Wakefield Jaraman Shiraz 2016 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is an Australian Shiraz that arrived in LCBO VINTAGES on June 23rd. Like the 2016 Wakefield Cabernet Sauvignon that I enjoyed in June, this red wine is produced by the family-owned and -operated Wakefield Wines. This particular red wine is part of their Jaraman Collection - a selection of premium wines that represent the celebration the regional diversity,...

Read More

Wine Picks LCBO VINTAGES September 1, 2018: Euro Benchmarks

The upcoming September 1, 2018 LCBO VINTAGES Release is a mono-thematic release titled "The Grand Tour" and features wines from Europe's top Benchmark wine regions. In addition, there are many fine values to be found as we head toward the busy holiday season. It is also a very good release to re-stock your cellar if it was depleted during summer. All of these wines will...

Read More

Bodega Jesús Romero Rubus 2016 (Spain) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is another new release that will be coming to LCBO VINTAGES on September 1st. It is produced by Bodegas Jesús Romero in partnership with San Alejandro's winemaker, Juan Vicente Alcañiz. Together, they purchased a three-hectare vineyard of 70-year-old Garnacha in Báguena, Aragón. They also work together on a nearly four-hectare plot of 10-year-old vines at 980...

Read More

Lavau Tavel Rosé 2017 (Rhône) - Wine Review

Tonight's lovely wine is a new release that is coming to LCBO VINTAGES on September 1st. This rosé wine is produced by the Lavau family that has been involved in winemaking for several generations and settled in the Rhône Valley in 1964. Today, brothers Frederic and Benoit Lavau are rapidly building a reputation for excellent, value-oriented and critically-acclaimed wines...

Read More

Henri de Villamont Wine Tasting 2018

In April, I had the pleasure to taste the latest wines from Burgundy's Henri de Villamont with Pierre Jhean, Winemaker and Director at the winery. Having met Pierre and enjoyed the wines from Henri de Villamont in May 2017, I was excited to see what he had to offer this time around. Pierre is always experimenting and trying new strategies and techniques to produce fine...

Read More

Zuccardi Serie A Malbec 2016 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a red wine that came through VINTAGES earlier this year (and sold out), but will be returning to shelves as part of the upcoming September 1st LCBO VINTAGES Release. It is produced by Zuccardi Wines, a winemaking family going on three generations. It was founded in 1963 by engineer, Alberto Zuccardi, when he planted his first acre of vines in Maipú,...

Read More

Château La Négly La Natice Rosé 2017 (Midi) - Wine Review

I enjoyed the 2016 Château La Négly La Natice Rosé last year and am pleased to see the lovely 2017 vintage come to LCBO VINTAGES on September 1st. Tonight's wine review is a lovely dry rosé that is produced by Château de la Negly. The winery is located in the Languedoc, overlooking the Mediterranean. The unique geographical location of the winery allows a synergy of the elements...

Read More

Wine Tasting in Prince Edward County - Oct 2017 (Day 2 of 2)

Last October, I visited Prince Edward County for the very first time. Winery visits occurred over two days, and while the first day in The County included only visits to two wineries, the second day featured visits to five wineries. All of the wineries on the second day were situated near the village of Hillier in Prince Edward County. I was very excited to taste the...

Read More

Marynissen Chardonnay 2014 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is an oaked Chardonnay from Marynissen Estates Winery in Niagara. While a previous vintage has shown up in LCBO VINTAGES, this wine is currently only available through the winery. Marynissen Estates Winery was founded after the property - which is located in the Four Mile Creek sub-Appellation at the base of the Niagara Escarpment and contained...

Read More

Wine Picks LCBO VINTAGES Release August 18, 2018: Australia + Europe Less Travelled

The upcoming August 18, 2018 LCBO VINTAGES Release features wines from Australia as its main theme, while the mini-theme is titled "Europe less travelled". The underlying message is really a chance for you to explore what's new in Australia, as well as the wines from Europe's lesser-known wine regions. There are also a couple of other relatively obscure wines from the New...

Read More

Villacreces Pruno 2016 (Spain) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a nice Spanish red blend that will be coming to LCBO VINTAGES on August 18th. It is produced by one of the region's first wineries, Finca Villacreces, and is situated in the middle of Ribera del Duero’s "Golden Mile". The Duero estate is named after its founder, Franciscan monk Pedro de Villacreces, who, together with other clerics established a monastery...

Read More

Lakeview Cellars Morgan Vineyard Kerner 2017 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a unique white wine that will be coming to LCBO VINTAGES on August 18th. The Kerner grape is an aromatic white grape variety that was bred in Germany in 1929 by crossing Trollinger (a red grape variety) with Riesling. Today, most Kerner plantings are in Germany, while some are also grown in Austria, Switzerland, and South Tyrol (in Northern Italy). With...

Read More

Dandelion Lioness of McLaren Vale Shiraz 2016 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is an Australian Shiraz that recently arrived in LCBO VINTAGES on June 23rd. Dandelion Vineyards is a unique fusion of vineyards and vignerons. The wines represent decades of experience, blending the fruit of old vine gardens with the finest traditions of artisan winemaking, while also allowing the unique character of these vineyards to express their...

Read More