LCBO VINTAGES Wine Picks & Reviews : Index

Wednesday, June 29, 2022

June 30, 2022 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Online Exclusives

LCBO Wine Picks: June 30, 2022 VINTAGES Online Exclusives Release

The June 30, 2022 LCBO VINTAGES Online Exclusives Release features forty-four wines, of which sixteen are included among my top wine picks. All of these wines will be available for purchase exclusively online at lcbo.com beginning this Thursday. As usual, there is no theme to these Online Exclusives Releases, but there are a bunch of fine, high-quality wines.

We begin with my top red wine picks of this Release and start in Australia with a GSM blend that consists of 84% Grenache, 14% Shiraz, and 2% Mataro, while the Gigondas from Rhône is a blend of Grenache and Syrah. From Italy, the Etna Rosso is made with Nerello Mascalese, while the Barolo is made with Nebbiolo. There's also a pair of fine Pinot Noir wines from USA - one from Willamette Valley in Oregon, and the other from Sonoma Coast in California. Lastly, there is a lovely Cabernet Sauvignon from Spain.

From my white wine picks, all are single varietal wines. The Viura from Spain and Chardonnay from Niagara were both barrel-fermented and aged in oak, while the Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand and Chardonnay from Argentina were wild fermented and aged in oak. The Riesling from Chile and Pinot Gris from Niagara are both crafted in a dry style, while the Gewurztraminer from Alsace will provide pleasure for those seeking something sweet.

Among my sparkling wine recommendations, the bubbly from British Columbia is a blend of 62% Pinot Noir and 38% Chardonnay, while the sparkling wine from South Africa is crafted with 100% Chardonnay.

Blue Mountain Gold Label Brut Sparkling (90 pts)

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this Release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

PIETRADOLCE ETNA ROSSO 2019 - DOC, Sicily, Italy (#538165) (XD) - $28.95
SERAFINO GSM 2019 - Estate grown, McLaren Vale, South Australia (#23786) (XD) - $29.95
REX HILL PINOT NOIR 2018 - Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA (#275735) (XD) - $43.95 91+ pts wine review
ICARDI FOSSATI BAROLO 2016 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#25673) (XD) - $57.95
FAMILLE PERRIN L'ARGNÉE VIEILLES VIGNES GIGONDAS 2019 - AC, Rhône, France (#14985) (XD) - $59.95
TORRES MAS LA PLANA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2016 - DO Penedès, Spain (#129676) (XD) - $69.95
HARTFORD COURT LAND'S EDGE VINEYARDS PINOT NOIR 2018 - Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, USA (#919712) (XD) - $69.95

White Wine:

ANDRÉ BLANCK ET SES FILS ALTENBOURG GEWURZTRAMINER 2020 - AC Alsace, France (#168906) (MS) - $19.95
CLOSSON CHASE K.J. WATSON VINEYARD PINOT GRIS 2021 - VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#469445) (XD) - $24.00
VALDEMAR FINCA ALTO CANTABRIA SINGLE VINEYARD VIURA 2019 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#25530) (XD) - $34.95
CASA SILVA LAGO RANCO VIÑEDO DE FUTRONO RIESLING 2019 - Sustainable, Austral, Patagonia, Chile (#23428) (D) - $34.95
ASTROLABE TAIHOA VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2019 - Vegan, Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#22875) (XD) - $39.95
CATENA ALTA CHARDONNAY 2019 - Mendoza, Argentina (#139964) (XD) - $39.95
BACHELDER WARREN SAUNDERS 100 CHARDONNAY 2019 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#324103) (XD) - $47.95

Sparkling Wine:

GRAHAM BECK ULTRA BRUT CAP CLASSIQUE 2016 - Sustainable, Traditional Method, WO Robertson, South Africa (#435453) (XD) - $29.95
BLUE MOUNTAIN GOLD LABEL BRUT SPARKLING - Traditional Method, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#206326) (XD) - $34.95 90 pts wine review

Cabriz Colheita Selecionada 2019 and Rosé 2020 (Portugal) - Wine Reviews

Cabriz Colheita Selecionada Tinto 2019 (88 pts) and Rosé 2020 (88 pts)

Tonight's wine reviews are a pair of delicious, budget-friendly wines from Cabriz of Portugal. Both wines arrived at the LCBO recently as part of the June 18 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Cabriz wines are part of Global Wines and are one of the leading brands and best-selling wines from the Dão wine region in Portugal. Quinta de Cabriz is located in the heart of Dão in Carregal do Sal and is also the headquarters of Global Wines. Dão is one of the oldest established wine regions in Portugal and it's located in the mountainous northern central part of the country and has a temperate climate. The rugged terrain has predominantly granitic soils with a high thermal amplitude. One of the main red grape varieties of Portugal is Touriga Nacional and it originated in Dão.

In 2015, Global Wines celebrated 25 years of the Cabriz brand. Today, the Cabriz portfolio consists of Colheita Selecionada everyday wines, two of which are reviewed below, along with premium Reserva wines, organic wines, as well as Portugal's first white wine made with Touriga Nacional. Cabriz also makes a range of sparkling wines and a limited production fortified wine. The wines of Cabriz are known for the consistent quality, harvest after harvest, and are very popular globally. Let's see how their Cabriz Colheita Selecionada Tinto and Rosé wines are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

CABRIZ ROSÉ 2020 - DOC Dão, Portugal (#30445) (D) - $13.95
Blend of 50% Touriga Nacional and 50% Alfrocheiro that was de-stemmed and underwent soft pneumatic pressing. Unoaked and aged for at least 2 months in bottle. The medium+ intensity nose has aromas of red berry, cherry, raspberry, and grapefruit with mineral accents. It is medium+ bodied, ripe, tangy, and honeyed on the palate with cherry, raspberry, cranberry, and grapefruit flavours with a kiss of sweetness that's balanced by fresh, crisp acidity. Some apple and stone fruit flavours come through on the back palate, joining the cherry and raspberry notes, plus touches of leesy mineral that linger on the finish, with very good length. Recommended buy. Score: 88 pts

CABRIZ COLHEITA SELECIONADA 2019 - DOC Dão, Portugal (#247973) (D) - $14.95
Blend of 40% Alfrocheiro Preto, 30% Aragonez (Tempranillo), and 30% Touriga Nacional. Fresh, perfumed aromas are generously intense with dark cherry, violet, dark currant, and floral notes accented with touches of oak spice and licorice. On the medium-full bodied palate it is ripe with plummy, dark cherry, currant, and sweet vanillin oak spice flavours that have a touch of sweetness, tempered by fresh, vibrant acidity. Smooth, refined tannins have a subtly dusty and chalky texture. Cherry, plum, and smoky oak notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Recommended buy. Score: 88 pts

Cabriz Colheita Selecionada 2019 (88 pts)

Other delicious wines by Cabriz can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

Killibinbin The Shadow Shiraz/Cabernet 2016 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is this lovely Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon blend that is new to the LCBO and arrived on shelves across Ontario last weekend as part of the June 18 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Launched in 2010, Killibinbin is one of a number of ranges wines produced by Brothers in Arms, a family-owned winery located in Langhorne Creek, South Australia. Although Brothers in Arms was established only in 1998, it's family history on the estate goes back to 1882 when William Formby bought the Metala Estate from an eccentric Prussian named Herman Daenke and became the first generation of the Metala story. Winegrowing entered the picture when William's second son, Arthur, took over management of the property with his brother Fred and planted his first vines on Metala in 1891 after being encouraged to do so by his brother-on-law Ronald Martin of Stonyfell fame. He planted Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon and some of these vines are still producing premium fruit today. In 1910, Arthur handed over all winemaking tasks to Ronald and continued to make wine on the property until 1955. The cellar of Metala was closed soon thereafter as it was simpler to transport the grapes to Stonyfell for processing.

Arthur and his wife Elsie had 2 children - Myles and Mavis. Mavis married Denys Butler and together they managed Metala until Denys died too soon in 1972. Their only daughter, Helen had married Stuart Adams and they lived at his property in Finniss. Helen became heavily involved in the management of Metala and was soon joined by Guy, the second son, upon leaving school. The property and business has since flourished and today Guy Adams and his wife Liz run Metala and Brothers in Arms. Guy and Liz and have two children and represent the 6th generation of the family to live at Metala.

This red wine is a blend of 80% Shiraz and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes were sourced from three individual plantings at the estate of Metala Vineyards in Langhorne Creek, within the Fleurieu region of South Australia. Langhorne Creek is primarily a red wine producing region known for its Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, with 70% of plantings devoted to these two varieties. Langhorne Creek is unique in that it sites on an ancient flood plain created by the Angas and Bremer rivers, with water descending from the Mount Lofty Ranges. The climate is temperate with moderate temperatures that are cooled by breezes from Lake Alexandrina and the Southern Ocean, allowing for a growing season that is long ripening.

The 2016 growing season in Langhorne Creek was notable for its long, dry periods where effectively no rain fell. It was also warmer than normal, with the warmest springs nights ever recorded, as well as record mid-season heat. According to vintage reports, Cabernet Sauvignon was a star due to the slow ripening season. With The Shadow, Killibinbin aims to take one form and turn it into something greater, something that mesmerizes with passionate purpose, hypnotic, alluring, and thrilling. Let's see how this 2016 Australian Shiraz/Cabernet is tasting tonight...

Killibinbin The Shadow Shiraz/Cabernet 2016 (90 pts)

Tasting Note:

KILLIBINBIN THE SHADOW SHIRAZ/CABERNET 2016 - Vegan, Langhorne Creek, South Australia (#23785) (XD) - $20.95
Enclosed by screw cap, this blend of 80% Shiraz and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon was aged for 18 months with 85% in seasoned French oak barriques, and the rest in new hogsheads - 10% French and 5% American. The intense nose is refined and elegant with dark berry, blackcurrant, black pepper, meaty, and savoury earth aromas with hints of blackberry jam, cedar oak, and chocolate. It's medium-full bodied on the dry palate with smooth, fine-grained tannins supporting the dark berry, currant, meaty, peppery spice, and cedar oak flavours. Succulent acids are well-balanced, while savoury oak notes linger on the long, juicy, slightly tangy finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

There is a Shiraz from Killibinbin available at the LCBO, while other wines from the range can be ordered through their Agent - Sylvestre Wines & Spirits.

Castelo do Mar Albariño 2020 (Spain) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is this lovely Albariño from Spain. I enjoyed the 2018 Castelo do Mar Albariño in December 2020 and am delighted to see the latest vintage arrive in Ontario as part of the weekend's June 18 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Winery Veiga da Princesa produces this white wine and is part of Grupo Pazo do Mar. The winery is located in Arbo, Pontevedra, in Galicia in the northwestern part of Spain. After two years of collecting more than 200 small plots of land from more than 70 different owners, they decided to authentically farm Albariño in 2002 using trellis cultivation techniques to produce grapes that are more airy, sun-kissed and less acidic. Dedicated to Albariño, they produce and bottle their own wines with advanced techniques and careful cleaning throughout the process, with maximum respect for the varietal. The concept of the winery is "Vino de Pago", or wine made exclusively with grapes from a single estate or property. With professional management of the vineyard, they are able to grow high quality, uniform Albariño grapes.

The 2020 vintage in D.O. Rías Baixas had favourable conditions throughout the growing season which resulted in increased yields. Harvest started a little earlier than usual and it is widely anticipated that the 2020 vintage will be outstanding with exceptional aromatic intensity and balanced acidity. Let's see how this 2020 Albariño from Rías Baixas is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CASTELO DO MAR ALBARIÑO 2020 - DO Rías Baixas, Spain (#488734) (XD) - $18.95
100% Albariño from their 18 hectare estate in Condado do Tea. Screw cap. Elegantly fragrant and rich on the nose with ripe tropical fruit, citrus, yellow-fleshed stone fruit, mineral, and touches of white floral aromas rising out of the glass. It's medium+ bodied on the dry, lightly honeyed, and crunchy palate with yellow and white floral, citrus, tropical fruit, and ripe apple flavours that are lifted by clean, crisp, and refreshing acidity. Nicely textured with oyster shell minerals and lemon citrus coming through on the crisp, long, and very satisfying finish. Highly recommended buy. Score: 91 pts

Other lovely wines by Veiga da Princesa can be ordered via their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.

June 18, 2022 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Southern Hemisphere

LCBO Wine Picks: June 18, 2022 VINTAGES Release

The lone in-store release of the month is the June 18 LCBO VINTAGES Release and it focuses on wines from countries in the Southern Hemisphere - namely Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, and South Africa. Included in the catalogue also is a sneak preview of the next Online Exclusives Release (June 30th). Wines from the in-store release should be on shelves across Ontario today.

We begin with the theme on wines from the Southern Hemisphere. There are twenty-one wines featured as part of the theme and eight are included among my top wine picks, with all five countries represented. We start in Chile with the iconic Purple Angel that is a blend of 92% Carmenère and 8% Petit Verdot, while the rosé is crafted with 100% Pinot Noir. Staying in South America, there is a fine Malbec from Argentina that always pleases. Moving to South Africa, there is a perennially excellent Chenin Blanc, as well as a red blend from Swartland that consists of 73% Syrah, 11% Grenache, 8% Cinsault, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Viognier. Moving to Oceania, there is a lovely Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, and from Australia there is a Shiraz and a white wine that is a blend of 79% Sauvignon Blanc and 21% Semillon.

Casas del Bosque Pinot Noir Rosé 2021 (90 pts)

From the rest of the release, my top red wine picks include a 2010 Rioja that is a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, and 10% Graciano and Mazuelo. There are also a pair of wines from neighbouring Portugal - the Dão red is a blend of 40% Alfrocheiro Preto, 40% Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), and 20% Touriga Nacional, while the Douro red consists of 48% Touriga Nacional, 27% Touriga Francesa, and the rest traditional Douro grape varieties Tinta Roriz, Tinta da Barca, Tinta Barroca, Souzão, Tinta Cão, and Tinta Amarela. From Langhorne Creek in Australia is a blend 80% Shiraz and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, while the Chianti Classico from Tuscany consists of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot.

Castello di Gabbiano Riserva Chianti Classico 2016 (90 pts)

Niro di Citra Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2017 (88+ pts)

Among my white wine picks outside of the theme, all are single varietal wines. A trio of Chardonnay wines lead the pack, followed by Albariño from Spain and a Grüner Veltliner from Austria. There is also a fine white wine from Italy made with the relatively unknown Ribolla Gialla. And for those that prefer some sweetness in their wines, there is an off-dry Gewürztraminer from Niagara.

Filare Italia Ribolla Gialla 2020 (90+ pts)

Southbrook Triomphe Organic Chardonnay 2018 (89 pts)

Since it's rosé season, there are quite a few rosé wines among my wine recommendations. The locally crafted organic rosé from Niagara is a blend of 92% Pinot Noir, 5% Viognier, and 3% Chardonnay, while the rosé from Portugal consists of 50% Touriga Nacional and 50% Alfrocheiro. Mono varietal rosé wines include a lovely rosé made with Malbec, while the other is crafted with Pinot Grigio.

Hidden Bench Locust Lane Rosé 2021 (91 pts)

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release!