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Monday, December 8, 2025

December 6, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Finest Festive Wines + Ribera del Duero

LCBO Wine Picks: December 6, 2025 VINTAGES New Release Collection

Here are my top wine picks from the December 6, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here), which follows the massive Nov. 22nd VINTAGES Release, with a bigger selection of fine wines for your pleasure. There are 162 products offered in this release, of which 47 are among my recommended buys, and there are many more that I could've added to my list, but it was already quite lengthy and difficult to whittle down. The theme of the release is titled "Finest Festive Wines", which simply translates to more premium wines for festive gatherings, while the mini-feature looks at wines from Ribera del Duero. Also included in this fantastic release are a new batch of Online & Flagship Exclusive (OFE) wines. All the wines should be readily available for purchase both online and in-stores across Ontario.

Of the twenty-five wines included in the thematic on Finest Festive Wines, six are included among my top wine picks. We'll start with bubbles, beginning with a limited edition Dom Pérignon Champagne that is crafted with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, followed by a non-vintage Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Champagne that is made exclusively with Chardonnay. The last bubbly recommendation from the thematic is the Prosecco DOCG from Veneto that is at least 85% Glera blended with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The lone white wine from the feature story is an excellent, locally crafted Chardonnay from Niagara. Among the red wines, there is the Super Tuscan that is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot, followed by the Riserva Amarone, which is a blend of 80% Corvina and Corvinone, and the balance Rondinella.

Tawse Robyn's Block Chardonnay 2022 (93 pts)

Bolla Le Orígíní Riserva Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2018 (92 pts)

Bottega Il Vino dei Poeti Brut Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore 2024

The mini-thematic shines a spotlight on the Ribera del Duero wine region of Spain. Primarily known for its red wines, all four wines featured in the mini-thematic are red wines, and my lone recommendation from the Ribera del Duero is a blend of 93% Tempranillo, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Merlot.

There are many recommended red wines from the main release. We'll start in Italy with the Pieropan Amarone, which is a blend of 60% Corvina Veronese, 30% Corvinone, 5% Rondinella, and 5% Croatina Veronese, followed by a pair of Riserva Chianti Classicos, with the 2018 primarily Sangiovese with Merlot in support, while the 2019 is a blend of 92% Sangiovese, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Merlot. The Valpolicella Ripasso is composed of 75% Corvina, 15% Corvinone, and 10% Rondinella. From Sicily, there is a wine crafted with Perricone, while the Etna Rosso is made with Nerello Mascalese. Chile shows strongly, especially in the under-$25 category with five recommended buys. The 2023 Cab Sauv is actually a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon with 5% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc, while the 2021 Cab Sauv is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot. Other wines from Chile include a Pinot Noir, and a consistently delicious Carmenère. Other blends include the lovely Rasteau from the Southern Rhône Valley, which is a blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 5% Mouvèdre, and 5% Carignan, while the GSM from Australia is composed of 52% Grenache, 38% Shiraz, and 10% Mataro.

Pieropan Vigna Garzon Riserva Amarone della Valpolicella 2018 (93 pts)

Frescobaldi Tenuta Perano Riserva Chianti Classico 2018 (92+ pts)

Colomba Bianca Resilience Perricone 2023 (89 pts)

Perez Cruz Piedra Seca Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 (91 pts)

Montgras Intriga Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (90+ pts)

San Pedro 1865 Tayú Pinot Noir 2024 (91+ pts)

Tarapacá Gran Reserva Carmenère 2023 (90+ pts)

Kilikanoon Killerman's Run Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2023 (89 pts)

Among my top white wine picks from the main release, the only blend is the white from Portugal, which is composed of Rabigato and Viosinho. Chile also stands out among other white wines in this release with a trio of recommendations - a Chardonnay from Leyda Valley, a Sauvignon Blanc from Atacama Valley, and an Albariño from the Aconcagua Coast.

Churchill's Estates Grafite Branco 2023 (91 pts)

Ventisquero Grey Glacier Single Block Longomilla Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (91 pts)

Montes Outer Limits Albariño 2024 (90+ pts)

Other sparkling wines not part of the theme include a pair of fine local wines from Niagara - the Blanc de Noirs is 90% Pinot Noir and the rest Meunier, while the 2017 Natural Brut Sparkling is crafted with 100% Chardonnay. The last bubbly is the Friuli Prosecco DOCG that is made with Glera.

Trius Showcase Blanc de Noirs Sparkling (93 pts)

Albino Armani Extra Dry Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore (88 pts)

Sweet wine enthusiasts have several fine options in this release. The Hattyús Tokaji from Hungary is composed of 77% Furmint and 23% Zéta, while the Passito from Sicily is 100% Zibibbo (aka Muscat of Alexandria). Last, but definitely not the least, the Sauternes is a blend of 93% Sémillon, 6% Sauvignon Blanc, and 1% Muscadelle.

La Chapelle de Lafaurie-Peyraguey Sauternes 2015

Donnafugata Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria 2022 (94 pts)

Happy holidays and enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release!

Red Wine:

TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA CARMENÈRE 2023 - Sustainable, DO Valle del Maipo, Chile (#57513) (XD) - $18.95 90+ pts wine review
KILIKANOON KILLERMAN'S RUN GRENACHE/ SHIRAZ/ MATARO 2023 - Clare Valley, South Australia (#412189) (XD) - $19.95 89 pts wine review
GARAGE OLD VINES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 - Valle del Maule, Chile (#47671) (XD) - $19.95
COLOMBA BIANCA RESILIENCE PERRICONE 2023 - DOC Sicilia, Italy (#32685) (XD) - $22.95 89 pts wine review
PEREZ CRUZ PIEDRA SECA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 - Sustainable, DO Maipo Andes, Chile (#36167) (XD) - $22.95 91 pts wine review

MONTGRAS INTRIGA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Vegan, Sustainable, DO Valle del Maipo, Chile (#57901) (XD) - $23.95 90+ pts wine review
SANTA MARIA VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2021 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#47033) (XD) - $23.95
LA CHEVALIÈRE RASTEAU 2023 - AOP, Rhône, France (#18502) (XD) - $23.95 review coming soon...
SAN PEDRO 1865 TAYÚ PINOT NOIR 2024 - DO Valle del Malleco, Chile (#16628) (XD) - $23.95 91+ pts wine review
VILLACRECES PRUNO 2022 - Vegan, DO Ribera del Duero, Spain (#312140) (XD) - $24.95 90 pts updated review soon...
TRASQUA FANATICO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#283861) (XD) - $24.95

ESTATE PAPAIOANNOU SAINT GEORGE AGIORGITIKO 2019 - Vegan, PDO Nemea, Greece (#27217) (XD) - $29.95 90 pts updated review soon...
TRAPICHE GRAN MEDALLA MALBEC 2021 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#467977) (XD) - $29.95 91+ pts wine review
DONNAFUGATA DEA VULCANO 2022 - Sustainable, DOC Etna Rosso, Sicily, Italy (#32533) (XD) - $34.95 OFE 91 pts wine review
FRESCOBALDI TENUTA PERANO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2018 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#13496) (XD) - $34.95 92+ pts wine review
REDSTONE REDSTONE VINEYARD MERLOT 2020 - VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#48247) (XD) - $40.95 92 pts wine review
VIETTI PERBACCO NEBBIOLO 2022 - DOC Langhe, Piedmont, Italy (#15087) (XD) - $42.95 review coming soon...

MAISON ROCHE DE BELLENE VIEILLES VIGNES SANTENAY VILLAGES 2022 - AOC, Burgundy, France (#45170) (XD) - $52.95
WINE ART ESTATE IDISMA DRIOS XI DRY RED WINE 2020 - Drama, Greece (#35719) (XD) - $56.95 OFE
BOLLA LE ORÍGÍNÍ RISERVA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2018 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#204792) (XD) - $67.95 92 pts wine review
PIEROPAN VIGNA GARZON RISERVA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA 2018 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#16087) (XD) - $79.95 OFE 93 pts wine review
TENUTA SAN GUIDO GUIDALBERTO 2023 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#72439) (XD) - $98.95

Estate Papaioannou Saint George Agiorgitiko 2019 (90 pts)

Redstone Redstone Vineyard Merlot 2020 (92 pts)

Trapiche Gran Medalla Malbec 2021 (91+ pts)

White Wine:

ZONTE'S FOOTSTEP EXCALIBUR SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Vegan, Adelaide Hills, South Australia (#311456) (XD) - $19.95
DOMAINE HATZIMICHALIS ALEPOTRYPA VINEYARD ASSYRTIKO 2024 - Vegan, PGI Atalanti Valley, Greece (#27182) (XD) - $19.95
VENTISQUERO GREY GLACIER SINGLE BLOCK LONGOMILLA VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - DO Valle de Atacama, Chile (#17461) (XD) - $19.95 91 pts wine review
CHURCHILL'S ESTATES GRAFITE BRANCO 2023 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#45408) (XD) - $20.95 91 pts wine review
MONTES OUTER LIMITS ALBARIÑO 2024 - DO Zapallar, Chile (#47156) (XD) - $24.95 OFE 90+ pts wine review
LEYDA LOT 5 CHARDONNAY 2023 - DO Valle de Leyda, Chile (#47081) (XD) - $26.95 91 pts wine review

GREYWACKE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#164228) (XD) - $28.95
J. MOREAU & FILS GLORIE DE CHABLIS 2024 - AOC, Burgundy, France (#466144) (XD) - $31.95 90+ pts wine review
JEAN-MARC BROCARD SAINTE CLAIRE CHABLIS 2024 - AOC, Burgundy, France (#356634) (XD) - $35.95 91 pts wine review
TAWSE ROBYN'S BLOCK CHARDONNAY 2022 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#416321) (XD) - $46.95 93 pts wine review
LAURENZ V. L5 GRÜNER VELTLINER 2020 - Niederösterreich, Austria (#45356) (XD) - $53.95 OFE 91+ pts wine review
DOG POINT CHARDONNAY 2023 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#238568) (XD) - $59.95

Jean-Marc Brocard Sainte Claire Chablis 2024 (91 pts)

J. Moreau & Fils Glorie de Chablis 2024 (90+ pts)

Laurenz V. L5 Grüner Veltliner 2020 (91+ pts)

Sparkling Wine:

ALBINO ARMANI EXTRA DRY CONEGLIANO VALDOBBIADENE PROSECCO SUPERIORE - DOCG, Friuli, Italy (#16602) (D) - $22.95 88 pts wine review
BOTTEGA IL VINO DEI POETI BRUT VALDOBBIADENE PROSECCO SUPERIORE 2024 - Sustainable, DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#46058) (D) - $29.95 review coming soon...
CAVE SPRING BLANC DE BLANCS CSV ESTATE GROWN NATURAL BRUT SPARKLING 2017 - Sustainable, Traditional Method, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#237198) (XD) - $49.95 OFE 93 pts wine review
TRIUS SHOWCASE BLANC DE NOIRS SPARKLING - Traditional Method, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#47776) (XD) - $58.00 93 pts wine review
GONET SULCOVA CUVÉE GAÏA BLANC DE BLANCS BRUT GRAND CRU CHAMPAGNE - AOC, France (#45903) (XD) - $106.95 OFE
PHILIPPE GONET TER BLANC DE BLANCS EXTRA BRUT CHAMPAGNE - AOC, France (#45280) (XD) - $123.95
DOM PÉRIGNON MURAKAMI LIMITED EDITION CHAMPAGNE 2015 - In Gift Box, AOC, France (#46637) (XD) - $382.95

Fortified Wine:

BARBEITO 5-YEAR-OLD MALVASIA RESERVA MADEIRA - DOP, Portugal (#39480, 500 mL) (S) - $18.95
BURMESTER 10-YEAR-OLD TAWNY PORT - DOP, Portugal (#223958) (S) - $32.95

Desssert Wine:

PANNON TOKAJ 5 PUTTONYOS TOKAJI ASZÚ 2017 - Tokaj, Hungary (#278937, 500 mL) (S) - $40.95
LA CHAPELLE DE LAFAURIE-PEYRAGUEY SAUTERNES 2015 - AOC, second wine of Ch. Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Bordeaux, France (#477588, 375 mL) (S) - $40.95 review coming soon...
DONNAFUGATA BEN RYÉ PASSITO DI PANTELLERIA 2022 - Sustainable, DOC, Sicily, Italy (#324723, 375 mL) (S) - $54.95 94 pts wine review
HATTYÚS 5 PUTTONYOS TOKAJI ASZÚ 2017 - Tokaj, Hungary (#46595, 500 mL) (S) - $59.95

Monday, November 24, 2025

November 22, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Gifts + Niagara Sparklers

LCBO Wine Picks: November 22, 2025 VINTAGES New Release Collection

Here are my top wine picks from the November 22, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here), which has Giftable Wines as the feature story of the release, while Sparkling Wines from Niagara is the mini-thematic, as well as the topic in Local Talent. This is a fairly large release with almost 130 products offered, with about two-thirds of the wines coming in at under $35. Overall, it is a very good release with many delicious examples from across the globe, including Australia, which is notably strong in this release. All the wines should be readily available for purchase online and in-stores across Ontario.

Of the twenty-nine wines included as part of the feature story on Giftable Wines, nine are included among my top wine picks. The lone bubbly is the 2017 Blanc de Blancs that is 100% Chardonnay and aged on its lees for 54 months. Giftable white wines are the Chardonnay from New Zealand, and a Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre in Loire. For big spenders, the most giftable red wine is the Amarone, which consists of 50% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, 20% Corvinone, and 10% other permitted varieties. Also from Italy is the Brunello di Montalcino, which is 100% Sangiovese, while the Saint-Estèphe from Bordeaux is composed of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot. From Spain, the Rioja is a 90/10 blend of Tempranillo and Graciano, while the Ribera del Duero is 100% Tempranillo. On the local front, there is a fine Pinot Noir from the Twenty Mile Bench in Niagara.

Henry of Pelham Cuvée Catharine Carte Blanche Estate Blanc de Blancs 2017 (93+ pts)

Poggio Landi Brunello di Montalcino 2019 (93 pts)

Tawse Cherry Avenue Pinot Noir 2022 (92 pts)

Familia Torres Pago del Cielo Celeste Crianza 2020 (89 pts)

From the mini-thematic on Niagara Sparkling Wines, two of the four wines featured are among my recommended buys. First up is the 2020 Sparkling, which is a blend of 50% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Meunier, and 20% Pinot Noir, while the second recommended buy is the 2022 Brut Rosé Sparkling, which is crafted with 100% Pinot Noir.

Red wine recommendations from the main release begin in Italy and the Wine of the Month - the Crognolo Super Tuscan, which is a 95/5 blend of Sangiovese and Merlot. Also from Italy, the Etna Rosso is mainly Nerello Mascalese and a small amount of Nerello Cappuccio, while the Chianti Classico is Sangiovese, and the wine from Abruzzo is crafted with Montepulciano. Australia also shows strongly in this release with a quartet of reds - the single varietal wines are a Shiraz, a Grenache, and a Cabernet Sauvignon, while the blend is a GSM composed of Grenache, Shiraz, and Mourvèdre. There are a couple of blends from France, with the Plan de Dieu composed of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 5% Cinsault, and 5% Mourvèdre, while the Côtes de Gascogne from Southwest France is 50/50 Tannat and Merlot. Other blends include the Carmenère (which has 5% Petit Verdot) from Chile, and the Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot blend from South Africa. Other wines that may not be obvious which varietals they are crafted from are the Naoussa from Greece, which is 100% Xinomavro, and the Blaufränkisch from Austria.

Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo 2022 (92 pts)

Umani Ronchi Podere Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2023

Torbreck Woodcutter's Shiraz 2023 (91+ pts)

Heirloom Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 (90+ pts)

Angove Family Crest Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre 2022 (89 pts)

Rémy Ferbras Plan de Dieu Côtes du Rhône-Villages 2023

Pérez Cruz Limited Edition Carmenère 2023 (89 pts)

Cape Pastoral Organic Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot 2023

Esterházy Estoras Blaufränkisch 2021 (89 pts)

All of my top white wine picks from the main release are mono-varietal wines. We'll begin on the national front with a lovely dry Riesling from British Columbia, followed by a medium-sweet Riesling from Niagara. From Australia, there is an excellent Sémillon from the Barossa Valley, as well as a lovely Viognier from Eden Valley. Other fine wines include the Malagouzia from Greece, and a Grüner Veltliner from Austria. There's also a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, a Chenin Blanc from South Africa, and a Chardonnay from Argentina.

Torbreck Woodcutter's Semillon 2024 (92 pts)

Esterházy Estoras Grüner Veltliner 2024 (91 pts)

Alpha Estate Turtles Single Vineyard Malagouzia 2024 (91+ pts)

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!