February 7, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Romantic Wines

Here are my top wine picks from the February 7, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here). Titled "Our Most Romantic Wines", this is the annual Valentine's Day release and also includes a new batch of Online & Flagship Exclusive (OFE) wines. A good-sized release with just over 90 products offered, all of which should be readily available for purchase by Saturday, if not earlier.

We'll begin with the feature on "Romantic Wines", which specifically restricts the offerings to Europe's most romantic (and wine-producing) regions - Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Austria, and Germany. In all, there are sixteen wines included as part of the feature story, five of which are included among my top wine picks. From Italy, there is a fine Brunello di Montalcino from Tuscany that is crafted with 100% Sangiovese Grosso, while the French red wine is from Châteauneuf-du-Pape and is composed of 70% Grenache Noir, 15% Syrah, and 15% Mourvèdre. The last red wine is from the Douro in Portugal, and it is a blend of equal parts Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional, plus 20% Tinta Roriz. Among the white wines, there is a Grüner Veltliner from Austria, and a medium-sweet Riesling from Mosel, Germany.

Among my top red wine picks from the main release, we'll start in Tuscany with the iconic Cepparello that is made with 100% Sangiovese. Also from Tuscany is the Chianti Classico that is crafted using 96% Sangiovese and 4% Merlot, as well as the Bolgheri that is mainly Cabernet Sauvignon. Both wines from Bordeaux are blends, with the Médoc a blend of mainly Cabernet Sauvignon plus Merlot, while the Bordeaux Supérieur is composed of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. From Rioja, Spain, the Gran Reserva is made with Tempranillo, while the Crianza is a blend of mainly Tempranillo with small amounts of Garnacha and Graciano. The Priorat from Spain is composed of Garnacha and Mazuelo, while the Portuguese red from Alentejano is a blend of Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional, and Syrah. The last blend is from South Africa, and it is composed of 92% Syrah and 8% Grenache.

It was somewhat slim pickings among the white wines from the main release. However, what is recommended is very good. Chardonnay leads the pack, and first up is an excellent Chablis Premier Cru from Burgundy, followed by a pair of lovely premium offerings from Niagara. There's also a Sauvignon Blanc from Chile, as well as a blend of Alvarinho and Loureiro from Vinho Verde in Portugal.

Other wines include a pair of lovely, locally crafted sparkling wines from Niagara. The 2021 Rosé Brut Sparkling is made with 100% Pinot Noir, while the 2019 Brut Sparkling is made with 100% Pinot Meunier. The only rosé table wine in this release is also from Niagara, and it is crafted using 100% Cabernet Franc. And lastly, the Moscatel de Setúbal from Portugal is made with 100% Muscat.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• GLORIA RESERVA 2022 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#146522) (XD) - $14.95  89 pts  wine review
• GUARDA RIOS SIGNATURE RED 2022 - Vinho Regional Alentejano, Portugal (#11151) (XD) - $14.95  90 pts  wine review
• LÓPEZ DE HARO CRIANZA 2021 - Vegan, DOCa Rioja, Spain (#377481) (XD) - $17.95
• CAP ROYAL ROUGE BORDEAUX SUPÉRIEUR 2022 - Vegan, AOC, France (#486761) (XD) - $19.95  review coming soon...
• CASAS DEL TOQUI LIMITED EDITION GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Sustainable, Alto Totihue, DO Valle de Cachapoal, Chile (#37751) (XD) - $19.95  91 pts  wine review

• CHÂTEAU FONTAINE DE L'AUBIER 2019 - Sustainable, AOC Médoc, Bordeaux, France (#35619) (XD) - $25.95
• BON MAS 2020 - DOQ Priorat, Spain (#44773) (XD) - $27.95
• VAN LOGGERENBERG HIGH HOPES SYRAH/GRENACHE 2023 - WO Swartland, South Africa (#48106) (XD) - $31.95  OFE
• ALTANZA GRAN RESERVA 2016 - Vegan, DOCa Rioja, Spain (#453548) (XD) - $32.95  91+ pts  wine review
• BELL'AJA BOLGHERI 2022 - DOC, Tuscany, Italy (#16890) (XD) - $39.95  review coming soon...

• CASTELLO DI AMA AMA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2023 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#515759) (XD) - $45.95
• DAMILANO LECINQUEVIGNE BAROLO 2020 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#454488) (XD) - $56.95
• DOMAINE ALBIN JACUMIN LA BÉGUDE DES PAPES CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2022 - Sustainable, AOC, Rhône, France (#47574) (XD) - $57.95
• COL D'ORCIA OLMAIA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#16668) (XD) - $77.95  OFE  92+ pts  wine review
• CAMIGLIANO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2020 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#25970) (XD) - $86.95
• ISOLE E OLENA CEPPARELLO 2022 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#28768) (XD) - $199.95

White Wine:

• VICHUQUÉN SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - DO Valle de Curicó, Chile (#47112) (XD) - $15.95
• MARIA PAPOILA ALVARINHO/ LOUREIRO 2024 - DOC Vinho Verde, Portugal (#408146) (XD) - $18.95
• RABL LANGENLOIS GRÜNER VELTLINER 2023 - Sustainable, DAC Kamptal, Austria (#377457) (XD) - $19.95
• GOLDSCHILD ÜRZIGER WÜRZGARTEN RIESLING KABINETT 2023 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#45015) (MS) - $21.95
• DOMAINE LE CLOS JORDANNE JORDAN VILLAGE CHARDONNAY 2023 - VQA West Niagara, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#20455) (XD) - $30.00  review coming soon...
• DOMAINE QUEYLUS RÉSERVE DU DOMAINE CHARDONNAY 2022 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#417832) (XD) - $48.70
• DOMAINE YVON & LAURENT VOCORET FOURCHAUME CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2023 - AOC, Burgundy, France (#22776) (XD) - $58.95  review coming soon...

Rosé Wine:

• PENINSULA RIDGE BEAL VINEYARD CABERNET ROSÉ 2024 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#177840) (XD) - $16.95

Sparkling Wine:

• KEW PINOT MEUNIER NATURAL BRUT SPARKLING 2019 - Traditional Method, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#49602) (XD) - $32.95  review coming soon...
• DIVERGENCE HUGHES VINEYARD BRUT ROSÉ SPARKLING 2021 - Traditional Method, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#49617) (XD) - $39.95  91+ pts  wine review

Fortified Wine:

• BACALHÔA MOSCATEL DE SETÚBAL 2022 - Vegan, DOP, Portugal (#996181) (S) - $18.95

Dessert Wine:

• LAKEVIEW CELLARS CABERNET SAUVIGNON ICEWINE 2017 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#471813, 200 mL) (S) - $29.95  92 pts  wine review

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Spy Valley E Block Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (New Zealand) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely, certified sustainable, and vegan Sauvignon Blanc from Waihopai Valley in Marlborough. It arrived at the LCBO as the Wine of the Month in the January 10 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Spy Valley Wines, a family-owned winery located deep in the Waihopai Valley, within the Southern Valleys of Marlborough, New Zealand. It was established by Bryan and Jan Johnson in 1993, during a time of discovery and courage in Marlborough when it was thought that the area was too hard, too dry, and too unfertile for winegrowing. The Johnson couple had the audacity and passion for the land to establish 180 hectares of estate vineyards, and with a pioneering spirit, Spy Valley would go on to become one of New Zealand's most successful family-run wineries.

The name "Spy Valley" is inspired by the winery's proximity to a government communications facility that is often referred to as a spy base. As Bryan and Jan stepped away from the winery, it was their daughter, Amanda Johnson, who took over and became Managing Director of Spy Valley. As the daughter of the founding family, Amanda has Spy Valley in her blood. She is passionate about looking after the land and for future generations, and knows how crucial sustainability is to both Spy Valley and the wine industry.

Sustainability has been a core value at Spy Valley since the winery's founding. They know that when you work on land as exceptional as this, you protect it. Spy Valley also knows that their environment is one of the many secrets to their success, as it has sustained generations, and it is their job to nurture it for many more. Since 1999, Spy Valley has been proudly accredited under the New Zealand Sustainable Winegrowing scheme, which promotes economically and environmentally sustainable vineyard management. Spy Valley proudly was one of Marlborough's first wineries to be certified under this program.

Spy Valley has several ranges of wines in their portfolio, and this white wine is from their Block Range. The Block Range is a refined and complex range of wines that are crafted using grapes from unique single blocks on their estate, which were selected for their flavour and structure. One can expect wines from the Block Range to deliver terroir, typicity, and an element of craft.

This particular white wine is from Spy Valley's Block Range and is crafted using 100% Sauvignon Blanc that was grown on the estate in Waihopai Valley, where the geology is stony, seismic, and on an ancient glacial riverbed, and the soil is composed of alluvial stony silt loams. The viticulturalist was Adam McCone, and winemakers were Wendy Stuckey and Emily Gaspard-Clark. The grapes were harvested at peak flavour maturity from their E Block Vineyard Block in the Waihopai Valley. It underwent gentle juice extraction, and was cold settled and fermented in a combination of 80% in stainless steel tanks and 20% in French oak barrels, with a range of aromatic yeasts. The wine remained on its fine yeast lees for 6 months before blending and bottling.

The growing season in Waihopai Valley experienced an excellent flowering period and consistent rainfall, which resulted in even crops and healthy canopies. The weather leading up to harvest was slightly cooler than recent years, which meant that the start of harvest was a bit later and allowed the fruit to get extra "hang time" and develop more flavours across all varieties. While the crop was slightly smaller than the previous bumper crop season, the fruit was perfectly ripened during the steady, low-stress harvest. At Spy Valley, the 2023 growing season was a great success with a year of collaboration, innovation, and exceptional quality. Let's see how this 2023 Sauvignon Blanc from Waihopai Valley in Marlborough, New Zealand, is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

SPY VALLEY E BLOCK SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 - Vegan, Sustainable, Waihopai Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#36874) (XD) - $21.95
The fragrant, highly aromatic nose wafts of limey citrus, gooseberry, white peach, and leesy mineral aromas nuanced with grapefruit, lemon citrus, guava, passion fruit, green herb, and spice notes. The medium+ bodied palate is dry with good density and concentration and delivers ripe, lime/lemon citrus, grapefruit, floral, gooseberry, white peach, and guava flavours, plus notions leesy mineral, spice, and green herb, all supported by fresh and creamy acidity. It's well-balanced throughout with citrus and tropical fruit notes tapering to leesy minerals on the long, fresh, and juicy finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

A few wines by Spy Valley are available (some in small quantities) at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Featherstone Red Tail Merlot 2023 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious, certified sustainable and vegan Merlot from Niagara that arrived at the LCBO as a Smart Buy in the January 10 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Like the 2023 Featherstone Canadian Oak Chardonnay I enjoyed a few months ago, this red wine is produced by Featherstone Estate Winery, an eco-friendly winery that was founded in 1999 by Louise Engel and her winemaker husband, Dave Johnson. Featherstone is located on 23 acres of rolling hills in the prestigious Twenty Mile Bench sub-appellation of the Niagara Escarpment, and prides itself on its eco-friendly farming practices, which have been in place since Featherstone's founding.

The vision at Featherstone has always been to produce distinctive, small-batch wines that are cultivated in soils that reflect the biodiversity of the Niagara Escarpment. Since the beginning, the philosophy has been based on respect for the land, which is at the heart of making wine that is true to its soil and site. Through biodiversity and without the use of insecticides, Featherstone encourages an environment that is healthy and unique, as they believe that this individuality translates into their wines. In 2023, Featherstone received their Sustainable Winegrowing Ontario (SWO) certification.

In 2024, after twenty-five successful years, Featherstone changed hands and is now under the ownership of philanthropist Rayla Myhal and businessman George Myhal. The team at Featherstone has a common dedication to excellence in food and a passion for wine. In addition to building upon the successes of the past, Rayla and George are also using their background in philanthropy to help uplift the surrounding community and have set an ambitious goal to give back 10% of all profits to local charities in the area.

As winemaking and grape growing are both scientific and intuitive processes, Featherstone wines reflect the special character of the grapes, as well as the artistry of the winemaker. Kevin is still the senior winemaker at Featherstone, while the other winemaker is Kevin Qin, who has been with Featherstone since 2016.

Named after the graceful and swift, red-tailed hawks that fly above the vineyards in Niagara, this red wine is composed of 100% Merlot. The grapes were machine harvested by October 26th and optically sorted to separate the ripest grapes, then cold soaked on the skins for 5 days and underwent alcoholic fermentation using indigenous yeasts in their climate-controlled cellar. The wine also underwent complete malolactic fermentation. It was aged for 10 months in 100% French oak barrels (25% new) from Tonnellerie Sirgue-Nuits Saint Georges, with monthly lees stirring.

In 2023, the growing season in Niagara was saved by a dry and warm fall that provided relief from the wet, dreary, and smoke-filled summer. While harvest was behind normal schedule by up to three weeks, the end result was a bountiful crop with high-quality grapes. Merlot exhibits fine acidity and phenolic ripeness, alongside ripe tannic structure, and will be enjoyable both in the near and long term. From a very good vintage, let's see how this 2023 Merlot from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

FEATHERSTONE RED TAIL MERLOT 2023 - Vegan, Sustainable, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#131540) (XD) - $19.95
Enclosed by Stelvin screw cap, this Merlot has fragrant, medium-high intensity aromatics that deliver ripe red & black berried notes of currant, cassis, cherry, mocha chocolate, and earth, plus touches of cedar oak and green herbs. The dry, mid-weighted palate has delicious currant, cassis, black cherry, chocolate, earth, and cedar oak flavours in a well-balanced profile. Acids are crisp and balanced, while the tannins are smooth and refined, with a fine, dusty texture. Savoury earth and chocolate notes lead to a tangy finish, with very good length. Smart buy! Score: 89 pts

Many other delicious wines by Featherstone are available at the LCBO, while the entire portfolio can be ordered direct from the winery in Niagara.

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Antech Cuvée Françoise Brut Nature Blanquette de Limoux (Languedoc) - Wine Review

Tonight's sparkling wine review is a lovely, traditional method sparkling wine from Limoux. It is brand-new to the LCBO, arriving as part of the feature on Special Sparklers in the December 20th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection - with plenty of bottles still available for your next celebratory event.

It is produced by Famille Antech (pronounced "An-tesh"), a well-respected, celebrated, and family-owned winery that specializes in the production of traditional method sparkling wines made with the Mauzac varietal grown on the hillsides of the Limoux wine region in Languedoc. The winery has been passed down from one generation to the next and is currently run by Françoise Antech-Gazeau and her son, Baptiste, the sixth and seventh generations of the family, respectively.

Limoux is believed to be the birthplace of traditional method sparkling wine (where secondary fermentation takes place in bottle), with records dating back to 1544 in the abbey of Saint-Hilaire, near Limoux. Antech's history begins in 1860, when the winery was founded by Zélie and Jules, who followed their family's passion for the vine and wine. Women played a central role in the history of the winery each step of the way, and in 1996 Françoise joined the family estate and played an instrumental role in elevating Antech into one of the region's top sparkling wine producers.

Today, Famille Antech continues to cultivate the land in Limoux, where the unique terroir mixes the freshness of the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean climate. The vineyards located at 400 metres above sea level enjoy ideal winegrowing with natural drainage, significant diurnal temperatures, and freshness from the snow-covered slopes of the Pyrenees until May.

In 2020, Françoise's son, Baptiste, joined the winery to work alongside his mother and continue the family's long-standing traditions, while also introducing fresh energy to the project. Since 2020, Antech has begun their tradition to organic viticulture and prefers agriculture that respects the environment, including harnessing the ubiquitous winds off the hillsides. They are also making a concerted effort to further develop the Mauzac grape varietal, which is perfectly suited to this microclimate.

At Antech, the philosophy is to combine tradition with innovation in their work every year by combining their centenary knowledge with inspiration from their travels to other wine regions. A minimalist approach is preferred, thereby allowing the terroir to express itself naturally.

This sparkling wine is crafted in the traditional method using 100% Mauzac that was grown on limestone soil and hand-harvested from parcels located in two areas - those that benefit from the seaside Mediterranean climate, and those located in the cooler Pyrenees mountains. The vineyards are in conversion to organic, while the vineyards located at altitude in the foothills of the Pyrenees are dry farmed. To vinify this wine, the grapes were direct pressed using slow and low pressure and fermented in the traditional method with zero dosage. It was aged for an average of 30 months on its lees.

Famille Antech's commitment to sustainability is evident in this wine as they have used a 15% lighter weight bottle that is made using 90% recycled glass, as well as the label that is bio-sourced and made from natural cotton. Let's see how this traditional method Blanquette de Limoux crafted with Mauzac is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ANTECH CUVÉE FRANÇOISE BRUT NATURE BLANQUETTE DE LIMOUX - Traditional Method, AOP, Languedoc, France (#44204) (XD) - $22.95
100% Mauzac. The medium+ intensity nose is autolytic, toasty, and yeasty layered over lemon citrus and ripe apple aromas in an elegant and delicate profile. It is light to medium-bodied with fresh and racy acidity on the dry palate, with lively bubbles and toasty, autolytic, yeasty, leesy, lemon citrus, apple, and spice flavours. Silky, juicy mouthfeel on the mid-palate. Yeasty and autolytic notes taper to leesy minerals on the long, clean, crisp, and juicy finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

One other sparkling wine by Famille Antech is available on clearance in very small quantities at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Cave de Lugny Mâcon-Chardonnay 2023 (Burgundy) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is this lovely, certified sustainable Chardonnay from the Mâconnais wine region of Burgundy. It is brand new to the LCBO, arriving as part of last month's December 20 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Cave de Lugny, a historically significant co-operative winery situated in the Mâconnais wine district of Burgundy. While the roots of Cave de Lugny date back to the 18th century, it was officially founded in 1927 on the backs of wines that were produced from the famous vineyards of Saint Pierre, Les Crêts, and La Grande Vigne, and was the second wine co-operative that was established in the Mâconnais, only one year after the establishment of the co-operative Saint-Gengoux-de-Scissé.

With shared common values and interests, the two wine co-operatives merged in 1966, but maintained their own production sites. The combined group invested in their facilities, including the installation of packaging facilities in 1970 at both sites, and all the production of red wines was moved to Saint-Gengoux-de-Scissé, while all the white wines were produced at Lugny. In 1987, the group's long name was shortened to "Cave de Lugny", and in 1994 they were joined by a third wine co-operative - Cave de Chardonnay.

Today, Cave de Lugny is firmly rooted in the Mâconnais countryside and is proud of its origins and history, which have made it a specialist in Southern Burgundy wines. The winery is forward-thinking and seeks to grow by producing not only quality wines, but also by improving the quality of working conditions. The three wineries of Cave de Lugny each have their own specialization. The winery in Chardonnay is dedicated to the production of sparkling wines, while the winery in Saint-Gengoux-de-Scissé mainly vinifies red wines. At Lugny, they vinify and age white wines, as well as handle packaging and shipping for all three wineries.

When the co-operative was initially founded, it consisted of 116 wine growers, a number that grew three years later to 180, and today that number exceeds 400 members. Together, the members of Cave de Lugny are masters of the land, proud of their craft, and share a love of their vineyards. The growers, some of whom are several generations old, are united and determined, creative and innovative, and represent a veritable raw talent which plays a crucial role in the development of the local area, the conservation of the environment, and the preservation of the region's rural activity. The wines of Cave de Lugny are produced with protected designations of origin, which build a reputation over the long term. Since 2014, Cave de Lugny has been an approved and certified member of Sustainable Winegrowing.

This particular white wine was formerly known as a Grand Reserve and came to us as a brand-new label. It is crafted with 100% Chardonnay grapes that were grown in the appellation of Mâcon-Chardonnay. The village of Chardonnay is situated in the northern part of the Mâconnais region, and the vines are grown on the slopes of two valleys: on the one side, on the northernmost extension of the hillside of Lugny along to the village of Ozenay, and on the other, between Chardonnay and the hills looking down over Tournus.

Historically, this ancient settlement was founded by the Romans and known as Cardonacum, which became Chardonnay over time. With architectural heritage artifacts, the area was known to practice winegrowing and for its dedication to transforming grapes. Towards the end of the 18th century, the village made a name for itself by producing white wines from the famous varietal, which at the time was known by many different names. In 1860, when Dr. Jules Guyot visited Baron d'Empire Chapuis-Montlaville’s property, he saw "Chardennets" plants that were more than 80 years old, and gradually the name of the village became intertwined with the grape variety.

For this Chardonnay, the 80 hectares of vines average over 30 years old and are planted on south-southeast facing slopes, on shallow soils made of limestone. To vinify this wine, the grapes were mechanically harvested and pressed in a pneumatic press. It underwent alcoholic fermentation at a controlled temperature of between 16°C and 18°C, followed by complete malolactic fermentation. The wine was matured on its lees in stainless steel vats and then bottled.

The 2023 growing season in Burgundy provided an abundance of both quantity and quality. A relatively benign winter turned into a tumultuous spring which featured both unseasonably warm and chilly days. This delayed budbreak, but avoided any spring frosts. Summer eventually arrived, along with some thunderstorms, which created humid conditions and meant that growers had to be vigilant in monitoring disease in the vineyard. Conditions leading up to harvest were balmy, followed by very good weather during harvest. The latent summer heat resulted in rich, aromatic, and fruit-driven wines. From a very good vintage, let's see how this 2023 Chardonnay from Mâconnais, Burgundy is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CAVE DE LUGNY MÂCON-CHARDONNAY 2023 - Sustainable, AOC, Burgundy, France (#45272) (XD) - $23.95
This 100% unoaked Chardonnay has lovely, richly elegant aromas of medium-high intensity rising out of the glass with notes of lemon citrus, flinty-leesy mineral, apple, pear, and white flower, plus accents of white peach. On the dry, medium+ bodied palate it is lightly honeyed with apple, pear, citrus, spice, and white flower flavours nuanced with leesy minerals. It has fresh and lively acidity, with a juicy mid-palate, and a finely textured mouthfeel. Apple, pear, and citrus notes give way to spice and leesy-flinty minerals on the long, crisp, and well-balanced finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

A pair of lovely wines by Cave de Lugny are readily available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Trilogy Wine Merchants.

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Kanonkop Kadette Pinotage 2022 (South Africa) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Pinotage from South Africa that arrived at the LCBO in last month's December 20 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Kanonkop Wine Estate, a 4th generation family-owned estate situated in the Stellenbosch wine region of the Western Cape, South Africa. While the farm has existed since the early part of the 20th century, the first wines bearing the Kanonkop label were produced only in 1973.

The name Kanonkop is derived from a cannon (kanon) that was located on a hillock (kop) on the Simonsberg mountain above the wine estate that was fired to announce the arrival of sailing ships entering Table Bay during the 17th and 18th centuries. The loud roar of the cannon signalled to local farmers that they needed to load up their wagons with fresh fruit and vegetables and make the 50-kilometre journey to the harbour to barter their produce.

When Kanonkop created their first wines in 1973, they entered their name into contention for a place in the annals of South African wine greatness. Kanonkop owes everything it has achieved and all the recognition it has attained to Paul Sauer, the second generation of the family and a man who passed away only three years after the first wines were crafted.

Paul Sauer was a politician in the South African parliament for forty-one consecutive years and spent some of those years as minister of Land and Irrigation, and Public Works and Forestry. Paul grew up with his parents, including his father, JW Sauer, who was an eminent politician and government minister, at the Uitkyk farm located just up the road from Kanonkop. At Uitkyk, Paul formed the foundations of his future great personality, while also developing a love for the land on the slopes of Simonsberg. His appreciation of wine and its culture was profoundly influenced by his mother, Mary, who was the daughter of Hendrik Cloete, the owner of Groot Constantia, South Africa's oldest wine farm.

Today, Kanonkop is run by brothers Johann and Paul Krige, the grandsons of Paul Sauer. As custodians of their grandfather's legacy, the Krige brothers oversee the estate's daily operations. The philosophy at Kanonkop lies in viticulture and terroir - the influences of the soil, climate, and topography and how it shapes the vine, vineyard, and region, and in turn, how it determines the character of the wine. In addition, Kanonkop places an important value on the influence of human interaction on the vines - how the vines are pruned, harvested and worked over generations.

Kanonkop also places an emphasis on vintage. The classic approach to winemaking at Kanonkop is underscored by the vintage. On this unique farm in Stellenbosch, no year in the vineyards are the same. Therefore, the approach in the vineyard is focused and site-specific, concepts which have been at the heart of the estate since its inception, and ensures that the character of each year is captured in the wines. Kanonkop is best-known for their red wines, namely Pinotage and Bordeaux varietal reds, which are renowned for their consistency and sense of place.

This red wine is from Kanonkop's 'Kadette' range, which was born in the mid-1980s when the ever-growing demand for its estate wines outstripped supply. This led to new plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage. However, the ethos at Kanonkop under Beyers Truter at the time was that the vines needed to reach a certain level of maturity before the fruit was deemed good enough to portray the depth and complexity associated with Kanonkop Estate wines. It was Jannie Krige who came up with the idea of making a second label under the name Kadette. With the military association of 'kanon' in the estate's name, it was only logical to name the second label of wines Kadette - a junior brand to the more senior main brand. Today, the grapes for the Kadette range no longer come from Kanonkop vineyards because the demand is too great, and the volume required is simply too large. However, every grape bunch destined for the Kadette range is subjected to the meticulous processes in the winery as the Estate range.

The Kadette Pinotage was first released in 2013. It is crafted with 100% Pinotage grown in Stellenbosch, from supplementally irrigated vines that are 8 to 23 years of age and planted on decomposed granite and Hutton soils. The grapes were fermented in open-top concrete fermenters at 28°C, with the floating skins punched down mechanically every 2 hours during fermentation. The juice was drawn off the skins after 3 days, and after malolactic fermentation, the wine was aged for 12 months in second- and third-fill 225 L French Nevers oak barrels.

In Stellenbosch, the growing season in 2022 was about 2 weeks later than normal, which was also the latest in the past 25 years. It started with a cold winter and enough rain, which resulted in budbreak that was 2 weeks late. Spring and the early part of summer were quite cool, with December having lower maximum and minimum temperatures, while January was more moderate with a couple of hot days. Slow ripening conditions resulted in concentrated fruit development and weight. From a classic Stellenbosch vintage that produced exceptional wines, let's see how this 2022 Pinotage from South Africa is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

KANONKOP KADETTE PINOTAGE 2022 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#30191) (XD) - $21.95
This 100% Pinotage has a medium-high intensity nose that is fresh and lifted with elegant dark berry, blackberry, bramble, savoury spice, and earthy mineral aromas with touches of dried herbs. The medium+ palate is chewy and quite fleshy with lovely ripe black cherry, black plum, bramble, and allspice flavours accented with savoury wood. It has fresh and juicy acidity, alongside powdery, lightly grippy textured tannins. The spicy mid-palate tapers to savoury, earthy mineral notes on the long, juicy finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

A couple of other fine wines by Kanonkop are available in small quantities at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Villacreces Pruno 2022 and 2011 (Ribera del Duero) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's red wine reviews are a pair of lovely Tempranillo-based wines from the DO of Ribera del Duero in Spain. The 2022 vintage of this organic red wine arrived at the LCBO in last month's December 6 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection as part of the mini-feature on wines from Ribera del Duero.

The 2011 Pruno is a bottle I purchased over a decade ago from the September 28, 2013 LCBO VINTAGES Release. While my notes indicated that I probably should've opened this a few years ago, I figured this would be as good a time as any to open it back-to-back with the current vintage.

Both of these wines are produced by Finca Villacreces, a renowned estate winery situated in Spain's Ribera del Duero wine region with a history dating back to at least 1350, when Pedro de Villacreces, a Franciscan friar, was the first documented resident on the estate. Along with a group of ministers, Pedro cultivated the land, including a small vineyard that was used to make wine for their own use and nearby monasteries.

In 1836, the estate came into private hands, and soon thereafter it held rights over the waters of the Duero river. In the early 20th century, the estate was sold to the Cuadrado family from Valladolid. The Cuadrado family used the estate for various agricultural and recreational purposes, including housing illustrious guests. One of these guests was Peter Sisseck, who used the winery and part of the vineyard to craft the notable Flor de Pingus.

In 2004, the Cuadrado family sold the estate to the father and son team of Gonzalo and Lalo Antón, who already owned wineries in Rioja and Toro. After three years of remodelling and painstaking work to restore the vineyard, Finca Villacreces was once again inaugurated. In 2017, the acquisition of Pinos Claros, within the Golden Mile of Ribera del Duero, extended the estate's reach to 275 hectares of vineyards, 90% of which are organically farmed.

Today, Finca Villacreces is situated in the heart of Ribera del Duero's Golden Mile, amidst a 200-year-old pine forest and bathed to the north by the Duero River. This unique place brings landscape, tradition, and charm together, with a vineyard that is divided into 15 plots that are interspersed with a centenary pine forest. The vineyard at Finca Villacreces is unique because it is conditioned by the diversity of poor soil, which ranges from extremely sandy areas near the pines to the very stony terrain where pebbles from the alluvial deposition of the Duero river predominate.

Finca Villacreces is a 110-hectare estate, with 64 hectares of vineyards. Situated at 700 metres above sea level, the vineyard is subject to an extreme climate with large temperature fluctuations, long winters, and dry summers with low rainfall. However, the surrounding forest protects Finca Villacreces from the most aggressive climatic conditions. The focus at Finca Villacreces is for quality-focused and integrated viticulture, where the vine's natural condition is controlled and preserved in order to obtain wines with the unique Villacreces typicity and personality. Sustainability is also a focus at Finca Villacreces, with some of these initiatives being vineyard adaptation, support for biodiversity, sustainable packaging, and reduction of carbon footprint.

The 2022 vintage of this red wine is crafted with 93% Tempranillo, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Merlot, from grapes grown among the 64 hectares of vineyards located on the estates of Finca Villacreces and Pinos Claros. The average age of the vines is 25 years, and they are trained using a trellis system with light pines. To vinify this wine, the grapes underwent alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks with double pissage (bleed off the juice to increase concentration of colour, tannins, and flavour), followed by malolactic fermentation in a combination of stainless steel tank, oak fermentation vat, and oak barrels. The wine was aged for 10 months in 75% French and 25% American second- and third-use oak.

The growing season in Ribera del Duero in 2022 was marked by the absence of rain and remarkably hot temperatures, which resulted in irregular ripening levels. While the grapes were healthy, they did exhibit below average weight with a higher ratio of skin to pulp. This also allowed producers to pick at their chosen time, which will play a key role in defining the individual wine styles. It was a long harvest with the last Tempranillo picked in mid-November. From a very good vintage with wines displaying very good structure and complexity, let's see how this 2022 Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

VILLACRECES PRUNO 2022 - Vegan, DO Ribera del Duero, Spain (#312140) (XD) - $24.95
This organic red wine is a blend of 93% Tempranillo, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Merlot. The medium+ intensity nose takes some coaxing to reveal ripe, dark berried, black cherry, currant, and sweet vanillan oak aromas surrounding a core of plum and accented with floral violet. The dry, medium+ bodied palate is well-structured with ripe dark berry, black cherry, and currant flavours in a spicy profile. More savoury on the mid-palate with cedary oak, earth, and mineral notes. It has crisp and juicy acidity, along with chalky, drying, and almost astringent tannins. Savoury earth and smoky mineral notes linger on the long, dry finish. Recommended buy that is best enjoyed over the next 2-3 years. Score: 89 pts

FINCA VILLACRECES PRUNO 2011 - DO Ribera del Duero, Spain (#312140) (XD) - $19.95
This blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon pours a very dark purple colour. It has savoury spice, leather, and mature, stewed black fruit aromas rising out of the glass with medium+ to medium-high intensity. Savoury wet earth and sandalwood with touches of dried herb and black currant add nuance, interest, and complexity. The medium-bodied palate is spicy with savoury black fruit, currant, leather, sandalwood, and dried herb flavours. Acids are still quite refresh, while the textured tannins are slightly astringent and drying. Alcohol peeks through slightly on the mid-palate, while savoury earth and woody notes linger on the long and slightly tangy finish. Past prime with little room for further improvement. Serve at cool, red wine temperature and enjoy now! Really smooth and pleasantly mature on the 2nd day. Score: 89 pts

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

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