Showing posts with label australia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label australia. Show all posts

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  • Date publishedMonday, January 30, 2023

Wakefield Pinot Noir 2021 (Australia) - Wine Review

red wine review is the latest vintage of a lovely Pinot Noir from Australia that arrived at the LCBO as part of the recent 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...

Wakefield Pinot Noir 2021 (89 pts)

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.

Wakefield Pinot Noir 2021 (back label with temperature sensor)


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  • Date publishedTuesday, July 12, 2022

Torbreck Old Vines Grenache / Shiraz / Mourvèdre 2018 (Barossa) - Wine Review

After enjoying the lovely 2017 Torbreck Old Vines Grenache / Shiraz / Mourvèdre last August, red wine review is the next vintage of this lovely GSM blend from Australia that is coming to the LCBO this weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Founded in the Barossa Valley in 1994 by David Powell, Torbreck Vintners was named after a forest in Scotland where David worked as a lumberjack. After gaining his winemaking experience at various Barossa wineries, David was inspired to create his own label and began to share-farm vineyards in order to obtain fruit from some of the Barossa Valley's very best vineyards.

Torbreck Vintners is owned today by Proprietor Peter Kight with a continued focus on the classic Rhône (and Barossa) varieties - Shiraz (Syrah), Grenache and Mataró (Mourvèdre) - all three of which make up this red wine. Torbreck considers Barossa to be the most exciting place to make wine in the world with its gentle Mediterranean climate and 175 years of Silesian and English commitment to grape-growing and winemaking. Torbreck works with multi-generational winegrowers whose ancestors arrived here nearly two centuries ago and have great knowledge of the seasons and soils, while working the vineyards with minimal intervention and aiming to get the best out of each vineyard site.

Compared to the previous vintage, the 2018 edition of this wine contains a little bit less Grenache (59%) and Syrah (19%), and more Mourvèdre (22%). The grapes were hand harvested from vines as much as 100 years old from the red earth sub-regions of Marananga, Gomersal, and Ebenezer of the western Barossa Valley. It was fermented in a combination of open top cement and wooden vats, as well as stainless steel tanks, followed by aging in well-seasoned French oak hogsheads for 24 months. Each parcel of grapes was vinified separately until the final stage of blending and bottling.

The 2018 growing season started with above average winter rainfall, which led into below average spring and summer rainfall, producing small bunches and berries. In the Barossa it was reasonably hot and caused considerable heat stress to some vines. However, once temperatures eased off, the dry and mild conditions allowed the fruit to fully ripen slowly, with both Shiraz and Grenache showing some great potential. Overall, quality was particularly high amongst Torbreck's red varieties Shiraz, Grenache and Mataro. Let's see how this 2018 GSM blend from Australia is tasting tonight...

Torbreck Old Vines Grenache / Shiraz / Mourvèdre 2018 (91 pts)

Tasting Note:

TORBRECK OLD VINES GRENACHE / SHIRAZ / MOURVÈDRE 2018 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#10223) (XD) - $24.95
Screw cap enclosure. This blend of 59% Grenache, 22% Mourvèdre, and 19% Syrah has a lovely, fragrant, intense nose of ripe raspberry and black cherry with underlying savoury, meaty, and wet earth aromas, plus with some black pepper spice and dried herb adding further complexity. The medium-full bodied is also quite ripe with more raspberry, black cherry, meaty, wet earth, and black pepper spice flavours. Acids are fresh, juicy, and well-balanced. Lightly structured tannins are smooth and refined. Savoury with smoky mineral notes linger on the long, lightly chalky textured finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

Other lovely wines by Torbreck are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedWednesday, June 22, 2022

Killibinbin The Shadow Shiraz/Cabernet 2016 (Australia) - Wine Review

red wine review is this lovely Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon blend that is new to the LCBO and arrived on shelves across Ontario last weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Launched in 2010, Killibinbin is one of a number of ranges wines produced by Brothers in Arms, a family-owned winery located in Langhorne Creek, South Australia. Although Brothers in Arms was established only in 1998, it's family history on the estate goes back to 1882 when William Formby bought the Metala Estate from an eccentric Prussian named Herman Daenke and became the first generation of the Metala story. Winegrowing entered the picture when William's second son, Arthur, took over management of the property with his brother Fred and planted his first vines on Metala in 1891 after being encouraged to do so by his brother-on-law Ronald Martin of Stonyfell fame. He planted Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon and some of these vines are still producing premium fruit today. In 1910, Arthur handed over all winemaking tasks to Ronald and continued to make wine on the property until 1955. The cellar of Metala was closed soon thereafter as it was simpler to transport the grapes to Stonyfell for processing.

Arthur and his wife Elsie had 2 children - Myles and Mavis. Mavis married Denys Butler and together they managed Metala until Denys died too soon in 1972. Their only daughter, Helen had married Stuart Adams and they lived at his property in Finniss. Helen became heavily involved in the management of Metala and was soon joined by Guy, the second son, upon leaving school. The property and business has since flourished and today Guy Adams and his wife Liz run Metala and Brothers in Arms. Guy and Liz and have two children and represent the 6th generation of the family to live at Metala.

This red wine is a blend of 80% Shiraz and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes were sourced from three individual plantings at the estate of Metala Vineyards in Langhorne Creek, within the Fleurieu region of South Australia. Langhorne Creek is primarily a red wine producing region known for its Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, with 70% of plantings devoted to these two varieties. Langhorne Creek is unique in that it sites on an ancient flood plain created by the Angas and Bremer rivers, with water descending from the Mount Lofty Ranges. The climate is temperate with moderate temperatures that are cooled by breezes from Lake Alexandrina and the Southern Ocean, allowing for a growing season that is long ripening.

The 2016 growing season in Langhorne Creek was notable for its long, dry periods where effectively no rain fell. It was also warmer than normal, with the warmest springs nights ever recorded, as well as record mid-season heat. According to vintage reports, Cabernet Sauvignon was a star due to the slow ripening season. With The Shadow, Killibinbin aims to take one form and turn it into something greater, something that mesmerizes with passionate purpose, hypnotic, alluring, and thrilling. Let's see how this 2016 Australian Shiraz/Cabernet is tasting tonight...

Killibinbin The Shadow Shiraz/Cabernet 2016 (90 pts)

Tasting Note:

KILLIBINBIN THE SHADOW SHIRAZ/CABERNET 2016 - Vegan, Langhorne Creek, South Australia (#23785) (XD) - $20.95
Enclosed by screw cap, this blend of 80% Shiraz and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon was aged for 18 months with 85% in seasoned French oak barriques, and the rest in new hogsheads - 10% French and 5% American. The intense nose is refined and elegant with dark berry, blackcurrant, black pepper, meaty, and savoury earth aromas with hints of blackberry jam, cedar oak, and chocolate. It's medium-full bodied on the dry palate with smooth, fine-grained tannins supporting the dark berry, currant, meaty, peppery spice, and cedar oak flavours. Succulent acids are well-balanced, while savoury oak notes linger on the long, juicy, slightly tangy finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

There is a Shiraz from Killibinbin available at the LCBO, while other wines from the range can be ordered through their Agent - Sylvestre Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedSaturday, June 18, 2022

June 18, 2022 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Southern Hemisphere

LCBO Wine Picks: June 18, 2022 VINTAGES Release
The lone in-store release of the month is the June 18 LCBO VINTAGES Release and it focuses on wines from countries in the Southern Hemisphere - namely Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, and South Africa. Included in the catalogue also is a sneak preview of the next Online Exclusives Release (June 30th). Wines from the in-store release should be on shelves across Ontario today.

We begin with the theme on wines from the Southern Hemisphere. There are twenty-one wines featured as part of the theme and eight are included among my top wine picks, with all five countries represented. We start in Chile with the iconic Purple Angel that is a blend of 92% Carmenère and 8% Petit Verdot, while the rosé is crafted with 100% Pinot Noir. Staying in South America, there is a fine Malbec from Argentina that always pleases. Moving to South Africa, there is a perennially excellent Chenin Blanc, as well as a red blend from Swartland that consists of 73% Syrah, 11% Grenache, 8% Cinsault, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Viognier. Moving to Oceania, there is a lovely Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, and from Australia there is a Shiraz and a white wine that is a blend of 79% Sauvignon Blanc and 21% Semillon.

Casas del Bosque Pinot Noir Rosé 2021 (90 pts)Wakefield Jaraman Shiraz 2020 (88+ pts)

From the rest of the release, my top red wine picks include a 2010 Rioja that is a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, and 10% Graciano and Mazuelo. There are also a pair of wines from neighbouring Portugal - the Dão red is a blend of 40% Alfrocheiro Preto, 40% Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), and 20% Touriga Nacional, while the Douro red consists of 48% Touriga Nacional, 27% Touriga Francesa, and the rest traditional Douro grape varieties Tinta Roriz, Tinta da Barca, Tinta Barroca, Souzão, Tinta Cão, and Tinta Amarela. From Langhorne Creek in Australia is a blend 80% Shiraz and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, while the Chianti Classico from Tuscany consists of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot.

Castello di Gabbiano Riserva Chianti Classico 2016 (90 pts)Killibinbin The Shadow Shiraz/Cabernet 2016 (90 pts)

Niro di Citra Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2017 (88+ pts)

Among my white wine picks outside of the theme, all are single varietal wines. A trio of Chardonnay wines lead the pack, followed by Albariño from Spain and a Grüner Veltliner from Austria. There is also a fine white wine from Italy made with the relatively unknown Ribolla Gialla. And for those that prefer some sweetness in their wines, there is an off-dry Gewürztraminer from Niagara.

Filare Italia Ribolla Gialla 2020 (90+ pts)Castelo do Mar Albariño 2020 (91 pts)

Southbrook Triomphe Organic Chardonnay 2018 (89 pts)

Since it's rosé season, there are quite a few rosé wines among my wine recommendations. The locally crafted organic rosé from Niagara is a blend of 92% Pinot Noir, 5% Viognier, and 3% Chardonnay, while the rosé from Portugal consists of 50% Touriga Nacional and 50% Alfrocheiro. Mono varietal rosé wines include a lovely rosé made with Malbec, while the other is crafted with Pinot Grigio.

Hidden Bench Locust Lane Rosé 2021 (91 pts)La Posta Malbec Rosé 2021 (89 pts)

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release!

Red Wine:

  • CABRIZ COLHEITA SELECIONADA 2019 - DOC Dão, Portugal (#247973) (D) - $14.95  88 pts  wine review
  • NIRO DI CITRA MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2017 - DOP, Abruzzo, Italy (#278150) (D) - $17.95  88+ pts  wine review
  • RAMOS PINTO DUAS QUINTAS 2018 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#359893) (XD) - $19.95
  • KAIKEN ULTRA MALBEC 2019 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#50849) (XD) - $19.95
  • NATIV RUE DELL'INCHIOSTRO AGLIANICO 2019 - IGT Campania, Italy (#631606) (D) - $19.95
  • KILLIBINBIN THE SHADOW SHIRAZ/CABERNET 2016 - Vegan, Langhorne Creek, South Australia (#23785) (XD) - $20.95  90 pts  wine review

  • MASTROBERARDINO IRPINIA AGLIANICO 2019 - DOC Irpinia, Campania, Italy (#93112) (XD) - $23.95
  • WAKEFIELD JARAMAN SHIRAZ 2020 - Clare Valley/McLaren Vale, South Australia (#377036) (XD) - $24.95  88+ pts  wine review
  • CASTELLO DI GABBIANO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2016 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#216309) (XD) - $24.95  90 pts  wine review
  • THE CHOCOLATE BLOCK 2020 - Vegan, WO Swartland, South Africa (#129353) (XD) - $39.95
  • R. LÓPEZ DE HEREDIA VIÑA TONDONIA RESERVA 2010 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#356337) (XD) - $66.95
  • MONTES PURPLE ANGEL 2019 - DO Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#62364) (XD) - $79.95

Cabriz Colheita Selecionada 2019 (88 pts)

White Wine:

  • FILARE ITALIA RIBOLLA GIALLA 2020 - IGT Venezia Giulia, Friuli, Italy (#23098) (XD) - $14.95  90+ pts  wine review
  • RABL LÖSS GRÜNER VELTLINER 2020 - Langenlois, DAC Kamptal, Austria (#295709) (XD) - $16.95
  • KEN FORRESTER OLD VINE RESERVE CHENIN BLANC 2021 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#231282) (XD) - $17.95
  • SKUTTLEBUTT SAUVIGNON BLANC / SEMILLON 2020 - Margaret River, Western Australia (#47621) (XD) - $18.95
  • CASTELO DO MAR ALBARIÑO 2020 - DO Rías Baixas, Spain (#488734) (XD) - $18.95  91 pts  wine review
  • CAVE SPRING ESTATE GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2019 - Cave Spring Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#302059) (D) - $19.95
  • LEANING POST THE FIFTY CHARDONNAY 2020 - Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#578864) (XD) - $22.95
  • SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE ORGANIC CHARDONNAY 2018 - Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#172338) (XD) - $24.95  89 pts  wine review
  • DOG POINT SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#677450) (XD) - $28.95
  • KISTLER LES NOISETIERS CHARDONNAY 2020 - Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, USA (#251223) (XD) - $104.95

Rosé Wine:

  • CABRIZ ROSÉ 2020 - DOC Dão, Portugal (#30445) (D) - $13.95  88 pts  wine review
  • LA POSTA MALBEC ROSÉ 2021 - Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#24747) (XD) - $14.95  89 pts  wine review
  • CASAS DEL BOSQUE PINOT NOIR ROSÉ 2021 - Sustainable, Coastal, Valle de Casablanca, Chile (#15277) (XD) - $15.95  90 pts  wine review
  • BOTTEGA PINOT GRIGIO ROSÉ 2021 - DOC delle Venezie, Venezie, Italy (#490938) (XD) - $16.95  87+ pts  wine review
  • HIDDEN BENCH LOCUST LANE ROSÉ 2021 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#68833) (XD) - $24.95  91 pts  wine review

Bottega Pinot Grigio Rosé 2021 (87+ pts)Cabriz Rosé 2020 (88 pts)

Sparkling Wine:

  • ARTS DE LUNA ORGANIC BRUT NATURE SPARKLING - Vegan, DOP Cava, Spain (#25073) (XD) - $12.95


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  • Date publishedWednesday, June 15, 2022

Wakefield Jaraman Shiraz 2020 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is the latest vintage of a consistently well-made Australian Shiraz that arrives at the LCBO this weekend as part of theme on Southern Hemisphere wines in the June 18th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Wakefield Wines was founded in Clare Valley in 1969 by Bill Taylor Sr. and his two sons with the goal of producing estate wines. Today, Wakefield is owned and operated by the third generation of the Taylor family and produces wines not only from estate fruit, but also sourcing fruit from growers in Australia's iconic wine regions. This red wine is from their Jamaran range, where the Taylor family seeks out parcels of extraordinary fruit from renowned regions to craft wines that showcase the each varietals distinctive regional characteristics and style.

Like previous vintages, including the 2019 Wakefield Jaraman Shiraz that I enjoyed last August, this Shiraz is crafted in a roughly 60/40 split of fruit from Clare Valley and McLaren Vale. With the 2020 vintage, exactly 60% of the fruit is from Clare Valley, and the rest from McLaren Vale. The 2020 growing season in Clare Valley started with challenging weather events that included spring frosts at budburst and then hot and windy conditions during flowering. Wild weather arrived at the start of summer from searing heat and bushfires to heavy rain and chilly, gusty winds. Weather conditions returned to relatively normal in February and March, progressing to a smooth and steady harvest. While it was a tough year for growers in Clare Valley, the fruit quality was high. Conditions in McLaren Vale were similar and characterized as a "tale of two summers" with the first part of summer searingly hot, while the latter part unusually mild and much cooler than normal. Let's see how this 2020 Australian Shiraz is tasting tonight...

Wakefield Jaraman Shiraz 2020 (88+ pts)

Tasting Note:

WAKEFIELD JARAMAN SHIRAZ 2020 - Clare Valley/McLaren Vale, South Australia (#377036) (XD) - $24.95
Screw cap. The lifted, fragrant nose offers lovely minty herbal notes backed by mocha chocolate, ripe dark berries, sweet vanillin oak, and earth with a touch of jammy and black pepper spice notes. It's medium-full bodied, slightly warming, and very ripe on the palate with black-blue fruits, mocha, vanilla, black pepper, and earthy oak spice flavours. Acids are fresh, juicy and saliva-inducing, while the refined tannins have a pleasing, subtle chalky grip. Minty dark berries and mocha linger on the persistent finish. Recommended buy. Score: 88+ pts

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


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  • Date publishedThursday, May 26, 2022

Wakefield Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 and 2019 (Australia) - Wine Reviews

red wine reviews consist of a mini-vertical of Cabernet Sauvignon wines by Wakefield Wines. I first enjoyed the 2018 Wakefield Estate Cabernet Sauvignon last June and am curious to see how it compare it now with the 2019 vintage that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Wakefield Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (88+ pts) and Wakefield Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (89 pts)

Wakefield Wines was established by the Taylor family in 1969. Bill Taylor Sr. and his two sons, Bill and John, decided to create a proper "old world" style of estate and settled in the Clare Valley by the Wakefield River. The Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz wines were their first wines and are the heart of their business. While the range has since expanded and not all of the fruit is grown on the estate, every bottle is still crafted at their Clare Valley Estate with the same care and attention as the very first vintage.

Today, Wakefield Wines is run by the third generation of the Taylor family - Mitchell, Justin, and Clinton Taylor, three sons of Bill Taylor Jr. Although less involved with day-to-day operations of the family business, Bill Taylor Jr. is still very much a driving force behind the vision of the company. The Taylor family is committed to ensuring that they operate in a responsible and sustainable manner on both the land and sea.

Wakefield has a strong connection to the sea - while excavating the winery site in Clare Valley to secure a water source, Bill Taylor Sr. discovered tiny seahorses in the limestone bedrock and served as a reminder that these soils were under water more 600 million years ago. The seahorse is now a symbol of the family's wine brand with three seahorses representing the three generations of Taylor family winemakers. The seahorse is also their symbol of sustainability as they support two initiatives to protect seahorses and secure thriving populations.

On the innovative front, all Estate Label wines feature an Optimum Drinking Temperature sensor on the back label that will tell you when each wine is ready to enjoy. Each sensor is calibrated to each varietal and wine, and it touch-activated. To use the sensor, simply touch it and compare the colour to the chart located on the left. If the colour of the sensor falls between the optimum temperature indicated in the chart, then the wine is ready to drink.

Tasting Note:

WAKEFIELD ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 - Clare Valley, South Australia (#744235) (XD) - $19.95 Sold out
Screw cap. The fragrant, medium-high intensity nose offers a lovely mix of cassis, dark currant, and savoury earth undertones accented with minty herbs, milk chocolate, and wood spices. On the medium-full bodied palate it has smooth, refined, supple tannins and fresh, juicy acidity that lifts the currant, cassis, milk chocolate, savoury earth, and minty herb flavour replays. A bit softer and smoother than tasted last year, and finishing with savoury, earthy, and mocha notes, with very good length. Score: 88+ pts

Wakefield Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (88+ pts)

WAKEFIELD ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - Clare Valley/Limestone Coast, South Australia (#744235) (XD) - $19.95
Aged for up to 12 months in French oak barrels prior to blending and bottling. Enclosed by screw cap. The fragrant, medium-high intensity nose is fresh with a pleasing mix of minty herbs, cassis, dark currant, and black cherry aromas backed by savoury earthy undertones and subtle wood spice. The medium-full bodied palate is ripe with currant, cassis, earthy, and wood spice flavours in a slightly tangy profile. Ripe tannins are smooth and well-integrated with a subtle chalky textured mouthfeel, while the acids are fresh and juicy. Nicely balanced throughout with earthy notes lingering on the long finish. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Wakefield Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (89 pts)

Other delicious wines from Wakefield are available at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.


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  • Date publishedThursday, April 28, 2022

Wakefield Estate Chardonnay 2020 (Australia) - Wine Review

wine review is the latest edition of the lovely Estate Label Chardonnay by Wakefield Wines that arrives at the LCBO this weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Wakefield Wines, a family-owned and -operated winery that was founded by Bill Taylor Sr. and his two sons near the Wakefield River in South Australia's Clare Valley in 1969. Today, the third generation of the family - Mitchell, Justin and Clinton - continue the family tradition of making delicious wines that stand the test of time. The Taylor family is firmly committed to sustainability and producing wines in a responsible manner that respects the fruit and the land where it came from. The Taylor family also has an innovative spirit, and one of these innovations includes an Optimum Drinking Sensor that is on the back label of many of their wines.

Like the 2019 Wakefield Estate Chardonnay that I enjoyed just over a year ago, this vintage is also crafted with Chardonnay from Padthaway and Clare Valley. Although the percentage from each region was unspecified last time, this vintage is composed of 57% Padthaway and 43% Clare Valley Chardonnay. A small portion of this wine was barrel-fermented and stirred on its lees for 4 months. After 6-8 months of ageing in French oak, the wine was blended and bottled. Let's see how this 2020 Chardonnay is tasting tonight...

Wakefield Estate Chardonnay 2020 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

WAKEFIELD ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2020 - Padthaway & Clare Valley, South Australia (#711556) (XD) - $16.95
Screw cap. The medium-high intensity nose is fresh with ripe apple, citrus, pear, and butter aromas nuanced with vanilla, lactic, and yoghurt notes. On the dry, medium+ bodied, and creamy palate it is lightly honeyed with citrusy, apple, pear, butter, and vanilla flavours supported by crisp, fresh acidity. Leesy mineral, apple, citrus, butter, with touches of sweet vanillin oak and saline linger on the long finish. Might be my favourite vintage so far. 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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  • Date publishedSunday, April 24, 2022

Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (Australia) - Wine Review (Apr. 2022)

red wine review is this lovely Australian Cabernet Sauvignon that returned to the LCBO in the VINTAGES Release last weekend.

Wakefield Wines was founded by the Taylor family in the Clare Valley of South Australia, in 1969. After many years of making wines for others, Bill Taylor Sr. and his two sons wanted to create their own estate wines inspired by Bordeaux producers and settled by the Wakefield River in Clare Valley. Upon excavating the site to secure a water source, Bill discovered tiny seahorses in the limestone bedrock and served as a reminder that these lands were under water more than 600 million years ago. Today, three seahorses grace the labels of Wakefield Wines and represent three generations of Taylor family winemakers. Wakefield is one of the most respected names and consistently reliable producers in the industry. As a family-owned wine company operating for more than 50 years, Wakefield is committed to sustainability and has a desire to leave a legacy for future generations.

I first enjoyed the 2018 Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon last September and am curious to see if it has evolved much over the past 7 months. Crafted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the grapes are actually from two regions - Clare Valley in the northern part of South Australia, and Coonawarra with its rich terra rossa soils located in the south. In 2018, Clare Valley experienced a warm and dry growing season that was also relatively and controlled, while avoiding major heatwaves. Coonawarra delivered excellent fruit quality at harvest due to the winter and spring rainfall providing good conditions for fruit set, followed by slow and cool ripening producing fruit with fine tannins and strong varietal characters.

Let's see how this 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia is tasting tonight...

Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (90+ pts)

Tasting Note:

WAKEFIELD JARAMAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 - Clare Valley & Coonawarra, South Australia (#142398) (XD) - $24.95
Matured in French oak barrels (50% 1 year old, and the rest 2 and 3 year old) for 10-12 months before being bottled and enclosed by screw cap. The fresh, medium-high intensity nose leads with cool minty herbs, red & blackcurrant, cassis, and raspberry aromas layered over savoury earthy and wood spice notes. It's full-bodied and rich with pleasing minty herbs, currant, and earthy wood spice replays on the flavour profile and fresh, vibrant acidity. Ripe, structured tannins are smooth and refined with a very subtle chalky grip. Minty, currant, and mocha chocolate notes linger on the long, succulent finish. Give it a light chill and enjoy this recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

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


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  • Date publishedTuesday, March 15, 2022

Mitolo Jester Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (McLaren Vale) - Wine Review

wine review is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from McLaren Vale. A frequent visitor to the LCBO for many years now. I recall enjoying 2008 vintage of this wine back in 2010, while the latest vintage should be arriving on shelves across Ontario this weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Originally from Abruzzo with a viticultural ancestry, the Mitolo family moved to Australia in the 1950s to become successful market gardeners. After years of working in his family's potato business, Frank Mitolo started making wine for family and friends. In 1999, after a legendary 5-hour discussion with winemaker Ben Glaetzer, the pair fashioned a dream of making the ultimate expression of McLaren Vale's rich provenance of soils. Mitolo Wines was formed with a six word business plan on the back of a napkin: individuality, integrity, quality, purity, elegance and power, and the first wine was a 2000 G.A.M. Shiraz that was named in honour of Frank's children Gemma, Alex, and Marco. Ben is part of the well-known Glaetzer family that has a long lineage of viticulture and winemaking within the Barossa Valley, and uses a hands-off approach in the winery, while also working closely with the growers of Mitolo wines - the Lopresti family.

Mitolo works closely with its growers, the Lopresti family, who are also from Italy and old friends of the Mitolo family. Don Lopresti, a Calabrian, started planting his vineyards in the coastal Aldinga McLaren Vale in 1975. Today, Don works closely with his sons Joe and Michael to fastidiously maintain the 200 acres of vineyards to produce the style Mitolo is renowned for. The Lopresti vineyards are sandwiched between the Gulf St Vincent and the nearby Willunga Hills, known as the Clay Plains of Aldinga, where the soils are of heavy, grey loams mixed with black 'Biscay' clay overlying ancient Ngaltinga formation that was formed one million years ago in the Pleistocene age. Winter rains soak deep into the clay and hold the moisture deep in the soil, and when the soils have dried out, the ensuing cracks create positive stress on the vines as they strive for energy and concentrating fruit flavours.

This Cabernet Sauvignon is from Mitolo's Jester range of wines. The Jesters of the Courts of Europe had one motivation - to entertain the household of a nobleman and their guests. A modern entertainer, the Jester is able to excite, tell stories at any dinner table, and are the life of the party. Ultimately, the Jesters - and these wines - are there to remind us not to take life too seriously.

Crafted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% of the fruit was dried on racks for approximately 7-8 weeks in the Italian Appassimento style. From vineyards located at the southern end of McLaren Vale on heavy clay soils, close to the seaside town of Aldinga, the combination of cool sea breezes and gully winds provide the ideal conditions for growing powerful fruit with intensity and balance. Yields were down compared to the 2017 vintage, but quality was exceptional. Let's see how this 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon from McLaren Vale is tasting tonight...

Mitolo Jester Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

MITOLO JESTER CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#43224) (XD) - $19.95
100% Cabernet Sauvignon with 20% of the grapes dried in the Appassimento style. Screw cap. The medium+ intensity nose has ripe black currant, and cassis aromas joined by spices, mocha chocolate, dried herbs, and whiffs of crushed rock. On the dry, medium to medium-full bodied palate it has fresh, juicy acidity that supports the ripe black currant, dark cherry, mocha chocolate, and dried herbal flavours with a slightly tangy mid-palate. Textured tannins have a supple grip. Savoury, earthy, and mocha chocolate notes linger on the fresh finish, with very good length. A bit of a crowd pleaser, a joy to sip. Recommended buy. Score: 89 pts

Other delicious wines by Mitolo are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedThursday, October 28, 2021

Pirramimma Petit Verdot 2017 (McLaren Vale) - Wine Review

red wine review is a lovely, and perennial favourite, Petit Verdot from Australia. The latest vintage arrived at the LCBO a couple of weeks ago in the LCBO VINTAGES Release, where it was featured as part of the theme on Australian wines.

Pirramimma was founded by Alexander Campbell Johnston (ACJ) in 1892 and has been owned and operated by the Johnston family ever since. The Johnston family arrived in South Australia in 1839 and Alexander, the tenth of thirteen children, purchased 97 hectares of rich farmland southeast of the village of McLaren Vale in 1892. ACJ selected McLaren Vale because of the region's cooling sea breezes from the Gulf of St. Vincent, the Mediterranean climate, rich & diverse soil structures and quality drainage. He named his land Pirramimma, an Aboriginal phrase meaning "the moon and the stars."

Pirramimma has been handed down familial lines, with Geoff Johnston, the third generation of the family, now the custodian. Geoff is known as a "Professor of Soil", spending over 25 years converting Pirramimma's sterile land into a living organism, as well as reducing the winery's ecological footprint through various projects including solar systems, dams, and even a wind turbine. After a trip to Bordeaux, Geoff developed an interest in the Bordeaux grape variety Petit Verdot. He then planted a small area to Petit Verdot as a trial in 1983, which has now expanded to 35 acres of mature vines. Geoff Jonhston pioneered Petit Verdot in Australia, and his Petit Verdot is now considered among the best in the world.

According to Chief Winemaker Geoff Johnston, the 2017 growing season was exceptional - providing outstanding fruit quality, great colour, varietal character, ripe tannins, and length of flavour. The 2017 vintage of this wine was twenty-second release of this Petit Verdot, and the fruit for this vintage was selected from the Siberia, Eric's, OTC, Jones, and Katunga vineyards, all within McLaren Vale, with each block providing its own distinctive profile. Let's see how the latest vintage of this Australian Petit Verdot is tasting tonight...

Pirramimma Petit Verdot 2017 (90 pts)

Tasting Note:

PIRRAMIMMA PETIT VERDOT 2017 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#986752) (XD) - $29.95
Aged for 2 years and new and used French and American oak, bottled by screw cap, this 100% Petit Verdot is ripe, black-blue fruited and spicy on the medium-high intensity nose with aromas of black cherry, peppery spice, plum, and bramble, with savoury and earthy undertones. It's full-bodied with very good concentration on the palate with delicious blackberry, cedary oak, boysenberry, and plum flavours supported by fresh, juicy acidity and woolly, finely textured, and slightly chalky tannins. Tangy black cherry, savoury, earthy, and cocoa notes linger on the finish, with excellent length. Another lovely vintage for this recommended buy. Score: 90 pts

Find other lovely wines from Pirramimma through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedTuesday, October 26, 2021

Wakefield Jaraman Chardonnay 2018 (Australia) - Wine Review

white wine review is a lovely Chardonnay from Australia. It's a new arrival to the LCBO that was featured in the theme on Australian wines in the LCBO VINTAGES Release.

After making wines for many years, the Taylors family founded Wakefield Wines in 1969 in the Clare Valley, South Australia, to make their own wines. With three generations of the family involved in the business today, Wakefield is one of the most respected names and consistently reliable producers in the industry.

This white wine is from the Jaraman range of wines. Australia's iconic wine regions provide great diversity of high quality fruit, and with the Jaraman range, the Taylors family seeks extraordinary parcels of fruit to showcase their distinctive regional characteristics and style. These wines showcase the skill and dedication of Wakefield's winemakers to their philosophy of respecting the fruit.

Although earlier vintages of this wine may have been crafted using fruit from only Clare Valley, more recent vintages have been regional blends. The 2018 vintage is 100% Chardonnay crafted with fruit from Clare Valley (66%) and Margaret River (34%). The growing season in Clare Valley in 2018 was warm and dry, and calm and controlled without any major heatwaves. Overall, the quality was very good with white varieties delivering high aromatics and very pure, distinct varietal characteristics. In Margaret River (Western Australia), the vintage was extraordinarily good with above average rainfall throughout winter and the start of spring that resulted in very good vine health at the start of the growing season. With ideal conditions conditions throughout the growing season and ripening phase, many consider the year in Margaret River to be an exceptional vintage.

The vinification of this wine is rather interesting. The juice was fermented in French oak barrels, 60% new, while the rest was in barrel-fermented in 2nd and 3rd use barrels to give great structure while retaining the vibrant fruit. Half of the parcels were wild fermented, while the other half was fermented using a strain of yeast designed for barrel ferments. After resting on its yeast lees and maturation for 8 months in barrel, the final wine was blended from both regional parcels and bottled with minimal fining and filtration. Let's see how this Australian Chardonnay is tasting tonight...

Wakefield Jaraman Chardonnay 2018 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

WAKEFIELD JARAMAN CHARDONNAY 2018 - Clare Valley/Margaret River, Australia (#18921) (XD) - $24.95
Screw cap. This 100% Chardonnay was barrel-fermented and has a medium-high intensity nose offering lovely oak-infused aromas of buttery, vanillin, and sweet oak spice that sits a top of poached apple, pear, and hints of pineapple and ripe tropical fruit. The weighty, medium-full bodied palate has buttery, lemon curd, ripe apple, sweet oak vanillin, and tropical fruit flavours with a twist of honey. Some spiciness on the mid-palate, along with fresh, juicy acidity. Buttery and flinty with a tinge of caramel lingers on the chalky textured finish, with very good length. Recommended buy. Score: 89 pts

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


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  • Date publishedTuesday, October 19, 2021

Torbreck Cuvée Juveniles 2019 (Barossa) - Wine Review

After enjoying the lovely 2017 Torbreck Old Vines Grenache / Shiraz / Mourvèdre a couple of months ago, wine review is another lovely wine made with the same varietals from the same producer. It arrived at the LCBO over the weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release and is featured as part of the theme in that Release on wines from Australia.

Founded in 1994 by David Powell, Torbreck Vintners was named after a forest in Scotland where David worked as a lumberjack. He was inspired to create is own label after working at a number of Barossa wineries. With the share-farm vineyard concept, David was able to obtain fruit from Barossa'a best vineyards to craft highly-acclaimed wines using the classic Rhône varieties Shiraz (Syrah), Grenache and Mataró (Mourvèdre). Today, Torbreck Vintners is owned by Proprietor Peter Kight and they work with multi-generational winegrowers who have great knowledge of the terroir and work their vineyards with minimal intervention.

Cuvée Juveniles was created as a "Côtes du Rhône" inspired bistro wine from the classic Barossa varieties Grenache, Mataro, and Shiraz from mostly old, unirrigated vineyards. These varieties are the cornerstone of the Barossa Valley, and when combined together are often referred to as GSM blends. This particular red wine is a blend of old vines 72% Grenache, 23% Mataro, and 5% Shiraz from multiple vineyards ranging from 40 to 150 year old vines. It was fermented and aged completely in stainless steel tanks, including a completely natural malolactic fermentation, prior to bottling.

The 2019 growing season was defined by a continuously warm to hot summer with no effective rainfall, wind and hail at flowering, and followed with three major frosts - resulting in an earlier and much smaller harvest than average. These tough conditions produced smaller clusters of intensely dark berries with thick, fleshy skins which contrasted against brown, mature stalks. Although 2019 was another year of reduced yields, it did produce wines of very high quality with impressive concentration of colour, tannins, and aromas. Let's see how this 2019 GSM from Barossa is tasting tonight...

Torbreck Cuvée Juveniles 2019 (91 pts)

Tasting Note:

TORBRECK CUVÉE JUVENILES 2019 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#723940) (XD) - $29.95
Screw cap. This unoaked blend of old vines 72% Grenache, 23% Mataro, and 5% Shiraz has fresh, open, intense, and complex aromas of lovely red berry, notes of raspberry, strawberry, cherry, and pomegranate joined by spices, white pepper, and subtle meaty notes. The medium to medium-full bodied palate is fruit-forward with lovely red berry, raspberry, cherry, and pomegranate replays on the flavour profile with spices and meaty notes adding a pleasant savoury component. Exceptionally well-balanced with fresh acidity, smooth, supple, and dusty-textured tannins. Savoury, earthy, even some mineral lingers on the long, clean finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

Other lovely wines from Torbreck are available at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedThursday, October 14, 2021

October 16, 2021 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Australia

LCBO Wine Picks: October 16, 2021 VINTAGES Release
The October 16 LCBO VINTAGES Release is a big one leading up to the holidays with wines from Australia as the main theme, while the mini-theme features wines for pairing with comfort food. All of these wines, plus those from the main release should be on shelves across Ontario by Saturday.

We begin with the main theme which sizes up wines from Australia. With thirteen wines included as part of this theme and seven among my top wine picks, this is a very good showing of Australian wines. Although there are straight Shiraz wines among my picks, there is a lovely blend of Shiraz and Barbera, while the wine from Barossa Valley consists of 72% Grenache, 23% Mataro (Mourvèdre), and 5% Shiraz. Single varietal red wines include a Petit Verdot from McLaren Vale, and a Cabernet Sauvignon from Clare Valley. Among my three white wine picks from Australia, there is a Semillon, a Chardonnay, and a dry Riesling from Eden Valley.

Torbreck Cuvée Juveniles 2019 (91 pts)Pirramimma Petit Verdot 2017 (90 pts)

Wakefield Jaraman Chardonnay 2018 (89 pts)

The mini-theme looks at wine pairings with fall comfort foods, and of the dozen wines featured, two are included among my wine recommendations and both are white wines. First up is a traditional blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon from Graves in Bordeaux, while the second wine is a sweet Riesling from Mosel in Germany. According to the magazine, both of these wines would pair well with Cassoulet.

Michel Lynch Réserve Graves 2019 (89 pts)

From my red wine picks, there is a stellar list of wines with Italy leading the way. At the top of the list is the iconic Sassicaia that is once again a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc, while the Oreno Super Tuscan consists of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Petit Verdot. Staying in Tuscany, the Gran Selezione Chianti Classico is a blend of 80% Sangiovese 80% and the rest native varietals Abrusco, Pugnitello, Malvasia Nera, Ciliegiolo, and Mazzese, while the Riserva Chianti Classico consists of 95% Sangiovese, 3% Canaiolo, and 2% Colorino. The last two wines from Italy are a Brunello di Montalcino which is made with Sangiovese, and a Barolo that is made with Nebbiolo. From Rhône, the Costières-de-Nîmes is composed of 60% Syrah, 40% Grenache, while the Gigondas flips these two varietals and is a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah. Lastly, there are a pair of delightful Malbec wines from Argentina.

Réva Ravera Barolo 2015 (93+ pts)

El Esteco 1946 Old Vines Malbec 2019 (90 pts)Kaiken Ultra Malbec 2018 (89 pts)

Among my white wine picks from the rest of the Release, the only blend is a Rhône-inspired wine from British Columbia that consists of 51% Roussanne, 36% Viognier, and 13% Marsanne. Notable single varietal wines include an Avesso from Portugal, a Falanghina from Basilicata, and a Grüner Veltliner from Austria. Last, but not least, the Chablis is made with 100% Chardonnay.

Rabl Löss Grüner Veltliner 2019 (88+ pts)

For celebratory occasions, the Bollinger Champagne is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, and 15% Pinot Meunier, while the Billecart-Salmon Vintage Champagne consists of 40% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay, and 27% Pinot Meunier. At the lower end of the price scale, the Crémant de Bourgogne consists of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this Release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

  • CHÂTEAU FONT BARRIÈLE LES VIGNES D'HÉLOÏSE 2019 - AP Costières-de-Nîmes, Rhône, France (#21545) (XD) - $17.95
  • KILIKANOON KILLERMAN'S RUN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017 - Clare Valley, South Australia (#675223) (XD) - $19.95
  • JULIEN SCHAAL WALKER BAY SYRAH 2020 - WO Walker Bay, South Africa (#21110) (XD) - $19.95
  • KAIKEN ULTRA MALBEC 2018 - Vegan, Mendoza, Argentina (#50849) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
  • LONGVIEW VISTA SHIRAZ/BARBERA 2019 - Adelaide Hills, South Australia (#21065) (XD) - $19.95

  • EL ESTECO 1946 OLD VINES MALBEC 2019 - Valles Calchaquíes, Argentina (#19391) (XD) - $24.95  90 pts  wine review
  • FAMILLE PERRIN LA GILLE GIGONDAS 2019 - AC, Rhône, France (#906073) (XD) - $29.95
  • PIRRAMIMMA PETIT VERDOT 2017 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#986752) (XD) - $29.95  90 pts  wine review
  • TORBRECK CUVÉE JUVENILES 2019 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#723940) (XD) - $29.95  91 pts  wine review
  • DIEVOLE NOVECENTO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2016 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#213926) (XD) - $33.95
 
  • SAN FELICE IL GRIGIO GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2016 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#403477) (XD) - $48.95
  • COL D'ORCIA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2016 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#306852) (XD) - $54.95
  • ORENO 2018 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#735597) (XD) - $89.95
  • RÉVA RAVERA BAROLO 2015 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#21848) (XD) - $99.95  VOE  93+ pts  wine review
  • SASSICAIA 2018 - DOC Bolgheri-Sassicaia, Tuscany, Italy (#480533) (XD) - $249.95

White Wine:

  • RABL LÖSS GRÜNER VELTLINER 2019 - Langenlois, DAC Kamptal, Austria (#295709) (XD) - $15.95  88+ pts  wine review
  • FLAT ROCK UNPLUGGED UNOAKED CHARDONNAY 2020 - Sustainable, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#68015) (XD) - $17.95
  • COVELA EDIÇÃO NACIONAL AVESSO 2019 - DOC Vinho Verde, Portugal (#524868) (XD) - $18.95
  • PATERNOSTER VULCANICO FALANGHINA 2019 - IGT Basilicata, Italy (#19691) (XD) - $18.95
  • SONS OF EDEN FREYA RIESLING 2019 - Eden Valley, South Australia (#12652) (XD) - $19.95
  • PAULETT WINES WATERVALE SEMILLON 2019 - Clare Valley, South Australia (#19907) (XD) - $22.95
  • MICHEL LYNCH RÉSERVE GRAVES 2019 - AC, Bordeaux, France (#20901) (XD) - $22.95  89 pts  wine review
  • WAKEFIELD JARAMAN CHARDONNAY 2018 - Clare Valley/Margaret River, Australia (#18921) (XD) - $24.95  89 pts  wine review
  • BISCHÖFLICHE WEINGÜTER TRIER SCHARZHOFBERGER RIESLING KABINETT 2019 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#670752) (S) - $29.95
  • LE VIEUX PIN AVA 2018 - BC VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#19917) (XD) - $43.95  FE
  • CHANSON PÈRE & FILS MONTMAINS CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2018 - AC, Burgundy, France (#485318) (XD) - $45.95

Sparkling Wine:

  • LABOURÉ-GONTARD BRUT CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE - Traditional method, AP, Burgundy, France (#401018) (D) - $21.95
  • JUVÉ Y CAMPS PINOT NOIR BRUT ROSÉ CAVA - Traditional method, DO, Spain (#385088) (D) - $24.95  90 pts  wine review
  • BOLLINGER SPECIAL CUVÉE BRUT CHAMPAGNE - AC, France (#384529) (D) - $91.95
  • BILLECART-SALMON EXTRA BRUT CHAMPAGNE 2009 - AC, Champagne, France (#21546) (XD) - $126.95  FE

Juvé y Camps Pinot Noir Brut Rosé Cava (90 pts)

Dessert Wine:

  • DISZNÓKÓ LATE HARVEST TOKAJI FURMINT 2017 - Tokaji, Hungary (#20680) (S) (500 mL) - $26.95


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  • Date publishedThursday, September 30, 2021

Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (Australia) - Wine Review

red wine review is the latest vintage of this always delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia that arrived at the LCBO approximately two of weeks ago, as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release.

The Taylors family founded Wakefield Wines in Australia's Clare Valley in 1969 after making wines for many years prior. Today, three generations of the family are involved in the business, with a goal of producing fine wines with great dedication and care, while also respecting the fruit. Sustainability is also a core value of the Taylor family, and by being responsible they hope to leave a legacy that lasts for future generations.

I enjoyed the 2017 Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon when it showed up in LCBO VINTAGES last March and am curious to see how this latest vintage compares. For 2018, the blend of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes is identical to the previous vintage - 56% Clare Valley and 44% Coonawarra fruit.

In Clare Valley, the 2018 vintage growing season was one of the warmest and driest in recent times - only 2016 was warmer - and helped produce some excellent wines. One of the great things about this vintage is that there were no major heatwaves, thus it was very calm and controlled. In Coonawarra, the growing season delivered superb vintage conditions with fruit of outstanding quality - a slow and cool ripening yielded fruit with fine tannins and strong varietal characters. Let's see how this 2018 Australia Cabernet Sauvignon is tasting tonight...

Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (90 pts)

Tasting Note:

WAKEFIELD JARAMAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 - Clare Valley & Coonawarra, South Australia (#142398) (XD) - $24.95
Screw cap. Fresh, medium-high intensity nose is cool, minty and leafy herbal, layered with red and black fruits, currant, and cassis aromas with gentle wood spice accents. On the ripe, full-bodied palate, it has delicious mint, leafy herb, blackberry, and dark currant flavours with touches of tobacco leaf and coffee, supported by succulent, balanced acidity and fine, structured, well-integrated, and slightly chalky tannins. Some intriguing salty and tangy notes on the mid-palate, while the finish has savoury, woody and hints of coffee, with very good length. Great vintage for this wine. Recommended buy. Score: 90 pts

Other lovely wines from Wakefield Wines are available at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.


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