Showing posts with label fathers-day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fathers-day. Show all posts

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  • Date publishedMonday, June 5, 2017

June 10, 2017 VINTAGES Release: Australia + France + Father's Day + Canada 150



LCBO Wine Picks from June 10, 2017 VINTAGES Magazine
The VINTAGES Release will be on shelves at LCBO outlets across Ontario this coming and has four themes featured. In this Release, the main themes are warm-weather wines from Australia, French wines under $20, Father's Day gifts, and many Canadian wines to celebrate Canada 150. There could also easily be a fifth theme with all of the fine Rosé wines listed.

We'll begin with main theme which lists twelve wines for summer fare from Australia. Just two of the twelve wines made my list of wine picks, and includes a nice Aussie Shiraz from Margaret River in Western Australia. The other wine from Australia is a Viognier from Tahbilk - a family-owned winery since 1860 that was named 2016 Winery of the Year by James Halliday.

As part of the Australian thematic, there's a neat side note about wine serving temperatures. As a general rule, you should chill your white wines for 2 hours in the fridge (or 20 minutes in an ice bucket), rose wines for 1.5 hours in the fridge (or 15 minutes in an ice bucket), and red wines for 1 hour in the fridge (or 10 minutes in an ice bucket).

Tahbilk Viognier 2016 (89 pts)

The second theme of the release is titled "French Lessons" and lists seven wines from France, all under $20, two of which are included among my top wine recommendations. From Beaujolais, there is a Gamay from Vieilles Vignes (i.e. Old Vines) that are more than 40 years old. The second wine from this mini-theme is a mature Malbec from Cahors, the native home of the Malbec grape.

From the Father's Day thematic which listed five wines plus a Cognac, and being a Father myself, I would love to have either the Châteauneuf-du-Pape (which is a blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, and 10% Mourvèdre) or the Amarone that is a blend of 70% Corvina/Corvinone, 20% Rondinella, and 10% Croatina/Oseleta.

For Canada 150 celebrations, there are sixteen wines listed and many good choices among them. Viognier is not grown much in Ontario, but there's a good one from Creekside, a producer that's been making quality Viognier for quite a few years now. A pair of dry rosés are also worth your attention, one is made by Creekside using Cabernet Sauvignon, while the Malivoire Rosé is made with Pinot Noir.

This leads us into the fine selection of rosé wines that are being released, most of which are from France. The rosé wine from Rhône is a blend of Syrah and Grenache, while the La Riviera is a blend of Grenache and Cinsault, and the Leoube Rosé consists of Grenache, Cinsault with touches of Syrah and Mourvèdre.

In red wines from the rest of the release, from Midi, the M. Chapoutier is a blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 10% Carignan, while the Bugadelles is a blend of Syrah and Grenache. From Spain, the Crianza is 100% Tempranillo, while the Rioja is actually a blend of 77% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha, 8% Graciano, and 5% Mazuelo. From Chile, the Intriga Cabernet Sauvignon contains 8% Cabernet Franc, and last but not least, the Barbaresco from Piedmont is made with Nebbiolo.

Intriga Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 (90+ pts)

Among my white wine picks, the white Bordeaux is mostly Sauvignon Blanc, with Semillon added to complete the blend. For sweet wine lovers, the mature Riesling Kabinett should be on your list, as well as the Tokaji from Hungary.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

  • M. CHAPOUTIER LES VIGNES DE BILA-HAUT CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON VILLAGES 2015 - AC, Midi, France (#168716) (XD) - $15.95
  • LIONEL OSMIN & CIE CAHORS MALBEC 2012 - AC Cahors, Southwest, France (#247544) (XD) - $16.95
  • OVIDIO GARCÍA ESENCIA CRIANZA 2009 - DO Cigales, Spain (#489757) (XD) - $18.95
  • STÉPHANE AVIRON VIEILLES VIGNES MOULIN-À-VENT 2013 - AC, Beaujolais, France (#368134) (XD) - $19.95
  • FRANKLIN TATE ESTATES SHIRAZ 2015 - Margaret River, Western Australia (#489948) (XD) - $19.95
  • INTRIGA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013 - Maipo Valley, Chile (#057901) (XD) - $22.95  reviewed here
  • DOMAINE LES BUGADELLES 2014 - IGP Pays d’Oc, Midi, France (#493536) (XD) - $25.95  FSE
  • MARQUÉS DE MURRIETA FINCA YGAY RESERVA 2012 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#209148) (D) - $29.95
  • PASQUALE PELISSERO BRICCO SAN GIULIANO BARBARESCO 2012 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#214551) (XD) - $38.95
  • CHÂTEAU FORTIA CUVÉE DU BARON CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2013 - AC, Rhône, France (#959999) (D) - $44.95
  • LATIUM MORINI CAMPO LEÒN AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA 2011 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#334300) (D) - $46.95

White Wine:

  • BELLINGHAM HOMESTEAD SERIES THE OLD ORCHARDS CHENIN BLANC 2015 - WO Paarl, South Africa (#484055) (XD) - $15.95
  • CHÂTEAU ROQUEFORT BLANC 2016 - AC Bordeaux, France (#313346) (XD) - $16.95
  • TAHBILK VIOGNIER 2016 - Nagambie Lakes, Central Victoria, Australia (#271387) (XD) - $18.95  reviewed here
  • MARKUS HUBER TERRASSEN GRÜNER VELTLINER 2015 - DAC Traisental, Austria (#484956) (XD) - $19.95  reviewed here
  • HEDGES H.I.P DIONYSUS VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2013 - Columbia Valley, Washington, USA (#488528) (XD) - $19.95
  • SCHLOSS SCHÖNBORN HATTENHEIM NUSBRUNNEN RIESLING KABINETT 2008 - Hattenheim, Rheingau, Germany (#496497) (MS) - $19.95
  • DOMAINE RAOUL GAUTHERIN CHABLIS 2014 - AC, Burgundy, France (#488809) (XD) - $24.95
  • CREEKSIDE RESERVE VIOGNIER 2014 - Queenston Road Vineyard, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#264168) (D) - $29.95
Markus Huber Terrassen Grüner Veltliner 2015 (89 pts)

Rosé Wine:

  • CREEKSIDE CABERNET ROSÉ 2016 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#048819) (XD) - $14.95
  • CHÂTEAU VAL JOANIS TRADITION ROSÉ 2016 - AP Luberon, Rhône, France (#707281) (XD) - $15.95
  • LA RIVIERA CÔTES DE PROVENCE ROSÉ 2016 - AP Côtes de Provence, France (#494120) (XD) - $18.95
  • MALIVOIRE VIVANT ROSÉ 2016 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#498535) (XD) - $19.95
  • CHÂTEAU LÉOUBE ROSÉ DE LÉOUBE 2016 - AC Côtes de Provence, France (#491100) (XD) - $25.95

Dessert Wine:

  • CHÂTEAU DERESZLA 5 PUTTONYOS TOKAJI ASZÚ 2009 - Tokaj-Hegyalja, Hungary (#012203) (S) (500 mL) - $45.95


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  • Date publishedMonday, June 6, 2016

June 11 VINTAGES Release: Sparkling Wine + California Zin + Father's Day

LCBO Wine Picks: June 11, 2016 VINTAGES Release
The VINTAGES Release has 3 themes and will be on LCBO VINTAGES shelves this coming . The first theme is titled "Fizz Fest" and features sparkling wines for all occasions, while the second theme features California Zinfandel. The third and final theme of this release features a small selection of wines (and spirits) for Father's Day gifts.

We'll begin with the main feature on bubbly that has 16 sparkling wines, 5 of which are included among my wine picks. If you prefer your sparklers to be extra dry (i.e. not sweet), look for Chile's first organic sparkling wine that is a 77/23 blend of Chardonnay/Pinot Noir. Also extra dry, and more Pinot (82%) than Chardonnay (18%) is leads us to a rosé sparkling wine from South Africa. Single varietal sparkling wines with a hint sweetness, from less sweet to more sweet, include a Chardonnay from Burgundy, a Sauvignon Blanc, and a Riesling, the latter two which are from Ontario.

The first mini-theme of 6 wines focuses on California Zinfandel. I'm not a big fan of Zinfandel, but if there's one wine I would add to my cellar, it would be the Ridge Lytton Springs from Sonoma County that, in addition to 74% Zinfandel, also includes 16% Petite Sirah, 8% Carignan and 2% Mataro (aka Mourvèdre). This is a wine to put away for at least a couple of years and enjoy into the 2030's.

Only one selection from the Father's Day mini-theme made my list of wine picks. It's a beautiful Brunello di Montalcino (100% Sangiovese) from Tenuta La Fuga, from the great 2010 vintage.

From the rest of the release, the Chinon is made with Cabernet Franc, while the Chianti Classico is 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo. Creekside's Laura's Red (45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc, 3% Syrah, 2% Malbec, and 1% Petit Verdot) returns to VINTAGES with another year under it's belt. From Rhône, there are two fabulous reds: the Vacqueyras is a blend of Grenache and Syrah, while the Gigondas is mostly Grenache with Syrah and Mourvèdre adding texture.

Creekside Estate Laura’s Red 2012 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (89 pts)

In white wines, the Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine is an extra dry wine made using the Melon de Bourgogne grape. If you like your wines on the sweet side, take a look at a pair of Ontario Rieslings, or go even sweeter with a Riesling Spätlese from Germany.

Enjoy my wine recommendations for this week. Cheers!

Red Wine:

  • SERGE ET BRUNO SOURDAIS CHINON 2014 - AC, Loire, France (#451898) (XD) - $16.95
  • UGGIANO PRESTIGE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2010 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#454553) (XD) - $16.95
  • CONCHA Y TORO SERIE RIBERAS GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014 - Ribera del Tinguiririca, Marchigue, Central Valley, Chile (#256693) (D) - $17.95
  • CREEKSIDE ESTATE LAURA’S RED 2012 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#117960) (XD) - $19.95  reviewed here
  • KAIKEN ULTRA MALBEC 2013 - Mendoza, Argentina (#50849) (D) - $19.95
  • CONCHA Y TORO TERRUNYO PEUMO VINEYARD BLOCK 27 CARMENÈRE 2012 - Entre Cordilleras, Peumo, Cachapoal Valley, Chile (#562892) (XD) - $29.95  reviewed here
  • FOREST HILL ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011 - Great Southern, Western Australia (#380840) (XD) - $29.95
  • DOMAINE LA FOURMONE LE POÈTE VACQUEYRAS 2013 - AP, Rhône, France (#452268) (XD) - $29.95
  • OLIVIER & LAFONT GIGONDAS 2013 - AC, Rhône, France (#452300) (XD) - $29.95
  • TENUTA LA FUGA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2010 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#212837) (XD) - $42.95
  • RIDGE LYTTON SPRINGS 2013 - Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA (#982413) (XD) - $57.95

Concha Y Toro Terrunyo Peumo Vineyard Block 27 Carmenère 2012 - Entre Cordilleras, Peumo, Cachapoal Valley, Chile (90 pts)

White Wine:

  • MICHEL DELHOMMEAU CUVÉE HARMONIE SUR LIE MUSCADET SÈVRE-ET-MAINE 2013 - AC, Loire, France (#164624) (XD) - $16.95
  • TAWSE SKETCHES OF NIAGARA RIESLING 2014 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#089029) (M) - $17.95
  • CAVE SPRING ESTATE BOTTLED CHARDONNAY 2013 - Cave Spring Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#256552) (XD) - $18.95
  • WEINRIEDER KLASSIK GRÜNER VELTLINER 2013 - Niederösterreich, Austria (#446641) (XD) - $18.95
  • ST. PAULS PINOT GRIGIO 2014 - DOC Südtirol/Alto Adige, Italy (#391870) (XD) - $19.95
  • CASA LAPOSTOLLE CUVÉE ALEXANDRE CHARDONNAY 2013 - Atalayas Vineyard, Casablanca Valley, Chile (#947937) (XD) - $24.95
  • SERESIN SAUVIGNON BLANC 2014 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#735043) (XD) - $24.95
  • FLAT ROCK NADJA’S VINEYARD RIESLING 2015 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#578625) (M) - $24.95
  • DR. HEIDEMANNS-BERGWEILER GRAACHER HIMMELREICH RIESLING SPÄTLESE 2013 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#339150) (S) - $26.95
  • JEAN DAUVISSAT VAILLONS VIEILLES VIGNES CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2009 - AC, Burgundy, France (#457002) (XD) - $49.95  FSE

Sparkling Wine:

  • EMILIANA ORGANIC BRUT SPARKLING - Charmat method, Casablanca Valley, Chile (#451914) (XD) - $15.95
  • TAWSE SPARK LIMESTONE RIDGE SPARKLING RIESLING 2014 - Méthode Traditionnelle, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#370361) (D) - $19.95
  • GRAHAM BECK BRUT ROSÉ 2010 - WO Western Cape, Méthode Cap Classique, South Africa (#004085) (XD) - $21.95
  • CREEKSIDE BACKYARD BUBBLY SAUVIGNON BLANC 2013 - Méthode Traditionnelle, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#398628) (D) - $24.95
  • BAILLY-LAPIERRE BRUT CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE - Méthode Traditionnelle, AC, Burgundy, France (#369066) (D) - $24.95


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  • Date publishedMonday, June 8, 2015

June 13 VINTAGES Release: Sparkling Wine + Italian Whites + Father's Day

LCBO Wine Picks from June 13, 2015 VINTAGES Release
The next LCBO VINTAGES release will be on shelves this . The major theme of this release is on Sparkling Wines (I guess to coincide with wedding season?), while the mini-theme is on fine white wines from Italy. There is also a feature on gifts for Father's Day.

We'll begin with Sparkling Wines. Of the 20 wines featured, 5 are included among my wine picks below. At the top of the heap is the Bollinger Champagne that is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay and 15% Meunier. The Cygnus Brut Cava is an organic sparkling wine made using Parellada, Xarel-lo and Macabeo grapes, while the Showcase 5 Blanc de Noirs is a unique sparkler made by Trius using 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Pinot Meunier - this will have a hint of sweetness to it. Going up the sweetness scale a little bit is the latest vintage of the Tawse Spark Limestone Ridge Riesling. Last but not least is the off-dry (i.e. slightly sweet) Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Heredad Cava that's made up of 9 different wines, each vinified in its own separate tanks. Macabeo is the most prominent grape in the Segura Viudas blend, and the bottle is finished with very nice Pewter accents that make the bottle a nice keepsake.

The mini-theme on Italian white wines is titled "White Knights" and features just 7 wines, two of which made my wine picks. The first of these wines is the Pieropan Soave Classico which is 100% Garganega and comes from the hillside La Rocca vineyard where vines range 10-50 years old. Harvesting occurs in late-October, providing some sweetness to the wine. An outstanding wine that is probably the white wine of the release. The second wine from this feature is from Le Monde and made using 100% Pinot Bianco - a grape which is a genetic mutation of Pinot Noir.

From the rest of the release, the Xavier Ventoux is a blend of 50% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre, while the Cara Nord is a blend of 42% Garnacha (a.k.a. Grenache), 38% Syrah and 20% Garrut (a.k.a. Mourvèdre). Single-varietal wines include the Montebuena (100% Tempranillo) and the Moulin-à-Vent (100% Gamay).

In white wines, the Finca Nueva Blanco is made with Viura (a.k.a. Macabeo). The only rosé among my wine recommendations is a dry (i.e. not sweet) blend that is primarily Cinsault and blended with Grenache, Syrah and Merlot.

Enjoy my wine picks for this week. Cheers!

Argyros Assyrtiko 2014 from PDO Santorini, Greece (90 pts)Max Ferd. Richter Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett 2013 from Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (89 pts)Montebuena Cuvée KPF 2012 from DOC Rioja, Spain (88 pts)

Red Wine:

  • XAVIER VENTOUX 2012 - AP, Rhône, France (#413211) (XD) - $15.95
  • MONTEBUENA CUVÉE KPF 2012 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#211029) (XD) - $15.95  reviewed here
  • NINQUÉN ANTU CHILEAN MOUNTAIN VINEYARD SYRAH 2013 - Colchagua Valley, Chile (#675371) (XD) - $17.95
  • CARA NORD 2013 - DO Conca de Barberà, Spain (#418186) (XD) - $19.95
  • SAN LEONINO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2011 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#412387) (XD) - $19.95
  • CHÂTEAU DES JACQUES MOULIN-À-VENT 2011 - AC, Beaujolais, France (#700187) (XD) - $29.95
  • TWO HANDS BELLA’S GARDEN SHIRAZ 2012 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#636407) (D) - $63.95
  • WYNNS JOHN RIDDOCH CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010 - Coonawarra, South Australia (#466748) (XD) - $99.95  FSE

White Wine:

  • LE MONDE PINOT BIANCO 2013 - DOC Friuli Grave, Friuli, Italy (#372417) (XD) - $16.95
  • FINCA NUEVA BLANCO 2013 - Barrel fermented, DOCa Rioja, Spain (#280560) (XD) - $16.95
  • KURT ANGERER KIES GRÜNER VELTLINER 2013 - Estate bottled, Qualitätswein, Niederösterreich, Austria (#12138) (XD) - $18.95
  • ST. URBANS-HOF RIESLING 2013 - Estate Bottled, from Old Vines, Qualitätswein, Mosel, Germany (#995746) (M) - $19.95
  • LEYDA GARUMA SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2014 - Leyda Valley, Chile (#99309) (XD) - $19.95
  • ARGYROS SANTORINI ASSYRTIKO 2014 - PDO Santorini, Greece (#387365) (XD) - $21.95  reviewed here
  • MAX FERD. RICHTER WEHLENER SONNENUHR RIESLING KABINETT 2013 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#998120) (MS) - $21.95  reviewed here
  • DOMAINE ZIND-HUMBRECHT CALCAIRE GEWURZTRAMINER 2011 - AC Alsace, France (#320481) (M) - $39.95  FSE
  • PIEROPAN LA ROCCA SOAVE CLASSICO 2011 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#92437) (D) - $39.95
  • VASSE FELIX HEYTESBURY CHARDONNAY 2013 - Margaret River, Western Australia (#674648) (XD) - $68.95  FSE

Rosé Wine:

  • DOMAINE DE TRIENNES ROSÉ 2014 - IGP Méditerranée, Provence, France (#409771) (XD) - $17.95

Sparkling Wine:

  • CYGNUS BRUT NATURE RESERVA CAVA - Méthode Champenoise, DO, Penedès, Spain (#352856) (XD) - $17.95
  • TAWSE SPARK LIMESTONE RIDGE RIESLING SPARKLING 2013 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#370361) (D) - $19.95
  • SEGURA VIUDAS BRUT RESERVA HEREDAD CAVA - Méthode Traditionnelle, DO, Penedès, Spain (#558825) (D) - $29.95
  • SHOWCASE 5 BLANC DE NOIRS 2009 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#420521) (D) - $55.00
  • BOLLINGER SPECIAL CUVÉE BRUT CHAMPAGNE - AC, France (#384529) (XD) - $73.95

Dessert Wine:

  • PATRICIUS 5 PUTTONYOS TOKAJI ASZÚ 2003 - Hungary (#95901) (S) (500 mL) - $39.95  FSE

The rest of the wines from this release can be found here.


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  • Date publishedMonday, June 2, 2014

June 7 LCBO Wine Picks: Authentic Oz + Italian Whites + Father's Day

LCBO Wine Picks from June 7, 2014 Vintages Wine Magazine
The next Vintages wine release will be in LCBO outlets across Ontario on . This edition focuses on "authentic" Australian wines, with the emphasis solely on Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay. The secondary feature is on regional white wines from Italy.

Overall, the selection of 14 Aussie wines featured are very good. At the top of the list is the Wynns Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, while in the same price range and a close second is the Grant Burge The Holy Trinity GSM (38% Grenache, 36% Shiraz and 26% Mourvèdre). Both of these wines hail from an excellent 2010 vintage. Further down the price range and into more affordable territory is the impressive Tournon Shiraz that is back in Vintages after showing up in January; the fourth and final red I can recommend is the Cab Sauv from Kilikanoon. Both Aussie Chardonnays featured in this release made my wine picks - neither are heavily oaked, but do have some oak influence.

From the secondary feature on Italian white wines, two of the nine wines made my list of wine picks. Tiefenbrunner's PG (Pinot Grigio) is one of the best around. Dry white wine lovers that want to try something new should check out Terredora's Greco di Tufo - it's made using the Greco grape.

The annual Father's Day selection is also included in this release and features a number of premium wines and spirits. If you're inclined, there is the Macallan Sherry Oak 25 Years Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky going for almost $1000.

From the rest of the release, Palo Alto's red from Chile is a blend of 50% Shiraz, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Carménère, 10% Merlot, and 2% Petit Syrah. The Carignanissime de Centeilles is 100% Carignan, comes from vines that are between 60-100 years old, and is matured in tanks only (no oak used). The Ramos Pinto is mostly Touriga Nacional (45%) and Touriga Franca (35%), while 6 other grapes make up the final 20% of the blend. And finally, the 2010 Niagara growing season was excellent for traditional Bordeaux grapes and helped produce a wonderful blend from Creekside (47.3% Cab Sauv, 37.2% Merlot, 10.8% Shiraz, 4.7% Malbec). In white wines, the Menetou-Salon is made using Sauvignon Blanc.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this LCBO Vintages release. Cheers!


Red Wine:
  • PALO ALTO WINEMAKER’S SELECTION 2010 - Maule Valley, Chile (#376236) (XD) - $18.95
  • CARIGNANISSIME DE CENTEILLES 2010 - AC Minervois, Midi, France (#041913) (XD) - $18.95
  • KILIKANOON KILLERMAN’S RUN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 - Clare Valley, South Australia (#675223) (XD) - $19.95
  • ADRIANO RAMOS PINTO DUAS QUINTAS 2011 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#359893) (XD) - $19.95
  • CREEKSIDE LAURA’S RED 2010 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#117960) (XD) - $19.95
  • DOMAINE TOURNON MATHILDA SHIRAZ 2011 - Victoria, Australia (#327395) (XD) - $19.95
  • WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE BLACK LABEL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010 - Coonawarra, South Australia (#084996) (XD) - $27.95  reviewed here
  • LICENCIADO RESERVA TEMPRANILLO 2006 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#370023) (XD) - $29.95
  • GRANT BURGE THE HOLY TRINITY GRENACHE/SHIRAZ/MOURVÈDRE 2010 - Barossa, South Australia (#236257) (XD) - $29.95  reviewed here

White Wine:
  • TIEFENBRUNNER PINOT GRIGIO 2013 - DOC Südtirol-Alto Adige, Italy (#954024) (XD) - $18.95
  • MALIVOIRE PINOT GRIS 2012 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#591305) (D) - $19.95
  • CHAVET & FILS LA DAME DE JACQUES COEUR MENETOU-SALON BLANC 2012 - AC, Loire, France (#525048) (XD) - $19.95
  • NUGAN KING VALLEY FRASCA’S LANE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2012 - Frasca's Lane Vineyard, King Valley, Victoria, Australia (#288191) (XD) - $19.95
  • TERREDORA DI PAOLO LOGGIA DELLA SERRA GRECO DI TUFO 2012 - DOCG, Campania, Italy (#983197) (XD) - $20.95
  • WINZER KREMS EDITION CHREMISA GRÜNER VELTLINER 2012 - Niederösterreich, Austria (#368803) (XD) - $24.95
  • TYRRELL’S HVD SINGLE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2012 - HVD (Hunter Valley Distillery) Vineyard, Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia (#368282) (XD) - $29.95
  • SMITH-MADRONE CHARDONNAY 2011 - Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, California, USA (#363556) (XD) - $39.95

Dessert Wine:
  • DOMINIUM CUVÉE LATE HARVEST TOKAJI 2006 - DOP, Hungary (#371617) (MS) (500 mL) - $28.95


The rest of the wines from this release can be found here.


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  • Date publishedTuesday, June 4, 2013

June 8 Wine Picks: Argentina + Father's Day

The next LCBO Vintages release will be in stores on . The major feature in this release is on the various modern wines found in Argentina, and apparently representing the best modern wines that this country has to offer. While I doubt that this is the best of Argentina's modern wine offering, there are a couple of wines from 11-wine selection that are worth looking into, including a $13.95 off-dry Torrontés and a cellar-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon for just under $20. If you're looking for Malbec, you're better off looking at the last release.

This issue also contains the annual selection for Father's Day. From this part of the release, you can check out the locally produced 2011 The Foreign Affair The Conspiracy, which is made using the Ripasso-method from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and is slightly off-dry. Going up the price ladder quite a bit is the '09 Ridge Estate Cabernet Sauvignon - which is actually 77% Cab Sauv and 23% Merlot - and can be enjoyed with your Father today or up to 8 years from now.

From the rest of the release, in red wines, we have a couple of terrific Spanish reds - the Herencia Altés Garnatxa Negra is 100% Grenache, while the Gancedo Mencía is made from the Mencía varietal and is cellar-worthy for nearly a decade. The Italian Salice Salentino consists of 90% Negroamaro and 10% Black Malvasia of Lecce, while the Barbaresco is 100% Nebbiolo. The French Crozes-Hermitage is 100% Syrah, while the Château la Clare is a red-blend consisting of mostly Merlot and Cab Sauv, and some Cab Franc and Petit Verdot.

As the weather gets warmer, the LCBO tends to trot out more and more rosé wines, and a few in this release are worth your attention. Included among them are a couple of off-dry local Rosés from Fielding Estate and Pondview.

Enjoy my wine picks from this release. Let me know if you try any of these - I'd love to hear from you. Cheers!


Red Wine:
  • HERENCIA ALTÉS GARNATXA NEGRA 2011 - DO Terra Alta, Spain (#332353) (XD) - $15.95
  • LEONE DE CASTRIS RISERVA SALICE SALENTINO 2009 - DOC, Puglia, Italy (#597534) (D) - $18.95
  • URRACA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008 - Agrelo, Mendoza, Argentina (#271080) (XD) - $19.95
  • THE FOREIGN AFFAIR THE CONSPIRACY 2011 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#149237) (D) - $19.95
  • ESTATE PAPAIOANNOU SINGLE VINEYARD AGIORGITIKO 2007 - AQS Nemea, Greece (#047977) (XD) - $19.95
  • FERRATON PÈRE & FILS LA MATINIÈRE CROZES-HERMITAGE 2010 - AC, Rhône, France (#127712) (XD) - $21.95
  • GANCEDO MENCÍA 2007 - DO Bierzo, Spain (#332874) (XD) - $24.95
  • CHÂTEAU LA CLARE 2009 - AC Médoc, Bordeaux, France (#331751) (XD) - $29.95
  • PAITIN SORI’ PAITIN BARBARESCO 2008 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#106591) (XD) - $32.95
  • RIDGE ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009 - Estate Btld., Monte Bello Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains, California, USA (#089284) (XD) - $52.95

White Wine:
  • CRIOS TORRONTÉS 2012 - Mendoza, Argentina (#001834) (D) - $13.95
  • FIELDING ESTATE GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2010 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#146753) (D) - $15.95
  • FLAT ROCK CELLARS RIESLING 2012 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#043281) (M) - $16.95
  • COOPER MOUNTAIN RESERVE PINOT GRIS 2011 - Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA (#324491) (D) - $20.95
  • DOMAINE RAOUL GAUTHERIN & FILS VAILLONS CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2010 - AC, Burgundy, France (#159236) (XD) - $28.95
  • GRGICH HILLS ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2010 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#346304) (XD) - $54.95

Rosé Wine:
  • GIGONDAS LA CAVE SIGNATURE GIGONDAS ROSÉ 2012 - AC, Rhône, France (#323493) (D) - $19.95
  • FIELDING ESTATE ROSÉ 2012 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#053421) (D) - $15.95
  • PONDVIEW CABERNET FRANC ROSÉ 2011 - VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#241802) (D) - $14.95
  • GASSIER SABLES D’AZUR ROSÉ 2012 - AC Côtes de Provence, France (#033621) (XD) - $13.95



The rest of the wines from this release can be found here.


First image of this post
  • Date publishedTuesday, June 5, 2012

June 9 LCBO Wine Picks: Chile + South of France + Father's Day

Cover photo of June 9th LCBO VINTAGES Wine Release
The next VINTAGES Wine Release will be in LCBO outlets across Ontario on . The major feature in this release is on food-friendly Chilean wines - and there are some good values to be had.

We've got two wines from Concha y Toro's "Maycas del Limarí" label. Their Reserva Especial Syrah and Chardonnay are both very good. Chile is known for it's Carmenère and is one of my favourite varietals; if you've never tried this grape, the Mayu Reserva is a good place to start.

The 1st of two secondary features in this release focuses on wines from the South of France. In general, I have found that this region in France offers the best value wines in the country. Among these wines, the Syrah/Carignan/Grenache blend from Mont Tauch made my picks. The 2nd minor feature in this release is all about Father's Day. From this section, the Barolo from Marziano Abbona is a heavy-hitter and would make an excellent cellaring candidate.

A couple of wines that struck me, but aren't listed below, are worth a look if you want to try something a bit different. Firstly, the Domaine Boyar Royal Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 (#259747, $13.95) is a nice introduction to wines from Bulgaria. The second wine is an unusual Italian red that tastes like a Gewürztraminer - the Ramosceto Lacrima di Morro d'Alba 2010 from Marche (#277889, $14.95).

Enjoy my picks for this week! Let me know if you try any of these. Cheers!

Red Wine:
  • CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008 - Columbia Valley, Washington, USA (#269357) (XD) - $19.95
  • MAYCAS DEL LIMARÍ RESERVA ESPECIAL SYRAH 2008 - Limarí Valley, Chile (#269423) (XD) - $19.95
  • MAYU RESERVA CARMENÈRE 2009 - Elqui Valley, Chile (#090035) (XD) - $17.95
  • LAKEVIEW RESERVE SYRAH 2007 - VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#264150) (D) - $19.95
  • MONT TAUCH LE TAUCH FITOU 2009 - AC, Languedoc, France (#272484) (D) - $19.95
  • HEGARTY CHAMANS NO. 2 GRENACHE/MOURVÈDRE/CINSAULT 2009 - AC Minervois, Provence, France (#277061) (D) - $21.95
  • MARZIANO ABBONA PRESSENDA BAROLO 2007 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#276584) (D) - $43.95

White Wine:
  • MAYCAS DEL LIMARÍ RESERVA ESPECIAL CHARDONNAY 2010 - Limarí Valley, Chile (#162040) (XD) - $19.95
  • HUNTER’S JANE HUNTER SAUVIGNON BLANC 2011 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#280271) (XD) - $19.95
  • COOPERS CREEK SAUVIGNON BLANC 2010 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#957407) (XD) - $18.95
  • DR. PAULY-BERGWEILER WEHLENER SONNENUHR RIESLING SPÄTLESE 2009 - Pradikätswein, Mosel, Germany (#197186) (M) - $21.95
  • COYOTE'S RUN BLACK PAW VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2010 - VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#049775) (XD) - $21.95

Rosé Wine:
  • CARTE NOIRE ROSÉ 2011 - AC Côtes de Provence, France (#319384) (XD) - $14.95
  • KAIKEN MALBEC ROSÉ 2011 - Mendoza, Argentina (#169375) (D) - $14.95

Dessert Wine:
  • PANNON TOKAJ 3 PUTTONYOS TOKAJI ASZÚ 2005 - Hungary (#074328) (MS) (500 mL) - $21.95


The rest of the wines from this VINTAGES release can be found here.


First image of this post
  • Date publishedWednesday, June 8, 2011

Veneto Italy + Father's Day Gifts - June 11 Vintages Wine Release

This week's Vintages Release on features Veneto in all its glory, along with some new & notable wines from Ontario. Some expensive selections for Father's Day are also highlighted.

Among my picks, a Rosé made the list again, as well as a couple of refreshing whites for those sunny days on the patio. Among the several reds on my list, none stood out from the rest, but all appear enticing and ready to drink now! Enjoy!


Red Wine:
  • CAT AMONGST THE PIGEONS FAT CAT 2008 - Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia (#222042) - $17.95
  • ROSE HILL PRIVATE RESERVE CABERNET/MERLOT 2007 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#233841) - $18.95
  • CHÂTEAU DU LUC LES MURETS CORBIÈRES 2008 - AC, Midi, France (#219410) - $16.95
  • TENUTA SANT'ANTONIO MONTI GARBI RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA SUPERIORE 2008 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#029850) - $17.95
  • ZENI COSTALAGO 2008 - IGT Rosso Veronese, Veneto, Italy (#220848) - $14.95
  • PENINSULA RIDGE BEAL VINEYARDS RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#226001) - $18.95
  • COLONIA LAS LIEBRES BONARDA 2009 - Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina (#219303) - $11.95
  • FALERNIA RESERVA SYRAH 2007 - Elquí Valley, Chile (#208371) - $15.95

White Wine:
  • JARDIN BARREL FERMENTED CHARDONNAY 2009 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#663336) - $17.95
  • GIUSEPPE CAMPAGNOLA LE BINE MONTE FOSCARINO SOAVE CLASSICO 2009 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#134551) - $13.95

Rosé Wine:
  • BIELER PÈRE ET FILS SABINE ROSÉ 2010 - AC Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence (#071423) - $12.95


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