Giacomo Mori Chianti 2014 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is this delicious red wine that will be available at the LCBO as part of the upcoming July 22 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Like the 2012 Giacomo Mori Chianti that I enjoyed two years ago, this is a blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Colorino/Canaiolo that is vinified in 40-60 hectolitre stainless steel tanks, then aged for 10-12 months in 20 hectolitre Slavonian and Allier oak barrels, tonneaux of 5 hectolitres, and barriques on the third refill.

The Giacomo Mori estate is located in San Casciano del Bagni, near Siena, and is planted to 8 hectares of vineyards that were replanted in 1995, followed by a major renovation that began in 1996 and was completed in the year 2000. The consultant winemaker is Emiliano Falsini.

Tasting Note:

GIACOMO MORI CHIANTI 2014 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#68858) (XD) - $21.95
Blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Colorino/Canaiolo. Fresh red berry and plum and aromas from the cork. This has a savoury, rustic, earthy, forest floor nose followed by red cherry, raspberry, sweet oak spice and leather aromas of medium intensity and quite complex. The palate is medium-bodied and dry with red currant, sour cherry, and raspberry flavours along with woodsy elements. Bright acids are fresh, while the refined tannins are smooth and well-integrated, if a touch drying. It has a long, savoury finish. Will improve in 1-2 years and drink well to 2023. Score: 90 pts

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Montecillo Crianza 2011 (Rioja) and Lamberti Santepietre Pinot Grigio delle Venezie 2015 (Veneto) - Wine Reviews

As we begin enjoying the hot summer weather, here are a couple of affordable wines that should quench your thirst. The first is a Pinot Grigio and is usually a crowd favourite, while the Crianza is a savoury red wine made with Tempranillo that will be suitable for your backyard BBQ party. Both of these wines are widely available at the LCBO.

If you're heading outdoors, you can pack your wines (and food items) in a cooler bag so they stay nice and cool. You'll also want to remember to pack plastic wine glasses because you don't want to risk breaking your expensive stemware. And lastly, you'll want to pick up a set of DrinkGuards - these are non-slip silicone drink covers that keep bugs and debris out of your glass, which also doubles as a drink marker and even a coaster!

Tasting Notes:

LAMBERTI SANTEPIETRE PINOT GRIGIO DELLE VENEZIE 2015 - IGT, Veneto, Italy (#560524) (XD) - $12.10
Screw cap. Clean, fresh lemon and citrus aromas of medium+ intensity with a hint of white flowers from the glass. Some earthy/musky notes arrive as it warms up. The palate is fleshy, medium-bodied and dry with lemony white floral, and herbally flavours. It has balanced acidity, with good finish length that has touches of minerality. Easy going wine to enjoy on the patio. Score: 87 pts

MONTECILLO CRIANZA 2011 - DOC, Rioja, Spain (#144493) (XD) - $14.95
Sweet oak spice and black plum aromas from the cork. Medium+ intensity nose from glass, showing sandalwood, oak spice, cherry, raspberry, earth, forest floor, and barnyard aromas all mingling nicely. The palate is medium+ bodied with good fruit concentration, tannins a touch drying, and more savoury earthy, dark cherry, forest floor, barnyard, and oak flavours. It has juicy acids, some heat on the mid-palate, while the finish length is very good with more savoury earthy, forest floor and barnyard notes. A savoury wine ideal for the BBQ. Drink over the next 2 years. Score: 88 pts

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Domaine Pierre Usseglio et Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2013 (Rhône) - Wine Review

Tonight's delicious wine was released through LCBO VINTAGES on April 1, 2017 and, surprisingly, quite a few bottles are still available at the LCBO.

The story of Domaine Pierre Usseglio et Fils begins when Francis Usseglio leaves Italy in 1931 to become a vineyard worker in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. In 1948, Francis is offered to opportunity to exploit 8 hectares of vines and opens his own winery and names it after his son, Pierre. Today, the estate consists of 24 hectares and continues to be family-owned and operated by Pierre's two sons - Jean-Pierre and Thierry Usséglio.

Tasting Note:

DOMAINE PIERRE USSEGLIO ET FILS CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2013 - AC, Rhône, France (#381079) (XD) - $47.95
A blend of 60% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, and 5% Cinsault aged in older wood. Woodsy aromas followed closely by dark fruit, black plum and blackberry from the cork. A classy, elegant nose of sweet spice, incense, black raspberry, flowers, and garrigue, with very good intensity as it breathes in the glass. The juicy palate is very impressive with finely knit tannins on a medium-bodied frame and bright, juicy acids. Alcohol is high at 15% and shows up on the mid-palate, but is well-supported by the fruit. More garrigue, floral, raspberry, blackberry flavours on the palate, along with well-integrated cedar oak. Finish length is excellent with a mineral and iron character. A superb wine to enjoy over the next 5-6 years. Score: 92 pts

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LCBO VINTAGES Release July 8, 2017: Spain + Cool-Climate Chardonnay

The upcoming July 8, 2017 VINTAGES Release at the LCBO features Spain as its main theme, while the mini-thematic features Cool-Climate Chardonnay. These wines will be on LCBO VINTAGES shelves across Ontario this Saturday.

We'll begin with the main theme, which features sixteen fine wines (and spirits) from Spain, seven of which are included among my top wine picks. From Bierzo, a wine region located in northwestern Spain, in the area just north of Portugal, there are two wines made using the region's primary red varietal - Mencía. From Priorat, a small DOQ located in northeastern Spain, the Torres Salmos is a blend of 40% Carignan, 40% Grenache and 20% Syrah. From Rioja, the Bordón Reserva is a blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha and Mazuelo, while the LAN Gran Reserva is 90% Tempranillo and 10% Mazuelo. Only two white wines were available from Spain, and my pick among the two is a fresh Albariño. For those with a sweet tooth, you'll want to check out the Solera Sherry which is a blend of 80% Palomino and sweetened with 20% Pedro Ximénez.

The mini-thematic coincides with the upcoming International Cool-Climate Chardonnay Celebration that will take place in Niagara later this month and lists ten wines that are considered cool-climate. Three Chardonnays are included among my wine picks - they are from Bachelder, Hidden Bench and Tawse, and all are from Niagara. Also in this Release, but not included as part of the Cool-Climate feature is a lovely Chardonnay from Closson Chase in Prince Edward County.

Red wines from the rest of the release include an organic wine from South Africa that is a blend of 50% Shiraz, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 9% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, and 5% Malbec. The latest vintage of the Cave de Roquebrun is a blend of 50% Syrah, 30% Grenache, and 20% Mourvèdre, while the Bastide Miraflors is a blend of 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache. Single varietal wines include a Gamay from Beaujolais, a Malbec from Cahors (Southwest, France), and a Nebbiolo from Piedmont.

Both of my top rosé wine picks are dry, with the Tavel consisting of Cinsault, Grenache, and Mourvèdre, while the Bandol is a blend of Mourvèdre and Grenache.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this Release! Salud!

Red Wine:

• PAGO DE VALDONEJE MENCIA 2015 - DO Bierzo, Spain (#268805) (XD) - $14.95
• AVONDALE JONTY’S DUCKS PEKIN RED 2013 - WO Paarl, South Africa (#383547) (XD) - $15.95
• CAVE DE ROQUEBRUN LA GRANGE DES COMBES SAINT-CHINIAN-ROQUEBRUN 2015 - AC, Midi, France (#155804) (XD) - $18.95  91 pts  wine review
• RIOJA BORDÓN RESERVA 2011 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#194753) (XD) - $19.95  reviewed here
• BASTIDE MIRAFLORS VIEILLES VIGNES SYRAH/GRENACHE 2015 - AP Côtes du Roussillon, Midi, France (#320499) (XD) - $19.95
• LAURENT PERRACHON ROCHE BLEUE JULIÉNAS 2015 - AC, Beaujolais, France (#487165) (XD) - $19.95
• CHÂTEAU LAMARTINE CUVÉE PARTICULIÈRE CAHORS 2012 - AC, Southwest, France (#441238) (XD) - $24.95
• DESCENDIENTES DE J. PALACIOS PÉTALOS 2015 - DO Bierzo, Spain (#446484) (XD) - $24.95
• TORRES SALMOS 2014 - DOCa Priorat, Spain (#450734) (XD) - $31.95
• MAJELLA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013 - Coonawarra, South Australia (#301531) (XD) - $33.00  FSE
• LAN GRAN RESERVA 2008 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#928622) (XD) - $34.95
• RÉVA BAROLO 2012 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#490045) (XD) - $59.95

White Wine:

• MULDERBOSCH CHENIN BLANC 2016 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#675421) (XD) - $14.95
• WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2016 - Coonawarra, South Australia (#468728) (XD) - $17.95
• FOLLAS NOVAS ALBARIÑO 2015 - DO Rias Baixas, Spain (#488981) (XD) - $19.95
• DR. HERMANN ERDENER TREPPCHEN RIESLING SPÄTLESE 2010 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#181917) (S) - $20.95
• CLOSSON CHASE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2014 - VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (#148866) (XD) - $28.95  reviewed here
• HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2014 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#068817) (XD) - $29.95  reviewed here
• TAWSE QUARRY ROAD CHARDONNAY 2013 - VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#111989) (XD) - $35.80
• DUCKHORN SAUVIGNON BLANC 2015 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#094375) (XD) - $35.95
• NORMAN HARDIE UNFILTERED CHARDONNAY 2015 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#184432) (XD) - $39.20
• BACHELDER WISMER VINEYARD FOXCROFT BLOCK CHARDONNAY 2013 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#512178) (XD) - $44.95  reviewed here

Rosé Wine:

• FAMILLE PERRIN TAVEL 2016 - AC, Rhône, France (#680801) (XD) - $19.95
• LA CADIÉRENNE CUVÉE GRANDE TRADITION BANDOL ROSÉ 2016 - AP, Provence, France (#119453) (XD) - $21.95

Sparkling Wine:

• BENJAMIN BRIDGE BRUT SPARKLING WINE 2011 - Méthode classique, Nova Scotia, Canada (#381533) (D) - $49.95  FSE
• PIERRE PAILLARD BOUZY GRAND CRU BRUT ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE - AC, France (#482836) (XD) - $64.95

Fortified:

• LUSTAU EAST INDIA SOLERA SHERRY - DO, Spain (#342931) (S) (500 mL) - $23.95

Dessert Wine:

• CAVE SPRING INDIAN SUMMER SELECT LATE HARVEST RIESLING 2014 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#415901) (S) (375 mL) - $24.95

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Seriously Cool Chardonnay 2016 (Ontario) - Wine Review

To continue Canada 150 celebrations and promising to sip only Canadian wines this weekend, tonight's wine is an easy drinker that will be available at the LCBO beginning July 16th.

I tasted the 2015 Seriously Cool Chardonnay last year, when it consisted of three grapes, including Riesling. For this latest vintage, Riesling was omitted from the blend and now consists of 50/50 Chardonnay and Chardonnay Musque, with 50% of the grapes harvested from vineyards that are transitioning to Organic. This wine, along with the rest of the Seriously Cool range, is suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

This wine is produced by Southbrook Vineyards and their internationally-acclaimed winemaker director of winemaking and viticulture, Ann Sperling. You can purchase this wine directly from the winery through their online store and have it shipped to your home, or visit your local LCBO.

Tasting Note:

SERIOUSLY COOL CHARDONNAY 2016 - VQA Ontario, Canada (#457481) (XD) - $14.95
A 50/50 blend of Chardonnay and Chardonnay Musque and enclosed by screw cap. This has a soft, ripe tropical fruit and floral nose with aromas of melon, green apple, pear, yellow peach and a hint of lime. It's light-to-mid-weighted with balanced acids. Flavour profile is off-dry (i.e. slightly sweet) ripe yellow fruit, white grapefruit, and lemon/lime flavours. It's nicely textured with some tangy citrus on the mid-palate that continues through to the finish, with good length. An easy drinking wine for the patio. Score: 86 pts

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LCBO VINTAGES Release June 24, 2017: Cosmopolitan Canucks + Sparkling Wine

Given the looming LCBO strike on Monday, June 26, I would highly advise that you stock up from this Release as I'm not sure what will happen with subsequent VINTAGES Releases.

The LCBO VINTAGES Release on June 24th is titled "Cosmopolitan Canucks" as its main theme and features Canadians making wines in Canada and abroad. The mini-theme is titled "Super Sparklers" and features a selection of budget-friendly sparkling wines.

We'll begin with the main theme that features Canadians making fine wines around the world. Fourteen wines are listed, but only two made my list of wine picks. Ann Sperling and Peter Gamble are considered Canada's winemaking 'power couple' and have roots in British Columbia, Niagara, Nova Scotia, and Versado is their project from Argentina, with the Malbec featured in this Release made with old vines. The other wine included among my wine recommendations is Quadrus Red from Portugal that is a blend of 55% Touriga Nacional, 30% Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), and 15% Souzão. This wine is made by renowned Toronto restaurateur brothers Tony and Mario Amaro, and their partner Aris Kaplanis, and their first bottling of Quadrus was the 2010 vintage.

From the "Super Sparkler" mini-thematic, only the Graham Beck Brut Rosé made the cut from the ten wines listed, and it is a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes.

In red wines from the rest of the Release, from Portugal the São Miguel is a blend of Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional, while the Quinta do Crasto is a field blend of 25-30 grape varieties from old vines averaging 70 years of age. From Roussillon, the Saint-Roch is a re-release and consists of nearly equal parts Grenache, Syrah and Carignan, while the Madiran is made with Tannat. And finally, the Rioja is made with 85% Tempranillo and 15% Graciano, while the Greek wine is 100% Agiorgitiko.

Among my white wine picks, you'll find plenty of Chardonnay (including a Musqué) and Sauvignon Blanc wines. Sweet wine lovers should skip this VINTAGES Release.

There are two nice rosé wines among my top wine picks. The rosé from Hidden Bench is a blend of 95.2% Pinot Noir and 4.8% Viognier, while the Château de la Négly is a blend of 70% Mourvèdre, and equal parts Syrah and Cinsault.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this Release. Cheers!

Red Wine:

• SÃO MIGUEL ESCOLHA DOS ENOLOGOS 2014 - Vinho Regional Alentejano, Portugal (#445122) (XD) - $15.95
• SAINT-ROCH VIEILLES VIGNES SYRAH/GRENACHE 2014 - AP Côtes du Roussillon, France (#195107) (XD) - $15.95
• CAVINO GRANDE RESERVE 2009 - PDO Nemea, Greece (#295618) (XD) - $17.95  reviewed here
• LAPLACE MADIRAN 2013 - AP, Southwest, France (#103705) (XD) - $17.95
• QUADRUS RED 2012 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#440305) (D) - $19.95
• BARÓN DE LEY GRAN RESERVA 2010 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#642496) (XD) - $29.95
• SOLÉNA GRANDE CUVÉE PINOT NOIR 2014 - Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA (#486944) (XD) - $34.95
• QUINTA DO CRASTO OLD VINES RESERVA 2014 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#294116) (XD) - $39.95
• VERSADO RESERVA ANCIENT MALBEC 2012 - Mendoza, Argentina (#316984) (XD) - $59.95
• TWO HANDS BELLA’S GARDEN SHIRAZ 2014 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#636407) (XD) - $65.95
• CHIMNEY ROCK CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013 - Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California, USA (#731810) (XD) - $101.95

White Wine:

• CAVE SPRING ESTATE BOTTLED CHARDONNAY MUSQUÉ 2015 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#246579) (D) - $16.95
• LEYDA GARUMA SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2015 - Leyda Valley, Chile (#99309) (XD) - $17.95
• KONO SAUVIGNON BLANC 2015 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#441394) (XD) - $18.95  reviewed here
• TIEFENBRUNNER PINOT GRIGIO 2015 - IGT Vigneti delle Dolomiti, Alto Adige, Italy (#474742) (XD) - $19.95
• VIGNERONS DE BUXY BUISSONNIER MONTAGNY 2014 - AC, Burgundy, France (#382879) (XD) - $19.95
• JOSEF CHROMY SAUVIGNON BLANC 2016 - Tasmania, Australia (#482216) (XD) - $27.00  FSE
• STAGS’ LEAP WINERY CHARDONNAY 2015 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#655381) (D) - $34.95
• DOMAINE SERVIN VAILLONS CHABLIS PREMIER CRU 2015 - AC, Burgundy, France (#142778) (XD) - $34.95
• HENRI BOURGEOIS LA CHAPELLE DES AUGUSTINS SANCERRE 2014 - AC, Loire, France (#322628) (XD) - $37.95
• FLOWERS CHARDONNAY 2015 - Sonoma Coast, California, USA (#215210) (XD) - $70.95  FSE

Rosé Wine:

• HIDDEN BENCH LOCUST LANE ROSÉ 2016 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#68833) (XD) - $21.95
• CHÂTEAU DE LA NÉGLY LA NATICE 2016 - AP Languedoc, Midi, France (#492199) (XD) - $23.95  reviewed here

Sparkling Wine:

• GRAHAM BECK BRUT ROSÉ - Méthode Cap Classique, WO Western Cape, South Africa (#175588) (D) - $19.95

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Kono Sauvignon Blanc 2015 (New Zealand) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is the latest Sauvignon Blanc from Kono Wines to arrive at the LCBO.

The grapes for this white wine were all picked using state-of-the-art machine harvesters, then gently pressed to obtain clean juice. The juice is settled very clear, then racked into stainless steel tanks for warming and inoculation with aromatic yeasts. Fermentation is carried out at quite cool temperatures, ranging from 10-13°C, to help preserve freshness.

I tasted the 2014 Kono Sauvignon Blanc in February of last year and am curious to see how the 2015 turned out. In 2015, Marlborough enjoyed a very dry summer, resulting in wines of greater concentration than the 2014. However, a spring frost led to much lower yields.

This yummy white wine will be on shelves as part of the upcoming VINTAGES Release on June 24th.

Tasting Note:

KONO SAUVIGNON BLANC 2015 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#441394) (XD) - $18.95
Screw cap. Medium-high intensity aromatics offer typical NZ Sauv Blanc notes of guava, kiwi, tropical fruit, with hints of gooseberry, grass and mineral. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle acids that are nicely balanced. There's good flavour concentration on the palate with more guava, kiwi, and grassy notes, plus grapefruit and saline. The finish is juicy and minerally with very good length. Enjoy this summer! Score: 88 pts

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