October 30, 2021 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: California + Sicily

The main theme of the October 30 LCBO VINTAGES Release is titled "California Classics", while the mini-theme takes a look at Signature wines from Sicily. All of these wines, plus those from the main release should be available on shelves across Ontario by Saturday.

We begin with the main theme on classic California wines. In total, there are thirteen wines featured as part of this theme, and three of these wines are included among my top wine picks. First up is a Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley that actually includes 13% Merlot, plus some Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot, while the Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot. The third wine is an always top-notch Chardonnay from Sonoma Mountain in southern Sonoma County. Lastly, although not part of the feature as it is listed as a Flagship Exclusive (FE), there is a lovely California Chardonnay from Napa Valley.

Only six wines are featured in the mini-theme on Signature wines from Sicily. However, the wines do provide a nice overview of the prominent varietals grown on the volcanic island of Sicily. Just one wine from this theme is on my recommended list - the latest vintage of a personal favourite that is made with the indigenous Carricante.

From my red wine recommendations, the Tarapacá is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 16% Syrah, while the red from British Columbia is a Merlot-based blend. From France, the Ventoux is an unoaked blend of approx. 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah, with trace amounts of Cinsault and Carignan, all raised in stainless steel and concrete tanks. From Bordeaux, the Fronsac is 100% Merlot, while the Bordeaux Supérieur is 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Malbec. The last blend is a red from Portugal that consists of traditional Portuguese varietals Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Barroca. Beyond the blends, there are a pair of lovely Cabernet Sauvignon wines - one from Argentina, the other from Australia - that would be interesting to taste side-by-side and compare. And lastly, the latest vintage of the excellent Pinot Noir from Chile is not be missed.

Among my white wine picks, the only blend is a fine, locally made white wine crafted with 68% Marsanne and 32% Viognier from Niagara. For minimal-to-unoaked Chardonnay wine lovers, there is an unoaked Chardonnay from South Africa, and a minimally oaked Chardonnay from British Columbia for your pleasure. For sweet wine lovers, you'll want to pick up either (or both!) the Niagara Riesling or the lovely Gewurztraminer from Alsace.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this Release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• EL ESTECO BLEND DE EXTREMOS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - Valle de Cafayate, Salta, Argentina (#19237) (XD) - $16.95
• CHÂTEAU HAUT CLARIBÈS 2018 - AC Bordeaux Supérieur, France (#21404) (XD) - $17.00
• CHÂTEAU HAUCHAT 2018 - AC Fronsac, Bordeaux, France (#123489) (XD) - $17.95  90 pts  wine review
  
• PESQUIÉ ÉDITION 1912M VENTOUX 2019 - AP, Rhône, France (#636159) (XD) - $17.95
• CRASTO 2019 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#81588) (XD) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review
• SAN PEDRO 1865 TAYÚ PINOT NOIR 2019 - Buchahueico, DO Valle del Malleco, Chile (#16628) (XD) - $19.95  92 pts  wine review
• TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA 145TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL EDITION 2019 - DO Valle del Maipo, Chile (#21966) (XD) - $20.95  90 pts  wine review
• FRIND BIG RED 2018 - BC VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#19931) (XD) - $24.95  89 pts  wine review
• LARRY CHERUBINO PEDESTAL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 - Margaret River, Western Australia (#20885) (XD) - $24.95
• ROBERT YOUNG ALEXANDER VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017 - Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA (#16404) (XD) - $59.95
• ROCCHE COSTAMAGNA ROCCHE DELL'ANNUNZIATA BAROLO 2016 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#413484) (XD) - $59.95
• GROTH CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017 - Oakville, Napa Valley, California, USA (#606517) (XD) - $119.95

White Wine:

• NIETO SENETINER SEMILLON 2019 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#19399) (XD) - $15.95  90 pts  wine review
• DE WETSHOF BON VALLON UNWOODED CHARDONNAY 2020 - WO Robertson, South Africa (#403675) (XD) - $19.95
• MULLINEUX KLOOF STREET CHENIN BLANC 2020 - WO Swartland, South Africa (#21111) (XD) - $19.95
• KEW MARSANNE/VIOGNIER 2017 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#485334) (XD) - $19.95
• TAWSE LIMESTONE RIDGE-NORTH ESTATE BOTTLED RIESLING 2018 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#431593) (M) - $21.95
• TORNATORE ETNA BIANCO 2019 - DOC, Sicily, Italy (#577676) (XD) - $24.95
• LETH RIED BRUNNTHAL 1ÖWT GRÜNER VELTLINER 2019 - Qualitätswein, Wagram, Niederösterreich, Austria (#12278) (XD) - $25.95
• PIERRE SPARR MAMBOURG GEWURZTRAMINER 2018 - AC Alsace Grand Cru, France (#915157) (S) - $28.95  91+ pts  wine review
• FRIND CHARDONNAY 2018 - BC VQA, British Columbia, Canada (#19930) (XD) - $29.95  91 pts  wine review
• CAKEBREAD CELLARS CHARDONNAY 2019 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#709717) (XD) - $69.95  FE  92 pts  wine review
• KISTLER SONOMA MOUNTAIN CHARDONNAY 2019 - Sonoma County, California, USA (#183921) (XD) - $114.95

Sparkling Wine:

• TRIUS BRUT ROSÉ SPARKLING - Traditional method, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#17690) (XD) - $29.95  90 pts  wine review
• BOLL & CIE EXTRA BRUT BLANC DE BLANCS GRAND CRU CHAMPAGNE 2010 - AC, Champagne, France (#21979) (XD) - $127.95  FE

Dessert Wine:

• LAKEVIEW CELLARS VIDAL ICEWINE 2019 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#522672) (S) (200 mL) - $22.95
• DE BORTOLI NOBLE ONE BOTRYTIS SEMILLON 2017 - New South Wales, Australia (#917252) (S) (375 mL) - $29.95  FE
• INNISKILLIN SPARKLING VIDAL ICEWINE 2018 - Charmat method, VQA Ontario, Canada (#560367) (S) (375 mL) - $79.95