August 5, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Online & Flagship Exclusives

Here are my top wine picks from the August 5, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. This is the final release of its kind for the year, where the entire release is only available online and at Flagship stores. There are 39 wines included in the release and 13 are among my top wine picks. All of the wine should be available for purchase by this Saturday.

There is only one blend, albeit barely, among my top red wine recommendations - a Gigondas that is composed of 95% Grenache and 5% Mourvèdre. Single varietal wines include a fine Pinot Noir from Oregon, while the others are made up of Bordeaux varietals. There are a couple of lovely Cabernet Sauvignon wines - one each from Washington and McLaren Vale, as well as a Cabernet Franc from Niagara, and lastly, a Merlot from Friuli.

Among my top white wine picks, all are single varietal wines. Both Sauvignon Blanc wines are unique, with the version from Niagara fermented and aged in concrete, while the version from New Zealand was fermented and aged in oak vessels. The Assyrtiko from Greece was also fermented and aged in French oak barrels. Other dry white wines include a Chardonnay from Niagara, as well as a Torrontés from Argentina. If you enjoy some sweetness in your wines, you will want to get the Riesling or Pinot Gris - both are from New Zealand.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• BORGO CONVENTI MERLOT 2020 - DOC Collio, Friuli, Italy (#32492) (XD) - $24.95
• HASELGROVE PROTECTOR CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#30849) (XD) - $32.95
• KACABA CABERNET FRANC 2019 - VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#272146) (XD) - $33.15  89 pts  wine review
• DELILLE MÉTIER CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Columbia Valley, Washington, USA (#32496) (XD) - $39.95  91 pts  wine review
• XAVIER VIGNON GIGONDAS 2019 - AP, Rhône, France (#31698) (XD) - $44.95
• CRISTOM VINEYARDS MT. JEFFERSON CUVÉE PINOT NOIR 2021 - Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA (#940882) (XD) - $63.95  92 pts  wine review

White Wine:

• HIDDEN BENCH BÉTON SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021 - Rosomel Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#33552) (XD) - $27.95  90+ pts  wine review
  
• NANNY GOAT DRY RIESLING 2019 - Single vineyard, Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand (#25836) (MD) - $28.95
• EL ESTECO 1945 OLD VINES TORRONTÉS 2022 - Valles Calchaquíes, Argentina (#10695) (XD) - $31.95
• CLOUDSLEY TWENTY MILE BENCH CHARDONNAY 2020 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#16093) (XD) - $34.95
• VILLA MARIA SEDDON PINOT GRIS 2021 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#32199) (M) - $39.95
• SPY VALLEY ENVOY SAUVIGNON BLANC 2016 - Sustainable, Johnson Vineyard, Waihopai Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#429308) (XD) - $39.95  92 pts  wine review
• DOMAINE SIGALAS SANTORINI ASSYRTIKO 2021 - Barrel fermented, PDO Santorini, Greece (#33163) (XD) - $67.95  92+ pts  wine review

Read More

July 22, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: American Idyll

Here's my top wine picks from the July 22, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection which is titled "American Idyll" and focuses on wines from the U.S.A. It's a big release with 151 wines that will be available at LCBO stores across Ontario by this Saturday. Also included in the printed catalogue is a sneak preview of next month's Online & Flagship Store Exclusive Release.

We begin with the feature on wines from the United States of America. There are fourteen wines as part of the theme, spread out across the four states that are leaders in fine wine production in the U.S. - California, Washington, Oregon, and New York, with three wines included among my top wine picks. At the top of the list is the California Chardonnay by Kistler. There are also a pair of wines from New York - a dry-ish Riesling and an unoaked Chardonnay, as well as a Zinfandel from Lodi.

Among my top red wine picks from the main release, we start in Tuscany with 2021 Chianti Classico that is made with 96% Sangiovese and 4% Merlot, while the 2018 Chianti Classico is straight Sangiovese. Spain is well-represented among my top wine picks with the 2011 Rioja composed with approximately 75% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacho, and 10% Graciano / Mazuelo, while both the 2016 and 2020 Rioja wines are crafted with 100% Tempranillo. The red wine from Spain's DO Almansa is a blend of approximately 50% Monastrell, 25% Garnacha Tintorera, and 25% Tempranillo. From Rhône, the Sablet is a blend based on Grenache and Syrah, while the red wine from Sicily is crafted with the Frappato grape, a varietal that is largely-unknown, but gaining in popularity. And lastly, the wine from Fleurieu in Australia is a blend of 65% Tempranillo and 35% Grenache.

There are a couple of blends among my white wine picks from the rest of the release, with the wine from McLaren Vale in Australia made with 66% Viognier and 34% Marsanne, while the white wine from Santorini is composed of 85% Assyrtiko and 15% Athiri. Chardonnay is well-represented among my picks with a pair of versions from Niagara, as well as singletons from Australia, Sonoma Coast, Napa Valley, and South Africa. Other white wines include an Assyrtiko from the high slopes of Aigialeia in Greece, and a Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough in New Zealand.

A couple of other brilliant wines are also worth your attention. The 2012 vintage Champagne is crafted with approximately 60% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, and 10% Meunier, with the 2013 Sauternes dessert wine is a blend of 93% Sémillon and 7% Sauvignon Blanc. In pink wines, the rosé from Provence is a blend of 60% Grenache, 35% Cinsault, and 5% Syrah, while the rosé from Portugal is composed of equal parts Touriga Nacional and Alfrocheiro.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• MONTEBUENA CUVÉE KPF 2020 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#211029) (XD) - $17.95  88+ pts  wine review
• MARIUS FINCA LOS TIMONARES RESERVA 2018 - DO Almansa, Spain (#30232) (XD) - $17.95
• LE GRAVILLAS SABLET CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2020 - AC, France (#78790) (XD) - $18.95
• FOUR VINES OLD VINE ZINFANDEL 2019 - Lodi, California, USA (#17157) (D) - $19.95  88+ pts  wine review
• WAKEFIELD ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Limestone Coast / Clare Valley, South Australia (#744235) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• ARBOLEDA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Vegan, DO Valle del Aconcagua, Chile (#606764) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• ZONTE'S FOOTSTEP SPLITTING HARES TEMPRANILLO / GRENACHE 2021 - Vegan, Fleurieu, South Australia (#30847) (XD) - $21.95  89 pts  wine review

• ALTANZA RESERVA 2016 - Vegan, DOCa Rioja, Spain (#208223) (XD) - $23.95  89 pts  wine review
• PLANETA FRAPPATO 2021 - Sustainable, DOC Sicilia Vittoria, Italy (#508655) (XD) - $24.95  91+ pts  wine review
• TAWSE GROWERS BLEND CABERNET FRANC 2020 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#284570) (XD) - $29.95  90 pts  wine review
• VECCHIE TERRE DI MONTEFILI CHIANTI CLASSICO 2018 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#28723) (XD) - $40.95
• CASTELLO DI AMA AMA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#515759) (XD) - $42.95
• R. LÓPEZ DE HEREDIA VIÑA TONDONIA RESERVA 2011 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#356337) (XD) - $72.95

White Wine:

• ALVI'S DRIFT SIGNATURE CHARDONNAY 2021 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#21151) (XD) - $14.95  88+ pts  wine review
• WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL CHARDONNAY 2021 - Padthaway / Clare Valley, South Australia (#711556) (XD) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
• D'ARENBERG THE HERMIT CRAB VIOGNIER / MARSANNE 2022 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#662775) (XD) - $19.95
• LAMOREAUX LANDING UNOAKED CHARDONNAY 2021 - Estate bottled, Finger Lakes, New York, USA (#32669) (XD) - $24.95  89 pts  wine review
• ROUVALIS ASSYRTIKO 2021 - PGI Slopes of Aigialeia, Greece (#33207) (XD) - $24.95
• LEANING POST THE FIFTY CHARDONNAY 2020 - Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#578864) (XD) - $24.95
• TWO RIVERS CONVERGENCE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 - Vegan, sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#277707) (XD) - $26.95
• DR. KONSTANTIN FRANK DRY RIESLING 2021 - Finger Lakes, New York, USA (#70631) (D) - $29.95  90 pts  wine review
• STRATUS CHARDONNAY 2021 - Vegan, sustainable, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#267856) (XD) - $35.00
• SIGALAS AA 2021 - PDO Santorini, Greece (#33162) (XD) - $36.95  91 pts  wine review
• STAGS' LEAP WINERY CHARDONNAY 2020 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#655381) (XD) - $44.95  92+ pts  wine review
• FLOWERS CHARDONNAY 2021 - Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, USA (#215210) (XD) - $59.95
• KISTLER LES NOISETIERS CHARDONNAY 2021 - Unfiltered, unfined, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, USA (#251223) (XD) - $114.95

Rosé Wine:

• CABRIZ ROSÉ 2022 - DOC Dão, Portugal (#30445) (D) - $14.95  88+ pts  wine review
• LA POSTA MALBEC ROSÉ 2022 - Sustainable, Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#24747) (XD) - $16.95
• 13TH STREET EXPRESSION SERIES CABERNET FRANC ROSÉ 2022 - Vegan, sustainable, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#20359) (XD) - $17.95
• VILLA AIX EN PROVENCE ROSÉ 2022 - AP Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence, France (#668426) (XD) - $21.95

Sparkling Wine:

• HENRIOT BRUT ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE 2012 - AC, France (#14846) (XD) - $152.95

Dessert Wine:

• CHÂTEAU SUDUIRAUT SAUTERNES 2013 - AC Sauternes 1er Grand Cru Classé, Bordeaux, France (#29516) (S) (375 mL) - $63.00

Read More

July 8, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Online & Flagship Exclusives

Here's my top wine picks from the July 8, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, which is this month's Online & Flagship Exclusives release. These wines are available exclusively on LCBO.com and the 10 Flagship stores in Ontario, and are ready to be purchased now.

With more than half of the forty-six wines in this release comprised of white wines and most of my recommendation being this colour, we'll begin with my top white wine recommendations. There is only one blend among my white wine picks - a Bordeaux Blanc that is composed of 73% Sauvignon Blanc and 27% Semillon. Single varietal wines include a trio of fine Chardonnays - one each from Burgundy (Chablis), Oregon, and South Africa, as well as an Arneis from Piedmont, a Pecorino from Abruzzo, and an Assyrtiko from Greece. For Riesling wine lovers, the wines from New York and Rheingau are both dry in style, while the Riesling from Niagara is crafted in an off-dry (i.e. slightly sweet) style.

Among my top red wine picks, the only blend is from Languedoc and it is composed of Syrah and Carignan. Also among my picks are a pair of wines made with relatively unknown varietals - the País grape is a varietal that has played a prominent role in the Chilean wine industry up until the 21st century, while the Refosco comes from a very old family of dark-skinned grapes native to Veneto and surrounding regions, with some of the best examples coming from Colli Orientali in nearby Friuli. The last two red wines are both fantastic and made with Pinot Noir - one is from New Zealand, while the other is from Oregon.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• GÉRARD BERTRAND AN 873 SYRAH/CARIGNAN 2019 - AP Minervois, Languedoc, France (#952804) (XD) - $19.95
• COPA PAÍS 2019 - DO Valle de Itata, Chile (#31000) (XD) - $29.95
• LE VIGNE DI ZAMÓ IL REFOSCO 2018 - DOC Collio Orientali del Friuli, Italy (#105882) (XD) - $32.95  90+ pts  wine review
• GREYSTONE PINOT NOIR 2018 - Waipara Valley, North Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand (#30151) (XD) - $33.95  93 pts  wine review
• REX HILL PINOT NOIR 2019 - Sustainable, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA (#275735) (XD) - $45.95  91 pts  wine review

White Wine:

• PAOLO CONTERNO A VAL ARNEIS 2021 - DOC Langhe, Piedmont, Italy (#30273) (XD) - $24.95
• UMANI RONCHI CENTOVIE PECORINO 2020 - IGT Colli Aprutini, Abruzzo, Italy (#11108) (XD) - $29.95  92 pts  wine review
• CAPE OF GOOD HOPE SERRURIA CHARDONNAY 2019 - WO Elandskloof, South Africa (#667196) (XD) - $30.95
• FORGE CLASSIQUE DRY RIESLING 2020 - Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes, New York, USA (#32734) (XD) - $34.95  90 pts  wine review
• REX HILL SEVEN SOILS CHARDONNAY 2019 - Sustainable, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA (#458158) (XD) - $39.95  92 pts  wine review
• LANTIDES ABYSS ASSYRTIKO 2020 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#33161) (XD) - $39.95
• CHÂTEAU GRAND VILLAGE BLANC 2021 - AC Bordeaux, France (#25084) (XD) - $42.95
• DOMDECHANT WERNER HOCHHEIMER KIRCHENSTÜCK TROCKEN RIESLING 2019 - VDP Erste Lage, Rheingau, Germany (#32155) (XD) - $43.95
• CHARLES BAKER PICONE VINEYARD RIESLING 2020 - Sustainable, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#241182) (D) - $44.95  92 pts  wine review
• DOMAINE YVON & LAURENT VOCORET FOURCHAUME CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2021 - AC, Burgundy, France (#22776) (XD) - $52.95  93 pts  wine review

Read More

June 24, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Summer Sippers

After a few smallish releases to during spring, summer starts off with a bang in the June 24 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection with a whopping 164 wines arriving in stores across Ontario by this Saturday. The theme of the release is titled "Summery Wines for Alfresco Sipping", while also included in the printed magazine is a sneak preview of the July Online & Flagship Exclusives release.

We begin with the theme on summer sipping wines which consists of white, rosé, and sparkling wines. Of the twenty-one wines included as part of the theme, eight are among my top wine recommendations. Starting with the whites, there are a pair of excellent wines made with Sauvignon Blanc - one from Sancerre in Loire, and the other from New Zealand. There are also a couple of fine options from Niagara - a dry Pinot Gris and an off-dry (lightly sweet) Riesling, as well as a lovely, organic Pinot Grigio from Alto Adige in northern Italy. Both rosé wine recommendations from the theme are from Rhône, with the Luberon crafted with Syrah and Grenache, while the Tavel is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, and Mourvèdre. Lastly, the sparkling wine from South Africa is composed of roughly equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Among my top red wine picks, we begin in Italy with the Super Tuscan that is a blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Petit Verdot. Staying in Tuscany, there is a fine Chianti Classico Annata that is a blend of 80% Sangiovese, 15% Canaiolo, and 5% Syrah, followed by the Riserva Chianti Classico that is composed of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Merlot. The last Italian blend is from Veneto and it is made with 35% Corvina, 35% Corvinone, 20% Rondinella, and 10% Rossignola / Oseleta / Negrara / Dindarella. The wine from South Africa is a blend of Syrah 74%, 10% Grenache, 8% Cinsault, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Viognier, while the Roussillon red is a blend of 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache. From Spain, the Montsant is a blend of 65% Garnacha, 15% Merlot, 10% Cariñena (Samsó), and 10% Syrah, while the Priorat is composed of equal parts Garnacha and Cariñena, plus 10% Merlot. Lastly, both Coppola wines from California are blends, with the Merlot adding 15% Petite Sirah and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, while the Zinfandel includes 13% Petite Sirah.

The only blend among my white wine picks from the rest of the release is the Bordeaux Blanc that is composed of 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Sémillon. The other two white wines that are not part of the theme are a Chardonnay from Australia, and an Assyrtiko from Greece.

Among my rosé wine picks, the rosé from Niagara is a blend of 88% Pinot Noir, 6% Viognier, and 6% Chardonnay, while the rosé from Tuscany is composed of Sangiovese and Merlot. And lastly, the rosé from Sancerre is made with 100% Pinot Noir.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers to summer sipping!

Red Wine:

• MARQUÉS DE GRIÑON CLÁSICO 2018 - Vegan, DOCa Rioja, Spain (#30207) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• TEDESCHI CAPITEL NICALÒ VALPOLICELLA SUPERIORE 2020 - Sustainable, DOC, Veneto, Italy (#984997) (XD) - $19.95  90 pts  wine review
• POTENTE 2019 - DO Montsant, Spain (#10682) (XD) - $19.95
• BASTIDE MIRAFLORS SYRAH/VIEILLES VIGNES GRENACHE 2020 - AP Côtes du Roussillon, France (#320499) (XD) - $19.95
• BOYA SYRAH 2019 - Sustainable, Coast Zone, DO Valle de Leyda, Chile (#30997) (XD) - $19.95  90 pts  wine review
• FRANCIS COPPOLA DIAMOND COLLECTION RED LABEL ZINFANDEL 2019 - California, USA (#708289) (D) - $24.95  88 pts  wine review
• FRANCIS COPPOLA DIAMOND COLLECTION BLUE LABEL MERLOT 2018 - California, USA (#595686) (XD) - $24.95  88+ pts  wine review
• WAKEFIELD JARAMAN SHIRAZ 2021 - Clare Valley/McLaren Vale, South Australia (#377036) (XD) - $24.95  90 pts  wine review

 

• SANGENÍS I VAQUÉ DARA 2019 - Unfiltered, DOQ Priorat, Spain (#31379) (XD) - $24.95
• ROCCA DELLE MACÌE FAMIGLIA ZINGARELLI RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#930966) (XD) - $25.95  90+ pts  wine review
• LUNA ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2019 - Sustainable, Martinborough, North Island, New Zealand (#17544) (XD) - $27.95  91+ pts  wine review
• THE CHOCOLATE BLOCK 2021 - WO Swartland, South Africa (#129353) (XD) - $42.95
• MAGISTRATE GEM SERIES SPRING MOUNTAIN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2016 - Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, California, USA (#27449) (XD) - $50.00
• ISOLE E OLENA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#704346) (XD) - $44.95  93 pts  wine review
• ORENO 2019 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#735597) (XD) - $103.95

White Wine:

• LES HAUTS DE LAGARDE BLANC 2021 - AC Bordeaux, France (#387787) (XD) - $18.95
• HENRY OF PELHAM THE DRY RIVER ESTATE RIESLING 2021 - Sustainable, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#557165) (D) - $19.95
• KIR-YIANNI LE NORD ASSYRTIKO 2022 - Vegan, IGP Florina, Greece (#25707) (XD) - $19.95
• ALOIS LAGEDER TERRA ALPINA PINOT GRIGIO 2022 - IGT Vigneti delle Dolomiti, Alto Adige, Italy (#681429) (XD) - $20.95  91 pts  wine review
  
• CLOSSON CHASE K.J. WATSON VINEYARD PINOT GRIS 2022 - VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#469445) (XD) - $24.00  90 pts  wine review
• WAKEFIELD JARAMAN CHARDONNAY 2021 - Adelaide Hills/Clare Valley, South Australia (#18921) (XD) - $24.95  90 pts  wine review
• VILLA MARIA TAYLORS PASS SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#13901) (XD) - $29.95
• JEAN-MAX ROGER CUVÉE MARNES ET CAILLOTTES SANCERRE 2021 - AC, Loire, France (#196667) (XD) - $38.95  93 pts  wine review

Rosé Wine:

• RICASOLI ALBIA ROSÉ 2022 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#556266) (XD) - $18.95
• CHÂTEAU VAL-JOANIS TRADITION ROSÉ 2022 - AP Luberon, Rhône, France (#707281) (XD) - $20.95
• FAMILLE PERRIN TAVEL 2022 - AC, Rhône, France (#680801) (XD) - $22.95
• HIDDEN BENCH LOCUST LANE ROSÉ 2022 - Sustainable, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#68833) (XD) - $24.95  91+ pts  wine review
  
• JEAN-MAX ROGER LA GRANGE DÎMIÈRE SANCERRE ROSÉ 2022 - AC, Loire, France (#490813) (XD) - $31.95  91 pts  wine review

Sparkling Wine:

• PONGRÁCZ BRUT CAP CLASSIQUE SPARKLING CHARDONNAY/PINOT NOIR - Sustainable, traditional method, WO Western Cape, South Africa (#404111) (XD) - $17.95  91 pts  wine review

Read More

June 10, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Online & Flagship Exclusives

Here's my top wine picks from the June 10 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection which is this month's collection of Online & Flagship Exclusive wines that are only available online through lcbo.com and 10 specific LCBO stores which are located in Toronto, Oakville and Ottawa. There are 43 wines included in the release and, of course, there is no theme these releases.

We begin with the red wines. From Rhône, the Gigondas is a blend of Grenache and Syrah, while the Crozes-Hermitage is crafted with 100% Syrah. From Italy, the Amarone is made with approximately 65% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, 10% Corvinone, and 5% other permitted varieties, while the Tuscan red is crafted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. From South America, the Argentine red is composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon / Cabernet Franc / Merlot and 40% Malbec, while the Chilean red is 100% País. And last, but definitely not the least, there is a lovely Shiraz from Kangaroo Island in South Australia.

Among my white wine picks, the only blend is from Portugal and it is crafted with three indigeneous varieties - Viosinho, Gouveia, and Rabigato. Single varietal wines include the Malagousia from Greece, as well as the Traminer (similar to Gewürztraminer) from Austria. It's nice to see Prince Edward County represented in this release with a pair of lovely wines crafted with Melon de Bourgogne and Chardonnay. And lastly, there is a fine Chardonnay from Sonoma in California.

There are also two fine sparkling wines in this release, both in the dry style. The 2004 Vintage Champagne is composed of 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir that was aged on its lees for 15+ years, while the sparkling wine from South Africa is crafted with 100% Chenin Blanc.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release!

Red Wine:

• LAS VELETAS ALMAULE 2021 - Valle del Maule, Chile (#30211) (XD) - $29.95
• SPRINGS ROAD SHIRAZ 2017 - Kangaroo Island, South Australia (#30753) (XD) - $32.95  92 pts  wine review
• FERRATON PÈRE & FILS LA MATINIÈRE CROZES-HERMITAGE 2020 - AP, Rhône, France (#127712) (XD) - $33.95
• ALPAMANTA BREVA BLEND 2021 - Sustainable, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina (#31978) (XD) - $41.95
• COL D'ORCIA OLMAIA SANT'ANTIMO CABERNET 2015 - DOC, Tuscany, Italy (#16668) (XD) - $63.95  93 pts  wine review
• CAVE DI PRUN RISERVA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2012 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#499889) (D) - $65.95
• FAMILLE PERRIN L'ARGNÉE VIEILLES VIGNES GIGONDAS 2020 - AC, Rhône, France (#14985) (XD) - $66.95

White Wine:

• TRÊS BAGOS RESERVA WHITE 2021 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#31185) (XD) - $22.95
• CASA DEA MELON DE BOURGOGNE 2021 - VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (#33157) (D) - $24.95  90 pts  wine review
• SALOMON UNDHOF GELBER WILDROSEN TRAMINER 2019 - DAC Kremstal, Austria (#30933) (D) - $32.95
• LIGHTHALL CHARDONNAY 2020 - VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (#25243) (XD) - $36.00
• KTIMA GEROVASSILIOU MALAGOUSIA 2022 - Old vines, PGI Epanomi, Greece (#32379) (XD) - $37.95
• ERNEST SONOMA COAST CHARDONNAY 2021 - Sonoma Coast, California, USA (#32495) (XD) - $49.95  92 pts  wine review

Sparkling Wine:

• KEN FORRESTER SPARKLEHORSE SPARKLING CHENIN BLANC 2019 - Traditional method, WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#32030) (XD) - $32.95  92 pts  wine review
• TARLANT CUVÉE LOUIS BRUT NATURE CHAMPAGNE 2004 - AC, France (#293811) (XD) - $179.95

Read More