November 8, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Festive Wines + Burgundy

Here are my top wine picks from the November 8, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here), where "Wines for Every Festive Moment" is the feature story of the release, while The Bounties of Burgundy is the mini-feature. Also included in this release are a new batch of Online & Flagship Exclusives. While this is a large and fairly expensive release with 145 products offered and the average price per bottle just north of $38, it is a very good release with many fine options for festive occasions - and your cellar. All the wines should be readily available for purchase online and in-stores across Ontario.

We'll begin with the feature story titled "Wines for Every Festive Moment", which could be translated to "Premium Wines for Festive Moments" as each wine is priced at a minimum of $34.95. Of the thirteen wines included in the feature story, five are among my top wine picks. At the top of the list is the Oreno that is crafted with 45% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot, followed by a Gran Selezione Chianti Classico that is 100% Sangiovese, and a Pinot Noir from South Africa. On the local front, there is a lovely Syrah from Niagara, as well as a dry white wine blend from Lincoln Lakeshore that is crafted with 68% Pinot Gris and 32% Gewürztraminer.

My top red wine recommendations from the main release also begin in Tuscany with the Tignanello that is a blend of 78% Sangiovese, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 4% Cabernet Franc. Australia has a quartet of fine offerings, starting with the 2022 Barossa red that is a blend of 45% Grenache, 36% Mataro, 17% Carignan, and 2% Counoise, followed by the 2019 Barossa red that is composed of 57% Shiraz and 43% Cabernet Sauvignon; there are also a couple of straight Shiraz wines - one from Clare Valley and one from Victoria. The only other blend is from Roussillon, and it consists of Syrah, Grenache, and Carignan. From Greece, there are a couple of lovely wines crafted with Xinomavro and Agioritiko, respectively, while Chile delivers another fine Carmenere. On the local front, there is an exceptional Pinot Noir from St. David's Bench in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Among my top white wine picks from the main release, the only blend is the Côtes du Rhône Blanc, which is a blend of 32% Viognier, 28% Grenache Blanc, 24% Roussanne, and 16% Marsanne. Among the mono-varietal whites, Sauvignon Blanc leads the pack with a Sancerre from Loire, and a pair from Marlborough in New Zealand, followed by a pair of Canadian Chardonnays - one from the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia and one from the Niagara Peninsula in Ontario. And lastly, the lone bubbly is the 2016 vintage Champagne, which is a blend of 48% Chardonnay, 34% Pinot Noir, and 18% Meunier.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• TERRA NOBLE AZARA CARIGNAN 2022 - Sustainable, Vegan, DO Valle del Maule, Chile (#44587) (XD) - $18.95
• KILIKANOON GOLDEN HILLSIDE SHIRAZ 2020 - Clare Valley, South Australia (#45346) (XD) - $18.95  90 pts  wine review
• DON'T TELL GARY SHIRAZ 2022 - Victoria, Australia (#632620) (XD) - $19.95
• YALUMBA SAMUEL'S COLLECTION BAROSSA SHIRAZ / CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - Vegan, Barossa, South Australia (#12999) (XD) - $21.95  90 pts  wine review
• M. CHAPOUTIER BILA-HAUT OCCULTUM LAPIDEM 2020 - AOP Côtes-du-Roussillon-Villages Latour-de-France (#643239) (XD) - $23.95

 

• SANTA RITA FLORESTA CARMENÈRE 2023 - DO Apalta, Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#34733) (XD) - $27.95  OFE
• TORBRECK CUVÉE JUVENILES 2022 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#723940) (XD) - $29.95
• ALPHA ESTATE HEDGEHOG SINGLE VINEYARD XINOMAVRO 2022 - PDO Amyndeon, Greece (#259762) (XD) - $29.95  review coming soon...
• KACABA TERRACED VINEYARD SYRAH 2021 - Vegan, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#394171) (XD) - $35.15  review coming soon...
• DOMAINE SKOURAS GRANDE CUVÉE AGIORGITIKO 2022 - PDO Neméa, Greece (#94706) (XD) - $42.95  OFE  review coming soon...

 

• BACHELDER LOWREY VINEYARD OLD VINES PINOT NOIR 2021 - VQA St. David's Bench, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#361816) (XD) - $55.00  OFE  93+ pts  wine review
• HAMILTON RUSSELL PINOT NOIR 2024 - WO Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, South Africa (#999516) (XD) - $70.95
• ANTINORI BADIA A PASSIGNANO GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2022 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#384552) (XD) - $80.95
• ORENO 2022 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#735597) (XD) - $99.95  94 pts  wine review
• TIGNANELLO 2022 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#986786) (XD) - $192.95

White Wine:

• IDI DI MARZO SETTE VIZI TREBBIANO 2024 - Sustainable, Vegan, IGT Terre d'Abruzzo, Italy (#45808) (XD) - $14.95  88+ pts  wine review
• PETER ZEMMER PINOT GRIGIO 2024 - DOC Alto Adige, Italy (#95802) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• LITORALE VAL DELLE ROSE VERMENTINO 2023 - DOC Maremma Toscana, Italy (#17703) (XD) - $19.95
• TIRAKI SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#41802) (XD) - $24.95  review coming soon...
• ANGOVE FAMILY CREST PINOT GRIS 2023 - Adelaide Hills / McLaren Vale, South Australia (#41786) (XD) - $24.95  OFE  90+ pts  wine review
• BROKENWOOD SEMILLON 2024 - Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia (#657726) (XD) - $24.95

 

• LEANING POST THE FIFTY CHARDONNAY 2022 - Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#578864) (XD) - $25.95  90+ pts  wine review
• VILLA MARIA TAYLORS PASS SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#13901) (XD) - $29.95
• CHÂTEAU LA NERTHE LES CASSAGNES DE LA NERTHE CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2023 - AOC, Rhône, France (#31174) (XD) - $29.95  91+ pts  wine review
• BLACK BANK HILL FRATERNITÉ 2023 - VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#47889) (XD) - $34.95
• JEAN-MAX ROGER CUVÉE LES CAILLOTTES SANCERRE 2023 - AOC, Loire, France (#65573) (XD) - $41.95
• QUAILS' GATE STEWART FAMILY RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2022 - BC VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#639641) (XD) - $47.95  OFE
• GOBELSBURG RIED RENNER 1ÖTW ERSTE LAGE GRÜNER VELTLINER 2022 - DAC Kamptal, Austria (#45353) (XD) - $69.95  OFE

Sparkling Wine:

• MOËT & CHANDON GRAND VINTAGE EXTRA BRUT CHAMPAGNE 2016 - AOC, France (#69773) (XD) - $124.95

Dessert Wine:

• FEATHERSTONE FROSTBITE SELECT LATE HARVEST GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2024 - Sustainable, Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#39276, 375 mL) (S) - $29.95
• GRAND TOKAJ 6 PUTTONYOS TOKAJI ASZÚ 2013 - Tokaj, Hungary (#46596, 500 mL) (S) - $82.95  OFE

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Blason de Bourgogne Aligoté 2023 (Burgundy) - Wine Review

For Father's Day, tonight's white wine review is a lovely Aligoté from Burgundy that arrives in Ontario about every three years, with the most recent vintage landing on shelves last weekend in the June 7th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Blason de Bourgogne, a collective of more than 200 families of winegrowers who are deeply rooted in the vineyards of Burgundy that stretch from Côte d’Or to Mâconnais. It was established in the 1980s by several co-operatives with the aim of promoting accessible, high-quality wines from Burgundy under a single label. The diversity of terroirs that each family brings gives richness and aromatic complexity to the wines. Furthermore, the fruit of traditions and viticultural know-how has been passed down from one generation to the next. As winegrowers for several generations in Burgundy, the producer families of Blason de Bourgogne are proud to unveil their values of solidarity and unique know-how to produce wines of authenticity and quality.

Driven by the love of their profession and respect for nature, the winegrowing families of Blason de Bourgogne do not cease to ensure the preservation of their territories. Committed to a unique continuous improvement process, they practice sustainable winegrowing, which covers the entire production cycle from vineyard to bottle, while also taking into account the environmental, economic, and social impacts of each action. Among their many initiatives include producing their own energy, protecting their soil and terroirs, reducing their carbon footprint, encouraging biodiversity in the vineyard, and sponsoring young growers.

This white wine is crafted by Blason de Bourgogne's Cellar Master with 100% Aligoté that was grown on clay-limestone soils, typical of Burgundy, between the plains of the Saône and the hills of the Mâconnais, with West-to-East exposure to the sun, allowing the vines to flourish beautifully. After harvesting the grapes, they underwent direct pressing, followed by alcoholic fermentation at a temperature-controlled 18°C in stainless steel tanks.

The 2023 vintage in Burgundy had generous yields and ripeness. It was an engaging vintage for white varieties in Burgundy and highly determined by the heatwave in early September that escalated ripeness levels into the aromatics and flavours. This heatwave also affected alcohol levels, body, richness, and acidity. I tasted the 2017 vintage of this Aligoté, and some say the 2023 vintage in Burgundy is comparable to 2017, but with more alcohol and body, but less acidity. Let's see how this 2023 Aligoté from Burgundy is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

BLASON DE BOURGOGNE ALIGOTÉ 2023 - AC Bourgogne Aligoté, France (#648436) (XD) - $19.95
The generous, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose is ripe with stone fruits, peach, pear, lemon citrus, and apple aromas mingling with flinty minerals. It is impressively weighted on the dry palate with delicious, gently honeyed and spice flavours joining the ripe apple, pear, lemon citrus, and peach notes. It has crisp, well-balanced acidity, along with a slightly textured mouthfeel. Stone and orchard fruits give way to flinty minerals on the juicy and gently spicy finish, with very good length. Ideal with seafood and salads, and a highly recommended buy. Score: 89 pts

Other delicious wines by Blason de Bourgogne can be ordered through their Agent - Churchill Cellars.

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Prosper Maufoux Domaine Vigne au Roy Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits 2023 (Burgundy) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is an excellent Pinot Noir from Burgundy that made its debut at the LCBO in last weekend's April 26th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Maison Prosper Maufoux, an historic wine producer based in Burgundy. It was founded in 1860 by a notary who left his job to create the eponymous wine house, with success following soon thereafter, and then a move into a private mansion located in the main square in Santenay. The family winery continued to grow over the years, becoming a world-renowned name. In 1947, Prosper Maufoux formed a partnership with The House of Burgundy, an importer based in New York. In 1994, Robert Fairchild, then president of this leading American partner, bought the House of Prosper Maufoux.

Today, Maison Prosper Maufoux is owned by the Piffaut family as they acquired the property in 2010. The Piffaut family has wine-growing roots in Burgundy that go back over two hundred years. In 2015, the family acquired Château de Saint-Aubin, a building with a 300-year history, and its exceptional vineyards, and the building is now the new wine house for Prosper Maufoux. Situated in the heart of Côte de Beaune, on the road to the Grands Crus, the estate has 9 hectares of mythical terroirs on the property and overlooks Clos du Château. The exceptional Prosper Maufoux winery was built from scratch fairly recently and resides under the main courtyard of the Château.

Prosper Maufoux is committed to a sustainable approach in the vineyard and at the winery, and is certified to High Environmental Value (HEV) level 3. Among their many sustainable initiatives include biodiversity of species through a strategy of controlled protection and economical management of resources. Their viticultural philosophy is based on experience and observation: learning from the past and their predecessors, understanding their soils and the long-term impact of their cultivation practices. With environmental research, they implement some of the most advanced techniques in sustainable viticulture, which allows Prosper Maufoux to imagine the future in the most respectful way possible for their terroirs.

This red wine is crafted with 100% Pinot Noir that was grown at Domaine Vigne au Roy, which cultivates 36 hectares of vines in the commune of Bevy, within the regional appellation of Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits. More specifically, the vineyard is situated on the slopes of the valleys incising the Jurassic limestone plateaux to the west of the Côte-de-Nuits, at an altitude of between 300 and 400 metres. The composition of the soil in the vineyard is identical to that of the Côte-de-Nuits, but the surface formations are very thin, or even non-existent, and result in clay-limestone soils that are formed based on the substratum of limestone and marl.

To craft this wine, the grapes were manually harvested, sorted, de-stemmed, and then carefully transferred to the vat by conveyor belt, followed by a cold maceration at 10°C for 4 to 5 days. Fermentation lasts for 18 to 20 days, with regular punch-downs or pump-over skins, and is monitored by daily tastings. The pressed juice and free-run juice were then blended into stainless steel vats and lightly settled, then matured in both vats and barrels to undergo full malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged for 10 months in both stainless steel vats and French oak barrels, with the barrels having a light blond toast, and 20% new.

The 2023 growing season in Burgundy produced a good vintage with expectations running high. It began with a relatively benign winter, followed by a spring that oscillated between both unseasonably warm and chilly days, including spring frosts, which led to an inconsistency that delayed budbreak. Flowering was successful, despite some thunderstorms, while summer brought more storms, along with high temperatures that created humid conditions - forcing producers to be vigilant in monitoring disease. Conditions were balmy in the lead-up to harvest, followed by very good weather during harvest as pickers harvested the grapes in the morning to avoid the heat during the day, while also ensuring that the grapes retained their freshness. Quantity and quality are both abundant in this vintage, while Pinot Noir looks to be promising, even though conditions were slightly warmer than which the grape typically excels in. From a good vintage with high expectations, let's see how this 2023 Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits Pinot Noir from Burgundy is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

PROSPER MAUFOUX DOMAINE VIGNE AU ROY BOURGOGNE HAUTES-CÔTES DE NUITS 2023 - AP, Burgundy, France (#43436) (XD) - $31.95
The medium+ to medium-high intensity nose takes some coaxing to reveal attractive aromas of black cherry, currant, and rose petals flecked with strawberry, while surrounding a core of savoury earth and mushroom. The medium+ bodied palate has good weight and concentration that supports the spiced, ripe black cherry, mushroom, savoury earth, currant, and strawberry flavours. Crisp acids are juicy and succulent. Impressively structured with textured tannins, plus some herbal notes on the mid-palate add further complexity. Black cherry and currants give way to savoury earth and mushroom notes on the long, crisp, and well-structured finish. Immensely enjoyable now, but will improve with a couple of years in the cellar. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

Other lovely wines by Prosper Maufoux can be ordered through their Agent - Sylvestre Wines & Spirits.

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Deux Roches Tradition Mâcon-Villages 2022 (Burgundy) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is the latest Chardonnay in a line of recent excellent wines by Deux Roches, the Burgundy estate of Collovray & Terrier, that has come through the LCBO. This Mâcon-Villages arrived at the LCBO this weekend in the February 1 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and is featured in the theme of the release which explores France's top wine regions.

The origins of Deux Roches begins in 1928, when Joanny Collovray settled in the small village of Davayé, in the south of Burgundy, a few kilometres west of Mâcon. On this land, Joanny made goat cheeses and farmed the land by growing crops, including grapevines. By 1940, Joanny was noted for the quality of his work. In 1956, he was succeeded by his son, Henri, who maintained the family's polyculture, but also expanded the family's vine holdings by purchasing a few parcels of land in the Mâcon-Davayé appellation. Henri's son, Christian Collovray, began working the vines at the age of 16 and devoted himself entirely to vine growing.

The Terrier family had no history of cultivating vines, but Léon Terrier was the village blacksmith and worked alongside local winegrowers. Jean-Luc Terrier, Léon's son, specialized in viticulture at an agricultural college and crossed paths along the way with his neighbour and childhood friend, Christian Collovray.

The two friends - Christian Collovray and Jean-Luc Terrier - shared a love and passion for vines and wine, and married two sisters - Brigitte and Florence - who came from a family of winegrowers. Bringing together two families, the two couples had a dream to create an estate and make wine together using Christian's and his father's vines. The dream became reality in 1986 with the formation of Deux Roches, which translates to "Two Rocks", and is named after the two limestone rocks of Vergisson and Solutré that are situated in the area of Davayé.

Today, there are six members of the Collovray & Terrier involved in the family business, including Julien Collovray, son of Christian and Brigitte, and his wife Caroline, and Pierre-Alexis Terrier, son of Florence and Jean-Luc. Situated in the heart of the Mâconnais wine region in Burgundy, with its soils rich in limestone, Deux Roches is renowned for producing high-quality Chardonnay wines. The philosophy at Deux Roches is to work the soil and respect the vegetation to produce good quality fruit. They aim for perfection by mastering each and every step with each passing vintage, while also adapting to the year's weather conditions. In 2017, with a commitment to the environment, Deux Roches earned their High Environmental Certification - the French certificate for environmental sustainability.

While the excellent 2021 Deux Roches Les Pommards Saint-Véran (and still available for purchase) is from their top-tier Parcel Selections range, this Tradition Mâcon-Villages is from their lower-tiered Timeless Collection - exemplary wines that are crafted for immediate pleasure, sharing, and enjoyment.

This 100% Chardonnay was grown in the Mâcon-Villages appellation of southern Burgundy. The cuvee is a blend of several plots which were selected for their limestone soil and drainage quality, as well as their early, southeast-facing exposure to the sun. This combination of soil and sun exposure characteristics allows Deux Roches to develop straightforward, fruity, lively, and fresh wines in the pure spirit of Mâconnais. After harvest, the grapes are gently loaded by gravity into pneumatic presses, where the grapes undergo slow and long presses in order to delicately extract the juices and preserve aromatic finesse. The musts are cooled and decanted, followed by a temperature-controlled alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The wine undergoes malolactic fermentation depending on the vintage. The wine remains in tanks for aging on its fine lees until spring. Inputs such as SO₂ are limited as much as possible throughout the entire process from picking to bottling.

The 2022 growing season in Mâconnais was marked by ample rain in June, including a big rainstorm at the end of the month, which helped slow down the physiological ripening of the grapes during the heat and dry weather of the summer months. The resilience of the vines, along with two weeks of dry and windy conditions that preceded harvest resulted in healthy grapes of good quality. Overall, it is a classic, juicy vintage with quantity. From an excellent vintage, let's see how this 2022 Chardonnay from Mâcon-Villages is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

DEUX ROCHES TRADITION MÂCON-VILLAGES 2022 - AP, Burgundy, France (#38077) (XD) - $27.95
100% Chardonnay. Lovely, medium-high to highly aromatic nose offers elegant ripe apple, pear, lemon citrus, and orchard fruit aromas, plus touches of doughy and leesy characters and hints of white peach, with an underlying stony minerality adding further complexity. The medium-full bodied palate is dry, concentrated, ripe, and honeyed with lovely apple-pear, orchard fruit, lemon citrus flavours accented with mild spice, vanilla, and white peach notes. It has clean, juicy acidity, somewhat creamy, and a fine, mineral texture on the mid-palate. Shows finesse, elegance, and balance throughout with spice and mineral notes lingering on the long, succulent finish. Best enjoyed over the next 3-5 years on its own, with goat cheese, fish, or poultry. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

A couple of wines by Deux Roches are available at LCBO, while the full line-up can be ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Deux Roches Les Pommards Saint-Véran 2021 (Burgundy) - Wine Review

After enjoying the lovely 2021 Deux Roches Vieilles Vignes Pouilly-Fuissé a couple of months ago, for tonight's white wine review we go up a notch with this excellent, single vineyard Chardonnay from Burgundy that was a brand-new arrival at the LCBO last month as an Online & Flagship Exclusive in the November 16 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection - with plenty still available for purchase today!

Like the Pouilly-Fuissé, this white wine is produced by Deux Roches, the Burgundy estate winery that is run by two long-time friends, Christian Collovray and Jean-Luc Terrier, who are behind Collovray et Terrier. The Domaine of Deux Roches is situated in the heart of the picturesque Mâconnais landscape, in the village of Davayé to the north of the Saint-Véran AOC, and specializes in the production of Chardonnay wines in the Mâconnais style. Deux Roches, which translates to "Two Rocks", gets its name from the two limestone rocks of Vergisson and Solutré that are situated in the area.

Deux Roches' story begins in 1928, when Joanny Collovray settled in the small village of Davayé to farm the land with various crops, including grapevines, and produce goat's cheese. Joanny was a simple tenant farmer and produced some wine on the property, while letting merchants take care of selling the wine. In 1940, Collovray's wines were mentioned in the press for their quality. In 1956, Henri Collovray, son of Joanny, took over the property and extended the family's vineyard holdings by purchasing a few parcels in the Mâcon-Davayé appellation. At the young age of 16, Christian Collovray, son of Henri, began working the vines and, eventually, gave up animal farming to solely focus on winegrowing.

The Terrier family had no history of cultivating vines, but Léon Terrier was the village blacksmith and worked alongside local winegrowers. His son, Jean-Luc Terrier, chose to go to an agricultural college and specialize in viticulture, and crossed paths with his childhood friend and neighbour, Christian Collovray. Together, Christian and Jean-Luc shared a love for vines and wines, a bond which grew even closer when they married sisters Brigitte and Florence, who were from a family of winegrowers.

Today, with the next generation joining the family business, Deux Roches is recognized for producing great wines that respect terroir and tradition, at relatively accessible prices. With agricultural roots, they know that everything begins in the vineyard as they work the soil and have respect for the vegetation. Perfection is the objective, while also recognizing that adapting to the year's weather conditions is also necessary. Sustainability is also a core value of Collovray et Terrier as they minimize inputs and use natural processes to stimulate the plants’ own natural defences to control pests and disease. The families also protect and encourage biodiversity, with one of these projects revolving around having beehives on the property in Davayé. Other initiatives in reducing their environmental impact include minimizing the use of water in the cellar and controlling waste disposal, and limiting the use of energy from non-renewable sources.

This white wine is from Deux Roches' top-tier Parcel Selections range - single vineyard wines that are the expression of a specific place with a unique character. Since the beginning, Collovray & Terrier have sought to produce wines that express the individual characteristics of each of their parcels, with their extraordinary organoleptic potential. For the Parcel Selections range, they employ all the techniques and skills available to them, such as hand harvesting and lengthy barrel ageing, to allow the terroir to speak of the superb complexity conferred by the wines' origins.

Crafted with 100% Chardonnay, the grapes for this wine were grown on a 0.81 hectare plot located in the town of Davayé, on the hillside of the Roche de Solutré. The vines are north-facing, on a 30% slope, and planted between 1975 and 1983 on marly soil that is moderately deep, and is made up of chalk on the surface. The grapes were manually harvested and gently loaded into the pneumatic presses by gravity, followed by long pressing cycles in order to preserve the aromatic finesse. The must was cold-stabilized, then decanted and placed into barrels for fermentation. The wine was aged for 19 months, of which 11 months were in barrels, followed by 8 months in vats.

In 2021, the growing season in Burgundy was challenging due to the season beginning with a hard winter frost, followed by pests and disease which wreaked havoc in the vineyards and reduced yields. Summer was cool-ish, while the wine quality was determined by hard work in the vineyard and at the winery. In challenging vintages, the best vignerons can still produce delicious and harmonious wines exhibiting freshness, energy, elegance, and finesse. Let's see how this 2021 single vineyard Chardonnay from Burgundy is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

DEUX ROCHES LES POMMARDS SAINT-VÉRAN 2021 - AP, Burgundy, France (#37919) (XD) - $50.95
This single vineyard Chardonnay has richly elegant, medium-high intensity, and developing aromas of stone and orchard fruits, nectarine, honeysuckle, apple, and pear, plus floral, vanilla, oak spice, flinty mineral, and hints of mushroom add intrigue and great complexity. It is impressively concentrated on the dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate with rich and lovely honeyed, nutty, vanilla oak spice flavours surrounding a core of ripe orchard fruit, apple, pear, nectarine, and floral. It's nicely textured with very good structure and juicy, mouth-watering acidity. Still somewhat youthful on the structured and textured finish with tangy stone fruit and flinty mineral notes lingering on the finish, with excellent length. Should drink beautifully into the early 2030s and is a highly recommended buy! Score: 93 pts

Other fine wines by Collovray et Terrier's Deux Roches label and can be found at the LCBO, or ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Deux Roches Vieilles Vignes Pouilly-Fuissé 2021 (Burgundy) - Wine Review

Happy Thanksgiving! Tonight's white wine review is a lovely white wine that I first tasted just over a year ago and am delighted to see it arrive at the LCBO as part of the September 21st LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection as an Online & Flagship Exclusive and available at 17 stores in Ontario right now.

Deux Roches is the Burgundy winery of Collovray et Terrier. The Domaine is situated in the heart of the picturesque Mâconnais landscape, in the village of Davayé, and focuses mainly on white wines made with Chardonnay in the Mâconnais style.

The story of Deux Roches, which means "Two Rocks", begins in 1928 when Joanny Collovray settled in the small village of Davayé, a few kilometres west of Mâcon, in the south of Burgundy. He farmed the land, made goat cheese, and grew various crops, including vines. As a simple tenant farmer, he made some wine on the property and the merchants took care of selling it, and in 1940, Collovray was mentioned in the press for the quality of his work. In 1956, his son, Henri Collovray, took over the property and extended the family's vine holdings by purchasing a few parcels in the Mâcon-Davayé appellation. At the young age of 16, Henri's son, Christian, began working the vines and later gave up animal farming to focus solely on winegrowing.

The Terrier family had no history of cultivating vines. Léon Terrier was the village blacksmith and always worked alongside local winegrowers. Growing up in this environment, Léon's son, Jean-Luc Terrier, chose to go to an agricultural college and specialize in viticulture. Jean-Luc crossed paths along the way with Christian, his neighbour and childhood friend, and together they shared a love of the vines and wines.

Christian and Jean-Luc's bond grew even closer when they married two sisters, Brigitte and Florence, who were also from a family of winegrowers. The two couples had a dream to create an estate together to make wines from Christian and his father's vines, and in 1986 the dream became a reality. The vines were grouped around the two rocks of Vergisson and Solutré, which led to the name "Deux Roches". From the beginning, each member of the two families played a role, with Christian tending the vines, Jean-Luc responsible for the cellar and sales, and both Brigitte and Florence first worked the vines, then looked after bottling, and finally devoting themselves to administrative and commercial matters as the business grew.

In 2009, Julien Collovray, son of Christian and Brigitte, joined the family business following his studies in viticulture, oenology, law, and economics, and various experiences at other wine estates. In 2012, Caroline Collovray, Julien's wife, also joined the estate as an oenologist with experience in several estates. In 2019, Pierre-Alexis Terrier, son of Jean-Luc and Florence, returned to the Domaine after completing his studies abroad and working in the vines and the cellar at both Davayé and Antugnac in Languedoc.

The philosophy at Deux Roches is to craft wines that express the unique terroirs of the Mâconnais, while working the soil and respecting the vegetation. Their goal is to have perfection, which means mastering each step from the vineyard to bottle, and includes adapting to the year's weather conditions by evolving and experimenting with each parcel. Since 2017, Deux Roches has earned High Environmental Certification for their commitment to the environment, where they use natural processes and minimize inputs to anticipate disease and manage the vineyard, while also promoting and encouraging biodiversity. Collovray et Terrier also work to have the least possible environmental impact in the cellar, including minimizing the use of water and limiting energy use from non-renewable sources.

Domaine des Deux Roches has two lines of wines within their portfolio - the Timeless Collection and the single vineyard Parcel Selections. The Timeless Collection of wines are exemplary, accessible, and made for drinking and sharing with enjoyment for immediate pleasure. The Timeless Collection wines are blended from several vineyards and aged in stainless steel or oak. The aim of the Timeless Collection is to give true expression of the appellations, while also corresponding to their vision of the Mâconnais style - great classics that never cease to please!

This white wine is from Deux Roches' Timeless Collection. It is 100% Chardonnay from 60 to 100-year-old vines grown on the estate and from selected parcels grown by long-standing partner winegrowers who are friends and family. The vines are planted on mainly limestone clay hillsides near the Rocks of Solutré and Vergisson, and also at Chaintré and Fuissé. The selection of grapes from these sites allows Collovray et Terrier to produce a delicate, mineral wine, with bright and refined aromas, as well as a rich, solid structure. To vinify this wine, the grapes were harvested and gravity-fed into pneumatic presses. Pressing is long and slow to ensure that the juice is delicately extracted and to preserve aromatic finesse. The resulting must is cooled and decanted, followed by alcoholic fermentation in barrel, with 20% in 600 L demi-muids, and less than 10% is new wood, followed by ageing on its fine lees until spring. Inputs are restricted during the entire process, including the use of sulphur dioxide.

The 2021 vintage was a challenging one in Burgundy that began with a hard winter frost, along with pests and disease that wreaked havoc in the vineyards and reduced yields. It was a cool-ish summer, with wine quality determined by hard work in the vineyard and winery. Let's see how this 2021 Chardonnay from Pouilly-Fuissé in Burgundy is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

DEUX ROCHES VIEILLES VIGNES POUILLY-FUISSÉ 2021 - AP, Burgundy, France (#488825) (XD) - $49.95
100% Chardonnay. The medium+ to medium-high intensity nose takes a while to reveal the maturing, earthy, stony mineral aromas mingling with baked apple, lemon peel, and whiffs of mushroom and nut. On the dry, medium-full bodied palate it is deliciously flavoured, structured, and complex with lovely orchard fruit, apple, pear, lemon citrus, white peach and spice flavours backed by nutty notes and a stony mineral core. It has zesty, well-structured acidity, while stony-leesy mineral, orchard fruit, citrus, and mushroom notes with touches of spice lingering on the long, crisp, and very juicy finish. An intriguing wine to enjoy on its own or with poultry and seafood over the next 3-4 years. Recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

One other wine from Collovray et Terrier's Deux Roches label can be found at the LCBO, while the entire portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Bichot Saint-Romain Pinot Noir 2018 (Burgundy) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Pinot Noir from Burgundy that was a new arrival at the LCBO in December. It was included as part of the theme of "Fine Wines for Festive Entertaining" in the December 2nd LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and would be a fine match for upcoming family feasts, with the added bonus that it's on clearance right now, with plenty of bottles still available for purchase.

It is produced by the prestigious and historic Maison Albert Bichot. The first traces of the family name date back to 1214, while in 1350 they settled in Burgundy, France. The Bichot family's coat of arms - a doe (biche) - was established in the 14th century and has not changed since. In 1831, Bernard Bichot founded a wine trading business in his name in Monthélie, while his son, Hippolyte, succeeded him and bought the first vines in Volnay. Hippolyte's son, Albert Bichot, the first to bear the name, gave the family business new momentum in the late 19th century and settled in the centre of Beaune in 1912.

Born in 1900, the second Albert Bichot was a pioneer of international commerce and travelled the globe to introduce the family's wines, which were already recognized as being among the best. During the second half of the 20th century, Albert's four sons - Albert, Bernard, Bénigne, and Jean-Marc - inherited the family business and know-how, and a new era of expansion with the construction of a large cellar, bottling facility, and winery.

In the early 1990s, Albéric Bichot, the son of the third Albert, joined the family company and took over its management in 1996. Though he fully respects long-held family traditions, he is completely focused on the future. He compares himself to the conductor of an orchestra and is proud to bring people and their talents together over a common project. Albéric has numerous challenges, such as converting to organic viticulture in the Côte-d'Or vineyards, ongoing adaptation to new markets, and increasing the prestige and exposure of Burgundy wines, but he is convinced that the quality of the wine is dependent on the quality of the grapes. Thus, he is focused on developing control of grape growing, a task that began in the 1980s. Albéric also secured equipment, expanded vinification capacity, and the ageing cellars, while the company's vineyards now total 6 estates that are spread out across Burgundy from the north to the south.

Today, the philosophy at Albert Bichot is based on protecting their children's planet, and respect for the terroir and nature. They practice sustainable viticulture based on observation, prevention, and being attentive to the complex balances found in nature. The soil is maintained responsibly, while encouraging manual labour that boosts the plants’ natural defences. Bichot also follows up on their partners' grower plots with the same thoroughness and philosophy as their own. At the winery, they apply a minimal interventionist approach during the vinification process so that the wines reveal the terroir and characteristics of the village where they hail from. The wine is carefully transferred from the vinification vats or barrels to the cellars by means of gravity. It is during the key period, while in the cellar, that time and expertise come together, and the wines truly acquire their body, reveal their personality, and all of their potential.

Crafted with 100% Pinot Noir, this red wine was grown in the village appellation of Saint-Romain, in the central part of Côte de Beaune, Burgundy. The appellation is situated in an isolated valley to the north of the Cote d'Or's main escarpment and stands at the foot of a high cliff, but at an elevation which enables it to look out over a wide stretch of the countryside. While bears and lions roamed here 100,000 years ago, the area has been a focus of human activity since neolithic times. The area was one of the first places in Bourgogne where the Celts and Gallo-Romans cultivated vines, and eventually led to Saint-Romain being instituted as an appellation in 1947. The terroir in Saint-Romain can be traced back to the earliest period of the Jurassic, with the soil consisting of a blend of limestone and marl, with patches of clay. The vines in Saint-Romain, which face south-southeast and north-northeast at altitudes between 280 and 400 metres, occupy a sloping site where they benefit from the excellent soil. The Pinot Noir vines used to craft this wine were grown in brown limestone soil. It was vinified in oak barrels (20% new) for 6 to 8 weeks, and remained in oak barrels (25% new) for 14 to 16 months to maturation.

The 2018 growing season was noted for being one of the hottest and driest growing seasons since the intense heatwave of 2003. Despite a wet winter and spring, perfect weather arrived in time for an early, but very successful flowering. Summer was hot and exceedingly dry, followed by ideal conditions arriving in August and September, which meant that producers could harvest their grapes at their own leisure. From an excellent vintage, let's see how this 2018 Pinot Noir from Burgundy is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

BICHOT SAINT-ROMAIN PINOT NOIR 2018 - AC, Burgundy, France (#33708) (XD) - $41.95 $34.75
From the Saint-Romain village appellation of Côte de Beaune, this Pinot Noir has a perfumed, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose that offers a lovely bouquet of rose floral, sweet spices, ripe red & black cherry, earthy mineral, and mushroom aromas. It's light-to-mid weighted with good structure and fine, crisp, and tangy acidity that supports the ripe red & black cherry, gentle oak spice, and earthy mineral flavours with touches of beetroot. The light tannins have a subtle, chalky textured grip. Earthy mineral notes linger on the finish, with excellent length. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

Other fine wines by Maison Albert Bichot are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Dionysus Wines & Spirits.

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Domaine Pansiot Côte de Nuits-Villages 2021 (Burgundy) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is an excellent, sustainably crafted Pinot Noir from the Côte de Nuits-Villages appellation in Burgundy. Brand new to our market, it arrived in Ontario as an Online & Flagship Exclusive in the recent December 2nd LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, with good quantities still available for purchase.

It is produced by Domaine Pansiot, a small, family-owned estate that was created in 1981 by Eric Pansiot in the commune of Corgoloin, within the Côte de Nuits district in northern Burgundy, between Beaune and Nuits-Saint-Georges, near the border where the appellations of Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune separate. The area of Corgoloin has a strong tradition of wine, agriculture, and quarrying dating back to 1847.

Eric Pansiot established the estate with just 4 hectares of vines, but in 1991 he acquired a further 5 hectares of vines. In 2000, Eric created a SCEA agricultural company with his wife, Chantal Pansiot, and a gentleman from Welsh, Marc Thomson, and together they had 15 hectares of vines. Joining the family business in 2005 was Emilie Pansiot, daughter of Eric, and in the ensuing years the company continued to grow and expand by acquiring plots in the communes of Meursault, Gevrey Chambertin, Beaune, Chorey les Beaune, and Savigny les Beaune. Today, they have 21 hectares of vines across 19 different appellations, producing wines using grapes from all of these Burgundian appellations.

This red wine is crafted with 100% Pinot Noir that was grown in the appellation of Côte de Nuits-Villages, but is mainly composed of grapes grown in the commune of Corgoloin. The terroir in this area consists of hill-slopes that are gentle and regular, and carved into the hard limestones of the Upper Bathonian, during the Jurassic period of about 167 million years ago. In the upper part, the brown soil is only slightly limy, while lower down there is a thick layer of pebbly scree, and at the foot of the slope there is an extensive area of brown soil over accumulated alluvium.

The 2021 vintage was undoubtedly a challenging one with wild and unpredictable weather. The growing season began off the back of a balmy winter, which initiated early vine growth and budbreak. Because of the early start, the vines were susceptible to the elements, and in April the temperatures took a sharp dive and included a bout of vicious frost, followed by snow. Summer arrived with depressing, intermittent rains throughout. Spirits were finally raised in June, when temperatures rose and there were enough sunny days to dry out the vines, which also resulted in early flowering. However, heavy rain throughout July and August meant that growers had to be vigilant in keeping both rot and disease at bay. The weather finally eased up before veraison, allowing the fruit to dry out and ripen, with the reds unusually ripening before the whites. Overall, this was one of Burgundy's smallest ever vintages, which was also cooler-than-usual. The wines that were produced are very good to excellent, offering a classic and refined Burgundian style. Let's see how this 2021 Pinot Noir from Burgundy is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

DOMAINE PANSIOT CÔTE DE NUITS-VILLAGES 2021 - Sustainable, AC, Burgundy, France (#34252) (XD) - $48.95
100% Pinot Noir assembled mainly from the Corgoloin commune. The fragrant, medium-high intensity nose offers cool aromas of red and black cherries, and red currant with whiffs of savoury mushroom, forest floor, cinnamon spice, and roses adding intrigue and complexity. It is intensely flavoured on the mid-weighted palate with lovely red currant, cran-sour cherry, raspberry, cinnamon spice, roses, and red plum flavours, plus some minerality and black tea notes. Juicy acids are fresh and lively, while the light tannins are fine-grained with good structure. Shows elegance throughout, with red currant, cherry, raspberry, and mineral notes lingering on the long, crisp finish. Gorgeous and a highly recommended buy! Score: 93 pts

Other fine wines by Domaine Pansiot can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia / Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Vincent de la Remondière Les Fourchaume Chablis 1er Cru 2020 (Burgundy) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is an excellent Chardonnay from the Chablis Premier Cru vineyards of Fourchaume in Burgundy. This white wine is a new arrival in the recent December 2nd LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and is a Fine Wine for Festive Entertaining.

It is produced by Maison Vincent de la Remondière, a winery that epitomizes the elegance of the very fine wines of Bourgogne and Beaujolais. While they are deeply attached to the region, they defy local convention in the ways they produce and market their wines.

The philosophy at Vincent de la Remondière begins with their belief that great wines are not made from the fruit of mere happenstance - the wines are intrinsically shaped by the extremely favourable winegrowing conditions of the iconic region of Bourgogne. They seek out the very finest plots to produce their wines - superb terroirs and locations that are well-kept secrets in Bourgogne and Beaujolais - a playground, if you will, for creating fine wines. Vincent de la Remondière likes to see himself as an artist who creates wines like a composer creating a symphony, while leaving wines the room to find their perfect balance, naturally, and also teasing out the aromas. The goal is to bring out the real character of the terroir to the fore, while also adding a hint of daring and dash. The wines are hidden away in the cellars to develop tremendous complexity, while also noted for being generous, well-structured, delicate, sensual, and elegant. At Vincent de la Remondière, the spirit of being daring lies at the heart of everything they do on a day-to-day basis and is reflected in their wines, from vineyard to bottle, including the aesthetics of the bottle label designs.

Inspired by tradition, Vincent de la Remondière is part of the Bourgogne landscape. He is a great lover of the local area and never gets tired of looking out over his vines. Although he has great respect for tradition, he doesn't rule out having a new vision for the future by always thinking outside the box, wondering how things could be done differently (and better), and how things can be moved forward. The approach of Vincent de la Remondière is always about keeping an open mind, especially on new ways of doing things, keeping an eye out for the latest technological advances, and being on-trend.

Maison Vincent de la Remondière produces wines from several appellations in Burgundy (and Beaujolais), with the Premier Cru appellation wines focused around Pinot Noir, Bourgogne's ancestral grape, and Chardonnay, the star of Bourgogne. Premier Cru wines come from vineyards that are classified with an appellation of the Burgundy vineyard. It is noteworthy that only 10% of the wines from the region are classified as Premier Cru, making them somewhat rare, and Vincent de la Remondière crafts five Premier Cru wines, including this Fourchaume Chablis Premier Cru. All five Premier Cru wines at Remondière are made using traditional Bourgogne winemaking techniques and aged between 9 and 12 months in barrels, with about 20% to 30% new barrels. The wines are powerful, elegant, and focused, while also bringing out the sophisticated side of the terroir and bursting with personality.

This white wine is 100% Chardonnay crafted with fruit grown in Fourchaume, one of the best known, and largest, Premier Cru vineyards in Chablis. The main feature of wines from Chablis is the geology - the Kimmeridgian limestone soil that was laid down some 150 million years ago. This rock contains deposits of tiny fossilized oyster shells, which reminds us that Burgundy once lay beneath a warm ocean, flavours which are often transmitted through the vine and into the wine. Premier Cru vineyards lie on either side of the River Serein, which runs through vineyards from the south to north, but the most highly thought of Premier Cru vineyards are on the Right Bank of the river, where Fourchaume is also situated.

The 2020 growing season in Burgundy began with an unusually mild winter, followed by a balmy spring. Although there were some bouts of frost in Chablis, consistent warm weather prevailed into an unusually warm April. The summer was hot and dry, and became quite arid, with cleansing winds breezing through the vineyards, leading to an earlier harvest. Overall, the 2020 growing season in Burgundy delivered classic wines with perfect balance, nice acidity, and freshness. From this great vintage, let's see how this 2020 Chablis Premier Cru is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

VINCENT DE LA REMONDIÈRE LES FOURCHAUME CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2020 - AC, Burgundy, France (#32956) (XD) - $51.95
100% Chardonnay. The fragrant nose is rich, ripe, intense, and fresh, with lovely aromas of ripe lemon, citrus, apple, and pear layered over earthy-stony minerals, plus wafts of tangy citrus. It has good weight on the dry, medium+ bodied, elegantly structured palate with delicious, lightly honeyed and ripe flavours of lemon citrus, apple, and pear, with touches of hazelnut, mineral, and spice adding interest and complexity. It has a nicely textured mouthfeel on the mid-palate, plus very good, bracing acidity. Classic oyster shell mineral notes linger on the long, saliva-inducing finish, with excellent length. Enjoyable now, but will reward ageing, and is a highly recommended buy! Score: 93 pts

Other lovely wines by Vincent de la Remondière can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia / Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Domaine Pinson Frères Mont-de-Milieu Chablis 1er Cru 2021 (Burgundy) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is an excellent Chablis Premier Cru that arrived at the LCBO as part of the recent October 7 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection as an Online & Flagship Exclusive - with inventory available both online and in-store.

It is produced by the renowned Domaine Pinson, a winemaking family with a long and storied history in the heart of Chablis that began with the construction of the family cellars in the year 1580. Winemaking in the Pinson family was documented in Chablis up until the year 1640, after which it returned in 1880, when the family farmed vineyards and other crops. In 1940, Louise Pinson and his wife, France, owned approximately 4 hectares of vineyards in the region of Chablis, including the sub-appellations of Chablis 1er Cru Montmain, Mont de Milieu, and Grand Cru Les Clos. Louise and France were dedicated solely to viticulture and the production of Chablis wines, and their Domaine became very popular with visitors.

In 1983, Laurent Pinson, the grandson of Louis, arrived at the Domaine following his studies in Beaune, and worked on the vines with his grandfather, while learning about and respecting the traditions of Chablis. In 1987, Christophe Pinson, the brother of Laurent, started working at the Domaine. At this point, Louis retired from the family business, while Laurent and Christophe took over the Domaine with the desire to see it succeed and grow. The Pinson brothers undertook new plantings on the family land and grew the number of vines to 14 hectares.

Laurent and Christophe further developed the Domaine in 2004 by creating a new vat room, storage buildings, a new pressing room, as well as renovating the two large vaulted cellars intended for ageing wines. In 2008, the next generation of the Pinson family joined the Domaine when Charlène Pinson, daughter of Laurent, arrived at the farm following her studies in viticulture-oenology in Beaune. In 2019, the estate obtained its High Environmental Value (HVE) level 3 designation, reaffirming its commitment to sustainable production practices, including preservation of the environment and protecting biodiversity.

Today, the philosophy at Domain Pinson is that great wines begin with good grapes. Their passion and love for working the vines and the Chablisian soil allows the Pinson family to obtain the best fruit. Growing almost exclusively Chardonnay, all of the grapes are hand-harvested. They respect family traditions, while also applying modern techniques and respecting the environment. With roots in Chablis going back 450 years, the Pinson family remains united in their passion for excellence in wine.

This white wine is crafted with 100% Chardonnay that was grown in the Climat of Mont-de-Milieu The name "Mont-de-Milieu", which means "Mountain in the Middle", refers to peculiarity of this hillside that used to have a boundary running through its middle ("milleu") - one side which was in the jurisdiction of Chablis (which used to be located in the County of Champagne), and the other side which was in Fleys, in the Duchy of Bourgogne. Located on a hillside, Mont de Milieu is protected from the northern winds by the forest. The climate in Mont de Milieu is bathed in sunshine from morning to evening due to its south-southeast exposure to the sun, on an average slope. The soil in this Climat is often said to be homogeneous throughout its 44 hectares with clay and limestone of the Kimmeridgien type with small white limestone pebbles.

From vines averaging 20 years old, the grapes were manually harvested and underwent both alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in thermo-regulated vats and (10%) new barrels. The wine was aged on its fine lees in 228 Litre oak barrels for 9 months, with stirring, with the age of the barrels ranging from 2 to 6 years old, and was bottled 12 months after harvest.

From a challenging vintage where the best producers were able to make small quantities of great wines, let's see how this 2021 Mont-de-Milieu Chablis 1er Cru is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

DOMAINE PINSON FRÈRES MONT-DE-MILIEU CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2021 - AC, Burgundy, France (#700914) (XD) - $74.95
100% Chardonnay. Elegant, refined, medium+ to medium-high intensity aromatics offers ripe lemon citrus, stony minerality, and apple with accents of white peach. It's medium-bodied with a lovely chewy, well-structured, and textured mouthfeel with complex, ripe flavours of lemon citrus, apple, oyster-shell, and leesy mineral accented with orange and honey notes, plus touches of vanilla and butter. It's juicy with succulent acidity, and has a chalky textured mouthfeel on the mid-palate. Excellent length on the elegant finish which lingers for minutes, with stony, leesy mineral notes, plus touches of honey and apple. Immensely pleasurable now, but will be even better with a couple of years in the cellar and should drink well to the end of the decade. Highly recommended buy! Score: 94 pts

Other fine wines by Domaine Pinson can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia / Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Domaine Hamelin Beauroy Chablis 1er Cru 2021 (Burgundy) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a beautiful Chablis Premier Cru from Burgundy that arrived at the LCBO as an Online & Flagship Exclusive in the recent September 9 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Domaine Hamelin, a small, family-owned winery with a long winemaking history in the village of Lignorelles, in Burgundy, just minutes from the town of Chablis. The history of the domaine begins when Gustave Hamelin planted 2 hectares of vines in 1840, alongside his mixed farm. In 1880, Pierre Hamelin grew the domaine to 3 hectares of vines and used his mules to help work them. At this time, the wines were held in 132 litre barrels and gave rise to the name "feuillette" or little cask, and were transported by river using barges or rafts.

In 1911, Georges Hamelin extended the property to 4 hectares and worked the vines by horse, while transporting the wines in feuillettes by railway. In 1936, Pierre Hamelin took over the domaine from his father and further developed the vineyard and winery by using some of the industry's latest technological advancements and continuing well into the next decade. In 1970, Marc Hamelin created his own vineyard, while also adding an area he inherited from his father.

Today, Domaine Hamelin is run by the sixth and seventh generations of the family - Thierry and his son, Charles. They run the estate together while perpetuating the wine traditions of Chablis and knowledge that has been handed down from one generation to the next. They harvest their grapes from nearly 37 hectares of vines which extend over the villages of Poinchy, Beines, and Lignorelle. The focus at Domaine Hamelin is mainly on Chablis wines, using a mix of old traditions and modern-day techniques to craft wines that express their terroir. The wines are crafted by the Hamelin family in a well-controlled environment with thermo-regulated processes, including bottling at the estate at the optimal moment.

This white wine is crafted with 100% Chardonnay, from vines that were planted between 1980 and 1982 on very strong, south-facing slopes (30 - 45% / 16.5 - 24 degrees), opposite the Lac de Beines, and extends from the bottom of the valley to the top of the slopes. The soils on this slope consist of Kimmeridgian sub-soils that give the wine its intensity and the typicity of the character of a fine Chablis Premier Cru. The 3.9 hectare vineyard is managed under the strict conditions of Chablis tradition, with the grapes virtually guaranteed to reach maturity every year. The grapes are mostly harvested mechanically, and after being selected, sorted, and fermented, the wine is aged for 12 to 18 months in stainless steel vats prior to bottling.

The 2021 growing season in Chablis was a difficult one with frost, mildew, oidium, and botrytis, resulting in reduced volumes. However, with great attention to the vineyard and technical expertise in the winery, this vintage did produce wines with a classic profile full of vibrant acidity and a particularly strong terroir influence that highlights minerality. Having enjoyed the excellent 2019 Domaine Hamelin Beauroy Chablis 1er Cru last year, let's see how this 2021 Chablis 1er Cru is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

DOMAINE HAMELIN BEAUROY CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2021 - AC, Burgundy, France (#391805) (XD) - $45.95
100% Chardonnay raised in stainless steel, this has a lovely, open, fragrant, and highly aromatic on the nose with earthy/stony minerals flecked with lemon citrus, apple, pear, and herbal aromas, plus touches of pleasant bitter notes adding further savoury characters. It is quite the mouthful on the medium-full bodied, well-structured palate with very impressive concentration. It's dry with stony mineral flavours layered over lemon citrus, apple, pear, and green herbal notes which are supported by crisp, juicy acidity. It has a nice texture on the gently spicy mid-palate, while oyster-shell notes join the stony mineral, apple, pear, and lemon replays on the exceptionally long, balanced finish. Enjoy to the end of the decade, maybe a bit longer. Highly recommended buy! Score: 94 pts

Other fine wines by Domaine Hamelin can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia and Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Cellier du Château de la Chaume Chablis 2022 and Beaujolais 2022 (France) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wine reviews are a pair of delicious wines that are brand new to the LCBO, arriving earlier this summer as General List wines that are widely available at LCBO outlets across Ontario right now.

Both of these wines are produced by Cellier du Château de la Chaume, a very old Maison that is located in Burgundy, in the commune of Corgoloin, Côte de Nuits, and is surrounded by a 10 hectare park of trees. The castle belonged to the very influential Marey-Monge family from Beaune, while the Monge name was known because of Gaspard Monge (1746- 1818), a famous mathematician who created descriptive geometry. Some time later, the castle was sold to the former owner of Corgoloin's famous quarries. The high-quality marble from these quarries was distributed throughout the world to build monuments, squares, and roads.

Cellier du Château de la Chaume strives to work closely with winegrowers that share their values, which most importantly is the desire to create wines of excellence. The vines are trained while respecting viticultural tradition and methods in order to obtain high-quality and mature grapes. Partnership winegrowers are asked to favour working the soil and limit synthetics in order to favour environmental balance, while seeking Burgundy terroir and climate expressions.

The wines are vinified in the cellar of Château de la Chaume, which was created in 1993, and the winemaking facility was completely redesigned and modernized with a stainless steel wine storehouse. Each vintage is different, thus the wines are vinified according to the climate of the vintage, with length of maceration and extraction more or less pronounced, as well as ageing in tank and barrel, in order to highlight the terroir and qualities of the vintage, while trying to obtain wines with the best balance. The wines are carefully vinified to develop and amplify the original organoleptic qualities of the wines, resulting in wines that are rich, delicate, attractive, refined, complex, and smooth.

Cellier du Château de la Chaume has four ranges of wines across Burgundy (and Beaujolais) - Regional, Village, Premier Cru, and Grand Cru. The Beaujolais would fall under their Regional appellation range, while the Chablis is from their Village appellation range. The Village appellation wines are meant to be the first introduction to the complexity of Burgundy terroir, with limited yields that deliver nice concentration. The grapes are grown on clayed-chalky soils, hand harvested, and de-stemmed prior to fermentation in stainless steel or wood tanks, followed by ageing in mostly used barrels.

From a 2022 vintage that was very good in both Beaujolais and Burgundy, let's see how these two wines are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

CELLIER DU CHÂTEAU DE LA CHAUME CHABLIS 2022 - AC, Burgundy, France (#32568) (XD) - $35.95
From clayed-chalky soils, this Chardonnay has elegant, concentrated, and medium-high intensity aromas of ripe lemon citrus, apple, and pear with hints of stony minerality. It's light-to-medium bodied on the dry, ripe, and lightly honeyed palate with lemon citrus, apple, pear, and floral flavours, plus touches of oyster seashell mineral notes. Gently spicy on the mid-palate. It's all supported by crisp, bracing acidity. Juicy and lip-smacking, with seashell mineral notes lingering on the long finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

CELLIER DU CHÂTEAU DE LA CHAUME BEAUJOLAIS 2022 - AC, Beaujolais, France (#32624) (XD) - $18.95
100% Gamay. Fresh, medium-high intensity aromatics offer red and black cherry, wild berry, pomegranate, and raspberry fruit aromas that are accented with dried herbs and spice. It's medium-bodied on the dry and very ripe palate with fruit forward red and black cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, and currant flavours with hints of dried herbs. Juicy acids are well-balanced, while the light tannins offer a supple, lightly grippy texture. Fruity with a savoury, mineral edge on the finish, with very good length. Score: 88 pts

Other delicious wines by Cellier du Château de la Chaume can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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