Wine Picks LCBO VINTAGES Release April 27, 2019: 2015 Euro Reds + Pacific Northwest

The upcoming April 27, 2019 LCBO VINTAGES Release features European Red Wines from the fantastic 2015 vintage in the main theme, while the mini-theme looks at cool wines from the Pacific Northwest. All of these wines, plus many more will be available on LCBO VINTAGES shelves across Ontario by this Saturday.

We'll begin with the main theme that features thirteen wines from the 2015 vintage that was a banner year across Europe. In this Release, the emphasis is on wines from France, Italy, and Spain, of which only two are included among my top wine picks - and both are from France. From Bordeaux, the Château Baracan is a blend of 40% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot. From southern Rhône, the Lavau Rasteau is a 50/50 blend of Grenache and Syrah.

The mini-theme focuses on wines from the cool Pacific Northwest - namely Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia. Of the ten wines listed as part of this feature, three are included among my top wine recommendations. First up are a pair of excellent wines from Oregon - one is a Chardonnay, while the other is a Pinot Noir. My third pick from this theme is a dry Pinot Gris from British Columbia.

The majority of my red wine picks from this Release happen to be single varietal wines. However, the 2009 Bordeaux red is a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon and 42% Merlot, while the 2012 Bordeaux red is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc. From South Africa, the Rustenberg is a blend of Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. A Malbec from Argentina, an Australian Shiraz, and a Pinot Noir from Chile are just a few of many delicious wines that can be found among my wine picks in this Release.

Among my white wine picks, all are single varietals wines. From Loire, the Muscadet is made with the Melon de Bourgogne grape, while the Pouilly-Fumé and Sancerre are both made with Sauvignon Blanc. If you prefer sweeter wines, then look for the Riesling from Niagara.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this Release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• RUSTENBERG RM NICHOLSON 2017 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#278390) (XD) - $16.95
• CHÂTEAU BARACAN 2015 - AC Côtes de Bordeaux-Cadillac, France (#629980) (XD) - $16.95
• SISTER’S RUN OLD TESTAMENT CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017 - Coonawarra, South Australia (#478271) (XD) - $17.95  88+ pts  wine review
• COLAB AND BLOOM SHIRAZ 2016 - Barossa, South Australia (#632562) (XD) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review
• CHAKANA ESTATE SELECTION MALBEC 2016 - Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#219261) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• CAVE DU CHÂTEAU DE CHÉNAS MOULIN-À-VENT 2016 - AC, Beaujolais, France (#648477) (XD) - $19.95

• LAVAU RASTEAU 2015 - AC, Rhône, France (#394650) (XD) - $20.95  90 pts  wine review
• JIM BARRY THE LODGE HILL SHIRAZ 2016 - Clare Valley, South Australia (#998476) (XD) - $21.95  90 pts  wine review
• ERRÁZURIZ ACONCAGUA COSTA PINOT NOIR 2017 - DO Aconcagua Costa, Chile (#541151) (XD) - $24.95  90 pts  wine review
• MOULINS DE CITRAN 2009 - Second wine of Château Citran, AC Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France (#633065) (XD) - $29.95  91+ pts  wine review
• CLONAKILLA HILLTOPS SHIRAZ 2016 - Canberra District, Australia (#481861) (XD) - $34.95  FE
• SOKOL BLOSSER PINOT NOIR 2015 - Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA (#748434) (XD) - $37.95  91 pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU SOCIANDO-MALLET 2012 - AC Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France (#594382) (XD) - $67.95

White Wine:

• DOMAINE LA HAUTE FÉVRIE SUR LIE MUSCADET SÈVRE ET MAINE 2017 - AC, Loire, France (#390625) (XD) - $15.95  88 pts  wine review
• MATAHIWI ESTATE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2018 - Wairarapa, North Island, New Zealand (#402677) (XD) - $17.00  89 pts  wine review
• L’AMI DES CRUSTACÉS CLASSIQUE PINOT BLANC 2016 - AC Alsace, France (#644427) (XD) - $17.95
• SANPAOLO FIANO DI AVELLINO 2017 - DOCG, Campania, Italy (#631705) (D) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• REDSTONE LIMESTONE VINEYARD SOUTH RIESLING 2016 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#381251) (M) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• MISSION HILL RESERVE PINOT GRIS 2017 - VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#537076) (XD) - $22.95  89 pts  wine review
• HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2017 - VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#616466) (XD) - $29.95  91 pts  wine review
• DOMAINE SEGUIN POUILLY-FUMÉ 2017 - AC, Loire, France (#637876) (XD) - $29.95  90 pts  wine review
• JEAN-MAX ROGER CUVÉE MARNES ET CAILLOTTES SANCERRE 2017 - AC, Loire, France (#196667) (XD) - $31.95
• ROSEROCK CHARDONNAY 2016 - Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA (#573568) (XD) - $41.95  92+ pts  wine review

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Wine Picks LCBO VINTAGES Release Apr. 13, 2019: Organic + Bordeaux

The upcoming LCBO VINTAGES Release on April 13, 2019 features Organic Wines in its main theme, while mini-theme focuses on wines from Bordeaux's left and right banks. All of these wines, plus many others will be available on LCBO VINTAGES shelves across Ontario by this Saturday.

We'll begin with the main theme that features 16 Organic Wines from around the world, of which 7 are included among my wine recommendations. Both Sparkling Wines are organic, with the bubbly from Chile consisting of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir, while the sparkler from Ontario is made with Riesling. Organic white wines include a Torrontés from Chile, a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. Also, the Lagarde Blanc from Bordeaux is a 60/40 blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, while the dry Riesling is from Germany. The lone organic red wine is a Chianti Classico that is made with 100% Sangiovese.

The mini-theme looks at red wines from Bordeaux's left and right banks. Red wines from Bordeaux are quite often blends, with Left Bank wines typically based on Cabernet Sauvignon, while Right Bank wines are typically based on either Merlot or Cabernet Franc. In this Release, there are 8 wines featured and 3 are included among my top wine picks. My personal preference leans towards Cabernet Sauvignon, so all three of my picks from this feature are from the Left Bank. The Médoc is a blend of 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Petit Verdot, while the pretty 2009 Haut-Médoc is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. Last, but definitely not the least, the Pessac-Léognan is a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot.

Red wines from the rest of the Release include a 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot blend from Australia, as well as an 87% Tempranillo and 13% Cabernet Sauvignon blend from Spain. From South Africa, the Glenelly Red Blend consists of 40% Syrah, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and 10% Petit Verdot, while the M. Chapoutier from Roussillon is a lovely blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, 5% Carignan, and 5% Mourvèdre. Lastly, the Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blend of 75% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, and 5% Cinsault.

Among my white wine picks from the rest of the Release, all are single varietal wines. Included among them is the Anselmi that is made with 100% Garganega, and the Rochemorin Blanc from Bordeaux that is 100% Sauvignon Blanc. There is also a Chenin Blanc from South Africa and a pair of (oaked) Chardonnays from California.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this Release! Salud!

Red Wine:

• FERNGROVE FRANKLAND RIVER CABERNET/MERLOT 2016 - Frankland River, Western Australia (#632638) (XD) - $16.95  89 pts  wine review
• LA LEGUA EL TRANSFORMADOR TEMPRANILLO/CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014 - DO Cigales, Spain (#645812) (XD) - $18.95  88 pts  wine review
• HERDADE DA PIMENTA TOURIGA NACIONAL/TOURIGA FRANCA/ALICANTE BOUSCHET 2013 - Vinho Regional Alentejano, Portugal (#445114) (XD) - $19.95  88 pts  wine review
• PRIMUS CARMENÈRE 2017 - Apalta, Colchagua Valley, Chile (#439356) (XD) - $19.95
• GLENELLY ESTATE RESERVE RED BLEND 2011 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#652289) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU PIERRE DE MONTIGNAC 2014 - Cru Bourgeois, AC Médoc, Bordeaux, France (#437954) (XD) - $24.95  90 pts  wine review
• IL MOLINO DI GRACE RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2014 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#382945) (XD) - $24.95  91 pts  wine review
• M. CHAPOUTIER BILA-HAUT OCCULTUM LAPIDEM 2016 - AC Côtes du Roussillon-Villages Latour-de-France, France (#643239) (XD) - $26.95  91+ pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU LAROSE-TRINTAUDON 2009 - Cru Bourgeois, AC Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France (#297945) (XD) - $29.95  91 pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU LA GARDE 2015 - AC Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France (#682617) (XD) - $49.95  92 pts  wine review
• LE VIEUX DONJON CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2016 - AC, Rhône, France (#700922) (XD) - $67.95  FE

White Wine:

• SANTA JULIA ORGANIC TORRONTÉS 2018 - Mendoza, Argentina (#232694) (XD) - $13.95  87 pts  wine review
• L’AVENIR FAR & NEAR CHENIN BLANC 2018 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#556365) (XD) - $15.95
• WITTMANN 100 HILLS TROCKEN RIESLING 2017 - Qualitätswein, Rheinhessen, Germany (#645176) (XD) - $17.95  88 pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU LES HAUTS DE LAGARDE BLANC 2018 - AC Bordeaux, France (#387787) (XD) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
• SERESIN SAUVIGNON BLANC 2016 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#735043) (XD) - $24.95  90 pts  wine review
• ANSELMI CAPITEL CROCE 2015 - IGT Veneto, Italy (#966655) (D) - $26.95  FE
• CHÂTEAU DE ROCHEMORIN BLANC 2015 - AC Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France (#091371) (XD) - $31.95
• RAMEY CHARDONNAY 2014 - Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, USA (#613786) (XD) - $51.00  FE
• FAR NIENTE CHARDONNAY 2017 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#539130) (XD) - $99.95

Rosé Wine:

• THREE OF HEARTS ROSÉ 2018 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#552562) (D) - $19.95  88 pts  wine review

Sparkling Wine:

• KEW VINEYARDS ORGANIC RIESLING SPARKLING 2017 - VQA Ontario, Canada (#645309) (XD) - $19.95  88 pts  wine review
• EMILIANA ORGANIC BRUT SPARKLING - Traditional method, DO Casablanca Valley, Chile (#536607) (XD) - $19.95  88 pts  wine review

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Wine Picks LCBO VINTAGES Release Mar. 30, 2019: 8 Favourite Grapes

The upcoming LCBO VINTAGES Release on March 30, 2019 is a mono-thematic Release, featuring 8 favourite grapes to "Meet Your Perfect Match". All of these wines, plus many others will arrive on LCBO VINTAGES shelves across Ontario by this Saturday.

With 8 varietals featured and 2 wines for each grape, there are 16 wines in total as part of the theme of this Release. The varietals are Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Syrah and most of the selections here compare and old world wine with a new world wine. Of these 16 wines featured, 5 are included among my top wine picks. Pinot Gris (aka Pinot Grigio) is actually a naturally mutated clone of Pinot Noir. Both the dry Pinot Gris from Niagara and a Pinot Grigio from Italy are among my wine recommendations. From New Zealand, there is a nice Sauvignon Blanc. Among the reds, there is a Malbec from Argentina and a Shiraz from Australia.

The red wines from the rest of the Release includes a lovely $20 Côtes du Rhône-Villages that consists of 50% Grenache, 25% Syrah, and 25% Carignan, while the Bordeaux red is a blend of 68% Merlot and 32% Cabernet Sauvignon from 40 year old vines. From Italy, the Chianti consists of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Colorino/Canaiolo, while the Chianti Classico is a blend of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Merlot. The organic Emiliana Coyam is a perennial favourite of mine, and the 2015 is an 8-grape blend consisting of 44% Syrah, 30% Carmenere, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Mourvedre, 4% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Garnacha, and 2% Tempranillo. Lastly, the Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 10% Mourvedre.

Among my white wine picks, all are single varietals. The Pecorino and Avesso are not very common varietals and surely worth a try. All of the Rieslings are (mostly) dry in style, while the Pinot Gris from New Zealand will have some sweetness to it.

And finally, the lovely dry rosé from Niagara is made with 100% Pinot Noir.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this Release!

Red Wine:

• CUATRO PASOS MENCÍA 2015 - DO Bierzo, Spain (#039313) (XD) - $18.95
• FINCA LAS MORAS PAZ MALBEC 2016 - San Juan, Argentina (#520486) (XD) - $18.95
• D’ARENBERG THE FOOTBOLT SHIRAZ 2016 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#984021) (XD) - $18.95
• DECERO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014 - Remolinos Vineyard, Agrelo, Mendoza, Argentina (#195677) (XD) - $19.95
• CHÂTEAU MAUCOIL 2016 - AC Côtes du Rhône-Villages, France (#638502) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU MAISON NOBLE CUVÉE PRESTIGE 2015 - AC Bordeaux Supérieur, France (#633198) (XD) - $20.95
• GIACOMO MORI CHIANTI 2015 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#68858) (XD) - $22.95  90 pts  wine review
• ROCCA DELLE MACÌE FAMIGLIA ZINGARELLI RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2015 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#930966) (XD) - $24.95
• EMILIANA COYAM 2015 - Los Robles Estate, Colchagua Valley, Chile (#063891) (XD) - $29.95  91 pts  wine review
• DOMAINE DE LA SOLITUDE CUVÉE BARBERINI CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2015 - AC, Rhône, France (#525907) (XD) - $70.95

White Wine:

• VELENOSI VILLA ANGELA PECORINO 2017 - DOCG Offida, Marche, Italy (#173252) (D) - $15.95  89 pts  wine review
• KILIKANOON KILLERMAN’S RUN RIESLING 2015 - Clare Valley, South Australia (#365635) (XD) - $17.95
• KELLEREI ST. MAGDALENA PINOT GRIGIO 2017 - DOC Südtirol – Alto Adige, Italy (#249466) (XD) - $18.95
• COVELA EDIÇÃO NACIONAL AVESSO 2016 - DOC Vinho Verde, Portugal (#524868) (XD) - $18.95
• PIERRE SPARR SOL GRÈS RIESLING 2016 - AC Alsace, France (#644419) (XD) - $19.95
• TWO RIVERS CONVERGENCE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2017 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#277707) (XD) - $19.95
• CLOSSON CHASE K.J. WATSON VINEYARD PINOT GRIS 2017 - VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#469445) (XD) - $22.95  89 pts  wine review
• 2027 CELLARS WISMER VINEYARD FOX CROFT BLOCK CHARDONNAY 2017 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#421362) (XD) - $22.95
• GILBERT + GILBERT SINGLE VINEYARD RIESLING 2015 - Eden Vallery, South Australia (#633529) (XD) - $27.95
• GREYSTONE SAND DOLLAR PINOT GRIS 2016 - Waipara Valley, North Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand (#426650) (D) - $27.95  FE

Rosé Wine:

• MALIVOIRE VIVANT ROSÉ 2018 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#498535) (XD) - $19.95

Sparkling Wine:

• DRAPPIER BRUT NATURE PINOT NOIR CHAMPAGNE - Zero dosage, AC, France (#179275) (XD) - $57.95

Fortified:

• BODEGAS BARBADILLO PASTORA MANZANILLA PASADA - Unfiltered, DO Manzanilla – Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Spain (#515965) (XD) (375 mL) - $15.95

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Wine Picks LCBO VINTAGES Release Mar. 16, 2019: Southern France + Spirits

The upcoming LCBO VINTAGES Release on March 16, 2019 features the sunny wines from Southern France as the main theme, while the mini-theme looks at fine spirits made with either grape or grain. All of these wines, plus many others from this Release should be available on LCBO VINTAGES shelves across Ontario by this Saturday.

We'll begin with the main theme that looks at wines from Southern France, a sunny area that stretches along the Mediterranean from the Spanish border to Nice. Of the eleven wines featured, five delicious wines are included among my top wine picks. The "DSM" wine is a blend of 30% Syrah, 27% Carignan, 23% Grenache, 14% Carignan, and 6% Lledoner Pelut from fairly old vines and altitudes 600 to 1300 feet above sea level. The Bastide Miraflors is a blend of 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache, while the Tautavel consists of 70% Syrah, 20% Grenache, and 10% Carignan. The rosés from the South of France are also famous, as is the version from Gérard Bertrand that consists of Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah, and is now a VINTAGES Essentials listing. Lastly, the bubbly is a dry sparkler made with Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, and Mauzac.

Red wines from the rest of the Release include a Merlot dominated blend from Bordeaux, while the Super Tuscan from Italy is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Alicante, Sangiovese, and Cabernet Franc. Single varietal wines include an excellent Xinomavro from Greece and a Shiraz from South Africa. From Australia, there's a lovely high-end Shiraz, as well as a nice Cabernet Sauvignon.

Among my white wine picks from this Release, the only blend is from Portugal and it consists of Antão Vaz, Arinto and Alvarinho. The rest are all single varietals, including lovely returnees to VINTAGES - a Chardonnay and Riesling from Ontario.

Enjoy my wine recommendations this from this Release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• FIRRIATO CHIARAMONTE NERO D’AVOLA 2015 - IGT Terre Siciliane, Sicily, Italy (#121145) (D) - $15.95
• DUNCAN SAVAGE UNTAMED SHIRAZ 2017 - WO Swartland, South Africa (#634659) (XD) - $16.95
• CHÂTEAU HOURTOU CÔTES DE BOURG 2015 - AC, Bordeaux, France (#630038) (XD) - $18.95
• HEARTLAND WINES HEART & SOIL SHIRAZ 2014 - Langhorne Creek, South Australia (#632539) (XD) - $19.95
• BASTIDE MIRAFLORS SYRAH/VIEILLES VIGNES GRENACHE 2015 - AP Côtes du Roussillon, France (#320499) (XD) - $19.95
• SOUS LA MONTAGNE DSM VIN D’ALTITUDE 2016 - AP Côtes du Roussillon-Villages, France (#647925) (XD) - $20.95
• WAKEFIELD JARAMAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2015 - Coonawarra/Clare Valley, South Australia (#142398) (XD) - $24.95  89 pts  wine review
• VIGNERONS DE TAUTAVEL LES VINGT MARCHES TAUTAVEL 2015 - AP Côtes du Roussillon-Villages, France (#645358) (XD) - $29.95
• POGGIO VERRANO DRÒMOS 2010 - IGT Maremma Toscana, Italy (#107383) (XD) - $43.95
• 1879 BOUTARI LEGACY 2007 - Naoussa, Greece (#590497) (XD) - $60.00  FE  93 pts  wine review
• BAROSSA VALLEY ESTATE E&E BLACK PEPPER SHIRAZ 2014 - Limited release, Barossa Valley, South Australia (#731620) (XD) - $89.95  93 pts  wine review

White Wine:

• HERDADE DO ROCIM MARIANA BRANCO 2017 - Vinho Regional Alentejano, Portugal (#631507) (XD) - $13.95
• LAKEVIEW CELLARS VIOGNIER 2017 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#646307) (D) - $18.95
• TE AWA LEFT FIELD PINOT GRIS 2017 - Hawke’s Bay, North Island, New Zealand (#630525) (XD) - $19.95
• ERRÁZURIZ ACONCAGUA COSTA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2017 - DO Aconcagua Costa, Chile (#462614) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2016 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#068817) (XD) - $29.95  90 pts  wine review
• CAVE SPRING CSV RIESLING 2016 - Cave Spring Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#566026) (XD) - $29.95  93 pts  wine review
• SAINT CLAIR WAIRAU RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2017 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#415653) (XD) - $32.95
• DOMAINE LAROCHE LES VAUDEVEY CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2017 - AC, Burgundy, France (#416057) (XD) - $38.95

Rosé Wine:

• GÉRARD BERTRAND CÔTE DES ROSES ROSÉ 2017 - AP Languedoc, France (#373985) (XD) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review

Sparkling Wine:

• ANTECH EXPRESSION BRUT CRÉMANT DE LIMOUX 2015 - Traditional method, AC, Languedoc, France (#068239) (XD) - $19.95

Fortified:

• QUINTA DO CRASTO VINTAGE PORT 2015 - Bottled in 2017, DOP, Portugal (#644880) (375 mL) (S) - $29.95

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Wine Picks LCBO VINTAGES Release Mar. 2, 2019: Napa + Award-Winning Ontario

The upcoming LCBO VINTAGES Release on March 2, 2019 features wines from Napa Valley in its main theme, while the mini-theme looks at award-winning wines from Ontario. Both of these themes are on the small side. All of these wines, plus many others, will be on LCBO VINTAGES shelves across Ontario by this Saturday.

We'll begin with the main theme that focuses on wines from the 2015 vintage in Napa Valley. The year was marked by very dry growing conditions and low yields. However, it produced many quality wines, albeit in lower quantities. Of the ten wines featured in this theme, only one is included among my wine picks - a Chardonnay from Robert Mondavi.

Of six wines featured in the mini-theme on Award-Winning wines from Ontario, there are two beauties among my wine recommendations. The first is an excellent 50/50 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay sparkling wine from Niagara's 13th Street Winery. The second wine is a Marsanne, one of the few (perhaps only?) plantings of the grape in Ontario.

From my red wine picks, the Kékfrankos, as they call the grape varietal in Hungary, is also known as Blaufränkisch or Lemberger in other parts of the world. It is rare to see 100% Colorino, as we find in the Piazzano Colorino from Tuscany. Also from Italy, the Rubesco is a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Colorino, while the Riserva Chianti Classico is a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot. The Chianti Classico from Isole e Olena is a blend of 80% Sangiovese, 15% Canaiolo, and 5% Syrah. Lastly, the lovely Amarone is a blend of 50% Corvina, 30% Corvinone, 15% Rondinella, and 5% Oseleta.

Among my white wine picks from the rest of the Release, the above $20 category features only Chardonnay - two from Burgundy, one from Ontario, and one from Russian River Valley. Under $20, there is a nicely dry Alsatian white that consists of 41% Sylvaner/Pinot Blanc, 19% Pinot Gris, 18% Gewurztraminer, 17% Riesling, and 5% Muscat, while Rioja white is a blend of 70% Viura, 10% Malvasía, 10% Tempranillo Blanco, and 10% Garnacha Blanca that spent 3 months in new French oak barrels. If you like some sweetness in your wine, there is a Gewurztraminer; for more sweetness look to the Niagara Riesling.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this Release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• CAMPOS DE ENANZO BASIANO TEMPRANILLO 2017 - DO Navarra, Spain (#644484) (XD) - $11.95
• NEDERBURG MANOR HOUSE SHIRAZ 2015 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#068775) (XD) - $16.95
• TÚZKO KÉKFRANKOS 2015 - Hungary (#588806) (XD) - $18.95
• LUNGAROTTI RUBESCO SANGIOVESE/COLORINO 2015 - DOC Rosso di Torgiano, Umbria, Italy (#368548) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• VIÑA LEYDA SINGLE VINEYARD LAS BRISAS PINOT NOIR 2016 - DO Leyda Valley, Chile (#632919) (XD) - $19.95
• SIDEWOOD SHIRAZ 2015 - Adelaide Hills, South Australia (#446146) (XD) - $19.95

• MAZZEI SER LAPO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2015 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#288530) (XD) - $23.95  90 pts  wine review
• SOUTHBROOK LAUNDRY VINEYARD GAMAY NOIR 2017 - VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#646323) (XD) - $24.95  90 pts  wine review
• UNDURRAGA TERROIR HUNTER CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2015 - Cauquenes, Maule Valley, Chile (#630350) (XD) - $24.95
• ISOLE E OLENA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2015 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#704346) (XD) - $34.95
• PIAZZANO COLORINO 2015 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#455675) (XD) - $35.95  91 pts  wine review
• SARTORI CORTE BRÀ AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2011 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#225540) (D) - $53.95

White Wine:

• PALATINE HILLS RIESLING 2016 - VQA Niagara Lakeshore, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#520395) (M) - $15.95  89 pts  wine review
• HUGEL GENTIL 2016 - AC Alsace, France (#367284) (XD) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review
• KEW MARSANNE 2016 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#485334) (D) - $19.95
• IZADI BLANCO 2017 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#586396) (XD) - $19.95
• BARON DE HOEN RÉSERVE GEWURZTRAMINER 2017 - AC Alsace, France (#377721) (D) - $19.95
• MÂCON-LUGNY LES CHARMES 2017 - AC, Burgundy, France (#983098) (XD) - $21.95
• ROBERT MONDAVI NAPA VALLEY CHARDONNAY 2015 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#310409) (XD) - $29.95
• DOMAINE DU CHALET POUILLY POUILLY-FUISSÉ 2016 - AP, Burgundy, France (#295717) (XD) - $33.95
• SOUTHBROOK ESTATE GROWN SMALL LOT WILD FERMENT CHARDONNAY 2017 - VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#644625) (XD) - $35.00  91 pts  wine review
• GIRARD RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY CHARDONNAY 2015 - Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA (#276675) (D) - $39.95

Sparkling Wine:

• 13TH STREET PREMIER CUVÉE 2012 - Traditional method, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#142679) (XD) - $34.95  91 pts  wine review

Fortified:

• DOW’S QUINTA DO BOMFIM VINTAGE PORT 2005 - Bottled in 2007, DOC, Portugal (#515544) (S) (375 mL) - $28.95  FE

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