August 8, 2020 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: New World Signatures + Argentina

The main theme of the August 8, 2020 LCBO VINTAGES Release focuses on Signature Wines from the New World, while Argentina is separated out from the main theme and gets its own focus as the mini-thematic. All of these wines, plus those from the Main Release should be on shelves by Saturday.

We begin with the main theme that features 18 wines from seven New World wine regions, and three wines are included among my wine recommendations from this Release. Ontario is known for its Riesling and Chardonnay, and there is a very nice Chardonnay from Prince Edward County. Among other varietals, Australia is also known for its Chardonnay, and a version from Wakefield Wines comes from the Clare Valley that has cool nights and cooling breezes. In addition to fine Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand also produces some impressively fresh and concentrated Pinot Noir.

The mini-theme on wines from Argentina is titled "Don't Fry for me, Argentina" and looks to focus on wines that will pair nicely with an Argentine-inspired asado. In Argentina, and generally in South America, an asado is equally a form of art as well as a way of cooking. It is much more than just a barbecue. Among the ten wines featured as part of this thematic, seven are included among my top wine recommendations. At the lighter end of the spectrum is a rosé that is made with 100% Malbec, and a white wine blend that consists of 35% Semillón, 35% Sauvignon Blanc, and 30% Torrontés. Among the red wines, there are a pair of Malbec wines under $20, as well as a lovely Cabernet Sauvignon, and a Bonarda. There is also a blend that is made with 80% Malbec and 20% Cabernet Franc. You can see my wine reviews and learn more from my special blog post about the Wines of Argentina.

From my top red wine picks, we begin with a pair of lovely wines from Maison Lavau in Southern Rhône. Both of these wines are from the brilliant 2016 vintage and, somewhat surprisingly, both the Gigondas and Châteauneuf-du-Pape are blends of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre. There is also a nice, tank-raised blend of 40% Carignan, 35% Grenache, and 25% Syrah from Languedoc. From Spain, the Rioja is a blend of 90% Tempranillo and the rest Garnacha, Graciano, and Mazuela. Lastly, the wine from Sicily is a blend of 70% Nero d’Avola and 30% Frappato.

Among my white wine recommendation, all except one are single varietal wines, including a pair of lovely Chablis wines that are, of course, made with Chardonnay. The lone blend is from Roussillon and it consists of Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, and Macabeu.

There are a few dry rosé wines that will quench your thirst during the month of August, including a Côtes du Rhône that consists of Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah, while the rosé from Provence is a blend of mostly Grenache and Cinsault, completed by touches of Syrah and Mourvèdre. Lastly, the Tavel would be a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Clairette, and Mourvèdre.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this Release! Salud!

Red Wine:

• LA CELIA RESERVA MALBEC/CABERNET FRANC 2017 - Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#618280) (XD) - $14.95  87 pts  wine review
• LA POSTA ESTELA ARMANDO BONARDA 2018 - Mendoza, Argentina (#261586) (XD) - $15.95  88 pts  wine review
• VIÑA REAL CRIANZA 2016 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#657411) (XD) - $16.95
• LA MASCOTA MALBEC 2018 - Mendoza, Argentina (#555805) (XD) $16.95  88+ pts  wine review
• LE CHAMP DES MURAILLES CUVÉE CLASSIQUE 2017 - AC Corbières, Languedoc, France (#15160) (XD) - $16.95
• WAPISA MALBEC 2017 - San Javier Rio Negro, Patagonia, Argentina (#631879) (XD) - $19.95
• ALLAN SCOTT ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2018 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#13422) (XD) - $21.95
• EL ESTECO 1947 OLD VINES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 - Cafayate Valley, Salta, Argentina (#15082) (XD) - $24.95  90+ pts  wine review
• LUIGI BOSCA TERROIR LOS MIRADORES MALBEC 2017 - Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#568899) (XD) - $34.95  FE  91 pts  wine review
• LAVAU GIGONDAS 2016 - AC, Rhône, France (#234955) (XD) - $36.95  91 pts  wine review
• PLANETA DORILLI CERASUOLO DI VITTORIA CLASSICO 2016 - DOCG, Sicily, Italy (#15085) (XD) - $39.95  FE
• LAVAU CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2016 - AC, Rhône, France (#15183) (XD) - $44.95  91+ pts  wine review

White Wine:

• LES VIGNES DE BILA-HAUT CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON BLANC 2018 - AP, Midi, France (#485656) (XD) - $15.95
• WAKEFIELD CLARE VALLEY ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2018 - Clare Valley, South Australia (#711556) (XD) - $16.95  88 pts  wine review
• HENRI BOURGEOIS PETIT BOURGEOIS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2019 - Vin de France (#672345) (XD) - $16.95
• QUINTA DA CALÇADA TERROIR ALVARINHO 2018 - DOC Vinho Verde, Portugal (#14439) (XD) - $17.95
• TIEFENBRUNNER PINOT GRIGIO 2019 - IGT Vigneti delle Dolomiti, Alto Adige-Trentino, Italy (#474742) (XD) - $19.95
• SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE WHITE BLEND 2018 - Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#558734) (XD) - $21.95  90+ pts  wine review
• HENRI DE VILLAMONT CHABLIS 2018 - AC, Burgundy, France (#13131) (XD) - $27.95  90 pts  wine review
• CLOSSON CHASE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2018 - VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (#148866) (D) - $33.00
• DOMAINE LAROCHE LES VAUDEVEY CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2018 - Vegan, AC, Burgundy, France (#416057) (XD) - $39.95

Rosé Wine:

• FAMILLE PERRIN RÉSERVE ROSÉ 2019 - AC Côtes du Rhône, France (#719062) (XD) - $15.95
• LA MASCOTA ROSÉ 2019 - Mendoza, Argentina (#15182) (XD) - $16.95  89 pts  wine review
• MARQUIS D'AQUERIA TAVEL 2019 - AP, Rhône, France (#556274) (XD) - $19.95
• CHÂTEAU LÉOUBE ROSÉ DE LÉOUBE 2019 - AC Côtes de Provence, France (#491100) (XD) - $32.95