May 16, 2020 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Women of Influence

The upcoming May 16, 2020 LCBO VINTAGES Release is a mono-thematic release that focuses on Women of Influence and their Fine Wines. All of these wines, plus those from the main release should be on shelves at the top 100 LCBO stores across Ontario by this Saturday. As the Ontario Government slowly re-opens the economy, the LCBO is also following suit with expanded store hours starting May 14 at more than 360 LCBO outlets.

We begin with the main theme on Women of Influence & Their Fine Wines. It is a rather small feature with ten women featured to go along with ten wines, with two wines included among my wine picks. First up is a Chardonnay from Umbria by the iconic Antinori family, which has been involved in wine since 1385, or 26 generations, and is led today by sisters Albiera, Alessia, and Allegra Antinori. The only other wine from this feature is a Côtes du Rhône by Christine Aubert from Domaine Autrand and it is a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah that was raised entirely in tank.

From the rest of the Release, among my red wine picks, most of the blends are Syrah/Shiraz based or have a significant Syrah component. The Portuguese red is a blend of Syrah, Touriga Nacional, Alicante Bouschet, and Tinta Roriz, while the red from South Africa consists of 60% Shiraz, 22% Cinsault, 10% Grenache, and 8% Mourvèdre. From France, the Roussillon is a blend of 74% Syrah and 26% Grenache, while the Châteauneuf-du-Pape consists of 37% Grenache, 29% Syrah, 27% Mourvèdre, and 7% Cinsault. There is also a lovely single varietal Shiraz from Australia. The last blend is from Chile and it consists of 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Malbec, 12% Petit Verdot, and 6% Cabernet Franc.

Among my white wine recommendations, the only blend is a barrel-fermented cuvée from Rhône that consists of Roussanne, Viognier, and Grenache Blanc. For those that prefer sweeter wines, look for the Riesling from Niagara. And if you like Chardonnay, it would be great to compare and contrast the one from Umbria (mentioned above) with versions from Niagara and New Zealand.

And finally, the dry rosé from Rhône is a blend of Syrah and Grenache.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this Release! Cheers and stay safe!

Red Wine:

• DOMAINE AUTRAND CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2017 - AC, France (#380675) (XD) - $14.95
• CASA SANTOS LIMA COLOSSAL RESERVA 2016 - Vinho Regional Lisboa, Portugal (#548867) (D) - $15.95  88 pts  wine review
• LEEUWENKUIL RESERVE RED 2017 - WO Swartland, South Africa (#14890) (XD) - $19.95  88 pts  wine review
• TIBERIO MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2017 - DOP, Abruzzo, Italy (#14005) (XD) - $19.95
• BASTIDE MIRAFLORS SYRAH/VIEILLES VIGNES GRENACHE 2017 - AP Côtes du Roussillon, France (#320499) D) - $19.95
• LAURA HARTWIG EDICION DE FAMILIA 2017 - DO Colchagua Valley, Chile (#14147) (XD) - $27.95  FE
• TORBRECK WOODCUTTER'S SHIRAZ 2017 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#927533) (XD) - $29.95  90 pts  wine review
• CITRA CAROSO RISERVA MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2013 - DOP, Abruzzo, Italy (#14253) (XD) $29.95  FE  90+ pts  wine review
• MARZIANO ABBONA PRESSENDA BAROLO 2013 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#276584) (XD) - $57.95
• CHÂTEAU LA NERTHE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2016 - AC, Rhône, France (#735407) (XD) - $58.95

White Wine:

• CUATRO RAYAS VENDEMIA NOCTURNA VERDEJO 2018 - DO Rueda, Spain (#14028) (XD) - $13.95
• SCHRECKBICHL COLTERENZIO PINOT GRIGIO 2018 - DOC Alto Adige, Italy (#293399) (XD) - $19.95
• ORGANIZED CRIME LIMESTONE BLOCK CHARDONNAY 2017 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#11951) (XD) - $21.20
• CASTELLO DELLA SALA BRAMÌTO CHARDONNAY 2018 - IGT Umbria, Italy (#176792) (XD) - $22.95
• VILLA MARIA CLIFFORD BAY RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2018 - Awatere Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#12631) (XD) - $24.95
• MICHEL GASSIER CHÂTEAU DE NAGES JT WHITE 2015 - AC Costières de Nîmes, Rhône, France (#485854) (XD) - $26.95  90 pts  wine review
• AUNTSFIELD SINGLE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2016 - Southern Valleys, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#12623) (XD) - $28.95  FE  90 pts  wine review
• CAVE SPRING CSV RIESLING 2017 - Cave Spring Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#566026) (D) - $29.95
• JEAN-MAX ROGER CUVÉE LES CAILLOTTES SANCERRE 2018 - AC, Loire, France (#65573) (XD) - $30.95

Rosé Wine:

• CHÂTEAU VAL-JOANIS TRADITION ROSÉ 2019 - AP Luberon, Rhône, France (#707281) (XD) - $16.95

Sparkling Wine:

• ANGELS GATE ARCHANGEL BRUT SPARKLING CHARDONNAY 2014 - Traditional method, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#227009) (XD) - $29.95