Planeta Frappato 2021 (Sicily) - Wine Review

After enjoying the beautiful 2018 Planeta Frappato Vittoria a couple of years ago, tonight's red wine review is the latest vintage of this terrific (and now organically certified) red wine that arrived at the LCBO last weekend in the July 22 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Planeta, a well-established and respected wine producer based on the island of Sicily, Italy. The Planeta family have been involved in the agricultural evolution on the complex lands of Sicily for over 500 years and 17 generations. Their approach has always been inclined towards openness and innovation, and in the early 1900's, Grandfather Vito led the way towards new solutions and new prospects by transforming the small, family winery in Menfi, in western Sicily, into a large co-operative in a short period of time.

Fast-forward to the mid-1980's, the Planeta family planted their first vines around a 16th century farmhouse, Ulmo, which the family has always owned. They wanted to provide this beautiful place full of memories with a new future and built their first winery at the site in 1995, on the banks of Lake Arancio and its nearby woods. The success of the winery at Ulmo led to further expansion on the island, with the idea of producing each wine in its own territory.

In addition to the winery in Menfi, Planeta also has wineries in Etna, Capo Milazzo, Noto, and where this wine is from - Vittoria. The Dorilli estate was established in Vittoria by renovating the big country house which stood at the centre of the family's landholding in the late-1990's, with the first vines planted in 1997. Vittoria is a place redolent of history and the long agricultural traditions of the Planeta family - even their ancestors couldn't agree on whether Vittoria or Menfi would be better suited to cultivate vines.

Planeta is still family-owned and operated today, with primarily two generations of the family, which includes brothers and sisters, children, nieces and nephews, who work together with a vision of unity, a love for the land, and a desire to protect it by using sustainable and environmentally-friendly viticultural approaches to winemaking. Planeta is also dedicated to producing high-quality wines that showcase the unique terroir of Sicily's diverse wine regions.

This red wine is crafted with 100% Frappato, a rare, exclusive, and sought after variety that is grown in only a few hectares around Vittoria, on the island of Sicily. It is cultivated according to sustainable and organic standards and reaches its ultimate expression in the red sands of Vittoria, not far from the sea, where this wine is from. The soils in Vittoria are primarily sandy textured and consist of mainly loose red sands with a structure of small dimensions, moderately deep. An important layer of tufa (limestone) sits at about 90 cm deep, allowing for water capacity and balance for the plants. This Frappato was grown in the Mogli vineyard, which is located 70 metres above sea level.

The grapes were hand picked and transported to the winery in small trolleys. Once the grapes arrived at the winery, they were de-stemmed and pressed, then fermented in stainless steel tanks. After alcoholic fermentation is completed, the wine remains in contact with the skins for 10-13 days. After malolactic fermentation, the wine remains in stainless steel tanks for further maturation, prior to bottling. From a smaller, but formidable vintage, let's see how this 2021 Frappato from Sicily is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

PLANETA FRAPPATO 2021 - Sustainable, DOC Sicilia Vittoria, Italy (#508655) (XD) - $24.95
Organic, 100% Frappato raised entirely in stainless steel tanks. The fragrant, medium-high intensity nose is elegantly aromatic with red berry, raspberry, herbs, red licorice, cherry, and smoky-stony mineral aromas with touches of floral and earth. On the dry, light-to-mid weighted palate it offers juicy and ripe raspberry, herbal, cherry, earthy mineral flavours that are backed by fresh, well-balanced acidity and light, dusty textured tannins. It has very nice interplays between the berry fruit, savoury mineral, and herbal characters, with the mineral notes lingering through to the long-lasting, gently chalky textured finish. Even better than last time and a highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

Quite a few wines by Planeta are available at the LCBO, albeit in limited quantities, while the whol range can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Domaine Yvon & Laurent Vocoret Fourchaume Chablis 1er Cru 2021 (Burgundy) - Wine Review

After enjoying the lovely 2020 Domaine Yvon & Laurent Vocoret Petit Chablis earlier this year, for tonight's white wine review we take it up several notches with this excellent Chablis 1er Cru from the same producer. It arrived at the LCBO earlier this month as part of the July 8th LCBO VINTAGES Release New Collection and is available to buy now.

The story of Domaine Yvon & Laurent Vocoret, a small, family-owned estate winery, begins in 1713 with Jean Vocoret, whose winemaking soul guided him to pass down his wisdom, his fruits, and the nobility of winemaking to his descendants, giving the current generation of the family the passion for craftsmanship in cultivating the vine and winemaking. The estate is located in the Chablis wine region of Burgundy, France, and is known for producing high-quality Chablis wines which are renowned for their purity, elegance, and mineral character. The estate has been passed down familial lines since its founding, and in the latter part of the 19th century, the Domain was renamed while in the hands of Yvon's great, great grandfather Victor Hyppolite Vocoret, who was born in 1863. At the time, they only had a few acres of vines and small barrels in the cellar.

Born in 1895, it was Yvon's grandparents, Henri and Louise Vocoret, who, despite the suffering during WWI, managed to make the land prosper with the help of his horses, his pride and joy, to produce excellent wine. As a winegrower, the richness of the profession compensated for the moral injury sustained from the horrible war, which affected him very deeply. Yvon's parents, Maurice and Huguette Vocoret, were the next owners of the Domain and together they carefully reflected upon the art of winemaking and innovated by investing in high-performing and efficient equipment for the cellar. They anticipated that with these improvements, the quality of their wines would gain recognition and respect. Since the time of Yvon's parents, the Domaine has maintained its reputation for producing high quality wines.

Today, the Domaine is in the hands of Yvon, son of Maurice and Huguette, and his son, Laurent, who is the 6th generation of the family. Also involved in the family business are the spouses, Christine, wife of Yvon, and Clémentine, wife of Laurent. Together, they have the same motivation as their ancestors and are grateful and respectful, as they continue to write the story of a humble, but determined, family of winegrowers. They use the same principles as generations that came before to respect the soil and grapes, and the wines that they produce. The wines of the Vocoret family are a reflection of the expertise and passion that has been handed down through the generations, while upholding the family motto of quality, dignity, and respect.

This Chablis 1er Cru is crafted with Chardonnay that was grown in Fourchaume, one of the best known, and largest, Premier Cru vineyards in Chablis. The Chardonnay vines average 45 years old and were grown on clayey-stony Kimmeridgian limestone soils on marl, with the limestone pebbles having a slightly whitish appearance. The vineyard has been farmed using organic amendments since 1974 and reasoned protection for the last 17 years to produce a noble product from protected lands, while also respecting the environment. The grapes were harvested using both manual and mechanical methods. It was vinified using the family's purest and simplest traditions for 5 generations, with both alcoholic and malolactic fermentations occurring naturally, as they wanted to respect the personality of the vintage. It was aged for 10 months in stainless steel tanks to retain freshness and character, with each plot allowed to express itself.

The challenging 2021 vintage can be broken down into three parts - cold at the beginning with frost, wet through the summer months, and variable during August and September. Yields were heavily reduced for whites, but the quality of what was picked was very good to excellent as it was a cooler-than-normal growing season. Let's see how this 2021 Chablis Premier Cru from Burgundy is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

DOMAINE YVON & LAURENT VOCORET FOURCHAUME CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2021 - AC, Burgundy, France (#22776) (XD) - $52.95
100% Chardonnay from 45-year-old vines. Lovely, highly aromatic nose has flinty-earthy mineral aromas layered over lemon citrus and white floral, with impressive depth. It's medium+ weighted and dry with crisp, vibrant, and saliva-inducing acidity with lovely, ripe, and balanced aroma replays of lemon citrus, flinty mineral, and white floral flavours with a twist of honey and some spice notes. Gently tangy and tart on the mid-palate, while flinty-earthy mineral notes linger through to the exceptionally long, lightly chalky textured finish. Has the power to drink well to the end of the decade. Highly recommended buy! Score: 93 pts

Other fine wines by Domaine Yvon & Laurent Vocoret can be purchased through their Agent - DBINO David Beauroy Selections.

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Jean-Max Roger Cuvée Marnes et Caillottes Sancerre 2021 and La Grange Dîmière Sancerre Rosé 2022 (Loire) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wine reviews are a pair of excellent wines from Sancerre in the Loire Valley that arrived at the LCBO over the weekend as part of the June 24 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Both of these wines are produced by Jean-Max Roger, a renowned producer from Sancerre in the Loire Valley, and is easily my favourite producer from the region. The Roger family comes from a long-line of winegrowers from the village of Bué, a commune within the Sancerre appellation and located to the west and a little to the south of the town of Sancerre. The Roger family name was first mentioned in the 17th century and up until the 1960s practiced mixed farming, which included animal rearing.

Jean-Max took over the family estate of 4 hectares of vines in the 1970s and, together with his wife, Nicole, developed the vineyards and estate. Under his guidance, the winery experienced significant growth and gained recognition for producing exceptional Sancerre wines. Jean-Max Roger is focused on crafting high-quality wines that reflect the unique terroir of Sancerre, which is renowned for its chalky limestone soils and cool climate.

Today, the estate is still operated by Jean-Max Roger and his wife. However, their passion and love for wine was transferred to both of their sons, and in 2004 both Thibault and Etienne joined the family estate. The brothers complement each other, perpetuating the family's know-how and techniques to improve their wines with each passing vintage. With a family estate that has grown to 28 hectares of vines in the Sancerre appellation and 6 hectares in Menetou-Salon, and with more than 40 plots that offer an exceptional diversity of exposure, slope, and soil profiles, this allows the Roger family to use their winemaking expertise to allow each wine to express all of the uniqueness of the terroirs through the wines structure, elegance, and finesse. Jean-Max Roger also maintains a sustainable approach to viticulture which helps preserve the vines and terroir, while not compromising on the production of top-quality grapes. The winery has also expanded over the years to include modern equipment, and combined with new techniques while respecting traditions, Jean-Max Roger is able to craft their wines under optimal conditions.

With vineyard management, Jean-Max Roger produces grapes to reveal its terroir. The vines are tended to using organic principles and working the deep soil to revitalize soil life. By using the Guyot Poussard pruning method, the result is better balance of the stock. They also perform spring disbudding to control yields, while using mechanical weed control which respects soil life. At the winery, Jean-Max Roger aims to produce wines reflecting the fruitiness and density of the vintage. The grapes are pneumatically pressed upon arriving at the winery, and cold settled for between 48 and 72 hours which helps protect deterioration of aromas, while also eliminating vegetal fragments and dust. The wines undergo a long, temperature-controlled fermentation using natural yeasts, which helps develop aromatic complexity, and follows with ageing on heavy lees to develop minerality. After fining and filtration, which helps stabilize the aromas and wine, it is bottled at the estate using their own facilities.

While the 2021 vintage was a good, but tricky vintage, the 2022 vintage was very good and referred to as possibly the best in the last 30 years. Having enjoyed previous editions of these wines such as the 2020 Jean-Max Roger Cuvée Marnes et Caillottes Sancerre and the 2020 Jean-Max Roger La Grange Dîmière Sancerre Rosé, I would expect similar, if not better quality levels this time around. Let's see how this Sancerre Rosé and Sancerre Blanc wines from Loire Valley is tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

JEAN-MAX ROGER CUVÉE MARNES ET CAILLOTTES SANCERRE 2021 - AC, Loire, France (#196667) (XD) - $38.95
100% Sauvignon Blanc from 5 to 40 year-old vines grown in the villages of Bué & Amigny on Kimmeridgian Marls (Marnes) and Limestone (Caillottes) soils. Fresh, fragrant, and highly aromatic on the perfumed nose with spring flowers, lemon/lime citrus, herbs, and freshly cut grass aromas with a fine, flinty mineral underpinning. It's nicely textured on the medium+ bodied palate with fresh, lively acidity lifting the clean and ripe lemon/lime citrus, spring flower, herbs, and stony mineral flavours, plus some spicy notes on the mid-palate. It's nicely balanced throughout with a pleasantly chalky textured mouthfeel on the back palate. Lovely lemon/lime citrus and dried herbal notes taper to an exceptionally long, leesy mineral finish. My favourite in the portfolio and a highly recommended buy! Score: 93 pts

JEAN-MAX ROGER LA GRANGE DÎMIÈRE SANCERRE ROSÉ 2022 - AC, Loire, France (#490813) (XD) - $31.95
100% Pinot Noir grown on flint, Kimmeridgian marls & Limestone, Silex, Terres Blanches & Caillottes' soils from vines between 25 to 45 years old. The medium+ intensity nose is clean and fresh and red berry, strawberry, cherry, grapefruit, and citrus, and blood orange aromas underpinned by fine mineral notes. On the medium+ bodied palate it is dry, ripe, and lightly honeyed with lovely mineral, grapefruit, blood orange, red berry, strawberry, and cherry flavour replays. It has clean, succulent, and well-balanced acidity, along with a pleasant, chalky textured mouthfeel. Lightly spicy on the mid-palate, while mineral notes linger on the long finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

While a couple of other lovely wines by Jean-Max Roger can be found at the LCBO, the entire portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.

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Wakefield Jaraman Chardonnay 2021 and Shiraz 2021 (Australia) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wine reviews are a pair of lovely, consistently well-made wines from Australia that are arriving together this weekend in the June 24th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and will be widely available across Ontario by this Saturday.

These wines are produced by Wakefield Wines, an Australian winery situated in the Clare Valley wine region in South Australia that is known for producing premium wines and gained a reputation for its commitment to quality and craftsmanship. It was established in 1969 by Bill Taylor Sr., a renowned wine merchant who was inspired by the producers of Bordeaux and had a vision of crafting his own family estate wines that rival the best in world. The family found the perfect plot of land on July 20, 1969, by the Wakefield River in South Australia's Clare Valley and began their quest to establish a family estate. Just as Neil Armstrong took mankind's first steps on the moon on this day, Bill Taylor Sr. took his first steps on this land to create his family estate wines.

Today, Wakefield Wines is led by brothers Mitchell, Justin, and Clinton, the third generation of the Taylor family. Together, they carry on their grandfather's tradition and staying true to their core values of authenticity and craftsmanship. The Taylor family continues its dedication to crafting wines of exceptional quality, while also implementing sustainable viticultural practices and embracing innovative winemaking techniques. The Taylor family has successfully continued Bill Taylor Sr.'s vision as representatives of Wakefield Wines and the Clare Valley. Their love for winemaking, keen eye for detail, and commitment to excellence have made Wakefield Wines a renowned producer of top Australian wines.

Both of these wines are from their Jaraman range where Wakefield searches for parcels of extraordinary fruit from celebrated Australian wine regions that are renowned for a particular variety to craft wines that showcase their distinctive regional characteristics and style. The winemakers ensure that the distinct regional characteristics are preserved and enhanced, with the fruit acting as the star and any winemaking influence the supporting act. With skill and dedication, the winemakers at Wakefield maintain their philosophy of respecting the fruit.

From a near-perfect vintage, let's see how this 2021 Chardonnay and Shiraz wines from Australia are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

WAKEFIELD JARAMAN CHARDONNAY 2021 - Adelaide Hills/Clare Valley, South Australia (#18921) (XD) - $24.95
Crafted with Chardonnay from Adelaide Hills (61%) and Clare Valley (39%) fruit, the free-run juice was fermented in French oak (60% new and the rest in a combination of 2 and 3 year old) barrels. It was aged for 8 months in French oak before both regional parcels were blended and prepared for bottling and enclosed by screw cap. The medium-high intensity nose is rich and fragrant with lovely stone fruit, apple, lemon citrus, pear, and buttery aromas accented with flinty mineral and vanilla oak spice notes. It's medium-full to full-bodied on the rich palate with lovely, ripe, lightly honeyed flavours of apple, lemon citrus, pear, and vanilla oak spice. Clean and well-balanced with fresh, juicy acidity, it's also nicely textured and lightly spicy on the mid-palate. Flinty mineral and vanilla notes linger on the long, very satisfying finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

WAKEFIELD JARAMAN SHIRAZ 2021 - Clare Valley/McLaren Vale, South Australia (#377036) (XD) - $24.95
This Shiraz is crafted with fruit from Clare Valley (54%) and McLaren Vale (46%) and matured for an average of 12 months in a mix of coopers' American oak hogsheads (30% 1 year old and 70% 2-3 year old) before being bottled by screw cap. Fragrant, perfumed, and highly aromatic, this has a lovely, spicy, dark fruited nose of ripe blackberry, dark currant, dark cherry, minty herb, and oak spice, with savoury undertones. On the ripe, medium-full bodied palate it is dry and spicy with blackberry, dark cherry, savoury wood spice, and pepper flavours backed by juicy, well-balanced acidity and smooth, supple, and gently grippy tannins. Dark fruited, spicy, peppery, and savoury earth notes linger on the long, balanced, and well-structured finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Other lovely wines by Wakefield Wines can be found at the LCBO or through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Cigar Box Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (Chile) - Wine Review

Staying with Wines of Chile, tonight's red wine review is a well-made red wine crafted mainly with Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile that is widely available at LCBO outlets across Ontario.

It is produced by Cigar Box Wines, a brand that was founded in 2011 with the goal of producing straight-forward, flavour-packed wines from the regions of Maipo and Leyda in Chile and the Luján de Cuyo zone in Argentina. The inspiration of the name "Cigar Box" comes from South America's cigar-making traditions in which handmade craftsmanship and adherence to quality is of great importance. To follow these traditions, each Cigar Box wine is handcrafted using grapes only from well-established, carefully managed, low-yielding, and old vine vineyards. The grapes are grown and produced using SVP and Carbon Neutral status, as well as bunch selected and hand-harvested. Cigar Box wines are meant to be enjoyed while celebrating life's everyday moments to memorable revelries, and are complex wines that still remain approachable to the average consumer.

While this wine is typically made with only Cabernet Sauvignon, this particular vintage is composed of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Syrah, all grown in Maipo Valley, one of the finest wine producing regions in the world. Maipo Valley is located at the northern end of Chile's vast Central Valley and is often described as the Bordeaux of South America. After high colour extraction, the grapes were fermented with selected yeasts at high controlled temperatures, followed by a fermentation at lower temperature to ensure a different extraction of the skin components. It was aged in a combination of French oak and stainless steel vats, with 60% of the wine aged in French oak for 8 months. From a good-to-excellent vintage, let's see how this 2021 Cabernet-Syrah from Chile is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CIGAR BOX OLD VINE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - DO Valle Maipo, Chile (#25011) (XD) - $14.95
This blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Syrah has a medium+ intensity nose that leads with ripe red and black cherry, followed some funky savoury wet earth aromas, plus hints of cigar box, black plum, olive, and dried herbs emerging with time in the glass. On the dry, medium+ bodied palate it has ripe red and black cherry, black plum, cigar box, and oak spice flavours. It has fresh acidity and smooth, refined, and lightly chalky textured tannins, while savoury, earthy oak spice notes longer on the finish, with good length. Score: 87+ pts

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Anatolikos Vineyards (Greece) - Winemaker's Dinner

Back in October, I enjoyed the fine wines of Anatolikos Vineyards with winemaker Sakis Nikolaidis at the new (and very secluded) Vintage Conservatory location in Yorkville, downtown Toronto. The wines were paired with a specially prepared 4-course dinner and hosted by Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits, the agency who represents the wines of Anatolikos Vineyards.

Anatolikos Vineyards was established in 2005 by brothers Sakis and Marios Nikolaidis. The Nikolaidis brothers are from Xanthi in northeastern Greece and experienced businessmen in the field of gastronomy. Their vineyard is located in the Avdira area of Xanthi, which is in the Thrace region of Greece. The city of Avdira is known from the ancient times as a city of initiative. In this same spirit in the year 2000, the Nikolaidis brothers began the revival of a famous ancient vineyard and in 2005 Anatolikos Vineyards started farming Greek and foreign grape varieties on the site.

The vineyard is located on the dry hills of Avdira at an elevation of 50-70 metres above sea level, approximately 3 km north of the Thrace Sea, and features sandy soils, continuous cool winds, and Avdira's micro-climate which is great for growing high quality grapes. Avdira's micro-climate offers an ideal environment for the cultivation of grapes as it experiences very little, but necessary, rainfall, while the evenings have low temperatures. The thermal amplitude between warm days and cool nights is about 13-15°C.

Today, Anatolikos Vineyards has 10 varietal and regional wines in their portfolio, all certified organic, vegan, and vegetarian, and continues to develop and expand the vineyard. The wines are grown according to the principals of bio-agriculture, cultivating traditional grape varieties from the lands of Avdira and Thrace, highlighting the history and interest of the wider region. One of the more interesting facts I learned from Sakis is that their wines are aged outdoors in clay amphorae for 270 days. They also continue to develop the distribution channels in Greece and overseas. In Canada, the lovely wines of Anatolikos Vineyards are available via Kolonaki.

Thank you to the team at Kolonaki for a lovely evening and the opportunity to taste these fine, certified vegan and organic wines from Greece. All five wines were great and really complemented the food pairings very nicely. Full reviews of each wine is provided below and all of the Anatolikos Vineyards wines can be purchased through Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.

Tasting Notes:

ANATOLIKOS FINE ASSYRTIKO 2021 - PGI Avdira, Greece (XD) - $34.95
Aged for 6 months on fine lees in French oak barrels, this Assyrtiko has an elegant, medium-high to highly aromatic nose that is leesy with citrus, herbs, and earthy mineral aromas. On the medium-bodied, well-structured palate, it is fleshy and gains weight in the mouth with pleasing aroma replays, plus salty notes on the ripe flavour profile. With balanced acidity, it is nicely textured on the mid-palate, continuing on the long finish with touches of vanilla and butter. Score: 90+ pts

ANATOLIKOS MALAGOUSIA 2021 - PGI Avdira, Greece (XD) - $32.95
Fermented with indigenous yeast and spending some time in French oak barrels, this Malagousia has a lovely, fragrant, highly aromatic nose featuring aromas of anise, wild herbs, chamomile, some citrus, and touches of sweet oak. It's medium-full bodied on the nicely textured, dry palate with lovely, flavourful replays joined by floral notes. It's well-structured with good acidity, and very good length on the finish. Score: 91 pts

ANATOLIKOS ORANGE WINE 2019 - PGI Avdira, Greece (XD) - $61.95
Blend of 80% Assyrtiko and 20% Malagousia that was grown on sandy hills with stony subsoil at a distance of 3 km from the sea. This skin-fermented white (aka orange wine) was fermented in amphora with native yeasts. It offers a medium+ intensity nose with aromas of tea leaf, orange citrus, herbs, and spices. It's medium-full to full-bodied and harmonious with lovely, dry aroma replays, and nicely textured with a chalky mouthfeel. Impressively concentrated and a lingering finish. Score: 92 pts

ANATOLIKOS MV MAVROUDI OF THRACE 2018 - PGI Avdira, Greece (XD) - $36.95
Organically grown blend of 60% Mavroudi, 20% Merlot, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, it was fermented with native yeasts and aged for 10 months in French oak barrels. The fragrant, medium-high to highly aromatic nose is spicy with dark currant, dark berry, cassis, and blackberry aromas. On the medium-full to full-bodied palate it is structured with mildly grippy, yet smooth tannins balanced with fresh, juicy acidity. It has nicely balanced aroma replays on the flavour profile with a tinge of cocoa on the long finish. Score: 91+ pts

ANATOLIKOS FINE MAVROUDI OF THRACE 2019 - PGI Avdira, Greece (XD) - $49.95
Organically grown 100% Mavroudi, this has an elegant, medium-high to highly aromatic nose of spices, pepper spice, ripe dark berry, blackberry, black cherry, and cassis. It's medium-full to full-bodied on the palate with appealing ripe currant, pepper spice, and green herbal flavours which are supported by fresh acidity and smooth, refined tannins. Elegant and nicely balanced throughout, with excellent length on the finish. Score: 93 pts

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Jean-Max Roger Cuvée Genèse Sancerre 2021 (Loire) - Wine Review

After the enjoying the beautiful 2020 Jean-Max Roger Cuvée Les Caillottes Sancerre over the weekend, tonight's white wine review is its excellent companion that also arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on April 15th.

It is produced by Jean-Max Roger, one of the most highly regarded wine producers in Sancerre and the Loire Valley. The Roger family comes from long-line of of winegrowers in the village of Bué, with the family name first mentioned in the 17th century. Until the 1960s, the family practiced mixed farming which included animal rearing.

In the 1970s, Jean-Max Roger took over the 4 hectares of vines from his parents and together with his wife, Nicole, they focused on developing the vineyards and the estate. Their passion and love for wine and terroir was naturally passed on to their sons, Thibault and Etienne, and in 2004 both joined the family estate. The brothers complement each other, perpetuating their family's know-how and techniques to improve their wines with each passing vintage. Today, the estate covers 28 hectares of vines in the Sancerre appellation, and 6 hectares in Menetou-Salon, with more than 40 plots that offer exceptional diversity of exposure, slope, and soil profiles. This diversity, combined with the Roger family's winemaking expertise, allows each wine to express all of the uniqueness of their terroirs through their structure, elegance, and finesse.

I've enjoyed this Sancerre Blanc many times over the years, including most recently the 2020 Jean-Max Roger Cuvée Genèse Sancerre back in September. It is crafted with 100% Sauvignon Blanc that was grown in ancestral plots in the village of Bué, in Grand Chemarin and neighbouring vineyards with identical agronomic characteristics. It gets its name "Cuvée Genèse" because this is the wine that has shaped the tastes of several generations of the Roger family and it is the genesis of the estate.

The Sauvignon Blanc vines are between 10-40 years old and planted on stony, limestone, and calcareous soils called "caillottes" with south-eastern exposure to the sun. Like other wines in the portfolio, the vineyards are managed according to organic principles to produce grapes that reveal its terroir. At the winery, the wines are produced to reflect the fruitiness and density of the vintage. The grapes are immediately pneumatically pressed upon arrival at the winery, then cold settled for between 48 and 72 hours. It undergoes a long, temperature-controlled fermentation using natural yeasts, followed by ageing on heavy lees. After fining and filtration, the wine is bottled at the estate. From a challenging 2021 growing season, let's see how this Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

JEAN-MAX ROGER CUVÉE GENÈSE SANCERRE 2021 - AC, Loire, France (#189126) (XD) - $37.95
100% Sauvignon Blanc. Fresh, fragrant, and intensely aromatic with impressive depth, it has lovely aromas of lemon citrus, white floral, flinty-earthy minerality, pear, quince, and melon. On the dry, medium-full bodied palate it has very good concentration with ripe, lightly honeyed flavours of citrus, pear, quince, and flinty-earthy-leesy minerality. It's supported by fresh, crisp, and lively acidity, and a pleasing textural mouthfeel on the mid-palate. Leesy minerality with citrus, quince, and pear notes linger on the very long, crisp finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 92+ pts

Other lovely wines by Jean-Max Roger can be purchased at the LCBO or through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.

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Alpamanta Breva Pét-Nat Sparkling Criolla 2021 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely unique and organic pét-nat sparkling wine crafted with the Criolla varietal from Argentina that was a new arrival at the LCBO in the August 27th LCBO VINTAGES Online Exclusives Release last summer.

It is produced by Bodega Alpamanta, a boutique winery that was established in Mendoza, Argentina, in 2005 by three close friends - Andrej Razumovsky from Austria and his cousin André Hoffmann from Switzerland, and Jeremie Delecourt from France. Andrej and André are from the noble Sayn Wittgenstain family who owned vineyards in Moldavia, while Jeremie's family are winegrowers and producers of rosé wines in Côtes de Provence. Together, this combination of rich heritage and passion for wine brought the Alpamanta project to life.

The name "Alpamanta" means "Love for the Earth" in the local indigenous culture. In the native culture, a key aspect is working and co-existing in harmony with nature and the environment. At Bodega Alpamanta, loving the earth is their motto and method of caring for the terroir.

They chose to establish their project in Mendoza because it offers the ideal conditions to produce organic wines. Since this region is a desert, it enjoys almost 330 days of sun and averages little rainfall of 220 mL per year. To ensure the vines receive water, they use drip irrigation which helps preserve water and reduce unnecessary waste. The climate in Mendoza is characterized by warm summers and cool nights, with thermal amplitudes that can reach around 20°C. Their vineyard was carefully chosen at 950 metres above sea level and the soils feature a combination of sand, clay, lime, and calcareous layers on the subsurface

Their vineyards are farmed certified organically and biodynamically, while focusing on respecting the soil and its biodiversity to help balance the ecosystem. They maintain a healthy and balanced vineyard, and avoid the spread of diseases by avoiding any chemical or synthetic products such as herbicides or fungicides.

Bodega Alpamanta has several ranges of wines, and this particular bubbly is from their Breva range. Breva means "fruit of the first harvest" and this sparkling wine is crafted with Criolla, one of the first native grape varieties in Argentina. This sparkling wine is made in the "Pét-Nat" style. Pét-Nat is short for "pétillant naturel", a French term that roughly translates to "naturally sparkling", and these types of sparkling wines undergo their primary fermentation in bottle with the sugars from the grapes providing the bubbles. This Breva Pét-Nat was fermented using native yeasts and no added sulfites, a truly natural wine. Let's see how this Criolla Pét-Nat from Argentina is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ALPAMANTA BREVA PÉT-NAT SPARKLING CRIOLLA 2021 - Vegan, ancestral method, Mendoza, Argentina (#24889) (XD) - $32.95 $27.25
Crafted with the Criolla grape, this pét-nat sparkling wine is enclosed by crown cap has enticing, fragrant aromas of wild berries, cherry, currant, and blackberry joined by funky earthy, barnyard notes that blow off with time in the glass, leaving only wild berry tones. It's fresh and lively on the dry, light-to-mid-weighted palate with deliciously complex wild berry, cherry, currant, and blackberry replays, plus dried spices, thyme and mint adding intrigue. Gently tangy on the mid-palate, it's also nicely textured with a supple grip and succulent, juicy acids. Crisp bubbles and dry with some leesy mineral notes lingering on the long finish. Chill and enjoy this unique, highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

This and one other Pét-Nat Sparkling are available on clearance in limited quantities at the LCBO, while wines from the entire Alpamanta portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - The Living Vine.

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Valmoissine Pinot Noir 2021 (Provence) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Pinot Noir produced by the famed Burgundian producer Maison Louis Latour. However, this red wine is not from Burgundy, but instead from the Var appellation in Provence and was featured on the cover of the most recent LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on March 18th.

Maison Louis Latour has a long history in wine that begins in 1731 when they acquired their first, and some of the top, vineyards in Burgundy. This wine, however, is from their Domaine in Provence called Domaine de Valmoissine and they have been cultivating Pinot Noir at this site since 1989.

The Valmoissine project was launched in the mid-1980s, not long after initial trials with Chardonnay in Ardèche were successful. As these trials were conducted in collaboration with a wine cooperative in Haut Var, Louis Latour soon began the search for their own land to establish their own estate and in 1990 they planted their first vines - 35 hectares in the village of Aups, in an area that had never been planted with vines. The domaine gets its name from the former collegiate church of Valmoissine which stood nearby from the year 900 up to the 15th century. Domaine de Valmoissine is situated in the heart of a region of rolling valleys, close to the Verdon Gorges, and on the site of the former monastery at 500 metres above sea level.

Today, Domaine to Valmoissine spans 100 hectares and the combination of clay and limestone soils with a fully south-facing aspect was important in the selection of this site where the conditions are similar to their terroir of choice - the Hill of Corton in Burgundy, the perfect terroir for the Burgundian grape variety of Pinot Noir. This area experiences a southern climate with hot, sunny days, and cool nights which allows the Pinot Noir grapes to brave the high temperatures of summer. The seasons are well defined in this area with hot summers and cold winters, while the southerly exposure and higher altitude limit the risk of spring frost.

The vineyard management and winemaking techniques used by Maison Latour in Var are identical to those used in Burgundy, with the objective of producing a refined and elegant wine of irreproachable quality. Yields are kept low to ensure good maturity and aromatic concentration of the grapes. The wines are crafted at the former Cave La Verdière, an old wine co-operative that was purchased by Maison Latour, and the vats were completely renewed in 1997 to provide the best possible conditions for the creation of an exceptional wine.

The grapes for this particular Pinot Noir were grown on the clay and limestone soils of the Verdon Hills in Provence, from vines averaging 15 years old. It was hand-picked and mechanically harvested, and completely de-stemmed upon arrival at the winery. It was fermented traditionally in open vats and followed by gentle pneumatic pressing. The free-run juice and the pressed wine were re-assembled and aged in stainless steel vats for 10 to 12 months. Cultivated in the contrasting climate of the Verdon Hills, the elegance of Pinot Noir is revealed in this wine by the application of the finest winemaking skills of Burgundy. Let's see how this 2021 Pinot Noir from Var in Provence is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

VALMOISSINE PINOT NOIR 2021 - IGP Var, Provence, France (#714451) (XD) - $25.95
This unoaked, 100% Pinot Noir has a medium-high intensity nose offering attractive aromas of sour dark red cherry, spice, dark currant, strawberry, forest floor, and earthy minerality, with hints of tea leaf and dried herbs emerging with time in the glass. On the medium+ bodied palate it delivers spiced dark berries, cherry, currant, and forest floor replays on the flavour profile. It has fresh, juicy acidity and light, slightly grippy and youthful tannins that offer a pleasing textural mouthfeel. Nicely balanced throughout with dark berry, sour cherry and forest floor notes lingering on the long, succulent finish. Quite impressive and a highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Other lovely wines by Louis Latour are available through the LCBO, and through their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.

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Duck Hunter Sauvignon Blanc 2021 (New Zealand) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely vegan and sustainably crafted Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. It is a new arrival at the LCBO as part of the recent March 4 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Duck Hunter Wines, a partnership that was formed about a decade ago between Mark Wilson and Rosie McLean. Both Mark and Rosie are co-Owners/Directors and actively involved in the day-to-day running of the business.

Together, they share a passion to present high-quality New Zealand wines at affordable prices. Mark is in responsible for PR and Sales, and having been in the restaurant business for over three decades, he understands the importance of having great wine to accompany good food. Rosie is an ex-Bank Manager and handles Production, Compliance, and Export Logistics; she is also an avid promoter of NZ Sauvignon Blanc.

The wines are crafted by Jed Penkman, Chief Winemaker at Duck Hunter wines in Blenheim. Jed is a South Island born kiwi boy who obtained his Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology at Lincoln University in 2002. He gained his viticultural experience working in wineries located in UK, France, and California, and returned to NZ in 2007 to work in Central Otago. After working at Kim Crawford for several years, he became involved in the Duck Hunter project in 2014 and is now fully in charge of blending and finishing their Marlborough wines.

The label of Duck Hunter wines show a painting by New Zealand artist Joanna Braithwaite. When Mark discovered this painting, he instantly knew that it would be the ideal marque for their family of wines. Duck Hunter has grown in personality and charm. With a gun slung casually over wing, the feathered friend is not the hunted, it is rather the hunter - the keeper of the estate, protector of the vines, and calm champion of the wines.

The grapes used to craft to Duck Hunter wines are proudly 100% sustainably accredited from vineyard to bottle, ensuring that best practices are used to protect New Zealand's environment and provide quality assurance for consumers.

Crafted with 100% Sauvignon Blanc, this white wine is made with 90% Wairau Valley and 10% Awatere Valley fruit. The grapes were machine harvested when they reached the desired flavour spectrum, then pressed pressed and cool-fermented in stainless steel tanks. The wine was then cold stabilised, filtered, and bottled. From a small, but good-to-excellent vintage, let's see how this 2021 Sauvignon Blanc is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

DUCK HUNTER SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021 - Vegan, sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#26127) (XD) - $21.95
Screw cap. The fresh and fragrant nose is slightly musky with aromas of Meyer lemon citrus, white peach, and guava with hints of mango, gooseberry, and herbs. It has good weight on the dry, medium+ bodied palate with elegant and refreshing acidity lifting the ripe, lightly honeyed flavours of Meyer lemon, citrus, guava, melon, tropical fruits, and herbs with touches of gooseberry. It's nicely balanced throughout with citrus, tropical fruit, melon, and herbal flavours joined by some mineral notes on the lingering finish, with very good length. Chill and enjoy this thirst quenching, highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Other lovely Duck Hunter wines can be ordered through their Agent - Touchstone Brands.

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Fasoli Gino San Raffaele Pinot Grigio 2021 (delle Venezie) - Wine Review

After enjoying the 2020 Fasoli Gino San Raffaele Pinot Grigio last year, tonight's white wine review is the latest vintage of this lovely white wine from northeastern Italy which arrived at the LCBO over the weekend as part of the March 4 LCBO VINTAGES Release. This lovely, organic, and vegan-friendly white wine is also sporting a new, fresh, and modern label for this vintage.

It is produced by Fasoli Gino, a winemaking family of four generations with deep roots in Verona, northern Italy. Their story of passion and dedication for wine begins in 1925 with Amadio Fasoli dedicated himself to viticulture in the valley of Illasi, the green expanse to the east of Verona. Amadio personally delivered the wines he made to the best eateries of the area by horse and cart.

Gino Fasoli, son of Amadio and second generation of the family, inherited the same passion for his father's vineyards and increased the size of the vineyards, thereby increasing wine production. Gino gave his name to the winery and was driven to make his wines known across the entire region of Verona. In 1979, Gino Fasoli developed an allergy to to some of the chemicals used in the vineyards and soon thereafter the winery was passed on to the third generation who made the brave and difficult decision at the time to go organic.

By 1986, the third generation of the Fasoli family, brothers Amadio and Natalino, had converted all of their vineyards to organic, and in 2003 they constructed a new winery. In 2006, they also introduced biodynamic practices. At the turn of the century, Matteo Fasoli became the 4th generation of the family to join the family's winemaking business.

Today, the Fasoli family uses their know-how gathered over 4 generations while enthusiastically embracing modern agricultural techniques. The Fasoli brothers are farmers at heart and the love for the land in which they live can be felt through their enthusiasm and care for its fruits. They only produce wines that they love drinking. This journey from vine to glass is carried out with total respect for the culture and values of the terroir. The Fasoli family is constantly striving for excellence while developing and implementing production techniques that have the least environmental impact possible. Fasoli Gino is one of Italy's most long-standing and respected organic producers.

Tasting Note:

FASOLI GINO SAN RAFFAELE PINOT GRIGIO 2021 - Vegan, DOC delle Venezie, Italy (#204768) (XD) - $17.95
Screw cap. This organic and vegan-friendly white wine has fresh, medium-high intensity aromas which are ripe and complex with honeysuckle, melon, lemon citrus, and pear aromas with a lessy mineral underpinning. On the dry, light-to-mid-weighted palate it has crisp, lively, and refreshing acidity that lifts the citrusy, apple, pear, melon, and honeysuckle flavours. Succulent and juicy on the lightly spicy mid-palate, while the spicy notes are joined by minerals on the crisp finish, with very good length. Highly recommended buy! Grab two and enjoy one now while holding the other for a year or so for a more evolved expression. Score: 89 pts

Other delicious wines by Fasoli Gino can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.

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Treana Chardonnay 2021 (California) - Wine Review

After enjoying the delicious 2020 Treana Cabernet Sauvignon late last year, tonight's white wine review is its companion Chardonnay that arrived at the LCBO last month in the January 7th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Hope Family Wines, a winemaking family that has been farming the lands in Paso Robles, a sub-region within the Central Coast AVA, for over 30 years. When the family first arrived in this barely-discovered region, they planted apples and grapes. Over time, the rolling, oak-studded terrain of Paso Robles would become a viticultural terroir of significance and one of the top winegrowing regions for quality red wine within the Central Coast.

Hope Family Wines consists of five individual wine brands. Like the aforementioned Cabernet Savuginon, this white wine is from the Hope family's Treana line of wines. The name "Treana" is inspired by Spanish word for trio of natural elements. It represents the sum of three elements that influences their wines: the land that their families farm, the warm California sun that nurtures, and the cooling ocean breeze that balances.

This Chardonnay is crafted with fruit sourced from some very distinctive vineyards mainly in Santa Barbara County - all of which have sandy loam soils that provide good drainage and a climate that experiences marine layers that typically dominate the summer mornings and lead into warm afternoons. After harvesting, the grapes were whole-cluster pressed into stainless steel tanks. The juice was fermented in a combination of barrel and stainless steel. 65% of the wine was barrel-fermented in American and French oak followed by 7 months of sur-lie ageing, while the other 35% was fermented in stainless steel. The two wines were blended together and a portion was barrel-aged for 1 month in new French oak. The barrels used to craft this wine offer a distinctive nuance. Let's see how this 2021 California Chardonnay is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

TREANA CHARDONNAY 2021 - Central Coast, California, USA (#481523) (D) - $25.95
Screw cap. Rich, fragrant aromas of vanilla, caramel, butterscotch, pineapple, butter, and poached apple rise out of the glass. On the medium-full bodied palate it is ripe, creamy, and sweet with oak-influenced flavours of vanilla, caramel, butterscotch, lemon, pineapple, butter, and apple. The textured mid-palate gives way to smoky, toasty oak flavours on the finish, with good length. A crowd-pleasing Chardonnay. Score: 87 pts

Other delicious wines from Hope Family Wines are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.

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Wakefield Estate Label Chardonnay 2021 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a consistently delicious and well-made Chardonnay from Australia that returned to the LCBO recently as part of the feature in wines from the Southern Hemisphere in the February 4 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Wakefield Wines, the export brand of the Taylor family who bottle wines under their family name in Australia and New Zealand, but here in Canada and abroad they use the Wakefield branding. Bill Taylor Sr. and his two sons established their own estate winery in 1969 by the Wakefield River in Clare Valley, South Australia, when they planted their first vineyards and began a journey to create their own, authentic, estate grown wines. They achieved overwhelming success with their first vintage and expanded the range of their Estate Label wines to include this Chardonnay, among other wines.

Today, Wakefield Wines is led by the third generation of the family - brothers Mitchell, Justin, and Clinton - with a focus on continuing the family tradition of making delicious wines that stand the test of time. The family's philosophy is to produce wines sustainably and responsibly, while respecting the fruit and where it came from, as well as having a strong innovative spirit. One of the Taylor family's innovations is the Optimum Drinking Sensor that is located on the back label of many of their wines such as this Chardonnay.

I've enjoyed this Chardonnay for quite a few years now, including most recently the 2020 Wakefield Estate Chardonnay last April. While this wine was initially crafted with only Clare Valley fruit, it is increasingly using fruit from Padthaway, and this particular vintage is 100% Chardonnay composed of 70% Padthaway fruit and 30% from Clare Valley. To vinify this wine, a small portion was barrel-fermented and then lees stirred for 4 months. After 6 to 8 months of maturation in French oak, the wine was blended and bottled. I also like the fresh, new label that gives the bottle a more elegant, cohesive look.

The 2021 growing season in South Australia was very slightly warmer-than-average and very dry, with grapes ripening later-than-normal in the last half of March and into April, in sunny, windless, and cool days that enabled the perfect autumnal conditions. With near-perfect growing conditions, both wine regions of Padthaway and Clare Valley produced excellent quality wines with high acidity. Let's see how this 2021 Chardonnay from South Australia is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL CHARDONNAY 2021 - Padthaway/Clare Valley, South Australia (#711556) (XD) - $17.95
Screw cap. Composed of 70% Padthaway and 30% Clare Valley Chardonnay, this has fresh, ripe, and attractive aromas of white peach, lemon, citrus, melon, buttery cream, and hints of vanilla rising out of the glass. It has very good weight on the creamy, spicy, medium-full bodied palate with lovely aroma replays of white peach, citrus, melon, butter, and vanilla spice flavours. It's lightly textured with juicy acidity on the mid-palate. Finishes gently spicy with leesy mineral notes on the finish, with very good length. Another winner from Wakefield and a highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other fine wines by Wakefield Wine are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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El Esteco 1946 Old Vines Malbec 2021 (Argentina) - Wine Review

After enjoying the lovely 2019 El Esteco 1946 Old Vines Malbec nearly two years ago, tonight's red wine review is the latest vintage of this terrific, organic Malbec that was featured in the most LCBO VINTAGES Release on February 4th as part of the theme on wines from the Southern Hemisphere.

It is produced by El Esteco, a winery founded in 1892 and situated in the Calchaquí Valleys in northwestern Argentina, a natural landscape carved by the sun, mountains, and vineyards. As one of the first institutions in Argentina to master the art of viticulture and winemaking, they have a significant presence in famous Cafayate, as well as the little-known and unique sub-region of Chañar Punco. Cafayate is the heart of Calchaquí Valleys, a region that was seemingly unsuitable for grape-growing, but is an isolated stretch of desert with unique features that make it ideal to grow the highest vineyards in the world. In addition to plenty of sunshine and a high diurnal temperature range between night and day, it is the desert climate with its poor soils that makes this small region of Cafayate unique. The resulting wines are distinctive and elegant with great concentration of colour, deep aromas, and well-defined flavours.

Today, El Esteco has nearly 1,000 acres of vineyards at an ideal altitude of more than 1,700 metres (5,500 feet) above sea level. Furthermore, with abundant sunshine and perfect diurnal temperature range, this environment is perfect for the creation of high-end wines such as this Old Vines Malbec. The spirit of the region is encapsulated in their fruit and the fusion between the legacy of ancient civilizations, Hispanic influence, criollo spirit, and it's vallisto Spanish colonial-style building which is surrounded by ancient vineyards. The hundred-year-old building contrasts with the latest wine production technologies found inside the winery such as concrete containers, stainless steel tanks, and the poetic French and American oak barrels, all of which help create wines of diverse styles, flavours, and aromas.

This 100% Malbec comes from a vineyard planted in 1946 at their Finca Las Mercedes estate in the Cafayate Valley in northwest Argentina. This estate is home to 370 pergola-trained Malbec vines that are more than 65 years old and in perfect harmony with the terroir of Cafayate as they were raised with minimal human intervention to yield exceptional wines. The grapes were manually harvested at optimum ripeness in the early hours of the morning. After being sorted at the winery, the grapes were placed into a single cement egg and fermented using native yeasts, then aged on its lees for 11 months and bottled unfiltered.

Northern Argentina experienced slightly cooler growing conditions during the 2021 season, with the Calchaquis Valleys experiencing a more typical vintage. Spring was quite normal with very little rainfall and good budbreak. December was dry, while January had lower than normal rainfall. In February, there were twice the normal rainfall, but it only amounted to 80 mm, so it was not an issue. However, this did mean that there were more cloudier days, which slowed maturation and led to greater concentration and colour. Let's see how this 2021 old vine Malbec from the Calchaquis Valleys is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

EL ESTECO 1946 OLD VINES MALBEC 2021 - Valles Calchaquíes, Argentina (#19391) (XD) - $25.95
100% organic and unoaked Malbec. After some initial reductive notes blow off, this reveals fresh, distinctive earthy and stony mineral aromas joined by ripe blackberry, white pepper, dried spices, and plum. It's medium to medium-full bodied with good concentration on the dry palate with savoury stony minerals, earthy, and dried spice flavours, plus dark berry, blackberry, and plum notes adding fruity notes. It has fresh, racy acidity and lightly grippy, chalky, grainy textured, and youthful tannins. Nicely balanced throughout with savoury mineral and lightly tangy dark berry notes lingering on the long, juicy finish. Enjoyable now, but will benefit with 1-2 years in the cellar, and drink well to the end of the decade. A distinctive Malbec and a highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

Only one other wine by El Esteco is available at the LCBO, while others from their portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Dandurand.

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Wakefield Pinot Noir 2021 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is the latest vintage of a lovely Pinot Noir from Australia that arrived at the LCBO as part of the recent January 21st LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Wakefield Wines, a family wine business established in 1969 by Bill Taylor Sr. and his two sons, Bill and John, by the Wakefield River in South Australia's Clare Valley. They planted their first vineyards at that time and their desire was to create authentic, estate-grown wines where the vineyards and winery both reside at the same location. The Taylor family was inspired by the great producers of Bordeaux and the approach of having ultimate control over the vineyards, winery, and even bottling of the wines appealed to the them.

These days, the wines are still crafted and bottled at the estate, but the grapes aren't necessarily grown there. This is mainly due to the popularity of Wakefield Wines - they need more fruit to satisfy demand, but also fruit from other areas can be of higher quality, as is the case for Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. With the Taylor family's continued commitment, they have earned an enviable reputation of consistently crafting quality wines that have contributed to their success, including winning many awards around the globe for almost half a century.

While the 2018 Wakefield Pinot Noir that I enjoyed a couple of years ago was crafted with grapes exclusively from Adelaide Hills, this particular vintage is regionally labelled as from South Australia, with grapes primarily coming from Adelaide Hills and possibly a small amount from Riverland or Clare Valley. It was matured for 9 months in a combination of 1 and 2 year old French oak hogshead barrels prior to bottling and enclosed by screw cap.

To help wine lovers enjoy Wakefield Wines, the Taylor family has added an innovative Optimum Drinking Temperature sensor on the back label that will tell you when the wine is ready to enjoy. All Estate range wines have this temperature sensor and it is calibrated to each varietal and wine. To use the sensor, simply touch the round temperature sensor and compare its colour to the chart located to its left. If the colour of the sensor falls between the optimum temperature indicated in the chart, then the wine is ready to drink. Let's see how this 2021 Australian Pinot Noir is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

WAKEFIELD PINOT NOIR 2021 - South Australia (#197392) (XD) - $19.95
Screw cap. The rich, medium-high intensity nose offers perfumed aromas of raspberry and black cherry nuanced with lovely black tea leaf, spices, beet root, and forest floor adding intrigue. On the light-to-mid weighted palate it is dry and fruity with ripe raspberry, black cherry, spices, tea leaf, and wild herb flavours. It has fresh, juicy acidity and sweet, ripe, supple and lightly textured tannins. Raspberry, tea leaf, and touches of cedary wood notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Wakefield are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Gunderloch Fritz's Riesling 2021 (Rheinhessen) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely, off-dry Riesling from Germany that is featured as a Smart Buy in the recent January 7 LCBO VINTAGES Release and is readily available across the Ontario.

Weingut Gunderloch was founded in 1890 when banker Carl Gunderloch purchased the fabled Nackenheimer Rothenberg. Not content with just making wine, Carl had a pioneering spirit and led the charge toward quality-oriented viticulture within the region and was a fierce proponent of fine winemaking culture. Gunderloch is a founding member of what is now known as the Verein Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter (VDP), a prestigious association of Germany's finest winegrowers, and one of only four estates to have remained a member for the entire span, which goes back to 1910. The estate has been passed down through six generations of the Gunderloch family, with Johannes Hasselbach taking over the winemaking reins upon the sad passing in 2016 of renowned winemaker Fritz Hasselbach.

The 28 hectare estate and Gunderloch family residence is situated within the Rheinhessen appellation. They craft clear, mineral-driven wines, working primarily with Riesling, which reflect the family's unique blend of experience and ingenuity. The centrepiece of Gunderloch are their vineyards on Roter Hang (aka Red Hill), one of Germany's most revered and richly historical vineyards. Set on picturesque, steep slopes that rise above the Rhine river between the towns of Nackenheim and Nierstein, Roter Hang has very special, iron-oxide laced red shale and clayey soils known as Rotliegend, which have taken on an almost mythical status among wine aficionados.

This white wine is crafted with 100% Riesling grapes that were grown on vivid red slate soils on Roter Hang. The vineyards are situated on steep, southeast facing slopes very close to the river Rhine. The four factors - the red slate soil, the closeness to the river, great sun exposure, and the steepness of the vineyards - are the ideal combination to produce high-quality Riesling. This particular Riesling was fermented naturally with indigenous yeasts and, uncommonly, aged in 600 L neutral oak barrels. From one of the most challenging vintages in recent memory, let's see how this 2021 Riesling from Germany is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

GUNDERLOCH FRITZ'S RIESLING 2021 - Qualitätswein, Rheinhessen, Germany (#216366) (M) - $17.95
Screw cap. The medium+ intensity aromatics seem rather quiet, with notes of orchard fruits, apple, peach, and citrus. It's light-to-mid weighted on the palate with fresh, juicy, and bracing acidity that lifts the lovely honeyed, apple, peach, and citrus flavours, gliding over the tongue in an off-dry profile. It's nicely balanced throughout with a subtle chalky textured mouthfeel on the mid-palate, while mineral notes appear and linger through to the long, dry-ish finish. A smart (and highly recommended) buy. Score: 89 pts

You can get other lovely wines by Weingut Gunderloch at the LCBO and through their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.

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