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Wednesday, July 31, 2019

August 3, 2019 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Taste Trends + South Africa

LCBO Wine Picks: August 3, 2019 VINTAGES Release

The main theme of the upcoming August 3, 2019 LCBO VINTAGES Release is titled "Taste Trends" and focuses on European wines that represent four current taste trends, while the mini-theme looks at wines from South Africa. All of these wines, plus those from the rest of the Release will arrive on LCBO VINTAGES by this Saturday.

We'll begin with the main theme that looks at four trends among European wines. Of the fifteen wines featured, just two are included among top wine picks and both are from the first trend that states that rosé wines are being enjoyed more and more all-year-round - instead of only during the spring and summer months. I am definitely on-board with this trend and enjoy having rosé during the colder months. Both of these rosés are from Provence and can be enjoyed any time of the year - the first is the Perle de Roseline Rosé, while the second wine is from Château la Tour de l’Évêque and is a blend of eight varietals - 41% Cinsault, 29% Grenache, 18% Syrah, 6% Rolle, 2% Mourvèdre, 2% Ugni Blanc, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Sémillon.

Château la Tour de l’Évêque Rosé 2018 (90 pts)

The South African mini-theme lists eight wines, of which four are included among my top wine recommendations from South Africa. First up is a Shiraz that was sourced from the southernmost vineyards in Africa. The country is also known for producing quality Chenin Blanc, and the version in this Release is from South Africa's highest altitude vineyards - approximately 1,000 m above sea level. There's also an elegant Chardonnay, while the excellent Cabernet Sauvignon is one of my top wines of the Release.

Spier 21 Gables Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 (92 pts)

De Wetshof Lesca Estate Chardonnay 2018 (91 pts)

Strandveld First Sighting Shiraz 2016 (88 pts)

From the rest of the Release and among my top red wine picks, the Atemporal from Argentina is a blend of 60% Malbec, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15% Petit Verdot. From Portugal, the Beira Interior red is a blend of Tinta Roriz, Trincadeira, and Tinta Barroca, while the Dão red consists of Touriga Nacional and Alfrocheiro. Lastly, the baby Ornellaia is a blend of 50% Merlot, 30% Sangiovese, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, while the lovely Bordeaux red is a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc.

Almeida Garrett Entre Serras 2015 (88 pts)

Among my white wine picks from the rest of the Release, the Bourgogne is made with Chardonnay, while the Lugana from Lombardy is made with Turbiana / Trebbiano di Lugana, also known as Verdicchio. From Loire, the Saumur is actually made with Chenin Blanc, while the Sancerre is, of course, made with Sauvignon Blanc. For those that prefer sweeter wines, you can enjoy the Riesling from Alsace.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this Release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

ALMEIDA GARRETT ENTRE SERRAS 2015 - DOC Beira Interior, Portugal (#646919) (XD) - $12.95 88 pts wine review
ARGENTO RESERVA CABERNET FRANC 2015 - Mendoza, Argentina (#668335) (XD) - $14.95 88 pts wine review
STRANDVELD FIRST SIGHTING SHIRAZ 2016 - WO Cape South Coast, South Africa (#652693) (XD) - $14.95 88 pts wine review
INSURGENTE VINHO TINTO 2015 - DOC Dão, Portugal (#630947) (XD) - $17.95 89 pts wine review
LAURENT PERRACHON ROCHE BLEUE JULIÉNAS 2016 - AC, Beaujolais, France (#487165) (XD) - $20.95
ALTA VISTA ATEMPORAL 2015 - Albaneve Vineyard, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#144352) (XD) - $22.95
LE VOLTE DELL’ORNELLAIA 2017 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#964221) (XD) - $29.95 90 pts wine review
CHÂTEAU BEAUSÉJOUR 2015 - AC Puisseguin-Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France (#644708) (XD) - $37.95 91 pts wine review
SPIER 21 GABLES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#651810) (XD) - $39.95 92 pts wine review
SILVIO NARDI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2013 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#922054) (XD) - $50.95 92 pts wine review

Silvio Nardi Brunello di Montalcino 2013 (92 pts)

Argento Reserva Cabernet Franc 2015 (88 pts)

White Wine:

BLASON DE BOURGOGNE 2016 - AC Mâcon-Villages, Burgundy, France (#648451) (XD) - $17.95 88 pts wine review
CHÂTEAU DE MONTGUÉRET 2017 - AP Saumur, Loire, France (#667527) (XD) - $17.95 88+ pts wine review
CEDERBERG CHENIN BLANC 2018 - WO Cederberg, South Africa (#651711) (XD) - $18.95 89 pts wine review
DELTA ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2017 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#149542) (XD) - $19.95 89 pts wine review
DE WETSHOF LESCA ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2018 - WO Robertson, South Africa (#355438) (XD) - $24.95 91 pts wine review
CHARLES SPARR GRAND CRU SCHOENENBOURG RIESLING 2012 - AC Alsace Grand Cru, France (#667279) (M) - $24.95 FE
TENUTA ROVEGLIA VIGNE DI CATULLO RISERVA LUGANA 2014 - VQPRD, DOC, Lombardy, Italy (#437004) (D) - $26.95
CLOSSON CHASE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2017 - VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (#148866) (D) - $29.95
PASCAL JOLIVET SANCERRE 2018 - AC, Loire, France (#264945) (XD) - $31.95

Rosé Wine:

CHÂTEAU VAL-JOANIS TRADITION ROSÉ 2018 - AP Luberon, Rhône, France (#707281) (XD) - $16.95
MALIVOIRE VIVANT ROSÉ 2018 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#498535) (XD) - $19.95 90 pts wine review
PERLE DE ROSELINE ROSÉ 2018 - AP Côtes de Provence, France (#667345) (XD) - $19.95 89 pts wine review
CHÂTEAU LA TOUR DE L’ÉVÊQUE ROSÉ 2018 - AC Côtes de Provence, France (#319392) (XD) - $19.95 90 pts wine review
CHÂTEAU PIGOUDET CLASSIC ROSÉ 2018 - AP Coteaux d'Aix en Provence, France (#668434) (XD) - $24.95 91 pts wine review

Château Pigoudet Classic Rosé 2018 (91 pts)

Wine Picks LCBO VINTAGES Release July 20, 2019: Under $20 + Italian Whites

LCBO Wine Picks: July 20, 2019 VINTAGES Release

The upcoming July 20, 2019 LCBO VINTAGES Release features 20 Wines Under $20 as the main theme, while the mini-theme looks at fresh Italian white wines. All of these wines, plus those as part of the Main Release will be on VINTAGES shelves across Ontario by this Saturday.

We'll begin with the main theme that lists 20 wines under $20, of which only 3 are include among my top wine picks. The first wine from this group is a dry $19 Prosecco that is made with the Glera grape varietal. The lone white is a $15 Chenin Blanc from South Africa, while the red is a lovely $17 Ventoux from the southern Rhône Valley that consists of 50% Syrah, 30% Grenache, and 20% Mourvèdre.

Rustenberg Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc 2018 (89 pts)

From the mini-theme on fresh Italian white wines, five of the seven wines featured are included among my top wine recommendations. The idea behind this theme to get everyone to try some of the other fine white grape varietals from Italy and look beyond Pinot Grigio. First up is a Fiano, an ancient grape from at least the 13th century. Pecorino (not the cheese) is fresh, floral and vibrant and often comes from Abruzzo. Falanghina is my favourite Italian white wine varietal and often comes from the hilly, volcanic soils of Campania. The Greco varietal is also common in Campania and offers a distinct smoky minerality. Lastly, there is a premium, barrel-fermented and aged Trebbiano di Lugana (aka Verdicchio) from Piedmont.

Sergio Zenato Riserva Lugana 2016 (91 pts)

Terre Stregate Svelato Falanghina del Sannio 2016 (89 pts)

Citra Ferzo Abruzzo Pecorino Superiore 2017 (88 pts)

Among my red wine picks from the rest of the Release, the red wine from New Zealand is a blend of 82% Merlot and 18% Malbec. From Rhône, the Rasteau is a blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre, while the Côtes du Rhône is equal parts Syrah and Grenache, plus some Mourvèdre. The blend from Roussillon consists of 50% Syrah, 40% Mourvèdre, and 10% Grenache, and 2015 Bordeaux consists of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. Lastly, from Spain, the Reserva is a blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano, while the Crianza consists of 85% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha, and 5% Graciano.

Xavier Vignon Côtes du Rhône 2017 (89 pts)

Gérard Bertrand Grand Terroir Les Aspres Syrah/Mourvèdre/Grenache 2016 (88+ pts)

Marqués de Cáceres Crianza 2014 (88 pts)

From my white wine picks, all are single varietal wines. One of the stand outs is the always excellent Assyrtiko from Greece. If you prefer sweet wines, look for the Riesling Kabinett from Mosel.

Max Ferd. Richter Elisenberger Riesling Kabinett 2016 (90+ pts)

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this Release! Cheers!