Domaine Galaman Fitou 2013 (Midi) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is included as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release on October 15.

This red wine comes from Langeudoc's Fitou appellation in southern France, bordering the Mediterranean sea. Fitou is one of the oldest wine sub-appellations in the Languedoc-Roussillon and the primary grapes grown in the region are Grenache, Carignan, Mourvèdre, and Syrah.

Domaine Galaman is produced by Jean Paux-Rosset (owner of Château de la Négly) and his consulting winemaker Claude Gros. The area has a multi-coloured sandy schist soil-type that naturally imparts acidity and elegance to the grapes.

Tasting Note:

DOMAINE GALAMAN FITOU 2013 - AP, Midi, France (#395467) (XD) - $14.95
Ripe black plum, blackberry and dark cherry aromas from the cork. This blend of Carignan, Grenache and Syrah has earthy mineral aromas that give way to blackberry and currant, with herbal and gentle baking spice accents. Quite dense on the full bodied palate with currant, herbally, dark berry, and boysenberry flavours. Acids are mouth-watering and the fine tannins are a touch drying. Finish length is very good. Approachable now, but should improve in 1-2 years and enjoy over the next half dozen years. Score: 88 pts

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Lavau Gigondas 2013 (Rhône) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine will be available as part of the upcoming LCBO VINTAGES Release on September 3rd.

It's made by the Lavau Family which has been winemaking for several generations and started out in St. Emilion. In 1964, the family settled in the Rhône Valley and is now managed by Benoit and Frederic Lavau. The Lavau Family currently owns 3 cellars in southern Rhône and has partnered up with 300 grape growers, allowing the family to choose the best terroir and grapes for each of their wines. The grapes for this red wine come from a vineyard located on the steep terraced hillsides of Gigondas.

Having enjoyed the Lavau Vacqueyras and the entry-level Lavau Côtes du Rhône Villages (still available at LCBO) wines last year, I am expecting only good things from this higher-tiered Gigondas.

Tasting Note:

LAVAU GIGONDAS 2013 - AC, Rhône, France (#234955) (XD) - $29.95
Blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre that was aged in a mix of vat and used barrels. Dark plum and berry aromas from the cork. Appealing notes of cherry, red currant, raspberry, violet florals with undertones of earthiness The palate is full-bodied and gains texture in the mouth. Blackberry, black cherry, some floral and stony mineral flavours, along with subtle oak notes. Acids are fresh and mouthwatering. Tannins are a bit tight and grippy and could use another year of ageing. Long finish tapers to the earthy side. Approachable now, but better next year and drink over next half dozen years. Will be enjoyed tonight with Chicken Tacos. Recommended buy. Score: 90+ pts

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McMichael Collection Group of Seven Cabernet Merlot 2014 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is an LCBO General List product that was released into the market in June and is readily available throughout Ontario.

Produced by the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, in Kleinburg, just north of Toronto, in partnership with Niagara's Diamond Estates Winery, the Cabernet Merlot (along with an unoaked Chardonnay) is part of a new collection of wines to celebrate the institution's 50th anniversary. The unique labels adorning the bottles feature works from the Group of Seven. Furthermore, fifty cents from every bottle sold goes to the McMichael Collection.

Each member of the Group of Seven is honoured with a label depicting their artwork on one of the two wines. If you're an art lover, you'll recognize that my Cab Merlot features the Road to Baie St. Paul (1933) by A.Y. Jackson.

Tasting Note:

MCMICHAEL COLLECTION GROUP OF SEVEN CABERNET MERLOT 2014 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#456590) (XD) - $14.95
A blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 20% Cabernet Franc. Screw cap. Earthy and red berry aromas with hints of sweet spices and green herbs. The palate is medium bodied with young, gritty tannins. Flavours of dark berry, earth and oak spices. It has fresh acids and good length on the finish. Requires a meaty dish to balance the tannin. Score: 85 pts

This wine is currently on promotion, offering 6 Bonus Air Miles reward miles until August 13, 2016.

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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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Les Vignerons du Castelas Vieilles Vignes Signargues Côtes du Rhône-Villages 2013 (France) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine will be available on LCBO shelves in a couple of weeks, as part of the VINTAGES Release on August 6.

It is produced by Les Vignerons du Castelas, a co-op that was formed in 1952 by a handful of winemakers that wanted to pool their efforts. Today, the co-op is comprised of 50 different winemakers. Furthermore, these winemakers strive to pursue the "lutte rasionnée" form of viticulture which aims to use chemicals less often and less aggressively than conventional growers.

The winery is located in southern Rhône, near the Rhône river, between Pont d'Avignon and Pont du Gard in Rochefort du Gard. The name of the winery comes from an 11th century Romanesque chapel that is perched atop the village. Together, the growers cultivate 500 hectares of vines, with the majority in the Cotes du Rhône appellation. Signargues is one of their top terroirs.

Look for this yummy red wine on VINTAGES shelves beginning Saturday, August 6th.

Tasting Note:

LES VIGNERONS DU CASTELAS VIEILLES VIGNES SIGNARGUES CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2013 - AC, Rhône, France (#034116) (XD) - $17.95
Blend of 40% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 20% Carignan. Ripe raspberry, blackberry and kirsch liqueur on top of a layer of forest floor, and hints of sweet spice aromas from the glass. Medium+ bodied on the palate with plush, dusty tannins and flavours of blackberry, dark fruits, spice and earth. Acids are juicy. Fruit holds up well to the 14% abv. Long finish with just a touch of tannic grip. Enjoy over the next 3-5 years. Score: 88+ pts

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EastDell Pinot Grigio 2015 and Black Cab 2014 - Ontario Wines for Canada Day Long Weekend

Here are a pair of fun summer wines suitable for the patio or relaxing at the cottage. Both the EastDell Pinot Grigio and the Black Cab have been on shelves at the LCBO for many years, but the latest vintage for each wine arrives with a brand new look. I must say, the new look is sharp, modern, and maybe even a little classy. These local wines are made in an easy drinking, crowd-pleasing style, and ideal for your Canada Day long weekend celebrations.

Tasting Notes:

EASTDELL PINOT GRIGIO 2015 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#065367) (D) - $13.95
Screw cap. Aromatic nose offers ripe pear, green apple, and floral with hints of herbally notes. The palate is fleshy with delicate acids. Slightly sweet with stone fruit, white peach, melon, and green apple flavours, but finishes dry with some stony minerality. Good length. Made in a crowd-pleasing style. Score: 85 pts

EASTDELL BLACK CAB 2014 - VQA Ontario, Canada (#609875) (D) - $13.95
Screw cap. Blend of 40% Baco Noir, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Cabernet Franc. Meaty, smoky, vanilla aromas mingle with blackberry and black cherry on the nose of medium+ intensity. The medium-bodied palate has just a kiss of sweetness, showing ripe blackberry, black cherry, cranberry flavours, with a touch of chocolate. It has balanced acids smooth tannins, and good length on the finish. This wine comes in sizes ranging from 200 mL all the way up to Double Magnum (3000 mL), all of which are available at the LCBO. Score: 87 pts

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Piazzano Blend 2 2013 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

Opened up this red wine blend last night. It comes from the family-owned and operated estate of Fattoria di Piazzano in Tuscany, Italy and will be available on LCBO VINTAGES shelves on July 9th.

This particular wine is the 2nd of two red wine blends made by the family (the first is called "Blend 1"), and is fermented using native yeasts in cement tanks. Malolactic fermentation and ageing in French oak barriques for one year. Further ageing occurs in bottle for 6-8 months prior to release.

Tasting Note:

PIAZZANO BLEND 2 2013 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#455493) (XD) - $24.95
This blend consists of nearly equal portions (34/33/33%) Colorino, Sangiovese and Malvasia nero. Black plum aromas from the cork. Opens with yummy raspberry floral notes that give way to pungent earthy, bay leaf, herbal nose with hints of blackberry and dark cherry. It's light-to-mid weighted on the palate with light, dusty tannins providing texture. Earthy, cherry, and clove flavours, with juicy acids. Long, forest floor, cocoa-dusted finish. Enjoy over the next 2-4 years. This goes well with dark chocolate. Score: 89 pts

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Southbrook Triomphe Cabernet Merlot 2014 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine is the second in a series of wines from Southbrook Vineyards.

The grapes for this wine come from the Saunders Vineyard in Niagara. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks and ageing occurred in neutral oak barrels. This wine is certified organic and suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

Currently available as part of the Triomphe Gift Package that also includes two other Southbrook Triomphe wines, a bottle of Southbrook Preserve Chardonnay Vinegar, and a copy of the Ontario Table Cookbook that features 109 recipes using local ingredients.

Tasting Note:

SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE CABERNET MERLOT 2014 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $22.95
Capped with a Stelvin closure, this relatively unique blend of 69% Cabernet Franc and 31% Merlot is an organic red wine with medium+ intensity aromas of raspberry, black cherry, licorice, and sweet tobacco. Some earthy and stewed fruit notes arrive later. Essentially dry aroma replays on the medium+ bodied palate with sandalwood and chocolate notes arriving mid-palate add complexity. Acids are fresh, while tannins are light and gritty. Finishes long and earthy. Enjoy over the next 3-4 years. This will go great with lamb and buffalo mozzarella pizza (recipe provided below). Score: 88 pts

Recipe: Lamb Meatballs, Red Wine Braised Shallots and Buffalo Mozzarella Pizza

Pizza Crust:

• K2
• Red Fife 60%
• 3 Star Canadian Flour 40% (This flour is comparable to the Tippo ‘00’)
• Salt 3%
• Bioflavia 3% (dry yeast if used instead will also be 3%)
• Cool water 63%
• 250 mL of Southbrook Wine

Technique:

1. Mix all of the ingredients except for the wine by hand for about 4 to 5 minutes or in a mixer on a lower speed for about two minutes. You do not want to over develop the gluten or each pizza will always shrink on you. After mixing the dough, drink the wine as your reward. You just made pizza dough from scratch!
2. Let the dough stand overnight, preferably in the pre-weighed balls. The typical individual pizza is about 140 g. The easiest ratio is to work with 1000 g of flour and do the percentages back from that. You will get about 10 individual pizzas.
3. Pull dough out 1 hour before rolling. If you don’t have a pizza oven, put your stove to 450°F and fill a small pot or pan with water and place on the bottom of the oven. Keep the dough nice and thin with a little corn meal on the bottom so it does not stick to the tray.

Pizza Sauce Pomodoro:

• 1 large 3.5 L can of quality whole tomatoes
• 5 mL of sea salt per litre of canned tomatoes
• 1/2 bunch of basil (optional)

Technique:

1. Pass the whole tomatoes through a food mill and bring to a slow simmer for about 2 hours.
2. When finished throw in salt a few leaves of basil.

Red Wine Braised Shallots:

• 2 lbs shallots
• 250 mL Southbrook Triomph Cabernet Franc
• 250 mL dark chicken stock
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp fennel
• 1/4 tsp chilli
• Pinch of salt and pepper

Technique:

1. Peel shallots and cover half way with red wine and dark chicken stock.
2. Add a pinch of salt and pepper, some sugar, dried chili and fennel.
3. Cover with tin foil and cook at 250°F for about two hours and remove the foil.
4. Keep cooking until they take on a nice caramel colour.
5. Make a lot at a time and just place them in the fridge.
6. Take two of the shallots and slice for the pizza

Lamb Meatballs:

1. Add chopped thyme, rosemary and parsley with a splash of 10% cream to ground lamb.
2. Roll meat balls at a size of about 40 g.
3. Cook for approximately 25 minutes at 325°F.

To Assemble Pizza:
To build the pizza, roll out the dough to create a thin layer and place on a tray with corn meal sprinkled on it to avoid sticking. Ladle on a thin layer of pomodoro sauce, add three sliced meatballs, two shallots, and 60 g of torn buffalo mozzarella cheese, and then sprinkle charred garlic scapes.

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Château de Treviac 2012 (Midi) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine is a sneak preview and will be on LCBO VINTAGES shelves on August 8th.

Château de Treviac is the property of young and dynamic winemaker Arnaud Sié. The property itself is located in Talairan, which lies between Carcassonne and Perpignan, just off the coast of the Balearic Sea and north of the Spanish border in the Corbières appellation of Languedoc-Roussillon (Midi), France. Arnaud took over the responsibility of his family's estate in 2000 and now controls 20 hectares of vineyards, 14 of which are in the Corbières appellation. The vineyards are situated at an altitude between 200 to 350 metres above sea level on rocky limestone-clay soils and surrounded by garrigue.


CHÂTEAU DE TREVIAC 2012 - AP Corbières, Midi, France (#670505) (XD) - $16.95

Tasting Note:

Unoaked blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache. Vanilla and cocoa aromas from the cork. Medium intensity nose with aromas of blackberry, black pepper, herbs and a hint of garrigue. The palate is medium+ bodied with rounded tannins and appealing flavours of black fruits, black pepper, sage and hints of blue fruit. It has very good acids and a slightly earthy, lengthy finish. Well balanced. Will be enjoyed with homemade Lamb Souvlaki. Score: 89 pts

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