October 21, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: California

Here are my top wine picks from the October 21, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, which is titled "Golden State". As is the norm for this time of the year, the releases get bigger and pricier, with 157 products offered in this release, including many Gift and Sampler packs. The most expensive gift pack is over $2,000 and the person receiving it would be a very lucky duck. All of the wines in this release will be available in stores or online by this Saturday.

We begin with the shining wines from the Golden State of California, which include 12 premium-priced wines for your holiday shopping list - and three of which are among my top wine picks. The lone white wine is an always impeccable Chardonnay from Sonoma Mountain. Unsurprisingly, the other two wines are top California Cabernet Sauvignons, with the Cliff Lede version composed of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot, while the Grgich Hills is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 6.5% Merlot, and 6.5% Petit Verdot.

Even though California is the theme of the release, Italy could have made the case for being the mini-theme with many fine offerings from the boot-shaped peninsula. Leading off is the Gran Selezione Chianti Classico, which is a blend of 80% Sangiovese, 13% Merlot, and 7% Malvasia Nera, followed by a pair of Riserva Chianti Classico wines - the 2016 is 100% Sangiovese, while the 2018 Riserva Chianti Classico is a blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot. The last red wine from Italy is the Modus Super Tuscan, which is composed of 44% Sangiovese, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 19% Merlot. Moving westwards to France, the Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blend of 38% Syrah, 35% Grenache Noir, 25% Mourvèdre, 1% Cinsault, and 1% other permitted varieties, while the Côtes du Rhône Villages is made with 40% Grenache, 40% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah, and 10% Counoise. The last wine from France is from Languedoc and it is a blend of 70% Syrah, 20% Grenache, and 10% Mourvèdre. The last blend is a Malbec from Argentina that actually consists of 90% Malbec, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot.

The only blend among my white picks from the rest of the release is the Marsanne from Niagara, which is actually a blend of 93% Marsanne and 7% Viognier. The other wines include a pair of Sauvignon Blanc wines from New Zealand, a Chardonnay from Chablis, a Chenin Blanc from South Africa, and a Pecorino from Italy. If you prefer an off-dry style of wine (i.e. slightly sweet), you should take a look at the Gewurztraminer from Alsace.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release!

Red Wine:

• S. DELAFONT MOSAÏQUE 2020 - AP Languedoc, France (#31697) (XD) - $19.95
• MONTERRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Vegan, McLaren Vale, South Australia (#12835) (XD) - $21.95
• LA ROSELIÈRE CÔTES DU RHÔNE VILLAGES LAUDUN 2020 - AP, France (#31694) (XD) - $21.95
• ZONTE'S FOOTSTEP NATURE'S CRUX SHIRAZ 2020 - Vegan, Fleurieu, South Australia (#33367) (XD) - $21.95
• CAVALIERE D'ORO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2018 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#216309) (XD) - $24.95  91 pts  wine review
• TEHO ZAHA TOKO VINEYARD MALBEC 2019 - Vegan, Paraje Altamira, Mendoza, Argentina (#441691) (XD) - $25.95

 

• RUFFINO MODUS 2019 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#912956) (XD) - $32.95  91+ pts  wine review
• BACHELDER LES VILLAGES BENCH PINOT NOIR 2021 - VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#11582) (XD) - $34.95
• CASTELLO DI RADDA CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2016 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#31409) (XD) - $43.95
• CHÂTEAU LA NERTHE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2020 - AC, Rhône, France (#735407) (XD) - $64.95
• CASTELLO DI AMA SAN LORENZO GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2018 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#12751) (XD) - $64.95  94 pts  wine review
• GRGICH HILLS ESTATE GROWN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#71407) (XD) - $109.95
• CLIFF LEDE STAGS LEAP DISTRICT CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California, USA (#14217) (XD) - $124.95  94 pts  wine review

White Wine:

• PFAFF TRADITION GEWURZTRAMINER 2020 - AC Alsace, France (#29822) (D) - $16.95  89 pts  wine review
• UMANI RONCHI VELLODORO PECORINO 2022 - IGT Terre di Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy (#289553) (XD) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
• KEW VINEYARDS MARSANNE 2019 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#485334) (XD) - $19.95
• RADFORD DALE VINUM CHENIN BLANC 2022 - Vegan, WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#13338) (XD) - $19.95
• WHITEHAVEN GREG SINGLE VINEYARD RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 - Awatere Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#325944) (XD) - $25.95
• THE CRATER RIM SAUVIGNON BLANC 2020 - Single vineyard, Waipara, South Island, New Zealand (#26359) (XD) - $29.95
  
• JEAN-MARC BROCARD SAINTE CLAIRE CHABLIS 2021 - AC, Burgundy, France (#356634) (XD) - $34.95
• KISTLER SONOMA MOUNTAIN CHARDONNAY 2021 - Sonoma County, California, USA (#183921) (XD) - $121.95

Fortified Wine:

• TAYLOR FLADGATE HISTORIC LIMITED EDITION RESERVE TAWNY PORT - DOP, Portugal (#581561) (S) - $53.95

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October 7, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Classic European Regions

Here's my top wine picks from the October 7 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection which is titled "Classic European Regions. It is a big, and very fine release with 141 wines that also includes a selection of Online & Flagship Exclusive wines. All of these wines should be available by this Saturday.

We begin with the feature on Classic European Regions, which include twenty-three wines from seven classic wine producing countries across Europe. From the theme, there are five wines included among my top picks, with the lone white wine is from Spain and it is a blend of 70% Viura (from 80 year old vines) and 30% Maturana Blanca that was fermented and aged in oak. There are three wines from the classic wine producing country of Italy - an Amarone that is a traditional blend of Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara, a Barolo that is made with Nebbiolo, and a Brunello di Montalcino that is made with Sangiovese. From France, the Châteauneuf-du-Pape is composed of 60% Grenache Noir, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Cinsault, and 5% Counoise.

Red wine recommendations from the main release begins in France with a 2012 vintage blend from Bordeaux that is crafted with 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernets, while the red from Gigondas is roughly 70/20/10 Grenache / Syrah / Mourvèdre, and the wine from Madiran in Southwest France is composed of 50% Tannat, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 24% Cabernet Franc. The only other blend is a Rioja from Spain that is composed of 80% Tempranillo, 11% Graciano, and 9% Garnacha. Mono-varietal wines should be self-explanatory, but include wines crafted with Malbec from Paraje Altamira in Argentina, an Aglianico from Campania, and a Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia.

Among my white wine picks from the rest of the release, the only blend is the white wine from Rhone that is a blend of 60% Viognier, 20% Grenache Blanc, and 20% Roussanne. Other fine offerings include a quartet of lovely Chardonnays from Piedmont, California, and Burgundy. If you would like to explore a new grape variety, try the Greek wine that is made with the Kydonitsa varietal. And lastly, if you want something a bit sweet, check out the Riesling from Niagara.

Other wines include a fine vintage sparkling rosé from Champagne that is a blend of 52% Pinot Noir (14% red wine), 27% Chardonnay, and 21% Meunier, while the Vin Santo is composed of 40% Malvasia Bianca, 30% Trebbiano Toscano, and 30% San Colombano.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• IL POGGIO SANNIO AGLIANICO 2018 - DOP, Campania, Italy (#575225) (XD) - $19.95
• CHÂTEAU TOUR DE SARRAIL 2012 - AC Bordeaux, France (#448829) (XD) - $19.95
• CHAKANA FINCA LOS CEDROS MALBEC 2020 - Vegan, Paraje Altamira, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#32142) (XD) - $20.95  91 pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU BOUSCASSÉ 2017 - AP Madiran, Southwest, France (#743385) (XD) - $23.95  90+ pts  wine review
• WAKEFIELD JARAMAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Clare Valley and Coonawarra, South Australia (#142398) (XD) - $24.95  90 pts  wine review
• CATENA PARAJE ALTAMIRA MALBEC 2021 - Sustainable, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#492413) (XD) - $24.95

• FRANÇOIS-XAVIER LAMBERT PRESTIGE DES DENTELLES GIGONDAS 2020 - AP, Rhône, France (#20952) (XD) - $36.95  FE
• REMELLURI RESERVA 2015 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#480160) (XD) - $52.95  FE
• DOMAINE DE LA SOLITUDE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2021 - AC, Rhône, France (#560987) (XD) - $54.95
• TENUTA ROCCA COMUNE DI SERRALUNGA D'ALBA BAROLO 2018 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#154591) (XD) - $62.95
• CORTONESI LA MANNELLA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2017 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#12405) (XD) - $72.95
• MASI CAMPOLONGO DI TORBE AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2015 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#548677) (D) - $148.95

White Wine:

• VIENI RIESLING 2021 - VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#35299) (M) - $17.95
• LES VIGNERONS DU CASTELAS LE MONARQUE CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2022 - AP, France (#18570) (XD) - $17.95  90 pts  wine review
• MONEMVASIA KYDONITSA 2021 - PGI Laconia, Greece (#33254) (XD) - $23.95
• NIVARIUS LIMITED EDITION BLANCO 2018 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#15591) (XD) - $27.95
• RENATO RATTI BRIGATA CHARDONNAY 2022 - DOC Langhe, Piedmont, Italy (#17387) (XD) - $27.95
• CAMBRIA KATHERINE'S VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2021 - Sustainable, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, California, USA (#980490) (XD) - $39.95  92 pts  wine review
• CHANZY LE BOIS CASSIEN MONOPOLE MERCUREY 1ER CRU 2019 - AC, Burgundy, France (#32950) (XD) - $41.95  FE
• DOMAINE PINSON FRÈRES MONT-DE-MILIEU CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2021 - AC, Burgundy, France (#700914) (XD) - $74.95  FE  94 pts  wine review

Sparkling Wine:

• MOËT & CHANDON GRAND VINTAGE EXTRA BRUT ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE 2015 - AC, France (#69831) (XD) - $117.95

Fortified Wine:

• FONSECA GUIMARAENS VINTAGE PORT 1998 - Douro, Portugal (#33813) (S) (375 mL) - $46.95

Dessert Wine:

• ROSSETTI IL NOSTRO VIN SANTO DEL CHIANTI 2004 - DOC, Tuscany, Italy (#33440) (S) (375 mL) - $26.95

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September 23, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: High-Scoring Wines

Here's my top wine picks from the September 23 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection which is titled "High-Scoring Wines". It's a good sized release with 114 wines, and as we move closer to the gift-giving season, the prices also move up, with the average price per bottle settling in at just above $28/btl in this release. All of the wines should be available at the LCBO beginning this Saturday.

We begin with the feature on "High-Scoring Wines", which has nineteen wines listed, of which four are included among my top wine picks. There are a pair of red wines, including a perennially lovely Pinot Noir from Niagara, as well as a Chianti Classico that is mainly (~90%) Sangiovese. The other two wines are surprisingly both from Portugal - a white wine that is a blend of Viosinho, Arinto, Rabigato, and Gouveiro, and a Port wine that is a field blend of unspecified varieties.

At the top of the stack among my red wine picks is an Amarone that is a blend of Corvina, Rondinella, Oseleta, and Molinara, while other blends include a wine from Jumilla that is composed of 55% Monastrell, 30% Garnacha, and 15% Syrah. The only other blend is the Cab Franc from Argentina, which is actually crafted with 90% Cabernet Franc and 10% Malbec. The single varietal wines are all pretty straightforward with a pair Pinot Noirs - one from Germany and one from New Zealand, as well as a pair of Garnacha (aka Grenache) wines from Spain. There is also a fine Malbec from Argentina, and a Nero d'Avola from Sicily.

Moving on to my white wine recommendations from the main release, there are a couple of blends. First up is a wine from Limoux that is mainly Chardonnay, but also includes a splash of Mauzac, while the regionally blended Greek wine is composed of 70% Xinomavro and 30% Malagousia. Some of the excellent single varietal wines include a pair of Chardonnays - one from South Africa and one from Napa Valley, as well as a 100% Malagousia from Drama in Greece, and a Torrontés from Argentina. If you enjoy something on the sweeter side, try the always reliable Riesling from Niagara.

Among my top sparkling wine picks, which are all from Champagne, the Monmarthe Champagne is a blend of 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Meunier, and 20% Chardonnay, while the 2009 Vintage Champagne is composed of 52% Pinot Noir and 48% Chardonnay. Lastly, the Brut Rosé Champagne is an unspecified blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• EL PETIT BONHOMME 2020 - Vegan, DOP Jumilla, Spain (#16578) (XD) - $16.95  88+ pts  wine review
• NAVASCUÉS ENOLOGÍA CUTIO GARNACHA 2019 - DO Cariñena, Spain (#30586) (XD) - $16.95
• DESQUICIADO CABERNET FRANC 2021 - Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina (#32146) (XD) - $17.95
• FEUDO MACCARI NOTO NERÉ NERO D'AVOLA 2020 - DOP, Sicily, Italy (#339101) (XD) - $19.95
• GARNACHA DE LA MADRE 2018 - Vino de la Tierra de Castilla, Spain (#18927) (XD) - $19.95
• CASTELLO DI QUERCETO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#680496) (XD) - $24.95  89 pts  wine review
• ALTA YARÍ GRAN MALBEC 2020 - Gualtallary, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#32147) (XD) - $24.95
• JULES TAYLOR PINOT NOIR 2020 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#329805) (XD) - $27.95
• NEISS BOCKENHEIM PINOT NOIR 2019 - Vegan, sustainable, Pfalz, Germany (#25769) (XD) - $30.95  91 pts  wine review
• HIDDEN BENCH PINOT NOIR 2021 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#274753) (XD) - $37.95  92 pts  wine review
• MASI COSTASERA RISERVA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2017 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#324137) (D) - $79.95

White Wine:

• CABRAL RESERVA 2020 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#35446) (XD) - $14.95
• THYMIOPOULOS ATMA WHITE XINOMAVRO/MALAGOUSIA 2021 - Greece (#33249) (XD) - $17.95
• ZUCCARDI SERIE A TORRONTÉS 2022 - Sustainable, Argentina (#389262) (XD) - $17.95
• AUNTSFIELD SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 - Sustainable, Southern Valleys, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#663286) (XD) - $21.95
• WINE ART ESTATE PLANO MALAGOUSIA 2022 - PGI Drama, Greece (#33256) (XD) - $23.95
• ALTUGNAC TERRES AMOUREUSES 2021 - AP Limoux, Languedoc, France (#16413) (XD) - $26.95  91 pts  wine review
• HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE RIESLING 2022 - VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#643361) (M) - $32.95
• HAMILTON RUSSELL CHARDONNAY 2022 - WO Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, South Africa (#931006) (XD) - $64.95
• GRGICH HILLS ESTATE GROWN CHARDONNAY 2019 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#346304) (XD) - $78.95

Sparkling Wine:

• MONMARTHE SECRET DE FAMILLE 1ER CRU BRUT CHAMPAGNE - AC, France (#624775) (D) - $52.95  91+ pts  wine review
• DUVAL-LEROY PRESTIGE PREMIER CRU BRUT ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE - AC, France (#483107) (XD) - $93.95
• LANSON LE VINTAGE BRUT CHAMPAGNE 2009 - AC, France (#29949) (XD) - $102.95

Fortified Wine:

• POÇAS COLHEITA PORT 2010 - Vegan, aged in cask, DOC, Portugal (#21813) (S) - $38.95

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September 9, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Ontario

Here's my top wine picks from the September 9, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. As per usual, the first release of September coincides with harvest here in Ontario and, as such, the theme of this release focuses on wines from Ontario. It is a fairly sized release with 132 wines and more than 30 of which fall into the "Online and Flagship Exclusive" category. All of the wines should be in stores by this Saturday.

We begin with the theme, which features the brilliant wines from Ontario. There are 20 wines from 20 different wineries in the theme, and includes a mini-profile of each winery in the printed catalogue. There are many nice wines among the 20, with a few recommended previously, so I have elected to include just three wines among my top wine picks this time around - a pair of delicious Niagara Riesling wines, with the one from Vineland Estates the sweeter of the two, and the Late Harvest Vidal dessert wine which is very sweet for a Late Harvest wine.

Among my red wine picks, dominating the list is Italy with 6 recommendations. We start in Piedmont with a pair of Barolo wines which are, of course, made with the noble Nebbiolo grape varietal. The next three wines are all Chianti Classico wines from Tuscany - the Castello di Bossi, which is the Wine of the Month, is made with 100% Sangiovese, while the Volpaia is 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot, and the organic Trasqua is mainly Sangiovese with about 10% each Merlot and Cabernet completing the blend. The last wine from Italy is from the volcanic soils of Mount Etna in Sicily and it is composed of Nerello Cappuccio and Nerello Mascalese. Red wines from France include a Bordeaux blend of 75% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Petit Verdot, while the Languedoc red is composed of 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache, and the Crozes-Hermitage is straight Syrah.

All of my white wine picks from the main release are single varietal wines. For Sauvignon Blanc fans, there is a Sancerre from Loire, as well as a pair of Sauv Blanc wines from Marlborough. For Chardonnay wine lovers, there is a fine Chablis Premier Cru from Burgundy. Other fine wines include a pair of Grüner Veltliner wines from Austria, and an Assyrtiko from Santorini. If you like some sweetness in your wines, try the latest vintage of a lovely Riesling from Mosel.

The only bubbles among my recommendations is a vintage Crémant from Loire that is a blend of 60% Chenin, 20% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Noir, and 5% Cabernet Franc.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• CHÂTEAU DE TRÉVIAC CORBIÈRES 2020 - AP, Languedoc, France (#670505) (XD) - $17.95  90 pts  wine review
• VILLA TRASQUA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2018 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#121160) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• BYRON & HAROLD ROSE & THORNS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Great Southern, Western Australia (#30891) (XD) - $21.95
• CASTELLO DI BOSSI C. BERARDENGA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#994608) (XD) - $22.95  90 pts  wine review
• TORNATORE ETNA ROSSO 2019 - DOC, Sicily, Italy (#487090) (XD) - $25.95
• CAVE DE TAIN HÉRITIERS GAMBERT NOBLES RIVES CROZES-HERMITAGE 2021 - AP, Rhône, France (#572230) (XD) - $33.95
• VOLPAIA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#953828) (XD) - $36.95
• MICHELE CHIARLO TORTONIANO BAROLO 2018 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#586388) (XD) - $49.95  92+ pts  wine review
• AURELIO SETTIMO BAROLO 2017 - Sustainable, DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#291559) (XD) - $57.95  93 pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU BRANAS GRAND POUJEAUX 2019 - AC Moulis-en-Médoc, Bordeaux, France (#34383) (XD) - $65.95  FE

White Wine:

• HÃHÃ SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#388363) (XD) - $18.95  90 pts  wine review
• LITORALE VAL DELLE ROSE VERMENTINO 2022 - DOC Maremma Toscana, Italy (#17703) (XD) - $18.95
• ATTEMS PINOT GRIGIO 2022 - DOC Friuli, Italy (#707950) (XD) - $19.95
• LEINDL GV GRÜNER VELTLINER 2021 - Niederösterreich, Austria (#30599) (XD) - $19.95  FE
• 13TH STREET JUNE'S VINEYARD RIESLING 2021 - Sustainable, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#147512) (D) - $21.95
• VINELAND ESTATES ELEVATION ST. URBAN VINEYARD RIESLING 2021 - VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#38117) (M) - $22.95  90 pts  wine review
  
• PAULY GENERATIONS RIESLING 2021 - Qualitätswein, Mosel, Germany (#21033) (M) - $25.95  FE  90 pts  wine review
• STADT KREMS RIED WEINZIERLBERG 1ÖTW GRÜNER VELTLINER 2021 - DAC Kremstal, Austria (#33783) (XD) - $28.95
• SAINT CLAIR WAIRAU RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#415653) (XD) - $32.95  FE
• JEAN-MAX ROGER CUVÉE LES CAILLOTTES SANCERRE 2021 - AC, Loire, France (#65573) (XD) - $36.95  93 pts  wine review
• DOMAINE HAMELIN BEAUROY CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2021 - AC, Burgundy, France (#391805) (XD) - $45.95  FE  94 pts  wine review
• VASSALTIS SANTORINI ASSYRTIKO 2022 - PDO, Greece (#33859) (XD) - $70.95  FE

Sparkling Wine:

• HENKELL BRUT CRÉMANT DE LOIRE 2016 - Traditional method, AP, Loire, France (#29893) (D) - $21.95  88+ pts  wine review
  

Dessert Wine:

• HENRY OF PELHAM SPECIAL SELECT LATE HARVEST VIDAL 2019 - Sustainable, VQA Ontario, Canada (#395228) (S) (375 mL) - $19.95

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August 19, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Summer Smart Buys

Here's my top wine picks from the August 19, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, which is the annual Summer Smart Buys release. It's a big release with 147 wines featured and 27 included among my top wine picks. All of the wines from the release should be available for purchase by this Saturday.

We'll begin with the theme titled "Summer Smart Buys" and it features nineteen wines that are almost all below $25, and five are included among my top wine picks. The sparkling wine from Burgundy is composed of primarily Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with Aligoté completing the blend. Among the white table wines, there is a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, and a Chenin Blanc from South Africa, while the red wines include a wine made with the País varietal from Chile, as well as a lovely Pinot Noir from Russian River Valley.

If this release was to have a mini-theme, it would feature the wines of Spain as there are many quality wines from this country in this release. In red wines, the Crianza is made with 100% Tempranillo, while the 2015 Gran Reserva is a blend of Tempranillo and Mazuelo, and, lastly, the 2008 Gran Reserva is crafted with approximately 95% Tempranillo and the rest other native varieties. Other red wine blends include the wine from the Dão region in Portugal that consists of 40% Alfrocheiro, 40% Aragonez (Tempranillo), and 20% Touriga Nacional, while the both of the McLaren Vale and Vinsobres wines are crafted with Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. The last blend is the Symmetry from Sonoma that is composed of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 12% Malbec,
4% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. Some of the single varietal wines include a Pinot Noir from Chile, an Aglianico from Basilicata, and a trio of Cabernet Sauvignon wines - two from California and one from Chile.

Among my white wine picks, we start in Greece with an oak aged blend of 85% Assyrtiko, 10% Athiri, and 5% Aidani from Santorini, while the wine from Attica is crafted with 100% Savatiano. The white wine from Abruzzo is a blend of 50% Pecorino, 30% Passerina, and 20% Trebbiano, while the Rhône white is composed of 50% Grenache Blanc, 20% Viognier, 15% Marsanne, and 15% Roussanne. and the Rjoja white is a barrel fermented blend of Viura, Garnacha Blanca, and Malvasía. For wines with some sweetness, look to the off-dry Riesling from Niagara, or the medium sweet Vouvray from Loire which is crafted with 100% Chenin Blanc.

From my pink wine recommendations, both are dry rosé wines, with the rosé from Niagara crafted primarily with Pinot Noir, while the rosé from Provence is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• CABRIZ COLHEITA SELECIONADA TINTO 2020 - DOC Dão, Portugal (#247973) (D) - $14.95  88+ pts  wine review
• D'ARENBERG THE STUMP JUMP GRENACHE / SHIRAZ / MOURVÈDRE 2019 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#173294) (XD) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
• BOUCHON PAÍS VIEJO 2022 - Dry farmed, old vines, ungrafted, Secano Interior, Valle del Maule, Chile (#25297) (XD) - $18.95
• CELLIER DES DAUPHINS VINSOBRES 2019 - Cru des Côtes du Rhône, AC, France (#15448) (XD) - $19.95  90 pts  wine review
• ALTANZA CRIANZA 2018 - Vegan, DOCa Rioja, Spain (#114835) (XD) - $19.95
• OLARRA CLÁSICO GRAN RESERVA 2015 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#30225) (XD) - $19.95
• PATERNOSTER SYNTHESI 2018 - DOC Aglianico del Vulture, Basilicata, Italy (#51672) (XD) - $22.95

• SAN PEDRO 1865 TAYÚ PINOT NOIR 2020 - Buchahueico, DO Valle del Malleco, Chile (#16628) (XD) - $23.95
• LA LUNA E I FALÒ BARBERA D'ASTI SUPERIORE 2020 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#627901) (D) - $24.95  89 pts  wine review
• RANCH 32 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Monterey County, California, USA (#480269) (XD) - $25.95  90 pts  wine review
• UNDURRAGA TERROIR HUNTER CAUQUENES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - Valle del Maule, Chile (#24768) (XD) - $26.95  92 pts  wine review
• PUELLES GRAN RESERVA 2008 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#30222) (XD) - $26.95
• RODNEY STRONG ALEXANDER VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Sustainable, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA (#350454) (XD) - $34.95
• DAVIS BYNUM RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY PINOT NOIR 2018 - Sustainable, Sonoma County, California, USA (#458893) (XD) - $34.95  91+ pts  wine review
• RODNEY STRONG SYMMETRY 2017 - Sonoma County, California, USA (#641142) (XD) - $74.95  93 pts  wine review
  

White Wine:

• TORRE ZAMBRA INCASTRO BIANCO 2022 - Vegan, sustainable, IGT Terre di Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy (#28121) (XD) - $17.95
• FAMILLE PERRIN RÉSERVE CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2022 - AC, France (#499509) (XD) - $17.95
• PAPAGIANNAKOS OLD VINES SAVATIANO 2022 - Vegan, PGI Markopoulo, Attica, Greece (#33259) (XD) - $18.95
• MUGA BARREL FERMENTED WHITE 2021 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#958736) (XD) - $19.95
• OTU MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#17549) (XD) - $19.95
• DONATIEN BAHUAUD LES GRANDS MORTIERS VOUVRAY 2021 - AP, Loire, France (#140889) (M) - $21.95
• NEDERBURG THE ANCHORMAN CHENIN BLANC 2021 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#667212) (XD) - $22.95
• CHARLES BAKER B-SIDE RIESLING 2020 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#523845) (D) - $24.95  90 pts  wine review
• SANTO WINES 1911 SANTORINI NYKTERI 2021 - Vegan, PDO Santorini, Greece (#33226) (XD) - $40.95  92 pts  wine review

Rosé Wine:

• BELLES D'EGUILLES ROSÉ 2022 - AP Coteaux d'Aix en Provence, France (#32421) (XD) - $17.95
• MALIVOIRE VIVANT ROSÉ 2022 - Sustainable, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#498535) (XD) - $19.95

Sparkling Wine:

• LABOURÉ-GONTARD BRUT CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE - Traditional method, AP, Burgundy, France (#401018) (D) - $21.95

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