LCBO VINTAGES Wine Picks & Reviews

Monday, December 8, 2025

December 6, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Finest Festive Wines + Ribera del Duero

LCBO Wine Picks: December 6, 2025 VINTAGES New Release Collection

Here are my top wine picks from the December 6, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here), which follows the massive Nov. 22nd VINTAGES Release, with a bigger selection of fine wines for your pleasure. There are 162 products offered in this release, of which 47 are among my recommended buys, and there are many more that I could've added to my list, but it was already quite lengthy and difficult to whittle down. The theme of the release is titled "Finest Festive Wines", which simply translates to more premium wines for festive gatherings, while the mini-feature looks at wines from Ribera del Duero. Also included in this fantastic release are a new batch of Online & Flagship Exclusive (OFE) wines. All the wines should be readily available for purchase both online and in-stores across Ontario.

Of the twenty-five wines included in the thematic on Finest Festive Wines, six are included among my top wine picks. We'll start with bubbles, beginning with a limited edition Dom Pérignon Champagne that is crafted with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, followed by a non-vintage Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Champagne that is made exclusively with Chardonnay. The last bubbly recommendation from the thematic is the Prosecco DOCG from Veneto that is at least 85% Glera blended with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The lone white wine from the feature story is an excellent, locally crafted Chardonnay from Niagara. Among the red wines, there is the Super Tuscan that is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot, followed by the Riserva Amarone, which is a blend of 80% Corvina and Corvinone, and the balance Rondinella.

Tawse Robyn's Block Chardonnay 2022 (93 pts)

Bolla Le Orígíní Riserva Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2018 (92 pts)

Bottega Il Vino dei Poeti Brut Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore 2024

The mini-thematic shines a spotlight on the Ribera del Duero wine region of Spain. Primarily known for its red wines, all four wines featured in the mini-thematic are red wines, and my lone recommendation from the Ribera del Duero is a blend of 93% Tempranillo, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Merlot.

There are many recommended red wines from the main release. We'll start in Italy with the Pieropan Amarone, which is a blend of 60% Corvina Veronese, 30% Corvinone, 5% Rondinella, and 5% Croatina Veronese, followed by a pair of Riserva Chianti Classicos, with the 2018 primarily Sangiovese with Merlot in support, while the 2019 is a blend of 92% Sangiovese, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Merlot. The Valpolicella Ripasso is composed of 75% Corvina, 15% Corvinone, and 10% Rondinella. From Sicily, there is a wine crafted with Perricone, while the Etna Rosso is made with Nerello Mascalese. Chile shows strongly, especially in the under-$25 category with five recommended buys. The 2023 Cab Sauv is actually a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon with 5% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc, while the 2021 Cab Sauv is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot. Other wines from Chile include a Pinot Noir, and a consistently delicious Carmenère. Other blends include the lovely Rasteau from the Southern Rhône Valley, which is a blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 5% Mouvèdre, and 5% Carignan, while the GSM from Australia is composed of 52% Grenache, 38% Shiraz, and 10% Mataro.

Pieropan Vigna Garzon Riserva Amarone della Valpolicella 2018 (93 pts)

Frescobaldi Tenuta Perano Riserva Chianti Classico 2018 (92+ pts)

Colomba Bianca Resilience Perricone 2023 (89 pts)

Perez Cruz Piedra Seca Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 (91 pts)

Montgras Intriga Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (90+ pts)

San Pedro 1865 Tayú Pinot Noir 2024 (91+ pts)

Tarapacá Gran Reserva Carmenère 2023 (90+ pts)

Kilikanoon Killerman's Run Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2023 (89 pts)

Among my top white wine picks from the main release, the only blend is the white from Portugal, which is composed of Rabigato and Viosinho. Chile also stands out among other white wines in this release with a trio of recommendations - a Chardonnay from Leyda Valley, a Sauvignon Blanc from Atacama Valley, and an Albariño from the Aconcagua Coast.

Churchill's Estates Grafite Branco 2023 (91 pts)

Ventisquero Grey Glacier Single Block Longomilla Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (91 pts)

Montes Outer Limits Albariño 2024 (90+ pts)

Other sparkling wines not part of the theme include a pair of fine local wines from Niagara - the Blanc de Noirs is 90% Pinot Noir and the rest Meunier, while the 2017 Natural Brut Sparkling is crafted with 100% Chardonnay. The last bubbly is the Friuli Prosecco DOCG that is made with Glera.

Trius Showcase Blanc de Noirs Sparkling (93 pts)

Albino Armani Extra Dry Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore (88 pts)

Sweet wine enthusiasts have several fine options in this release. The Hattyús Tokaji from Hungary is composed of 77% Furmint and 23% Zéta, while the Passito from Sicily is 100% Zibibbo (aka Muscat of Alexandria). Last, but definitely not the least, the Sauternes is a blend of 93% Sémillon, 6% Sauvignon Blanc, and 1% Muscadelle.

La Chapelle de Lafaurie-Peyraguey Sauternes 2015

Donnafugata Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria 2022 (94 pts)

Happy holidays and enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release!

Red Wine:

TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA CARMENÈRE 2023 - Sustainable, DO Valle del Maipo, Chile (#57513) (XD) - $18.95 90+ pts wine review
KILIKANOON KILLERMAN'S RUN GRENACHE/ SHIRAZ/ MATARO 2023 - Clare Valley, South Australia (#412189) (XD) - $19.95 89 pts wine review
GARAGE OLD VINES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 - Valle del Maule, Chile (#47671) (XD) - $19.95
COLOMBA BIANCA RESILIENCE PERRICONE 2023 - DOC Sicilia, Italy (#32685) (XD) - $22.95 89 pts wine review
PEREZ CRUZ PIEDRA SECA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 - Sustainable, DO Maipo Andes, Chile (#36167) (XD) - $22.95 91 pts wine review

MONTGRAS INTRIGA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Vegan, Sustainable, DO Valle del Maipo, Chile (#57901) (XD) - $23.95 90+ pts wine review
SANTA MARIA VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2021 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#47033) (XD) - $23.95
LA CHEVALIÈRE RASTEAU 2023 - AOP, Rhône, France (#18502) (XD) - $23.95 review coming soon...
SAN PEDRO 1865 TAYÚ PINOT NOIR 2024 - DO Valle del Malleco, Chile (#16628) (XD) - $23.95 91+ pts wine review
VILLACRECES PRUNO 2022 - Vegan, DO Ribera del Duero, Spain (#312140) (XD) - $24.95 90 pts updated review soon...
TRASQUA FANATICO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#283861) (XD) - $24.95

ESTATE PAPAIOANNOU SAINT GEORGE AGIORGITIKO 2019 - Vegan, PDO Nemea, Greece (#27217) (XD) - $29.95 90 pts updated review soon...
TRAPICHE GRAN MEDALLA MALBEC 2021 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#467977) (XD) - $29.95 91+ pts wine review
DONNAFUGATA DEA VULCANO 2022 - Sustainable, DOC Etna Rosso, Sicily, Italy (#32533) (XD) - $34.95 OFE 91 pts wine review
FRESCOBALDI TENUTA PERANO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2018 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#13496) (XD) - $34.95 92+ pts wine review
REDSTONE REDSTONE VINEYARD MERLOT 2020 - VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#48247) (XD) - $40.95 92 pts wine review
VIETTI PERBACCO NEBBIOLO 2022 - DOC Langhe, Piedmont, Italy (#15087) (XD) - $42.95 review coming soon...

MAISON ROCHE DE BELLENE VIEILLES VIGNES SANTENAY VILLAGES 2022 - AOC, Burgundy, France (#45170) (XD) - $52.95
WINE ART ESTATE IDISMA DRIOS XI DRY RED WINE 2020 - Drama, Greece (#35719) (XD) - $56.95 OFE
BOLLA LE ORÍGÍNÍ RISERVA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2018 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#204792) (XD) - $67.95 92 pts wine review
PIEROPAN VIGNA GARZON RISERVA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA 2018 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#16087) (XD) - $79.95 OFE 93 pts wine review
TENUTA SAN GUIDO GUIDALBERTO 2023 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#72439) (XD) - $98.95

Estate Papaioannou Saint George Agiorgitiko 2019 (90 pts)

Redstone Redstone Vineyard Merlot 2020 (92 pts)

Trapiche Gran Medalla Malbec 2021 (91+ pts)

White Wine:

ZONTE'S FOOTSTEP EXCALIBUR SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Vegan, Adelaide Hills, South Australia (#311456) (XD) - $19.95
DOMAINE HATZIMICHALIS ALEPOTRYPA VINEYARD ASSYRTIKO 2024 - Vegan, PGI Atalanti Valley, Greece (#27182) (XD) - $19.95
VENTISQUERO GREY GLACIER SINGLE BLOCK LONGOMILLA VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - DO Valle de Atacama, Chile (#17461) (XD) - $19.95 91 pts wine review
CHURCHILL'S ESTATES GRAFITE BRANCO 2023 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#45408) (XD) - $20.95 91 pts wine review
MONTES OUTER LIMITS ALBARIÑO 2024 - DO Zapallar, Chile (#47156) (XD) - $24.95 OFE 90+ pts wine review
LEYDA LOT 5 CHARDONNAY 2023 - DO Valle de Leyda, Chile (#47081) (XD) - $26.95 91 pts wine review

GREYWACKE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#164228) (XD) - $28.95
J. MOREAU & FILS GLORIE DE CHABLIS 2024 - AOC, Burgundy, France (#466144) (XD) - $31.95 90+ pts wine review
JEAN-MARC BROCARD SAINTE CLAIRE CHABLIS 2024 - AOC, Burgundy, France (#356634) (XD) - $35.95 91 pts wine review
TAWSE ROBYN'S BLOCK CHARDONNAY 2022 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#416321) (XD) - $46.95 93 pts wine review
LAURENZ V. L5 GRÜNER VELTLINER 2020 - Niederösterreich, Austria (#45356) (XD) - $53.95 OFE 91+ pts wine review
DOG POINT CHARDONNAY 2023 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#238568) (XD) - $59.95

Jean-Marc Brocard Sainte Claire Chablis 2024 (91 pts)

J. Moreau & Fils Glorie de Chablis 2024 (90+ pts)

Laurenz V. L5 Grüner Veltliner 2020 (91+ pts)

Sparkling Wine:

ALBINO ARMANI EXTRA DRY CONEGLIANO VALDOBBIADENE PROSECCO SUPERIORE - DOCG, Friuli, Italy (#16602) (D) - $22.95 88 pts wine review
BOTTEGA IL VINO DEI POETI BRUT VALDOBBIADENE PROSECCO SUPERIORE 2024 - Sustainable, DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#46058) (D) - $29.95 review coming soon...
CAVE SPRING BLANC DE BLANCS CSV ESTATE GROWN NATURAL BRUT SPARKLING 2017 - Sustainable, Traditional Method, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#237198) (XD) - $49.95 OFE 93 pts wine review
TRIUS SHOWCASE BLANC DE NOIRS SPARKLING - Traditional Method, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#47776) (XD) - $58.00 93 pts wine review
GONET SULCOVA CUVÉE GAÏA BLANC DE BLANCS BRUT GRAND CRU CHAMPAGNE - AOC, France (#45903) (XD) - $106.95 OFE
PHILIPPE GONET TER BLANC DE BLANCS EXTRA BRUT CHAMPAGNE - AOC, France (#45280) (XD) - $123.95
DOM PÉRIGNON MURAKAMI LIMITED EDITION CHAMPAGNE 2015 - In Gift Box, AOC, France (#46637) (XD) - $382.95

Fortified Wine:

BARBEITO 5-YEAR-OLD MALVASIA RESERVA MADEIRA - DOP, Portugal (#39480, 500 mL) (S) - $18.95
BURMESTER 10-YEAR-OLD TAWNY PORT - DOP, Portugal (#223958) (S) - $32.95

Desssert Wine:

PANNON TOKAJ 5 PUTTONYOS TOKAJI ASZÚ 2017 - Tokaj, Hungary (#278937, 500 mL) (S) - $40.95
LA CHAPELLE DE LAFAURIE-PEYRAGUEY SAUTERNES 2015 - AOC, second wine of Ch. Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Bordeaux, France (#477588, 375 mL) (S) - $40.95 review coming soon...
DONNAFUGATA BEN RYÉ PASSITO DI PANTELLERIA 2022 - Sustainable, DOC, Sicily, Italy (#324723, 375 mL) (S) - $54.95 94 pts wine review
HATTYÚS 5 PUTTONYOS TOKAJI ASZÚ 2017 - Tokaj, Hungary (#46595, 500 mL) (S) - $59.95

Tiraki Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (New Zealand) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely, sustainable, and vegan Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough. It is brand-new to the LCBO and landed on shelves (and online) in last month's November 8 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Tiraki Wines, a family-owned winery situated at Longfield Farm in the Southern Valleys of Marlborough, New Zealand. The farm was established in 1870 and has been family-owned and farmed for 5 generations. However, their journey into winegrowing only began after they planted their first grapes on the site in 1999.

The Hammond family didn't plan to start a wine company, but perhaps it was inevitable. Tiraki is run by three siblings - Josh, Tyler, and Ellarose Hammond - who grew up on the Marlborough farm, and a long-time friend - Chris. Together, they built forts out of bay hales, worked the vineyard by day, and by night they skied down the Wairau River - the same river that is depicted on the labels of Tiraki wines. Each sibling followed their own career path, which turned out to be complementary to each other as Josh became a winemaker, Tyler an MBA grad, and Ellarose a marketing grad, while Chris was a brilliant salesperson. The company was quietly growing before it even had a name.

As each child was growing up, one by one, they left Marlborough to pursue their own dreams in new cities and countries. However, in 2020, they all came home as Covid hit - much to the delight of their parents, and it was in 2020 that Tiraki was born, around the kitchen table, during vineyard walks, and over a few family dinners with Chris at the table.

Tiraki means 'the clearing of the sky' and is exactly what the brand has been for the family - a return to what matters the most - the land, their roots, and each other. Tiraki was created to reflect the life they've lived and the values they were raised with: to care for the land, support your community, and stay connected to what's real. Their values are rooted in Tikanga Māori and shape everything they do: Kaitiakitanga (Guardianship of the Land), Whanaungatanga (The Value of Connection and Kinship), Kotahitanga (Unity and Collective Action), and Manaakitanga (The Spirit of Hospitality, Kindness, and Generosity). Tiraki is proud to be New Zealand's first B Corp Certified wine company. Today, the Longfield farm spans 650 acres, with the majority planted to Sauvignon Blanc that is farmed with care and a commitment to best practices.

This white wine is crafted with 100% Sauvignon Blanc that was grown in their Oddstone Vineyard nestled in the Southern Valleys. The vines are 12 to 30 years old and planted on free-draining alluvial soils, and delivers concentrated fruit and lively acidity. The grapes to craft this wine were harvested in the cool, early morning, which allows for retaining aromatic flavour precursors, then gently pressed into tank to cold settle. The clear juice was fermented in stainless steel tanks at low temperatures with selected yeast strains designed to enhance aromatic intensity. Additionally, 18% of the wine was wild fermented in a mix of oak puncheons and stainless steel tanks. The two portions were then blended and aged on light lees for 5 months in tank.

During the 2023 growing season on the South Island of New Zealand, the vintage felt wet because it rained quite evenly from January to April, although total rainfall was slightly lower than average. Furthermore, variable and protracted flowering of early ripening varieties resulted in average yields for Sauvignon Blanc due to poor fruit set. Critical to the success of the vintage were the resulting loose bunches, which meant less disease vulnerability, particularly in Sauvignon Blanc, which is one of the most disease-prone varieties due to its naturally tight bunches. Cold nights held botrytis at bay and maintained acidity. From a La Niña year with disease pressure, the 2023 vintage is considered to be a resounding success, ranking among the top five vintages of all time. Moreover, it is possible to hypothesize that Sauvignon Blanc's optimal potential is realized in these benign La Niña conditions. Let's see how this 2023 Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough is tasting tonight...

Tiraki Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (90 pts)

Tasting Note:

TIRAKI SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#41802) (XD) - $24.95
Enclosed by screw cap, the restrained, medium-high to highly aromatic nose offers a lovely mix of ripe tropical fruits, guava, kiwi, passion fruit, lime citrus, leesy mineral, and grapefruit aromas, plus whiffs of white floral. The dry, medium-full bodied palate is impressively concentrated with lovely lime citrus, passion fruit, guava, and grapefruit flavours. It seems a bit tightly wound with its crisp and juicy acidity, and slightly grippy textured mouthfeel. Nicely balanced flavours throughout with lime and passion fruit notes tapering to leesy minerals on the long, crisp finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Other lovely wines by Tiraki Wines can be ordered through their Agent - Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.

Domaine Skouras Grande Cuvée Agiorgitiko 2022 (Greece) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Agiorgitiko from Greece that made its debut at the LCBO earlier this month in the November 8th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection as an Online & Flagship Exclusive - with many bottles still available for purchase both online and in 20 stores in the Greater Toronto and Ottawa areas.

It is produced by Domaine Skouras, a well-known and highly-regarded winery that was established by George Skouras within the small village of Pyrgela, on the outskirts of his hometown of Argos in Nemea of northeastern Peloponnese. After studying oenology in Dijon (Burgundy), George had a long-standing vision to create a winery in his homeland with the goal of producing high-quality wines - a vision that was realized in 1986.

Today, Domaine Skouras resides in the highlands of Argolida, within the village of Malandreni in Nemea. The ultra-modern winery was built in 2004 in the Nemea winegrowing zone, which is Greece's largest and possibly the most exciting Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) for red wines. The new facility offered greater capacity and cutting-edge infrastructure, and was carefully designed to preserve the authenticity and identity of the wines. The winery is situated among vineyards in an area that is blessed with ideal conditions for viticulture, especially for the indigenous Agiorgitiko.

The family-owned winery continues to be energetically and passionately run by George and his wife, Ourania. They are also joined by their son and daughter, Dimitris and Stella, respectively, who share their vision for the Domaine. Dimitris studied Viticulture and Oenology in France, while Stella is a graduate of Economics and Marketing studies in Scotland.

At Domaine Skouras, the philosophy is based on every wine expressing a clear and consistent philosophy, which is distilled into four key principles: purity, varietal clarity, expression of the mesoclimate, true reflection of the terroir. The vineyard team works to produce exceptional grapes with an unwavering and uncompromising dedication, and constant observation. Technology, for the Skouras team, is simply a tool for precision and control, as true winemaking happens with minimal intervention, and by respecting the grape, the land, and the passage of time.

This red wine is crafted with 100% Agiorgitiko that was grown at their vineyard in Corinthia at the high altitude of 3,412 feet (1,039 metres), from vines averaging 30 years old and planted on red clay soils rich in minerals. The vineyard was first planted in 1970, while the first vintage for this wine was 1989. After harvesting the grapes in October, they arrived at the winery and underwent alcoholic fermentation and extraction in stainless steel vats, with post-fermentation extraction occurring for 14 days. This was followed by full malolactic fermentation in oak barriques. The wine was matured for 12 months in new French barriques, with 4 of these months in the presence of light lees, then underwent further maturation in bottle for 6 months in their cellar prior to release. Let's see how this 2022 Agiorgitiko from Greece is tasting tonight...

Domaine Skouras Grande Cuvée Agiorgitiko 2022 (92 pts)

Tasting Note:

DOMAINE SKOURAS GRANDE CUVÉE AGIORGITIKO 2022 - PDO Nemea, Greece (#94706) (XD) - $42.95
The medium+ intensity nose takes some coaxing to reveal plummy, raspberry, and blackberry aromas with a sheen of woody oak, followed by minerals, savoury earth, and dark red berries. The medium+ to medium-full bodied palate is dry with ripe plum, raspberry, cherry, sandalwood, dark red berry, mineral, and spice flavours supported by fresh, crisp, and lively acidity. The mid-palate is crunchy with fine-grained and well-structured tannins. There's some youthful grip on the back-palate. Savoury, smoky, and stony mineral notes linger on the long, crisp finish. Enjoyable now, but will be even better after a few years in the cellar. Highly recommended buy! Score: 92 pts

Many other fine wines by Domaine Skouras are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.

Kacaba Terraced Vineyard Syrah 2021 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is an excellent, vegan-friendly Syrah from one of Niagara's premier Syrah wine producers. It marks the first time that the LCBO has featured a Kacaba single-vineyard Syrah in a VINTAGES Release feature story as it was categorized as perfect for festive cocktail parties (and is also suitable for the table) in the November 8 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, a premium, small-batch wine producer situated on prime, winegrowing land on the Niagara Escarpment in Vineland, Ontario. It was established in 1997 by Michael Kacaba, a Bay St. lawyer in Toronto of Ukrainian descent and a Saskatchewan background. The land where the Kacaba winery resides was slated to be a subdivision, but Mr. Kacaba had other visions and began the work to establish a vineyard and winery, and only two years later, Kacaba had their first vintage in 1999 and consistent success followed soon thereafter.

While Mr. Kacaba is no longer the owner of the winery, his vision remains - to produce wines using only the finest grapes grown on the estate or from partner growers in surrounding vineyards. The philosophy at Kacaba is dependent upon on producing small quantities of wines by limiting the quantities they can handle such that they are able to manage by hand all aspects of the winemaking process. With a focus on small-batch winemaking, Kacaba is able to produce wines of merit, while also encouraging sustainable agriculture on their land and from partner growers. Kacaba has also greatly benefited from its location on the Niagara Escarpment - a slope leading to the lake bed of the prehistoric lake that covered southern Ontario - a unique geographical microclimate whereby cold air naturally flows down the Escarpment and over Lake Ontario, where it warms, rises, and returns to heat the Escarpment. This process provides for a frost-free and extended growing season, which results in longer maturing varieties such as Syrah to naturally reach phenolic maturity and thrive in this area.

This Terraced Vineyard Syrah is one of several single-vineyard Syrahs in the Kacaba lineup. The Terraced Vineyard is one of the two original blocks of Syrah that were planted in the Kacaba Vineyard in 1997. Today, this vineyard includes some younger vines that were planted in 2007, when the neighbouring property was acquired and planted along with the Proprietor's Block. The vineyard was planted in the ravine on the property, and had to be terraced in order to plant the rows and accommodate the vineyard equipment that would help maintain the property. The ravine (and the rows of vines) run almost directly north-to-south, allowing the vines to have optimum sun exposure. With its unique microclimate, this block of vines in the terraced slope vineyard has shown much promise over the years, while producing exceptional wines. The vineyard is the most prominent part of the property as it can be seen in its entirety from the Bailey Bridge.

This red wine is actually a co-fermented blend of 90.7% Syrah and 9.3% Viognier. After careful hand-harvesting of the grapes, they were gently destemmed and left as whole berries for open-top fermentation. Both the Syrah and Viognier were cold-soaked and fermented together to extract colour, flavours, and aromatics from the skins prior to introducing yeast to initiate fermentation. During fermentation, the tanks were hand-plunged twice a day to further extract colour and flavour, while post-fermentation the wine was pressed from the skins and moved to a mixture of both French and American oak barrels to complete malolactic fermentation. The wine remained in barrels for 14 months for maturation, then combined in tank, filtered, and then bottled in August 2023.

In 2021, the growing season in Niagara was a challenging vintage. Spring and summer were mostly hot and dry, while autumn saw a shift to cool and mild temperatures, which is generally favourable for grape maturation. However, autumn also brought more rainfall, cloud cover, and fog than desired, conditions which pose a risk for fungal diseases. However, because the team at Kacaba was proactive with disease management, the timing of harvest was adjusted in order to ensure optimal grape ripeness. From a vintage that tested the skill of winemakers, as well as picking decisions, let's see how this 2021 Syrah from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Kacaba Terraced Vineyard Syrah 2021 (91+ pts)

Tasting Note:

KACABA TERRACED VINEYARD SYRAH 2021 - Vegan, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#394171) (XD) - $35.15
This co-fermented blend of 90.7% Syrah and 9.3% Viognier has a deep, medium-high intensity that seems a bit shy, offering lovely savoury meaty, dark berry, black cherry, black peppercorn spice, and floral aromas. The dry, medium+ weighted palate is ripe with tangy dark berry and sour cherry flavours joining the black peppercorn, meaty, floral, and savoury earth replays. Acids are crisp and juicy, while the ripe, fine-grained tannins are supple and textured, with good structure. Black peppercorn and meaty notes linger on the long, slightly tangy finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the next 5-6 years. Score: 91+ pts

A couple of other wines by Kacaba are available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered direct from the winery in Niagara.

Eradus Pinot Noir 2023 (New Zealand) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Pinot Noir from the Awatere Valley in Marlborough that arrived at the LCBO in last month's October 25 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

This wine is produced by Eradus Wines, a family-owned winery that was established by Har and Sophie Eradus in the 1990s on an extraordinary footprint of land at the edge of the Awatere river. The couple had emigrated from Holland in 1982 and grew flowers in Auckland before embarking on this semi-retirement project to grow grapes in the Awatere Valley - a dryland that was sheep country at the time with only a few pioneering winegrowers.

The Eradus couple's imagination was captured by this sliver of land that was nestled between a higher terrace and the glacial river below, with its guarding boundary of gnarled old macrocarpa cypress trees. Their connection to this land seemed fated when Sophie cleared a shed on the property and found an old potbelly door with an embossed logo that entwined their initials - "H", "S" and "E" - which inspired the Eradus wine label.

From the beginning, Har and Sophie desired to have the unique and wild terroir of the Awatere Valley speak through their vines. This journey began with their first vintage - a 2002 Sauvignon Blanc - and heralded a future of extraordinary wines that reflect the essence of the Awatere Valley.

Today, Eradus Wines is run by their son, Michiel, and his Kiwi wife, Hanna, as they took over the family business in 2004. Together, the second generation of the Eradus family is committed to celebrating the unique terroir of this place, with a philosophy based upon bending to nature and letting the Awatere Valley imprint itself upon every Eradus wine. Knowing that good fortune led the family to this remarkable piece of land in a valley that is now globally acclaimed for its wines, the Eradus family's role has been to take this good luck and build it into vines and wines that pay homage to the Awatere Valley.

Crafted with 100% Pinot Noir from 23-year-old vines, the grapes for this wine were grown on a slender terrace with alluvial (river stone) soil at the edge of the Awatere River. This area has a unique microclimate and soil structure that is influenced by a fault line, river, and the power of the nearby Pacific Ocean. The land is stony, dry, windy and cool - elements that create lively wines of elegance and minerality. At Eradus, they let the untameable terroir of the Awatere Valley express itself through their vines, grapes, and ultimately - the wines. Bringing together "new world" fruit and "old world" elegance and minerality, this Pinot was aged for 10 months in barrel and released in June 2024.

The growing season on the South Island of New Zealand in 2023 felt wet because it rained quite evenly from January to April, although total rainfall was slightly lower than average. Furthermore, variable and protracted flowering of early ripening varieties such as Pinot Noir resulted in below average yields due to poor fruit set. This also led to loose bunches, which meant less disease vulnerability, and was an important factor in the success of the vintage. Cold nights held botrytis at bay and maintained acidity. From a La Niña year, the 2023 vintage is considered to be a resounding success, ranking among the top five vintages of all time. Let's see how this 2023 Pinot Noir from Awatere Valley is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ERADUS PINOT NOIR 2023 - Awatere Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#41809) (XD) - $24.95
Screw cap. Lifted and open, this has an appealing, medium-high intensity nose featuring aromas of sour cherry, strawberry, savoury mushroom, and earthy beetroot accented with spices and bramble, plus reductive whiffs of oak and dried herbs. The light-to-mid-weighted palate is dry with raspberry, cran-cherry, sour cherry, dried herbs, earthy beetroot, and mushroom flavours, plus touches of stony minerals. Acids are juicy, fresh, and succulent, while the light tannins are gently grainy textured, with gentle grip and good structure on the back palate. Juicy and mouthwatering on the long finish with savoury, dried herb, sour cherry, and earthy beetroot notes. Recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

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

November 22, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Gifts + Niagara Sparklers

LCBO Wine Picks: November 22, 2025 VINTAGES New Release Collection

Here are my top wine picks from the November 22, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here), which has Giftable Wines as the feature story of the release, while Sparkling Wines from Niagara is the mini-thematic, as well as the topic in Local Talent. This is a fairly large release with almost 130 products offered, with about two-thirds of the wines coming in at under $35. Overall, it is a very good release with many delicious examples from across the globe, including Australia, which is notably strong in this release. All the wines should be readily available for purchase online and in-stores across Ontario.

Of the twenty-nine wines included as part of the feature story on Giftable Wines, nine are included among my top wine picks. The lone bubbly is the 2017 Blanc de Blancs that is 100% Chardonnay and aged on its lees for 54 months. Giftable white wines are the Chardonnay from New Zealand, and a Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre in Loire. For big spenders, the most giftable red wine is the Amarone, which consists of 50% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, 20% Corvinone, and 10% other permitted varieties. Also from Italy is the Brunello di Montalcino, which is 100% Sangiovese, while the Saint-Estèphe from Bordeaux is composed of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot. From Spain, the Rioja is a 90/10 blend of Tempranillo and Graciano, while the Ribera del Duero is 100% Tempranillo. On the local front, there is a fine Pinot Noir from the Twenty Mile Bench in Niagara.

Henry of Pelham Cuvée Catharine Carte Blanche Estate Blanc de Blancs 2017 (93+ pts)

Poggio Landi Brunello di Montalcino 2019 (93 pts)

Tawse Cherry Avenue Pinot Noir 2022 (92 pts)

Familia Torres Pago del Cielo Celeste Crianza 2020 (89 pts)

From the mini-thematic on Niagara Sparkling Wines, two of the four wines featured are among my recommended buys. First up is the 2020 Sparkling, which is a blend of 50% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Meunier, and 20% Pinot Noir, while the second recommended buy is the 2022 Brut Rosé Sparkling, which is crafted with 100% Pinot Noir.

Red wine recommendations from the main release begin in Italy and the Wine of the Month - the Crognolo Super Tuscan, which is a 95/5 blend of Sangiovese and Merlot. Also from Italy, the Etna Rosso is mainly Nerello Mascalese and a small amount of Nerello Cappuccio, while the Chianti Classico is Sangiovese, and the wine from Abruzzo is crafted with Montepulciano. Australia also shows strongly in this release with a quartet of reds - the single varietal wines are a Shiraz, a Grenache, and a Cabernet Sauvignon, while the blend is a GSM composed of Grenache, Shiraz, and Mourvèdre. There are a couple of blends from France, with the Plan de Dieu composed of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 5% Cinsault, and 5% Mourvèdre, while the Côtes de Gascogne from Southwest France is 50/50 Tannat and Merlot. Other blends include the Carmenère (which has 5% Petit Verdot) from Chile, and the Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot blend from South Africa. Other wines that may not be obvious which varietals they are crafted from are the Naoussa from Greece, which is 100% Xinomavro, and the Blaufränkisch from Austria.

Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo 2022 (92 pts)

Umani Ronchi Podere Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2023

Torbreck Woodcutter's Shiraz 2023 (91+ pts)

Heirloom Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 (90+ pts)

Angove Family Crest Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre 2022 (89 pts)

Rémy Ferbras Plan de Dieu Côtes du Rhône-Villages 2023

Pérez Cruz Limited Edition Carmenère 2023 (89 pts)

Cape Pastoral Organic Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot 2023

Esterházy Estoras Blaufränkisch 2021 (89 pts)

All of my top white wine picks from the main release are mono-varietal wines. We'll begin on the national front with a lovely dry Riesling from British Columbia, followed by a medium-sweet Riesling from Niagara. From Australia, there is an excellent Sémillon from the Barossa Valley, as well as a lovely Viognier from Eden Valley. Other fine wines include the Malagouzia from Greece, and a Grüner Veltliner from Austria. There's also a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, a Chenin Blanc from South Africa, and a Chardonnay from Argentina.

Torbreck Woodcutter's Semillon 2024 (92 pts)

Esterházy Estoras Grüner Veltliner 2024 (91 pts)

Alpha Estate Turtles Single Vineyard Malagouzia 2024

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!