Showing posts with label wine-picks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wine-picks. Show all posts

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  • Date publishedWednesday, March 13, 2024

March 16, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Family Feasts



LCBO Wine Picks: March 16, 2023 VINTAGES New Release Collection
Here's my top wine picks from the March 16, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. With Easter long weekend on the horizon, the feature of this release is titled "Perfect Pairings for Family Feasts". Overall, it is a very good release, albeit on the small-ish side that is on-trend for the year, with 85 products on offer.

We'll begin with the feature on wines that are Perfect Pairings for Family Feasts. Of the seventeen wines that are included as part of the theme, six are included among my top wine picks. First up on the list is an excellent vintage Champagne that is crafted with 52% Pinot Noir and 48% Chardonnay that will be ideal for pairing with appetizers. For pairing wines with cheese, try the Sauvignon Blanc from Niagara, or the wine from Bierzo that is made with 93% Mencía and 3% Alicante Bouschet. The LCBO suggests serving the Gamay Noir from Niagara with veggies, although it is big enough to serve with richer dishes such as poultry, braises, or roasts. From Margaret River in Western Australia, the white wine crafted with 51% Sauvignon Blanc and 49% Sémillon can be paired with weighty and textured dishes such as those with rich sauces. The last wine from the feature is a Carmenère from Chile, which can be paired with well-seasoned, full-flavoured meals.

Lanson Le Vintage Brut Champagne 2012 (94 pts)Bachelder Les Villages Gamay Noir 2021 (92+ pts)

Descendientes de J. Palacios Pétalos 2021

Red wine recommendations from the main release start in Italy with a Barolo that is, of course, crafted with 100% Nebbiolo, followed by the Gran Selezione Chianti Classico that is made with 100% Sangiovese. There's also a Rioja red that is composed of 86% Tempranillo, 8% Graciano, 4% Mazuelo, and 2% Garnacha, while the Rhône red is equal parts Grenache and Syrah. For Australian Shiraz wine lovers, the Clare Valley wine is made with 100% Shiraz, while the Frankland River Shiraz is blended with 4% Touriga Nacional, 4% Mourvedre, and 1% Viognier. And lastly, there is a fine Pinot Noir from Chile.

Casa E. di Mirafiore Barolo 2018 (93 pts)Clemente VII Gran Selezione Chianti Classico 2019 (91+ pts)

Errázuriz Aconcagua Costa Pinot Noir 2021 (91+ pts)

The only blend among my top white wine picks from the main release is the Soave from Veneto, which is composed of 85% Garganega and 15% Trebbiano di Soave. Among the mono-varietal wines, the Torrontés from Argentina, Chardonnay from Australia, and Sauvignon Blanc from Chile all underwent barrel fermentation. Other white wine picks include an organic, old vine Verdicchio from Marche, as well as an off-dry (i.e. lightly sweet) Riesling from Niagara. There's also the lusciously sweet Gewürztraminer Icewine from Niagara that would be ideal for post-dinner sips.

Pieropan Soave Classico 2022Lakeview Cellars Gewürztraminer Icewine 2019 (92+ pts)

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

  • LAVAU CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2019 - AC, France (#421024) (XD) - $16.95
  • SAN PEDRO 1865 SELECTED VINEYARDS CARMENÈRE 2022 - Las Lagunas, DO Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#249201) (XD) - $19.95
  • ERRÁZURIZ ACONCAGUA COSTA PINOT NOIR 2021 - Sustainable, DO Aconcagua Costa, Chile (#541151) (XD) - $22.95  91+ pts  wine review
  • JIM BARRY THE LODGE HILL SHIRAZ 2021 - Clare Valley, South Australia (#998476) (XD) - $23.95
  • FRANKLAND ESTATE SHIRAZ 2020 - Frankland River, Western Australia (#15998) (XD) - $25.95
  • BACHELDER LES VILLAGES GAMAY NOIR 2021 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#17239) (XD) - $26.95  92+ pts  wine review
  • DESCENDIENTES DE J. PALACIOS PÉTALOS 2021 - Old vines, DO Bierzo, Spain (#446484) (XD) - $28.95
  • CLEMENTE VII GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019 - Sustainable, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#573493) (XD) - $35.95  91+ pts  wine review
  • MARQUÉS DE MURRIETA FINCA YGAY RESERVA 2018 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#209148) (XD) - $37.95
  • CASA E. DI MIRAFIORE BAROLO 2018 - Vegan, DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#26908) (XD) - $56.95  93 pts  wine review

White Wine:

  • SKUTTLEBUTT SAUVIGNON BLANC / SEMILLON 2022 - Margaret River, Western Australia (#47621) (XD) - $19.95
  • HENRY OF PELHAM THE DRY RIVER RIESLING 2022 - Sustainable, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#557165) (D) - $19.95
  • TRIUS DISTINCTION SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#19379) (XD) - $19.95
  • PIEROPAN SOAVE CLASSICO 2022 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#946848) (XD) - $20.95
  • SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE BARREL FERMENTED TORRONTÉS 2022 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#384339) (XD) - $22.95
  • FORTES SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 - WO Napier, South Africa (#33297) (XD) - $23.95  review coming soon...
  • ELDERTON EDEN VALLEY CHARDONNAY 2022 - Single vineyard, Eden Valley, South Australia (#15054) (XD) - $23.95  review coming soon...
  • LEYDA LOT 4 SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021 - Valle de Leyda, Chile (#18997) (XD) - $25.95
  • CASAL DI SERRA VECCHIE VIGNE VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2021 - DOC, Marche, Italy (#98111) (XD) - $26.95

Sparkling Wine:

  • LANSON LE VINTAGE BRUT CHAMPAGNE 2012 - AC, France (#29949) (XD) - $99.95  94 pts  wine review

Dessert Wine:

  • LAKEVIEW CELLARS GEWÜRZTRAMINER ICEWINE 2019 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#547703, 200mL) (S) - $34.95  92+ pts  wine review


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  • Date publishedThursday, February 29, 2024

March 2, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Italian Women in Wine

LCBO Wine Picks: March 2, 2024 VINTAGES New Release Collection
Here's my top wine picks from the March 2, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection which is titled "Women in Wine - Italian Tastemakers". There are 89 wines included in this release, which also includes a selection of Online & Flagship Exclusives. In keeping with what seems to be the trend of the year, the number of wines in each release does seem to be smaller than in the past. Having said that, it is a very good release with many lovely wines to add to your collection. All the wines in this release should be available for purchase by this Saturday.

The feature of this release focuses on twenty-one Italian women in wine. There are thirteen wines as part of the theme, and four are included among my top wine picks. At the top of the list is the pioneering Donatella Cinelli Colombini and her Brunello di Montalcino that is crafted with 100% Sangiovese. There is also an organic Cabernet Sauvignon from Tuscany by Barbara Widmer, who uses a terroir-driven approach and is the daughter of the founders of Brancaia. Chiara Lungarotti and Teresa Severini are the daughters of Giorgio Lungarotti, and they bring us a lovely white blend that is composed of 50% Vermentino, 30% Grechetto, and 20% Trebbiano. And lastly, the white wine from Sicily is predominantly Lucido (a synonym for Catarratto), by Gabriella Anca Rallo, who founded Donnafugata with her husband.

Donatella Cinelli Colombini Brunello di Montalcino 2018 (93+ pts)Brancaia N°2 Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (92 pts)

Lungarotti Torre di Giano Bianco di Torgiano Vermentino / Grechetto / Trebbiano 2022 (90 pts)

The blends among my red wine recommendations include a red wine from the spectacular 2020 NIagara vintage that is composed of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Syrah, while the red wine from Spain is crafted with 70% Monastrell, 20% Syrah, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The Portuguese red is a blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Barroca, while the Roussillon red is made of Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan. The other red wines are all single-varietal wines, including the Gran Selezione Chianti Classico that is made with 100% Sangiovese Grosso.

Kacaba Cabernet/Syrah 2020 (90 pts)El Goru Gold Monastrell / Syrah / Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (89 pts)

Among my white wine picks from the rest of the release, the Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blend of roughly equal parts Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Bourboulenc, Clairette, and Picpoul, while the wine from Croatia is composed of 70% Pošip, 20% Chardonnay, and 10% Vugava. White wines from Bordeaux are usually blends, including the Lagarde Blanc that is 60/40 Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, but the Savas Cuvée Eva is actually made with 100% Sauvignon Blanc. The Riesling from Australia is crafted in a dry style, while the delectably sweet fortified wine from Greece is made with White Muscat.

Les Hauts de Lagarde Blanc 2022 (89 pts)Samos Vin Doux White Muscat (90+ pts)

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release. Cin cin!

Red Wine:

  • EL GORU GOLD MONASTRELL / SYRAH / CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - Vegan, DOP Jumilla, Spain (#13621) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
  • CHÂTEAU SAINT-ROCH CHIMÈRES GRENACHE / CARIGNAN / SYRAH 2020 - AP Côtes du Roussillon-Villages, France (#119354) (XD) - $19.95
  • ZUCCARDI Q MALBEC 2022 - Sustainable, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#723478) (XD) - $20.95
  • CRASTO 2020 - Vegan, DOC Douro, Portugal (#81588) (XD) - $21.95
  • CASAS DEL BOSQUE GRAN RESERVA CARMENÈRE 2022 - Sustainable, Valle del Cachapoal, Chile (#36166) (XD) - $22.95  89 pts  wine review
  • KACABA CABERNET / SYRAH 2020 - Sustainable, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#26424) (XD) - $24.95  90 pts  wine review
  • BRANCAIA N°2 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - DOC Maremma Toscana, Italy (#28451) (XD) - $33.95  92 pts  wine review
  • BABICH WINEMAKERS' RESERVE SYRAH 2017 - Single vineyard, estate grown and bottled, Hawke's Bay, North Island, New Zealand (#32412) (XD) - $36.95  FE  91+ pts  wine review
  • BIBBIANO VIGNA DEL CAPANNINO GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#32287) (XD) - $49.95
  • DONATELLA CINELLI COLOMBINI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2018 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#113357) (XD) - $73.95  93+ pts  wine review
Babich Winemakers' Reserve Syrah 2017 (91+ pts)Casas del Bosque Gran Reserva Carmenère 2022 (89 pts)

White Wine:

  • WAPISA PATAGONIA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 - Rio Negro, Patagonia, Argentina (#36181) (XD) - $17.95
  • LUNGAROTTI TORRE DI GIANO BIANCO DI TORGIANO VERMENTINO / GRECHETTO / TREBBIANO 2022 - DOC, Umbria, Italy (#268110) (XD) - $17.95  90 pts  wine review
  • DONNAFUGATA ANTHÌLIA BIANCO 2022 - Sustainable, DOC Sicilia, Italy (#195115) (XD) - $18.95
  • LES HAUTS DE LAGARDE BLANC 2022 - Vegan, AC Bordeaux, France (#387787) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
  • DOMÄNE WACHAU TERRASSEN FEDERSPIEL GRÜNER VELTLINER 2022 - Sustainable, Qualitätswein, Austria (#31534) (XD) - $19.95
  • STINA CUVÉE WHITE 2022 - PDO Central and South Dalmatia, Croatia (#32035) (XD) - $19.95
  • SAVAS CUVÉE EVA 2020 - AC, Bordeaux, France (#35368) (XD) - $21.95
  • MITCHELL WATERVALE RIESLING 2022 - Clare Valley, South Australia (#487785) (XD) - $21.95
  • PAPAGIANNAKOS ASSYRTIKO 2022 - Vegan, PGI Attica, Greece (#33260) (XD) - $24.95  90+ pts  wine review
  • DOMAINE CHANTE CIGALE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE BLANC 2022 - AP, Rhône, France (#102962) (XD) - $48.95  FE
Papagiannakos Assyrtiko 2022 (90+ pts)

Fortified:

  • SAMOS VIN DOUX WHITE MUSCAT - PDO Samos, Greece (#44578) (S) - $15.95  90+ pts  wine review


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  • Date publishedWednesday, February 14, 2024

February 17, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: France

LCBO Wine Picks: February 17, 2024 VINTAGES New Release Collection
Here's my top wine picks from the February 17, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. It's another small-ish release with 85 wines offered, although a number of these are VINTAGES Essentials products. The feature of the release focuses on the wines from France, and all the wines should be available for purchase by this Saturday.

We begin with the feature that looks at the wines from France. There are nineteen wines as part of the theme, but six of these are VINTAGES Essentials products that are always available. Overall, it is a weak theme with several important categories missing, such as wines from Loire, Rhône whites, and reds from Languedoc. Of the nineteen wines in the theme, only three are included among my top wine recommendations. There are two whites - a Gewurztraminer from Alsace and an Aligoté from Burgundy, while the lone red wine is from Bordeaux, and it is crafted with 50/50 Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Closerie des Alisiers Bourgogne Aligoté 2022

Leading the way in the main release among my top red wine picks is Italy with five recommended wines, most of which are from Tuscany. At the top of the list is the Brunello di Montalcino, which is crafted with 100% Sangiovese Grosso, followed by the Rosso di Montalcino that is made with 100% Sangiovese. The Chianti Classico Annata is also 100% Sangiovese, while the Riserva Chianti Classico is a blend with a minimum of 80% Sangiovese. The last wine from Italy is the Wine of the Month - a Valpolicella that is composed of 70% Corvina Veronese, 20% Corvinone, and 10% Rondinella. Red wine blends from other parts of the world include the Niagara Syrah which is actually a co-fermented blend of 99.4% Syrah and 0.6% Viognier, while the Gualtallary red from Argentina is composed of 50% Cabernet Franc, 45% Malbec, and 5% Casavecchia. There is also an Australian GSM that is made with 67% Grenache, 27% Shiraz, and 6% Mataro, as well as the red from South Africa that is crafted with 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Syrah. And last, but not least, the Rhône red is a 50/50 blend of Grenache and Syrah.

Carpineto Brunello di Montalcino 2018 (92+ pts)Corte Pavone Rosso di Montalcino 2021 (91 pts)

Il Molino di Grace Chianti Classico 2019 (90+ pts)Castelgreve Riserva Chianti Classico 2019 (90 pts)

Bertani Catullo Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore 2019 (91 pts)Creekside Iconoclast Syrah 2020 (91 pts)

LAVAU Rasteau 2020

Among my white wine recommendations from the main release, all are mono-varietal wines. From Italy, there is a Fiano from Campania, and the Lugana from Veneto is crafted with the Turbiana varietal. The other white wines are a Chenin Blanc from South Africa, and an unoaked Chardonnay from Niagara. If you enjoy decadently sweet wines, the Sherry made with Pedro Ximénez will be right up your alley.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Salud!

Red Wine:

  • KIR YIANNI CUVÉE VILLAGES XINOMAVRO 2020 - Vegan, PDO Naoussa, Greece (#14151) (XD) - $17.95  90+ pts  wine review
  • SHANAHANS THE BARKING DOG GSM 2021 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#20880) (XD) - $18.95
  • HENRY LAGARDE OLD VINES ORGANIC MALBEC 2022 - Vegan, Mendoza, Argentina (#36182) (XD) - $20.95
  • DOÑA PAULA 1350 ALTITUDE SERIES RED 2020 - Gualtallary, Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#17382) (XD) - $22.95
  • CHÂTEAU FONTAINE DE L'AUBIER 2016 - AC Médoc, Bordeaux, France (#35619) (XD) - $22.95
  • CASTELGREVE RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019 - Sustainable, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#344416) (XD) - $23.95  90 pts  wine review

  • LAVAU RASTEAU 2020 - AC, Rhône, France (#394650) (XD) - $23.95
  • GREAT HEART RED BLEND 2020 - WO Swartland, South Africa (#33288) (XD) - $23.95
  • IL MOLINO DI GRACE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#85209) (XD) - $24.95  90+ pts  wine review
  • CREEKSIDE ICONOCLAST SYRAH 2020 - Queen's Road Vineyard, VQA St. David's Bench, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#471797) (XD) - $25.00  91 pts  wine review
  • BERTANI CATULLO VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2019 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#17777) (XD) - $26.95  91 pts  wine review
  • CORTE PAVONE ROSSO DI MONTALCINO 2021 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#550699) (XD) - $28.95  91 pts  wine review
  • CARPINETO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2018 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#14857) (XD) - $66.95  92+ pts  wine review
Kir Yianni Cuvée Villages Xinomavro 2020 (90+ pts)

White Wine:

  • CANTINA SAN PAOLO FIANO 2022 - IGP, Campania, Italy (#36304) (XD) - $15.95
  • TOMMASI LE FORNACI LUGANA 2022 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#23866) (XD) - $19.95
  • JOSEPH CATTIN GEWURZTRAMINER 2022 - Sustainable, AC Alsace, France (#224626) (M) - $19.95
  • ROCKWAY VINEYARDS UNOAKED CHARDONNAY 2022 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#483891) (XD) - $20.00
  • CLOSERIE DES ALISIERS BOURGOGNE ALIGOTÉ 2022 - AP, Burgundy, France (#557728) (XD) - $22.95
  • GREAT HEART CHENIN BLANC 2021 - WO Swartland, South Africa (#24764) (XD) - $23.95

Fortified Wine:

  • GONZÁLEZ BYASS NECTAR PEDRO XIMÉNEZ DULCE SHERRY - Vegan, DO, Spain (#87577) (S) - $26.95


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  • Date publishedWednesday, January 31, 2024

February 3, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Chile & Argentina

LCBO Wine Picks: February 3, 2023 VINTAGES New Release Collection
Here's my top wine picks from the February 3, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, which features wines from Chile and Argentina as the theme of the release. We're back to normal levels of wines in this release with nearly 100 products, which also includes some Online & Flagship Exclusives. All the wines should be available for purchase by this Saturday.

We begin with the theme on wines from Chile and Argentina - Partners in Wine. There are twenty-two wines included in the thematic, with eight among my top wine picks. We start with the whites, with a Torrontés from Argentina, and a Sauvignon Blanc from Chile. Among the reds, the Cabernet Franc includes 3% Petit Verdot, and 2% Carménère, while the Emiliana is a blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Syrah, and 19% Carignan. Single varietal wines include the Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir, all from Argentina, while the Puente Austral from Chile is crafted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Catena Lunlunta Old Vines Appellation Malbec 2021 (91 pts)Bodega El Porvenir de Cafayate Laborum Finca El Retiro Torrontés 2022 (89 pts)

Indómita Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2022 (89 pts)Calcu Tiny Blocks Gran Reserva Cabernet Franc 2020 (90 pts)

Puente Austral Reserva Privada Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (89 pts)Emiliana Novas Stellar Selection Cabernet Sauvignon / Syrah / Carignan 2021 (88+ pts)

From my top red wine recommendations, Tuscany leads that way with the iconic Cepparello, as well as the Gran Selezione, both of which are crafted with 100% Sangiovese, while the Guidalberto Super Tuscan is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. Other red wines include the Rioja that is a blend of 97% Tempranillo and 3% Mazuelo, as well as the California Cabernet Sauvignon that is actually composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, and 5% Malbec.

LAN Gran Reserva 2016 (92 pts)Rodney Strong Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (91 pts)

Among my white wine picks from the rest of the release, there are only three wines - a Pinot Grigio from Friuli, a Chardonnay from South Australia, and a Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough. The last wine from this group is an excellent Riesling Icewine from Niagara.

Attems Pinot Grigio 2022 (90 pts)Wakefield Estate Label Chardonnay 2022 (89 pts)

Lakeview Cellars Riesling Icewine 2019 (92 pts)

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Salud!

Red Wine:

  • CALCU TINY BLOCKS GRAN RESERVA CABERNET FRANC 2020 - Sustainable, Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#35677) (XD) - $14.95  90 pts  wine review
  • PUENTE AUSTRAL RESERVA PRIVADA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Sustainable, Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#21960) (XD) - $16.95  89 pts  wine review
  • SECRETO PATAGÓNICO REBEL PINOT NOIR 2022 - Patagonia, Argentina (#36015) (XD) - $16.95
  • EMILIANA NOVAS STELLAR SELECTION CABERNET SAUVIGNON / SYRAH / CARIGNAN 2021 - Vegan, sustainable, DO Valle del Maule, Chile (#35672) (XD) - $17.95  88+ pts  wine review
  • SAN PEDRO 1865 SELECTED VINEYARDS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Las Piedras, DO Valle del Maipo, Chile (#37911) (XD) - $19.95  90 pts  wine review
  • ZUCCARDI Q CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Sustainable, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#28078) (XD) - $20.95
  • MERAYO LAS TRES FILAS MENCIA 2020 - DO Bierzo, Spain (#462788) (XD) - $20.95

  • CATENA LUNLUNTA OLD VINES APPELLATION MALBEC 2021 - Sustainable, Mendoza, Argentina (#11769) - (XD) - $24.95  91 pts  wine review
  • RODNEY STRONG ALEXANDER VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Sustainable, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA (#350454) (XD) - $34.95  91 pts  wine review
  • LAN GRAN RESERVA 2016 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#928622) (XD) - $34.95  92 pts  wine review
  • ROCCA DI CASTAGNOLI STIELLE GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2017 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#459529) (XD) - $53.95
  • TENUTA SAN GUIDO GUIDALBERTO 2021 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#72439) (XD) - $75.95
  • ISOLE E OLENA CEPPARELLO 2020 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#28768) (XD) - $175.95
San Pedro 1865 Selected Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (90 pts)

White Wine:

  • INDÓMITA GRAN RESERVA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 - DO Valle de Casablanca, Chile (#544213) (XD) - $15.95  89 pts  wine review
  • WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL CHARDONNAY 2022 - Clare Valley / Limestone Coast, South Australia (#711556) (XD) - $16.95  89 pts  wine review
  • BODEGA EL PORVENIR DE CAFAYATE LABORUM FINCA EL RETIRO TORRONTÉS 2022 - Single vineyard, Valle de Cafayate, Salta, Argentina (#489179) (XD) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review
  • ATTEMS PINOT GRIGIO 2022 - DOC Friuli, Italy (#707950) (XD) - $19.95  90 pts  wine review
  • VILLA MARIA EARTH GARDEN SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#24981) (XD) - $20.95

Dessert Wine:

  • LAKEVIEW CELLARS RIESLING ICEWINE 2019 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#471839, 200 mL) (S) - $34.95  92 pts  wine review


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  • Date publishedWednesday, January 17, 2024

January 20, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: California's Central Coast

Here's my top wine picks from the January 20, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection that features California's Central Coast as the theme of the release. Overall, it is a small release with only 70 products on offer, and more than 70% of the wines coming in at under $30. All the wines should be available on LCBO shelves across Ontario by this Saturday.

There are only nine wines as part of the theme on California's Central Coast, a vast area runs along the Pacific Ocean from the Monterey region, just south of the Bay Area in the north, to the Santa Barbara region in the south, which is just north of Los Angeles. The only wine recommendation from the theme is a sustainably crafted Chardonnay from the Monterey region, with fruit coming from San Bernabe and Santa Lucia Highlands, and was barrel-fermented and aged in predominantly French oak.

Diora La Splendeur du Soleil Chardonnay 2020

At the top of the stack of my top red wine picks from this release is a 2011 Rioja that is typically made with 75% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacho, and 10% Graciano / Mazuelo. On the local front, there are a couple of Bordeaux-blends from the great 2020 vintage - the Thirty Bench wine is composed of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc, and 22% Merlot, while the Creekside wine is a blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, and 7% Cabernet Franc. From France, there are a pair of similarly blended Syrah-Grenache wines, with the Languedoc red composed of 85% Syrah and 15% Grenache, while the Roussillon red is a blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache. Other red wines in this release include a Chianti Classico Riserva that is made with Sangiovese, a lovely Pinot Noir from New Zealand, and a Nerello Mascalese from Sicily.

R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia Reserva 2011Thirty Bench Winemaker's Blend Red 2020

Torre Il Cerreto Chianti Classico Riserva 2018Spy Valley Pinot Noir 2020

Creekside Red Tractor Cabernet/Merlot 2020 (88+ pts)

Among my top white wine recommendations, the only blend is the 2019 white wine from Sicily that is crafted with 90% Catarratto and 10% Chardonnay. The other whites are a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, a Chardonnay from Sicily, and if you want to go off the beaten path, try the white wine from Marche that is made using the rare Passerina varietal.

Fazi Battaglia Passerina 2022 (89 pts)Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2022 (89 pts)

Tenute Orestiadi Il Bianco di Ludovico Riserva 2019

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

  • TENUTE ORESTIADI MOLINO A VENTO NERELLO MASCALESE 2022 - IGP Terre Siciliane, Italy (#36295) (XD) - $14.95
  • SAINT-ROCH CORBAROL SYRAH/GRENACHE 2021 - AP Côtes du Roussillon, France (#195107) (XD) - $16.95
  • CREEKSIDE RED TRACTOR CABERNET/MERLOT 2020 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#11851) (D) - $17.95  88+ pts  wine review
  • ALKOOMI GRAZING COLLECTION SHIRAZ 2021 - Frankland River, Western Australia (#33369) (XD) - $17.95
  • CHÂTEAU PAUL MAS CLOS DES MÛRES 2021 - Sustainable, AP Languedoc, France (#286393) (XD) - $17.95
  • TORRE IL CERRETO CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2018 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#33410) (XD) - $24.95
  • THIRTY BENCH WINEMAKER'S BLEND RED 2020 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#320986) (XD) - $26.95
  • SPY VALLEY PINOT NOIR 2020 - Sustainable, Southern Valleys, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#734681) (XD) - $26.95
  • R. LÓPEZ DE HEREDIA VIÑA TONDONIA RESERVA 2011 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#356337) (XD) - $70.95

White Wine:

  • COLOMBA BIANCA VITESE CHARDONNAY 2022 - DOC Sicilia, Italy (#35952) (XD) - $14.95
  • FAZI BATTAGLIA PASSERINA 2022 - IGT Marche, Italy (#36275) (XD) - $16.95  89 pts review coming
  • TENUTE ORESTIADI IL BIANCO DI LUDOVICO RISERVA 2019 - DOC Sicilia, Italy (#36478) (XD) - $18.95
  • SPY VALLEY SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#686675) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
  • DIORA LA SPLENDEUR DU SOLEIL CHARDONNAY 2020 - Sustainable, Monterey County, California, USA (#24293) (XD) - $24.95


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  • Date publishedThursday, January 4, 2024

January 6, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Smart Buys

LCBO Wine Picks: January 6, 2024 VINTAGES Release
Happy New Year! Here's my top wine picks from the first release of the year - the January 6, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. As has been the case for many years now, the first release of the year is the annual Smart Buys release, where the vast majority of wines are priced under $20, and in this case, nearly 80% of the wines are under $25. This release also includes some Online & Flagship Exclusive (FE) wines, and everything will be available for purchase by this Saturday.

We begin with wines from the Smart Buys theme, and of the twenty-five wines featured, seven are included among my top wine picks, and six of these are actually white wines. The lone blend among the whites is from Greece, and it is a blend of 40% Sauvignon Blanc, 40% Malagousia, and 20% Robola. There is a nice variety of mono-varietal white wines, beginning with a Sauvignon Blanc from Chile, a Muscadet made with Melon de Bourgogne, a Pinot Grigio from Alto Adige in northern Italy, a Verdicchio from Marche, and a dry-ish Riesling from Australia. The only Smart Buy among the reds is the Côtes du Rhône-Villages, which is composed of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 8% Mourvèdre, and 2% other permitted varieties.

Hatzimichalis Alfega White 2022 (90+ pts)Sutil Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (89 pts)

Peter Zemmer Pinot Grigio 2022La Nerthe Les Cassagnes Côtes du Rhône-Villages 2020

There two blends among my red wine recommendations - the Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which consists of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre, and 5% Muscardin, and the Amarone which is composed of 80% Corvina Veronese and 20% Rondinella. The mono-varietal red wines begin in Italy with the organic Brunello di Montalcino that is crafted with Sangiovese, as well as the Nebbiolo from Piedmont. There are also a trio of Australian wines - a Cabernet Sauvignon and a pair of Shiraz wines. Lastly, there is a Malbec from Argentina, and a lovely 2013 Syrah from South Africa.

Col d'Orcia Brunello di Montalcino 2018 (94 pts)Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Valpantena 2020 (93 pts)

Wakefield Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (89 pts)Shanahans The Old Dog Shiraz 2021

Since most of my white wine picks are from the thematic, there are only two other white wines included among my recommendations - a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, and a Pecorino from Italy.

River Farm Sauvignon Blanc 2022

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

  • SHANAHANS THE OLD DOG SHIRAZ 2021 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#13030) (XD) - $16.95
  • WAKEFIELD ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Limestone Coast / Clare Valley, South Australia (#744235) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
  • TAPIZ ALTA COLLECTION MALBEC 2020 - Sustainable, San Pablo Vineyard, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#450155) (XD) - $19.95
  • SIDEWOOD SHIRAZ 2020 - Adelaide Hills, South Australia (#446146) (XD) - $19.95
  • LA NERTHE LES CASSAGNES CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2020 - AP, Rhône, France (#494674) (XD) - $25.95
  • RENATO RATTI OCHETTI NEBBIOLO 2021 - DOC Langhe, Piedmont, Italy (#475913) (XD) - $31.95
  • DOMAINE CHANTE-PERDRIX CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2021 - AC, Rhône, France (#121723) (XD) - $46.95
  • AVONDALE SAMSARA SYRAH 2013 - Sustainable, WO Paarl, South Africa (#32935) (XD) - $47.95  FE
  • BERTANI AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA VALPANTENA 2020 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#568741) (D) - $57.95  93 pts  wine review
  • COL D'ORCIA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2018 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#306852) (XD) - $59.95  94 pts  wine review

White Wine:

  • CHÂTEAU DE LA GRANGE VIEILLES VIGNES CÔTES DE GRAND LIEU MUSCADET 2021 - Sur lie, AP, Loire, France (#637868) (XD) - $13.95
  • YALUMBA THE Y SERIES RIESLING 2021 - Vegan, South Australia (#32555) (XD) - $14.95
  • SUTIL RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 - Vegan, sustainable, Central Valley, Chile (#35965) (XD) - $15.95  89 pts  wine review
  • HATZIMICHALIS ALFEGA WHITE 2022 - PGI Valley of Atalanti, Greece (#33255) (XD) - $15.95  90+ pts  wine review
  • FONTEVECCHIA VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2022 - DOC, Marche, Italy (#11140) (XD) - $16.95
  • DE ANGELIS CAMPO DI MARTE OFFIDA PECORINO 2022 - DOCG, Marche, Italy (#577734) (XD) - $16.95
  • PETER ZEMMER PINOT GRIGIO 2022 - DOC Alto Adige, Italy (#95802) (XD) - $18.95
  • RIVER FARM SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#32547) (XD) - $21.95


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