Château Maucoil Privilège Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2016 (Rhône) - Wine Review

I enjoyed the 2016 Château Maucoil Côtes du Rhône-Villages when it came through VINTAGES in March 2019, and tonight's wine review is another fine wine from the same producer. This excellent organic Châteauneuf-du-Pape makes it's first appearance at the LCBO as part of the November 14, 2020 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Château Maucoil is an historic property located in an area in Châteauneuf-du-Pape that has been occupied since the time of the Romans. The Château Maucoil estate and castle was built in 1624, and winegrowing gained prominence some time thereafter when Joseph de La Pise, Lord of Maucoil and archivist of the House of Orange-Nassau (the Dutch royal family) inherited the property. Château Maucoil has changed hands many times over the years, with each family helping establish the estate's reputation for producing quality wines.

The Arnaud family, with its deep roots and winegrowing experience in Châteauneuf-du-Pape spanning several generations, acquired Château Maucoil in 1995. In 2009, Bénédicte, the youngest daughter of the Arnaud family, along with her husband Charles Bonnet took over the property. In 2013, they merged with the Lavau family and today they run the estate together.

This Châteauneuf-du-Pape was crafted from the Domaine's oldest vines which average 70 years old. Thirteen varieties are planted at the Domaine and six are included in this Châteauneuf-du-Pape - approximately 50% Grenache, smaller amounts of Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault, as well as 5% of white varietals Clairette and Bourboulenc. The grapes are hand-harvested and individually sorted before going to vat. The grapes are fermented together before going into either 228 L or 600 L barrels that are either new or used for one vintage, and then aged for 12 to 18 months. The wine is then aged for several years in bottle prior to release. Let's see how this Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which hails from the classic 2016 Southern Rhône vintage, is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU MAUCOIL PRIVILÈGE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2016 - AC, Rhône, France (#16210) (XD) - $85.95
A blend of approx. 50% Grenache, plus Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault, as well as 5% of white varietals Clairette and Bourboulenc grown on sandy, pebbly soils, with vines averaging 70 years old. The rich, highly aromatic nose is very complex with lovely notes of raspberry, blackberry, stony & smoky mineral, peppery spices, and violets. It's full-bodied and concentrated on the palate with lovely aroma replays plus some garrigue notes adding further complexity. It has juicy acidity and a touch of warmth on the mid-palate, but nicely balanced overall. Firm tannins are grainy and textured. Savoury, stony mineral notes linger on the finish, with excellent length. Approachable now, but will be better in 5 years and enjoy into the mid-2030s. Gorgeous! Score: 94 pts

Other fine wines from Château Maucoil can be ordered via their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.

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Alamos Selección Malbec 2016 (Argentina) - Wine Review

To continue my series on Malbec wines from Argentina, tonight's wine review is a lovely Malbec that has come through VINTAGES a few times over the past 15 months, and most recently appeared at the LCBO as part of the July 11th LCBO VINTAGES Release - with bottles readily available across Ontario.

This Malbec is produced by Alamos - a label whose roots are based on the founding wine family of Argentina - the Catena family. With more than 100 years of passion and research in winemaking, Alamos strives to put the very best of Argentina into every bottle. The wines of Alamos showcase Argentina’s high-altitude winegrowing to create authentic wines from Argentina's signature grapes grown in Mendoza and Salta. Alamos wines are grown in the shadow of the Andes Mountains at elevations of 3,000 to 10,000 feet above sea level, where intense sunlight, cool evening temperatures, and mineral-rich irrigation from mountain snowmelt translates into rich, layered aromas and flavours of Argentina’s hallmark varieties.

The Winemaker at Alamos is Lucía Vaieretti. She grew up in Mendoza and her family has tended vines for more than 40 years. Lucía also worked the vineyards by picking grapes and pruning vines with her family when she was young. After completing high school, Lucia attended South America's oldest and most prestigious school of viticulture and oenology - Don Bosco in Mendoza. While still studying at Don Bosco, she began working for the Catena Family wineries in Mendoza and joined the company full-time after graduating in 2006. In 2010, Lucía began making wine at Alamos before taking over as head of winemaking in 2016.

The grapes for this Malbec come from La Consulta, within the Uco Valley in Mendoza, from an area that is tucked under the massive shoulders of the Andes Mountains in west-central Argentina. The grapes were grown at high-altitude between 3,000 to 5,000 feet. These high-altitude desert vineyards are irrigated by mineral-rich snowmelt from glaciers and snowfields. At this altitude, the air is clear and there is more sunlight. At night, the cold air sweeps down from the mountains to give the grapes the structure and complexity to balance perfectly with the intense flavours that make Malbec from Mendoza so unique.

Tasting Note:

ALAMOS SELECCIÓN MALBEC 2016 - La Consulta, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#322800) (XD) - $17.95
100% Malbec hand selected from special blocks within their favourite vineyards at high-altitude between 3,000 to 5,000 feet above sea level. The medium+ intensity nose delivers ripe blackberry, earthy, and chocolate aromas with a touch of herb. It is medium-full with good fruit concentration and flavours of blackberry, smoky mineral, and savoury notes on the spicy palate accented by herbal and subtle oak influence. It has lively acidity and supple tannins that are well-integrated, along with some purple fruit notes on the mid-palate. The long finish has more blackberry and smoky mineral notes with a touch of white pepper spice. Great buy! Score: 89 pts

Other delicious wines from Alamos can be found at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - E & J Gallo Winery Canada.

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El Enemigo Chardonnay 2017 and Bonarda 2016 (Argentina) - Wine Reviews

To cap off a relaxing Thanksgiving Day long weekend, tonight's wine reviews are a pair of lovely Wines of Argentina by El Enemigo. Both of these delicious wines arrived in LCBO VINTAGES in July, and while there are still a few bottles available for purchase across Ontario, you may also be able to find these wines aplenty via their Agent - Noble Estates Wine & Spirits.

Winemaker Alejandro Vigil and Adrianna Catena (daughter of Nicolás Catena) created Bodega Aleanna (El Enemigo Wines) in 2008 and it appears as though the name "Aleanna" is a combination of their first names. The name El Enemigo translates to enemy. The wines of El Enemigo are a tribute to internal battles, an enemy, if you will, that make us who we are, and are brought to fruition by Alejandro and Adrianna by trying to capture the era when European immigrants first settled in Argentina and sought to make fine wines as good (or better) than those of their old homeland.

El Enemigo Wines are produced in the southern foothills of Maipu, Mendoza. The have a number of vineyards across Mendoza, a region known for its high-altitude vineyards in the foothills of the Andes Mountains. Alejandro is a soil expert, holding a Master's Degree in both winemaking and irrigation management, and has been the Winemaking Director at Bodega Catena Zapata since 2007. His strong scientific background led to important developments in both vineyard management and winemaking.

Chardonnay is the 2nd most widely planted white varietal in Argentina, however, it makes up just less than 3% of the total cultivated area in the country. This Chardonnay is from Mendoza, where more than 80% of all Chardonnay plantings are located. Moreover, Chardonnay is the most widely planted white wine varietal in Mendoza. And within the Tupungato GI, which is located in the Uco Valley of Mendoza, Chardonnay is considered to be one of the main grape varietals of the regions. Chardonnay is highly appreciated in Mendoza due to its ability to ripen well in the region and produce a wide range of elegant wines, such as this example from the high-altitude area of Gualtallary.

Until fairly recently, Bonarda was the most widely planted grape in Argentina. It was brought to Argentina by immigrants in the late 19th century. Today, it is the second-most cultivated varietal in Argentina, behind only Malbec. Bonarda is a thick-skinned, very late-ripening grape that is usually one of the last grapes to be harvested. It has much success in warmer climates, thus 60% of all Bonarda in Argentina is grown in the East of Mendoza, such as Rivadavia, where the climate is warmer at about 700 metres above sea level.

The last grape worth a mention in this post is Cabernet Franc, as it makes up 15% of the 2016 El Enemigo Bonarda. Cabernet Franc is not commonly grown in Argentina, making up just 1% of all red varietals cultivated in the country, placing it about 8th on the list. It is relatively new to Argentina as it was first planted in the 1990's and has adapted well to the high-altitude vineyards of Mendoza. Today, nearly 80% of all Cabernet Franc in the country is grown in Mendoza. Since there isn't much Cabernet Grown, it is mostly used in blends to give strength, although the grape does excel in quality on its own.

A naturally restless person, Alejandro strives to channel his creative energy into pushing
the limits of conventional viticultural and winemaking wisdom. As Alejandro says, "Winemaking is a way of life that revolves around contact with nature and a true love for the work. To produce wines from a place you need to breathe the same air as the vine, suffer the cold and the heat, and feel a sense of belonging to that place". Let's discover the wines of El Enemigo...

Tasting Notes:

EL ENEMIGO CHARDONNAY 2017 - Gualtallary, Tupungato, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#482984) (XD) - $23.95
100% Chardonnay grown between 1,400 to 1,500 metres above sea level on calcareous, rocky soils. It was barrel-fermented using wild yeasts and spent 9 months in French oak with veil. The elegant, medium+ intensity nose offers ripe lemon citrus and apple with touches of banana, tropical fruit, and vanilla. It is almost full bodied on the creamy palate with lovely ripe lemon citrus, and apple, and banana replays joined by leesy and nutty tones. Notes of pink bubblegum add further interest on the slightly hot mid-palate that is juicy with mouth-watering acidity. Apple and lemon with a leesy-nutty aftertaste on the long finish. LCBO VINTAGES July 11, 2020 Wine of the Month. Score: 90 pts

EL ENEMIGO BONARDA 2016 - Mendoza, Argentina (#15120) (XD) - $24.95
An interesting blend of 85% Bonarda from El Mirador (Rivadavia) grown at 650 metres on sandy soils, and 15% Cabernet Franc from Gualtallary (Uco Valley) at high-altitude of 1,470 metres above sea level on calcareous, rocky soils. It was fermented using wild yeast and then aged for 15 months in 100 year old foudre. This has a fresh, medium-high intensity nose of dark berry, blackberry, plum, spices, and minty herb with savoury/meaty undertones and a fine streak of stony minerality. It is full-bodied on the ripe palate with dark berry, chocolatey oak, and spice flavours supported by fine, integrated tannins and balanced acidity. Some chalkiness on the mid-palate, while the long, satisfying finish has plummy, dark berry, and mineral notes. Arrived in LCBO VINTAGES July 25, 2020. Score: 90 pts

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Trapiche Gran Medalla Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 (Argentina) - Wine Review

For tonight's wine review, I opened this nice Cabernet Sauvignon from Wines of Argentina that arrived in LCBO VINTAGES on June 27th - with plenty of bottles still available across Ontario.

It is produced by Trapiche, a winery that was founded in 1883 and has received worldwide recognition for its relentless quest for innovation. Trapiche has constantly challenged itself over the years, improving their understanding of the land and using state-of-the-art technology to produce high quality wines. The winery pioneered innovations such as the introduction of French varieties, the use of French oak barrels, and the production of micro-terroir wines.

Bodega Trapiche's inquisitive nature led the winery to find unique, remote locations to grow grapes not only in the mountainous landscape of Mendoza, but also in the oceanic influenced region of Chapadmalal. The grapes for this red wine come from La Consulta, in the Uco Valley, one of the key regions that became specialized in the cultivation of fruit and vegetables during the twentieth century.

This Gran Medalla Cabernet Sauvignon was created to pay homage to the winery's 125th anniversary, with the grapes coming from vineyards in La Consulta, in the Uco Valley, Mendoza, that were grown at an altitude of 950 to 1,050 metres above sea level on clay-sandy loam soils settled on boulders. The grapes were hand-harvested and fermented in a combination of classic and spontaneous fermentation using native yeasts in concrete eggs. It was aged for 18 months in new Frenck oak barrels, then aged in bottle for a further 6 months prior to release. Let's see how this Argentine Cab is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

TRAPICHE GRAN MEDALLA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2016 - La Consulta, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#13608) (XD) - $26.95
100% Cabernet Sauvignon grown at high-altitude of 950 to 1,050 metres above sea level. The medium-high intensity aromas are rich with red and black fruits, cherry, currant, and cassis surrounded by oak vanillin. Pretty, dried berry and floral aromas emerge with time in the glass. The palate is full-bodied and concentrated with firm, structured, slightly chalky textured tannins and lively, sour acidity. Spicy flavours of red and black berries, currant and oak lead to a long, juicy, chocolatey, and lightly mineral finish. Approachable now, but I would cellar for 2-3 years. Score: 88+ pts

Many other delicious wines from the Trapiche are also available at the LCBO, as well as ordered via their Agent - Dandurand.

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Gloria Reserva 2018 (Portugal) - Wine Review

I last enjoyed the 2016 Gloria Reserva back in the summer of 2019, and for tonight's wine review I am pleased to bring you the latest vintage of this Portguese red wine that arrived at the LCBO as part of the July 11, 2020 LCBO VINTAGES Release and is still available for purchase throughout Ontario.

The story of Vicente Faria Vinhos, which is currently located in Moreira, just north of Porto, begins seven generations ago, in the 18th century when Vicente's family settled in the Douro Valley to become one of the region's pioneering winemaking families. According to UNESCO, the Douro Valley is the first and oldest demarcated wine region in the world, where wines have been produced for over 2000 years. In this region, the diurnal temperatures are very high, ranging from 50° Celsius during the intense summer, down to -7° Celsius in the winter. The soils are essentially schist, and the vineyards develop very long roots in search of water and nutrients. Both of these conditions are ideal for winegrowing. Vicente Faria uses only sustainable farming practices, without irrigation and fertilization. Let's see how the 2018 is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

GLORIA RESERVA 2018 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#146522) (D) - $16.95
This blend of 40% Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), 30% Touriga Franca, and 30% Touriga Nacional was manually harvested and transported in small boxes to the winery before undergoing selection. It was aged in oak barrels for 12 months. The medium-high intensity nose offers very ripe black cherry, dark berry, and wood spice aromas, plus touches of currant and herbs. The medium-bodied palate is ripe fruited, slightly sweet and a touch raisiny with flavours of black cherry, savoury wood spice, and herbs. It has good acidity and rounded tannins. Slightly sweet red berry and earthy notes linger on the finish, with good length. A casual wine that should appeal to many. Score: 87 pts

Other wines from Vicente Faria can be ordered via their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Lungarotti San Giorgio 2016 (Umbria) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is this lovely "Super Umbrian" that arrived in LCBO VINTAGES on September 5 as a Flagship Exclusive. Wines featured as Flagship Exclusives are available in limited quantities at select LCBO outlets across Ontario - click the 5-digit product code below to find a location with bottles available closest to you.

Cantine Giorgio Lungarotti was founded in the 1960's in Torgiano, the heart and birthplace of Umbrian wine. Lungarotti became a major driving force for new opportunities in the region - with wine as the centrepiece. Today, the 250 hectares of vineyards are run by sisters Chiara Lungarotti & Teresa Severini who have implemented innovative cultivation techniques based on sustainability and respect for the environment.

This red wine bears the signature of founder Giorgio Lungarotti, whose continuous desire to experiment led him to try Cabernet Sauvignon in Umbria. He introduced Cabernet Sauvignon in Umbria in the late 1950's to early 1960's, and it was still an uncommon varietal in the mid-1970's.

The Lungarotti San Giorgio was first created in 1977 and is a blend of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese, becoming one of the first great wines to blend these two varietals and known as Super Umbrian. The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes for this wine come from a vineyard with a medium mix of pebbles and mostly limestone on a tufa subsoil, while the Sangiovese is from the Monticchio Vineyard that has clay layers alternating with sandy fringes in the lower part of the hillside. It was aged in barriques for 12 months, followed by at least 1 year in bottle.

The current bottling of the San Giorgio label depicts Saint George and the Dragon, from the famous painting by Raffaello displayed in the Gallerie degli Uffizi (a museum I visited many years ago), paying homage to the traditional feast of Saint George when propitiatory bonfires are still lit in the Torgiano vineyards with cuttings from the winter vine pruning.

Tasting Note:

LUNGAROTTI SAN GIORGIO 2016 - IGT Umbria Rosso, Italy (#62877) (XD) - $51.95
A 50/50 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese, this Super Umbrian has a medium-high intensity nose that needs some coaxing, but reveals pretty and complex aromas of red cherry, baking spice, clove, and savoury earthy notes with touches of dried spice and floral. The full-bodied, structured palate has cherry, clove, oak spice, earthy, and mocha chocolate flavours with touches of dried floral and berry tones. Tannins are fine-grained, textured, and quite drying, while acids are very good. Savoury and earthy on the long, juicy finish. You could open this now, but this will be great in 2-3 years and drink well until at least the end of the decade. Score: 90+ pts

A few bottles from Lungarotti are available through LCBO, while others can be purchased via their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 (Australia) - Wine Review (Bottle 2)

Tonight's red wine review is this lovely Australian Cabernet Sauvignon that returned to LCBO VINTAGES on August 22nd.

Bill Taylor and his family have been crafting fine wines in Clare Valley for three generations, beginning in 1969. They carefull selected this site for its red-brown loam over limestone soils, also known as terra rossa, and the cool climate which they immediately recognized would grow excellent Cabernet Sauvignon. The three seahorse logo - one for each generations of the family - comes from the fossilized remains of seahorses they discovered on their land during excavations for the vineyard's dam. In the Southern Hemisphere, the family makes their wines under the Taylors label, but they sell their wines in the Northern Hemisphere, including here in Ontario, as Wakefield Wines.

The Jaraman collection of wines includes a Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and this Cabernet Sauvignon, With the Jaraman range, the Taylor family searches for parcels of extraordinary fruit to craft wines that showcase their distinctive regional characteristics and style. The fruit for these wines are sourced from Australia's celebrated wine regions that are renowned for the particular variety. At the winery, the winemakers ensure that distinct regional characteristics are preserved and enhanced through any winemaking techniques, all the while having respect for the fruit.

I last enjoyed this same 2016 Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon when it came to LCBO VINTAGES in August of 2019 and recall that the tannins were a bit tight at the time. Let's see how this bottle is tasting now, a full 12 months after last year's tasting.

Tasting Note:

WAKEFIELD JARAMAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2016 - Coonawarra & Clare Valley, South Australia (#142398) (D) - $24.95
100% Cabernet Sauvignon composed of 73% Coonawarra and 27% Clare Valley fruit. Screw cap. The medium-high intensity nose offers menthol, currant, and cassis with hints of leafy, dried herb aromas. It's full-bodied with minty cassis, ripe blackberry, and currant flavours accented with oak spice and just a touch of jamminess. It's well-balanced with fresh acidity while tannins have softened since last year, having a touch of chalky grip. Savoury chocolatey oak with currant and herbal notes linger on the long finish. Score: 89 pts

There are quite a few Wakefield Wines available at the LCBO, but can also be ordered via their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Domaine La Rougeante 2016 (Languedoc) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is this lovely Corbières - a new wine that arrives at the LCBO as part of the September 5th LCBO VINTAGES Release. Even though the wine is marked as a potentially late arrival, it is actually quite widely available across Ontario now.

It is produced by Select Vins, a collaboration between Château de la Négly owner, Jean Paux-Rosset, and his consulting winemaker, Claude Gros. Together, they have assembled some of the best grape growers from across the many appellations of the Languedoc, including Corbières, where this lovely red wine is from.

Corbières is Languedoc-Roussillon's largest AOC, accounting for nearly half of the region's wine production. Red wine dominates in Corbières, consisting of approximately 95% of all wines produced within the AOC. Due to the AOC's rather large size, Corbières has many different soil types and microclimates. Carignan is the mostly widely planted varietal in Corbières, however, none is curiously found in this red that consists of Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Syrah.

Tasting Note:

DOMAINE LA ROUGEANTE 2016 - AC Corbières, Languedoc, France (#15298) (XD) - $19.95
This Corbières is a blend of Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Syrah that was grown on alluvial and clay-limestone soils, and raised completely in tank. Enticing aromas of dark berry, blackberry, and black plum sprinkled with crushed stones and touches of garrigue and dried herb. The medium-full bodied palate is ripe with good fruit concentration and nicely balanced fruity-savoury-herbal flavours of dark berry, pepper spice, dried herb, and earthy notes. Refined, lightly structured tannins have a nice dusty textured character, while juicy acids are well-balanced. Some warmth on the mid-palate. Savoury, earthy mineral notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Recommended buy to enjoy over the next 4-5 years. Score: 89 pts

Other fine wines from Select Vins can be found via their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.

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Château de Nages JT 2016 (Rhône) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is this lovely organic red wine from a Southern Rhône winery that I had the pleasure of visiting back in 2018. This delicious wine arrived at the LCBO as part of the July 25 LCBO VINTAGES Release and plenty of bottles are still available for purchase.

Château de Nages is situated in the Costières de Nîmes appellation and the heart of an ecological network of protected areas of the European Union. It is the 4th generation family estate of the highly-acclaimed winemaker Michel Gassier and his wife Tina. They are committed to protecting the ecosystem with an absolute respect for the soil. By combining ancestral know-how with modern winemaking techniques from their fabulous terroir, Michel Gassier is able to produce high-quality, fine wines.

The JT line of wines at Château de Nages, which consists of the lovely 2015 Château de Nages JT White that I enjoyed back in June and this JT Red are dedicated to Michel Gassier's visionary great grandfather, Joseph Torrès. Both of these cuvées are crafted using fruit from the very best parcels of their own estate vineyards in Costières de Nîmes, while offering northern Rhône character.

For this vintage of the JT Red, Michel Gassier notes that the 2016 vintage is the greatest he has ever seen in 23 years of making wine. In 2016, yields were naturally moderate in a warm and dry growing season with exceptionally cool nights that helped produce fresh, concentrated and wonderfully balanced grapes. All of the grapes were certified organically farmed with particular attention to soil health. The grapes were manually harvested and sorted, then fermented using natural yeasts with 50% aged in French oak, while the other half was raised in cement tanks for 12 months. Finally, it was blended and bottled without filtration.

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU DE NAGES JT 2016 - AP Costières de Nîmes, Rhône, France (#736876) (XD) - $26.95
This organic red wine is a blend of 93% Syrah and 7% Mourvèdre from soils that have rolled pebbles from the Rhône over red clay rich in iron. Ripe, medium-high intensity nose has dark berry, black pepper spice, and game aromas with a strong mineral character. The medium-full bodied, structured palate is flavourful with lovely ripe dark berry, mineral and pepper with some gamey, floral, and oak spice tones. Acids are well-balanced while the mid-palate is somewhat chalky with drying tannins. Finishes long with savoury, earthy mineral and floral notes. Score: 90 pts

Other fine wines from the Château de Nages portfolio can be found at the LCBO or ordered via their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Umani Ronchi Jorio Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2016 (Italy) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is this nice Montepulciano d'Abruzzo that arrived at the LCBO as part of the June 27 LCBO VINTAGES Release - and is still widely available for purchase across the province.

Umani Ronchi was founded in the 1950's in Cupramontana, the heart of Verdicchio Classico country, by Gino Umani Ronchi. A few years later, the Bianchi family formed a partnership with Umani Ronchi, eventually becoming the sole owners. Dr. Bianchi's son-in-law, Massimo Benetti, took over management of the company and was joined by his son, Michele, and together they run the family business today. The Bianchi-Benetti family have been crafting superb quality wines made with Verdicchio and Montepulciano from Marche and Abruzzo for more than 60 years.

In total, Umani Ronchi has 210 hectares of vines, which are all organically farmed, and nestled between the hills and the sea along the Adriatic coast from Serra dei Conti in Marche in the north to Roseto degli Abruzzi in the south. Umani Ronchi also practices sustainability with a strong sense of ethics and respect for the environment. For example, they use light-weight bottles which have a lower impact on CO2 emissions, while their energy is supplied by a photovoltaic array.

This particular bottle from Umani Ronchi is made with 100% Montepulciano coming from Abruzzo. This wine was first produced in 1993 in collaboration with Abruzzese winegrowers that had vineyards in particularly favourable areas that allowed the grape to express its great potential. The name of the wine "Jorio" is intended as a tribute to the great 20th century Abruzzese poet Gabriele D'Annunzio who wrote a play titled "The Daughter of Jorio".

Tasting Note:

UMANI RONCHI JORIO MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2016 - DOC, Abruzzo, Italy (#134577) (D) - $17.95
100% Montepulciano that was hand-harvested. 50% of the wine was aged in large oak barrels, while the other half was aged in 3rd and 4th use barriques, and blended together after a period of 12 months. The medium+ intensity nose has earthy and stony minerals joined by dark berry and plum notes. On the medium-bodied palate it has smooth, fine-grained tannins and juicy, well-balanced acidity. It's savoury and dark berry flavoured with a touch of sweet chocolatey oak. Slightly grippy on the savoury, earthy finish, with very good length. An enjoyable Friday night wine. Score: 88 pts

Other wines from the Umani Ronchi portfolio can be found at the LCBO or ordered through their Agent Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Castello di Bossi C. Berardenga Chianti Classico 2016 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely Chianti Classico that arrives in LCBO VINTAGES on August 22 and is featured in this Release as part of the feature on High-Scoring Wines. It has already arrived in some stores and should be widely available across Ontario by Saturday.

This Sangiovese is produced by Bacci Wines at their Castello di Bossi estate in the commune of Castelnuovo Berardenga, which is located in the southern part of the Chianti Classico zone, 50 kilometres southeast of Florence and 14 kilometres east of Siena.

Local inscriptions indicate that there was a Roman settlement on this site dating back to the 1st century AD. The name Bossi is apparently linked to a money chest that was made of boxwood - a rare and prized wood at the time - the Roman army would carry to encampments to pay the soldiers. In the 9th century, the noble dei Berardenghi family settled on the site. After a lengthy rule, the dei Berardenghi family withdrew to private life and donated most of their landholdings - except for the property which today surrounds the castle.

Castello di Bossi has changed owners many times over the years and is currently in the hands of the Bacci family. The estate covers 650 ha, with 124 ha under vine, most of which is planted to Sangiovese. Using modern viticultural practices, the estate aims to consistently harvest the best quality fruit in order to express the best qualities of the terroir and each grape variety.

The 2015 Castello di Bossi C. Berardenga Chianti Classico was an excellent wine I enjoyed last fall, so I am delighted to see the next vintage come to Ontario this year. According to vintage reports, the high quality of the 2016 vintage matched 2015, albeit yields were somewhat lower. Furthermore, the wines of 2016 tend to be less structured, but very aromatic. Sounds great to me! Let's see how the 2016 is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CASTELLO DI BOSSI C. BERARDENGA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2016 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#994608) (XD) - $22.95
100% Sangiovese grown at 350 metres above sea level on tufo, brown and yellow clay, and broken stone soils. The fragrant, highly aromatic nose offers enticing rose floral, red and black cherry aromas joined by cinnamon, sweet spices, and leather notes. The medium+ bodied, juicy palate is fresh, spicy and a touch warming with cherry, spices, and clove, and leather flavours with touches of dried herb. Well-integrated tannins have a pleasantly subtle, textured grip, while fresh acids are slightly tart and limey. Chocolatey oak with touches of mineral linger on the finish, with excellent length. Score: 91 pts

Other wines from the Bacci Wines portfolio can be found via their Agent Connexion Oenophilia.

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Argentina: A Mini-Tasting Trip - August 22, 2020 VINTAGES Release Wine Reviews

After exploring and enjoying some fabulous Wines of Argentina a couple of weeks ago, tonight's wine reviews are another look at three Argentine wines coming to LCBO VINTAGES on August 22 and one that is in stores now.

Grapes are grown in Argentina stretching 3,800 km from north to south. with vineyards making quality wines covering nearly 500,000 acres. The diversity of terroirs where the vines are grown imprint distinctive characters and profiles of each variety.

Torrontés is the most cultivated white wine varietal in Argentina with 5% of the total cultivated area within the country devoted to the grape. Torrontés is only found in Argentina and there are three variants - Mendocino, Sanjuanino, and Riojano. Of the three variants, Riojano is the most cultivated and expresses the best qualities for the production of fine wines, especially those found in Cafayate Valley, Salta. Torrontés is Argentina's signature white wine and winemaker Susana Balbo is known as the "Queen of Torrontés" for her role in transforming Torrontés from an unknown blending grape into Argentina’s star white varietal.

Pink-skinned varieties - primarily the indigenous Cereza and Criolla Grande - currently make up 24% of all vines cultivated in Argentina. However, in the not-too-long-ago past, these varietals were actually the most widely planted in the country until they were supplanted by Malbec in more recent years. While I don't think I have ever seen (or tasted) wines made with these indigenous grapes, Pinot Gris also falls into the pink-skinned category and is included as part of the blend that makes up the Luigi Bosca Rosé.

Malbec is far and away the most widely planted varietal in Argentina, claiming top spot only in 2011, with 22% of the country's vine acreage devoted to the grape. It is Argentina's flagship red wine grape and many of the country's top wines are made using this varietal. An astounding 85% of the Malbec planted in Argentina is within Mendoza, while in second place is San Juan (neighbouring north of Mendoza) with 6%. In third place is Salta, in the north of Argentina, with just over 3%. These three region combine to produce 94% of the country's Malbec.

The Malbec reviewed below is one of my favourite wallet-friendly Malbec wines - and there are many - as Argentina is widely known for offering great value for the quality of its wines. This particular Malbec is from Tunuyán in the Uco Valley, nestled beside the cordillera of the Andes in higher altitude, cooler, and southern area of Mendoza that is characterized by the crossing of the Las Tunas and Tunuyán rivers. The vineyards in Uco Valley range in altitude from 900 to 2,200 metres above sea level (masl), which are the highest in Mendoza and among the highest in the world. Tunuyán was first settled in the 17th century, but only began planting vines in 1995. As the vines matured, it was realized beginning in 2010 that the high altitude vines in Tunuyán create a different wine style. This led to further research to understand the terroir of the area, and eventually the discovery of exciting micro-regions within Tunuyán.

The last wine in this post comes from the Paraje Altamira GI (Geographical Indication), an area located to the south of Uco Valley in San Carlos, right next to La Consulta. The area, which was originally called Altamira, was known for producing excellent grapes for many years - it was first planted in 1900. It produces wines of unique colour and tannic concentration, flavour and freshness. Paraje Altamira GI is placed at an altitude of 1,000 to 1,200 masl and officially became a GI in 2013 and now consists of an area nearly 10,000 ha, of which nearly 3,000 ha are planted to vine. One of the most important aspects of Paraje Altamira GI is that it was the first appellation in Argentina delineated by the concept of terroir - instead of by political boundaries - paving the way for future terroir-based GIs. The end result are unique, high-quality, and delicious wines with a sense of place.

Tasting Notes:

SUSANA BALBO CRIOS TORRONTÉS 2019 - Argentina (#1834) (XD) - $14.95 $12.95 until Sept. 13.
Torrontés grapes from Cafayate (Salta) and Uco Valley (Mendoza) grown at an average of 1,700 masl. All of the fruit was hand-harvested and spent 3 months on lees. Screw cap. Fresh and highly aromatic with floral, green grassy-herbal, lemon citrus, and grapefruit notes. The medium-bodied, slightly creamy palate has crunchy, tart citrus fruit flavours plus some herbs and floral. Acids are well-balanced and juicy. Somewhat chalky mineral textured and saline on the mid-palate, followed by mineral and lime citrus notes on the finish, with very good length. VINTAGES Essentials listing and available year-round. Agent: Profile Wine Group. Score: 88 pts

LUIGI BOSCA A ROSÉ IS A ROSÉ IS A ROSÉ 2019 - Mendoza, Argentina (#553032) (XD) - $18.95
A blend of Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir from grapes grown in Luján de Cuyo and Maipú at an altitude of 780 metres. An interesting caramel and honey nose surrounds notes of citrus and grapefruit. It's quite full and structured in the mouth with honeyed, floral, grapefruit, and tangy citrus flavours in a dry profile. Juicy acids follow through to the honey and floral finish. A big, dry rosé with very good length. Agent: FWM Canada. Score: 88 pts

SALENTEIN RESERVE MALBEC 2018 - Tunuyán, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#640854) (XD) - $17.95
100% estate grown Malbec from shallow, alluvial, and pebbly soils, with 70% coming from the El Oasis estate (1,050+ masl) and 30% from the La Pampa estate (1,250+ masl). The clean, medium-high intensity nose offers smoky minerality, dark berry, spice, and plum with whiffs of dried herb. It's mid-weighted on the fresh, juicy palate with very good acidity and flavours of dark berry, blackberry, smoky mineral, and spice with touches of violet. Tannins are smooth and refined. Dark berry and mineral with touches of chocolate linger on the long, juicy finish. Agent: Azureau Wines & Spirits. Score: 89 pts

ZAHA EL CORTE 2016 - Toko Vineyard, Paraje Altamira, Mendoza, Argentina (#629972) (XD) - $24.95
Zaha means "Heart" in the native Huarpe language of Mendoza. The Toko (stone) vineyard has diverse soils - sandy soils, rocky limestone rich soils with abundant white surface stones, and shallow silty soils mixed with gravel. Co-fermented blend of 78% Malbec and 22% Cabernet Sauvignon. Fresh, spicy, scorched earth, and stony mineral notes jump out of the glass followed by some dark spices, herbs, and dark berry. The refined, medium-full bodied palate has smooth, structured, nicely textured and slightly chalky tannins. It's very minerally on the flavour profile with spice, dried herb, plum, and dark berry tones. Acids are fresh and mouth-watering. It's well-balanced throughout with mineral notes lingering on the long, juicy, and spicy finish. Very distinctive and highly recommended buy. Agent: Noble Estates Wine & Spirits. Score: 91+ pts

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LAVAU Gigondas 2016 and Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2016 (Rhône) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wine reviews are a pair of excellent cru wines from the Southern Rhône. These red wines are from Gigondas and Châteauneuf-du-Pape and are from the spectacular 2016 vintage. Moreover, both of these lovely wines arrived at the LCBO as part of the August 8th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

These wines are produced by Maison LAVAU, a family that has been involved in winemaking for several generations and was officially created in 1965 when Jean-Guy Lavau and his wife Anne-Marie returned to France (from Tunisia) and took charge of a small winemaking cellar in Sablet that Jean-Guy's father, Jean, purchased a few years earlier.

With great attention to detail and a thirst for excellence, Jean-Guy and Anne-Marie Lavau built a reputation as top quality winemakers in the region. They also formed close ties with other winegrowers and invested in the their future by purchasing the biggest winemaking business in the Vaucluse in 1994. In an interesting Canadian connection, their two sons, Frédéric and Benoît, both studied in Canada before joining the family business back in Rhône. Frédéric joined the family business in 1995, and Benoît followed suit two years later.

In 2000, Frédéric and Benoît took over the family business after their parents retired. They continued to invest in their business by building a new, modern, and high-performance cellar, as well as creating the LAVAU brand, and exporting their wines to other countries.

Today, Maison LAVAU is one of the last family-run and independent wine estates in the Rhône Valley. It has three winemaking cellars and 180 hectares of vines and has become a major producer of Rhône wines. The primary objectives are to make top quality, generous, and affordable wines, while also promoting the diversity and quality of the prestigious Rhône Valley appellations.

I have enjoyed many LAVAU wines over the years, which are represented by Connexion Oenophilia, and would expect these fine Rhône wines to be just as excellent.

Tasting Notes:

LAVAU GIGONDAS 2016 - AC, Rhône, France (#234955) (XD) - $36.95

This Gigondas is a blend of old Grenache (50%), Syrah (40%), and Mourvèdre (10%) vines that were hand-harvested from steep, north-facing, terraced hillsides on fairly poor, calcareous-marl soils at the foot of the famous Dentelles de Montmirail. 55% of the wine is aged in vat, while the rest in 450 L barrels that were used for 1 or 2 vintages. The barrel-aged wine spends 12 months in barrel prior to blending with the vat-aged wine. The fresh, rich, and highly aromatic nose offers peppery spice, garrigue, and dark berry with earthy tones and touches of plum. The medium-full bodied palate is rich with a concentrated mouthfeel and spicy, dark berry flavours supported by refined, structured tannins and fresh, lively acidity. There's some chalkiness on the mid-palate while earthy mineral, spice, and dark berry notes linger on the long, juicy finish. Lovely Gigondas that will reward with a couple of years in the cellar and drink well to the end of the decade. Score: 91 pts

LAVAU CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2016 - AC, Rhône, France (#15183) (XD) - $44.95

This Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blend of old 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre planted on sandy terrain, and undergoes similar vinification to the Gigondas with 50% of the wine aged in vat, while the other half spent 12 months in 450 L barrels that were used for 1 or 2 vintages prior to blending with the vat-aged wine. Complex, fragrant, and spicy medley of ripe raspberry, wild dark berry, garrigue, violet, and plum with touches of smoky-stony mineral aromas. The medium-full to full-bodied palate has black plum, black currant, and raspberry flavours mingling with spice and stony mineral notes. There's also touches of herb and tobacco on the mid-palate, adding further complexity. It's supported by fresh, juicy acidity and smooth, fine-grained tannins that have some grip. Well-balanced with plum, spicy dark berry with fine stony mineral notes lingering on the finish, with excellent length. Lovely now, but has the structure to develop further over the coming decade. Score: 91+ pts

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German Wines: A Closer Look

Last month, I had an exciting opportunity to attend a webcast titled "German Wines: A Closer Look with Anne Krebiehl, MW and John Szabo, MS". As part of attending this webcast, participants were sent a fabulous selection of eight wines (listed below) so we could taste along with Anne and John.

While most would think that Germany is all about (mostly sweet) Riesling, and rightly so as it is by far the most widely planted grape in the country, this tasting offered an excellent opportunity to showcase some German wines made with other varietals, with Anne leading much of the conversation. In addition to tasting some dry Riesling, we also got to taste a pair of white wines that shine in Germany - Pinot Blanc (Weissburgunder) and Pinot Gris (Grauburgunder). Germany grows the most Pinot Blanc of any country, and the 3rd most Pinot Gris. Although not widely known, Germany also makes red wines - 33% of all plantings within the country are red varieties - and all tend to be of the lighter variety. We tried a pair of Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder) wines - Germany's most widely planted red grape and 3rd most globally - as well as Germany's most full-ish bodied red, Lemberger (Blaufränkisch).

Germany is known for it's vineyards that are planted on steep slopes, and just about all of these slopes border rivers that helped shape the landscape. All thirteen wine regions in Germany are located within 4 degrees latitude and have varied climates and soils, creating wines that are diverse and in a wide array of styles. We tasted wines from six wine regions - Rheinhessen, Pfalz, Baden, Ahr, Württemberg, and Mosel. Rheinhessen is the largest winegrowing region in Germany and is known as the "land of a thousand hills" as it hugs the Rhine River. Pfalz is located south of Rheinhessen and has a slightly warmer climate, producing rich, voluptuous wines. Baden is a long, warm and sunny stretch of land spanning 400 km from north to south, running along the Rhine, in the southern most part of Germany, and produces food-friendly wines primarily with Burgunder (Pinot) grapes - Noir, Blanc, and Gris.

The Ahr Valley, with its steep vineyards are located along the Ahr River that joins the Rhine River to the east, and is located south of Bonn. Ahr is known as Germany's red wine paradise, especially for its Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir). Württemberg is another region known for its red wines - it is located adjacent (to the east) of Baden and south of Franken. The area in Württemberg is rural and hilly, and the vineyards are scattered over a fairly large area.

The last region we touched upon is the world renowned Mosel, located along the Mosel River, south of Ahr and connecting to the Rhine in the east. The valleys of the Mosel River, along with its tributaries, the Saar and the Ruwer, have been settled since Roman times and have very steep, slate slopes. World class Riesling from Mosel are fragrant and minerally with finesse, vibrant acidity, and impeccable balance, ranging in styles from dry to the lusciously sweet Trockenbeerenauslese, or TBA.

It was also interesting to learn that light ripens grapes, not heat. This happens gradually and naturally in Germany because the vineyards are located at higher altitudes, along with autumns that are long and sunny. Additionally, because Germany is a bit northern in latitude, the sunlight is a little less intense, resulting in heat that hits the grapes at slightly lower temperatures. Combining long sunlight hours with lower temperatures helps create wines with moderate alcohol levels and body, crisp acidity, and lots of aromas - all qualities very apparent in German Rieslings as well as other wines.

All eight of the wines we tasted are available for purchase in one way or another - either via LCBO or Agent. After the webcast, attendees were also sent a copy of Anne Krebiehl's book that was published last year - The Wines of Germany. Overall, it was a very informative webcast and I was very pleased to have to the opportunity to attend. Thank you, Wines of Germany Canada!

Tasting Notes:

WITTMANN WEISSER BURGUNDER TROCKEN 2017 - Qualitätswein, Rheinhessen, Germany (#11654) (XD) - $24.95
This organic Pinot Blanc was grown on limestone soils around Westhofen, handpicked. and vinified in a minimal interventionist style. It has a lovely, well-balanced, and complex nose offering stone fruit, lemon citrus, and fennel aromas flecked with limestone mineral and orange notes. Nicely concentrated on the essentially dry, medium+ bodied, balanced, and crunchy fruited palate with fresh, succulent acids, and flavourful citrus, yellow fruit, white floral, and fine mineral notes. Touches of waxy notes linger on the long, minerally finish. Released in LCBO VINTAGES April 4, 2020. Agent: Brand New Day Wines & Spirits. Score: 90+ pts

A. CHRISTMANN RIESLING TROCKEN 2017 - Pfalz, Germany (XD) - $25.01
From predominantly Buntsandstein soils. Spontaneous ferment in large, used barrels and stainless steel tanks. Screw cap. Fresh and fruity nose delivers notions of apricot, ginger, melon and white pear with hints of petrol and stony-earthy minerality. The medium-full bodied palate is impressively concentrated and slightly crunchy with fresh, balanced acidity and a dry, honeyed flavour profile surrounding notes of lemon, white floral, apricot, and stony minerals. Very good length on the dry, crisp, minerally, and pithy finish. Certified biodynamic. Agent: CGU Fine Wines. Score: 90 pts

WEINGUT DREISSIGACKER GRAUBURGUNDER ORGANIC 2018 - Rheinhessen, Germany (#726066) (D) - $30
Screw cap. From loam soils, this Pinot Gris was partially barrel-fermented and has an elegant, perfumed, peach and stone fruit aromatics with a stony mineral underpinning. It's medium+ bodied on the slightly off-dry palate supported by fresh, vibrant acidity. More peach and mineral notes on the flavour profile. Stony notes linger on the long, juicy finish. Agent: DBINO. Score: 90 pts

SALWEY GBR RS SPÄTBURGUNDER VDP ORTSWEIN 2016 - Kaiserstuhl, Baden, Germany (#710193) (XD) - $44.75
The 2016 vintage was outstanding for reds, and this Pinot Noir was grown on volcanic ash, weathered basalt, and loess soils. Pretty pale ruby colour. The medium-high intensity nose offers earthy, raspberry, cherry, and beetroot aromas that mingle with spice and mineral underpinning. The palate is light-to-mid weighted with fine raspberry, cherry, spice, and mineral flavours supported by light, fine-grained, and textured tannins that have some structure, gaining volume with each passing sip. Racy acids provide freshness. Well-balanced throughout with raspberry, spice, earth, and cherry notes lingering on the long finish. Enjoy over the next 5 years. Available online at LCBO.com. Agent: Angyal Agency. Score: 91 pts

JEAN STODDEN SPÄTBURGUNDER JS 2017 - Qualitätswein, Ahr Valley, Germany (XD) - $60.76
Elegant, fragrant, and appealing nose of red cherry, earth, spices, and floral. It is medium+ bodied on the structured palate with lovely sweet spice, cherry, and earthy flavours supported by juicy, balanced acidity. Some dark berry and beet root notes add complexity on the mid-palate. Glossy, ripe tannins are full, refined, and smooth, with some tannic grip coming through with each passing sip. Complex earthy, cherry, beet root, spice, and mineral notes linger on the long finish. Enjoy to 2027. Agent: CGU Fine Wines. Score: 91+ pts

GRAF NEIPPERG LEMBERGER SCHWAIGENER RUTHE GG 2016 - Württemberg, Germany (XD) - $67.60
This Lemberger has complex spices with a mix of red and black fruit aromas, accented by earthy, stony minerality. It is light-to-medium weighted on the palate with fine-grained, lightly structured tannins and lovely black cherry, red berry, currant, and spice flavours Nicely balanced throughout with fresh acidity, while the long, curranty, stony finish has a minerally aftertaste. Agent: Angyal Agency. Score: 91 pts

CLEMENS BUSCH MARIENBURG FALKENLAY GG RIESLING TROCKEN 2016 - Mosel, Germany (#13046) (D) - $60
From 50-80 year old vines on grey slate, partially terraced soils. The medium-high to highly aromatic nose offers notions of citrus, floral, ginger, apple, peach, and melon with slatey mineral and touches of mealy aromas. The rich, medium+ bodied palate is gently sweet with vibrant acidity, making this Riesling essentially dry. Complex citrus, apple, ginger, beeswax, and orange flavours with a mineral underpinning. A touch of bitterness on the long, dry, crisp finish. A complex wine that changes a lot as it warms in the glass. Certified Biodynamic. Released in LCBO VINTAGES Classics May 7, 2020. Agent: The Livng Vine. Score: 91 pts

HOFGUT FALKENSTEIN NIEDERMENNIGER HERRENBERG RIESLING SPÄTLESE FEINHERB 2018 - Mosel, Germany (M) - $34
Riesling planted in the 1960's on weathered grey slate, very poor soils. Lovely, fragrant minerally, petrol nose joined by honey, lemon drop, peach, and citrus aromas. It's medium+ bodied on the palate with impressive depth and concentration. Medium sweet, lemon citrus, honeyed, apple, peach, and touches of mineral flavours are balanced with bright, zesty acidity. Citrus, peach, and honey with fine mineral notes linger on the finish, with excellent length. Will age 15+ years easy. Agent: Chalk, Slate, Gravel. Score: 92 pts

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Château Le Grand Moulin 2016 (Bordeaux) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious red wine from Bordeaux. It is a new arrival at the LCBO as part of the April 18 VINTAGES Release and is also featured in the LCBO's Food & Drink magazine.

This red wine is produced by the co-operative winery Vignobles Gabriel & Co., a company founded in 1904 when Gabriel Bruneteau founded Domaine du Grand Moulin at Saint Aubin de Blaye, about 50 km north of Bordeaux in the heart of the Blaye vineyards. In 1921, with a passionate interest in wine and people, Gabriel created the forerunner to the Vignobles Gabriel & Co. enterprise.

After Gabriel's passing, the vineyard dwindled and changed over the years, but finally recovered four generations later when Jean-François Reaud, the great grandson of Gabriel Bruneteau, inherited the estate in 1985. There were only 7 hectares of vines at the time, but he reorganized, modernized, and expanded the winery to cover 25 hectares by the end of the 1990's, eventually becoming Château Le Grand Moulin. Further development increased the size of the estate to the 81 hectares it is today, and to further meet consumer demand, Jean-François formed partnerships with several neighbouring producers and winegrowers on the Right Bank to collectively promote their wines. Being sensitive to the environment, Jean-François also owns Château Les Aubiers which has 25 hectares of organically-farmed vines.

With lots of bottles available throughout Ontario, it will be very easy for you to get your hands on this wallet-friendly Bordeaux.

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU LE GRAND MOULIN 2016 - AC Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux, France (#11326) (XD) - $17.00
An estate grown blend of mostly Merlot, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec in support, and aged in cement vats. Generous, nicely ripe, and fruit forward aromas of dark currant, blackberry, cassis, mint, and spice with touches of earthiness lift out of the glass. The medium+ bodied palate has nice balanced aroma replays supported by refined, textured, and gritty tannins, and balanced acidity. The finish is a touch drying, with savoury and earthy flavours, and very good length. Enjoy now or cellar for a couple of years and drink into the later part of this decade. This is very good Bordeaux! Score: 89 pts

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Rocca delle Macìe Chianti Riserva 2016 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a nice follow-up to the delicious 2018 Rocca delle Macìe Chianti Classico that I enjoyed a couple of weekends ago. Like the Chianti Classico, this Chianti is a VINTAGES Essentials product at the LCBO and widely available for purchase in-store across Ontario.

Rocca delle Macìe was established in 1973 by film producer Italo Zingarelli to fulfill his life-long dream. It was established on a solid base of ethical values constructed by Italo and today is run by his children Sergio, Fabio, and Sandra, to become one of the largest wine producers in Italy.

Sustainability is a key pillar of Rocca delle Macìe as they continue to implement agronomic techniques that are geared not only towards constantly improving the products, but also towards respecting the environment. Some of these practices include integrated pest management, streamlining the consumption of non-renewable resources, avoiding non-essential waste of natural resources, and limiting human activity on the equilibrium of the ecosystem. By using high-precision viticulture, Rocca delle Macìe is able to make winemaking rational and sustainable, while at the same time enhancing the land. With this in mind, Rocca delle Macìe still aims to express the very best of the vine and terroir, and achieve products of the highest quality.

In addition to producing wines from the Chianti Classico and Maremma zones, Rocca delle Macìe also produces wines thanks in part to collaboration with old and new Tuscany producers in other zones such as Chianti, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Bolgheri, San Gimignano, and Orvieto. This particular red wine is from the Chianti DOCG from carefully selected and ripened Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot grapes. It is vinified with the latest controlled fermentation techniques and undergoes maturation in oak for a period of two years prior to being released.

Tasting Note:

ROCCA DELLE MACÌE CHIANTI RISERVA 2016 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#111641) (XD) - $15.95
A blend of 90% Sangiovese with equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot completing the blend, and aged for 24 months is large oak barrels. Medium+ intensity nose is savoury with currant, plum, red cherry, and earth aromas. It's ripe fruited on the palate with currant, sour cherry, oak spice, and leathery flavours on the medium-bodied palate. Light tannins have just enough texture to keep things interesting, while lemony acids are food-friendly. Savoury, currant, and chocolate notes linger on the finish, with very good length. A fine, simple Chianti for mid-week drinking. Score: 88 pts

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LAN Crianza 2016 (Spain) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely Rioja from Spain that is a VINTAGES Essentials product and widely available at LCBO outlets across Ontario. It is also available for online ordering with the option to pick-up in-store or have it delivered to your nearest Canada Post office.

As of 2012, Bodegas LAN (which takes its name from the three provinces that make up Rioja - Logroño, Alava, and Navarra) became part of the Sogrape group of wines, but it was founded in 1972 and has over 108 hectares of vineyards in Rioja and Rias Baixas and wine production facilities in both regions. The main vineyard is their historic 72 hectare Viña Lanciano that sits along the Ebro River and on the border between Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa. It is a privileged location that is sheltered by the Cantabria Mountains, creating different microclimates in each of its 22 parcels, and where they respect the logical balance of nature through sustainable vine growing.

This red wine is the most famous from Bodegas LAN and best reflects their innovations in barrel ageing. With this wine two decades ago, they started using hybrid oak barrels that have French oak bases and American oak staves that contribute a unique mix of characters to the wine. The grapes for this wine come from selected vineyards in the Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa, where the age of the vines are between 10 and 20 years and raised on chalky-clay soils that are located on well-drained slopes with good sun exposure.

Tasting Note:

LAN CRIANZA 2016 - DOC Rioja, Spain (#166538) (XD) - $16.95
This Tempranillo was aged for 14 months in hybrid oak barrels and delivers a fragrant and nicely balanced savoury, earthy nose that mingles with sandalwood oak spice, red cherry, and dark berry aromas. It's medium-bodied on the palate with lovely savoury, sandalwood, and cherry flavour replays, plus some coconut notes. Acids are juicy and well-balanced, while smooth tannins are dry and dusty. Earthy and savoury notes linger on the long finish. Recommended buy. Score: 89 pts

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