November 5, 2022 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Gifts to Celebrate

As we head into the busy holiday and gift-giving season, here are my top wine picks from the November 5, 2022 LCBO VINTAGES Release which is titled "Gifts to Celebrate" and includes many very fine, giftable options. All of the wines from the theme and main release should be available at LCBO outlet across Ontario by Saturday.

We begin with the theme on "Gifts to Celebrate: Fine holiday wines from every corner of the world" and features 18 wines. Many wines from this feature would make fine gifts, but three stood out for me. From Italy, the Chianti Classico Riserva is composed of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo, and the rest other red grape varietals, while the Barbaresco is crafted with Nebbiolo. The only rosé wine in this release is a good one from Provence and it is a blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Cinsault.

As this release is very heavy on red wines, most of my top wine picks are red coloured. Italy once again has a strong showing in this release led by the iconic Ornellaia - a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc - and it's Second Wine which is composed of 44% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc, and 13% Petit Verdot. Also from Bolgheri is the excellent Antinori Guado al Tosso which is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. The last wine from Tuscany is a delicious Chianti Classico that is made up of 90% Sangiovese and the balance other permitted varieties. Moving to Piedmont, there is a full complement of lovely Nebbiolo wines that includes not only the Barbaresco mentioned above, but also wines from Langhe and Barolo. The rest of my red wine picks are all single varietal wines, with the Portuguese red crafted with Touriga Nacional, while the Bordeaux red is Merlot.

Among the few white wines in this release, all of my white wine recommendations are single varietal wines. Dry white wines include a Chablis Premier Cru from Burgundy that is made with Chardonnay, as well as a Viura from Spain, and a Chenin Blanc from South Africa. For off-dry wine lovers, check out the Riesling from Niagara.

Lastly, the dry sparkling wine from Chile is crafted with 100% Pinot Noir.

Enjoy my wine recommendations in this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• MIGUEL TORRES ANDICA GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Vegan, Valle del Itata, Chile (#25933) (XD) - $17.00  90+ pts  wine review
• BRECA OLD VINES GARNACHA 2019 - DO Calatayud, Spain (#329086) (XD) - $19.95
• CHÂTEAU MAYNE-VIEIL 2016 - AC Fronsac, Bordeaux, France (#14469) (XD) - $19.95
• SAN FABIANO CALCINAIA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#23408) (XD) - $21.95
• INNISKILLIN RESERVE CABERNET FRANC 2018 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#17290) (XD) - $25.95

• RENATO RATTI OCHETTI NEBBIOLO 2020 - DOC Langhe, Piedmont, Italy (#475913) (XD) - $27.95  91+ pts  wine review
• CARPINETO CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2017 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#47118) (XD) - $29.95  90 pts  wine review
• BACHELDER LES VILLAGES BENCH PINOT NOIR 2020 - VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#11582) (XD) - $34.95  92 pts  wine review
• MICHELE CHIARLO REYNA BARBARESCO 2018 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#583260) (XD) - $36.95  93 pts  wine review
• SOKOL BLOSSER PINOT NOIR 2019 - Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA (#748434) (XD) - $39.95  92 pts  wine review

• QUADRUS GRANDE RESERVA 2011 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#26946) (XD) - $49.95  92 pts  wine review
• RENATO RATTI MARCENASCO BAROLO 2018 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#713479) (XD) - $70.95  93 pts  wine review
• LE SERRE NUOVE DELL'ORNELLAIA 2020 - Second wine of Ornellaia, DOC Bolgheri Rosso, Tuscany, Italy (#606194) (XD) - $75.95
• GUADO AL TASSO 2019 - DOC Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy (#986380) (XD) - $171.95  95 pts  wine review
• ORNELLAIA 2019 - DOC Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy (#722470) (XD) - $265.95
  

White Wine:

• ONTAÑÓN VETIVER VIURA 2020 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#437707) (XD) - $15.95
• RUSTENBERG STELLENBOSCH CHENIN BLANC 2021 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#698274) (XD) - $15.95
• CHARLES BAKER PICONE VINEYARD RIESLING 2018 - VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#241182) (D) - $39.95
• DOMAINE JEAN COLLET & FILS VAILLONS CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2018 - AC, Burgundy, France (#650804) (XD) - $48.95
  

Rosé Wine:

• CHÂTEAU DE L'ESCARELLE LES DEUX ANGES ROSÉ 2021 - Sustainable, AP Coteaux Varois en Provence, France (#19902) (XD) - $24.95

Sparkling Wine:

• UNDURRAGA TITILLUM BLANC DE NOIRS 2015 - 135th Anniversary Edition, traditional method, Valle de Leyda, Chile (#23451) (XD) - $19.95