vintages-release | VINTAGES Wine Picks & Reviews

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Wednesday, August 14, 2019

August 17, 2019 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Argentina + Euro Gems

LCBO Wine Picks: August 17, 2019 VINTAGES Release

The main theme of the upcoming August 17, 2019 LCBO VINTAGES Release features wines from Argentina for perfect pairings, while the mini-theme focuses on hidden treasures from Europe. All of the wines from the themes, plus the main release will arrive on LCBO VINTAGES shelves across Ontario by this Saturday.

We'll begin with the main theme that features wines from Argentina that will pair perfectly with grilled fare off the barbecue. Of the twelve wines featured as part of the theme, five are included among my top wine picks. The lone white wine is a barrel fermented Chardonnay. Among the red wines from Argentina, there are a trio of lovely Malbec wines that would be awesome to try side-by-side. The last of the reds is a very nice Cabernet Franc. All of these delicious wines should go great with foods made over the barbecue.

H J. Fabre Barrel Selection Malbec 2016 (90 pts)

Fabre Montmayou Reserva Cabernet Franc 2016 (90 pts)

Susana Balbo Signature Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2016 (89 pts)

The mini-theme is titled "Hidden Treasure" and focuses on wines from Europe's up-and-coming and lesser-known wine regions. Of the nine wines featured as part of this theme, three are included among my wine recommendations. The white wine is a dry Grüner Veltliner from the Kremstal appellation in Austria. The first red wine is a blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Carignan from Tautavel, an appellation in Roussillon in the South of France. Lastly, from Alentejo in Portugal is an indigenous blend of 45% Trincadeira, 35% Aragonez, and 20% Alicante Bouchet.

Gérard Bertrand Grand Terroir Tautavel 2016 (89 pts)

Carmim Terra Lenta Premium Reguengos 2016 (88 pts)

Winzer Krems Grüner Veltliner 2017 (88 pts)

From my red wine recommendations, the Bordeaux red is made with 100% Merlot, while the Rioja is the Wine of the Month and consists of 85% Tempranillo and 15% Graciano. The rest are all single varietal wines.

Among my white wine picks from this Release, the only blend is from Roussillon and it consists of Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, and Macabeu. If you prefer sweeter wines, the Niagara Riesling will be off-dry (i.e. slightly sweet), while the 2009 Riesling Spätlese from Germany will be fairly sweet and still has all the right elements to continue further ageing.

Dr. Siemens Herrenberg Riesling Spätlese Feinherb 2009 (91 pts)

Leaning Post Wismer-Foxcroft Vineyard Riesling 2016 (90 pts)

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this Release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

CARMIM TERRA LENTA PREMIUM REGUENGOS 2016 - DOC Alentejo, Portugal (#646083) (D) - $13.95 88 pts wine review
CHÂTEAU HAUCHAT 2016 - AC Fronsac, Bordeaux, France (#123489) (XD) - $17.95 88 pts wine review
FABRE MONTMAYOU RESERVA CABERNET FRANC 2016 - Mendoza, Argentina (#492736) (XD) - $18.95 90 pts wine review
H J. FABRE BARREL SELECTION MALBEC 2016 - Patagonia, Argentina (#114983) (XD) - $18.95 90 pts wine review
GÉRARD BERTRAND GRAND TERROIR TAUTAVEL 2016 - AP Côtes du Roussillon-Villages, France (#272575) (D) - $19.95 89 pts wine review
WESTMOUNT PINOT NOIR 2015 - Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA (#010704) (XD) - $19.95 89 pts wine review
HAZAÑA VIÑAS VIEJAS 2014 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#648204) (XD) - $21.95 89 pts wine review
EL ESTECO MALBEC 2015 - Calchaquí Valley, Argentina (#113191) (XD) - $22.95 91 pts wine review
WAKEFIELD JARAMAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2016 - Coonawarra & Clare Valley, South Australia (#142398) (XD) - $24.95 89 pts wine review
COLOMÉ ESTATE MALBEC 2016 - Calchaquí Valley, Salta, Argentina (#477315) (XD) - $24.95 90+ pts wine review
PECCHENINO SAN GIUSEPPE BAROLO 2014 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#181396) (XD) - $66.95

Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 (89 pts)

White Wine:

WINZER KREMS GRÜNER VELTLINER 2017 - DAC Kremstal, Austria (#647735) (XD) - $15.95 88 pts wine review
LES VIGNES DE BILA-HAUT CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON BLANC 2017 - AC, Midi, France (#485656) (XD) - $15.95
EDETÀRIA VIA TERRA GARNATXA BLANCA 2017 - DO Terra Alta, Spain (#105908) (XD) - $16.95 89 pts wine review
CLOSERIE DES ALISIERS BOURGOGNE ALIGOTÉ 2017 - AC, Burgundy, France (#557728) (XD) - $18.95 89 pts wine review
MOUNTADAM EDEN VALLEY CHARDONNAY 2017 - Eden Valley, South Australia (#010411) (XD) - 19.95 89 pts wine review
QUAILS’ GATE DRY RIESLING 2018 - VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#308312) (XD) - $19.95
DR. SIEMENS HERRENBERG RIESLING SPÄTLESE FEINHERB 2009 - Prädikatswein, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany (#665992) (MS) - $19.95 91 pts wine review
SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE BARREL FERMENTED CHARDONNAY 2016 - Finca Dominio Gualta, Gualtallary, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#688077) (XD) - $20.95 89 pts wine review
LEANING POST WISMER-FOXCROFT VINEYARD RIESLING 2016 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#644740) (D) - $24.95 90 pts wine review
LUNAE VERMENTINO 2017 - DOC Colli di Luni, Liguria, Italy (#336644) (XD) - $36.95 FE

Edetària Via Terra Garnatxa Blanca 2017 (89 pts)

Mountadam Eden Valley Chardonnay 2017 (89 pts)

Closerie des Alisiers Bourgogne Aligoté 2017 (89 pts)

Rosé Wine:

XAVIER VIGNON CÔTES DU RHÔNE ROSÉ 2018 - AP, France (#450908) (XD) - $16.95
CHÂTEAU DE NAGES VIEILLES VIGNES ROSÉ 2018 - AC Costières de Nîmes, Rhône, France (#496919) (XD) - $19.95
FLEURS DE PRAIRIE ROSÉ 2018 - AP Coteaux d’Aix en Provence, France (#667329) (XD) - $23.95 90 pts wine review

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!