Monte Schiavo Ruviano Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico 2023 (Marche) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely, organic and vegan Verdicchio from the DOC of Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi in its native home of Marche. It is brand new to the LCBO, arriving on shelves and online as part of the recent August 30th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Monte Schiavo wines are produced by Tenute Pieralisi, a family wine business that was established in the 1960s in the Marche wine region of Italy. The Pieralisi family are one of the most famous families of entrepreneurs and winemakers in the region of Marche. Innovation is in the family's DNA, as well as their attachment to the land and to the region. As innovators, Adeodato Pieralisi founded in 1888 the first workshop for the maintenance of agricultural machinery, and the passion for innovation has guided the family's path since that time.

The Pieralisi family is thankful for the land which is particularly suited to agriculture, and along with a cutting-edge process aimed at guaranteeing taste and quality, they are able to boast of excellence in wine production that is guided by the passion and experience of first-class oenologists and master winemakers. Moreover, their belief is that genuineness is key to a quality product. The Pieralisi family and the team are guided by a deep respect for the land and its natural processes, as well as by the conviction that authenticity at the origin is key to creating quality wines. All Pieralisi Estates are certified as Organic Farming and fully comply with the policy for the production of Vegan wines.

The story of the Monte Schiavo winery begins in 1978 as the Monte Schiavo Farmers' Co-operative. The winery is located in the commune of Maiolati Spontini, in the province of Ancona, in the heart of the traditional Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi region. Monte Schiavo's 115 hectares of vineyards are planted on bright, sun-drenched, south-to-southwest slopes of the gentle hilly spurs. In 1995, Monte Schiavo joined the Pieralisi group and is now a modern and dynamic wine company that produces a range of high-quality wines.

This white wine is crafted using 100% Verdicchio that was grown in private vineyards situated in the communes of Maiolati Spontini, Montecarotto, Poggio S. Marcello, and Rosora, within the Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC of Marche. The vines were trained using the Guyot system and manually harvested in September, and underwent a traditional, temperature-controlled white wine vinification in stainless steel tanks to preserve the purity of the fruit and allow the varietal character to shine. Let's see how this 2023 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico from Marche is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MONTE SCHIAVO RUVIANO VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO 2023 - Vegan, DOC, Marche, Italy (#44279) (XD) - $16.95
Enclosed by screw crap, this organic Verdicchio has a fresh, medium-high intensity nose of lovely, zesty lemon citrus, apple, wild herbs, white floral, and spice aromas nuanced with touches of almond and mineral. The dry palate is medium+ weighted with fresh and lively acidity. Delicious, ripe and gently honeyed flavours of zesty lemon citrus, apple, white flowers, wild herbs, and almond. Some mineral notes appear on the textured mid-palate. More savoury on the lengthy finish with mineral and white floral notes joined by touches of spice. This recommended buy is ideal with seafood, poultry, salads, and vegetarian fare. Score: 89 pts

Other Monte Schiavo wines can be ordered through their Agent - Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.

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Atlantis White 2024 (Santorini) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely white wine from Santorini that is primarily crafted with Assyrtiko. It arrived at the LCBO in last month's August 16th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Estate Argyros, the premier and largest private vineyard owner on the island of Santorini, Greece. While Estate Argyros was formally established in 1903 by Georgios Argyros, the Argyros family had been involved in wine production for decades prior to that.

Since the beginning, the Argyros family has focused on both vine growing and winemaking based on a deep understanding that great grapes are always a prerequisite for great wines. Each generation has contributed to the development of Estate Argyros wines on both fronts. In 1974, Yiannis Argyros, the third generation of the family, took hold of Estate Argyros and propelled it to one of the world's wine-producing elite. Yiannis worked tirelessly for more than three decades to prove that his Vinsantos are some of the finest, rarest sweet wines in the world, and was also instrumental in proving that the dry Assyrtikos of Santorini can be sublime and age worthy.

Today, Estate Argyros is led by Matthaios Argyros, son of Yiannis, and a fourth generation wine grower. Matthaios took over the estate in 2004 and was the driving force behind the establishment of a new winery and further acquisitions of vineyard land. Matthaios travels abroad often to not only promote the wines of Estate Argyrosling, but also to see the great vineyards and taste the finest wines from around the globe. Matthaios is very detail-oriented and his depth of knowledge of the Santorini vineyard guarantees that the future of the Estate is in safe hands.

The new Estate Argyros Winery was inaugurated in 2015 in Episkopi, in south-central Santorini. With modern, cutting-edge technology, the 3,000 m² winery is one of the most impressive on the island. There was great emphasis placed on the production facilities to ensure that every stage of the winemaking process could be handled with both maximum control and minimum intervention. The winery was designed with true respect to the Santorini landscape, while also being environmentally friendly and energy efficient.

At Estate Argyros, the philosophy is based on working with almost exclusively old vines because only these vineyards can provide the depth, the definition, and the concentration needed to produce the desired style of wine. They undertake meticulous work in the vineyard, while the timing of harvest is carefully determined, plot-by-plot, in order to pick at optimum ripeness. In the cellar, as an artisan producer, Estate Argyros crafts small quantities of top-quality wines. Each plot is harvested, vinified, and aged separately, then blended only at the very late stages of production. The vines of Estate Argyros are farmed organically, without any pesticides. Vineyard work is done manually, except for plowing, which is carried out by mules, and the vines are not irrigated.

This white wine is a blend of 90% Assyrtiko, 5% Athiri, and 5% Aidani that was grown on the volcanic island of Santorini. The grapes were harvested in the first ten days of August from vines averaging 10 to 30 years old. After bringing the grapes to the winery, they were fermented in stainless steel vats at a controlled temperature of 16–18°C for almost three weeks, and then matured for six months (on its lees?) in stainless steel vats.

The 2024 growing season in Santorini began with a mild winter with 153 mm of rainfall, followed by a spring that featured higher-than-average temperatures and 55 mm of rainfall. Summer continued with drought and "meltemia" (strong, dry, and northerly winds) conditions, and the result was a harvest that began on the 2nd of August. Yields were slightly below average, while grape quality was very good. Let's see how this 2024 white wine from Santorini is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ATLANTIS WHITE 2024 - Santorini, Greece (#371658) (XD) - $27.95
Enclosed by Stelvin screw cap, this blend of 90% Assyrtiko, 5% Athiri, and 5% Aidani has a lifted nose of medium-high intensity that is crisp and tangy with lovely lemon citrus, flinty mineral, white floral, ripe apple, and pear aromas, plus touches of spice. The dry, medium+ bodied palate has good weight and concentration, with ripe flavours of lemon citrus, apple, spice, flinty mineral, and white floral supported by fresh, vibrant, and zesty acidity. It has a finely textured mouthfeel on the mid-palate, while lemon citrus, apple, spice, and mineral notes linger through to the long and well-balanced finish. This recommended buy is ideal with seafood or vegetarian fare. Score: 90+ pts

A couple of really fine wines by Estate Argyros are available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.

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Kir-Yianni Single Vineyard Ramnista Xinomavro 2020 (Greece) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is an excellent, vegan-certified Single Vineyard Xinomavro that made its debut at the LCBO as part of the feature on Greek wines in last month's LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on August 16th.

It is produced by Kir-Yianni, a renowned Greek winery that was founded in 1997 by Yiannis Boutaris (1942-2024), a leading figure in the Greek wine industry. Yiannis started his own project after leaving his family's premium wine company, Boutari Wine Group, which was established by his grandfather in 1879.

Today, Kir-Yianni is led by Yiannis' son, Stellios Boutaris, a fifth generation winemaker of the Boutaris family. Stellios became Managing Director of Kir-Yianni in 1999, and was joined by his brother, Mihalis, a few years later after completing his studies at UC Davis. Stellios leads Kir-Yianni into the next phase of its history with a philosophy based on a desire for innovation, respect for tradition, and true knowledge and character of the wine. Sustainability is also a core philosophy and vital business decision at Kir-Yianni. In November 2022, Kir-Yianni set up a "Sustainability Team" and began their journey to carbon neutrality.

Winegrowing in Naoussa, in northern Greece, has a long history dating back to the 16th century. From the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century, the vine was the main crop in the area. Xinomavro was the main varietal planted in vineyards in Naoussa, and trained in gobelet style and planted in dense rows. Today, Naoussa is one of the most prominent wine-producing regions of Greece, with over 500 hectares under vine.

In 1970, Yiannis planted 40 hectares of Xinomavro vines on the eastern foothills of Mount Vermion, in Yianakohori, near the town of Naoussa. These first Xinomavro plantings signalled the revival of the ancient Naoussa vineyard and paved the way for the production of terroir wines, which has revolutionized the Greek winemaking scene in recent years. This vineyard would go on to become Ktima Kir-Yianni in Naoussa, and the fruit from these vines is what goes into crafting this Ramnista Xinomavro.

This red wine is crafted with 100% Xinomavro that was grown in the PDO Naoussa appellation of northern Greece. The wine's name is "Ramnista", a local idiom that stands for "royal hill", and portrays the trademark rolling hills of Kir-Yianni's estate vineyard in Naoussa. The "Ramnista blocks" are the source of Xinomavro grapes for this wine. Only the best parcels from the various blocks were selected for this wine, and the primary blocks for the 2020 vintage were #8, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16 and #17, #18, and #20. Nearly all of these blocks were planted in 1970 and 1971, on gentle slopes, with exposure to the sun running the gamut from northeast to south to northwest. The vines were trained using the Double Cordon system, and planted on loamy soils consisting mostly of sand and some clay.

To craft this wine, the grapes were hand-harvested with strict selection during the first week of October. After further rigorous grape selection on the conveyor belt, the grapes were cold-soaked for 7 days at low temperatures. It was fermented with pigeage (punch downs) for 10–15 days and pump-overs in a combination of large French oak vats and stainless steel tanks at a temperature of 19-23°C that is preserved during the 2- to 6-day post-fermentation maceration. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels. It was matured for 16 months in 225 L and 500 L French oak, in a combination of first-, second-, and third-use barrels. The first blending took place on the 6th month of maturation, while the final blend was crafted just before bottling.

The 2020 growing season will be remembered for many things. In Greece, it began with a mild winter with very low to low rain, and typical seasonal temperatures. There was notable rain, sometimes intense, along with cooler than average nighttime temperatures from April to June, along with intense rainfall that was beneficial to the plants in mid-July. Heavy precipitation at the beginning of August was the last of the season, giving way to a long period of hot and dry conditions, with significant diurnal temperature ranges until harvest. From an uneven year with very good quality for red wines, let's see how this 2020 Xinomavro is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

KIR-YIANNI SINGLE VINEYARD RAMNISTA XINOMAVRO 2020 - Vegan, PDO Naoussa, Greece (#178020) (XD) - $38.95
The medium+ to medium-high intensity nose takes some coaxing to reveal attractive aromas of ripe red berry, Bing cherry, sweet baking spices, dried herbs and savoury earth, plus accents of orange adding further intrigue. The medium+ bodied palate is dry and structured with complex and ripe flavours of red cherry, red plum, fine sweet spices, dried herbs, savoury oak, plus orange touches. It has fresh and juicy acidity, along with well-structured and somewhat grippy tannins. Savoury earth and smoky mineral notes linger on the long, textured finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 92+ pts

Many other fine wines by Kir-Yianni are available at the LCBO, and can be also be ordered through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.

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September 13, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Ontario

Here are my top wine picks from the September 13, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (link to digital edition). The fantastic wines from Ontario are the feature story of the release. Also included in this release are a new selection of Online & Flagship Exclusives (OFE). This is the first of what should be a steady stream of large releases as we head into the holiday and gift-giving season. As such, there are 125 products offered in this release, and all are readily available for purchase.

We'll begin with the feature story that focuses on the fantastic wines from Ontario. Of the nineteen wines included as part of the thematic, twelve are among my top wine picks, although quite a few of these showed up in VINTAGES previously. We'll start with the fine traditional method sparkling wine that is crafted with 100% Pinot Noir. Among the white wines, Ontario is well-known for its fine Chardonnay and Riesling wines. In this release, there are 4 lovely Chardonnays - one from the 2021 vintage, one from the 2022 vintage, and a pair of Chardonnays from the 2023 vintage. In Riesling, the Thirty Bench version has only a touch of sweetness, while the version by Tawse will be notably sweet. Among the reds from Ontario, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc are the shining varieties, although I would include Gamay and (while not as widely planted) Syrah as well. In this release, there are Pinot Noirs by Bachelder and Le Clos Jordanne, as well as a Cabernet Franc from the excellent 2020 vintage. Lastly, you can end your evening with a pair of lovely dessert wines - a Late Harvest Riesling or the Cabernet Franc Icewine.

Among my top red wine picks from the main release, only two are blends. The Ruffino Super Tuscan is composed of 39% Sangiovese, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 26% Merlot, while the Roussillon is a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Carignan, and 20% Syrah. The only other wines whose composition may not be obvious is the Maremma Toscana, which is pure Cabernet Sauvignon, the Gran Selezione Chianti Classico, which is Sangiovese, and the wine from Bierzo, which is crafted with Mencia. And if you want to sip local, there is another fine Pinot Noir from Niagara by Westcott.

All the white wines from the main release are mono-varietal wines. At the top of the list is an excellent Verdicchio from 50-year-old vines. There's also a fine Carricante from Sicily, as well as a pair of Chardonnays from Burgundy. There's also a Chardonnay from the Limari Valley in Chile, and a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. The last wine is a Grand Cru Champagne that is crafted with 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• ABAD DOM BUENO LADERAS DEL NORTE MENCIA 2021 - DO Bierzo, Spain (#244699) (XD) - $16.95
• TORRE ZAMBRA MADIA MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2021 - Sustainable, Vegan, DOC, Abruzzo, Italy (#17403) (D) - $17.95
• GÉRARD BERTRAND HERITAGE 560 TAUTAVEL 2022 - AOP Côtes du Roussillon, France (#272575) (XD) - $18.95
• KNAPPSTEIN CLARE VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - South Australia (#23905) (XD) - $19.95
• SAN PEDRO 1865 SELECTED VINEYARDS CARMENÈRE 2022 - Las Lagunas, DO Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#249201) (XD) - $19.95  90 pts  wine review
• WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE THE SIDING CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Coonawarra, South Australia (#333229) (XD) - $24.95  91+ pts  wine review
• EL ENEMIGO EL BARRANCO SINGLE VINEYARD BONARDA 2021 - Mendoza, Argentina (#42760) (XD) - $26.95

• TAWSE GROWERS BLEND CABERNET FRANC 2020 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#284570) (XD) - $29.95  90 pts  wine review
• RUFFINO MODUS 2021 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#912956) (XD) - $30.95  91 pts  wine review
• WESTCOTT ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2021 - Sustainable, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#427500) (XD) - $31.95  91+ pts  wine review
• BRANCAIA N°2 2022 - DOC Maremma Toscana, Italy (#28451) (XD) - $33.95  review coming soon...
• BACHELDER LES VILLAGES BENCH PINOT NOIR 2023 - VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#11582) (XD) - $34.95  92+ pts  wine review
• LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS PINOT NOIR 2021 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#184564) (XD) - $55.00  92+ pts  wine review
• CASTELLO DI GABBIANO BELLEZZA GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2018 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#652438) (XD) - $59.95  OFE  92+ pts  wine review

White Wine:

• SANTA RITA MEDALLA REAL GRAN RESERVA CHARDONNAY 2023 - Valle del Limarí, Chile (#303628) (XD) - $17.95
• TAWSE SKETCHES RIESLING 2022 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#89029) (M) - $19.95
• CAVE SPRING ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2023 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#256552) (XD) - $21.95
• TWO RIVERS CONVERGENCE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#277707) (XD) - $22.95
• CASAL DI SERRA VECCHIE VIGNE VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2022 - DOC, Marche, Italy (#98111) (XD) - $27.95  93+ pts  updated review soon...
• ALTA MORA ETNA BIANCO 2022 - Sustainable, DOC Etna, Sicily, Italy (#545103) (XD) - $28.95  OFE  90+ pts  wine review

• THIRTY BENCH STEEL POST VINEYARD SMALL LOT RIESLING 2021 - Sustainable, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#319640) (D) - $28.95  93 pts  wine review
• DOMAINE LE CLOS JORDANNE JORDAN VILLAGE CHARDONNAY 2022 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#20455) (XD) - $30.00  91+ pts  wine review
• HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2023 - Sustainable, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#616466) (XD) - $34.95  91+ pts  wine review
• DOMAINE VOARICK GIVRY BLANC 2020 - AOC, Burgundy, France (#43747) (XD) - $52.95  OFE
• LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS CHARDONNAY 2021 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#184549) (XD) - $55.00
• MAISON LOUIS LATOUR MARSANNAY BLANC 2022 - AOC, Burgundy, France (#24903) (XD) - $55.95  92 pts  wine review

Sparkling Wine:

• KEW BLANC DE NOIRS 2020 - Traditional Method, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#380030) (XD) - $32.95  90+ pts  wine review
• DELAVENNE DOM BASLE BRUT RÉSERVE GRAND CRU CHAMPAGNE - AOC, France (#45449) (XD) - $69.95

Dessert Wine:

• CAVE SPRING SELECT LATE HARVEST RIESLING 2023 - VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#415901, 375 mL) (S) - $29.95
• INNISKILLIN NIAGARA ESTATE CABERNET FRANC ICEWINE 2023 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#149963, 200 mL) (S) - $59.95  92+ pts  wine review

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Alléno & Chapoutier Croix de Chabot Saint-Joseph Blanc 2023 (Rhône) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is an excellent Marsanne from the AOC Saint-Joseph Cru des Côtes du Rhône of the Northern Rhône Valley. It is brand new to the LCBO, arriving in last month's August 16th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection as an Online & Flagship Exclusive, with quite a few bottles still available for purchase both online and in-store.

This white wine was borne out of a collaboration between two passionate créateurs and strong characters who are on a quest for refinement: Yannick Alléno & Michel Chapoutier. Yannick is a gifted, Michelin three-star chef, and true perfectionist. Yannick's cuisine reinvents tradition, while blending classicism with modernity. The world-renowned Michel is a pioneering and deeply committed Rhône Valley winemaker with very strong values. Michel is also an ambassador and campaigner for winemaking in general, and his wines reflect their terroir and reveal their truth. Both have a shared passion for the Rhône Valley.

Alléno & Chapoutier collaborated on their first wine in October 2010 — a Saint-Joseph Syrah from Tournon, a hillside vineyard which the two men had selected together, worked traditionally, and converted to biodynamic viticulture. The two men are lovers of the land and its produce, as well as creative and innovative trailblazers. They are driven by a love and respect for terroir, and when they met, a strong bond was instantly and naturally forged. The story has continued since that time as the passion for the Rhône Valley and its terroirs grows ever stronger.

The wines of Alléno & Chapoutier come from both Saint-Joseph and Crozes-Hermitage, in the northern Rhône. The vines in Saint-Joseph are grown in the Chabot area, north of Tournon, between 240–310 metres elevation. The unique part of this land area is the rare type of soil found here: granite with low ferrous mineral content, and interspersed with layers of gneiss. The unique geological features in this area of Chabot produce unique red and white wines with elegance and powerful characteristics.

While the AOC Cru of Saint-Joseph is mostly known for its Syrah, the appellation also grows small amounts of Roussanne and Marsanne, with demanding producers seeking to produce only the best wines. This particular white wine is crafted with 100% Marsanne that was grown in a single vineyard on granite, southeast-facing slopes with excellent exposure to wind, in the southern part of the Saint-Joseph appellation, within the Chabot area. The soil type in this vineyard is made up of granite and granitic sand. The vines are 30 years old and were Gobelet pruned and trained on stakes in a traditional fashion. After hand-harvesting the grapes, they underwent fermentation using indigenous yeasts for 3 weeks in a 50/50 mix of 600 L barrels and stainless steel tanks, followed by bâtonnage (lees stirring) for 4 weeks. The wine was aged for 7 months on its fine lees in 600 L barrels. Final blending and maturing of the two portions took place in stainless steel tanks in order to preserve the wine's mineral expression.

The 2023 growing season in the Northern Rhône tested the resilience of wine producers. The season began on a dry note, followed by slightly warmer than usual temperatures. Rainfall arrived in mid-May, with moderate amounts of rain continuing to the end of June. Rain combined with slightly warmer temperatures led to persistent humidity and created the ideal conditions for mildew to develop. Signs of drought also appeared by mid-July. The vintage was also marked by a significant 16-day heatwave in early August, followed by a torrential downpour during peak harvest in September. Overall, the Saint-Joseph AOC generally delivered good results, with wines exhibiting elegance and restraint. Let's see how this 2023 Marsanne from Saint-Joseph in the Northern Rhône is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ALLÉNO & CHAPOUTIER CROIX DE CHABOT SAINT-JOSEPH BLANC 2023 - AC, Rhône, France (#43784) (XD) - $39.95
Rare to see 100% Marsanne such as this. Lovely, elegant, medium-high intensity, and complex aromas of doughy, lemon oil, citrus, and baked pear, plus accents of vanillin oak spice and minerals. The dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate is rich and well-structured with lovely spice, lemon oil, citrus, pear, and vanilla flavours supported by fine, well-delineated, and juicy acidity. Exudes elegance with spice notes tapering to savoury, earthy, and stony minerals on the long, crisp finish, with excellent length. Highly recommended buy! Score: 93 pts

There are only seven wines in the Alléno & Chapoutier collaboration, and they can all be ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Skouras Wild Ferment Assyrtiko 2024 (Greece) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is the latest vintage of a consistently excellent, and now vegan-certified, Assyrtiko that landed at the LCBO in the August 16th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. It is featured as a wine to 'Arrive in Style', as well as part of the fantastic mini-feature on wines from Greece.

It is produced by Domaine Skouras, a well-respected and highly-regarded winery situated in the highlands of Argolida, within the village of Malandreni in Nemea, in northeastern Peloponnese, just a few kilometres from Argos. Founder George Skouras was born and raised in Argos, studied oenology in Dijon (Burgundy), and had a long-standing vision to create a winery in his homeland. The original Skouras winery was founded in 1986 within the small village of Pyrgela, on the outskirts of Argos, and the goal from the beginning was clear - to produce high-quality wines.

The ultra-modern winery of Domaine Skouras was built in 2004 and resides in the Nemea winegrowing zone, Greece's largest and possibly the most exciting Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) for red wines in Greece. The winery is situated among vineyards in an area that is blessed with ideal conditions for viticulture, especially for the indigenous Agiorgitiko. George and his wife, Ourania, energetically continue their passion and vision for the Domaine, and are now also joined at the winery by their two children. Dimitris, their son, studied Viticulture and Oenology in France, while Stella, their daughter, is a graduate of Economics and Marketing studies in Scotland.

The Skouras team uses technology as a tool only for precision and control, as their belief is that true winemaking happens with minimal intervention by always respecting the grape, the land, and the passage of time. At Skouras, every wine is expressed with a clear and consistent philosophy that is based on purity, varietal clarity, expression of the mesoclimate, and true reflection of the terroir. With this philosophy in mind, the vineyard team at Skouras works with an unwavering dedication and constant observation that is driven by a single, uncompromising goal: to produce exceptional grapes. It is the belief, truthfully, that only from outstanding fruit can a truly great wine be made. Each bottle of Skouras wine carries the signature of its creator — wines that are intense, energetic, and complex, and always expressed with elegance, grace, and finesse.

Like the 2023 Skouras Wild Ferment Assyrtiko I enjoyed last year, this is also 100% Assyrtiko. The grapes were grown in Nemea, in northeastern Peloponnese, at 620 metres above sea level, on mainly red clay soil, with vines averaging 11 years old. After harvesting the grapes in September, they were whole-bunch pressed, then underwent wild yeast fermentation in stainless steel vats at a controlled temperature of 15°C. The wine was aged sur lie for 4 months, and did not undergo malolactic fermentation.

The 2024 growing season in the Peloponnese peninsula was warm with reduced yields. However, grape quality is high. Let's see how this 2024 Assyrtiko from the Peloponnese is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

SKOURAS WILD FERMENT ASSYRTIKO 2024 - Vegan, PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#32387) (XD) - $19.95
Screw cap. Lovely, ripe, medium-high intensity nose has impressive depth and complexity with a fine mix of flinty minerality, lemon citrus, ripe apple, quince, pear, leesy, and yellow fruits, plus accents of white melon and floral blossom. The dry, medium-full bodied palate has very good structure and ripe flavours of lemon peel, citrus, apple, pear, flinty mineral, white melon, and blossom flavours in a slightly honeyed profile. It has fresh, well-balanced acidity, along with impressive structure on the mid-palate. Flinty minerals, lemon citrus, and apple notes with a touch of spice on the long, savoury, and slightly textured finish. Must buy! Score: 91 pts

Quite a few wines my Domaine Skouras are available the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.

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Rhonéa Tradition Rasteau 2021 and Les Confluences Vinsobres 2022 (Rhône) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's red wine reviews are a pair of lovely cru wines from the Southern Rhône Valley that arrived in LCBO VINTAGES recently. The Rasteau returned to VINTAGES on July 19th, while the Vinsobres made its debut as the Wine of the Month in the August 2nd LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, and both are widely available at LCBO outlets across Ontario.

These red wines are produced by Rhonéa, a co-operative winery with deep roots in the Rhône Valley. It all began in the Provençal village of Rasteau in 1925, where singing cicadas and the scent of garrigue filled the air. During this time of economic certainty, a group of visionary and historic winegrowers joined forces to form a co-operative in order to showcase their land and wines. Despite the challenges, the co-operative adapted, grew, and thrived under the guidance of various presidents and directors, while also embracing innovation. The quality and dedication of the village eventually led to Rasteau being officially recognized as a Cru of the Rhône Valley in 2010.

Today, Rhonéa is made up of over 400 families of Artisan Winegrowers who have over a combined 2,900 hectares of vineyards stretching from the southeast of the Rhône to the north of the Vaucluse department. Situated across a diverse range of Rhône terroirs, these vineyards have been cultivated by winegrowing families for 3 or more generations.

In 2025, Rhonéa is celebrating 100 years of history, tradition, and shared dreams. To mark this special occasion, Rhonéa's oenologist carefully crafted the exclusive Centenary Cuvée, a blend of predominantly Grenache that is a testament to the co-operative's century-old expertise and unwavering passion for its terroir. The 2025 centenary is more than just a milestone; it is a celebration of the co-operative's core values - solidarity, heritage, and a shared passion for the vine. As a true symbol of the village, the co-operative tells a collective story, where each winegrower is a vital part of a century-long legacy of success. The co-operative is also focused on a sustainable future with their growth of local and sustainable winegrowing, as well as putting social responsibility and environmental protection at the heart of their project.

Both 2021 and 2022 were challenging vintages in the Southern Rhône Valley. In 2021 there was frost, hail, and rain, which reduced yields and created an uneven vintage. While 2021 will be remembered for being atypical, it will also be remembered for producing quality wines that are fresh, lush, and tasty. The 2022 growing season will be known for its heat and drought conditions. However, with the remarkable resilience of the vines and the dedication of the winegrowers and technical staff, the vintage promises wines of outstanding quality. Let's see how these two Southern Rhône Valley wines from the crus of Rasteau and Vinsobres are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

RHONÉA TRADITION RASTEAU 2021 - AP, Rhône, France (#998716) (XD) - $19.95
Blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre, and 5% Carignan that was grown on terraces of clay, limestone, and pebbles in the plains of Rasteau, as well as on hills facing the Dentelles de Montmirail at 200–250 metres above sea level that featured layers of blue marls. The grapes were manually harvested, sorted, and destemmed, and followed by traditional vinification with long maceration and partial punching down. Tasting now for the third time, the medium+ to medium-high intensity has a slightly perfumed nose wafting of savoury, earthy mineral aromas nuanced with black cherry, dark red cherry, raspberry, garrigue, and spice. On the dry, medium+ bodied palate it has delicious black cherry, raspberry, savoury earthy-stony minerals, garrigue, and spice flavours, plus hints of plum. It has fresh acidity, along with supple, refined, and gently textured tannins with good structure. Savoury and earthy minerals with touches of spice linger on the long, elegant, and juicy finish. In LCBO VINTAGES July 19th and a highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

RHONÉA LES CONFLUENCES VINSOBRES 2022 - AC, Rhône, France (#43748) (XD) - $24.95
This blend of 49% Grenache, 44% Syrah, and 7% Mourvèdre was grown on red marls soil on the "Eygues" plain, between 200–300 metres above sea level. The grapes were harvested at optimum maturity, fermented at a controlled temperature, vinified using traditional methods, and aged for 12 months in oak barrels. The medium-high intensity nose offers lovely spicy, savoury earth, and garrigue layers, alongside blackberry, black raspberry, ripe plum, and black pepper notes. On the dry, medium+ bodied palate it has delicious ripe black cherry, black raspberry, peppery spice, garrigue, red plum, and savoury, earthy mineral flavours supported by juicy, well-balanced acidity, and smooth, refined tannins with good structure and a touch of tannic grip. Black cherry, raspberry, and peppery spice notes give way to savoury and earthy minerals on the long, satisfying finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

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

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