LCBO VINTAGES October 14, 2017: Napa + Pinot Noir

The main focus of the upcoming release into LCBO VINTAGES on October 14, 2017 is on wines from Napa, while the mini-thematic focuses on the grape varietal Pinot Noir. New wines will be on LCBO shelves across Ontario this coming Saturday.

We'll begin with the feature on Napa. The timing of this release couldn't be worse, as we hear about the sad news of the wildfires ravaging Napa and nearby counties of Sonoma and Mendocino. Nevertheless, this release features a few bright wines from Napa, as three of the fifteen wines listed are included among my top wine picks. The single vineyard Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon is at the top of this list and is made with 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petite Verdot. Also in this release is a Petite Sirah (aka Durif) which is an offspring of the Syrah varietal. The last wine is a complex Chardonnay from the Carneros AVA within Napa Valley.

The "Pinot Gallery" was a bit disappointing as only one of the nine Pinots from the mini-theme are included among my wine picks. However, the one Pinot Noir that did make it is a great wine from one of South Africa's top producers - Hamilton Russell.

In red wines from the rest of the release, the Rasteau from Rhône is a blend of 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah, while the Crianza is a blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Garnacha / Graciano / Mazuela. From Italy, the Chianti Classico is a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo, while the Amarone is a blend of 70% Corvina and Corvinone, and 30% Rondinella.

Among my white wine picks, the Vinho Verde is a blend of Loureiro and Alvarinho, while the rest are all single varietals. If you prefer your wines on the sweeter side, you'll want to check out the Riesling or Gewürztraminer wines, with the Gewürztraminer Kabinett the sweetest of the lot.

For those who prefer very sweet wines, or if you're looking for a nice after dinner dessert wine, any of the Pedro Ximenez, Vintage Port and Vin Santo will satisfy your sweet tooth.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• LOSI QUERCIAVALLE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2011 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#515478) (XD) - $16.95  reviewed here
• CVNE VIÑA REAL CRIANZA 2014 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#657411) (XD) - $18.95
• SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE MALBEC 2014 - Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#79798) (XD) - $19.95  reviewed here
• LAVAU RASTEAU 2014 - AC, Rhone, France (#394650) (XD) - $19.95  reviewed here
• TABALÍ VETAS BLANCAS RESERVA ESPECIAL CABERNET FRANC 2014 - Limarí Valley, Chile (#514117) (XD) - $19.95
• TABALÍ TALUD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014 - Maipo Valley, Chile (#513960) (XD) - $23.95
• STAGS’ LEAP WINERY PETITE SIRAH 2014 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#590356) (XD) - $49.95  reviewed here
• SANTA SOFIA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2011 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#713669) (XD) - $52.95
• HAMILTON RUSSELL PINOT NOIR 2016 - WO Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Walker Bay, South Africa (#999516) (XD) - $57.95
• TWO HANDS LILY’S GARDEN SHIRAZ 2015 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#683086) (XD) - $59.95
• ROBERT MONDAVI RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013 - To Kalon Vineyard, Oakville, Napa Valley, California, USA (#670463) (XD) - $149.95

White Wine:

• MARIA PAPOILA VINHO VERDE 2015 - DOC, Portugal (#408146) (D) - $15.95
• BARON DE HOEN RÉSERVE GEWURZTRAMINER 2015 - AC Alsace, France (#377721) (D) - $18.95
• BELLVALE ATHENA’S VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2014 - Gippsland, Victoria, Australia (#521245) (XD) - $19.95
• DARTING DÜRKHEIMER NONNENGARTEN GEWÜRZTRAMINER KABINETT 2015 - Prädikatswein, Pfalz, Germany (#944181) (S) - $19.95
• FIELDING ESTATE BOTTLED RIESLING 2016 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#251439) (D) - $19.95  reviewed here
• SAINT CLAIR WAIRAU RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2016 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#415653) (XD) - $34.95
• CLOS PEGASE MITSUKO’S VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2014 - Estate grown, Carneros, Napa Valley, California, USA (#986737) (XD) - $34.95  reviewed here
• BACHELDER SAUNDERS VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2013 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#324103) (XD) - $44.95

Dessert Wine:

• MARCHESI DE’ FRESCOBALDI CASTELLO DI POMINO VIN SANTO 2008 - DOC, Tuscany, Italy (#661249) (M) (500 mL) - $42.95

Fortified:

• ALVEAR PEDRO XIMENEZ DE AÑADA 2014 - DOP Montilla-Moriles, Spain (#499152) (S) (375 mL) - $24.95
• DOW’S QUINTA DO BOMFIM VINTAGE PORT 2005 - Bottled in 2007, DOP, Portugal (#515544) (S) (375 mL) - $31.95

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Lavau Rasteau 2014 (Rhône) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine will be on LCBO shelves later this month as it will be released into LCBO VINTAGES on October 14.

It is produced by the Lavau family, whose passion for wine and love of terroir and the land began in Saint-Émilion in the 19th century. The family moves to Tunisia and becomes the country's biggest wine producer before returning to France and settling in Rhône, where Maison Lavau was officially founded in 1965.

This particular red wine comes from the Rasteau AOC, in the southern wine region of Rhône, with vineyards located on east-facing, stony/pebbly hillsides that are fairly deep and dry, resulting in low yields and late ripening.

Tasting Note:

LAVAU RASTEAU 2014 - AC, Rhône, France (#394650) (XD) - $19.95
Aged for 1-2 years, with 30% of this wine aged in used 450 litre oak barrels. A 50/50 blend of Grenache and Syrah. Black plum dark berry and wood spice aromas from the cork. In the glass, this has medium intensity aromas of black plum, dark berry, raspberry, licorice, garrigue, and wood spice with hints of black pepper notes. It's medium+ bodied on the palate with smooth, supple tannins that are just a touch grippy and gain volume with time. Chocolate, raspberry, blackberry, red currant flavours, with touches of sour cherry and charcuterie notes appear on the palate. Acids are fresh and juicy and the finish length is very good, ending with a savoury aftertaste. Shows good complexity overall. Best over the next 2-3 years. Score: 89 pts

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Goats do Roam White 2017 (South Africa) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is an easy drinking white wine with a unique/fun name that you may have come across while browsing LCBO shelves as it's been available in our market for quite a few years now.

It is produced by the Fairview Wine Farm in South Africa, and while the name "Goats do Roam" is considered by some to be a play on "Côtes du Rhône" as it contains the same varietals found in Rhône whites, it is in fact (according to the website) from legend.

The story behind the name goes like this: Some errant members of Fairview’s long-established goat herd once escaped from their paddock into the Fairview vineyards after Charles Back’s young son Jason accidentally left the gate open; The little group happily roamed among the vineyards, showing rare discernment by selecting some of the ripest berries from the vines; Those berries were then used to make this white blend.

The 2017 vintage is the latest vintage and packaged in an eco-friendly, lighter-weight bottle. It is widely available (if not already, then really soon) at LCBO outlets across Ontario as it is a General List product.

Tasting Note:

GOATS DO ROAM WHITE 2017 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#237313) (XD) - $11.95
Bottled under screw cap, this is a traditional Rhône blend of 49% Viognier, 28% Roussanne, and 23% Grenache Blanc. The medium intensity nose offers widely appealing ripe tropical fruit, orange zest, white peach and white floral aromas. On the medium-full bodied palate, it's got zesty acids with more ripe tropical fruit, melon, and orange peel flavours in an essentially dry profile. There's some bitterness on the mid-palate and good length on the finish. Chill well and serve with hearty fish such as Salmon. Score: 86 pts

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LCBO VINTAGES September 30, 2017: Family Matters + Sangiovese + Thanksgiving

The next release into LCBO VINTAGES on September 30, 2017 features 6 top wineries where "Family Matters" as its main theme. The mini-themes in this release focus on the Sangiovese grape varietal and fine wines for Thanksgiving. New wines will be on shelves this coming Saturday.

We'll begin with the feature titled "Family Matters", where the focus is on six winemaking families that uphold traditions and have a commitment to the land from generation to generation. Of the twelve wines listed, just two are included among my top wine picks. The Pennachetti family began forming roots in Niagara region in the 1920s and founded Cave Spring Cellars in 1986 and is currently owned by the third generation of the family. Their Chardonnay Musqué is among my wine recommendations below. The other family featured among my wine picks is the Torres Family from Spain that has been associated with winemaking for over 300 years, and their Cabernet Sauvignon is the 40th vintage of this wine.

From the Thanksgiving theme that listed eight wines, only the Ontario Riesling made the cut. Amazingly, none of the six wines featured in the Sangiovese theme made it on my list of wine picks.

In red wines from the rest of the release, many of which would go great with a rich Thanksgiving meal, include a Tinta de Toro (a.k.a. Tempranillo) and the Cúmaro that is made with Montepulciano. The Strapper GSM is a blend of Grenache/Shiraz/Mataro, while the 2010 Bordeaux (from an excellent vintage) is a blend of the Cabernets and Merlot.

Among my white wine picks, the Custoza is a ripe, slightly sweet blend of Garganega, Cortese, and Riesling. The Fumé Blanc is a barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc, while the Pouilly-Fuissé is made with Chardonnay.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• G7 RESERVA SYRAH 2015 - Estate bottled, Loncomilla Valley, Maule Valley, Chile (#514067) (XD) - $15.95
• THYMIOPOULOS YOUNG VINES XINOMAVRO 2015 - Unfiltered, PDO Naoussa, Greece (#466474) (XD) - $17.95
• TESSELLAE VIEILLES VIGNES CARIGNAN 2015 - IGP Cotes Catalanes, Roussillon, France (#343509) (D) - $17.95
• TERRA D’URO FINCA LA RANA TORO 2012 - DO Toro, Spain (#424135) (D) - $18.95
• YALUMBA THE STRAPPER GSM 2014 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#295873) (D) - $19.95
• 2027 CELLARS QUEENSTON ROAD VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2013 - VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#421370) (XD) - $28.25  reviewed here
• UMANI RONCHI CÚMARO RISERVA CONERO 2011 - DOCG, Marche, Italy (#699587) (XD) - $29.95  reviewed here
• SEGHESIO BAROLO 2011 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#496877) (XD) - $49.95
• TORRES MAS LA PLANA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010 - 40th vintage, DO Penedès, Spain (#129676) (XD) - $59.95
• CHÂTEAU MARSAC-SEGUINEAU 2010 - AC Margaux, Bordeaux, France (#512350) (XD) - $59.95
• MASI SEREGO ALIGHIERI VAIO ARMARON AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2012 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#462812) (D) - $84.95

White Wine:

• BODEGA EL PORVENIR DE CAFAYATE AMAUTA ABSOLUTO TORRONTÉS 2016 - Cafayate Valley, Salta, Argentina (#489179) (XD) - $14.95
• GORGO SAN MICHELIN CUSTOZA 2015 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#428045) (D) - $15.95
• CAVE SPRING ESTATE BOTTLED CHARDONNAY MUSQUÉ 2015 - Cave Spring Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#246579) (XD) - $16.95  reviewed here
• TE PA PINOT GRIS 2015 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#519884) (XD) - $17.95  reviewed here
• 2027 FALLS VINEYARD RIESLING 2016 - VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#294041) (D) - $18.95  reviewed here
• AUNTSFIELD SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2016 - Southern Valleys, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#663286) (XD) - $20.95
• HIDDEN BENCH FUMÉ BLANC 2015 - Rosomel Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#068825) (XD) - $29.45  reviewed here
• ROBERT MONDAVI NAPA VALLEY CHARDONNAY 2014 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#310409) (XD) - $29.95
• TRIMBACH RÉSERVE RIESLING 2013 - AC Alsace, France (#247023) (XD) - $30.95  FSE
• DEUX ROCHES VIEILLES VIGNES POUILLY-FUISSÉ 2014 - AP, Burgundy, France (#488825) (XD) - $31.95
• HAMILTON RUSSELL CHARDONNAY 2016 - WO Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Walker Bay, South Africa (#931006) (XD) - $43.95

Dessert Wine:

• CHÂTEAU RIEUSSEC 2010 - 1er Cru, AC Sauternes, Bordeaux, France (#263012) (S) (375 mL) $87.95  FSE

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Rodney Strong Blending Seminar with Winemaker Rick Sayre

In July, I had the pleasure of attending a Blending Seminar with Winemaker Rick Sayre of Rodney Strong Vineyards at Restaurant Bosk inside the Shangri-La Hotel in downtown Toronto. This was my first such experience, so I was honestly very excited to be part of this fascinating event.

After Rick provided a brief introduction of himself and some of the history of Rodney Strong Vineyards, we began with the business of blending wine. Everyone was split into groups of 3, and the task was to recreate the 2013 Rodney Strong Symmetry Meritage (pronounced like heritage) red wine by tasting each of the 5 varietals separately before crafting the blend. This process provided a small window into the world of a winemaker because they also go through this process when crafting their wines.

To offer some help, Rick provide hints during the introduction, such as this wine usually includes at least 60% will be Cabernet Sauvignon, and that Petit Verdot is used in relatively small quantities. We were provided with a cylinder, funnel and pipettes to precisely craft our blend.
Once each group was satisfied with their blend, they submitted their wine to Rick for assessment. Our blend consisted of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 5% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. The results were announced shortly thereafter and, based on Rick's comments, it sounded like he enjoyed our wine the most, mentioning that it was very much a Bordeaux style of wine. However, this task was not about creating a Bordeaux style of wine; instead, the task was to create a Californian style of wine, such as the Symmetry. Thus, unfortunately, we did not win the competition, nor the prize that came along with it.

The winning team, oddly enough, consisted of 2 Chefs and a Somm. Congratulations to my friends Chef Eyal Liebman and Sommelière Rebecca Meïr-Liebman of Chef & Somm as they were two-thirds of the winning team! They crafted their blend using 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Malbec, 10% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, and 4% Cabernet Franc. The actual blend of the 2013 Symmetry consisted of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec and 4% Merlot. I was surprised at how much Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc was in the Symmetry, as well as how little Merlot was included.

After the blending seminar, we were invited upstairs for a Reception to taste a few other wines from the Rodney Strong portfolio. Wine reviews of the Symmetry, as well as a few of the other wines tasted are provided below. These wines do show up in LCBO VINTAGES periodically, however, you can also reach out to the Agent, Mark Anthony Group, for your immediate needs.

Tasting Note:

RODNEY STRONG SYMMETRY 2013 - Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA (#641142) (XD) - $56.75
Blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec and 4% Merlot. Medium-high intensity nose should open up further with air, this has pretty floral, bing cherry, sweet vanillan oak and hint of medicinal aromas. It's full-bodied and ripe on the palate with nice aroma replays - sweet vanillan oak and blueberry come to mind. It has structured, grippy tannins and very good acids to allow for long-term ageing. Long, earthy and dark berry finish. Score: 90+

RODNEY STRONG ALEXANDER'S CROWN SINGLE VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013 - Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA (#329961) (XD) - $100
This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is highly aromatic and shows lovely red currant, cassis, evergreen and mint notes. It's full-bodied and firm on the palate with structured tannins, mouth-watering acids and very nice aroma replays. The finish is long and smooth. A powerful wine with finesse that is enjoyable now, but will age gracefully for at least 15 years. Score: 92 pts

RODNEY STRONG ROCKAWAY SINGLE VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013 - Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA (#202507) (XD) - $100.95
Primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, with 12% Malbec, 4% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot completing the blend. Medium-high intensity aromas have dark fruit, blackberry, dark currant and oak notes. It's full-bodied with tight tannins on the palate, while showing finesse with dark berry aroma replays, plus leather and integrated oak flavours. It has very good acidity and finishes long. Drinkable now, but better in 3-4 years and should drink well to 2030. Score: 92 pts

RODNEY STRONG BROTHERS RIDGE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013 - Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA (#405209) (XD) - $89.75
100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Medium-high intensity aromatics offer dense, dark fruit, purple fruit, cassis, sweet oak and black plum aromas and flavours in a big package. It's full-bodied with mouth-watering acids and firm, structured tannins that are a bit tight. There's some minerality on the palate and it has a long, earthy finish. Age 3+ years and drink to the mid-2030's. Score: 92 pts

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Catena High Mountain Vines Malbec 2015 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is a VINTAGES Essential and is always available in the VINTAGES section at many LCBO outlets across the province. And because this red wine always available, it does go on promotion from time to time with either Bonus Air Miles or a couple of dollars off the regular retail price.

This wine has been produced by Bodega Catena Zapata for many years now, going back to at least 1996. My personal records show that I tasted the 2002 and 2005 vintages of this wine, as well as more recent vintages. Like the 2016 Catena High Mountain Vines Chardonnay that I enjoyed recently, the grapes for this 100% Malbec also come from 4 different high altitude mountain vineyards located at various elevations - Lunlunta (920 m), Agrelo (950 m), El Cepillo / Eugenio Bustos (1,090 m), and Gualtallary (1,450 m).

Tasting Note:

CATENA HIGH MOUNTAIN VINES MALBEC 2015 - Mendoza, Argentina (#478727) (XD) - $19.95
Ripe plum, berry, oak spices and a hint of violet aromas from the cork. The generous nose in the glass leads with blackberry and meaty aromas followed by hints of herb, oak spice and violet. The palate is medium-full bodied with fine tannins and lifted by bright acidity. Aromas come through nicely on the palate with blackberry, white pepper and meaty notes leading the way. The finish is long and earthy with hints of mocha. Paired well tonight with lamb burgers. A nice Malbec to enjoy over the next 5 years. Recommended buy. Score: 89 pts

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La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2015 (California) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine is a sneak preview of a nice Pinot Noir from the Sonoma Coast that will be in LCBO VINTAGES on September 16th.

I had the opportunity to taste (and enjoy) both the 2013 La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir and 2014 La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir last year and have similar expectations for this latest vintage from La Crema. The 2015 vintage was a bit of a challenge in Sonoma County due to the unusually cool weather in April and May, which led to low yields. Having said that, the grapes that were picked were of good quality.

For 2015, the fruit was hand-sorted and gently de-stemmed, with 70% whole berries in tank. Next, the grapes were cold-soaked at 48°F for three days, fermented primarily in open-top tanks and punched down three times per day during active fermentation. Post-fermentation free run was then transferred to tanks for one night of settling before racking to (20%) new and (80%) used French oak barrels, and raised for 9 months.

Tasting Note:

LA CREMA SONOMA COAST PINOT NOIR 2015 - Sonoma Coast, California, USA (#719435) (XD) - $29.95
Red cherry and plum aromas from the cork. In this glass, this has medium-high intensity aromas of red cherry, raspberry, sweet tobacco, earth and whiffs of black tea and strawberry. The palate is medium bodied and fleshy with a mixed berry medley of blackberry, cherry, and blueberry flavours layered on top of oak spice notes. Some tea leaf notes on the mid-palate. Succulent acids are fresh and juicy. Fine tannins offer a smooth mouthfeel. Cherry, earth, exotic spice, and tea leaf notes linger on the long finish. I really like the subtle tea leaf note that's found throughout. A fine, balanced wine from a reliable producer to enjoy over the next 3-4 years. Score: 89 pts

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