Showing posts with label cabernet-franc. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cabernet-franc. Show all posts

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  • Date publishedMonday, March 11, 2024

Kacaba Cabernet/Syrah 2020 (Niagara) - Wine Review



red wine review is a lovely Cabernet Franc and Syrah blend that was locally and sustainably grown and crafted in Niagara and arrived at the LCBO as part of the recent LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Like the 2019 Kacaba Cabernet Franc that I enjoyed last year, this red wine is also produced by Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, a premium, small-batch winery located on prime, winegrowing land on the Niagara Escarpment in Vineland, Ontario. The history of the winery begins in 1997 after the land was purchased by Michael Kacaba, a Bay St. lawyer in Toronto of Ukrainian descent and a Saskatchewan background. Although the land was slated for a subdivision, Mr. Kacaba had other visions and began the work to establish a vineyard and winery. Only two years later, in 1999, Kacaba had their first vintage and consistent success followed thereafter.

The choice of establishing the vineyard and winery on the Niagara Escarpment - the slope leading to the lake bed of the prehistoric lake that covered southern Ontario - has greatly contributed to Kacaba's success. This unique geographical area sets up a circulating air flow whereby cold air naturally moves down the Escarpment and over Lake Ontario, where it warms, rises, and returns to heat the Escarpment. This process helps extend the frost-free season through spring and fall, thereby extending the growing season, which allows grapes such as Syrah and Bordeaux varieties, such as Cabernet Franc, to develop phenolic maturity.

Today, while no longer owned by Michael Kacaba, the wines of Kacaba Vineyards & Winery are produced using only the finest grapes on the estate or from partner growers in surrounding vineyards. The philosophy at Kacaba is dependent on producing small quantities of wines by limiting the quantities they can handle such that they are able to manage all aspects of the winemaking process mainly by hand. By focusing on small-batch winemaking, Kacaba is able to produce wines of merit that are deep in colour, rich in aromas and character. Kacaba also strives to encourage sustainable agriculture on their land, as well as their partner growers.

This red wine is a blend of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Syrah, and due to the stellar growing season in the Niagara region, the Cabernet Franc was harvested in early November, while the Syrah was harvested in mid-October. Each varietal was picked separately at slightly different times and kept separate throughout the vinification process. The grapes were gently destemmed and fermented in stainless steel containers. After pressing, the wines were aged in a combination of French and American oak barrels for 17 months. In the spring of 2022, Winemaker Vadim Chelekhov tasted the various barrels of wine and selected the unique tasting casks that showed elegant tannins and overall balance. The chosen barrels were then blended, filtered, and bottled on May 17, 2022.

The 2020 growing season started off warmer than average and was mostly dry with only a few snow storms in January and February. The warm trend continued into March, but then slowed in April, which included a cold snap in the latter part of the month, and kept the vines dormant. The great growing season took off once spring arrived in May, followed by a dry and warm summer, which was followed by a cool, dry, and long fall season. With extensive crop thinning, leaf pulling, and constant vineyard monitoring, the Cabernet Franc grapes hung on to the vines into October and early November. From a vintage that has been deemed the vintage of the century in Niagara, let's see how this 2020 Cabernet Franc - Syrah blend from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Kacaba Cabernet/Syrah 2020 (90 pts)

Tasting Note:

KACABA CABERNET / SYRAH 2020 - Sustainable, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#26424) (XD) - $24.95
A blend of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Syrah, this has a rich, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose that offers pleasing, ripe red & black fruit, currant, raspberry, oak spice, chocolate, and savoury earth aromas, plus hints of plum, meaty, and mineral notes. It's medium-bodied on the dry palate with delicious, tangy red & black fruits, currant, raspberry, savoury earth flavours, plus subtle oak spice, black pepper, and meaty notes add further character. It has fresh, lemony acidity, while the smooth, supple, and refined tannins are well-managed. There's a touch of chalky grip on the back palate. Tangy with savoury earth and mineral notes linger on the long, fresh finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the next 5+ years. Score: 90 pts

Some of the fine wines by Kacaba Vineyards are available at the LCBO, while the full range is available direct from winery in Niagara.


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  • Date publishedThursday, February 15, 2024

Calcu Tiny Blocks Gran Reserva Cabernet Franc 2020 (Chile) - Wine Review

red wine review is a lovely, sustainable and vegan-friendly Cabernet Franc from Chile. It is brand new to the LCBO and arrived on shelves earlier this month as part of the feature on wines from Chile in the recent LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on .

It is produced by Calcu Vineyards, a winery project that was established in 2003 by the Hurtado family. With over a century's worth of experience making quality wines in the Colchagua Valley, the Hurtado family found a unique place in Marchigüe, within the Colchagua Valley in central Chile, that is marked by hills of granite stone. The hills are the inspiration for the name Calcu Vineyards - "CAL: Hill" and "CUrá: Stone" - and means Hills of Stone.

The granite hills with clay seams, combined with the proximity of the vineyard to the sea at just 26 kilometres from the Pacific Ocean, as well as the altitude of the vineyard with different orientations of the slopes allows for a perfect blend that reflects the personality of the vineyard. By combining all of these features, it enables each Calcu wine to showcase the brand's characteristic freshness, structure, verve, and depth.

The core values at Calcu Vineyards are excellence, perseverance, and honesty. While sustainability is also one of the four essential values of the Hurtado family, whereby caring for the environment, workers, and the local community is key, Calcu Vineyards was created with the ambition of redefining the Colchagua Valley with world-class, handcrafted wines. With the assistance of winemaking advisor, Xavier Choné, the Hurtado family designed each of the 166 micro-terroirs using a high-precision manual process that followed the orientation of the slopes and natural clay seams that are present on the site. This resulted in a vineyard architecture of small blocks, with many less than 1 hectare in size, with varying slopes and irregular shapes. The nature of these blocks allows each variety to find the ideal place within the vineyard, where it can express its maximum potential. One of the most important aspects of the site is the gentle granitic slopes on the coastal hills. The soil on these slopes contains important seams of clay, which are preserved and maintained as they contribute structure, texture, and depth to the resulting wines.

To craft this red wine, the grapes were manually harvested and double sorted from vineyards situated at their Marchigüe Estate vineyard, 25 km from the Pacific Ocean. The vineyard is planted on the gentle hills of the coastal hills, where the soft sea breeze moderates the temperatures and allows the grapes to develop excellent concentration and fresh, aromatic fruit. The soil in this vineyard is mainly granitic with a significant clay content, characters that positively influence concentration and persistent aromas. The tiny blocks selected for this Cabernet Franc (which also includes splashes of Petit Verdot and Carménère) are planted in the highest sectors of soil with a high presence of quartz, which provides a fantastic combination of fresh fruit, structure, and elegance. It was fermented in stainless steel tanks at temperatures between 20ºC and 24ºC, and underwent 18 days of maceration time with its skins. After completing malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks, it was aged for 12 months in French oak barrels.

The 2020 growing season at Calcu was marked by a warm and dry climate. This challenged the team at Calcu because they needed to be more alert than ever in identifying the opportune time for harvest in order to maintain the elegance and natural balance that characterizes the wines from this terroir. The resulting wines from the high quality 2020 vintage have high concentration, excellent colour intensity and complexity, and very good ageing capability. Let's see how this 2020 Cabernet Franc from Chile is tasting tonight...

Calcu Tiny Blocks Gran Reserva Cabernet Franc 2020 (90 pts)

Tasting Note:

CALCU TINY BLOCKS GRAN RESERVA CABERNET FRANC 2020 - Sustainable, Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#35677) (XD) - $14.95
This blend of 95% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, and 2% Carménère has a lovely, lifted, medium-high intensity nose of wet earth, mineral, dark fruited (blackberry, black cherry), minty herb, and sweet tobacco aromas. On the dry, ripe, medium+ bodied palate it has lovely, elegant, and balanced aroma replays of dark fruit, mineral, savoury wet earth, blackberry, black cherry, and tobacco flavours with some spicy and herbal notes. It is well-structured with very good acidity and grippy, structured, and mouth puckering tannins. Minerally with dark fruit and tobacco notes linger on the long, crisp, and juicy finish. Enjoyable now, but will reward with 2-3 years in the cellar. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

While only a limited number of the excellent 2018 Calcu Winemaker's Selection Blend is available on clearance at the LCBO, all wines in the Calcu Vineyards portfolio can be ordered through Agent - Don Ackerman's Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedSaturday, October 28, 2023

Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cépages 2017 (Sonoma) - Wine Review

red wine reviews is an excellent Cabernet Sauvignon blend from Sonoma County that arrived at the LCBO as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Cellar Collection Release and is now available at several stores across Ontario. It will make a fine gift for the holidays or a nice addition to your cellar.

It is produced by Chateau St. Jean, an iconic Chateau that dates back to the 1920's, but whose story as a top wine producer began in 1973 when the three founders of the estate purchased the northern Sonoma Valley property. Their vision for the property was to create wines that captured the nuance, character, and quality of Sonoma's distinct vineyards and growing regions. The founders, Robert and Edward Merzoian, and Kenneth Sheffield, who were San Joaquin Valley table grape growers and shippers, named the winery after the only woman who was "saintly" enough to keep the three of them in line, Jean Sheffield Merzoian, sister-in-law, wife, and sister to the owners.

The Chateau was built by the Goff family, who had established their family fortune in the iron ore mines of Michigan's Upper Peninsula and Pacific Northwest lumber. They came to California in 1916 and purchased 300 acres of land in the Valley of the Moon area of Sonoma County, California. Construction of the Goff family summer home - now the Chateau - began in 1920, and white wine grapes were grown on the property. The living room of the home is now the Reserve Tasting Room in the Chateau.

After founding the winery in 1973, they had their first vintage a year later, and produced wines on the property for the first time in 1975 with Dick Arrowood as Chateau St. Jean's first winemaker. In 1980, the founders built a brand new winery in Kenwood, California, that was designed from the ground up to accommodate the numerous grape parcels and keep them separate throughout the winemaking process, ensuring that vineyard designation stayed pure. In 1999, Chateau St. Jean was acquired by Treasury Wine Estates, and a year later they opened a new Visitor Centre and Gardens, which features a statue of Jean in the main courtyard garden by the pool.

In 2021, Foley Family Wines acquired Chateau St. Jean from the Americas division of Treasury Wine Estates. A year later, they welcomed Winemaker Niki Williams, the company's fifth winemaker, while also undergoing renovations that included rebuilding the destemmer, crush pad, and presses, as well as upgrading the gardens and surrounding facilities to improve the visitor experience.

With a proud history and having set the standard for excellence in Sonoma County winemaking, Chateau St. Jean celebrates 50 years in 2023. Some of these achievements for excellence in wine include the 1996 Cinq Cépages being awarded the wine of the year in Wine Spectator's Top 100 list, while the 1999 vintage was awarded second place. In 2008, Winemaker Margo Van Staaveren was also awarded Winemaker of the Year by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

This Cinq Cépages, which translates to "Five Grape Varieties", is the flagship wine of Chateau St. Jean. First introduced in 1990, it is crafted in a Bordeaux-style blend with Cabernet Sauvignon the main variety. To craft this wine, Winemaker Margo Van Staaveren, who joined Chateau St. Jean in 1980 and became Winemaker in 2003, selected the best fruit from outstanding and proven Bordeaux varietal vineyards that showcase the very best of Sonoma County. In this vintage, it is a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec, and 1% Petit Verdot, with 46% of the fruit coming from Knights Valley, an area which highlights boysenberry flavours and elegant tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon from the Monte Rosso and Mountain Terraces Vineyards on Moon Mountain add structure, while Merlot from the Louvau Vineyard in Dry Creek adds lush juiciness and texture. The Malbec comes from Chateau St. Jean's Estate Vineyard in Sonoma Valley, while some fruit is also from Stuhlmuller Vineyard in Alexander Valley, which brings savoury, dried herb, and bright berry notes. After vinification, the wine was aged for 20 months in French oak (68% new). It was bottled in January 2020 and released in October.

The 2017 growing season began with abundant rainfall, followed by a mild spring that resulted in extended flowering. Warm late-summer temperatures moved harvest along quickly, while yields for the 2017 vintage were slightly lower than the previous couple of vintages. While the 2017 vintage was challenging, the wines that were produced are of excellent quality with complex flavours, concentrated colour, and finesse. Let's see how this 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon blend from Sonoma is tasting tonight...

Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cépages 2017 (94 pts)

Tasting Note:

CHATEAU ST. JEAN CINQ CÉPAGES 2017 - Sonoma County, California, USA (#710913) (XD) - $130
Blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec, and 1% Petit Verdot. Rich and elegant, the fragrant, medium-high intensity nose delivers lush, complex, ripe, dark fruited, blackberry, black and red currant, fine oak spices, grilled herb, and earth aromas with touches of boysenberry and floral. It's full-bodied with ripe black and red currant, cassis, blackberry, savoury oak spice, earth, peppery spice, grilled herb flavours surrounding a savoury core. It's framed by fresh, juicy acidity and elegant, yet firmly structured, fine-grained tannins. It's a touch palate warming, but still balanced. Savoury and earthy with graphite notes linger on the exceptionally long finish. Provides immense pleasure now, but will reward cellaring. Enjoy to 2035+. Highly recommended buy! Score: 94 pts

Other fine wines from Chateau St. Jean's large portfolio can be found at the LCBO, or ordered through their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedSaturday, September 23, 2023

Henkell Brut Crémant de Loire 2016 (France) - Wine Review

sparkling wine review is a delicious vintage Crémant from Loire that arrived at the LCBO as part of the recent LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on .

It is produced by Henkell, a leading, family-owned sparkling wine producer that is based in Wiesbaden, Germany. Henkell is an international star and best seller when it comes to exporting the German sparkling wine culture as their wines are found globally in more than 100 countries.

It all began when wine lover, Adam Henkell, opened a store as a wine merchant in 1832. He later discovered the fine art of crafting traditional method sparkling wine in France and brought this knowledge back home to Germany, marrying the French art of the cuvée with the German art of cellar-mastery. Following the French example, Henkell made his first outstanding sparkling wines in 1856, marking the beginning of a unique German success story. The Henkell brand of sparkling wines was famous all over the world before the end of the 19th century thanks to Otto Henkell, Adam's grandson. Henkell was also an export pioneer and market leader before the turn of the century, and in the 1950's, after Otto Henkell II took the helm, the company played an important role in the German economic miracle. Since its inception, Henkell has used the best base wines and the perfect technical skills of both German and French cellarmasters to guarantee its inimitable flavour and consistently high quality.

This sparkling wine was launched by Henkell in the fast-growing product segment of Crémant de Loire as a tribute to its French roots. Founder Adam Henkell learned the fine art of sparkling wine production in France and also had his own winery in the French town of Reims, the home of Champagne.

It is not often we see vintage-dated Crémant, but the grapes for this bubbly were hand-harvested at the end of the 2016 growing season, and only the best juices were selected for this wine. It is crafted in the traditional method using 60% Chenin Blanc, 20% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Noir, and 5% Cabernet Franc. The first fermentation took place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. It was aged on its lees for a short period of time, then underwent a second fermentation in bottle for about 3 years in natural cellars, where the temperature remains a constant 12-13°C and provides the optimal environment for secondary fermentation. Let's see how this 2016 Crémant de Loire sparkling wine is tasting tonight...

Henkell Brut Crémant de Loire 2016 (88+ pts)

Tasting Note:

HENKELL BRUT CRÉMANT DE LOIRE 2016 - Traditional method, AP, Loire, France (#29893) (D) - $21.95
A blend of 60% Chenin Blanc, 20% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Noir, and 5% Cabernet Franc. The attractive, medium+ intensity nose has lemon citrus, pear, and peach aromas nuanced with brioche, autolytic, and toasty characters. It's medium-full bodied with some sweetness on the palate with honeyed flavours of ripe pear, peach, lemon citrus, plus some toasty, brioche, and hazelnut notes adding a savoury component. It has a crisp mouthfeel with a fine mousse and fresh acidity. More savoury with leesy mineral notes and hints citrus lingering on the finish, with very good length. Recommended buy. Score: 88+ pts

Other delicious sparkling wines by Henkell are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedFriday, September 8, 2023

Rodney Strong Symmetry 2017 (Sonoma) - Wine Review

red wine review is an excellent red blend from Sonoma County that I was first introduced to back in 2017 during a very interesting Rodney Strong Blending Seminar with Winemaker Rick Sayre. The latest vintage of Symmetry arrived at the LCBO last month, as part of the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by the pioneering and well-respected Rodney Strong Vineyards, the 13th winery that was established in Sonoma County in 1959. It was founded by Rodney D. Strong and has become one of Sonoma's leading wine producers.

Rodney Strong was an accomplished dancer, but transitioned to winemaking after acquiring a 159-acre vineyard in Healdsburg, Sonoma County, because he saw great potential for growing high-quality wine grapes. In 1979, as Mr. Strong stepped back from daily activities, Rick Sayre came on board as the new winemaker for Rodney Strong Vineyards. It was around this time that Tom Klein was introduced to Rodney Strong Vineyards and in 1989 he purchased the vineyards and winery because he truly loved being in the wine business.

Today, under the leadership of the Klein family, who are also 4th generation farmers in California, Rodney Strong Vineyards is flourishing with a commitment and passion to crafting premium wines. They are also committed to sustainable farming practices and environmental stewardship, and have received certifications such as certifications such as Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing and Sonoma County Sustainable. Rodney Strong produces several ranges of wines, with Symmetry part of their Reserve collection. All wines from their Reserve collection are crafted at their state-of-the-art Artisan Winery.

The philosophy behind Symmetry is that at its heart, it is an artfully blended wine that is carefully crafted using fruit from the very best hillside vineyards in Sonoma County. Part of the goal when crafting Symmetry is to capture the essence of each varietal in the blend, while striking the perfect balance between the classic Bordeaux varieties. Only the best is selected for the final blend, which makes Symmetry a unique expression for each vintage. The name Symmetry means balance, and it is their winemakers' ultimate goal to craft a rich blend that is harmonious, elegant, and intensely flavoured.

Like the wine during the blend seminar and other vintages prior and since, this red wine is typically a blend based on at least 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, with this particular vintage composed of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec, 12% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. The fruit was grown in the Cooley (45%), Brothers (30%), and Rockway (25%) vineyards. It was crafted by Winemakers Justin Seidenfeld and Greg Morthole, using their small lot winemaking facility which they call the Artisan Cellar. They employed artisan techniques such as cluster pre-sorting, berry sorting, and extended maceration, while also using small tanks and equipment sized for the most discriminating vineyard selection process. The wine was aged in French oak barrels, 75% new, for 24 months. The facility is truly state-of-the-art and represents the Klein family's commitment to producing the finest wines.

The 2017 growing season was a complicated one and will be remembered for many years as the all-time precipitation record was set by mid-April, followed by six different heat waves as high as 43°C. The fruit was harvested between September 16th and October 13th. Let's see how this 2017 red wine from Sonoma is tasting tonight...

Rodney Strong Symmetry 2017 (93 pts)

Tasting Note:

RODNEY STRONG SYMMETRY 2017 - Sonoma County, California, USA (#641142) (XD) - $74.95
Blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec, 12% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. Richly fragrant, fresh, and spicy on the highly aromatic nose with a lovely mélange of red and black fruits, currant, cassis, grilled herbs, and savoury earth aromas with a touch of barnyard and anise adding further complexity. It's full-bodied and dry with ripe, chewy, elegant, and well-structured tannins. Lovely, rich flavours of red and black fruits, black cherry, currant, cassis, grilled herbs, oak spice, and earth flavours. A touch palate warming on the mid-palate, but still balanced, while the acids are fresh and juicy. Grilled herbs, dark fruits, and smoky earth notes linger on the long, elegant finish. Enjoy to at least the end of the decade, and perhaps a bit longer. Highly recommended buy! Score: 93 pts

Many other fine wines by Rodney Strong are available at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedSaturday, August 26, 2023

Achaval Ferrer Quimera 2019 (Argentina) - Wine Review

red wine review is an excellent, old-vine Malbec-based blend from Argentina that arrived at the LCBO last month in the LCBO VINTAGES Cellar Collection Release and is still available for purchase on VINTAGES Shop Online.

It is produced by Achaval Ferrer, a prominent winery in Argentina that is known for producing limited quantity, high-quality wines, particularly from the Mendoza wine region. It was founded in 1998 by a group of friends, including Santiago Achával and Manuel Ferrer, who combined their surnames to form the wine company's name - Achaval Ferrer - and became well-known throughout the world in just a few short years.

As guardians of a legacy, Achaval Ferrer decided to preserve the legacy of time during a period when the old was quickly replaced by the new. The legacy is still treasured today as they keep the DNA of centennial vines intact, combining wisdom with passion, and creating wines that express the magic of the exceptional terroir they come from. Their philosophy is based on its commitment to and respect for nature, and its winemaking is based on a minimal interventionist principle from vine to wine, as well as three fundamental pillars. The first pillar is the centennial vines that are own-rooted and pre-phylloxera. The second pillar is to deliberately obtain low yields, which helps produce concentrated and complex berries. In addition to obtaining low yields, Achaval Ferrer also arranges the vines in a strategic, highly dense layout which makes the vines compete with each other, and thus forcing the roots to reach deeper into the soil, changing the structure of the grapes and producing highly concentrated berries. The third and final pillar is to produce wines with minimum intervention and maximum expression, thus respecting and preserving the terroir and its message all throughout the winegrowing and winemaking process, to obtain pure, highly expressive wines.

Quimera, or Chimera, is the name of this wine and it has two different meanings, both of which have an intimate relationship with this wine. The first is that in Greek mythology, Chimera was a beast made up of the parts of three different animals, while this wine is also made up of different varieties. The second meaning of the word is the one that best represents this wine - Chimera is an impossible search, a search for the unattainable; this is the mentality that everyone in the vineyards and winery has every year when they produce this wine. Without following any rules or tradition, the goal is to produce the best possible blend every year. Chimera is design and architecture, an intimate discovery, and a search for perfection.

Usually a Malbec-based blend, this vintage is composed of old-vine 59% Malbec, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot that was grown in various vineyards across Mendoza. The Malbec was grown in the Perdriel appellation in Luján de Cuyo, on soils of alluvial origin that feature a thin sandy loam with gravel underneath, and very good drainage.The Cabernet Sauvignon was grown in Medrano (Junín) and Los Arboles (Tunuyan). In Medrano, the soil is also of alluvial origin, but has an 80 cm surface layer of silty clay on a bed of sand and eroded rock, while in Los Arboles there is a great presence of stones with rounded edges, gravel with a toothed shape and colluvion. Furthermore, the sandy loam frame soil in Los Arboles provides ideal drainage. Both the Merlot and Cabernet Franc come from Tupungato, Uco Valley, where there is very little soil depth with gravel on the surface, while also combining volcanic ash and calcareous rocks, which offers very good drainage. All of the vineyards are managed in a highly sustainable manner.

To craft this red wine, each variety underwent primary fermentation separately in small cement tanks, followed by malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels, 65% new and 35% second use. It was then aged in barrel for 12 months, and finally bottled unfined and unfiltered.

The 2019 growing season was notable for its dry weather and cool climate, resulting in highly concentrated wines with great colour and acidity. From a good-to-excellent year, let's see how this 2019 Malbec blend from Argentina is tasting tonight...

Achaval Ferrer Quimera 2019 (93+ pts)

Tasting Note:

ACHAVAL FERRER QUIMERA 2019 - Mendoza, Argentina (#24752) (XD) - $53
Blend of old vine 59% Malbec, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. Elegantly complex, medium-high intensity aromas of dark fruit, blackberry, violet, currant, cassis, earthy mineral, and fine oak spices. It is full-bodied and nicely concentrated with lovely ripe blackberry, currant, fine oak spice, violet, and earthy-stony mineral flavours which are supported by fresh acidity and firm, chewy, and well-structured tannins. Crisp and fresh with mineral notes lingering on the exceptionally long, dry finish. Enjoyable now and will improve to the end of the decade. Highly recommended buy! Score: 93+ pts

Very limited quantities of one of their Malbec wines is available at the LCBO, while the rest of their outstanding portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedSaturday, August 12, 2023

Kacaba Cabernet Franc 2019 (Niagara) - Wine Review

red wine review is a lovely local offering from Niagara that arrived at the LCBO in last weekend's LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and is available for purchase online at LCBO.com and Flagship Exclusive stores.

It is produced by Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, a premium, small-batch winery located on prime, winegrowing land on the Niagara Escarpment in Vineland, Ontario. It's history began when the previous owner, Michael Kacaba, a Bay St. lawyer in Toronto of Ukrainian descent and from a Saskatchewan background, purchased the property in 1997. Although the land was slated for a subdivision, Michael had other ideas and began the work to establish a vineyard and winery. In 1999, Kacaba had his first vintage and consistent success followed thereafter.

Much of Kacaba's success can be attributed to its location on the Escarpment - the slope leading to the lake bed of the prehistoric lake that covered southern Ontario. This unique geographical area sets up a circulating air flow whereby cold air naturally moves down the Escarpment and over Lake Ontario where it warms, rises, and returns to heat the Escarpment. This process helps extend the frost-free season through spring and fall, thereby extending the growing season, which allows grapes such as Syrah and the Bordeaux varieties to develop phenolic maturity.

Kacaba wines are produced using only the finest grapes grown on their estate or partnered grape growers from surrounding vineyards, and their philosophy is based on small quantities. The production is limited based on their ability to handle and manage quantities that can be produced mainly by hand, with pumping kept to a minimum and using gravity for racking and bottling. By focusing on smaller batch sizes, Kacaba is able to produce wines of merit that are rich in aromas, and deep in colour and character with velvety finishes. While encouraging sustainable agriculture, their main goal is to produce ultra-premium wines. However, they also produce moderately priced wines that are necessary for the economic well-being of the company, while striving to produce more fruit-driven wines with more finesse and character.

This red wine is from Kacaba's "Escarpment" range of wines and crafted with 100% Cabernet Franc that was grown in their vineyards situated on the Escarpment Bench, where the soil helps produce quality wines even during an average growing season such as 2019. On the Escarpment Bench, the landscape's elevation and dense clay/loam soils naturally stress the vines which concentrate the flavours in the fruit, and when coupled with strategic crop thinning, this concentration produces balanced tannins with ripe fruit flavours.

The grapes to craft this red wine were carefully harvested and gently de-stemmed. It was fermented over 14 days using select yeast strains, with twice-daily manual pump-overs and punch-downs. Upon completion of primary fermentation, the wine was pressed from the skins and racked into a combination of 29 slightly older French and American oak barrels, where it finished malolactic fermentation. The wine remained in barrels for 12 months for further maturation, and was filtered and bottled. Let's see how this 2019 Cabernet Franc from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Kacaba Cabernet Franc 2019 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

KACABA CABERNET FRANC 2019 - VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#272146) (XD) - $33.15
Lovely, medium-high intensity nose offers ripe red & black fruits, grilled herbs, black cherry, currant, and leather aromas with hints of tobacco. It's medium+ bodied, dry, and well-structured with delicious ripe currant, black cherry, grilled herbs, leather, and tobacco flavour replays, plus touches of pepper and spice. It's all supported by fresh acidity and supple, gently chalky textured, and well-structured tannins. Currant, black cherry, and savoury oak notes with a hint of dark plum lingers on the finish, with very good length. Enjoy this recommended buy over the next 4-5 years. Score: 89 pts

Other fine wines by Kacaba Vineyards are available at the LCBO, with a wider variety available direct from winery in Niagara.


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  • Date publishedFriday, May 26, 2023

Château Guillou 2020 (Bordeaux) - Wine Review

red wine review is an excellent wine from the Right Bank of Bordeaux that is arriving at the LCBO this weekend (and likely in stores already) as part of the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Famille Saby, a winegrowing family of oenologists for nine generations with knowledge passed down from father to son since the 18th century. Today, the family business is led by Jean-Bernard Saby, the 8th generation of the family, and his two sons who are the 9th generation - Jean-Christophe and Jean-Philippe. The Saby family are considered specialists of wines from the Right Bank of Bordeaux and own and operate several estates in this historic wine region. One of these estates is Château Guillou and its vineyard which has existed in its current form since 1870. At Château Guillou there are 62 hectares of vines, most of which are planted on a plateau with clay-limestone soils, and hillsides with clayey-silty soils.

I've had the pleasure of enjoying this wine quite a few times over the years, including most recently the 2018 Château Guillou late last year. Like previous vintages, this red wine from Bordeaux is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. The grapes were grown on the siliceous, sandy, and gravelly soils at Château Guillou in the Montagne-Saint-Emilion appellation. The Château is located in the Libourne sub-region on the right bank of the Dordogne where the wines are usually Merlot-based. The grapes were traditionally hand-picked and sorted on tables. It underwent a cold soak pre-fermentation and foulage, a temperature-controlled fermentation, and malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged in second- and third-use French and American oak barrels.

Despite the challenges during the growing season due to the pandemic, the 2020 vintage is rated as an excellent and legendary vintage. The growing season began well with a frequently wet spring that put the vineyards in a good state leading up to the hot, dry summer. Autumn was blessed with golden sunshine and warm days, along with chilly nights in September which brought the grapes to phenolic ripeness. Although there were some periods of rain, it was the periods of drought that helped concentrate the grapes to deliver rich and intense wines. Overall, yields were slightly smaller than average, but the fruit is, for the most part, healthy and of high quality. Let's see how this 2020 Bordeaux is tasting tonight...

Château Guillou 2020 (92 pts)

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU GUILLOU 2020 - AC Montagne-Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France (#140483) (XD) - $24.95
This blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc has a gorgeous, intense, and complex bouquet of crushed dark fruit, currant, blackberry, black cherry, and plum mingling with oak spice, dried herb, and savoury wet earth aromas rising out of the glass, plus hints of floral with time. On the ripe, full-bodied palate it has plummy, dark red cherry, blackberry, and currant flavours balanced with savoury earth, dried herbs, and gentle oak spice notes. It's supported by fresh, juicy acidity and well-structured, medium-firm tannins. Quite balanced throughout with some mineral notes appearing on the long, structured finish, with excellent length. Provides pleasure now, but will improve further with a few years in the cellar. Enjoy to the end of the decade and a highly recommended buy! Score: 92 pts

Other lovely wines by Famille Saby can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.


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  • Date publishedMonday, May 22, 2023

Calcu Winemaker's Selection Blend 2018 (Chile) - Wine Review

red wine review is an excellent five-grape blend led by Cabernet Franc that is sustainably crafted from Chile. It arrived at the LCBO earlier this month in the LCBO VINTAGES Cellar Collection (formerly Classics) and is available for purchase directly from VINTAGES Shop Online.

It is produced by Calcu Vineyards, a special and unique project that was established by the Hurtado family in 2003. The Hurtado family has over a century's worth of experience making quality wines in the Colchagua Valley and found a unique place in Marchigüe, within the Colchagua Valley in central Chile that is marked by hills of granite stone. This hill is the inspiration for the name Calcu Vineyards - "CAL: Hill" and "CUrá: Stone".

One of the fundamental pillars of the Hurtado family business is the passion for the pursuit of excellence. This is reflected in each of their wines and implemented by each member of the viticultural and winemaking team in the pursuit of excellence through precision viticulture and winemaking that accurately reflects the character of Calcu Vineyards in Marchigüe. Calcu Vineyards and the historic Viña Maquis share a winery in Palmilla, in the Colchagua Valley, for vinifying and ageing their wines. This winery was built in 2002, a year prior to the establishment of Calcu, under a sustainable concept by using gravity-flow technology to gently move the fruit and juice throughout the winery. The facility also uses geothermal energy for its wine production and is the only winery of its kind in Chile.

Sustainability is also a core value of the Hurtado family. They care for the environment, workers, and local community. One such example is the small vineyard blocks with short rows which were intentionally planted this way so that it minimizes soil erosion, while the sloping rows help reduce the risk of accidents for farm workers. The vineyards were also planted with extra care devoted to respecting natural rock formations, clay deposits, and native trees; 4,500 plants were also planted in ravines near the vineyards to increase biodiversity and protect endangered native species.

With this red wine blend, Calcu seeks to rediscover Colchagua Valley from the exceptional terroir in Marchigüe, a town and commune located in the province of Cardenal Caro, a few kilometres from the Pacific coast. The vineyard here has a unique architecture that was designed by hand to craft world-class wines that faithfully reflect the terroir, with deep care for the winegrowing and natural landscape. A blend that changes every year, this particular vintage is composed of 38% Cabernet Franc, 25% Carmenere, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec, and 4% Petit Verdot.

The grapes were grown in Calcu's own vineyards in Marchigüe on gentle hills where it is influenced by the sea breeze in the afternoon and at night, which helps moderate temperatures to produce particularly fresh grapes. The soils are primarily granitic with some important clay content, but poor in organic matter which helps to obtain low yields, delivering power, structure, and elegance to the wines. The grapes were manually harvested and selected in bunches, and then fermented in stainless steel tanks. It was aged for 18 months in French oak barrels.

The 2018 growing season in Chile was somewhat cool during spring and early summer, resulting in a harvest that was a little later than normal. This helped deliver grapes with great freshness, outstanding elegance, and natural balance with round and delicate tannins. With dry weather during the ripening phase, the grapes were very healthy with developed impressive concentration. From an exceptional vintage that is described as the year of finesse, let's see how this 2018 red wine from Chile is tasting tonight...

Calcu Winemaker's Selection Blend 2018 (92+ pts)

Tasting Note:

CALCU WINEMAKER'S SELECTION BLEND 2018 - Sustainable, Colchagua Valley, Chile (#28585) (XD) - $43.00
A blend of 38% Cabernet Franc, 25% Carmenere, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec, and 4% Petit Verdot, it is elegantly fresh and fragrant on the nose with lovely, complex aromas of crushed red and black berry, currant, cassis, floral and fine oak spices with touches of dried herbs and stony mineral. On the full-ish bodied, warming palate it has well-structured and velvety smooth tannins along with fresh, juicy acidity that supports the ripe red and black berry, cassis, currant, smoky oak, mineral, and dried herbal flavours on a well-structured frame. Impressive depth and complexity. Some tannic grippiness on the back palate. Savoury with mineral and smoky oak notes lingering on the finish, with excellent length. Enjoy over coming 10 years. Highly recommended buy! Score: 92+ pts

Other lovely wines by Calcu Vineyards can be ordered through their Agent - Don Ackerman's Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedSunday, March 26, 2023

French Door Estate Winery Héritage 2020 (British Columbia) - Wine Review

red wine review is a sneak preview of a lovely red wine from B.C. that is expected to be released by the winery this Spring!

It is produced by French Door Estate Winery, a small, boutique, family-owned and -operated winery and vineyard that was founded in 2019 by Audra and Jason Shull. They are located on the beautiful Black Sage Bench at 365 metres above sea level on a plateau edge overlooking the valley, south of the town of Oliver, in the southern Okanagan Valley.

With a passion for quality wine, the 10-acre property is planted with 100% vinifera vines, both red and white, on beautiful, expressive soils that have resulted in rich, lush, and character driven wines. The soils on the property are sandy and rocky, with a gravel and clay base that are very well drained, with a granitic sub-soil. Their goal is to produce honest, low-intervention wines, from sustainably grown grapes, in a classic old-world French style.

The name "French Door Estate Winery" came to mind because the family was inspired by the simplicity and quality of French architecture, cuisine, and wine during their travels to Provence. As they believe that the Okanagan valley has a similar uniqueness about it, the Shull family wanted to bring these parallels to life through the way their wine is made and discussed.

Their consultant winemaker is Pascal Madevon, a man who integrates his French heritage into all of his wine creations. All of the wines are produced in the Barrel Room where there are three Tonneau French oak vats and French oak barrels. The French theme continues with a white and bright with black accents colour scheme throughout the winery, resembling the look and feel of a French farmhouse. The symbol of the "French door" is representative of their aspiration to incorporate the traditional aesthetics and values of beautiful Provence into their own backyard, with a modern twist.

This red wine from the Okanagan Valley is a blend of 41% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Syrah, 6% Malbec, and 5% Petit Verdot. The grapes were grown at their estate vineyard which experiences long days of sunshine, while the Oliver wind in the afternoon cools the grapes until the sun goes behind Mount Kobau. Each vineyard block and variety is cultivated with precise care depending on the vines' needs. To vinify this wine, all of the grapes were hand-harvested and sorted before being de-stemmed and gently crushed into tanks. Each variety was fermented separately and was followed by an extended maceration to extract colour and tannins. Free run wine was drained directly into barrels, while the rest was pressed off the following day, and then aged for 14 months in 60% neutral and 40% new French oak barrels before being bottled.

The 2020 growing season in the Okanagan started wet and cool, which meant a smaller fruit set than usual. The result was a smaller grape harvest, which in turn meant less wine. However, the grape quality of what was picked was excellent due to perfect ripening conditions, and the quality of the wines will be among the best of the decade. According to French Door, their 2020 Héritage could be their most refined yet. Let's see how this 2020 Okanagan Valley red wine is tasting tonight...

French Door Estate Winery Héritage 2020 (92+ pts)

Tasting Note:

FRENCH DOOR ESTATE WINERY HÉRITAGE 2020 - BC VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (XD) - $52
Blend of 41% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Syrah, 6% Malbec, and 5% Petit Verdot. The medium+ intensity nose seems a bit shy, offering elegant dark fruited aromas of black currant, cassis, and blackberry nuanced with savoury freshly tilled earth, olive, dried herbs, and oak spice adding complexity. On the elegant, refined, medium-full bodied, and dry palate it has lovely dark currant, blackberry, black cherry, olive, and earthy flavours. It has fresh acidity and elegantly refined, well-structured tannins, with savoury cocoa and herbal notes lingering on the long, juicy finish. Really elegant and refined throughout. Once released, this is a highly recommended buy! Score: 92+ pts

While this 2020 vintage isn't available for purchase as of yet at the time of this post, the 2019 vintage of this terrific wine is available direct from the winery.


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  • Date publishedMonday, March 6, 2023

Creekside Red Tractor Cabernet/Merlot 2020 (Niagara) - Wine Review

red wine review is a delicious Cabernet-Merlot from Niagara that returned to the LCBO over the weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Red Tractor Wines are produced by Creekside Estate Winery. This new world wine brand was established by Creekside in 2011 to celebrate the past, present, and future of farming in Ontario. The red tractor symbol comes from an old Massey Harris tractor that Creekside owns and serves as a symbol of the hard work required to farm the vineyards. Red Tractor Wines honours this hard work and salutes their family of growers.

The grapes used to craft Red Tractor Wines are sourced from family farms across the Niagara Peninsula - because place matters. The wines pay homage to the vineyards and growers such as the Serluca and Smith Families, as they work alongside these second-generation farmers as they push the boundaries on innovation and lead with sustainable farming practices.

And thinking ahead to International Women's Day, which is held annually on March 8th, Yvonne Irvine leads the winemaking for Red Tractor Wines. She has over 12-years of viticultural and winemaking experience, and works closely with the family of growers while embracing the honest, hard-work required to grow and harvest quality fruit. Each vintage is a labour of love as she celebrates the growers by crafting their fruit into strong, powerful wines.

I was first introduced to Red Tractor Wines in 2019 when they launched their first Cabernet/Merlot and Cabernet Franc wines. The range now also includes a Shiraz Cabernet and a Chardonnay. While the 2017 vintage of this red wine blend was Merlot-based, this particular vintage is composed of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon (47%) and Merlot (46%), plus 7% Cabernet Franc to complete the blend. This blend celebrates the vineyards of the Niagara Peninsula and the growers that have shaped the landscape. The grapes were harvested from three vineyards in Niagara-on-the-Lake. It was vinified and aged in separate small lots, and then blended after 16 months in barrel.

From the near-perfect 2020 growing season that provided structure, ripeness, and longevity to age, let's see how this 2020 Bordeaux-blend from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Creekside Red Tractor Cabernet/Merlot 2020 (88+ pts)

Tasting Note:

CREEKSIDE RED TRACTOR CABERNET/MERLOT 2020 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#11851) (D) - $17.95
A blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, and 7% Cabernet Franc, this has an attractive, medium-high intensity nose that offers ripe black currant, cassis, black cherry, chocolate, and oak spice aromas with some earthy undertones and a touch of olive. On the medium-full bodied palate it has ripe, dark currant, cassis, black cherry, plum, and earthy oak spice flavours supported by fresh acidity. Structured tannins are gritty textured and quite drying, while savoury earth, cedary, and cocoa notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Enjoy this recommended buy with big red meats. Score: 88+ pts

Other delicious Red Tractor Wines are available direct from Creekside Estate Winery in Niagara.


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  • Date publishedSaturday, February 11, 2023

Creekside Laura's Red 2018 (Niagara) - Wine Review

red wine review is the latest vintage of a terrific red blend from Niagara that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Creekside Estate Winery in small-town Jordan, Ontario, within the Niagara Peninsula. Creekside was founded in 1997 by Laura McCain and has a been a leader in producing distinctive, premium wines, and introducing grape varieties to Niagara that have expanded the horizons of the region. They are also known for their eclectic blends such as this wine - Laura's Blend - which has been made since the winery's founding in the late 90s.

Today, Creekside is owned by Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits Inc., but they are still led by the same group of passionate (and some say fanatical) group of industry veterans, chief among them winemaker Rob Power, who have decades of experience in their respective fields. The team of self-described cork dorks love what they do, and have fun doing it.

This lovely red wine is always a blend whose exact composition changes with each vintage, but always consists of red vinifera varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, and often includes other varieties as well, with the end goal of creating the best wine possible. This particular edition was meticulously crafted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Syrah to create a wine with structure and ageing potential, but also with a core of good fruit that can also be enjoyed in its youth.

The 2018 growing season in Niagara was one of the most difficult vintages ever in terms of weather calamities with a hot summer season and very little rain, followed by rain, rain, and more rain mid-harvest. However, this didn't seem to impact grape quality too much as the resulting wines were all quite good in a moderate climate idiom. Let's see how this 2018 red wine from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Creekside Laura's Red 2018 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

CREEKSIDE LAURA'S RED 2018 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#117960) (XD) - $25.00
Screw cap. This blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot, and 2% Syrah has a fragrant, open, and medium-high intensity nose that delivers a fine, complex mix of red & black fruits, currant, cassis, oak spices, and grilled herbs with savoury earth undertones. It's medium to medium-full bodied on the dry palate with ripe black cherry, peppery spice, grilled herbs, currant, and cassis flavours all supported by fresh acidity and grainy textured, lightly grippy tannins. Flavours taper to savoury, chocolate, and oak spice notes on the finish, with very good length. A delicious, recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Creekside are widely available at LCBO outlets across Ontario, and direct from the winery in Niagara.


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  • Date publishedTuesday, January 24, 2023

Delheim Grand Reserve 2017 (South Africa) - Wine Review

red wine review is an excellent Bordeaux variety blend from South Africa that newly arrived at the LCBO over the weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Delheim Wines is a family business that was established in 1938 when Hans Otto Hoheisen purchased the farm, which had various owners over the years, as a retirement home for himself and his wife Deli. The name "Delheim" is German for "Deli's home". They started by planting citrus trees but quickly discovered that the area wasn't suited to Delheim because of the windy conditions. Their German friends suggested that they grow vineyards and two years later Hans Otto planted his first grape vines.

In 1944, the concrete tanks in the cellar were completed by Italian prisoners-of-war. Several years later, Deli mentioned to her nephew in Germany that she needed help on the wine farm in South Africa, and because he didn't see a future in post-war Germany, he decided to join them and arrived in South Africa in 1951. Her nephew's name was Michael "Spatz" Sperling - Sperling is the German word for "sparrow" and Spatz means "baby sparrow".

Michael Sperling soon took a keen interest in the few vineyards Hans Otto had planted. As Michael knew nothing about winemaking, and there were no books or winemaking schools in South Africa at the time, he taught himself through a process of trial and error and with some help from neighbours and visiting German winemakers. Over time, Spatz established himself as a serious winemarker and garnered numerous awards. He also embarked on a series of pioneering initiatives in the South African wine industry over the ensuing decades.

In 1971, patriarch Spatz Sperling’s far-sightedness led him to buy 80 hectares of prime red-wine land on the Klapmutskop mountain, about 3 kilometres from Delheim, as the crow flies in a westerly direction. This property was called Delvera in honour of Spatz’s wife, Vera, while the vineyards are called Vera Cruz - Cruz meaning "cross", allegedly for the cross Vera has had to bear during her long marriage to Spatz! With its warmer, drier climate, and sandier soils, Vera Cruz was better suited to growing high-quality red wines. Delvera is planted mainly with Cabernet Sauvignon, predominantly grown as bush vines and today aged between 15 and 37 years, along with some Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

Today, Delheim is owned by the Sperling family. Vera still resides on the farm, while the late Michael Hans "Spatz" Sperling is the Patriarch and a South African wine industry legend. Their eldest son, Victor Sperling, and eldest daughter, Nora Sperling-Thiel, serve as Directors of the company and live on the farm with their families, while their other two children, Maria and Nicholas, live in Europe.

In the vineyard, their philosophy is that they are custodians of the land and must tread lightly in order to minimize the impact they have on it, as well as creating balance and harmony in the vineyards. They also strive to gain a sense of timelessness by allowing their vineyards to grow old, tell their stories and allowing the wines to gain a sense of place, while also keeping an eye on the future, seeking longevity and sustainability. Delheim also practices precision farming by embracing technologies to improve the quality of their vineyards and grapes.

This red wine is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc that was grown on their Vera Cruz property. The soil at Vera Cruz has an Oakleaf profile with mainly decomposed granite, and faces southwest on a slope between 220 to 280 metres above sea level. The grapes were handpicked and in small batches and fermented in a combination of open-top fermenters and vertical stainless steel tanks. The was was matured in 300 L French oak barrels for 18 months, and only the finest barrels were selected for this Grand Reserve blend.

From an excellent vintage, let's see how this 2017 Cabernet Merlot blend from South Africa is tasting tonight...

Delheim Grand Reserve 2017 (92+ pts)

Tasting Note:

DELHEIM GRAND RESERVE 2017 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#26094) (XD) - $31.95
A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. The highly aromatic nose is fresh and fragrant with ripe blackberry, black currant, fine wood spices, and savoury earth aromas, with intriguing touches of cassis, tomato leaf, and graphite. It's full-ish bodied on the dry, chewy palate with very good concentration and complex, lightly tangy flavours of ripe dark berry, blackberry, currant, tomato leaf, and some pipe tobacco and graphite notes. It has fresh, juicy, and well-balanced acidity, while the structured tannins are smooth, refined, and well-integrated. There's a pleasing, subtly chalky mouthfeel on the back palate. Savoury, graphite mineral notes linger on the long, very satisfying finish. Maturing nicely, enjoy this delicious, highly recommended buy to the end of the decade. Score: 92+ pts

Other lovely wines by Delheim can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedWednesday, December 28, 2022

Tenuta San Guido Wine Tasting (Tuscany) - Wine Reviews

Back in , I had a great opportunity to taste the latest wines by Tenuta San Guido - makers of the iconic Sassicaia Super Tuscan wine from Bolgheri - and after the structured tasting enjoyed a fine lunch at Stratus Restaurant in downtown Toronto.

Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Wine Tasting

The story of Tenuta San Guido begins with Mario Incisa della Rocchetta. The Marchesi Incisa della Rocchetta are among the protagonists of Italian history, from the early Middle Ages to the emergence of the Baroque age, and beyond. Mario was born into a Piedmontese family in 1899 and studied agriculture in Pisa and immediately cultivated a strong inclination for agronomy. By the 1920s, his dream was to find perfection in agriculture and respect for the land.

In 1930, Mario married Clarice della Gherardesca, a descendant of one of the oldest families in Tuscany, and moved to Maremma, Tuscany. In addition to a common passion for wine, Mario and Clarice also had a passion for thoroughbred horses - a family passion that continues to this day with an on-site stable and training centre. Countess Clarice was also the heiress to 2,500 hectares in the Bolgheri area: Tenuta San Guido.

Mario Incisa immediately realized Tenuta San Guido as one of the most extraordinary biotypes of Mediterranean Europe and began experimenting with some French grape varieties, concluding that Cabernet had the bouquet he was seeking. Recalling a time in the 1920s when Mario Incisa tasted a wine belonging to the Dukes Salviati di Migliarino, grown on the hill of San Giuliano, near Pisa, he asked Salviatis for some plants of their vines and planted the first Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard on the hills that gently descended towards the sea, below the fortress of Castiglioncello. He also noticed the similarity between this land in Bolgheri and the Graves area in Bordeaux, due to the mainly gravelly soil which is very favourable to the production of great red wines. In order to grow excellent quality fruit, he pruned drastically to obtain low-yields, and then introduced barrique for the ageing of fine wines, following the example of French producers.

Although no one considered Bolgheri an area suited for the cultivation of Cabernet Sauvignon before the 1940s, Tenuta San Guido benefits from a set of natural elements that favours this varietal. The soils are partially clayey and situated at an altitude between 100 and 400 meters above sea level, with west and southwest exposure, along with a strong presence of limestone areas rich in Alberese and Gabbro, as well as stones. The climate also has its own peculiarity with an amphitheatre of hills embracing the land that stretches from Bibbona to Castagneto, protecting the vineyards and olive groves from northeast winds, while in summer this corridor is cooled by winds generated between the valleys of the Cecina river. The energy and sunlight are reflected from the sea to the hills, which in turn retains the sea breeze and generates refreshing humidity. Situated within a range of 2,500 hectares, this area was found to have the ideal terroir for Sassicaia.

Sassicaia, the wine whose name is a toponym, was strictly a private product reserved for family and friends from 1945 to 1967. In 1971, the 1968 vintage was the first vintage available to the public and it received praise worthy of greatness and importance. In 1978, the 1972 Sassicaia was awarded first place at a Decanter magazine blind tasting among 33 Cabernet Sauvignons from around the world and moved towards becoming the iconic wine it is today. In order to recognize Mario's vision in creating a wine that gave Italian winemaking lustre and fame, Italy created the Bolgheri DOC appellation in 1983, and in 2013 the sub-appellation of DOC Bolgheri Sassicaia was created. Since Tenuta San Guido owns all of the land under the DOC Bolgheri Sassicaia appellation, Sassicaia is the only wine that is made in the appellation.

Today, Tenuta San Guido is led by Honorary President Nicolò Incisa della Rocchetta. son of Mario. Nicolò joined his father in 1955 to help manage the family business. The Incisa family had a relationship with the Antinori family through Nicolò's mother, Clarice, who was from the Della Gherardesca family. It was through this relationship that Nicolò worked with the young oenologist Giacomo Tachis to develop the first red Bordeaux blend in the history of Bolgheri - it was the aforementioned 1968 Sassicaia. Nicolò was instrumental in turning Tenuta San Guido into a modern estate that combined family traditions with the expertise of independent managers.

The bond that exists between the family and company is now represented by Priscilla Incisa della Rocchetta, daughter of Nicolò and brand manager responsible for external relations, and her five cousins and their children. The estate covers 2,500 hectares, of which 90 hectares are devoted to the vineyards and the winery. The approach in the vineyard is always measured against the needs of the land. Vineyard management requires a great deal of time and care and is influenced by the seasonality to determine if any interventions are required, while the concepts of sustainability, integration, and conservation are also important prerequisites prior to taking any action. Harvest is carried out manually, while in the winery, they strive to create wines with balance, pleasantness, elegance, freshness, sinuous tannins, and longevity.

Tenuta San Guido Wine Tasting

In addition to Sassicaia, Tenuta San Guido also produces two other wines - Guidalberto and Le Difese. We had the opportunity to taste all three wines during the structured tasting which was led by Priscilla. After taking us through each of the fantastic wines, including some back vintages, we also had the opportunity to pair the wines with lunch. Reviews of all of the wines tasted are provided below, with the latest vintages available for purchase through the Agent - Sylvestre Wines & Spirits, or at the LCBO in the coming months.

Tasting Notes:

TENUTA SAN GUIDO LE DIFESE 2020 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#147876) (XD) - $38.95
First produced in 2002 and traditionally more Cab Sauv than Sangiovese, this vintage is a blend of 55% Sangiovese and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the Sangiovese purchased from two estates. From a warm vintage that was good for early ripening varieties, this has a clean, ripe, medium-high to highly aromatic nose of dark cherry-berry, currant, and clove with hints of cassis, as well as elegant wood spice aromas. Some beautiful floral notes emerge with time in glass. On the medium to medium-full bodied palate it offers elegant, fine-grained, and gritty tannins that have some structure. Very nice aroma replays are nicely balanced on the palate. Clove, currant, and dark cherry replays linger on the long, succulent finish. Coming to LCBO VINTAGES May 2023. Score: 92 pts

Tenuta San Guido Le Difese 2020 (92 pts)

TENUTA SAN GUIDO GUIDALBERTO 2020 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#72439) (XD) - $66.95
A 50/50 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that is fresh, yet seems shy with crushed dark red berry, currant, and cassis aromas with savoury undertones. It’s medium-full bodied on the crunchy palate with tight tannins. Very nice aroma replays on the flavour profile are joined by licorice, and wild herbs. It has fresh acidity and excellent length on the long, balanced, finish. Still a bit young and should age nicely up to a decade from now. Coming to LCBO VINTAGES March 2023. Score: 93 pts

Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto 2020 (93 pts)Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto 2015 (93 pts)

TENUTA SAN GUIDO GUIDALBERTO 2015 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#72439) (XD)
Named after Guidalberto della Gherardesca, the ancestor who made the greatest contribution to the territory’s agricultural and viticultural history. This blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot has a lovely, perfumed, highly aromatic nose of currant, cassis, red & black fruits, with savoury, wet earth, forest floor undertones. It’s medium-full bodied with smooth, refined tannins that have some structure and is still a bit tight. Nicely balanced aroma replays with elegance on the palate. Balanced acids. Long, dark berry, currant, and earthy finish. Score: 93 pts

SASSICAIA 2019 - DOC Bolgheri-Sassicaia, Tuscany, Italy (#480533) (XD) - $249.95
A traditional blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc. From a very regular, steady vintage, this has a medium-high to highly aromatic nose that offers a lovely perfume of red & black fruits, currant, cherry, wet earth, and forest floor, with touches of florality. It’s medium-full to full-bodied with lovely aroma replays plus spice notes and smooth, structured, and elegant tannins that are balanced with fresh acidity. Nicely balanced flavours throughout, tapering to a very long, currant, dark berry, and wet earth finish. Score: 96 pts

Sassicaia 2019 (96 pts)

SASSICAIA 2018 - DOC Bolgheri-Sassicaia, Tuscany, Italy (#480533) (XD)
85/15 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. First made in 1968 and celebrating its 50th vintage, the perfumed, medium-high to highly aromatic nose offers fresh dark and red berry, currant, and cassis notes with touches of purple fruit and floral. On the medium-full to full-bodied palate it has fresh acidity and lovely aroma replays. Smooth, structured, and dusty textured tannins are very nicely balanced throughout. Attractive fruit and savoury earthy interplays on the finish, with excellent length. Very approachable now and will continue to age well into the late 2030s. Score: 96 pts

Sassicaia 2018 (96 pts)Sassicaia 2010 (97 pts)

SASSICAIA 2010 - DOC Bolgheri-Sassicaia, Tuscany, Italy (#480533) (XD)
Blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc from a fresher vintage and long harvest. Beautiful, highly aromatic, maturing nose of dried cherry, rose florals, and savoury wet earth. Wow! Lovely smooth, refined, finely textured tannins on the medium-full to full-bodied palate with lovely aroma replays plus some earthy mineral notes on the flavour profile. Juicy, well-balanced acids. Very nice, very long, earthy mineral finish. Will continue to drink well for another 10+ years. Score: 97 pts

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  • Date publishedSunday, November 20, 2022

Château Guillou 2018 (Bordeaux) - Wine Review

I enjoyed the 2016 Château Guillou when it came through VINTAGES in spring of last year, and for red wine review I bring you the latest vintage that arrived at the LCBO this weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Famille Saby, a winegrowing family that are considered specialists on wines from the Right Bank of Bordeaux. The Saby family have been oenologists from father to son for nine generations dating back to the 18th century and are led today by Jean-Bernard Saby and his two sons, Jean-Christophe and Jean-Philippe. The Saby family owns and operates several estates on the Right Bank, including the Château Guillou vineyard which has existed in its current form since 1870. There are 62 hectares of vines at Château Guillou and most are located on a plateau with clay-limestone soils, and hillsides with clayey-silty soils.

I first tasted this wine seven years ago, starting with the 2012 vintage and the quality has improved with each passing vintage. Like the 2012, this vintage is also crafted with 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc from fruit grown at Château Guillou in the Montagne-Saint-Emilion appellation, which is situated in the Libourne subregion on the right bank of the Dordogne, on siliceous soils which are sandy and gravelly. The fruit was traditionally hand-picked and sorted on tables, followed by cold-maceration, temperature-controlled alcoholic fermentation, and malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged in a combination of new and third-use American and French oak barrels.

From an excellent 2018 growing season in Bordeaux with dry conditions and cool nights, let's see how this 2018 red wine from Bordeaux is tasting tonight...

Château Guillou 2018 (91 pts)

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU GUILLOU 2018 - AC Montagne-Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France (#140483) (XD) - $24.95
This blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc has a fragrant, elegant, and well-balanced nose that is highly aromatic with lovely dark berry, black cherry, blackberry, and currant with touches of floral violet, chocolate, herbs, and subtle spices. It's medium-full bodied on the ripe palate with delicious dark berry, currant, black cherry, and blackberry replays joined by plummy notes. Acids are fresh and juicy, while the smooth, refined tannins have a slightly chalky textured mouthfeel towards the back palate. Finishes juicy, long and savoury with stony mineral and subtle oak spice notes on the long aftertaste. Really nicely balanced. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the next 5+ years. Score: 91 pts

Other lovely wines by Famille Saby can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.


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