Showing posts with label rosé-wine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rosé-wine. Show all posts

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  • Date publishedWednesday, December 27, 2023

Pommery Pink POP Rosé Champagne (France) - Wine Review



Since it is the season for bubbly, sparkling wine review is a delicious Champagne that is packaged in a convenient, wallet-friendly, and individually-sized Piccolo bottle of 200 mL. It was a brand-new arrival in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection - and still widely available - and makes a fine option for when you don't want to open a full 750 mL bottle.

It is produced by Champagne Pommery, a prestigious Champagne house with a rich history that was founded in 1836 by Alexandre Louis Pommery. However, it was only after his death in 1958, that his young widow, Madame Pommery, took over with a drive to conquer national and international markets by inventing the luxurious image of the Pommery brand and steering the Maison to success and glory.

One of the lasting legacies of Madame Pommery was the creation of the first vintage brut Champagne in 1874, a dry style of traditional method sparkling wine that was a revolution in Champagne during a time when the prevailing taste was sweet-toothed. The success of this wine led to a new dynasty in Champagne, while also establishing the fame and style of Maison Pommery.

Pommery has always challenged generally accepted ideas by imposing its innovative and avant-garde approach. During the 1930s, Maison Pommery launched a quartet of Veuve Pommery (VP) Champagne in a 200 mL format, an idea that was initially conceived by Marquis Melchior de Polignac, son of Madame Pommery, and contributed to the expansion of the Pommery brand to international markets.

Following the success of VP, Pommery was the first to launch the POP Champagne range of wines in 1999, which revolutionized the market for Champagne. Today, the Pommery POP range consists of POP (in a blue bottle), Pink POP (this bottle), and the Gold POP Vintage Champagne which is crafted from only classified Grand Cru vineyards. All three wines are packaged in Piccolo bottles and was the first Champagne especially blended to be consumed directly from the bottle or with a straw.

In keeping with the spirit of POP, Pink POP remains resolutely young and fresh, with a delicious flavour that is almost sensual. It was produced according to the same principals that Pommery holds so dearly in the production of its rosé wines - a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot wines, with a dash of red wine. Let's see how this Pink POP Rosé Champagne is tasting tonight...

Pommery Pink POP Rosé Champagne (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

POMMERY PINK POP ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE - AC, France (#16944) (D) (200 mL) - $19.95
Crafted with Chardonnay and Pinot, this has a medium+ to medium-high intensity nose of fine autolytic, toasty, and brioche characters accented with strawberry and cherry. There's an appealing kiss of sweetness on the cherry, strawberry, toasty, and brioche flavoured palate that is a touch spicy. It has crisp and lively acidity and bubbles, as well as some delicious autolytic notes on the mid-palate. The finish is long, dry, and crisp, with leesy mineral and very good length. A solid, recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other delicious sparkling wines by Champagne Pommery are available at the LCBO, and through their Agent - Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedWednesday, August 16, 2023

Cabriz Colheita Selecionada Rosé 2022 and Tinto 2020 (Portugal) - Wine Reviews

Cabriz Colheita Selecionada Rosé 2022 (88+ pts) and Tinto 2020 (88+ pts)
wine reviews are a pair of very popular, wallet-friendly, and delicious wines from the Dão wine region of Portugal. You can grab both of these wines this weekend as the Tinto (red wine) will be on shelves this weekend as it will arrive in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, while the rosé arrived at the LCBO last month in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Cabriz is a well-known, entry-level brand of wines from Dão, the oldest winemaking region of Portugal. The brand is part of Dão Sul, which itself is the Dão branch of the Global Wines conglomerate, one of Portugal's leading wine producers. As a visionary company, they have done an excellent job of restoring the estate's 17th century manor and outlying buildings, as well as making a concerted effort to elevate wine tourism and fine dining within the region to the highest of international standards.

These two wines are among Cabriz's most popular, and when you look at the entire portfolio, it is like travelling to the heart of Portugal, through the plains, the mountains, the rivers, the food, and the people. The goal of the brand is to give more to those who choose Cabriz. They want to have a wine for everyone and for every moment, and made with the best that nature can provide, at the best possible price.

To craft Cabriz wines, the company draws fruit from 200 hectares of vines across the Dão. The winegrowing and production techniques used are ultra-modern and internationally-influenced. However, the wines do reflect Dão's terroir and style. After enjoying both the Cabriz Colheita Selecionada Rosé 2020 and Cabriz Colheita Selecionada Tinto 2019 last summer, let's see how the latest vintage of these two wines are tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CABRIZ ROSÉ 2022 - DOC Dão, Portugal (#30445) (D) - $14.95
This unoaked blend of Touriga Nacional and Alfrocheiro has a medium+ intensity nose that offers enticing aromas of grapefruit, raspberry, honeysuckle, and citrus with a whiff of minerality. It has good weight on the medium+ to medium-full bodied palate with ripe citrus, grapefruit, raspberry, honeysuckle, apple, and red berry flavours. There is a vague impression of sweetness, but it's tempered by the fresh, crisp, and lively acidity. Nicely textured on the mid-palate, while oyster shell mineral and white cherry notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Delicious! Chill and enjoy this recommended buy! Score: 88+ pts

Cabriz Rosé 2022 (88+ pts)

CABRIZ COLHEITA SELECIONADA TINTO 2020 - DOC Dão, Portugal (#247973) (D) - $14.95
Aged for 6 months in French oak barrels, this blend of 40% Alfrocheiro, 40% Aragonez (Tempranillo), and 20% Touriga Nacional has an intriguing, medium+ intensity nose of herbal and wood spices that surrounds a core of ripe, plummy, dark cherry-berry fruit. It's medium bodied with fine, bright acidity and dark cherry-berry, blackberry, wood spice, and dark plum flavours. Supple, well-structured tannins offer a nice mouthfeel, while cedary wood spice notes with hints of smoky mineral linger on the finish, with very good length. Recommended buy! Score: 88+ pts

Cabriz Colheita Selecionada Tinto 2020 (88+ pts)

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


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  • Date publishedTuesday, July 18, 2023

Hidden Bench Locust Lane Rosé 2022 (Niagara) - Wine Review

rosé wine review is a lovely organic and dry rosé from Niagara that arrived at the LCBO last month as part of the recent LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Hidden Bench Estate Winery, one of the top wineries in the Niagara Peninsula. Hidden Bench was founded in 2003 by Harald Thiel and family with a dedication to artisanal, terroir-focused, and premium wines using grapes from their own, organic, estate vineyards situated within the sup-appellation of VQA Beamsville Bench in Niagara, Ontario. With a non-interventionist, quality-focused, and terroir-driven approach, Hidden Bench has long-established an ongoing reputation for excellence both domestically and internationally.

The Beamsville Bench is home to many of the best wines produced in Ontario. Much of this success is attributed to the limestone-rich, clay-based, and glacial till soils - all three of Hidden Bench's estate vineyards are situated on these soils and allow them to produce complex, mineral-driven wines that are old-world in style, age worthy, and have a definitive sense of place. The three estate vineyards are farmed for low yields using organic and biodynamic practices to produce approximately 120,000 bottles of wine with pronounced complexity and character which bear a sense of place and time.

Hidden Bench also employs the latest technologies to enhance the viticultural and winemaking processes, while respecting their traditional non-interventionist winemaking style. As stewards of the land, Hidden Bench has also embraced sustainability as they apply Procert certified organic and sustainable best practices in the vineyard, at the winery, and the marketing of their wines to reduce their environmental footprint on the land, and impact on their neighbours, and society as a whole.

I've had the pleasure of tasting many wines over the years from Hidden Bench, and their passion is always on full display as they embrace a whole-team approach that is founded upon a shared, ongoing passion for excellence, as well as a contagious enthusiasm. Their ongoing and uncompromising attention to detail distinguishes and differentiates their wines and winery from their contemporaries.

Having tasted this rosé wine several times in the past, I know that the exact composition changes with each vintage. For the 2022 vintage, this dry rosé is composed of 88% Pinot Noir, 6% Viognier, and 6% Chardonnay. All of the grapes were grown organically on the estate and crafted using a combination of both "direct to press" and "saignée" techniques. As this blend is predominantly Pinot Noir, the elegance of whole-cluster pressed Pinot Noir, combined with a small percentage of the richer saignée portion, provides a unique complexity to the finished wine, while both portions were fermented in neutral French oak and aged for 5 months prior to racking and blending.

The 2022 vintage began with cold temperatures in January, with overnight lows close to -21°C. This cold snap caused some primary bud damage, and was partially responsible for a 25% reduction in grape yields compared to their historical average. Spring brought better weather with seasonal temperatures and minimal precipitation. Flowering started earlier than normal, while the berry set was complete by late June. Summer was moderate and dry, with seasonal rainfall. The main challenge in the vineyard was managing disease pressures, which were the result of high humidity from June through August. Disease pressure was reduced by keeping the fruit clean through timely leaf removal, crop thinning, and a disciplined and timely organic spray program. Veraison began in early August and was completed towards the middle of the month, while harvest began in the middle of September and lasted until mid-to-late October. Hidden Bench was blessed with consistent and favourable weather during harvest, which allowed them to choose pick dates based on flavour and ripeness.

It is often said, particularly in Niagara, that the quality of the vintage is determined by the weather in September and October. Overall, Hidden Bench was pleased with the quality of the harvested fruit, albeit in smaller-than-normal quantities. It is expected that the 2022 vintage is excellent across the board with wines that will truly showcase the terroir of the Beamsville Bench in Niagara. Let's see how this 2022 rosé from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Hidden Bench Locust Lane Rosé 2022 (91+ pts)

Tasting Note:

HIDDEN BENCH LOCUST LANE ROSÉ 2022 - Sustainable, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#68833) (XD) - $24.95
This organic rosé is blend of 88% Pinot Noir, 6% Viognier, and 6% Chardonnay. The deep and intense nose offers lovely, complex aromas of grapefruit, citrus, orange, stony minerals, and floral accented with strawberry, melon, watermelon, and peach. It's medium+ bodied on the dry, lightly honeyed palate with fresh, juicy acidity supporting grapefruit, citrus, strawberry, watermelon, melon, orange, mineral, and floral flavours. Slightly viscous mouthfeel on the mid-palate. It's nicely balanced with pleasing mineral, grapefruit, and citrus flavours that are joined by spicy notes on the long, crisp finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

Many other lovely wines from the fine portfolio of Hidden Bench Estate Winery can be purchased through the LCBO, their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits, or direct from the winery in Niagara.


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  • Date publishedWednesday, June 28, 2023

Jean-Max Roger Cuvée Marnes et Caillottes Sancerre 2021 and La Grange Dîmière Sancerre Rosé 2022 (Loire) - Wine Reviews

Jean-Max Roger La Grange Dîmière Sancerre Rosé 2022 (XX pts) and Jean-Max Roger Cuvée Marnes et Caillottes Sancerre 2021 (93 pts)
wine reviews are a pair of excellent wines from Sancerre in the Loire Valley that arrived at the LCBO over the weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Both of these wines are produced by Jean-Max Roger, a renowned producer from Sancerre in the Loire Valley, and is easily my favourite producer from the region. The Roger family comes from a long-line of winegrowers from the village of Bué, a commune within the Sancerre appellation and located to the west and a little to the south of the town of Sancerre. The Roger family name was first mentioned in the 17th century and up until the 1960s practiced mixed farming, which included animal rearing.

Jean-Max took over the family estate of 4 hectares of vines in the 1970s and, together with his wife, Nicole, developed the vineyards and estate. Under his guidance, the winery experienced significant growth and gained recognition for producing exceptional Sancerre wines. Jean-Max Roger is focused on crafting high-quality wines that reflect the unique terroir of Sancerre, which is renowned for its chalky limestone soils and cool climate.

Today, the estate is still operated by Jean-Max Roger and his wife. However, their passion and love for wine was transferred to both of their sons, and in 2004 both Thibault and Etienne joined the family estate. The brothers complement each other, perpetuating the family's know-how and techniques to improve their wines with each passing vintage. With a family estate that has grown to 28 hectares of vines in the Sancerre appellation and 6 hectares in Menetou-Salon, and with more than 40 plots that offer an exceptional diversity of exposure, slope, and soil profiles, this allows the Roger family to use their winemaking expertise to allow each wine to express all of the uniqueness of the terroirs through the wines structure, elegance, and finesse. Jean-Max Roger also maintains a sustainable approach to viticulture which helps preserve the vines and terroir, while not compromising on the production of top-quality grapes. The winery has also expanded over the years to include modern equipment, and combined with new techniques while respecting traditions, Jean-Max Roger is able to craft their wines under optimal conditions.

With vineyard management, Jean-Max Roger produces grapes to reveal its terroir. The vines are tended to using organic principles and working the deep soil to revitalize soil life. By using the Guyot Poussard pruning method, the result is better balance of the stock. They also perform spring disbudding to control yields, while using mechanical weed control which respects soil life. At the winery, Jean-Max Roger aims to produce wines reflecting the fruitiness and density of the vintage. The grapes are pneumatically pressed upon arriving at the winery, and cold settled for between 48 and 72 hours which helps protect deterioration of aromas, while also eliminating vegetal fragments and dust. The wines undergo a long, temperature-controlled fermentation using natural yeasts, which helps develop aromatic complexity, and follows with ageing on heavy lees to develop minerality. After fining and filtration, which helps stabilize the aromas and wine, it is bottled at the estate using their own facilities.

While the 2021 vintage was a good, but tricky vintage, the 2022 vintage was very good and referred to as possibly the best in the last 30 years. Having enjoyed previous editions of these wines such as the 2020 Jean-Max Roger Cuvée Marnes et Caillottes Sancerre and the 2020 Jean-Max Roger La Grange Dîmière Sancerre Rosé, I would expect similar, if not better quality levels this time around. Let's see how this Sancerre Rosé and Sancerre Blanc wines from Loire Valley is tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

JEAN-MAX ROGER CUVÉE MARNES ET CAILLOTTES SANCERRE 2021 - AC, Loire, France (#196667) (XD) - $38.95
100% Sauvignon Blanc from 5 to 40 year-old vines grown in the villages of Bué & Amigny on Kimmeridgian Marls (Marnes) and Limestone (Caillottes) soils. Fresh, fragrant, and highly aromatic on the perfumed nose with spring flowers, lemon/lime citrus, herbs, and freshly cut grass aromas with a fine, flinty mineral underpinning. It's nicely textured on the medium+ bodied palate with fresh, lively acidity lifting the clean and ripe lemon/lime citrus, spring flower, herbs, and stony mineral flavours, plus some spicy notes on the mid-palate. It's nicely balanced throughout with a pleasantly chalky textured mouthfeel on the back palate. Lovely lemon/lime citrus and dried herbal notes taper to an exceptionally long, leesy mineral finish. My favourite in the portfolio and a highly recommended buy! Score: 93 pts

Jean-Max Roger Cuvée Marnes et Caillottes Sancerre 2021 (93 pts)

JEAN-MAX ROGER LA GRANGE DÎMIÈRE SANCERRE ROSÉ 2022 - AC, Loire, France (#490813) (XD) - $31.95
100% Pinot Noir grown on flint, Kimmeridgian marls & Limestone, Silex, Terres Blanches & Caillottes' soils from vines between 25 to 45 years old. The medium+ intensity nose is clean and fresh and red berry, strawberry, cherry, grapefruit, and citrus, and blood orange aromas underpinned by fine mineral notes. On the medium+ bodied palate it is dry, ripe, and lightly honeyed with lovely mineral, grapefruit, blood orange, red berry, strawberry, and cherry flavour replays. It has clean, succulent, and well-balanced acidity, along with a pleasant, chalky textured mouthfeel. Lightly spicy on the mid-palate, while mineral notes linger on the long finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

Jean-Max Roger La Grange Dîmière Sancerre Rosé 2022 (91 pts)

While a couple of other lovely wines by Jean-Max Roger can be found at the LCBO, the entire portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.


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  • Date publishedSunday, May 28, 2023

Louis Pommery Brut Rosé Sparkling (California) - Wine Review

sparkling wine review is this excellent brut rosé sparkling wine from California. It's brand new to the LCBO, arrived in stores across Ontario this weekend as part of the feature on rosé wines in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

With a rich legacy in France, the historic Champagne Pommery wanted to grow further and launched Louis Pommery California in 2017. Louis Pommery wines are rooted in tradition and symbolizes the best of sophisticated French winemaking combined with California style and innovation.

The tradition and story of Pommery begins in 1836 when Alexandre Louis Pommery, a retired wool merchant, co-founded his champagne house. Following his death in 1958, the former Jeanne Alexandrine Louise Melin, his widow, took over the operations. Known as Madame Pommery, she had a very clear idea and vision and wanted to produce a different wine while also relocating to different place which combined the optimal conditions for the production of these wines. She began construction of the new site in 1868 in Reims, the unofficial capital of the Champagne winegrowing region, and in 1874 she developed the dry brut Champagne style. Madame Pommery is widely credited for creating the dry champagne style and steering the world's taste in sparkling wine from sweet to dry.

With the great success and popularity of this new, dry style of Champagne across Europe and England, Pommery's focus shifted to the USA. An excellent marketing strategy led to the creation of gigantic 75,000 Litre vat in 1904 at the World's Fair in St. Louis, Missouri. In addition to being both a technical device and an art object, the vat was also a formidable PR tool.

The heirs of the Alexandre Louis and Jeanne Alexandrine Pommery continued the family tradition and acquired land in the legendary Napa Valley and embarked on a journey to produce sparkling wine in the New World. In 2004, after acquiring the famed Champagne Pommery house, Paul-François Vranken resurrected the quest to produce sparkling wines with a distinct identity from the very best quality grapes. Napa Valley offers a myriad of micro-climates, including vines for cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the ideal grapes to produce fine sparkling wine. The region also offers an exceptionally large diversity of soils with perfectly drained gravel, silt, poor rocks, volcanic ashes, and quartz, ideal for the creation of sparkling wines.

Louis Pommery traditional method sparkling wines are crafted using a revolutionary method by Thierry Gasco, the ninth Pommery cellar master. With a modern and different vision, Thierry spent many years working on developing and implementing a revolutionary new way of encapsulating yeast. This new method results in very clear and pure wines because it is completely free of sediment, while also giving off an exceptional range of aromas and taste. Let's see how this brut rosé sparkling wine from California is tasting tonight...

Louis Pommery Brut Rosé Sparkling (92+ pts)

Tasting Note:

LOUIS POMMERY BRUT ROSÉ SPARKLING - Traditional method, California, USA (#31540) (XD) - $44.95
Crafted in the traditional method with 76% Chardonnay and 24% Pinot Noir, and aged on its lees for 18 months. The fragrant, medium-high to highly aromatic nose offers elegant and pretty aromas of red berry, raspberry, strawberry, cherry, and citrus with a touch of autolytic character. The mid-weighted palate is crisp, dry, and very clean with finesse, delivering lovely, delicate citrusy, red berry, raspberry, grapefruit, strawberry, and white cherry flavours with touches of toast and brioche. It is well-balanced throughout with crisp acidity and fine mousse, leading to a long, crisp, dry, minerally, and toasty finish, with excellent length. Very impressive and a highly recommended buy! Score: 92+ pts

Other lovely wines by Louis Pommery are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedMonday, October 3, 2022

Wine Art Estate (Greece) - Wine Dinner

Wine Art Estate Wine Tasting
At the I had the pleasure of attending a Greek wine dinner at Petros 82 featuring the wines of Wine Art Estate.

With a love for wine and passion to explore the vinification procedure, Yiannis Papadopoulos planted a small family vineyard in 1993 on the outskirts of Drama in the northeastern end of Macedonia in northern Greece and founded Wine Art Estate. Yiannis is actually a civil engineer by profession but wanted to make wine that he loves to drink and share with his friends. He pivoted from wine lover to winemaker by first reviving a family-owned vineyard and then constructing a winemaking facility in his old paternal home in Mikrochori, Drama. He also built a small underground cellar for ageing his wines. His first wines were produced with the contributions of consultant oenologists and showed enormous potential. Several years later, his friend and fellow wine lover, Yiannis Kalaitzidis, architect and engineer, joined the company as a partner.

Following the trends at the time, Wine Art Estate focused on growing French varieties, followed by a selection of Greece's emblematic varietals such as Assyrtiko, Malagousia, Agiorgitiko and Xinomavro. This was evident during dinner as a couple of the wines we tasted were blends primarily based on Bordeaux varieties.

Kolonaki Group - Petros 82 - Wine Art Estate

In 2009, Akis Papadopoulos, Yiannis' son, returned from his studies in Bordeaux and took over as Chief Oenologist. Also joining the team as viticulturalist was Iralklis Topalidis whose was focused on the importance of the vineyard in quality winemaking. Today, Wine Art Estate is dedicated to quality, and to a winemaking philosophy that respects harmony and nature. In addition, the believe that great wines begin in the vineyard and are grown by those who adapt, listen to nature, and are respectful of the land’s energy. They are committed to sustainable winegrowing without compromising wine quality and to preserving nature for generations to come. With three decades of winemaking experience and an intimate block-by-block approach in the vineyard, Wine Art Estate is focused on its core belief that the best wines are the result of the connection between nature and man.

Thank you to Kolonaki Group of Companies for the invitation and opportunity to taste these lovely wines, as well as experience the fine cuisine of Petros 82. Wine reviews of each wine tasted are provided below. The Malagousia and Techni Alipias Red are available at the LCBO, while the other two wines can be ordered through Kolonaki.

Wine Art Estate Group Photo

Tasting Notes:

PLANO MALAGOUSIA 2021 - PGI Drama, Greece (#27225) (XD) - $21.50
100% Malagousia. The medium-high to highly aromatic nose is elegant and complex with flinty minerality, citrus, herbs, lemongrass, fennel, and anise aromas. It's nicely textured on the ripe, dry, lightly honeyed, medium+ bodied palate with very nice aroma replays. Fresh acids linger through to the finish, with very good length. Score: 90+ pts

Plano Malagousia 2021 (90+ pts)Wine Art Techni Alipias White Blend 2021 (89 pts)

WINE ART TECHNI ALIPIAS WHITE BLEND 2021 - PGI Drama, Greece (#27224) (XD) - $24.95
This blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Assyrtiko has a fresh, medium-high to highly aromatic nose with ripe tropical fruit, guava, passion fruit, grassy, and green aromas joined by citrus, white peach, and herbs. On the dry, medium+ bodied palate it has pleasing aroma replays and subtle minerality on the flavour profile. With balanced acidity it also has a crunchy mid-palate. Very good length on the citrus and herbally finish. Score: 89 pts

PINK BANG 2021 - PGI Drama, Greece (XD) - $28.95
100% Touriga Nacional from vines planted in 2009. Crafted using the saignée method by Akis who is a fan of the "The Big Bang Theory" sitcom. The medium-high intensity nose is fresh and concentrated with aromas of strawberry, red cherry, and hints of lime citrus. It's fresh with vibrant acidity on the dry palate with lovely aroma replays joined by blueberry notes on the flavour profile. Very good length on the dry, crisp finish. Score: 89 pts

Pink Bang 2021 (89 pts)Wine Art Techni Alipias Red Blend 2018 (89 pts)

WINE ART TECHNI ALIPIAS RED BLEND 2018 - PGI Drama, Greece (#26944) (XD) - $27.95
A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Agiorgitiko, this has an open, highly aromatic, and fragrant nose of dried rose florals, sweet spices, sweet cassis, currant, cherry, and vanillin oak. It's medium-full bodied with smooth, rounded tannins and nice aroma replays surrounded by sweet oak in a slightly commercial profile. Acids are fresh and nicely balanced, while the finish length is very good. Score: 89 pts


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  • Date publishedThursday, September 22, 2022

Château des Ferrages Mon Plaisir Sainte-Victoire Rosé 2021 (Provence) - Wine Review

After enjoying the excellent 2020 Château des Ferrages Mon Plaisir Sainte-Victoire Rosé in Spring of last year when it made its debut at the LCBO, tonight's dry rosé wine review is the latest vintage of this terrific wine that comes to the LCBO this weekend in the September 24, 2022 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Château des Ferrages, a domain cherry-picked by Mathilde Chapoutier Selection in 2016 that is located in the village of Pourcieux, halfway between Aix-en-Provence and Saint-Maximin, in the prime, lowland plots of the Sainte-Victoire appellation. Previously, Château des Ferrages was owned winemaker Jose Garcia. His family had been running the 30 hectare domain for three generations, making primarily rosé wines since 1980. Today, Château des Ferrages is in the hands of legendary Rhône wine estate Maison M. Chapoutier and produces wines using the principles of biodynamic farming.

This dry rosé is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Rolle (aka Vermentino) that was grown on shallow, well-draining, clay-limestone soils with varying amounts of sand. The parcels of grapes come from the villages of Pourcieux and Pourrières, at the feet of Mount Aurélien and Mount Sainte-Victoire, where the climate is Mediterranean. Harvest was carried out at night to preserve freshness and aromas. At the winery, the grapes were direct-pressed and underwent stabulation on fine lees. After temperature-controlled fermentation, the wine was aged for a short period in stainless steel vats.

2021 was a tough vintage in Provence with frost, fire, and hail all coming in to play, and Grenache taking the hardest hit. Yields were down on average of 30% and the quality of wines will vary depending on how hard the winegrower was affected by the weather, along with the competence of the winemaker to handle this difficult vintage. Given the name behind this wine, I fully expect very good results. Let's see how this 2021 rosé from Provence is tasting tonight...

Château des Ferrages Mon Plaisir Sainte-Victoire Rosé 2021 (90+ pts)

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU DES FERRAGES MON PLAISIR SAINTE-VICTOIRE ROSÉ 2021 - AC Côtes de Provence, France (#19834) (XD) - $24.95
Blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Rolle. The enticing, medium+ intensity nose offers a lovely, complex mix of grapefruit, melon, orange, white peach, citrus, honeysuckle, and herbal aromas with an underlying minerality. It's medium+ bodied on the dry, ripe palate with appealing grapefruit, floral, white peach, melon, and citrus flavours that taper to herbal and mineral on the juicy mid-palate. Nicely balanced throughout with fresh acidity. Leesy mineral notes linger on the long, crisp finish. Recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

Other lovely wines by Château des Ferrages can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.


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  • Date publishedSaturday, July 9, 2022

Rivarose Brut Prestige Sparkling Rosé (Provence) - Wine Review

wine review is this lovely sparkling rosé from Provence that will be arriving at the LCBO next weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release.

The history of Rivarose begins in 1909 when a renowned French economist, Edmond Thery, fell in love with sparkling wines. He created a wine house in the city of Rognac in Bouches-du-Rhône and created a cellar 10 metres underground below the rocks, which was unique for Provence. Until the 1930s, Edmond produced base wines for Champagne houses and had to stop when strict demarcation production areas came into effect. At this point, Edmond began producing his sparkling wines to order.

Moving to more recent history, a second production site was built in 1988 in Salon de Provence under the name of Auran and is dedicated to the production of sparkling wines using new techniques such as Charmat Method, carbonation, and the production of flavoured and alcohol-free sparkling products. In 1998, the wine house joins Famille Piffaut Vins et Domaines family to take the quality of the wines to the next level. In 2016, the production sites in Rognac and Salon de Provence were brought together on a new, larger site in Salon de Provence and Rivarose was borne to become the oldest and largest producer of sparkling wines in the Mediterranean.

This sparkling rosé wine is crafted using a blend of Syrah and Grenache grapes that were grown in the Vaucluse region in the southern Rhône Valley. The grapes were carefully harvested at night in order to retain maximum freshness. Upon arriving at the winery after harvest, skin maceration is carried out and followed by pressing to extract aromatic intensity from the fruit. Syrah adds vibrant red fruit aromas, while Grenache provides aromatic intensity. After initial fermentation, a second fermentation is carried out in temperature-controlled vats with frequent stirring of the lees over a period of one month. The wine is then aged on its lees for a minimum of 5 months. Let's see how this sparkling rosé is tasting tonight...

Rivarose Brut Prestige Sparkling Rosé (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

RIVAROSE BRUT PRESTIGE SPARKLING ROSÉ - Salon de Provence, IGP Mediterranean, Provence, France (#515288) (D) - $19.95
Crafted in the tank method, this blend of Syrah and Grenache has a generous, medium+ intensity nose with enticing aromas of grapefruit, strawberry, orange zest, citrus, raspberry, and leesy mineral with hints of floral. The medium+ bodied palate is essentially dry with delicious grapefruit, orange, citrus, and mineral replays with red berry fruited touches like strawberry, raspberry, and cherry. Fine, beady bubbles and fresh, juicy, thirst-quenching acidity carry through to the dry, minerally, floral, and lip-smacking finish, with very good length. Highly recommended buy. Score: 89 pts

Other delicious wines by Rivarose are available through their Agent - Sylvestre Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedTuesday, June 28, 2022

Cabriz Colheita Selecionada 2019 and Rosé 2020 (Portugal) - Wine Reviews

Cabriz Colheita Selecionada Tinto 2019 (88 pts) and Rosé 2020 (88 pts)
wine reviews are a pair of delicious, budget-friendly wines from Cabriz of Portugal. Both wines arrived at the LCBO recently as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Cabriz wines are part of Global Wines and are one of the leading brands and best-selling wines from the Dão wine region in Portugal. Quinta de Cabriz is located in the heart of Dão in Carregal do Sal and is also the headquarters of Global Wines. Dão is one of the oldest established wine regions in Portugal and it's located in the mountainous northern central part of the country and has a temperate climate. The rugged terrain has predominantly granitic soils with a high thermal amplitude. One of the main red grape varieties of Portugal is Touriga Nacional and it originated in Dão.

In 2015, Global Wines celebrated 25 years of the Cabriz brand. Today, the Cabriz portfolio consists of Colheita Selecionada everyday wines, two of which are reviewed below, along with premium Reserva wines, organic wines, as well as Portugal's first white wine made with Touriga Nacional. Cabriz also makes a range of sparkling wines and a limited production fortified wine. The wines of Cabriz are known for the consistent quality, harvest after harvest, and are very popular globally. Let's see how their Cabriz Colheita Selecionada Tinto and Rosé wines are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

CABRIZ ROSÉ 2020 - DOC Dão, Portugal (#30445) (D) - $13.95
Blend of 50% Touriga Nacional and 50% Alfrocheiro that was de-stemmed and underwent soft pneumatic pressing. Unoaked and aged for at least 2 months in bottle. The medium+ intensity nose has aromas of red berry, cherry, raspberry, and grapefruit with mineral accents. It is medium+ bodied, ripe, tangy, and honeyed on the palate with cherry, raspberry, cranberry, and grapefruit flavours with a kiss of sweetness that's balanced by fresh, crisp acidity. Some apple and stone fruit flavours come through on the back palate, joining the cherry and raspberry notes, plus touches of leesy mineral that linger on the finish, with very good length. Recommended buy. Score: 88 pts

Cabriz Rosé 2020 (88 pts)

CABRIZ COLHEITA SELECIONADA 2019 - DOC Dão, Portugal (#247973) (D) - $14.95
Blend of 40% Alfrocheiro Preto, 30% Aragonez (Tempranillo), and 30% Touriga Nacional. Fresh, perfumed aromas are generously intense with dark cherry, violet, dark currant, and floral notes accented with touches of oak spice and licorice. On the medium-full bodied palate it is ripe with plummy, dark cherry, currant, and sweet vanillin oak spice flavours that have a touch of sweetness, tempered by fresh, vibrant acidity. Smooth, refined tannins have a subtly dusty and chalky texture. Cherry, plum, and smoky oak notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Recommended buy. Score: 88 pts

Cabriz Colheita Selecionada 2019 (88 pts)

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


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  • Date publishedMonday, June 13, 2022

La Posta Malbec Rosé 2021 (Argentina) - Wine Review

wine review is this lovely rosé wine that's new to LCBO and coming to shelves across Ontario this weekend as part of the June 18th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

La Posta Vineyards wines are the Catena family's entry-level range of wines which were first created at the turn of the century when Dr. Laura Catena discovered a handful of growers who consistently showed impressive results with specific varietals year-after-year. La Posta wines salute these hard-working growers who strive for superior flavours from grapes they grow on their own estate, and produce wines that are often single vineyard bottles. Each La Posta label illustrates a story of these individual families (although this rosé doesn't mention the family) and are inspired by Art Nouveau and Art Déco designs of the 1920s and 1930s.

This rosé is a relatively new edition to the La Posta range and is crafted with 100% Malbec that was grown at high-altitude at 1,000 metres (3,280 feet) elevation in the Tupungato wine region of the Uco Valley in Mendoza. It was vinified using carbonic maceration by press after whole clusters were hand-loaded into 5,000 Litre stainless steel tanks and did not spend any time in contact with oak. From the cooler 2021 vintage, I would expect this rosé to be quite refreshing. Let's see how this Malbec Rosé from Argentina is tasting tonight...

La Posta Malbec Rosé 2021 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

LA POSTA MALBEC ROSÉ 2021 - Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#24747) (XD) - $14.95
Screw cap. Lovely deep orange-peach colour. The medium-high intensity, fragrant nose has aromas of grapefruit, stony minerals, pomegranate, and grilled herbs, plus touches of blood orange, citrus, raspberry, and cherry. On the dry, medium+ bodied palate it has refreshing, vibrant acidity that lifts the grapefruit, stone mineral, citrus, pomegranate, and herbal notes. Nicely textured and slightly tannic on the back palate, with mineral, herbs, and grapefruit notes lingering on the long, dry, crisp, and juicy finish. Quite impressive and a highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other delicious wines by La Posta are available at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedWednesday, June 8, 2022

Bottega Pinot Grigio Rosé 2021 (Venezie) - Wine Review

wine review is this deliciously dry rosé wine made with Pinot Grigio from Italy that is coming to LCBO VINTAGES on .

The story of Bottega S.p.A. begins in 1635 when the forefather, Andrea, was cultivating vines in the hills near Molinetto della Croda in Refrontolo, a comune in the Province of Treviso in the Veneto wine region. The Bottega family were originally tenant farmers for the Counts of Collalto, but when they gained their freedom, they started to farm their own lands.

Moving to more recent history, in the 1920s Domingo Bottega was a wine trader and passionate oenologist who was able to easily identify the best grapes in the vineyard. In the 1950s and 1960s, Aldo Bottega, the son of Domingo, expanded his father's passion for the vine and established his own distillery. In 1977, Bottega S.p.A. was founded by Aldo and his wife Rosina in Pianzano di Godega, within the Province of Treviso. In 1983, Sandro Bottega became the company director with the support of his siblings Barbara and Stefano after their father passed away.

Known for their distilled products such as grappa, Bottega added a winery to the distillery in 1992 to produce a Prosecco Spumante, bringing the company into the wine market. In 2007, Distilleria Bottega moved to a big 17th century farmhouse in Bibano di Godega di Sant’Urbano, 50 km from Venice, near Conegliano Veneto, among 10 hectares of vineyards. The farmhouse was renovated according to state-of-the-art environmental standards. Today, Bottega is known for their grappa and sparkling wines, but also makes still wines such as this rosé.

This Pinot Grigio is crafted with grapes from DOC Delle Venezie, a fairly new denomination that was established in 2017 in northeastern Italy to protect and promote Pinot Grigio, the white wine varietal that symbolizes Italianness all over the world. This DOC includes the regions of Veneto and Friuli Venezia-Giulia, and the province of Trento. It covers an area with a wide variety of climates and soils, specializing in the cultivation of vines historically linked to the production of Pinot Grigio.

The grapes for this Pinot Grigio come from an area near the Piave River that is characterized by alluvial, lighter soils, which give the wine acidity, freshness, and complex aromas. Harvested at the beginning of September, the grapes were de-stemmed and softly pressed, then underwent a 12-hour maceration process with the must in contact with skins at a low temperature to extract colour and aromas. After the must is separated from the skins through a soft pressing, the juice is clarified and fermented, then aged on its lees for 3 months before bottling.

Bottega Pinot Grigio Rosé 2021 (87+ pts)

Tasting Note:

BOTTEGA PINOT GRIGIO ROSÉ 2021 - DOC Delle Venezie, Italy (#490938) (XD) - $16.95
The fresh, medium-high intensity nose delivers pretty, perfumed aromas of honeysuckle, grapefruit, floral, and orange citrus. The medium-full bodied palate is dry and honeyed with pleasing honeysuckle, grapefruit, floral, and citrusy replays joined by hints of white peach. Gentle acids are juicy and well-balanced, although I would've liked more acidity for a fresher experience. Leesy mineral notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Score: 87+ pts

Other delicious wines from Bottega are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedThursday, May 19, 2022

May 21, 2022 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Rosé

LCBO Wine Picks: May 21, 2022 VINTAGES Release
With warmer weather arriving, that usually means the return of many refreshing rosé wines at the LCBO. As such, the theme of the long weekend's May 21, 2022 LCBO VINTAGES Release is rosé wines. Also included in the magazine is a sneak preview of the June Online Exclusives. Wines from the May 21st release should be on shelves across Ontario by this Saturday, if not a day or two earlier.

We begin with the theme on rosé wines, which are not only ideal for summer drinking, but can also be enjoyed year-round. Of the fourteen wines listed as part of the theme, four are included among my top rosé wine picks and all are dry rosés from France. We start in the east in Provence with the Whispering Angel that is made with Grenache, Cinsault, and Rolle (Vermentino), while the AIX is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault. Moving westward into Rhône is the Tavel (which is one of the Wines of the Month) that consists of mainly Grenache, Clairette, and Syrah, but typically also includes other red and white varieties. Lastly, moving southwest is the rosé from Languedoc that consists of roughly 60% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, and 10% Syrah.

Château d'Aquéria Tavel 2021 (91+ pts)

My red wine recommendations includes the other Wine of the Month - a delicious Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon. French red wine blends include a fine red from Bordeaux that is made with 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the Rhône red that is primarily Grenache with Syrah and Mourvèdre in support. Staying in France, the wine from Roussillon is a blend of 40% Grenache, 40% Syrah, and 20% Mourvèdre, while the Beaujolais is crafted with 100% Gamay. From Italy, the Valpolicella consists of 35% Corvina, 35% Corvinone, 20% Rondinella, and 10% Rossignola / Oseleta / Negrara / Dindarella, while the Riserva Chianti Classico is 100% Sangiovese. And lastly, the red wine from Argentina is a blend of 55% Malbec, 19% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah, 2% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc.

Castello di Bossi Berardo Riserva Chianti Classico 2016 (93 pts)Clos de Los Siete 2018 (90+ pts)

Xavier Vignon Côtes du Rhône 2020 (89 pts)

Tedeschi Capitel Nicalò Valpolicella Superiore 2019 (89 pts)Arboleda Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (89 pts)

Among my white wine picks, the only blend is the Côtes du Rhône Blanc that consists of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier. Single varietal wines include a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, as well as the Fumé Blanc from Niagara that is a barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc. There's also a fine, dry Riesling from Niagara, a concentrated Pinot Grigio from Friuli, an Arneis from Piedmont, and a Chablis which is, of course, made with Chardonnay. The only wine with any kind of sweetness is the off-dry Gewurztraminer from Alsace.

Cave Spring CSV Riesling 2019 (93 pts)Jermann Pinot Grigio 2020 (92 pts)

Fontanafredda Pradalupo Roero Arneis 2020 (90 pts)

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

  • TEDESCHI CAPITEL NICALÒ VALPOLICELLA SUPERIORE 2019 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#984997) (XD) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
  • XAVIER VIGNON CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2020 - AP, France (#297317) (XD) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
  • SAN PEDRO 1865 SELECTED VINEYARDS CARMENÈRE 2020 - DO Valle de Maule, Chile (#249201) (XD) - $19.95
  • WAKEFIELD ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - Clare Valley/Limestone Coast, South Australia (#744235) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
  • BLEASDALE MULBERRY TREE LANGHORNE CREEK CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - South Australia (#661892) (XD) - $19.95
  • ARBOLEDA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - DO Valle del Aconcagua, Chile (#606764) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review

  • TESSELLAE OLD VINES GRENACHE / SYRAH / MOURVÈDRE 2019 - AP Côtes du Roussillon, Midi, France (#343517) (XD) - $19.95
  • PASCAL AUFRANC VIGNES DE 1939 CHÉNAS 2018 - AC, Beaujolais, France (#329987) (XD) - $20.95
  • CLOS DE LOS SIETE 2018 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#622571) (XD) - $25.95  90+ pts  wine review
  • HEWITSON NED & HENRY'S SHIRAZ 2019 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#54221) (XD) - $29.95
  • L'ORME DE RAUZAN-GASSIES 2016 - AC Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France (#24211) (XD) - $35.95
  • CASTELLO DI BOSSI BERARDO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2016 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#113316) (XD) - $38.95  93 pts  wine review
Wakefield Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (89 pts)

White Wine:

  • FAMILLE PERRIN RÉSERVE CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2020 - AC, France (#499509) (XD) - $15.95
  • FONTANAFREDDA PRADALUPO ROERO ARNEIS 2020 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#577700) (XD) $18.95  90 pts  wine review
  • PIERRE SPARR GRANDE RÉSERVE GEWURZTRAMINER 2020 - AC Alsace, France (#747600) (D) - $19.95
  • VILLA MARIA CELLAR SELECTION SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#974527) (XD) - $21.95
  • DOMAINE LE VERGER CHABLIS 2019 - AC, Burgundy, France (#181289) (XD) - $26.95
  • HIDDEN BENCH FUMÉ BLANC 2019 - Rosomel Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#68825) (XD) - $29.95
  • CAVE SPRING CSV RIESLING 2019 - Cave Spring Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#566026) (XD) - $29.95  93 pts  wine review
  • JERMANN PINOT GRIGIO 2020 - DOC Friuli, Italy (#12812) (XD) - $36.95  92 pts  wine review

Rosé Wine:

  • GÉRARD BERTRAND CÔTE DES ROSES ROSÉ 2021 - AP Languedoc, France (#373985) (XD) - $18.95
  • SAINT AIX ROSÉ 2021 - AP Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence, France (#451906) (XD) - $24.95
  • CHÂTEAU D'AQUÉRIA TAVEL 2021 - AC, Rhône, France (#319368) (XD) - $24.95  91+ pts  wine review
  • CAVES D'ESCLANS WHISPERING ANGEL ROSÉ 2021 - AC Côtes de Provence, France (#325076) (XD) - $28.95



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  • Date publishedSaturday, May 14, 2022

Château d'Aquéria Tavel 2021 (Rhône) - Wine Review

rosé wine review is this refreshingly lovely wine from the Tavel Cru in the southern Rhône Valley that is coming to LCBO VINTAGES on as the Wine of the Month and featured as part of the theme on rosé wines.

The long and fascinating history of Château d'Aquéria began in 1595 when Louis Joseph d'Aqueria purchased this prime vine-growing area of Tavel known as "Puy Sablonneux" from the monks at the Abbey in Villeneuve les Avignon. His son, Robert d'Aqueria, hereditary Count Palatine, built a home which was transformed in the 18th century into the Château as it stands today. Many families have since owned the Château, cherishing the lands as they honed the art of crafting wine with knowledge of their terroir, the vines, and the fruit of those vines. Today, Aquéria is owned and operated by brothers Bruno and Vincent de Bez. Aquéria has been applying environmentally-friendly winegrowing techniques for over 20 years while also preserving and protecting local floral and fauna. Sustainable agriculture and respect for the environment is part of Aquéria's identity.

The 2021 edition of this lovely Tavel Rosé is a blend of mainly Grenache, Clairette, and Syrah, and typically also includes small amounts of other varietals. The grapes were grown around the Château on sandy-clayey soils which are ideal for producing great rosé wines that are both fruity and complex. The grapes were hand-harvested and de-stemmed, then macerated to extract colour and structure. The varieties were then blended two-by-two to enhance aromatic complexity, then underwent temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel vats. A second blending took place in December before bottling this unoaked rosé.

At Château d'Aquéria, the climate is quintessentially Mediterranean with low rainfall, strong sunshine, and exposure to the Mistral winds. The growing season in 2021 was marked by capricious weather and seasons. Although Château d'Aquéria was spared freeze damage, they did have to be extremely vigilant throughout the season and their efforts were rewarded with a superb vintage in terms of both quality and quantity.

Having enjoyed previous vintages of this rosé, including most recently the 2020 Château d'Aquéria Tavel last May, I would expect this dry rosé to also be quite lovely. Let's see how this 2021 Tavel Rosé is tasting tonight...

Château d'Aquéria Tavel 2021 (91+ pts)

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU D'AQUÉRIA TAVEL 2021 - AC, Rhône, France (#319368) (XD) - $24.95
Blend of mainly Grenache, Clairette, and Syrah, the lovely, medium-high intensity aromatics offer fresh, red fruited aromas of raspberry, strawberry, cherry, and fine mineral notes with hints of citrus and peach. On the dry, medium-full bodied palate it is very nicely balanced with raspberry, cherry, strawberry, currant, mineral, and citrus flavours, plus lightly peppery and herbal notes, all lifted by fresh acidity. Minerally, red fruited, and citrus notes linger on the long, juicy, and crisp finish. I think even better than last year's edition. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

Other lovely wines by Château d'Aquéria are available through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedWednesday, October 6, 2021

Vanderpump Rosé 2020 (Provence) - Wine Review

After enjoying the lovely Vanderpump Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines from California back in July, wine review completes the look at the Vanderpump portfolio with this deliciously dry rosé that arrived at the LCBO last month as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release, and is also featured again this month in the LCBO VINTAGES Release.

With many decades in the hospitality industry worldwide, the Vanderpump family developed an appreciation for wines of outstanding quality. After living in the South of France for many years, rosé became a passion for the family, inspiring them to create Vanderpump Wines. In 2017, the family created their own rosé in the classic Provence style and launched their first wine - the Vanderpump Rosé - using grapes from the sun-drenched region of Côtes de Provence.

Now in its fifth vintage, the 2020 Vanderpump Rosé is comprised of Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah that was sourced from the gorgeous vineyards of the Côtes de Provence AOP, France. More specifically, the grapes come from the interior Valley of Provence and Sainte Victoire, where there is plentiful sunshine and frequent dry, cool mistral winds blow in from the north. The vineyard soils are primarily clay, limestone pebbles and sand, and the hillsides are covered with wild lavender, rosemary and thyme. Crafted in the classical, dry Provencal rosé style, the wine has minimal skin contact to produce a pretty, pale peach colour. Let's see how this dry rosé is tasting tonight...

Vanderpump Rosé 2020 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

VANDERPUMP ROSÉ 2020 - AC Côtes de Provence, France (#14808) (XD) - $29.95
This blend of Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah has a fresh, medium to medium-high intensity nose that delivers dry aromas of grapefruit, citrus, and stone fruits with underlying red currant, minerals, and herbs. The full palate is dry with a honeyed flavour profile of peach, strawberry, grapefruit, citrus, red currant, and spice. It has fresh, lively acidity, while leesy minerals, strawberry, and citrus with a twist of honey linger on the dry, crisp finish, with very good length. Score: 89 pts

All of the wines from the Vanderpump portfolio are available at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Dionysus Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedTuesday, September 28, 2021

Reine des Fleurs Rosé 2020 (Languedoc) - Wine Review

wine review is a lovely dry rosé from Languedoc that is new to the LCBO, arriving on shelves across Ontario recently as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release - and listed again in the upcoming Oct. 2 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

The Reine des Fleurs brand rings like the Cicada’s song... Drinking Reine des Fleurs wines is all about enjoying the true French way of life where people take time to indulge in the simple, yet refined pleasures of life. In the French countryside, the brand conveys the vineyards peaceful atmosphere and its picturesque wineries. One sip and you can already imagine the scented Garrigue and the Cicadas singing in the field.

Languedoc is the source of grapes for this rosé, a beautiful wine region located in Southern France, by the Mediterranean sea. This wine region benefits from the Mediterranean climate that offers hot and dry summers. Grape varietals in Languedoc are planted according to the specific characteristics of each terroir, thus, one of the most distinguishing features of Languedoc appellation wines is the strong bond between taste and place.

This dry rosé is a blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah where the grapes were harvested and fermented separately. Upon reaching the winery, the grapes were sorted and destemmed, then gently pressed with a pneumatic press to slowly extract the juice. After fermentation in stainless steel tanks, the wine was aged on fine lees for 4 months. It was then blended, carefully filtered and bottled prior to release. Let's see how this rosé from Languedoc is tasting tonight...

Reine des Fleurs Rosé 2020 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

REINE DES FLEURS ROSÉ 2020 - AP Languedoc, France (#19841) (XD) - $14.95
Crafted with 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah, the fragrant nose offers pretty aromas of melon and grapefruit citrus alongside some garrigue and herbs with a touch of minerality. The fleshy, medium+ bodied palate is dry with delightful melon, grapefruit, citrus, ripe strawberry, and mineral flavours supported by fresh, balanced acidity. Slightly chalky textured on the mid-palate, with mineral, grapefruit, and strawberry notes lingering on the crisp, dry, and very long after taste. Highly recommended buy. Score: 89 pts

Other delicious wines from the Reine des Fleurs label can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.


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