IGT Veneto, Italy (#734921) (D) - $15.95
• MAS DES BRESSADES CUVÉE TRADITION BLANC 2017 - AP Costières de Nîmes, Rhône, France (#701094) (XD) - $17.95  88 pts  wine review
• CASALE DEL GIGLIO SATRICO 2017 - IGT Lazio Bianco, Italy (#569806) (XD) - $17.95
• KELLEREI BOZEN BOLZANO CHARDONNAY 2017 - DOC Südtirol/Alto Adige, Italy (#570457) (XD) - $18.95
• MARCEL CABELIER VIEILLES VIGNES CHARDONNAY 2014 - AP Côtes du Jura, France (#485839) (XD) - $19.95
• LOIMER GRÜNER VELTLINER 2016 - DAC Kamptal, Austria (#142240) (XD) - $22.95  90 pts  wine review
• CLOSSON CHASE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2016 - VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (#148866) (XD) - $29.95  91 pts  wine review
• DOMAINE DROUHIN ARTHUR CHARDONNAY 2015 - Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA (#959619) (XD) - $39.95  91 pts  wine review
• HAMILTON RUSSELL CHARDONNAY 2017 - WO Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Walker Bay, South Africa (#931006) (XD) - $44.95
• KISTLER LES NOISETIERS CHARDONNAY 2016 - Sonoma Coast, California, USA (#251223) (XD) - $99.95

Rosé Wine:

• CABRIZ ROSÉ 2017 - DOC Dão, Portugal (#030445) (XD) - $13.95
• DOMAINE DES CARTERESSES TAVEL ROSÉ 2017 - AC, Rhône, France (#739474) (XD) - $18.95  88 pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU LA TOUR DE L’ÉVÊQUE ROSÉ 2017 - AC Côtes de Provence, France (#319392) (XD) - $20.95
• JEAN-MAX ROGER LA GRANGE DÎMIÈRE SANCERRE ROSÉ 2017 - AC, Loire, France (#490813) (XD) - $27.95  90 pts  wine review

Dessert Wine:

• CAVE SPRING INDIAN SUMMER RIESLING 2016 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#415901) (MS) (375 mL) - $24.95