Wine Picks LCBO VINTAGES Release May 26, 2018: Makers + Fizz + Sake

The next LCBO VINTAGES Release on May 26, 2018 comes to us with the major theme titled "Makers" and focuses on women in wine, while the two mini-themes focus on sparkling wines and sake. New wines will be on shelves across Ontario by Saturday.

We'll begin with the main theme that features 16 women in wine that have made indelible marks in the wine world. There are 21 wines featured, and 8 are included among my top wine picks. From the Lungarotti family, Theresa was one of Italy's first female winemakers, while Chiara is the CEO of Lungarotti - their wines from Umbria are the entry-level Rubesco that is primarily Sangiovese, with Colorino completing the blend, while the single vineyard Monticchio Rubesco is 100% Sangiovese. Virginia Willcock was instrumental in the evolution of Margaret River's reputation as a fine wine region, and has been the chief winemaker at Vasse Felix since 2006, creating her lovely Chardonnay year after year.

Geneviève Janssens is the director of winemaking at Robert Mondavi, and their Fumé Blanc (barrel-fermented and barrel-aged Sauvignon Blanc) is a quality wine. Winemaker Andrea Mullineux saw the potential for making fine wine in Swartland and helped revolutionize and revitalize the region, and both of her wines are included among my top wine picks; the Kloof Street is a blend of 94% Syrah, 4% Cinsault, and 2% Carignan, while the Mullineux Old Vines White is a blend of 62% Chenin Blanc, 15% Grenache Blanc, 11% Viognier, 8% Clairette Blanche, and 4% Semillon Gris.

On the local front, Dr. Belinda Kemp is senior oenologist at the CCOVI at Brock University and is at the forefront of research on aroma and flavour in sparkling and appassimento wines, as well as leading studies on clones, soil type and canopy management; associated to this woman in wine is the Cave Spring Blanc de Blancs that is made with 60% Chardonnay and 40% Chardonnay Musqué. I've had the pleasure of meeting Louise Engel, co-owner at Featherstone in Niagara, and along with her commitment to eco-farming, she was the first in Canada to employ falconry to patrol the vineyards and keep the starlings at bay; Featherstone's Cabernet Franc is featured in this Release.

The mini-theme on sparkling wines is more fizzle than fizz, with none of the ten wines included my top wine recommendations. If you're in the market for some sake, this might be a good time to pick up a bottle as there are four listed, three of which are new to VINTAGES.

From the rest of the release, among my top red wine picks, there are a pair Rhône reds from the excellent 2015 vintage - the Luberon is a blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache, while from neighbouring Ventoux is a 50/50 blend of Grenache and Syrah. From the excellent 2010 Bordeaux vintage, the Ch. Brown is a Flagship Exclusive (FE) that is a nicely mature blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot. And lastly, from Tuscany the Chianti Classico is a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Among my top white wine picks, the Rhône white is a blend of 60% Viognier, 15% Roussanne, 10% Marsanne, 8 % Clairette, 5% Bourboulenc, and 2% Grenache Blanc. Sweet wine lovers should seek out the Niagara Riesling or the Riesling Kabinett from Mosel.

From my rosé wine picks, the Berne is a blend of Syrah, Cinsault, and Grenache Noir, while the Saint Roch is a 50/50 blend of Grenache Gris and Mourvèdre. Lastly, the Doctors' Rosé is a unique blend of Pinot Noir and Arneis.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this Release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• MARRENON VERSANT NORD LUBERON 2015 - AC, Rhône, France (#537969) (XD) - $15.95
• SISTER’S RUN BETHLEHEM BLOCK CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2015 - Gomersal, Barossa, South Australia (#360636) (XD) - $18.95
• LUNGAROTTI RUBESCO SANGIOVESE/COLORINO 2014 - DOC Rosso di Torgiano, Umbria, Italy (#368548) (XD) - $18.95
• FEATHERSTONE CABERNET FRANC 2016 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#64618) (D) - $19.95
• KLOOF STREET 2016 - WO Swartland, South Africa (#460964) (XD) - $19.95
• CHÂTEAU JUVÉNAL LA TERRE DU PETIT HOMME 2015 - AC Ventoux, Rhône, France (#490672) (XD) - $27.95  FE
• VILLA ANTINORI RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2013 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#540971) (XD) - $29.95  90 pts  wine review
• SOKOL BLOSSER PINOT NOIR 2014 - Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA (#748434) (XD) - $35.95  91 pts  wine review
• LUNGAROTTI MONTICCHIO RUBESCO TORGIANO ROSSO RISERVA 2010 - DOCG, Umbria, Italy (#51771) (XD) - $46.95
• PHELPS CREEK PINOT NOIR 2014 - Columbia Gorge, Oregon, USA (#557538) (XD) - $48.95  FE
• CHÂTEAU BROWN 2010 - AC Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France (#496646) (XD) - $66.95  FE

White Wine:

• NURAGICO JUSTU VERMENTINO DI SARDEGNA 2016 - DOC, Sardinia, Italy (#541516) (XD) - $14.95
• LOMA LARGA LOMAS DEL VALLE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2017 - Casablanca Valley, Chile (#283630) (XD) - $15.95
• FLAT ROCK UNPLUGGED CHARDONNAY 2016 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#68015) (XD) - $17.95
• DIM EDGEWATER RIESLING 2015 - VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#547364) (M) - $19.95
• E. GUIGAL CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2016 - AC, Rhône, France (#290296) (XD) - $19.95
• ROBERT MONDAVI FUMÉ BLANC 2015 - 50th Anniversary, Napa Valley, California, USA (#221887) (XD) - $22.95
• STUDERT-PRÜM MAXIOMINHOF WEHLENER SONNENUHR RIESLING KABINETT 2016 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#970129) (S) - $25.95
• RODNEY STRONG CHALK HILL CHARDONNAY 2015 - Sonoma County, California, USA (#275552) (XD) - $26.95  90 pts  wine review
• VASSE FELIX FILIUS CHARDONNAY 2017 - Margaret River, Western Australia (#416511) (XD) - $26.95
• MULLINEUX OLD VINES WHITE 2016 - Unfiltered & unfined, WO Swartland, South Africa (#556597) (XD) - $36.95

Rosé Wine:

• CHÂTEAU DE BERNE TERRES DE BERNE ROSÉ 2017 - AP Côtes de Provence, France (#278861) (XD) - $17.95
• CHÂTEAU SAINT ROCH LE ROSÉ 2017 - AP Côtes du Roussillon, Midi, France (#557900) (XD) - $17.95
• THE DOCTORS’ ROSÉ 2017 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#498428) (D) - $19.95

Sparkling Wine:

• CAVE SPRING BLANC DE BLANCS BRUT SPARKLING - Traditional method, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#213983) (XD) - $29.95

Read More

LCBO VINTAGES May 12, 2018: Bordeaux + New Zealand + Rosé

The upcoming LCBO VINTAGES Release on May 12, 2018 is a solid, three-pronged release featuring wines from Bordeaux and New Zealand, while the third theme features Rosé wines just in time for warm weather. All of these wines will be available at LCBO outlets across Ontario this Saturday.

We'll begin with the wines from Bordeaux, where twelve wines (all red) are featured, and four are included among my top wine picks. Somewhat not surprisingly, three of my four picks are from the great 2010 vintage - the Godard Bellevue is a blend of 65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, the Fleur Haut Gaussens is a blend of 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the Pierre de Montignac is a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot. From the 2008 vintage, the nicely matured Margaux is a blend of 48% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, and 6% Cabernet Franc. Also from Bordeaux, but only featured as a Flagship Store Exclusive (FSE) is a white wine made with 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Semillon.

The selection of wines from New Zealand is also quite good, with three of nine wines making my list of wine recommendations. Among these wines there is a lovely Hawkes Bay red blend that consists of 55% Merlot, 17% Tempranillo, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec and 7% Syrah, a dry Pinot Gris, and a Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc. In addition, there are also quite a few wines from New Zealand featured as Flagship Store Exclusives at the back of the magazine, including a pair of Pinot Noirs and a complex, wild fermented Sauvignon Blanc.

From the mini-theme featuring thirteen Rosé wines, four are included among my wine picks, including the Languedoc Rosé which is a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah, and the premium-priced Provence Rosé which is a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Rolle (Vermentino), Syrah, and Tibouren. Also from France, the Tavel is a blend of Grenache Noir & Blanc (45%), Clairette (20%), Cinsault (15%), Mourvèdre (8%), Syrah (6%), Bourboulenc (4%), and Picpoul (2%), while the Rosé from Ontario is made with 100% Pinot Noir.

Among my red wine picks from the rest of the release, the Douro red is a blend of 40% Touriga Franca, 30% Tinta Barroca, and 30% Tinta Roriz, while the Roussillon Villages red is an excellent wine consisting of 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache.

There are no blends or sweet wines among my top white wine picks, but there some crisp, dry white wines including a Savatiano, Pecorino, Albariño, and Semillon. There is also a Chablis and a pair of oaked Chardonnays. And lastly, the Pouilly-Fumé is a barrel-aged Sauvignon Blanc.

Enjoy my wine picks from this Release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• LILÁS 2014 - DO Douro, Portugal (#525667) (XD) - $15.95
• CHÂTEAU GODARD BELLEVUE 2010 - AC Côtes de Bordeaux – Francs, France (#426049) (XD) - $15.95
• ERCAVIO ROBLE TEMPRANILLO 2014 - Vino de La Tierra de Castilla, Spain (#067504) (XD) - $17.95
• CHÂTEAU FLEUR HAUT GAUSSENS 2010 - AC Bordeaux Supérieur, France (#445510) (XD) - $18.95
• TRINITY HILL THE TRINITY RED BLEND 2014 - Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand (#551630) (XD) - $22.95  90 pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU PIERRE DE MONTIGNAC 2010 - Cru Bourgeois, AC Médoc, Bordeaux, France (#437954) (XD) - $24.95

• DOMAINE DE BILA-HAUT L’ESQUERDA 2016 - AC Côtes du Roussillon Villages Lesquerde, France (#381020) (XD) - $25.95
• BUENA VISTA PINOT NOIR 2013 - Carneros, California, USA (#304105) (D) - $28.95  90 pts  wine review
• MT. BEAUTIFUL PINOT NOIR 2015 - North Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand (#552026) (XD) - $37.95  FSE
• GRASSHOPPER ROCK EARNSCLEUGH VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2015 - Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand (#493163) (XD) - $44.95  FSE
• CHÂTEAU LA TOUR DE MONS 2008 - Cru Bourgeois, AC Margaux, Bordeaux, France (#550467) (XD) - $52.95
• DOMAINE DE LA CÔTE PINOT NOIR 2014 - Santa Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County, California, USA (#548248) (XD) - $74.95

White Wine:

• PAPAGIANNAKOS VIEILLES VIGNES SAVATIANO 2016 - Markopoulo, Greece (#546002) (XD) - $16.95  88 pts  wine review
• LA VALENTINA PECORINO 2016 - IGT Colline Pescaresi, Abruzzo, Italy (#541433) (XD) - $17.95  88+ pts  wine review
• ARBOLEDA SINGLE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2016 - Aconcagua Costa, Chile (#606772) (XD) - $19.95  88 pts  wine review
• LAXAS ALBARIÑO 2015 - DO Rías Baixas, Spain (#021477) (XD) - $19.95
• MOMO ORGANIC PINOT GRIS 2017 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#163535) (XD) - $19.95
• MARGAN FAMILY HUNTER VALLEY SEMILLON 2017 - Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia (#493338) (XD) - $19.95

• WITHER HILLS RARANGI SAUVIGNON BLANC 2016 - Single Vineyard, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#551721) (XD) - $22.95
• DOMAINE DE MAUPERTHUIS CHABLIS 2015 - AC, Burgundy, France (#524298) (XD) - $27.95
• LA MOYNERIE POUILLY-FUMÉ 2015 - AC, Loire, France (#729178) (XD) - $31.95
• GREYWACKE WILD SAUVIGNON 2014 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#282806) (D) - $39.95  FSE  92 pts  wine review
• BACHELDER WISMER-FOXCROFT N. 2 CHARDONNAY 2015 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#547299) (XD) - $44.95  FSE
• CHÂTEAU LA LOUVIÈRE BLANC 2012 - AC Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France (#552067) (XD) - $47.95  FSE

Rosé Wine:

• GÉRARD BERTRAND CÔTE DES ROSES ROSÉ 2017 - AP Languedoc, Midi, France (#373985) (XD) - $18.95
• MARQUIS D’AQUERIA TAVEL ROSÉ 2017 - AP, Rhône, France (#556274) (XD) - $19.95
• MALIVOIRE VIVANT ROSÉ 2017 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#498535) (XD) - $19.95
• CAVES D’ESCLANS WHISPERING ANGEL ROSÉ 2017 - AC Côtes de Provence, France (#325076) (XD) - $29.95

Fortified:

• FONSECA LATE BOTTLED VINTAGE PORT 2011 - Unfiltered, DOP, Portugal (#087551) (S) - $18.95

Read More

VINTAGES Release April 28, 2018: Pacific Northwest + Germany

The upcoming LCBO VINTAGES April 28, 2018 Release features as the main theme the cool-climate regions of the Pacific Northwest, which includes British Columbia, Oregon, and Washington. The mini-theme features the wines from Germany. All of these wines will be on LCBO VINTAGES shelves across Ontario this Saturday.

We'll begin with the main theme that features the wines from British Columbia, Oregon, and Washington, commonly grouped together as the Pacific Northwest. None of the five wines listed from Oregon and eight wines listed from Washington are included among my wine picks. British Columbia seemed to get shortchanged (again?) with just three wines listed. However, the Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin is the only wine among my top wine recommendations from the Pacific Northwest; it is always a classy wine and for the 2014 vintage is a blend of 68% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot and 5% Malbec.

The mini-feature on German wines is also rather weak, with six wines listed and just one included among my top wine picks. My lone pick from the German feature is a dry Riesling that's also known as Riesling Trocken. As part of the Flagship Store Exclusives (FSE) at the back of the magazine is a very sweet Riesling Spätlese and is one of the top wines of the Release.

From my top red wine picks, the Saint-Roch is a blend of approximately equal parts Syrah and Grenache, while the Vacqueyras is an organic wine from the excellent 2015 vintage made with Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. The Douro red wine from Portugal is made with Touriga Nacional. Lastly, the Rioja is a blend of 89% Tempranillo, 9% Graciano, and 2% Garnacha.

Among my white wine picks, the Soave wine is made with 100% Garganega from vines that range between 10-50 years old. The Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand is an organic wine. For sweet wine lovers, in order of least sweet to most sweet, there is the Hidden Bench Riesling (organic), Megalomaniac Riesling, and the Gewürztraminer, as well as the aforementioned Riesling Spätlese. For fans looking for lusciously sweet wines, the Tawse Chardonnay Icewine is also worth seeking.

As the weather gets warmer, Rosé wines return with more frequency at the LCBO. One of the first to arrive is the Miraval Rosé, with vines coming from an average of 1,200 feet above sea level and made using a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, and Rolle. This wine is also featured as the Wine of the Month and will be available at just about every LCBO outlet.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this Release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• SAINT-ROCH VIEILLES VIGNES SYRAH/GRENACHE 2015 - AP Côtes du Roussillon, France (#195107) (XD) - $16.95
• MORANDÉ GRAN RESERVA CARMENÈRE 2014 - Single vineyard, Maipo Valley, Chile (#371112) (XD) - $17.00
• QUINTA DAS CARVALHAS TINTO 2013 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#523647) (XD) - $17.95
• BISQUERTT ECOS DE RULO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2015 - Single vineyard, Colchagua Valley, Chile (#546515) (XD) - $18.95
• ROCKCLIFFE THIRD REEF SHIRAZ 2015 - Great Southern, Western Australia (#453209) (XD) - $19.95
• CASAR DE BURBIA MENCÍA 2014 - DO Bierzo, Spain (#392530) (XD) - $19.95
• TENUTA DI RENIERI CHIANTI CLASSICO 2013 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#540849) (XD) - $22.95  89 pts  wine review
• DOMAINE DE L’OISELET VACQUEYRAS 2015 - AP, Rhône, France (#537951) (XD) - $27.95
• FLAT ROCK GRAVITY PINOT NOIR 2014 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#001560) (XD) - $34.95
• KENWOOD JACK LONDON VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014 - Sonoma Mountain, Sonoma County, California, USA (#944843) (XD) - $39.95
• OSOYOOS LAROSE LE GRAND VIN 2014 - VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#626325) (XD) - $47.95
• RODA RESERVA 2012 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#664557) (XD) - $52.95  FSE  91 pts  wine review
• BREZZA SARMASSA BAROLO 2013 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#999730) (D) - $87.95  FSE

White Wine:

• INDOMITA GRAN RESERVA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2016 - Casablanca Valley, Chile (#544213) (XD) - $16.95
• MEGALOMANIAC NARCISSIST RIESLING 2017 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#067587) (D) - $18.95
• FLAT ROCK CHARDONNAY 2016 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#286278) (D) - $19.95  88+ pts  wine review
• WEINGUT TINA PFAFFMANN T NO. 9 RIESLING TROCKEN 2016 - Qualitätswein, Pfalz, Germany (#549774) (XD) - $19.95
• MOMO SAUVIGNON BLANC 2016 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#009167) (XD) - $19.95
• HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE RIESLING 2016 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#183491) (D) - $23.95  90+ pts  wine review
• PIERRE SPARR MAMBOURG GEWURZTRAMINER 2015 - AC Alsace Grand Cru, France (#915157) (M) - $26.95
• CAVE SPRING CSV CHARDONNAY 2015 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#529941) (XD) - $29.95  91 pts  wine review
• PIEROPAN LA ROCCA SOAVE CLASSICO 2015 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#092437) (D) - $39.95
• BRAUNEBERGER JUFFER-SONNENUHR RIESLING SPÄTLESE 2014 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#298182) (S) - $40.95  FSE
• FESS PARKER BIEN NACIDO VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2015 - Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, California, USA (#547158) (XD) - $44.95

Rosé Wine:

• MIRAVAL ROSÉ 2017 - AP Côtes de Provence, France (#342584) (XD) - $23.95

Dessert Wine:

• TAWSE CHARDONNAY ICEWINE 2013 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#443739) (200 mL) (S) - $35.95  92 pts  wine review

Read More

VINTAGES Release April 14, 2018: Grapes Gone Global + Lighter Reds

The main theme of the upcoming LCBO VINTAGES Release on April 14 is titled "Grapes Gone Global", while the mini-theme features the lighter side of red wines. All of these wines will be on VINTAGES shelves by this Saturday.

We'll begin with the main theme, which looks at 10 classic European grape varietals and compares how they express themselves in Europe versus around the globe. In all, there are 20 wines featured as part of this theme, with 7 included among my top wine picks. From the old world in Burgundy, there is a Chardonnay from Meursault, as well as a Pinot Noir from Santenay. Riesling is a varietal that thrives in old world Germany, as well as here in new world Niagara - and with both wines under $20, try them both and see the differences. Another fine comparison would be Sauvignon Blanc from old world Sancerre (Loire) versus the new world style in New Zealand. And lastly, from the new world is a Chenin Blanc from South Africa.

The mini-theme on lighter red wines features 9 wines, with only the Beaujolais included in my list of wine recommendations. Like most wines from Beaujolais, this light red wine is made using Gamay Noir.

From the rest of the release, among my red wine picks, the Ventenac Languedoc wine is a blend of 50% Cabernet Franc, 35% Syrah, and 15% Merlot/Grenache. From Sicily, the Zisola is made with Nero d'Avola, while the Greek red is a blend of indigenous varietals consisting of 60% Mavrodafne and 40% Mavro Kalavritino. Lastly, the excellent Amarone is a blend of Corvina, Rondinella, Oseleta, and Molinara.

Among my top white wine picks, the Savennières from Loire is made with Chenin Blanc, while the Lugana is made with Trebbiano. Both of these wines will be crisp, bright and refreshing.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this Release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• COLLE SECCO RISERVA MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO 2012 - DOP, Abruzzo, Italy (#541508) (XD) - $15.95
• MAISON VENTENAC LES HAUTS DE VENTENAC CUVÉE JULES 2014 - AP Cabardès, Languedoc, France (#538017) (XD) - $16.95
• VIÑA CONO SUR RESERVA ESPECIAL PINOT NOIR 2015 - San Antonio Valley, Chile (#546432) (XD) - $18.95
• MAZZEI ZISOLA 2015 - DOC Sicilia Noto Rosso, Sicily, Italy (#303925) (XD) - $19.95
• VILLA PONCIAGO LA RÉSERVE FLEURIE 2015 - AC, Beaujolais, France (#299917) (XD) - $19.95
• BARTALI RISERVA CHIANTI 2013 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#541524) (XD) - $19.95
• DOMAIN MEGA SPILEO RED 2011 - PGI Achaia, Greece (#466110) (XD) - $29.95  FSE  90 pts  wine review
• CANTALICI BARUFFO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2012 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#541078) (XD) - $35.95  90+ pts  wine review
• BOSCARELLI VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO 2013 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#477620) (XD) - $39.95  FSE
• ROUX PÈRE & FILS BEAUREPAIRE SANTENAY 1ER CRU 2015 - AC, Burgundy, France (#527994) (XD) - $54.95
• MASI COSTASERA RISERVA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2012 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#324137) (D) - $69.95

White Wine:

• FEATHERSTONE BLACK SHEEP RIESLING 2017 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#080234) (D) - $16.95
• KEN FORRESTER OLD VINE RESERVE CHENIN BLANC 2016 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#231282) (XD) - $17.95
• ZENATO SAN BENEDETTO LUGANA 2016 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#707158) (D) - $18.95
• DOMDECHANT WERNER HOCHHEIMER RIESLING KABINETT 2015 - Prädikatswein, Rheingau, Germany (#722413) (MS) - $19.95
• MARGAN FAMILY HUNTER VALLEY SÉMILLON 2017 - Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia (#493338) (D) - $19.95
• ASTROLABE PROVINCE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2016 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#010421) (XD) - $24.95
• DOMAINE DU PETIT MÉTRIS CLOS DE LA MARCHE SAVENNIÈRES 2015 - AC, Loire, France (#250571) (D) - $24.95  FSE
• HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2016 - VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#616466) (XD) - $29.95
• MATTHIAS ET ÉMILE ROBLIN ORIGINE SANCERRE 2016 - AC, Loire, France (#556548) (XD) - $33.95
• DOMAINE BILLAUD-SIMON MONT DE MILIEU CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2014 - AC, Burgundy, France (#373548) (XD) - $54.95  FSE  91 pts  wine review
• DOMAINE BOUCHARD PÈRE & FILS LES CLOUS MEURSAULT 2015 - AC, Burgundy, France (#661322) (XD) - $62.95  91 pts  wine review

Read More

VINTAGES Release March 31, 2018: Sonoma + Aged Wines

The upcoming LCBO VINTAGES Release on March 31, 2018 features wines from Sonoma as its main theme, while the mini-theme focuses on aged wines. All of these fine wines will be on VINTAGES shelves across Ontario this Saturday.

We'll begin with the main theme on wines from Sonoma. In case you didn't know, Sonoma is California's first fine wine region, with winemaking roots beginning in the early 1800s. Twelve wines are featured in this thematic, with two included among my top wine picks. First up is the Kistler Chardonnay - always a blockbuster, complex wine - from a Sonoma Mountain vineyard that has a mix of volcanic and limestone soils. The second wine is the La Crema Pinot Noir, which comes from the Sonoma Coast, a cool-climate appellation known for producing exceptional wines using Burgundian varietals Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The Rodney Strong Pinot Noir is also from Sonoma, but for some reason was not featured as part of the thematic.

The mini-theme focuses on aged wines, and three of the ten wines are included among my top wine recommendations. The 2010 Merryvale Napa Cab is a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot, 5% Malbec, and 5% Petit Verdot, while the 2008 La Granja is made with Tempranillo. And last but not least, the 2007 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is made with Sangiovese.

Red wines from the rest of the release include a Crianza that is a blend of 80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, and 5% Mazuelo, while the GTS from Australia is a unique blend consisting of Grenache, Tannat, and Shiraz. From the excellent 2015 Rhône vintage, the Crozes-Hermitage is made with Syrah.

Among my top white wine picks, the Mâcon-Uchizy is made with Chardonnay, while the Muscadet is made with the Melon grape varietal. If you prefer sweeter wines, the Mosel Riesling is your best bet, while the Cave Spring Riesling will show just a touch of sweetness.

Enjoy my wine picks from this Release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• RIOJA VEGA CRIANZA 2014 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#471854) (XD) - $16.95  88 pts  wine review
• IL FEUDUCCIO FONTE VENNA MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO 2014 - DOC, Abruzzo, Italy (#541474) (XD) - $16.95
• TERRA NOBLE GRAN RESERVA CARIGNAN 2015 - Maule Valley, Chile (#542118) (XD) - $18.95
• PIRRAMIMMA KATUNGA GTS 2014 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#203174) (XD) - $19.95
• CLAIRMONT CLASSIQUE CROZES-HERMITAGE 2015 - AC, Rhône, France (#537811) (XD) - $19.95
• ALEJANDRO FERNÁNDEZ DEHESA LA GRANJA 2008 - Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León, Spain (#192476) (XD) - $21.95
• LA CREMA SONOMA COAST PINOT NOIR 2015 - Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, USA (#719435) (XD) - $34.95  89 pts  wine review
• ANTINORI BADIA A PASSIGNANO GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2012 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#384552) (XD) - $49.95  92 pts  wine review
• RODNEY STRONG RESERVE PINOT NOIR 2014 - Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA (#677690) (XD) - $59.95
• POGGIO SANT’ENRICO VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO 2007 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#998211) (XD) - $62.95
• DAMILANO LISTE BAROLO 2012 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#451807) (D) - $75.95
• MERRYVALE NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#470682) (XD) - $99.95

White Wine:

• FEUDO MACCARI GRILLO 2016 - IGP Terre Siciliane, Sicily, Italy (#477877) (XD) - $14.95  88 pts  wine review
• SAN SILVESTRO SABBIE ROERO ARNEIS 2016 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#541482) (XD) - $15.95
• MALLORY & BENJAMIN TALMARD MÂCON-UCHIZY 2016 - AC, Burgundy, France (#733956) (XD) - $17.95
• CHÂTEAU DE LA GRAVELLE SUR LIE MUSCADET SÈVRE ET MAINE 2015 - AC, Loire, France (#527192) (XD) - $18.95
• CASAL DE VENTOZELA ALVARINHO 2016 - DOC Vinho Regional Minho, Portugal (#523621) (XD) - $19.95
• ST. URBANS-HOF OLD VINES RIESLING 2016 - Qualitätswein, Mosel, Germany (#995746) (M) - $22.95
• HOWARD PARK FLINT ROCK CHARDONNAY 2016 - Mount Barker, Great Southern, Western Australia (#410027) (XD) - $22.95
• WHITEHAVEN GREG RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2015 - Awatere Single Vineyard, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#325944) (XD) - $22.95  90+ pts  wine review
• DOMAINE LOUIS MOREAU CHABLIS 2016 - AC, Burgundy, France (#124305) (XD) - $29.95
• CAVE SPRING CSV RIESLING 2016 - Cave Spring Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#566026) (XD) - $29.95
• KISTLER MCCREA VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2015 - Sonoma Mountain, Sonoma County, California, USA (#353706) (XD) - $119.95

Read More

VINTAGES Release March 17, 2018: Classic Euro Regions + Merlot + Argentina

The next LCBO VINTAGES Release on March 17, 2018 features wines from Europe's classic wine regions as it's main theme. There are two mini-themes - one featuring Merlot, the other featuring Argentina - however, none of the wines from the mini-themes are included among my wine picks. All of these new wines will be on shelves across Ontario this Saturday.

The main theme is interesting, featuring Europe's top 11 classic wine regions and lists 18 wines, four of which are included among my top wine picks. The 11 regions listed are Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne, Loire Valley, Rhône Valley, Piedmont, Tuscany, Veneto, Mosel, Douro, and Rioja. Among my top wine picks, you'll find an excellent Champagne that is a 50/50 blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. From the Mosel region in Germany, there is a sweet Riesling that will pair really well with spicy dishes. Lastly, both Rhône wines - from the outstanding 2015 vintage - listed in this feature are among my wine recommendations. The Costières de Nîmes is an organic wine consisting of 75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, and 5% Carignan, while the Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blend of 70% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre and other varietals making up the balance.

Among red wines from the rest of the release, Australia continues to explore Italian varietals, and the results are promising. From Australia, there is a Nero d'Avola, as well as a blend of Sangiovese and Shiraz. From Tuscany, the Gran Selezione Chianti Classico is made with 100% Sangiovese. From South Africa, the Ernie Els (yes, the golfer) wine is a blend of 60% Shiraz, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Grenache, 3% Mourvèdre, 7% Cinsaut, and 5% Viognier. From France, the La Clape red from the Languedoc is a blend of 60% Syrah, 20% Grenache and 20% Carignan, while the 2015 Vacqueyras is a blend of 68% Grenache, 27% Syrah, and 5% Cinsault.

From my white wine picks, the Fumé Blanc is actually a blend of 89% Sauvignon Blanc and 11% Sémillon that was barrel-fermented and aged in French oak. For sweet wine lovers, the Siegerrebe will surely please your palate, as will the Ontario Riesling. The Pinot Gris also offers some sweetness.

Please note that the four Flagship Store Exclusives included among my wine picks will only be available in limited quantities at Flagship stores. Enjoy my wine recommendations from this Release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• CORIOLE SANGIOVESE/SHIRAZ 2016 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#534610) (XD) - $17.95
• MONTERRA FLEURIEU PENINSULA NERO D’AVOLA 2016 - Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia (#534743) (XD) - $18.95
• ARBOLEDA CARMENÈRE 2015 - Aconcagua Valley, Chile (#046284) (XD) - $19.95  88 pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU DE NAGES VIEILLES VIGNES COSTIÈRES DE NÎMES 2015 - AC, Rhône, France (#040964) (XD) - $19.95
• ERNIE ELS BIG EASY 2016 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#220038) (XD) - $19.95
• CHÂTEAU PECH REDON L’ÉPERVIER LA CLAPE 2014 - AC Coteaux du Languedoc, Midi, France (#129965) (XD) - $22.95
• DOMAINE DROUHIN ROSEROCK PINOT NOIR 2014 - Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA (#529107) (XD) - $39.95
• DOMAINE LES ONDINES PASSION VACQUEYRAS 2015 - AC, Rhône, France (#536854) (XD) - $39.95  FSE
• IL MOLINO DI GRACE IL MARGONE GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2011 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#435115) (XD) - $42.95  92 pts  wine review
• FONT DE MICHELLE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2015 - AP, Rhône, France (#400358) (D) - $51.95
• MICHELE CASTELLANI CINQUE STELLE AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2013 - Collezione Ca’ del Pipa, DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#075127) (D) - $55.95

White Wine:

• ANSELMANN EDESHEIMER ROSENGARTEN SIEGERREBE SPÄTLESE 2016 - Prädikatswein, Pfalz, Germany (#910554) (S) - $16.95
• HENRY OF PELHAM ESTATE RIESLING 2016 - VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#557165) (M) - $17.95  88 pts  wine review
• CASTELO DO MAR ALBARIÑO 2016 - DO Rías Baixas, Spain (#488734) (XD) - $17.95  88+ pts  wine review
• A TO Z PINOT GRIS 2016 - Oregon, USA (#258145) (D) - $19.95
• ATTEMS PINOT GRIGIO 2016 - IGT Venezia Giulia, Venezie, Italy (#707950) (XD) - $19.95
• TOHU SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2016 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#536177) (XD) - $21.95  89 pts  wine review
• DR. PAULY-BERGWEILER BERNKASTELER BADSTUBE RIESLING SPÄTLESE 2015 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#727370) (S) - $29.95
• WAKEFIELD ST. ANDREWS CHARDONNAY 2015 - Single Vineyard Release, Clare Valley, South Australia (#237933) (XD) - $34.95  FSE
• MARCO FELLUGA RUSSIZ SUPERIORE RISERVA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2012 - DOC Collio, Friuli, Italy (#541599) (XD) - $48.95  FSE
• ROBERT MONDAVI TO KALON VINEYARD RESERVE FUMÉ BLANC 2013 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#326165) (XD) - $59.95  FSE

Sparkling Wine:

• MOUTARD PÈRE & FILS CUVÉE PRESTIGE BRUT CHAMPAGNE - AC, France (#514372) (XD) - $51.95

Read More

VINTAGES Release March 3, 2018: South of the Equator + Mountain Wines

The upcoming LCBO VINTAGES Release on March 3, 2018 features wines from south of the Equator as the main theme, while the mini-theme focuses on mountain wines. These delightful wines will arrive on VINTAGES shelves across Ontario this Saturday.

We'll begin with the wines from the Southern Hemisphere's top wine regions - Argentina, Australia, Chile, New Zealand, and South Africa. A nice, large collection of 24 wines is featured here, with 9 included among my top wine picks. From Argentina, there is a Torrontés that was barrel fermented in second use oak, and an elegant Pinot Noir from the southern end of the country and, of course, a Malbec. The wine of the month is a Pinot Noir from Chile. Also from Chile is the organic and biodynamic Emiliana Coyam which consists of 48% Syrah, 24% Carménère, 11% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Mourvèdre, 3% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot.

Both wines from New Zealand use typical varietals for the region and are outstanding - a ripe Sauvignon Blanc and a Central Otago Pinot Noir. From Australia, there is a nice wild ferment Chardonnay. And lastly, from South Africa there is a Pinotage that is not your typical coffee/mocha inflected wine - worth a try at $18.

From the mini-feature focusing on wines grown on mountain vineyard sites with steep slopes, just one of the six wines are included among my top wine recommendations. The lone wine is a Pinot Grigio from the Südtirol – Alto Adige wine region in northern Italy, whose grapes were grown at approximately 600 metres above sea level.

Among my top red wine picks, the Bastide Miraflors is a returnee to VINTAGES and consists of 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache, while the Sancerre Rouge is new to VINTAGES and is actually made with Pinot Noir. The Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blend of mostly Grenache, with Syrah and Mourvèdre completing the blend, while the big Masi Amarone is made with the traditional grapes Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara.

In white wines, the Portuguese blend is a dry white wine containing a bunch of indigenous grapes I've mostly never heard of - 40% Viosinho, 30% Arinto/Pedernã, 10% Códega, 10% Gouveio (Verdelho), and 10% Rabigato. The Bordeaux white is a blend of 50% Semillon, 40% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Muscadelle.

Lastly, the dry sparkling wine from South Africa is a blend of 57% Pinot Noir and 43% Chardonnay.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this Release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• FABRE MONTMAYOU RESERVA MALBEC 2015 - Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina (#261867) (XD) - $17.00
• NEIL ELLIS STELLENBOSCH PINOTAGE 2015 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#542167) (XD) - $17.95
• ANIELLO 006 RIVERSIDE ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2016 - Río Negro Valley, Patagonia, Argentina (#542092) (XD) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
• MONTES ALPHA PINOT NOIR 2015 - Aconcagua Coast, Chile (#143214) (XD) - $19.95
• BASTIDE MIRAFLORS SYRAH/VIEILLES VIGNES GRENACHE 2015 - AP Côtes du Roussillon, France (#320499) (XD) - $19.95
• INVIVO CENTRAL OTAGO PINOT NOIR 2016 - Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand (#466029) (XD) - $24.95
• JEAN-MAX ROGER CUVÉE LA GRANGE DÎMIÈRE SANCERRE ROUGE 2013 - AC, Loire, France (#539858) (XD) - $29.95  89 pts  wine review
• EMILIANA COYAM 2013 - Los Robles Estate, Colchagua Valley, Chile (#063891) (XD) - $29.95  91 pts  wine review
• DONATELLA CINELLI COLOMBINI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2012 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#113357) (XD) - $64.95
• DOMAINE DE LA SOLITUDE CUVÉE BARBERINI CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2013 - AC, Rhône, France (#525907) (XD) - $75.95
• MASI CAMPOLONGO DI TORBE AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2012 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#548677) (D) - $120.95

White Wine:

• CASA FERREIRINHA VINHA GRANDE BRANCO 2015 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#523555) (XD) - $16.95
• KELLEREI ST. MAGDALENA PINOT GRIGIO 2016 - DOC Südtirol – Alto Adige, Italy (#249466) (XD) - $17.95
• CHÂTEAU LA ROSE SARRON 2015 - AC Graves, Bordeaux, France (#540807) (XD) - $17.95
• SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE BARREL FERMENTED TORRONTÉS 2016 - Finca la Delfina, Altamira, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#384339) (XD) - $19.95
• PACO & LOLA ALBARIÑO 2016 - DO Rías Baixas, Spain (#350041) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• HILL-SMITH ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2015 - Wild ferment, Eden Valley, South Australia (#361584) (XD) - $21.95
• GREYWACKE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2016 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#164228) (XD) - $24.95  91 pts  wine review
• HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2016 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#068817) (XD) - $29.95
• DOMAINE SYLVAIN LANGOUREAU SAINT-AUBIN 2015 - AC, Burgundy, France (#538454) (XD) - $41.95
• DOMAINE PINSON FRÈRES MONT DE MILIEU CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2015 - AC, Burgundy, France (#700914) (XD) - $52.95  FSE

Sparkling Wine:

• GRAHAM BECK BRUT ZERO 2011 - Traditional method, WO Western Cape, South Africa (#435453) (XD) - $23.95

Read More