Cave de Roquebrun La Grange des Combes Saint-Chinian-Roquebrun 2010 (Midi) - Wine Review

Tonight's beverage is a lovely red wine blend that I purchased 5 years ago from the March 30, 2013 LCBO VINTAGES Release. I also have the 2013 and 2015 vintages of this wine, which would've made for a nice vertical tasting, but alas, only the 2010 is opened tonight.

The latest vintage (2016) of this delicious wine can be found in the LCBO VINTAGES section for a couple of dollars more than what I paid for this wine 5 years ago.

Tasting Note:

CAVE DE ROQUEBRUN LA GRANGE DES COMBES SAINT-CHINIAN-ROQUEBRUN 2010 - AC, Midi, France (#155804) (XD) - $17.95
Blend of 50% Syrah, 30% Grenache, and 20% Mourvèdre grown on schistous soils facing south and south-east. It was raised in stainless steel tanks and bottled unfiltered. Fragrant earthy, smoky, savoury, meaty nose accented by peppery spice, black cherry, and touches of floral aromas. It is almost full bodied on the lively palate with savoury dark cherry, mineral, smoke, garrigue, blackberry flavours. Acids are still quite fresh, while firm, gritty tannins are chalky and drying. Garrigue, pepper, savoury, and mineral notes linger on the fine, long finish. A pleasure to drink, but tannins are starting to overpower the fruit. Drink now. Score: 90 pts

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Château Mourgues du Grès Fleur d'Eglantine 2017 (Rhône) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely rosé that I picked up while visiting the winery in Rhône Valley back in May.

Château Mourgues du Grès is a family-owned, certified organic winery located in Beaucaire, on the slopes of Costières de Nîmes and nestled between vineyards, orchards, and heath. Their terroir is quite rich and made up of the rounded stones (grès) and lies on argilo-calcerous marl, which help the vines draw moisture from greater depths. The stony alluvium was transported from the Alps by the glacier of the Rhône in the quaternary era (nearly 2 million years ago) and imparts miinerality, balance and freshness to the wines. The area is also nurtured by the influences of the Rhône river and the Mediterranean Sea.

The winery is committed to preserving the environment by being mindful of nature and respect for their terroir. The vineyards are maintained and kept fertile by sheep grazing and cover crops to prevent erosion and promote biodiversity. Since 2015, wines have been vinified without the use of sulphur, except for a small amount during bottling to ensure stability of the wine.

Vigneron François Collard returned to the family estate in 1990 and produced his first bottling in 1993. He strives to reveal the purity of fruit, freshness, aromas, and balance between the richness and minerality of every wine he produces, including this delightful rosé.

For availability in Ontario, please contact Brand New Day Wines & Spirits.

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU MOURGUES DU GRÈS FLEUR D'EGLANTINE 2017 - AP Costières de Nîmes, Rhône, France (XD) - €7.5
Mostly Grenache and Mourvèdre, with a dash of Syrah. Vague notions of spring flower and grapefruit from the cork. In the glass, this has delicate aromas of grapefruit and rhubarb with a fine mineral underpinning, and hints of strawberry. It's medium-full bodied on the clean, fresh palate with nicely dry grapefruit and rhubarb flavours. Fresh acids are nicely balanced. A fine salty mineral note and some spiciness arrives mid-palate and continues through to the long, juicy finish. Best with a light chill. Score: 88+ pts

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Château La Négly La Natice Rosé 2017 (Midi) - Wine Review

I enjoyed the 2016 Château La Négly La Natice Rosé last year and am pleased to see the lovely 2017 vintage come to LCBO VINTAGES on September 1st.

Tonight's wine review is a lovely dry rosé that is produced by Château de la Negly. The winery is located in the Languedoc, overlooking the Mediterranean. The unique geographical location of the winery allows a synergy of the elements to take place - stroked by sea spray, and buffeted between the Tramontane (strong, cold winds from the north) and the sea wind, the land is bathed under the hot, Mediterranean sun that captures the heat which warms up the berries. The grapes for this rosé come from silty, sandy soils dating from the Miocene period (5 to 23 million years old) and face the Mediterranean sea.

Several families have managed the Domaine over the years. Today, it is the Paux-Rosset family that manages the vineyards and winery with the help of consultant oenologist and friend, Claude Gros. The winemaking process at Château La Négly is entirely focused on creating wines of quality and distinction, such as this gastronomic rosé wine.

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU LA NÉGLY LA NATICE ROSÉ 2017 - AP Languedoc, Midi, France (#492199) (XD) - $24.95
Mostly Mourvèdre with some Syrah and Cinsault completing the blend. Made using the saignée method and aged in tank on fine lees for 6 months. Glass enclosure. The medium intensity nose is spicy, herbally, and citrusy with hints of cherry and melon, and mineral undertones. It's medium bodied on the dry palate with melon, tart citrus, garrigue and spice flavours supported by crisp, vibrant acids that are nicely balanced. Very good flavour intensity. Spiced, juicy mid-palate. Nice mineral notes linger on the long finish. Give it a slight chill enjoy to 2019. Score: 90 pts

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Pierre Amadieu Les Hautes Rives Cairanne 2015 (Rhône) - Wine Review

To celebrate France's World Cup win, tonight's red wine is from the fantastic 2015 Rhône vintage that will be arriving in LCBO VINTAGES on July 21.

It is produced by Pierre Amadieu, a winery that was established in 1929 with 7 hectares of vineyards in Gigondas that was passed on from generation to generation. Continued success allowed Pierre to grow and expand, eventually building a new winery in 1945. Pierre's son, Jean-Pierre joined the winery after he completed his business studies, and was followed by his brother Claude shortly thereafter. More recently, Claude's three children - Henri-Claude, Jean-Marie, and Marie - also joined the family's winemaking business.

I had the privilege to meet Henri-Claude Amadieu, grandson of Pierre, on a recent visit to the Rhône Valley. While I did not get the chance visit the winery (perhaps the next trip?), I did get a chance to taste some amazing wines - more on this to come.

Indeed, this is a family passionate about wine. Together, they strive to create wines of finesse and reflect their unique terroir, while holding a long-established family tradition of respect for the soil.

This particular wine comes from the Hautes Rives vineyards that are located on marl soils covered with pebble stones on the hillside slopes above the village of Cairanne, 200 metres above sea level. The vineyards are bordered by cliffs overlooking the Aygues River.

Tasting Note:

PIERRE AMADIEU LES HAUTES RIVES CAIRANNE 2015 - AP, Rhône, France (#539890) (XD) - $19.95
A blend of 60% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre, and 15% Syrah raised completely in stainless steel tanks. Plummy, black cherry and blackberry aromas from the cork. In the glass, this has enticing aromas of smoke, dark berry, and spice with savoury elements and hints of pepper, garrigue, and forest floor. It's medium-bodied with fine purity of fruit - lavender, pepper, dark berry/cherry, and spice flavours. Nicely textured with juicy, vibrant acids and smooth, refined tannins. Some mineral and smoky notes arrive on the long blackberry-pepper finish. Lovely wine to enjoy over the next 3-4 years. Score: 89 pts

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Lavau Vacqueyras 2014 (Rhône) - Wine Review (Bottle 2)

I had previously enjoyed the 2014 Lavau Vacqueyras in January, 2017 and noted that a further 1-2 years of cellar time would benefit an already delicious wine. Well, it's 18 months since I last tasted this beautiful red wine and, lo and behold, tonight's wine is returning to LCBO VINTAGES on July 7.

The Lavau family has been involved in winemaking for several generations, beginning in St. Emilion in the 19th century, then Tunisia, then returning to France and settling in the Rhône Valley in 1962. Maison Lavau was officially created in 1965 by Jean-Guy Lavau and his wife, Anne-Mariein. In the 1990's both of their sons - Frédéric and Benoît - returned to France after completing their studies in Canada to join the family's winemaking business. The sons eventually took over the business as their parents retired in the year 2000.

Today, Maison Lavau is one of the last family-run and independent wine estates in the Rhône Valley. With its three winemaking cellars and 180 hectares of vines, it has made its name as a major winemaker, trader and producer in Rhône wines.

On a side note, while visiting the exciting Cairanne Appellation in the southern Rhône Valley last month (more on this in a future post coming soon), we ended up driving by the Lavau winery. Having enjoyed many of their wines over the years, I was delighted get a glimpse of this fairly large winery.

Tasting Note:

LAVAU VACQUEYRAS 2014 - AC, Rhône, France (#104927) (XD) - $26.95
Blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre that was aged in a combination of vat and used 450 Litre barrels. Plummy, blackberry and oak spice aromas from the cork. Medium-high aromatic intensity and complex with cassis, blackberry, dark fruit, oak spice aromas with a savoury component throughout. Hints of rocky mineral and peppery notes arrive as it opens up in the glass. The full-bodied palate is smooth and dense with finely knit tannins that have meshed into the palate very nicely. Dark, ripe fruit, plum, cassis with hints of peppery, savoury oak spices on the flavour profile. Acids are juicy and mouth-watering, while the finish is long, smooth and savoury. In a fine place right now, and will continue to age well over the next 3-5 years. Recommended buy. Score: 90+ pts

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Tessellae Old Vines Grenache/Syrah/Mourvèdre Côtes du Roussillon 2015 (Midi) - Wine Review

I opened up this delightful red blend from the Roussillon on Saturday night. This was purchased from the recent November 25 VINTAGES Release and is still widely available at LCBO outlets across Ontario. This red wine is made by the famed house of Domaine Lafage.

Tasting Note:

TESSELLAE OLD VINES GRENACHE/SYRAH/MOURVÈDRE CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON 2015 - AC, Midi, France (#343517) (XD) - $18.95
From vines more than 65 years old on schist soils, this is a blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre that was tank-fermented and followed by aging in concrete tanks. Red and black fruit notes, plus some dark plum aromas from the cork. In the glass, this has a medium+ intensity nose leads with flinty minerality and is layered with red and black fruits, white pepper, wild herbs, and hints of black plum and evergreen. It's medium-full bodied on the palate with ripe fruited, peppery, dark berry, and black plum, with good fruit purity and concentration. Acids are bright and zesty. Suave tannins provide subtle grip. Some bitterness mid palate. Juicy finish with good length. Drink over the next 4-5 years. Score: 88 pts

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Goats do Roam Red 2016 (South Africa) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is the companion to the 2017 Goats do Roam White that I opened last month. I recall enjoying this wine many, many years ago when I first got into wine, but hadn't tasted it recently. The catchy name, interesting label and low price point is what drew me to this wine many years ago, and if I recall correctly, the price hasn't moved much since that time. I'm curious to see how this wine tastes today.

It is produced by the Fairview Wine Farm, a winery that proudly owns all of their vineyards, with land in Paarl, Darling, Swartland and Stellenbosch. Owner Charles Back has also always been an advocate of social development in the Cape and under Apartheid, he was one of a number of producers who campaigned for and implemented better conditions for farm workers. In 1997, he established the Fair Valley Worker’s Association, which gave his employees a chance to farm their own land.

This dry red wine from South Africa is widely available at LCBO outlets across Ontario, with the 2016 vintage on shelves already or arriving really soon.

Tasting Note:

GOATS DO ROAM RED 2016 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#718940) (XD) - $13.00
Blend of 49% Shiraz, 24% Cinsault, 12% Grenache, 11% Mourvèdre, 2% Petite Sirah, and 2% Carignan. Screw cap. This has generous aromas that are soft with plummy, peppery and red cherry notes, along with some meaty and vanillan oak nuances. It's medium-bodied on the dry palate with candied red berry fruit, chocolate oak and resinous flavours with touches of menthol. It has bright and juicy acids, some warmth mid-palate (14% abv), and soft tannins. Finish length is good with earthy-curranty notes. An easy drinking red for current consumption. Score: 87 pts

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Hecht & Bannier Côtes du Roussillon-Villages 2008 (Midi) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine to end a busy Summer is this red wine blend from one of my favourite producers in the Languedoc - Hecht & Bannier. I had the pleasure of meeting one of the founders of this winery, Gregory Hecht, a few years ago and will likely meet him again this Fall.

This wine was purchased from a VINTAGES Release in March 2012. Newer vintages have periodically shown up in VINTAGES as well, with the most recent appearance of this wine showing up in September 2015. Since it is currently not available at the LCBO, you can contact Halpern Enterprises to order this wine by the case.

Tasting Note:

HECHT & BANNIER CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON-VILLAGES 2008 - AC, Midi, France (#142802) (XD) - $22.95
A blend of mostly Grenache with some Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan. Prune, dried fig and leathery aromas from the cork. In this glass, this has a fragrant, mature nose of garrigue, wet earth/forest floor, blackberry, along with subtle hints of dried floral, dried cherry and sweet oak spice. It's full-bodied and somewhat chalky textured on the palate with smooth tannins that are well-integrated and nearly fully resolved. Complex garrigue, dark fruit, blackberry, and hints of fig with flavours moving towards savoury on the mid-palate. Acids are juicy. The finish is long and savoury with touches of florality, dried cherry, bitterness, and mineral. Showing fine complexity and maturity and should drink well for another 2-3 years. Lovely! Score: 91 pts

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Château de la Négly La Natice 2016 (Midi) - Rosé Wine Review

National Rosé Day is celebrated annually on the second Saturday of June, and this year it falls on June 10th. Tonight's wine to celebrate National Rosé Day is this delicious dry rosé from the Languedoc in France.

Château de la Negly is the producer of tonight's wine review and is located in the Languedoc, overlooking the Mediterranean, in the massif of La Clape. This privileged geographical location has a unique synergy of elements taking place: stroked by sea spray, buffeted between the Tramontane (wind) and the sea wind, and the land is bathed by the Mediterranean sun which warms up the berries. The terroir in this area is rich in alluvium. The Château has been around since the 18th century and is currently managed by the Paux-Rosset family with the assistance of consultant oenologist, Claude Gros.

This rosé wine will be available at the LCBO as part of the upcoming June 24 VINTAGES Release. A full wine review of this wine is posted below.

Share your special rosé experience on social media by using the hashtag #NationalRoséDay. What's in your glass today?

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU DE LA NÉGLY LA NATICE 2016 - AP Languedoc, Midi, France (#492199) (XD) - $23.95
Made using the saignée method and consisting of 70% Mourvèdre, and rest equal parts Syrah and Cinsault. Enclosed using a glass stopper. Clean, medium-high intensity aromatics offer red currant, strawberry, red cherry, orange blossom and banana notes that echo on the palate, plus some watermelon flavours. It's medium-bodied and dry with crisp, refreshing acids. Some herbally notes arrive as it warms up in the glass. Finish length is very good with hints of earthy minerality. Score: 90 pts

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Château de Fontenelles Renaissance Corbières 2013 (Midi) - Wine Review

On Monday night, I opened up this delicious red wine that will be available at the LCBO as part of the upcoming May 13 VINTAGES Release.

This red wine is produced by Château de Fontenelles, a winery located in the north-westerly commune of Douzens in Corbières. The Domaine, with over 40 hectares of Syrah, Grenache, Carignan, and Mourvèdre, has been part of the family for five generations and is currently family-owned and operated by Thierry Tastu and his wife Nelly.

The vines for this wine are grown on argilo-limestone soil on the slopes of Mont Alaric, allowing the grapes to develop well due to the cooler temperatures. Two types of vinification was used to produce this wine: Cold vinification for a few days to preserve the quality of the tannins, and strict temperature-controlled vinification of whole grape clusters.

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU DE FONTENELLES RENAISSANCE CORBIÈRES 2013 - AP, Midi, France (#148692) (D) - $19.95
A blend of 55% Syrah, 25% Grenache, and 20% Carignan/Mourvèdre. Aromas of black plum, blackberry, and oak spice from the cork. In the glass, there are aromas of black pepper, blackberry and whiffs of violets, herbs and forest floor notes of medium-high intensity. Pleasing aroma replays continue on the medium-full bodied and dry palate with rich, structured tannins and very good acidity. Lovely savoury barnyard, meaty notes arrive with air and linger through to the long, earthy finish. Enjoyable now, but should improve in 2-3 years and drink well to 2024. Score: 89 pts

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Lavau Vacqueyras 2014 (Rhône) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is a lovely offering that will be released into LCBO VINTAGES on January 21. Back in 2015, I reviewed the 2012 Lavau Vacqueyras, and that was the last time this wine showed up at the LCBO - until now.

The Lavau family has been making wine for several generations in the area ranging from Bordeaux to the hills of Tunisia. In 1964, the family settled in the southern Rhône Valley as they were seduced by the richness and quality of the Provençal soil and 40 years later, the cellar is now managed by Benoit and Frederic Lavau. With possession of 3 cellars and working with 300 grape growers, the Lavau winery vinifies most of the appellations of the southern Rhône Valley.

Tasting Note:

LAVAU VACQUEYRAS 2014 - AC, Rhône, France (#104927) (D) - $25.95
GSM blend consisting of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. Plum and ripe berry aromas from the cork. Medium-high aromatics featuring mineral followed by mulberry, blackberry, sweet herbs, ending with hints of earth. Ripe, sweet-edged flavours of blackberry, dark fruit, and cinnamon spice on the medium-bodied palate with finely-grained, slightly grippy tannins. Acids are fresh and a touch sharp. Long, satisfying, earthen finish. I would age this another year or two and drink over the next 6-7 years. Enjoy with lamb or rich poultry dishes. Score: 90 pts

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La Cadierenne Cuvée Grande Tradition Bandol Rosé 2015 (Provence) - Wine Review

Opened up this fine, dry rosé wine from Provence tonight ahead of it's release into VINTAGES on August 6th.

Produced by Les Vignerons de La Cadiérenne, this rosé comes from the Bandol wine region in Provence, where a long tradition of winemaking exists since the Greeks first colonized the area more than 2,600 years ago. This co-operative winery was created in 1929 with 37 winemakers in the region.

Bandol is a relatively small AOC located in the South of France, near the coast of the Mediterranean and just west of Toulon. The region specializes in rosé wine, with 60% of its entire production devoted to it.

This wine will be on LCBO shelves as part of the August 6 VINTAGES Release.

Tasting Note:

LA CADIÉRENNE CUVÉE GRANDE TRADITION BANDOL ROSÉ 2015 - AC, Provence, France (#119453) (XD) - $20.95
Made with 40% Mourvèdre,  30% Grenache and 30% Cinsault, from vines that are 20 years old on clay-limestone and marl soils. Ripe peach and spring meadow aromas from the cork. Pretty pale pink colour. Medium+ intensity nose of peach, citrus, floral and hints of Provençal herb. Full-ish on the palate with more citrus, peach, floral and herbally flavours. Nicely balanced with fresh, juicy acids. Made in the traditional dry (i.e. not sweet) style. Clean orange citrus notes on the long, crisp finish. Perfect on a hot summer's day. Score: 89 pts

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Château Rigaud 2012 (Midi) - Wine Review

Opened up this pretty red wine from Midi tonight ahead of its VINTAGES Release on August 6th.

This wine comes from Languedoc's Faugères appellation, located 20 km northwest of Beziers, a town just off the Mediterranean sea. Château Rigaud is produced by Jean Paux-Rosset, owner of Château de la Négly, and his consulting winemaker, Claude Gros. The Faugères area has multi-coloured sandy schist soils that naturally imparts acidity and elegance to the grapes. Furthermore, the area is unique in that it has the only homogeneous terroir in the region.

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU RIGAUD 2012 - AP Faugères, Midi, France (#393561) (XD) - $16.95
Blend of 55% Syrah, 26% Mourvèdre and 19% Grenache, from organically-grown grapes on flaky schist soils with southern exposure. Black plum, dark fruit and some sweet oak spice aromas from the cork. Initially a rustic earthy nose that gives way to ripe blackberry, black cherry, and hints of floral and sweet oak spice. With air, lovely floral aromas really pop from the glass. Full-bodied on the palate with pretty floral, red and black fruits, and sweet oak spice flavours layered over earth. Slightly tart acids are fresh and juicy. Fine-grained tannins gain texture in the glass. Long, satisfying finish with hints of minerality. A lot going on in this bottle, evolving very nicely from sip-to-sip. Enjoy tasting and smelling this pretty wine over an evening. Score: 88 pts

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La Cadierenne Cuvée Grande Tradition Bandol Rosé 2014 (Provence) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is a rosé wine that will be available in the upcoming June 27th VINTAGES release.

This rosé comes from the Bandol region in Provence, in the south of France. This area has been producing wine since the Greeks first colonized the region over 2600 years ago. Bandol specializes in producing rosé wine, with over 60% of its entire wine production devoted to producing rosé.

If you like your rosé wines dry (like me), then you'll enjoy this one.


LA CADIERENNE CUVÉE GRANDE TRADITION BANDOL ROSÉ 2014 - AC, Provence, France (#119453) (XD) - $19.95

Tasting Note:

Blend of 40% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache, and 30% Cinsault. Fresh peaches, nectarines and spring flower aromas from the cork. Elegant white peach, citrus and floral nose, with some herbally notes adding complexity. The palate is dry and quite full-ish with flavours of blood orange, grapefruit and strawberry. Has nice, crisp acidity and good length on the finish. It paired really well with garlic herbed salmon. Score 87 pts

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Juan Gil 4 Meses 2011 (Spain) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine is courtesy of the fine folks at Kylix Wines. Periodically, this wine does show up at the LCBO. However, the latest vintage of this wine (2013) is currently only available via Consignment through Kylix Wines. This wine was aged 4 months (i.e. 4 meses) in French and American oak barrels.

JUAN GIL 4 MESES 2011 - DO Jumilla, Spain (#013656) (XD) - $15.95

Tasting Note:
100% Monastrell (a.k.a. Mourvèdre). Plum, prune and menthol aromas from the cork. In the glass, it has aromas of within the dark spectrum with black currant, blackberry and dark cocoa with hints of raisins. On the palate, it's medium-bodied with a complex flavour profile featuring new cedar oak, spice, new leather, wild herb, and dark fruit, along with hints of floral and violets. Acids are fresh, while tannins are still quite firm. Medium length on the earthy-toned finish. This could be cellared another 3-5 years, but is enjoyable now. Will be paired tonight with Tandoori-style chicken wings. Score: 88+ pts

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Casa Castillo Monastrell 2010 (Spain) - Wine Review

Purchased this red wine last week from the September 29th Vintages release. Made from Monastrell (as it's known in Spain), this varietal also known as Mataró or Mourvèdre in other wine regions.

CASA CASTILLO MONASTRELL 2010 - DO Jumilla, Spain (#165621) (XD) - $13.95

Tasting Note:
Meaty and fleshy plum aromas from the cork. Aromas of blackberry, violet, cedar oak, and smoked meat from the glass. Medium-bodied on the palate with ripe, dark fruits and subtle violet notes. Very smooth and well-balanced with very finely-grained tannins. Delicious and a great value!

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