Trapiche Medalla Malbec 2018 (Argentina) - Wine Review

After enjoying the excellent 2017 Trapiche Gran Medalla Malbec last November, tonight's red wine review is its little sibling that arrived at the LCBO today as the Wine of the Month in the April 2nd LCBO VINTAGES Release. This wine is also part of a collection of Malbecs I'll be reviewing in the lead up to Malbec World Day 2022, which is celebrated worldwide every year on the 17th of April.

Founded in Mendoza in 1883, Trapiche Winery has grown to become one of Argentina's most internationally recognized brands. Not only is Trapiche Argentina's largest producer of wine, but they are also one of the industry's leading innovators while pioneering new sites, partnering with premium grape growers, and developing a new generation of talented winemakers. Trapiche was a pioneer in working with Bordeaux varieties, exploring micro-terroirs, and developing modern winemaking techniques. Today, Trapiche owns more than 1,000 hectares of vineyards across Mendoza's Primera Zone and Uco Valley, as well as having longstanding partnerships with some of the province's revered grape growers.

Trapiche has quite a few different ranges of wines and this wine is from their Medalla collection that was borne in 1983 to celebrate the winery's 100th anniversary. This vegan-friendly red wine is 100% Malbec using fruit from their own vineyards in Uco Valley. The grapes were manually harvested, selected, and de-stemmed, followed by fermentation in small concrete vats. It was aged in new French oak barrels for 18 months and further 6 months in bottle prior to release.

The 2018 vintage in Argentina was celebrated for its return to normality with warm day time temperatures and cool nights, and without any unwanted rains. Overall, the harvest showed excellent quality with full maturation and healthy grapes. In the Uco Valley, Malbec stood out for it's great intensity and character. Let's see how this 2018 Uco Valley Malbec is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

TRAPICHE MEDALLA MALBEC 2018 - Vegan, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#547869) (XD) - $19.95
100% Malbec mainly from their vineyards in Tupungato, Uco Valley, situated between 1,060 and 1,200 metres (3,500 and 4,000 feet) above sea level. The nose seems somewhat quiet, offering glimpses of ripe plum, purple fruit, peppery spice, and stony mineral aromas with subtle oak nuances. The medium-full bodied palate is rich and ripe with fleshy concentration and lovely flavours of purple and black fruits, plum, white pepper spice, and stony mineral notes. Acids are juicy and succulent, while the dusty, fine-grained, and lightly structured tannins offer a pleasingly textured mouthfeel. Stony mineral and meaty notes linger on the savoury finish, with very good length. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Trapiche are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Dandurand.

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Fasoli Gino San Raffaele Pinot Grigio 2020 (delle Venezie) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is the latest incarnation of this delicious, organic, and vegan-friendly Pinot Grigio that arrived at the LCBO as part of the January 8th LCBO VINTAGES Release last weekend.

I last tasted a previous edition of this wine nearly six years ago when the 2015 San Raffaele Monte Tabor Pinot Grigio arrived at the LCBO. However, this wine now bears the DOC delle Venezie designation, a new appellation that began with the 2017 vintage. It is produced by Fasoli Gino, a winemaking family with four generations of experience and deep roots in Verona. The family has been producing wine since 1925 with the goal of crafting unique wines that they are proud of. In 1984, they transitioned to organic wines, and in 2006 they started implementing biodynamic practices.

Today, Fasoli Gino is one of Italy's most long-standing and respected organic producers. They continue to apply knowledge passed down over generations to modern techniques to ensure they consistently produce high-quality wines. Let's see how this tasty Pinot Grigio is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

FASOLI GINO SAN RAFFAELE PINOT GRIGIO 2020 - Vegan, DOC delle Venezie, Italy (#204768) (XD) - $15.95
Organic and vegan-friendly, this 100% Pinot Grigio was hand-harvested and enclosed by screw cap. Clean, fresh, and generous aromas of orchard fruit, pear, lemon citrus, and melon, along with mineral undertones and a whiff of herb. It's medium+ bodied with good concentration on the lightly honeyed, yet dry palate with crisp, refreshing acidity lifting the apple, pear, lemon citrus, and melon flavours. Juicy, slightly spicy on the mid-palate, and nicely balanced with fine leesy mineral notes lingering on the finish, with very good length. Recommended buy. Score: 88 pts

Other delicious wines from Fasoli Gino can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.

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La Motte Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (South Africa) - Wine Review

Happy New Year! For my first wine of 2022, tonight's red wine review is an excellent, sustainably crafted, vegetarian, and vegan-friendly Cabernet Sauvignon from South Africa. It's a new arrival to the LCBO that should be on shelves across Ontario next weekend as part of the January 8th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by the historic La Motte Estate, where viticulture was first established on the farm by Huguenot descendant Gabriël du Toit in 1752 with an initial planting of 4,000 vines. La Motte is situated in the beautiful Franschhoek Valley in South Africa's Cape winelands and is believed to be named after the French village La Motte d'Aigues in Provence, which was home to several Huguenots who left their country for South Africa in 1688. A number of these French refugees were granted land in the region that later became known as Franschhoek, which means "French Corner".

Today, La Motte is one of three wine estates owned by the Rupert family after it was acquired by the late Dr. Anton Rupert in 1970. Dr. Rupert was an internationally respected industrialist who established a global business empire and was also a committed conservationist. Following the acquisition in 1970, La Motte was redeveloped and restored to become a leading global wine producer and sought-after tourist destination with a number of historic buildings and sites that date back to the 18th century.

Environmental management is a high priority at La Motte. They practice sustainable farming along with other long-term strategies, and also consider the environmental impact in day-to-day operations. Among the many green certifications and initiatives, in 2003 La Motte became one of the first wine estates to be awarded the coveted ISO 14001 Environmental Management Certification. As a member of the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), social responsibility is also top of mind La Motte as they seek to uplift and empower its people. Today, La Motte is owned by Dr. Rupert's daughter, Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg and her husband Hein Koegelenberg and the Estate is known for producing fine wines of exceptional quality.

This red wine is made with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that was grown in two areas - Franschhoek (67%), which yields pure berry fruit and creamy texture, and from Stellenbosch (33%) which provides volume and light minty spice notes. Grapes from different blocks were fermented and aged separately, with fermentation occurring in stainless steel tanks. The wine was aged in a mix of new and used 300 L French oak barrels for 16 months, followed by blending and bottling in November 2019. Although the 2018 growing season was challenging due to extreme drought conditions leading to reduced yields, the end result was ripe, concentrated berries of excellent quality. Let's see how this 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon from South Africa is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

LA MOTTE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#21155) (XD) - $24.95
This lovely 100% Cabernet Sauvignon has a medium-high intensity nose offering earthy minerals, dark berry fruit, currant, and cassis aromas accented with wood spice. It's elegantly structured with firm, yet approachable tannins on the full-bodied palate with fresh, vibrant, and lemony acidity. Flavours of dark berry, currant, earthy mineral, and wood spice are nicely balanced with touches of minty dried herbs. Structured and slightly tangy with earthy, woody, and cocoa notes on the long finish. Enjoyable now, but I would hold for at least 3+ years. Highly recommend buy. Score: 91 pts

Other fine wines from La Motte Estate can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Cap Royal Rouge 2018 (Bordeaux) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is this lovely, vegan-friendly red wine from Bordeaux that is coming to the LCBO this weekend, as part of the November 27th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Cap Royal, a brand that owes its name to the Cordouan lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in Europe. This lighthouse located at the mouth of the Gironde estuary always had a bleak reputation due to the perilous nature of the area. The original lighthouse was built in 1360 and has evolved over the centuries to become the one-of-a-kind, "King of Lighthouses" seen today.

Cap Royal is a brand of La Compagnie Médocaine des Grands Crus, an historical wine merchant that has established itself a key player in the sales of Bordeaux wines around the globe. La Compagnie Médocaine des Grands Crus is a subsidiary of AXA Millésimes, the wine branch of AXA group, and encompasses many of Europe's most renowned wine domaines. More than just a company, La Compagnie Médocaine des Grands Crus is a team of people of who ensure that they provide the highest quality wines possible. This team is led by Jean-René Matignon, a man who was born in Anjou and grew up in a family of winemakers. He actually spent a year in Canada in 1982 working for a wine domaine in British Columbia. Upon returning to France, he developed new vinification techniques with a winemakers association and became known as a perfectionist. In 2013, he worked with La Compagnie Médocaine des Grands Crus to create the Cap Royal brand with the sole objective to offer high quality, yet accessible, Bordeaux wines that can be enjoyed by all.

Certified vegan, this Bordeaux blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon was crafted using fruit chosen by Jean-René Matignon and his winemaker partners from specially selected lots that offered quality and complexity. The grapes were fermented in thermo-regulated stainless steel vats, and carefully aged in oak barrels under the regular supervision of Jean-René Matignon to guarantee a quality wine. Let's see how this 2018 Bordeaux red wine is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CAP ROYAL ROUGE 2018 - Vegan, AC Bordeaux Supérieur, France (#486761) (XD) - $18.95
This blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon has an open and fragrant nose with lovely dark fruited aromas of blackberry, black plum, currant, cassis, wood spice, and vanilla with savoury undertones. On the ripe, medium-full bodied, and structured palate it has dark berry, blackberry, leather, and wood spice flavours, with a hint of jammy notes. Fresh acids are juicy and well-balanced, while the structured tannins are youthful. Savoury, earthy, and cocoa notes linger on the long, drying finish. Highly recommended buy that is enjoyable now, but will reward with a few years in the cellar and drink well towards the end of the decade. Score: 90 pts

Other lovely wines from Cap Royal are available through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Marqués de Cáceres Excellens Cuvée Especial Crianza 2017 (Rioja) - Wine Review

For tonight's wine review, I Arrive in Style with this lovely, vegan-friendly Tempranillo that came to the LCBO last weekend as part of the November 13th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Produced by Marqués de Cáceres, and although the winery was only founded by Enrique Forner in 1970, the enterprising family's origins in wine go back much further to 1920, when Enrique's grandfather and father established a family business in Valencia devoted to the production, sale, and export of wine.

Today, Enrique's daughter, Cristina Forner, manages the winery with pride. The Forner family is one of the great Spanish wine families, known for producing high-quality wines, while the wines of Marqués de Cáceres can be found globally in more than 120 countries now thanks to the key role played by Cristina. In the early years of Marqués de Cáceres, Enrique Forner was advised by a friend having success in Bordeaux to apply new growing and production techniques - vineyard control, grape selection, cold production in order to extract the first aromas, ageing in new and semi-new French oak, and long refinement in the bottle in order to strengthen the great virtues of the Tempranillo grape. All of these improvements resulted in wines of finesse and elegance. Marqués de Cáceres continues it's success today by investing in technology and innovation while offering consumers a wine they can consistently enjoy.

This 100% Tempranillo was grown on mainly clay and limestone soils, with some parcels having more iron-rich subsoils, from vineyards planted on gentle hillsides to those 'drooping' at the town's highest altitudes. The grapes were manually harvested, parcel by parcel, and took place as the grapes reached maturity, meaning that they had to return to some vineyards several times because the grape were reaching maturity at different times. At the winery, the grapes were de-stemmed and crushed, followed by fermentation and long skin-contact maceration in stainless steel tanks. It was aged for 14 months in medium-toast French oak barrels and followed by at least 12 months in bottle prior to release.

After liking the 2015 Marqués de Cáceres Excellens Cuvée Especial a couple of years ago, let's see how this bottling, which is from a very good vintage, is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MARQUÉS DE CÁCERES EXCELLENS CUVÉE ESPECIAL CRIANZA 2017 - Collecion Privada, Vegan, DOCa Rioja, Spain (#10684) (XD) - $17.95
100% Tempranillo. The medium to medium-high intensity nose offers lovely rich black and dark red berry aromas alongside sweet & fine wood spice, tobacco, coconut, and earthy notes. On the medium-full bodied palate the sweet and fine wood spice notes really shine, followed by black and red berry, black cherry, sweet spices, clove, and savoury wet earth flavours. Acids are succulent and well-balanced, while the structured tannins are a touch chalky and drying. Earthy notes linger on the lengthy finish. Excellent, as the name suggests, and a highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Other lovely wines from Marqués de Cáceres are available through their Agent - Dionysus Wines & Spirits.

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Axel Pauly Generations Mosel Riesling 2019 (Germany) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely, vegan-friendly, off-dry Riesling from Mosel that arrived at the LCBO as a VINTAGES Online Exclusive in the October 2nd LCBO VINTAGES Release and can be purchased online only at LCBO.com.

Axel Pauly is the third generation of the family to work the vines on the very steep slopes of Mosel. Passed along from his grandfather to his father, Axel started managing the cellar in 2004, and then took over the entire family estate in 2009. In 2011, the family suffered a stroke of fate and the winery burned to the ground. When the estate was rebuilt over the next several years, a wine cellar was added, and in 2014 it was voted one of the 50 most beautiful by the German Wine Institute.

Today, Axel Pauly is considered to be one of the rising stars of the Mosel and is an active member of the next Next Generation of young German winemakers. Practicing artisanal viticulture and winemaking, Axel cultivates his wines on approximately 9 hectares of vines, most of which are planted to Riesling. The vineyards all face south or southwest and consist exclusively of different layers of slate rock. The wines of Axel Pauly are characterized by clarity, a crystalline characteristic, length and great minerality.

Although 2019 was a demanding vintage for winegrowers in the Mosel with frost in spring, drought, heat and sunburn in summer, and rain in autumn, along with reduced yields, winegrowers were generally very satisfied with the quality of the grapes and the resulting wines. This grapes for this 2019 Riesling were grown on blue and grey slate soils in a cool climate, hand-picked, macerated for 10 hours, and underwent spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel tanks using natural yeast. The wine was matured on fine lees for 4-5 months and spent some time in bottle prior to release.

Interesting fact about the label - if you turn the bottle the left and on its side, you will see the profiles of the three winemaking generations of the Pauly family. Also combined in this image is an overhead view of the Mosel River.

Let's see how this fine off-dry Riesling is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

AXEL PAULY GENERATIONS MOSEL RIESLING 2019 - Vegan, Qualitätswein, Germany (#21033) (M) - $22.95
Screw cap. 100% Riesling grown on blue and grey slate soils, the medium-high intensity nose offers lovely aromas of apricot, peach, citrus, and melon with a subtle slatey mineral character and a whiff of petrol. It has fine, crisp, lively acidity that balances the sweet, ripe fruit with delicious off-dry flavours of apricot, peach, honeyed citrus, and slatey minerals with very good fruit concentration. Subtly spicy, zesty, and chalky textured on the mid-palate. Finishes dry with slatey minerals and a pleasantly chalky texture on the long, clean, and juicy finish. Score: 90+ pts

There is another fine Riesling by Axel Pauly available at the LCBO, while others can be ordered through their Agent - DBINO David Beauroy Selections.

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Chakana Estate Selection Malbec 2019 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is this delicious, vegan-friendly Malbec from Argentina. After a two year absence, the Yaguarete (Jaguar) of the Uco Valley returned to LCBO VINTAGES on August 21st and is widely available across the province.

It is produced by Chakana Wines, a winery that was founded in 2002, after taking up the family legacy that began in the 19th century when their ancestors made quality wines in the mountainous region of Valtellina in Lombardy, Italy. Chakana is dedicated to studying and understanding some of the best terroirs in Argentina, with the primary goal of producing authentic wines that express the identity and character of its soils. They are located in Agrelo (Luján de Cuyo), but also have vineyards in Altamira (Uco Valley), all within Mendoza.

In 2012, Chakana began work to recover and maintain the harmony of its soils by transitioning to organic and biodynamic viticulture. They also produce their wines with minimal intervention, using indigenous yeasts, and favouring the use of porous materials (i.e. concrete without epoxy and barrels) in ageing, in order to preserve the character of the place in the wine. The winemaker is Gabriel Bloise, a member of the new generation of winemakers. Gabriel understands oenology as a means of expressing nature and believes that the best wines are those that do not bear the mark of whoever makes them, but of the places where they are developed.

The last time I tasted this wine was over two years ago when the 2016 Chakana Estate Selection Malbec showed up in VINTAGES in spring 2019. Because of Chakana's constant soil and terroir research, the grapes that make up this Malbec seem to be sourced from different regions each vintage. For the 2019 vintage, this Malbec comes from Gualtallary (Tupungato) and Los Chacayes (Tunuyán), within the Uco Valley, at an altitude of 1,100 metres (3,600 feet) on sandy loam soils with gravels near the surface. The climate is cool and sunny with good diurnal temperatures, but is relatively more humid than other areas of Mendoza. It was aged in used French oak barrels and concrete vats for 12 months. Let's see how this latest Malbec is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CHAKANA ESTATE SELECTION MALBEC 2019 - Vegan, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#219261) (XD) - $19.95
100% Malbec from Gualtallary (Tupungato) and Los Chacayes (Tunuyán). Generous aromas of wet earth, game, savoury, and brett are accented with ripe red berry, cherry, floral, and sweet spice notes. On the medium-full bodied palate it has very ripe red fruit and cherry flavours joined by savoury, earthy, and wood notes, supported by fresh, balanced acidity and grainy, textured tannins that are slightly grippy. Tangy with savoury earth notes linger on the finish, with good length. Score: 88 pts

Other delicious wines by Chakana Wines are available through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.

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The Spritz Pack - Distelleria Amalfi Aperitivo Liqueur & Spritz

Last Spring, I enjoyed the locally made, ready-to-drink Amalfi Aperitivo Spritz that was launched by Distilleria Amalfi & Co. This year, the company located just north of Toronto launched a 750 mL bottle of their aperitivo liqueur named "Distilleria Amalfi & Co. Aperitivo Liqueur".

Both of these products were created by brothers Davide and Bruno Codispoti, who were born and raised in Vaughan, Ontario. Over the years, the brothers have introduced numerous beverage and food concepts in Canada, including the ever-popular (and one of my personal favourites) "Crazy Uncle" line of cocktails. After many trips to Italy, Davide and Bruno fell in love with the tradition of "Aperitivo Hour" and wanted to bring this tradition back to Canada with the aim of launching an authentic, locally crafted Aperitivo using real sparkling wine in their Spritz and natural flavours in the Aperitivo.

The Distilleria Amalfi & Co. Aperitivo Liqueur, or Amalfi Aperitivo for short, is an Aperitivo Liqueur made in small batches with natural flavours. As printed on the back label, some of the ingredients include Hibiscus flowers, Chamomile blossoms, Rosehips, Lemon peel, and Quinine. You can enjoy this delicious Aperitivo Liqueur chilled or on the rocks, as well as play mixologist. One of surely many recipes is recommended on the back - pour equal parts Amalfi Aperitivo Liqueur and Sparkling Wine over ice, then add a Blood Orange Slice and Mint Leaves to enhance the flavours.

The Aperitivo Liqueur, Spritz, and Toro Bravo sparkling wine are all widely available at the LCBO outlets across Ontario. Enjoy Aperitivo Hour this summer with delicious Aperitivo Liqueur that is currently $2 off for a limited time.

Tasting Notes:

DISTILLERIA AMALFI & CO. APERITIVO LIQUEUR - Ontario, Canada (#19417) - $28.95 $26.95 until July 18
A locally made premium bitter liqueur produced in small batches. On the rocks, this has an attractive, fresh, and fragrant nose of blood orange accented with floral and citrus aromas. There's some initial sweetness on the palate, but it gives way to bitter orange, floral, and citrus notes that carry the mid-weighted palate through to the very long, bitter, floral, and savoury finish. Delicious! Must try.

It's very refreshing (and delicious) when mixed with the Toro Bravo sparkling wine, with a more balanced and even-keeled aroma and flavour profile from start to finish.

AMALFI APERITIVO SPRITZ - Ontario, Canada (#14515) (4 x 355 mL) - $12.95
This ready-to-drink, refreshing cocktail has attractive aromas of sweet blood oranges joined by bitter notes on the spritzy palate. Chill and enjoy or, ideally, pour over ice in a stemmed wine glass and garnish with an orange.

TORO BRAVO SPARKLING SECCO WHITE - Spain (#16191) (D) - $11.95
Made using Spain's traditional cava grapes Macabeo, Parellada, and Xarel-lo, this Charmat method sparkling wine is enclosed by screw cap and has pear, citrus, ripe apple, and floral aromas rise out of the glass. The off-dry (i.e. slightly sweet) palate is frothy and lightly textured with fresh, balanced acidity. It has pleasant aroma replays of pear, citrus, and apple, and floral on the flavour profile that lingers to the finish. Chill well and enjoy. Score: 85 pts

The Amalfi products are proudly represented by Churchill Cellars Ltd.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tasting Note:

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

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

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Lealtanza Reserva 2015 (Rioja) - Wine Review (Apr. 2021)

For tonight's wine review, I look at this lovely, vegan-friendly Rioja from Spain that arrived at the LCBO over the weekend as part of the April 3, 2021 LCBO VINTAGES Release. I last enjoyed the 2015 Lealtanza Reserva back in August when it arrived in VINTAGES earlier that month and am delighted to see it return to shelves across Ontario.

This red wine is crafted by Bodegas Altanza, a wine producer that was founded in 1998 with a name that is a synonym of quality and dedicated to producing top Reserva wines. Bodegas Altanza is located in Fuenmayor, Rioja Alta, and known for combining tradition with modernity to craft the best quality wines at competitive prices. The estate owns 220 hectares of vineyards and represents approximately 60% of their needs, with the rest sourced from winegrowers using a strict selection process.

All of their red wines are crafted using 100% Tempranillo, the "queen" of Rioja autochthonous varieties, and the most popular red varietal in Spain. Altanza's wines are fermented with natural yeasts, and while most wines from Rioja are aged in American oak barrels, Altanza chooses to age all of their wines primarily in French oak barrels, including the use of 22,000 Litre Allier vats.

Back in August, I suggested that this fine red wine could be enjoyed over the next 4-5 years, so let's see how it has evolved since that time.

Tasting Note:

LEALTANZA RESERVA 2015 - Vegan, DOCa Rioja, Spain (#208223) (XD) - $22.95
100% Tempranillo that was aged for 18 months in French barrels, followed by 3 months in 22,000 Litre French oak vats. The medium-high intensity nose is pleasantly savoury and mature in profile with sweet spice, sandalwood, and earthy aromas alongside dried berry, cherry, and touches of dried floral. It's medium+ bodied on the savoury palate with more earthy, sandalwood, sweet spice, and some dried cherry and floral flavours. Acids are well-balanced, while the fine-grained tannins have a subtle textured grip. Well-balanced throughout with lovely savoury, sandalwood, and dried cherry notes lingering on the long, slightly chalky finish. Enjoy this fine, maturing Rioja over the next 3-4 years. Score: 90 pts

Other lovely wines from Bodegas Altanza can be ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Doña Paula 1350 2017 (Argentina) - Wine Review

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

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

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

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

Tasting Note:

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

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

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Les Hauts de Lagarde Blanc 2019 (Bordeaux) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely organic and vegan-friendly white wine from Bordeaux that came to the LCBO over the weekend as part of the January 23rd LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Maison Raymond, a vigneron and negociant family that has a history of winegrowing that dates back to the year 1850. Maison Raymond is located in the southeastern end of Entre-Deux-Mers, Bordeaux's largest appellation, within the commune of Saint-Laurent-du-Bois. Entre-Deux-Mers stretches from near the city of Bordeaux and moves southeasterly, between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers. In addition to growing wines in Saint-Laurent-du-Bois, they also have vineyards in the villages of Saint-Martial and Saint-Felix de Conclude, where wines have been grown since medieval times.

The family property of the domaine du Château de Lagarde has been built up over years by successive generations and uses a combination of ancestral traditions and efficient, modern technologies to craft its wines. In 2000, Lionel Raymond purchased the organic vineyard of Château Joumes Fillon and because he had strong respect for the environment and terroir, he also converted his own vineyard - all 130 hectares - to organic agriculture. Most winemakers in the area thought he was crazy as it was twice the work of a conventional vineyard. Today, Maison Raymond is one of Bordeaux's largest organic wineries and one of the few in the region that has made the commitment to organic viticulture.

This particular organic white wine is a blend of 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Sémillon that was grown on a hillside vineyard with clay-limestone soil and gravels in Saint-Laurent-du-Bois, where the climate is mild due to the influence of the Atlantic Ocean. I enjoyed tasting the 2018 vintage of this wine when it arrived in LCBO VINTAGES in April 2019 and expect this latest vintage to be just as lovely.

Tasting Note:

LES HAUTS DE LAGARDE BLANC 2019 - Vegan, AC Bordeaux, France (#387787) (XD) - $18.95
This organic wine is a blend of 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Sémillon that was grown on clay-limestone soil and gravels. The highly aromatic nose is fragrant and pretty with notes of ripe lemon/lime, citrus, passion fruit, kiwi, and white flowers. It's medium+ bodied on the ripe palate with lovely aroma replays plus touches of honey that are balanced by crisp, balanced acidity. Slightly chalky mineral textured on the mid-palate, while the long finish is juicy with oyster shell mineral and lime notes. Recommended buy. Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines from Maison Raymond can be found via their Agent - Rare Earth Wines.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tasting Note:

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

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Toro Bravo Sparkling Secco White (Spain) - Wine Review

For tonight's wine review, I have this accessibly-priced, easy drinking, and vegan-friendly sparkling wine from Spain that is a recent arrival to the LCBO and widely available across Ontario.

The Toro Bravo brand was born a few years from a collaboration between Alex Patinios of Dionysus Wines & Spirits Ltd. (Ontario Agent) and Melanie Nathou, a négociant who owns Wines & Company S.L.U. in Valencia, Spain. After recognizing that very few new value-based wines were coming into Ontario, Alex approached Melanie and together they came up with Toro Bravo.

Today, there are a number of wines bearing the Toro Bravo label. This particular sparkling wine is crafted in the Charmat method using 50% Macabeo, 30% Parellada, and 20% Xarel-lo, with the majority of the grapes coming from vineyards located between 350 to 600 meters above sea level in rocky areas of the Cataluña region. It is crafted in a very approachable style with some sweetness that will appeal to many. I found it very interesting that this sparkling wine is enclosed by easy-to-open and re-sealable screw cap. The cap was specially designed to withstand the pressures of sparkling wine. I've been tasting it over the last few days and the bubbles and flavours are still quite fresh and persistent.

Tasting Note:

TORO BRAVO SPARKLING SECCO WHITE - Spain (#16191) (D) - $11.95
This sparkling wine is made in the Charmat method using a blend of 50% Macabeo, 30% Parellada, and 20% Xarel-lo, and enclosed by screw cap. Sweet citrus, floral, peach, and pear aromas rise out of the glass. On the medium-bodied, creamy palate it has frothy mousse and fine bubbles with pleasantly off-dry (i.e. slightly sweet) aroma replays on the flavour profile that linger through to the finish, with decent length. Casual, uncomplicated bubbly to enjoy as an aperitif or in a sparkling wine cocktail. Score: 85 pts

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Les Vins Bonhomme El Petit Bonhomme 2018 (Spain) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is this nice, vegan-friendly red wine from the Jumilla DO in southeastern Spain. It is a new arrival at the LCBO as part of the upcoming November 28, 2020 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Les Vins Bonhomme produces wines from all over Spain with a team of winemakers and small family owners. Their aim is to transport you to every interesting corner of Spain - from the indigenous Monastrell of the sunny Mediterranean, to the southern version of Cabernet Sauvignon that shows its Spanish colours, and traditional Tempranillo from the land of castles in Castilla y León.

This wine is crafted in an approachable style and is a blend of 55% Monastrell from 30-year-old vines, 30% Garnacha, and 15% Syrah from the harsh climate and bush vines of Southwest Spain. In Jumilla, yields are easy to control due to the lack of water, resulting in a direct impact on the quality of the grapes. The purity of fruit is kept intact during vinification as it is not exposed to any oxygen during the pump-over process. Winemaking knowledge has been acquired using the generational knowledge of Bodegas Juan Gil - who have been cultivating vines in this area since the early 1900s.

Tasting Note:

LES VINS BONHOMME EL PETIT BONHOMME 2018 - DOP Jumilla, Spain (#16578) (XD) - $16.95
Screw cap. Blend of 55% Monastrell from 30-year-old vines, 30% Garnacha, and 15% Syrah that underwent malolactic fermentation in French and American oak barrels followed by further ageing in oak for 6 months. Ripe, lush, black fruit, spice, rosemary, thyme, and herbal aromas with a savoury core. It's medium-full bodied with gritty tannins supporting the black fruit, pepper spice, and savoury earthy flavours with herbal touches. Some chalky grip on the mid-palate with balanced acidity. Good length on the savoury finish. Score: 88 pts

Other wines from Les Vins Bonhomme can be found via their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Tenuta del Buonamico Particolare Brut Rosé Sparkling (Tuscany) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a nice, vegan-friendly Charmat method sparkling rosé wine from Tuscany that is a new arrival to the LCBO as part of the November 14 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Located southwest of Montecarlo, in the Province of Lucca, the story of Tenuta del Buonamico begins around the year 1870 with Giulio Magnani, the owner of the farming estate Marchi-Magnani, Giulio is from Montecarlo and his knowledge and passion for winemaking drew him to France learn the grape varieties and techniques used by the French to create highly valued wines. He travelled to Bordeaux, Rhone, and Burgundy and brought back grapes from each of these classic wine regions. Upon his return, he experimented with these grapes by blending them with Trebbiano, eventually finding success. From that time, wineries in Montecarlo began producing high quality wines.

The 100 hectare Buonamico Estate is located in the Cercatoja area, southwest of Montecarlo, with 48 hectares planted to vineyards. The current winery was founded in the early 1960s by renowned restaurateurs from Turin (Italy) to furnish their restaurant with Montecarlo wines.

Today, Tenuta del Buonamico is owned by the Fontana family. They have expanded the vineyards and wine cellar, while preserving the essential characteristics of a traditional winemaking style. Beginning in 2008, world renowned winemaker Alberto Antonini was brought in long-term to help improve the wines. This assistance has helped Buonamico become one of Montecarlo's leading wine producers.

Tasting Note:

TENUTA DEL BUONAMICO PARTICOLARE BRUT ROSÉ SPARKLING - Charmat method, Tuscany, Italy (#16712) (D) - $20.95
A vegan-friendly blend of Sangiovese and Syrah grown in a hilly area in Montecarlo, within the Province of Lucca, just west of Florence in Tuscany. Modest aromas of red berry, floral, orange citrus and grapefruit rise out of the glass. The palate is chalky textured with tart, lively acidity and bubbles that comes off as essentially dry on the flavour profile with grapefruit, citrus, and red berry flavours with touches of Flintstone vitamins. Mineral notes arrive on the mid-palate and linger through to the citrus, minerally finish, with very good length. Score: 88 pts

A few wines from Tenuta del Buonamico are available in small quantities at the LCBO, while the full portfolio can be ordered via their Agent - Capital B Wines.

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High Heaven Roaming Elk Red Blend 2017 (Washington) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a nice, vegan-friendly, Syrah and Merlot blend from Washington State. It is a new wine that arrives in Ontario for the first time as part of the November 14th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

This red wine blend is made by High Heaven Vintners, the same producer that crafted the 2018 High Heaven Majestic Pines Cabernet Sauvignon that I reviewed back in September. High Heaven Vintners is a new joint project between the Taub and Zirkle family. With more than a century of winemaking and farming experience, both families believe in growing great grapes to make amazing wines. High Heaven Vintners is located in the eastern part of Washington State and is inspired by the natural mountainous backdrop that surrounds their vines. The area is protected by the "Rain Shadow" that is formed by the Cascade Mountains to the west, creating a warm, sunny, and dry climate that is ideal for grape growing.

All High Heaven Vintners wines - the range consists of five wines - are estate grown & bottled. The aforementioned Cabernet Sauvignon is still available for purchase at the LCBO, while other wines can be ordered via their Agent - Dionysus Wines & Spirits Ltd.

Tasting Note:

HIGH HEAVEN ROAMING ELK RED BLEND 2017 - Columbia Valley, Washington, USA (#15847) (XD) - $19.95
An estate grown blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Merlot, with most of the Syrah and Merlot coming from the McNary Vineyard (Horse Heaven Hills AVA). Additional Syrah from the Zillah Ranch (Rattlesnake Hills AVA) was added to the blend. The medium to medium+ intensity nose has resinous oak spice, dark berry, blackberry, and raspberry aromas with touches of purple fruit and smoke. On the dry, full-bodied palate, it has supple, rounded tannins and juicy acidity supporting the sweet vanillin oak spice, blackberry, cocoa flavours. Finishes long with a smoky, vanillin oak aftertaste. Vegan-friendly. Score: 88 pts

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Kahurangi Mount Arthur Reserve Riesling 2017 (New Zealand) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is this lovely medium dry (i.e. somewhat sweet), vegan-friendly Riesling from New Zealand. This white wine is new to the LCBO and arrived in LCBO VINTAGES on September 5 - with plenty of bottles available in store, or online ordering for pick-up in store or home delivery.

The story of Kahurangi begins in 1973 when they planted their first Riesling vines - which are now some of the oldest on the South Island - while the Kahurangi brand was born in 1998, bringing together four families with a shared desire to craft wines that people will love. Kahurangi Estate is a small, boutique winery near Nelson, South Island, specialising in hand-made wines dedicated to quality.

Kahurangi is a Māori word with multiple meanings such as "treasured possession" and "precious jewel", while the logo is a stylised Nikau palm which is commonly found in the valleys and west coast beaches of the Kahurangi National Park.

Mt. Arthur is one of the highest mountains in Kahurangi National Park at 1,795 metres above sea level and stands as a magnificent backdrop to Kahurangi Estate vineyard. Kahurangi selected Mt. Arthur for their range of premium Reserve wines which stand out for their superior quality and structure.

The grapes for this delicious Riesling come from their estate vineyard in Upper Moutere, on soils that are made up of Moutere clay that add richness and texture to the grapes. Although 2017 was a challenging growing season, it was a longer than average flowering period with cooler summer temperatures. Harvest was also later than usual, but with careful vineyard management the fruit looked great! Let's see how this Riesling is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

KAHURANGI MOUNT ARTHUR RESERVE RIESLING 2017 - Nelson, South Island, New Zealand (#14559) (M) - $23.95
Screw cap. Vegan-friendly. Lovely, elegant floral, lemon/lime, and peach aromas with a touch of petrol rising out of the glass. The textured, medium+ bodied palate is both slightly tart and honeyed with lemon pith and floral flavours in a slightly sweet profile that is balanced by lively acidity. It's chalky textured with floral and touches of earthy mineral on the long, dry, slightly taut finish. Enjoyable now, but should provide even more pleasure in a couple of years. Score: 89 pts

The Kahurangi Estate Sauvignon Blanc arrived in LCBO VINTAGES this weekend, while other wines from their portfolio can be ordered via their Agent - Rare Earth Wines.

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Finca SOPHENIA Altosur Malbec 2018 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is the first of what will be a series on Malbec from Argentina. This Malbec arrived at the LCBO as part of the June 13, 2020 LCBO VINTAGES Release and, surprisingly, there are many bottles still available across Ontario.

It is produced by Finca SOPHENIA, a winery recognized as one of the highest quality wine producers in Argentina. Finca SOPHENIA was established in 1997 by founder and conductor, Roberto Luka, after choosing a site in Gualtallary, Tupungato, Mendoza, one of the most prestigious wine regions in Argentina to produce high quality wines. The name "SOPHENIA" is combination of names - Sophia, his partner's daughter, and Eugenia, his own daughter.

The young and dynamic winemaking team at SOPHENIA is led by Julia Halupzcok. After working for a number of years at Alta Vista, O. Fournier, and in California, she joined SOPHENIA in 2016 and immediately found great success. Julia's wines show elegance with a modern style, reflecting the essence of this unique terroir. As Julia said in a Decanter Magazine interview "Oenology is like make-up: If there's too much it can be a disaster, but a little can enhance beauty".

This particular Malbec is a vegan-friendly example from the high-altitude region of Gualtallary, within Tupungato, at the northern part of the Uco Valley. The vineyards from Gualtallary are planted at the foot of the Andes, up to 1,600 metres (5,249 feet) above sea level, and the long, narrow region is noted for producing grapes with freshness and balance. Gualtallary also noted for its poor stony and alluvial soils interlaced with sand and limestone. This diverse combination leads to free-draining soils, thus stressing the vines to search ever deeper for water while also picking up minerality along the way. Gualtallary is in the process of becoming an official Geographical Indication (GI) due to its diverse climates and soils and is one of the most exciting wine regions in South America.

Tasting Note:

FINCA SOPHENIA ALTOSUR MALBEC 2018 - Vegan, Gualtallary, Tupungato, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#13113) (XD) - $17.00
Estate grown at 1,200 metres (3,936 feet) above sea level on rocky soils of loose structure, this vegan-friendly Malbec is minimally oaked with 3 to 4 months in French and American oak barrels. The medium+ intensity nose has aromas of spicy mulberry and blackberry with stony mineral undertones, developing some nice smoky mineral aromas with air. It is medium-full bodied on the palate with nicely balanced flavours of blackberry, mulberry, and peppery spice, if a touch sour. Oak is firmly in the background. It has fresh acidity and dusty, textured tannins. Mineral notes come to the fore on the mid-palate, lingering through to the slightly chalky finish, with very good length. Nicely done. Recommended buy. Score: 88+ pts

Other wines from Finca Sophenia are available via their Agent - Sylvestre Wines & Spirits.

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High Heaven Majestic Pines Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (Washington) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is this vegan-friendly red wine from Washington State that newly arrived at the LCBO today as part of the in September 5th LCBO VINTAGES Release. Although the magazine mentions that it may be a late arrival on Release day, the wine is actually readily available across Ontario now.

It is produced by High Heaven Vintners, a joint project between the Taub and Zirkle family's that was launched at the beginning of this year. High Heaven Vintners is based in Columbia Valley, the largest AVA in the state of Washington. With more than a century of winemaking and farming experience, the Zirkle family believes in a vineyard first philosophy that prioritizes work in the vineyards to make great wines. All of the grapes used in making their wines come from their five estate grown, family-owned vineyards. The vineyards are located in the "Rain Shadow" formed by the Cascade Mountains, a unique cloud and rain barrier protecting the vines from harsh elements, and helping create a warm, sunny and dry climate that is ideal for grape growing.

There are five wines in the High Heaven Vintners range - others can be found via their Agent Dionysus Wines & Spirits Ltd. - and each label was created by three Seattle-based tattoo artists to capture the Columbia Valley and the essence of each wine.

Tasting Note:

HIGH HEAVEN MAJESTIC PINES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 - Vegan, Columbia Valley, Washington, USA (#15671) (XD) - $19.95
This blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot has sweet oak spice and vanillin aromas that are surrounded by ripe red and black fruits, currant, cassis, and plum notes. It's full-bodied on the palate with cocoa, and ripe berry, currant and cassis flavours. Acids are nicely balanced while well-managed tannins are smooth and refined. Sweet oak and cocoa with hints of dates and plums on the slightly drying finish, with good length. Crafted in a widely-appealing style. Score: 87 pts

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