Dough Chardonnay 2019 and Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (California) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wine reviews are a pair of delicious wines from the North Coast AVA in California that are coming to the LCBO this weekend as part of the October 8 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Dough is the foundation of bread, signifying new beginnings. Like making bread, thoughtful maturing creates positive change that rises from the simplest of actions. Dough Wines are rooted in purpose by sourcing grapes from some of the most prestigious winegrowing regions on the West Coast (USA) and crafting the most food-friendly wines possible in concert with a diverse group of chefs and leaders of the James Beard Foundation (JBF). Dough wines are crafted by Winemaker Heidi Bridenhagen who brings a solid scientific background to her winemaking with a B.S. degree in biochemistry from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Her goal in pursuing winemaking is to combine her scientific expertise and her creative skills. She is also a firm believer in the value of exploration and experimentation.

Heidi utilizes DVWP vineyards and its network of growers and négociants to choose high quality lots from top AVAs, and bringing the art of assemblage to life to craft the core wines to be as food-friendly as possible. The final blend for each wine is a collaborative approach with a hand-selected group of JBF Chefs and Sommeliers, where everyone has an opportunity to weigh in on the various aspects of the wine and which will pair best with food. With this feedback, Heidi returns to the cellar to compose the final blend.

At Dough, they believe that they can be a catalyst for good and believe that each glass, bottle and conversation can make a lasting impact. Dough Wines is proud to support the James Beard Foundation's work to create an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable food culture through an annual donation. In Ontario, Dough Wines is providing an annual scholarship of $5,000 to be awarded to Black, Indigenous and other People of Colour (BIPOC) students of the hospitality and culinary arts programs at George Brown College.

Tasting Notes:

DOUGH CHARDONNAY 2019 - North Coast, California, USA (#25598) (XD) - $26.95
Screw cap. 100% Chardonnay that was hand-picked from a few select vineyards. It was mostly barrel-fermented and aged in French oak with a smaller percentage coming from stainless steel fermented parcels. The generous nose offers lovely ripe orchard and tropical fruits, apple, pear, peach, vanilla, citrus, and cold cream aromas with hints of bubblegum adding intrigue. It's full-bodied and richly textured on the palate with delicious ripe apple, pear, vanilla, gentle oak spice, peach, and citrus flavours. Acids are fresh and juicy. I really like the chalky textured mouthfeel throughout, while apple, pear, and citrus taper to mineral, smoke, and coffee notes on the long finish. Solid buy for Thanksgiving dinner. Score: 89 pts

DOUGH CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - North Coast, California, USA (#20802) (XD) - $27.95
Screw cap. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grown in Mendocino. The appealing, medium-high intensity nose is a mix of ripe black currant, cassis, blackberry, vanillin oak spice, and chocolate aromas accented with grilled herbs, pepper, and savoury earth notes. It's medium-full bodied with ripe, smooth, and fine-grained tannins with flavours of dark currant, black cherry, blackberry, cassis, dark chocolate, grilled herbs and earth with a hint of mint. Acids are juicy and well-balanced. Chocolate, earth, savoury oak spice, and minty notes linger on the textured, fine-grained finish, with very good length. Score: 88+ pts

Other delicious Dough Wines can be ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.