Emerging California Master Class (Apr. 2022)

Last month was California Wine Month and one afternoon in April I had the pleasure of attending a virtual zoom Master Class on "Emerging California". This master class was put on by California Wines and led by leading wine critic, journalist, and educator Elaine Chukan Brown.

Winegrowing activities in California began in the mid-1800's. Since that time, California has emerged as one of the world's great wine producing regions most notable for its Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay from Napa Valley and Sonoma County. In this master class, which included 9 wine samples for us to taste along with Elaine, we learned about some of California's lesser-known wine regions, focusing mainly on areas in the Central Coast.

The wines were, for the most part, made with grape varieties one wouldn't normally associate with California - Grenache, Cabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc, and Sauvignon Blanc were just some of the varietals we touched upon. Overall, I found the master class to be quite informative as a wealth of information was presented by Elaine. I was also very pleased with the quality of the wines. In the end, the Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon were my definitive favourites, but there were also many other lovely wines. To purchase any of these wines, please contact each wine's Agent for availability and pricing as only a very small amount of the rosé is currently available at the LCBO.

Tasting Notes:

BONNY DOON VINEYARD LE CIGARE VOLANT 2020 - Central Coast, California, USA (#18516) (XD) - $20 CAD
Primarily from Monterey, this blend of 42% Grenache, 31% Cinsault, 24% Syrah, 2% Petit Verdot, and 1% Counoise has a medium-high to highly aromatic nose that is fresh, ripe, plummy, red fruited with a subtle smokiness. It’s medium-full bodied with smooth, nicely textured tannins. Flavours are dry and nicely balanced with red fruits, currant, red cherry, and subtle wood. Fresh, balanced acids. Long, red fruited, cherry, and smoky finish. Agent: FWM Canada. Score: 90 pts

SCHUG CABERNET FRANC 2017 - Sonoma County, California, USA (XD) - $47 USD
Blend of 78% Cabernet Franc, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot. The lovely, medium-high to highly aromatic nose offers aromas of currant, cassis, red pepper, pretty florals, and herbaceous touches. It’s medium-full bodied and dry with lovely aroma replays with noted red pepper and smoky touches, along with tangy, juicy acidity. Structured and smooth with fine tannins. Red pepper, currant, and chocolate notes linger on the long, juicy finish. Agent: Lifford Wine and Spirits. Score: 91 pts

RIDGE ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - Monte Bello Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains, Central Coast, California, USA (#89284) (XD) - $112 CAD
Composed of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot, it has a lovely, highly aromatic nose featuring aromas of sweet cassis, floral, currant, red berry fruit, cherry, and sweet spices. It’s full-bodied, dry, and structured with elegant, slightly chalky tannins along with lovely aroma replays and fresh, tangy acidity lifting the palate. Red cherry, floral, and earthy with some stony mineral notes lingering on the very long, juicy finish. Agent: Rogers & Company. Score: 93 pts

CLINE ANCIENT VINES CARIGNANE 2019 - Contra Costa County, Central Coast, California, USA (#32177) (XD) - $33 CAD
From old vines, some more than 100 years old, grown in sandy soils in northwest Oakley near the San Joaquin River, the medium-high to highly aromatic nose offers lovely purple and black fruit, dark plum, and minty herbal aromas. It’s full-bodied with structured, slightly chalky tannins with lovely aroma replays on the flavour profile. Juicy acids with minty, dark berry notes, plus touches of smoke linger on the long finish. Agent: Vinexx. Score: 91 pts

OAK RIDGE MAGGIO PETITE SIRAH 2020 - Lodi, California, USA (D) - $12 USD
A blend of 90% Petite Sirah and 10% Zinfandel, the medium-high nose is very ripe, plummy, and fruit forward with dark berry and sweet oak aromas. The fleshy, full-bodied palate is juicy and fruit forward, dark berry, plum, tea leaf, and purple fruit flavours joined by subtle sweet spices and vanilla. Structured tannins have some grip. Juicy acids and ripe plum and berry notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Agent: Profile Wine Group. Score: 87 pts

DAOU DISCOVERY ROSÉ 2020 - Paso Robles, Central Coast, California, USA (#19527) (XD) - $29.95 CAD
This blend of 95% Grenache grown on limestone soils, plus 5% Sauvignon Blanc was barrel-aged on its lees. Aromas are fresh and bright with notions of grapefruit, citrus, and red berries, with herbally touches. It’s medium-bodied and dry with a pleasingly chalky textured mouthfeel to go along with very nice aroma replays on the palate, joined by touches of grassy notes. Somewhat fleshy on the mid-palate. Very good length on the slightly leesy finish. Only 10 bottles remain at LCBO, and at a big discount. Agent: Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits of Canada. Score: 90 pts

INGLENOOK SAUVIGNON BLANC 2019 - Rutherford, Napa Valley, California, USA (#17090) (XD) - $38 USD
A blend of 76% Sauvignon Blanc and 24% Semillon that was aged for 8 months sur lie with 70% in stainless steel tanks, 19% in new French oak, and the rest in neutral French oak. The elegant, medium-high intensity nose is earthy-leesy in profile with pear, stone fruit, white peach, citrus, lemongrass, and herbs. On the medium+ bodied palate it is very textural and rich with pear, citrus, lemongrass, and white peach replays supported by juicy, balanced acidity. Citrus, pear, and subtle spices linger on the long, crisp, and tight finish. Agent: Noble Estates Wine & Spirits. Score: 91+ pts

BOGLE CHENIN BLANC 2020 - Clarksburg, California, USA (#704049) (D) - $21.95 CAD
Chenin Blanc is the most widely planted variety in the Clarksburg AVA, which has mostly alluvial soils mixed with clay and some sand. This Chenin has muted aromas of tropical fruit, honeyed, beeswax, floral, and honeysuckle. It’s medium-full bodied with appealing, off-dry aroma replays joined by spice notes. It has a viscous mouthfeel with lively acids, subtly spicy and tapering to a dry-ish, crisp finish, with very good length. Agent: Abcon Wine Merchants. Score: 88 pts

CALERA MT. HARLAN CHARDONNAY 2018 - Certified Organic Farmed Vineyards, Central Coast, California, USA (#16406) (XD) - $55 USD
Grown in limestone soils in the Gavilan Mountains at a high elevation of 2,200 feet and cooled by ocean breezes. The gorgeous, highly aromatic nose is rich and buttery with apple, pear, stone fruits, lemon citrus, and subtle smokiness aromas. It’s medium-full to full bodied with a lovely, rich, creamy mouthfeel and very nice, flavourful aroma replays, plus elegant oak spice and vanilla notes, all framed by lovely, racy acidity. Excellent length on the long, dry, leesy mineral finish. Agent: Rogers & Company. Score: 94 pts

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Mike Weir Meritage 2010 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is this lovely 2010 Meritage that I first enjoyed at the winery back in January 2016 during the annual Niagara Icewine Festival.

Unfortunately, as I mentioned when I enjoyed the 2013 Mike Weir Cabernet Franc Icewine a few months ago, Mike Weir Winery closed its doors for good sometime in Spring 2018. This is also my last bottle of any Mike Weir wine. On the bright side, the property was sold and reopened as Locust Lane Estate Winery in Spring/Summer 2020.

When I first tasted this red crafted with Bordeaux varieties from the exceptional 2010 Niagara vintage, I mentioned that it could be enjoyed up to 2023. Let's see how this red wine from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MIKE WEIR MERITAGE 2010 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $19.95
Composed of Bordeaux varieties Cabernet Sauvignon (40%), Cabernet Franc (34%), and Merlot (26%). It pours a mature deep tawny colour and has a lovely, medium-high intensity nose offering complex aromas of dried dark berry, stewed plums and berries, sweet spice, and touches of evergreen and red pepper. It's medium-full bodied with mature, very smooth tannins with a slight grip. Dried berry, plum, sweet spice, chocolate, and some floral notes on the flavour profile. It has very good structure and acids are still well-balanced. Chocolate, savoury, and earthy notes linger on the long finish. Only 12% abv. It has aged well and is a joy to sip. Score: 91 pts

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Mike Weir Cabernet Franc Icewine 2013 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review takes me back to 6 years ago when I first tasted this lovely Icewine at Mike Weir Winery in January 2016 while attending the annual Icewine Festival.

Unfortunately, their wines are no longer available as the winery closed its doors sometime in Spring 2018, and I still have their 2010 Meritage that I should crack open soon. On the bright side, the winery was sold and reopened in Spring/Summer 2020 as Locust Lane Estate Winery.

At 9 years from vintage, let's see how this 2013 Cabernet Franc Icewine is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MIKE WEIR CABERNET FRANC ICEWINE 2013 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (S) (200 mL) - $39.95
100% Cabernet Franc. Pours a mature deep tawny in colour. The medium+ intensity nose wasn't initially very appealing with mature, slightly funky aromas of sugar plums, brandied strawberries, brown sugar, caramel, and brown spices. The medium+ bodied palate, however, is lovely with a viscous, almost syrupy mouthfeel balanced by bracing acidity. I really liked the lusciously sweet flavours of strawberry, raspberry, brown sugar, caramel, and sugar plums, all of which linger through to the juicy and sticky finish, with very good length. Should continue to age well for at least another 5+ years, but it is highly pleasurable right now. Score: 91 pts

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Trinity Hill The Trinity Red Blend 2018 (Hawke's Bay) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious Bordeaux varietal from Hawke's Bay in New Zealand that arrived at the LCBO this weekend, as part of the November 27th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Trinity Hill was jointly established in the early 1990's on a stony site in Hawke's Bay, on the North Island of New Zealand, by founding winemaker John Hancock and Robert and Robyn Wilson over a glass of wine. Together, they were convinced that they could produce world-class wines in this region by recognizing the outstanding potential of Hawke's Bay's Gimblett Gravels winegrowing district. In 1993, Trinity Hill became one of the region's early pioneers by planting grapevines on a barren plot on the former bed of the Ngaruroro River, a vineyard that is now 18 hectares and known as the Gimblett Estate Vineyard. In 1998, they produced their first Gimblett Road wines to critical acclaim and a number of awards. In 2000, a 20 hectare parcel of prime Gimblett Gravels land was purchased and planted with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot - a vineyard now known as the Gimblett Stones Vineyard. A year later, Trinity Hill joined the Gimblett Gravels Winegrowers Association as a founding member.

Having tasted and enjoyed the 2015 and 2014 Trinity Hill The Trinity Red Blend wines in prior years, this wine is always a multi-varietal blend led by Merlot, with supporting varietals changing with each vintage. The 2018 vintage is a blend of 32% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, and 4% Malbec using grapes grown in the Gimblett Stones and Tin Shed Vineyards within the Gimblett Gravels appellation in Hawke's Bay. Each individual vineyard parcel was harvested separately and gently de-stemmed prior to fermentation. It was fermented to extract a soft, complex structure, followed by extended skin maceration for up to 4 weeks to further integrate and soften the tannins. After 15 months of aging in a combination of small French oak barrels and stainless steel tanks, the individual blocks were blended to create the ideal wine.

The growing season in 2018 was very warm with humid conditions arriving in late summer and autumn - ideal conditions to produce rich, supple, ripe, and robust red varietals. Trinity Hill winemaker Warren Gibson was very enthusiastic about the results of the 2018 vintage, describing it has a "cracker" of a vintage. Let's see how this 2018 red wine from Hawke's Bay is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

TRINITY HILL THE TRINITY RED BLEND 2018 - Hawke's Bay, North Island, New Zealand (#551630) (XD) - $19.95
Screw cap. This delicious blend of 32% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, and 4% Malbec has a medium to medium-high intensity nose offering rich dark fruited, plum, and leathery accents with currant, cassis, cedar wood spice, and savoury earthy undertones adding complexity. On the medium+ bodied, ripe and dark fruited palate it is spicy with black and blue fruits, currant, cassis, plum, and savoury cocoa flavours, all framed by fresh acidity and smooth, dusty, and well-integrated tannins. Savoury cocoa with blackcurrant notes linger on the long, supple finish, with very good length. A recommended buy best enjoyed over the next 3-4 years. Score: 89 pts

While a very small quantity of other wines from Trinity Hill are available at the LCBO, they can also be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.

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Frind Chardonnay 2018 and Big Red 2018 (British Columbia) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wine reviews are a couple of lovely wines from British Columbia that are new to the LCBO, arriving on shelves across Ontario as part of last weekend's LCBO VINTAGES Release on October 30th.

Frind Estate Winery was founded in 2017 by Markus Frind when he purchased the lakeside property in West Kelowna, British Columbia, from the political Bennett family who had owned the property for more than 50 years. Markus was born in Germany, a descendant of a generation of farmers, and immigrated to Canada as a young boy with his parents to a farm in northeastern British Columbia. He studied Business and Computer Science at the British Columbia Institute of Technology and developed the Plenty of Fish dating site in 2003 to great success. After many successes, Markus sold the site in 2015 to follow his ambition into B.C. wine by combining his two passions: technology and agriculture.

Markus brought on famed Winemaker Eric von Krosigk to oversee the operation and, today, Frind Estate Winery is one of the most advanced wineries in the world, using cutting edge technology to create truly distinctive wines. Some of the technology they use includes an optical sorter, automated ferment tanks, and the Willmes Sigma Press.

On the label of each Frind Estate wine is an abstract golden pinecone that represents three aspects meaningful to Markus and his family - science, symbolism and sentiment. The property is sprinkled with beautiful, old growth Ponderosa Pine trees, and one day Markus and his daughter Ava found the perfect pinecone which was artistically used for the creation of the brand. Let's see how these two wines from British Columbia are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

FRIND CHARDONNAY 2018 - BC VQA, British Columbia, Canada (#19930) (XD) - $29.95
Enclosed by Stelvin screw cap, this lovely unoaked Chardonnay has a fragrant, medium-high to highly-aromatic nose with complex aromas of lemon citrus, ripe apple, yeasty, and leesy, with subtle buttery nuances. On the weighty, impressively concentrated palate it has lovely replays of lemon citrus, ripe apple, and buttery flavours with a subtle toastiness, and supported fresh and lively acidity. The juicy mid-palate leads to more ripe apple, lemon citrus, and leesy notes on the long, crisp finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

FRIND BIG RED 2018 - BC VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#19931) (XD) - $24.95
A Merlot-dominated blend with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon in support, all aged for 12 months in mostly neutral French and American oak. Stelvin screw cap. The medium+ intensity nose is ripe and plummy with a mix of red and black fruits, red cherry, and touches of cedary wood and stemmy characters. On the medium-bodied palate it has delicious ripe cassis, black cherry, blackberry, plummy, and sweet wood spice flavours supported by fresh, well-balanced acidity and supple, structured and slightly chalky tannins. Some minty herbals and leafy notes add complexity on the mid-palate. Juicy and succulent with cedar wood spice and savoury cocoa notes lingering on the finish, with very good length. Recommended buy. Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines from B.C.'s Frind Estate Winery are available through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Tarapacá Gran Reserva 145th Anniversary Special Edition 2019 (Chile) - Wine Review

I've tasted and enjoyed many wines from Viña Tarapacá over the years, including most recently the 2019 Viña Tarapacá Gran Reserva Carmenère back in March. For tonight's wine review, we celebrate 145 years of tradition at Viña Tarapacá with this delicious, new red wine from Chile that arrived at the LCBO over the weekend (should be in stores any day now), as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release on October 30th.

Founded in the foothills of the Andes mountain range in 1874, Viña Tarapacá developed a reputation for crafting elegant and quality wines to become one of Chile's most traditional and historical wineries, as well as a benchmark for viticulture in Chile. Originally known as "Viña de Rojas" by founder and renowned winemaker Don Francisco de Rojas y Salamanca, the Tarapaca name enters the picture in 1892 when Doña Mercedes, the ex-wife of Don Antonio Zavala, became owner of the property as part of her alimony and renamed the winery to "Viña Tarapacá Ex Zavala" to express her gratitude to "The Lion of Tarapacá", Mr. Don Arturo Alessandri - one of the most influential Chilean politicians of the 20th century. More recently, in 2008 Tarapacá helped form part of VSPT Wine Group to become the second-largest exporter of Chilean wine.

To celebrate Viña Tarapacá's 145 years of tradition in creating wines of exceptional quality, they created this Special Edition wine from the 2019 vintage that reflects Tarapaca Estate's commitment to biodiversity. In 2016, Viña Tarapacá inaugurated their mini hydroelectric plant - a renewable energy project designed to harness the water flow from the irrigation canal that is present on the estate and supplied by the Maipo River and generates up to 60% of the energy consumption at the winery. Energy not used by Viña Tarapacá is fed back into the country's national grid. VSPT Wine Group is also awarded Green Company of the Year at the 2016 Green Awards and is recognized as a leader in Renewable Energy Implementation thanks to its firm commitment to sustainability.

Tasting Note:

TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA 145TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL EDITION 2019 - DO Valle del Maipo, Chile (#21966) (XD) - $20.95
This delicious red wine is composed of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 16% Syrah, all from vineyards planted in 1990 on the granitic hillsides of their property in Isla de Maipo. The fresh, medium-high to highly aromatic nose delivers notes of ripe blackberry, black cherry, dried herb, olive, and peppery spice with savoury undertones and a touch of meat. It's medium-full bodied with pleasing dark berry and peppery spice replays, if slightly grapey, on the palate. Acids are fresh and juicy, while the youthful, drying tannins need some time to integrate. More ripe dark berry with savoury earthy notes linger on the dry, chalky finish, with very good length. This recommended buy will be even better in a couple of years and continue to drink well over the next 6-7 years. Score: 90 pts

Other lovely wines by Viña Tarapacá are available at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Dandurand.

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Château Siaurac 2010 (Bordeaux) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely Bordeaux from the legendary 2010 vintage that returned to the LCBO last weekend as part of the September 4th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Château Siaurac is the largest and most emblematic estate in the Lalande de Pomerol appellation. It is located on a single, contiguous plot on the plateau of Néac, which is a continuation of the famous plateau of neighbouring Pomerol, separated by a small trickle of water called the Barbane.

The Château's origins of winegrowing date back to at least the mid-18th century, with documents showing casks of red and white wine sold to the son of a wine merchant in Libourne, nearby to the southwest of the estate. The Domaine has been passed down familial lines since Pierre Brisson purchased the estate in 1832. When his son, Benjamin Brisson, inherited the estate and married Elise Chaperon, the Château was mentioned in their marriage contract. Their only son, Joseph Brisson, was a town councillor, Mayor of Néac, and Member of Parliament for the Gironde region in 1902. Joseph managed the Siaurac holdings and estate for 50 years, fighting for the recognition of the quality of wines from Néac. He was also President of the Winegrower's Association from 1919 and tried to merge the appellation of Néac with that of Pomerol.

After marriage in 1919, Joseph and his wife, Marthe, had a daughter named Madeleine. She married into the Guichard family, and their son Oliver inherited the lands and vineyards in 1978. Starting in 2004, the estate was managed by his daughter Aline Guichard and her husband Paul Goldschmidt. After Artémis Domaines acquired a stake in 2014, the property was sold to Les Terroirs de Suravenir in 2020 with the intention of developing the Château over the long-term and realizing its full potential.

In addition to the magnificent vineyards, Château Siaurac also has gardens on the property which are on the list of the 300 most exceptional gardens in France, featuring some extraordinary trees that are as much as 350 years old.

This red wine was grown in the Château's 41 hectare vineyard (which is 46 hectares today) on gravel, deep clays, and sandy clay soils. The vineyard has 40 distinct plots which are planted to 74% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Malbec, while the blend of this red wine is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc from a selection of the best plots of the vineyard. After a controlled and gentle extraction, followed by fermentation, it was aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, 20% new.

Although this 2010 Bordeaux has shown up in VINTAGES a number of times over the years, this is actually my first time trying it. Let's see how this 2010 Bordeaux is tasting now, 11 years from vintage.

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU SIAURAC 2010 - AC Lalande de Pomerol, Bordeaux, France (#309831) (XD) - $44.95
This blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc pours deep ruby in colour. The maturing nose is intensely aromatic and complex with very attractive sweet baking spices, sweet plums, dried cherry, dried roses, and sandalwood aromas with savoury earth undertones. It's medium-full bodied on the spicy, slightly warm palate with dark berry, black cherry, blackberry, and plum flavours surrounding a savoury-earthy, and sweet spice core. Acids are well-balanced, while tannins are still a bit tight and grippy. Excellent length on the savoury, sweet spiced finish. Should continue to drink well for a number of years. Highly recommended buy! Score: 93 pts

As they only make two wines, the other wine from Château Siaurac can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.

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Château Peyros Vieilles Vignes Madiran 2016 (South West) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely red wine from the Madiran appellation in the South West of France that arrived at the LCBO earlier this month as part of the July 10 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Chateau Peyros was built in the 17th century. It's name "Peyros" means "stony place" in the local language of Gascony and is very representative of its terroir. The Madiran vineyards of Chateau Peyros are located in the Haut Béarn region in South West, France, in the heart of Vic Bilh - or "old country" in the local dialect. The Madiran region is shaped by Pyrenean moraines, with a succession of South-North oriented valley and slopes that have an East-West exposure.

However, Chateau Peyros is unique in that it has a very specific terroir and micro-climate. Chateau Peyros sets itself apart by planting their vines over a significant rocky mass, while also having the only vineyard with a fully southern exposure, thus allowing their grapes to reach greater maturity and higher quality. The soils are a mix of rolled pebbles and clay known as pouzzolanes.

Today, Chateau Peyros is part of Maison Léda, an independent, family-owned company that specializes in the distribution of premium French wines and spirits. Maison Léda was established by the Lesgourgues family in 1982 to better control and develop the distribution of the family's Armagnacs and wines, including Chateau Peyros. Their cellars are one of the most modern in the appellation. They are also moving towards sustainable agriculture and have reduced the use of chemicals by more than 40% since they took over the property.

The 2016 vintage is a blend of 60% Tannat and 40% Cabernet Franc from old vines averaging 40 to 50 years of age. The vineyard is located at the southernmost end of the Madiran appellation and has rolled pebble with some gravels on a clay, silty soils. It was fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged in on oak barrels (50% new) for 15 months. I've tasted and enjoyed previous vintages of this red wine, and expect this to be just as good. Let's see how this 2016 Madiran is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU PEYROS VIEILLES VIGNES MADIRAN 2016 - AC, South West, France (#234997) (XD) - $23.95
This blend of 60% Tannat and 40% Cabernet Franc from 40 to 50 year-old vines has rich, intense, and ripe dark black fruited aromas with spice, wood, and hints of stony minerals rising out of the glass. On the concentrated, full-bodied palate it has a complex mix of dark fruits, currant, blackberry, wood spice, earthy, and stony mineral flavours supported very good, juicy acidity. Structured, fine-grained, and slightly drying tannins are integrating very nicely. Dark fruits with mineral and earthy notes linger on the long finish. I like the approachability and balance at this stage, but it will reward handsomely with some time in the cellar and drink well to at least the end of the decade. Score: 91 pts

Other lovely wines from Chateau Peyros can be ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Château Guillou 2016 (Bordeaux) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is this delicious red wine from Bordeaux that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the June 12th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Château Guillou has been winegrowing in its current form since 1870. It is located within the Montagne-Saint-Émilion AOC, a satellite of the Saint-Émilion appellation, on the Right Bank of the Dordogne River in Bordeaux. The Château's 62 hectares of vines are mostly located on a plateau with clay-limestone soils, and hillsides with clayey-silty soils. Today, the wines of Château Guillou are produced by Vignobles Jean-Bernard Saby & Fils, a family that has been making wine for nine generations since the 18th century.

I last enjoyed the 2014 Château Guillou nearly five years ago when it came through VINTAGES in November 2016. It is typically a blend of mostly Merlot and some Cabernet Franc, with the exact composition varying slightly each vintage. This particular vintage consists of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, which is more Merlot than the last time I tasted this wine. The grapes were hand-picked and sorted, fermented in temperature-controlled tanks, then aged in a combination of new and used oak barrels. Although the 2016 vintage was mixed across Right Bank appellations, some estates produced their best wines ever. Let's see how this lovely Bordeaux red wine is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU GUILLOU 2016 - AC Montagne-Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France (#140483) (XD) - $23.95
Composed of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the fresh, open, medium-high to highly aromatic nose is ripe, plummy, and dark berry scented with some lovely floral, sweet spice, and licorice notes adding interest and complexity. It's medium-full to full-bodied with lovely savoury, earthy, tobacco, and dark berry flavours, while the acidity is fresh and juicy. Tannins are smooth with a very fine, dusty texture, yet still somewhat chalky and drying. Savoury, earthy, and chocolatey oak notes linger on the long finish. An impressive step up from previous vintages. Highly recommended buy to enjoy over the next few years. Score: 91 pts

Other lovely wines from Vignobles Jean-Bernard Saby & Fils can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.

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Clos de los Siete 2018 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely, Malbec-led, six varietal blend from Argentina. I first enjoyed the 2002 vintage - the wine's inaugural vintage - in 2006 and it's become a perennial favourite of mine. This latest vintage arrived at the LCBO this weekend as part of the May 29. 2021 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Michel Rolland, one of the world's most famous consultant oenologists, founded the Clos de los Siete project by combining 850 hectares of vines at the foot of the Andes Mountains in the Uco Valley from 4 bodegas run by passionate Bordeaux families.

In 1988, Michel Rolland first visited Argentina and immediately fell in love with the country, including its atmosphere, people, landscape, and culture. With frequent return trips to the country, he became convinced that all of the conditions were right to grow great wines in Argentina. After some time searching, he and Jean Michel Arcaute (a winegrower from Pomerol, Bordeaux) found an ideal plot of land at the based of the Andes Mountains at 1,100 metres altitude with uniquely exposed with soils made up of pebbles, clay and sand, as well as some enormous boulders that have laid there since prehistoric times. The two friends were joined by others from Bordeaux. The "C7" on the label comes from the fact that 7 winemaking families were involved in the Clos de los Siete project. Each family independently made their own wines, but also contributed their wines to Clos de los Siete, a wine crafted under the supervision of Michel Rolland. Today, 4 bodegas contribute their wines to Clos de los Siete. The four key elements that make Clos de los Siete special are the generous soils on which the grape are grown, the dry weather with high day-night diurnal temperatures, high altitude vines, and the orientation of these vines in relation to the sun.

This red wine is a Malbec-based blend every year, and the 2018 vintage consists of 55% Malbec, 19% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah, 2% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. All of the grapes were grown in the Uco Valley on sand and clay soils with large pebbles at an altitude of 1,100 metres above sea level. The grapes were manually harvested, sorted twice, and gently moved throughout the winery by gravity. It was aged for 11 months - 70% in French oak barrels and rest in vats. As 2018 was one of the finest harvests in the last 30 years, let's see how this latest vintage is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CLOS DE LOS SIETE 2018 - Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#622571) (XD) - $24.95
Blend of 55% Malbec, 19% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah, 2% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. The rich, intense nose has a complex, ripe, dark fruited mix of blackberry, blueberry, peppery spice, and savoury oak aromas with touches of stony mineral and plum. The medium-full bodied, ripe palate has blackberry, blueberry, and floral flavours accented with peppery spice and savoury oak notes. A touch of warmth on the mid-palate with juicy, well-balanced acidity, while the tannins are smooth, refined, and dusty textured. Herb and mineral touches join the dark berry and savoury notes on the long finish. Enjoy this recommended buy over the next 5-6 years. Score: 90+ pts

When not available at the LCBO, this lovely wine can be ordered through their Agent - Dandurand.

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Avondale Jonty's Ducks Pekin Red 2016 (South Africa) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely, organic, and vegan-friendly red wine blend from South Africa. This customer favourite (and mine too) arrived at the LCBO over the weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release on May 1st.

Jonty's Ducks wines are produced at Avondale's eco-friendly estate in the picturesque Paarl region in South Africa. Avondale Wines is a family owned farm run by proprietor, Johnathan Grieve, who is sometimes also known as 'Jonty'.

The wines celebrate Avondale's natural vineyard eco-system where a posse of glossy Pekin ducks patrol the vineyards to find and eat snails which would otherwise cause serious damage to the vines. These ducks provide a very effective and eco-friendly method to manage pests while also avoiding the use of harmful chemical poisons, and is just one of the many ways Avondale works with nature to produce premium quality, organically certified wines, while also ensuring that our Earth is protected for future generations.

There are only two wines in the Jonty's Ducks range - a lovely white blend that came through VINTAGES back in December and is nearly sold out, and this red blend. Both wines are slow made with natural yeast, free of all artificial additives and low in sulphur.

I was first introduced to this wine, the 2011 Avondale Jonty's Ducks Pekin Red back in 2015 and have enjoyed it on a number of occasions since. For the 2016 vintage, this red wine is a blend of 37% Shiraz, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec, and 4% Petit Verdot, that was aged in used 225 litre barrels for 12-14 months.

Tasting Note:

AVONDALE JONTY'S DUCKS PEKIN RED 2016 - Vegan, WO Paarl, South Africa (#383547) (XD) - $16.95
Screw cap. Organic and vegan-friendly. The medium+ intensity nose has a lovely mix of red and black fruits, currant, ink, and wood spice with whiffs of wild herbs and white pepper notes adding complexity. It's full-bodied and quite concentrated and dense on the ripe palate with minty, currant, cassis, and herbal flavours surrounding a savoury, earthy core. It has juicy, succulent acids, while sweet, ripe tannins have a subtle, chalky grip. Slightly spicy on the mid-palate, while the long finish is savoury and earthy with touches of mineral. Recommended buy. Score: 89 pts

Wines from Jonty's Ducks and Avondale Wines can be ordered through their Agent - Rare Earth Wines.

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Catena Appellation San Carlos Cabernet Franc 2018 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Following up on the excellent 2018 Catena Lunlunta Old Vines Appellation Malbec, tonight's wine review is another lovely red wine from Catena's Appellation Series. This Cabernet Franc arrived at the LCBO earlier this month as part of the March 6th LCBO VINTAGES Release where it was featured in the theme on Argentina - The Land of Extremes.

The Catena family have been making wines in Argentina since 1902, spanning four generations now and led today by the brilliant Dr. Laura Catena. Together, Catena family has revolutionized Argentine winemaking, turning the country into a world-class wine region. On top of introducing Malbec to Argentina and believing that it could stand among the best in the world, Catena also planted vines at very high altitudes where no one thought it would ripen. They have also studied in great detail the climate and soils in Mendoza and other parts of Argentina while continuing to learn through the Catena Institute of Wine that was established by Laura in 1995. Malbec is usually the first grape variety to come to mind when thinking of wines from Argentina, but there are other varieties that have found success in Argentina.

Cabernet Franc isn't widely planted in Argentina, with only 1,200 hectares vines that represent just 1% of all red varieties planted in the country. Originally from the humid climate of Bordeaux, the modern history of Cabernet Franc in Argentina began only in the 1990s and has quickly adapted to the high altitude vineyards and dry climate of Argentina. Cabernet Franc was intended to give strength to blends, as found in the 2017 Doña Paula 1350 that I enjoyed a couple of days ago. However, Cabernet Franc has shown that in can excel on its own.

This particular Cabernet Franc by Catena was grown in the family's historic vineyards in San Carlos at an high-altitude of 1,090 metres (3,576 feet) above sea level on soils that are alluvial in origin. This vineyard has loamy, sandy soil with thick calcareous layers with rounded rocks on the bottom. It is composed of 70% sand, 10% clay, and 20% silt. Because Cabernet Franc is a very transparent grape (figuratively speaking) as it expresses its terroir very well. Thus, Argentinean Cabernet Franc provides a combination of taste, sense of place, and character that makes it unique and like no other.

Tasting Note:

CATENA APPELLATION SAN CARLOS CABERNET FRANC 2018 - San Carlos, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#450106) (XD) - $19.95
The medium-high intensity aromatics are fresh and ripe with red and black fruits, currant, cassis, smoky mineral, and touches of leafy herb in a slightly reductive profile. It is medium-full bodied on the clean, ripe palate with spicy red fruits flavours joined by currant. stony-smoky mineral, and black pepper notes. It's well-balanced with fresh acidity and supple, textured tannins that have some tannic grip. Stony mineral notes linger on the long, textured finish. Enjoy this unique Cabernet Franc over the next 5+ years. Score: 91 pts

Other fabulous wines by Catena can be found at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Doña Paula 1350 2017 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely, vegan-friendly, red blend from Argentina that arrived at the LCBO as part of the feature on Argentina - The Land of Extremes in the March 6, 2021 LCBO VINTAGES Release - with bottles still available to buy now.

Doña Paula was established in 1997 in Ugarteche, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza. Their philosophy is that excellent wine is nothing but the most faithful expression of the vineyard. To ensure that they have complete control over the grape growing process, Doña Paula crafts all of their wines using grapes from their own vineyards. These vineyards, which today number approximately 703 hectares, are planted in the best areas of the country such as Gualtallary, Altamira and Los Cerezos, within the Uco Valley. Doña Paula has carried out a number of detailed studies to determine Mendoza’s soils and microclimates, all of which help to express the terroir in each bottle of wine.

I had the opportunity to taste the lovely 2015 Doña Paula 1350 at the Wines of Argentina Masterclass in November 2019 and was excited to see the latest vintage come to stores earlier this month. This red wine is part of the Doña Paula's Altitude blend series and named after the altitude (1,350 metres) of their Alluvia Vineyard in Gualtallary where the grapes were grown. It is a blend of nearly equal parts Cabernet Franc and Malbec, plus a small amount of Casavecchia - a rare Italian grape variety which was first planted by Doña Paula in 2006. The soils at the Alluvia Vineyard are sandy with alluvial and calcareous stones, while the climate has warm days and cool nights. Since the beginning, all of the vineyards at Doña Paula have been managed using sustainable agricultural practices.

The 2017 vintage in Mendoza was fantastic in terms of quality and considered one of the best vintages in recent years with a return to its characteristically warm and dry climate, albeit with reduced yields. While the 2015 vintage of this wine was lovely, I would expect the 2017 vintage to be even better. Let's see how it is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

DOÑA PAULA 1350 2017 - Gualtallary, Tupungato, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#17382) (XD) - $24.95
A blend of 50% Cabernet Franc, 45% Malbec, and 5% Casavecchia that was aged in mostly used French oak barrels for 14-16 months. Fresh, intense aromatics are savoury and spicy with stony mineral, dark berry, blackberry, and wet earth aromas along with touches of dried herb and floral. On the fresh, medium+ bodied palate it has fine spicy, stony mineral, black fruit replays, plus some woody notes supported by refreshing acidity and grainy, structured, and grippy tannins. Minerally with dark berry and dried herb notes lingering on the finish, with excellent length. Enjoyable now and will improve with a few years in the cellar. Highly recommended buy. Score: 91 pts

Some of the many lovely wines from Doña Paula are available at the LCBO, while others can be ordered through their Agent - Select Wines.

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Karlo Estates Cabernet Franc 2015 (Prince Edward County) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely cool-climate Cabernet Franc from Prince Edward County that arrived at the LCBO more than three years ago as part of the December 9, 2017 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Karlo Estates, a winery located in Prince Edward Country, Ontario, that was co-founded by Sherry and her late husband Richard Karlo in 2005 after purchasing the property from the Stevenson family which had owned the family property since the early 1800s. Sherry and Karlo began planting vines in 2006 and today have 14 acres of vines planted across the 93 acre property.

This vegan-friendly Cabernet Franc was crafted by Derek Barnett, a former Winemaker of the Year and one of the top winemakers in Canada. He joined Karlo Estates in 2015 and this was the first year he had full control of the vintage from winegrowing, to harvest, and vinification. I spoke to Derek about this wine back in April 2017 - when I got to taste a barrel sample - and at the time he had mentioned that this was the best Cabernet Franc he had ever made

While this vintage is no longer available for purchase, the 2017 vintage is available through the winery with free shipping when you buy at least 6 bottles of any Karlo Estates wines.

I last enjoyed the 2015 Karlo Estates Cabernet Franc just over three years ago, and back in 2017 I commented that it should be enjoyed over the next 3-4 years, so, let's see how it is tasting tonight in 2021.

Tasting Note:

KARLO ESTATES CABERNET FRANC 2015 - VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (#524389) (XD) - $39.00
This vegan-friendly, wild-fermented Cabernet Franc was aged in barrel for 15 months. The fragrant nose offers a lovely, complex, and maturing nose of dried berry compote, spice, and savoury earthy aromas with touches of floral. On the light-to-medium bodied palate it has fine, tart, juicy acidity that frames the dark berry compote, sweet tobacco, earthy, savoury, and sandalwood spice flavours in a somewhat mature profile. Smooth, fine-grained tannins are fold into the wine very nicely, with some grip on the back palate. It's well-balanced throughout with savoury wet earth, tobacco, and maturing berry flavours on the long finish. In a lovely place right now and should continue to drink well over at least the next couple of years, and possibly longer. Score: 91 pts

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Ravine Vineyard Sand & Gravel Cabernet Franc 2017 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is this lovely Cabernet Franc from Niagara-on-the-Lake's Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery. I purchased this bottle while visiting the winery during the Days of Wine & Chocolate Festival in February 2019. Of course, this particular vintage is sold out, however, the 2019 is available for purchase at winery or online from their website.

Ravine Vineyard's Tasting Room is situated in the Wm. Woodruff House that was originally built in 1802 by David Secord - the namesake of the town of St. Davids in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The farm property was purchased by the Lowrey family in 1867, and two years later the first grape vines were planted on the site. Fast forward to 2008 when Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery opened to the public. I have been to Ravine on a number of occasions over the years - whose grapes on the 34 hectare family property are all organically farmed - and have always loved their wines.

Of all the Bordeaux red varietals planted in Niagara, it is Cabernet Franc that consistently performs the best - showcasing its tolerance for our cold winters and its ability to ripen in Niagara's cool climate. I noted that this wine was a bit young and grippy when I tasted it at the winery a couple of years ago, but it should be in fine form now. Let's see how this Niagara Cabernet Franc is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

RAVINE VINEYARD SAND & GRAVEL CABERNET FRANC 2017 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $19.95
Aged in French oak for 10 months and enclosed by screw cap. Medium-high intensity nose offers earthy and bretty aromas layered over complex ripe red and black berries, spice, thyme, bay leaf, and herbal notes. It is quite full with very good concentration on the palate that has savoury, earthy notes mingling with ripe red and black berry, and dark cherry flavours. Some peppery spice on the mid-palate, with very good acidity, and smooth tannins that are well-integrated with subtle chalkiness. Earthy, wood spice, and some vanilla notes linger on the very long finish. Score: 89 pts

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Catena Zapata Nicolás Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec 2016 (Argentina) - Wine Review

To follow up on the lovely 2017 Catena Cabernet Sauvignon that I enjoyed last month, tonight's wine review is an excellent blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec by Bodega Catena Zapata that arrived at the LCBO as part of the VINTAGES Classics Collection back in September - with a few bottles still available for purchase at LCBO outlets in Toronto.

The family winery was founded in 1902 by Italian immigrant Nicola Catena when he planted his first Malbec in Mendoza, Argentina. The winery was then passed along to his son, Domingo. It was Domingo's son, Nicolás Catena Zapata, that revolutionized Argentine winemaking. Nicolás was literally born in the vineyard at his family home in Rivadavia in eastern Mendoza in 1939 as his mother never made it to the hospital. Nicolás began planting at higher elevations, looking for cooler temperatures, and planted the Adrianna Vineyard in the Andean foothills. He was instrumental in putting high-altitude Malbec from Mendoza on the world map.

Today, Nicolás' daughter, Dr. Laura Catena, the fourth generation of the family, runs the winery. To further elevate Mendoza as a world-class wine region, she established the Catena Institute of Wine in 1995 to focus on the study of terroir, sustainability, and other research. The wines of Catena Zapata come from six historic family estate vineyards and each of these vineyards is divided into parcels according to their soil composition, with each parcel farmed individually. Nearly all of Catena's vineyards are farmed sustainably and organically, focusing on lower yields and biodiversity.

Catena Zapata has a number of icon wines in their portfolio, but at the top of the list is this profound Nicolás Catena Zapata. It was first crafted in the 1997 vintage using the best grapes from the family's historic vineyards and set a new standard of quality for wines not only from Argentina, but all of South America.

Although Catena Zapata played an important role in elevating Argentine Malbec on the world stage, Cabernet Sauvignon has also been an important part of the Catena portfolio. The 2016 vintage of this iconic wine is a blend of primarily Cabernet Sauvignon (61%), plus Malbec (31%) and Cabernet Franc (8%) in support. The Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the La Pirámide Vineyard at 3,117 ft. (950 m) within Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo, that has deep alluvial loam soils with 30% clay that decreases soil temperatures by 2ºC. A large portion of the Malbec comes from the Adrianna Vineyard at 4,757 ft. (1,450 m) elevation, in Gualtallary, Tupungato, Uco Valley, and has alluvial, gravelly soils with limestone deposits in the topsoil. Lastly, the Cabernet Franc, as well as some of the Malbec come from the Nicasia Vineyard at 3,593 ft. (1,095 m) in Altamira and La Consulta, Uco Valley, where the very shallow loamy topsoil with surface gravel and gravelly (large stones) dry river bed subsoils have optimal drainage characteristics.

The 2016 harvest was characterised by the cool-climate (the coolest vintage in the last thirty years), vineyards there were mostly dry farmed, and a fully snow-covered Andes throughout the summer growing season. Of particular note, the La Pirámide Vineyard - which makes up the majority of this wine - experienced an excellent vintage in part due to it being completely dry farmed because of the year's increased rain pattern, while the clay soils added a level of freshness. Crafted under the tutelage of Wine Director Alejandro Vigil, the winemaker for this wine is Fernando Buscema. Let's see how this iconic wine is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CATENA ZAPATA NICOLÁS CABERNET SAUVIGNON/MALBEC 2016 - Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#510958) (XD) - $123.00
Blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Malbec, and 8% Cabernet Franc that was fermented using wild yeasts and aged in French oak barrels for 18 months. Elegant, refined, and fresh aromas of red and black fruits, currant, cassis, blackberry, and earth with a whiff of herb wafting out of the glass. It is full-bodied with lovely replays of currant, cassis, and herb, plus cocoa, earth, oak spice, and touches of graphite on the refined palate. Fresh acidity is well-balanced, while the structured tannins are smooth and fine-grained with some grip. Savoury oak notes come through on the very long, mouth-watering finish. Enjoyable now, but still a bit young. Should improve in 2-3 years and drink well into the early 2030s. Exceptional! Score: 95 pts

Other fine wines from Catena Zapata can be found at the LCBO or ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wine & Spirts.

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Catena Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely, high-altitude Cabernet Sauvignon from Argentina that is available year-round in Ontario as it is part of the VINTAGES Essentials collection at the LCBO. The 2017 vintage of this wine is in stores now and currently on promotion at $2 off until November 29th.

It produced by the iconic Bodega Catena Zapata, which was founded in 1902 and is known for, among many things, discovering extreme high altitude terroirs in the Andean foothills of Mendoza. With the true belief that great wines begin in the vineyard, the vision at Catena is to produce rich and unforgettable wines that are true to the special place from which they come. It is also the belief that in order to produce world-class wines, they need the right winegrowing and winemaking team. Catena wines are produced by fourth generation Argentine vintner - also biologist, physician and author - Laura Catena, and Chief Winemaker, Alejandro Vigil.

Althought Catena is known for its pioneering role in resurrecting Malbec, this wine is made with Cabernet Sauvignon - in fact, a blend that doesn't include any Malbec. Cabernet Sauvignon is the third most cultivated red grape varietal in Argentina and, together with Malbec it is one of the most researched varietals in the country. The Cabernet grown in Argentina all come from continental climates, but depending on where it's grown produces at least three different styles of wines.

This red wine has traditionally been 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, but more recent vintages have been blends. Through decades of study and exploration within Mendoza's high altitude mountain terroirs, the Catena family has identified special locations for its Estate vineyards. The 2017 edition of this wine consists of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot, using grapes from 4 high mountain Estate vineyards that are all alluvial in origin. The Agrelo vineyard is located at 3,117 feet (950 metres) above sea level and has clay topsoil with rounded rocks underneath. The Villa Bastías vineyard (Uco Valley) is at 3,675 feet (1,120 metres) elevation and has silt loamy soil over limestone. The Altamira vineyard in La Consulta is located at 3,593 feet (1,095 metres) elevation and sits on loamy soils with rounded rocks underneath. The fourth vineyard is El Cepillo, Eugenio Bustos (San Carlos, Uco Valley) and is situated at 3,593 feet (1,090 metres) above sea level on loam-sandy soils with thick calcareous layers, and rounded rocks underneath. The grapes were fermented using wild yeasts and aged for 12 months in barrel. I recall enjoying previous editions of this wine, let's see how the 2017 is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CATENA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017 - Mendoza, Argentina (#985002) (XD) - $19.95 $17.95 until Nov. 29.
A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot from high-altitude vines grown between 3,117 and 3,675 feet (950 to 1,120 metres) above sea level. The perfumed, medium-high intensity nose offers lovely currant, cassis, herbal, and olive aromas with well-integrated oak and touches of graphite and cherry compote adding further interest. It's full-bodied on the smooth palate with dark berry, mild oak spice, and herbal flavours supported by balanced acidity and smooth, velvety tannins. Well-balanced throughout with salty mineral notes arriving on the mid-palate, joined by wood spice, savoury earthy, and chocolate notes that linger on the long, smooth and juicy finish. Enjoy over the next 5+ years. Score: 90 pts

There are quite a few lovely Catena wines available at the LCBO, but many others can also be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wine & Spirts.

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Trinity Hill The Gimblett 2016 and Sauvignon Blanc 2019 (New Zealand) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wine reviews are a pair of lovely wines from New Zealand's iconic Trinity Hill that arrived in LCBO VINTAGES on November 14. I've been enamoured with this winery and the Hawke's Bay region ever since enjoying the 2014 Trinity Hill The Trinity Red Blend a couple of years ago that I made it a point to visit the Hawke's Bay and Trinity Hill when I visited New Zealand earlier this year - more on this to come.

The idea of Trinity Hill was formed in 1987 when winemaker John Hancock met with Bleeding Heart restaurant owners Robyn and Robert Wilson at their restaurant in London. On a stony site in Hawke's Bay, Trinity Hill became a reality in 1993 because they recognized that this site would give them the ability to produce world-class wines. They also recognized the potential of the Hawkes Bay's Gimblett Gravels winegrowing district and quickly became one of the region's early pioneers by planting grape vines on a barren plot on the former bed of the Ngaruroro River that is now an 18 hectare vineyard.

By 2001, Trinity Hill helped found the Gimblett Gravels Winegrowers Association. It was created based on the terroir of the area of the old Ngaruroro Riverbed, with 34 member wineries and winegrowers making up the association.

Today, Robyn and Robert Wilson are still co-owners of Trinity Hill, while John Hancock moved on in 2018 to focus on his own negociant wine business. Warren Gibson is the Chief Winemaker. He worked with John prior to the creation of Trinity Hill and joined the team to work alongside John in 1997, earning several accolades along the way. Trinity produces wines using traditional Hawke's Bay varietals such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, as well as (my favourite) Syrah, and, of course, Sauvignon Blanc. All Trinity Hill wines are produced with the utmost care and respect for the grapes and with minimum intervention. Making world-class wines for more than 20 years, Trinity Hill truly is one of New Zealand's iconic wineries.

Tasting Notes:

TRINITY HILL SAUVIGNON BLANC 2019 - Sustainable, Hawke's Bay, North Island, New Zealand (#247221) (XD) - $19.95
Screw cap. The fruit for this Sauvignon Blanc was sourced from Mangaorapa Station’s cool climate and argillite soils, in southern Hawke's Bay. Most of the wine was cool fermentated and spent 3 months in contact with lees, while a smaller portion was fermented and aged in small 228 L barriques. Elegant, restrained aromas of lime, citrus and stone fruits with touches of guava, passion fruit, and leesy characters. The medium bodied palate has a nice texture with more citrusy lime and stone fruit flavours joined by subtle leesy and oak notes that balance the crisp, fresh, and lively acidity. Interesting notes of oyster shell minerality linger on the long, juicy finish. Would be a fine pairing with oysters. Score: 89 pts

TRINITY HILL THE GIMBLETT 2016 - Gimblett Gravels, Hawke's Bay, North Island, New Zealand (#280263) (XD) - $39.95
Screw cap. This blend of 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Cabernet Franc, 14% Merlot, and 2% Malbec has lovely, perfumed aromas of ripe red and black fruits, currant, cassis and spices with subtle notes of sweet tobacco, floral, herb and leather. Some olive aromas develop with time in the glass. It's medium-full+ bodied on the palate with firm, structured, and grippy tannins along with juicy acidity that supports the blackberry, cassis, currant, earthy, and cedary oak flavours. Savoury, earthy and woody on the finish, with excellent length. Enjoy to the late 2020s. Score: 91 pts

Other fine wines from Trinity Hill can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.

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Laura Hartwig Edición de Familia 2017 (Chile) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely Chilean red blend that first came to VINTAGES as a Flagship Store Exclusive back in May (and sold out quickly), but now returns to LCBO VINTAGES on November 14 in quantities such that it will be widely available across Ontario.

It is produced by Laura Hartwig Premium Wines, and the story begins in 1966 when Laura Bisquertt inherited the "Santa Laura" farm from her father, Osvaldo. He purchased the property in 1928 and cultivated annual crops and had cattle. The next 5 years after inheriting the farm, Laura and her husband, Alejandro Hartwig, purchased neighbouring lots and ran the estate. In 1971, Alejandro decided to look for work abroad and landed in Montreal, Canada. While living in Canada with his family for 10 years, he developed a passion for wine and decided with Laura to return to Colchagua Valley, with its excellent climate for winegrowing, to establish a winery as their "Retirement Project".

In 1978, Laura and Alejandro started planting the estate with Bordeaux varietals and sold the fruit to other wineries. In 1994, they built the estate in Santa Cruz, in the heart of the Colchagua Valley, and created their first Laura Hartwig wine a year later - a Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva. Today, it is children of Laura and Alejandro who are in charge of the estate and aim to produce wines with the same principles that their parents instilled in them. With a temperate climate, loam clay soils, and a long-standing team, Laura Hartwig has developed low-impact and sustainable vineyard management practices.

This Edición de Familia (Family Edition) red wine blend was born out of the Winemaker's need to create a classic red blend with the oldest vines planted in the estate, and also reflect the potential of these varieties with quality fruit every vintage. The 2017 vintage of this wine is a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. In the Edición de Familia, Winemaker Renato Czischke has the space and complete freedom express his passion, conviction, and ideas to make a wine with a unique and personal style while paying tribute to the Hartwig family.

Tasting Note:

LAURA HARTWIG EDICIÓN DE FAMILIA 2017 - DO Colchagua Valley, Chile (#14147) (XD) - $27.95
A blend of 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Malbec, 12% Petit Verdot, and 6% Cabernet Franc that was aged in (50%) new and second use French oak barrels for 20 months. It has an elegant, rich, and fragrant nose of bay leaf, forest green herbs, cassis, blackcurrant, earth, and cedary oak aromas. It's medium+ bodied on the palate with firm, grippy, and textured tannins along with fresh, lively acidity. Some greenness on the flavour profile is balanced with pleasing savoury, earthy, oak, and blackcurrant notes with a touch of coffee. Long, bright finish is savoury and earthy with oak spice notes. Enjoyable now with big, red meats, but I would age this for 3-4 years for prime enjoyment. Score: 90 pts

Other lovely wines from Laura Hartwig are available via their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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