August 2019 Archive | VINTAGES Wine Picks & Reviews

Thursday, August 29, 2019

August 31, 2019 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: 90+ Scores + Southern Rhône

LCBO Wine Picks: August 31, 2019 VINTAGES Release

The main theme of the August 31, 2019 LCBO VINTAGES Release features wines that scored 90 pts or higher, while the mini-theme focuses on wines from the Southern Rhône. As always, there are other delightful wines to choose from outside of the themes. All of these wines will appear on LCBO VINTAGES across Ontario shelves by this Saturday.

We'll begin with the main theme that looks at wine scoring and focuses on wines that scores 90+ points. Of the thirteen wines featured as part of this theme, four are included among my top wine picks. From South Africa, the white wine is a blend that consists of 40% Chenin Blanc, 40% Roussanne, 10% Grenache Blanc, 8% Viognier, and 2% Verdelho, while the red wine from South Africa is a blend of 73% Syrah, 16% Merlot, and 11% Petit Verdot. From Bordeaux, the Pauillac red is a blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, and 7% Petit Verdot. Lastly, the white Burgundy is a lovely Chardonnay from 60-90 year old vines.

Deux Roches Vieilles Vignes Pouilly-Fuissé 2016 (91 pts)

Waterkloof Circle of Life Red 2015 (88 pts)

From the mini-theme on wines from Southern Rhône that features only five wines, four are included among my top wine recommendations. Among the three red wines from Rhône, all are composed of various amounts of Grenache and Syrah - the two primary red wine varietals in Southern Rhône. At the top of the list is a lovely Gigondas that consists of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, while the Châteauneuf-du-Pape is an early maturing blend of 65% Grenache and 35% Syrah. Lastly, the Vinsobres is a blend of 55% Grenache and 45% Syrah. The lone Rhône white wine is a blend of 50% Grenache Blanc, 30% Roussanne, and 20% Clairette.

Domaine du Grapillon d’Or Gigondas 2016 (91 pts)

Gabriel Meffre Laurus Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2015 (92 pts)

Courtois La Grange Vinsobres 2015 (89 pts)

Les Vignerons du Castelas Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2017 (88 pts)

My top red wine picks include a pair of Chianti Classico wines - the 2014 is a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Colorino / Canaiolo / Malvasia Nera, while the 2015 consists of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. Also from Italy, the Tornatore is a blend of Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio grown on the northern slopes and volcanic soils of Mount Etna.

Il Molino di Grace Chianti Classico 2014 (90 pts)

Among my white wine picks, the Côte des Roses White is a blend of Grenache Blanc, Viognier and Vermentino that comes in the same fancy bottle as their rosé. The rest are all single varietal wines, including the Pouilly-Fumé that is made with Sauvignon Blanc. If you prefer sweeter wines, the Riesling should be on your shopping list.

Domaine de Congy Pouilly-Fumé 2017 (90 pts)

Featherstone Black Sheep Riesling 2017 (88+ pts)

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this Release! Salud!

Red Wine:

COURTOIS LA GRANGE VINSOBRES 2015 - AC, Rhône, France (#526632) (XD) - $17.00 89 pts wine review
H J. FABRE RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2016 - Mendoza, Argentina (#646844) (D) - $18.95 90 pts wine review
FEATHERSTONE CABERNET FRANC 2017 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#64618) (XD) - $19.95 88 pts wine review
WATERKLOOF CIRCLE OF LIFE RED 2015 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#698175) (XD) - $19.95 88 pts wine review
IL MOLINO DI GRACE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2014 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#085209) (XD) - $19.95 90 pts wine review
TORNATORE NERELLO MASCALESE/NERELLO CAPPUCCIO 2017 - DOC Etna Rosso, Sicily, Italy (#487090) (XD) - $24.95
VICCHIOMAGGIO AGOSTINO PETRI RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2015 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#993360) (D) - $29.95
DOMAINE DU GRAPILLON D’OR GIGONDAS 2016 - AC, Rhône, France (#981787) (XD) - $34.95 91 pts wine review
CHÂTEAU LA FLEUR PEYRABON 2014 - AC Pauillac, Bordeaux, France (#648063) (XD) - $49.95 91 pts wine review
GABRIEL MEFFRE LAURUS CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2015 - AC, Rhone, France (#699074) (XD) - $55.95 92 pts wine review

H J. Fabre Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 (90 pts)

Featherstone Cabernet Franc 2017 (88 pts)

White Wine:

SIMONSIG CHENIN BLANC 2018 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#610907) (XD) - $13.95 89 pts wine review
LES VIGNERONS DU CASTELAS CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2017 - AC, France (#142125) (XD) - $15.95 88 pts wine review
FEATHERSTONE BLACK SHEEP RIESLING 2017 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#080234) (M) - $17.95 88+ pts wine review
TAHBILK VIOGNIER 2018 - Nagambie Lakes, Central Victoria, Australia (#271387) (XD) - $18.95 88 pts wine review
GÉRARD BERTRAND CÔTE DES ROSES WHITE 2018 - AP, Languedoc, France (#010621) (XD) - $18.95 88 pts wine review
RASCALLION 33-1/3 RPM WHITE BLEND 2017 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#914390) (XD) - $18.95
CLOS HENRI PETIT CLOS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2017 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#927186) (XD) - $21.95 89 pts wine review
NALS MARGREID PUNGGL PINOT GRIGIO 2016 - DOC Südtirol – Alto Adige, Italy (#395756) (XD) - $29.95
DOMAINE DE CONGY POUILLY-FUMÉ 2017 - AC, Loire, France (#667501) (XD) - $32.95 90 pts wine review
DEUX ROCHES VIEILLES VIGNES POUILLY-FUISSÉ 2016 - AP, Burgundy, France (#488825) (XD) - $41.95 91 pts wine review

Clos Henri Petit Clos Sauvignon Blanc 2017 (89 pts)

Rosé Wine:

DELAS SAINT-ESPRIT CÔTES DU RHÔNE ROSÉ 2018 - AC, France (#224964) (D) - $16.95 88 pts wine review
OTT BY.OTT ROSÉ 2018 - AP Côtes de Provence, France (#490896) (XD) - $29.95 91 pts wine review

Delas Saint-Esprit Côtes du Rhône Rosé 2018 (88 pts)

Sparkling Wine:

PARÉS BALTÀ BRUT CAVA - Traditional method, DO, Spain (#650648) (XD) - $17.95 88 pts wine review
RENÉ GEOFFROY EMPREINTE BRUT 1ER CRU CHAMPAGNE 2012 - AC, France (#665844) (XD) - $69.95 91 pts wine review

René Geoffroy Empreinte Brut 1er Cru Champagne 2012 (91 pts)

Les Vignerons du Castelas Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2017 (France) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a nice white blend from Côtes du Rhône that will arrive in LCBO VINTAGES on August 31.

It is produced by the co-operative winery Les Vignerons du Castelas that was formed in 1952 by a handful of winemakers that wanted to pool their efforts to make the most of the land and terroir found in the Côtes du Rhône appellation. The winery is located on the right bank of the Rhône river, between Pont d'Avignon and Pont du Gard in Rochefort du Gard. The name of the winery comes from a Romanesque chapel of the XI century that is perched atop the village.

Today, the co-operative consists of more than 500 hectares of vines, the majority within the Côtes du Rhône appellation. Terroir consists primarily of sandy marls from the Pliocene period and terraces with round pebbles from the Villafranchiennes period on the plateau of the Signargues appellation.

Tasting Note:

LES VIGNERONS DU CASTELAS CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2017 - AC, France (#142125) (XD) - $15.95
This blend of 50% Grenache Blanc, 30% Roussanne, and 20% Clairette has a medium intensity and evolving nose of floral, beeswax, peach, citrus, and grapefruit tones infused with tarragon herbs. It is medium+ bodied with 6 to 8 months of lees ageing adding weight and texture to the dry palate. Clean, lively acids are well-balanced. More floral, beeswax, tarragon and lemon citrus notes on the flavour profile that follow through to the finish with hints of mineral and very good length. Score: 88 pts

Château Hauchat 2016 (Bordeaux) - Wine Review

I tasted the 2011 Château Hauchat nearly 4 years ago, and tonight I opened the 2016 vintage of the same wine that just arrived at the LCBO as part of the August 17 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Vignobles Jean-Bernard Saby & Fils at the Hauchat property that is located on a high plateau in the commune of Saint-Aignan, to the west of of neighbouring Pomerol and Saint Émilion in Bordeaux, France. The vineyard of Château Hauchat is facing south and southwest, ensuring ideal sunshine and perfect drainage conditions, while the terroir is very homogeneous with its clay-limestone soils. Lastly, they only grow one grape varietal at Château Hauchat - Merlot.

The Saby family has been making wine in the region for eight generations, combining century-old knowledge with the advantages of modern viticulture. Today, it is owned by brothers Jean Christophe and Jean Philippe who continue the family tradition and hope to pass it along their own children one day.

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU HAUCHAT 2016 - AC Fronsac, Bordeaux, France (#123489) (XD) - $17.95
This 100% Merlot was aged for 15 months in an equal parts new, 1 year old, and 2 year old barrels. Enticing and complex, this has medium+ intensity aromas of spice mingling with ripe dark berry fruit, wood, and hints of vanilla and plum. It is medium-full bodied on the palate with dark berry, currant, cedar oak, and spice flavours. Acids are juicy while the ripe tannins are quite chalky and a bit tight at the moment. Dark berry, clove spice, and wood linger on the finish, with very good length. I would cellar this for 2 years and enjoy into the mid-20's. Score: 88 pts

Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 (Australia) - Wine Review

After having enjoyed the 2015 Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon a few months ago, tonight's wine review is the latest vintage that arrives in LCBO VINTAGES on August 17th.

This red wine is crafted by the Taylor's family that has been making fine wines for three generations. Wakefield Wines produces different ranges of wines, with the Jaraman range falling directly in the middle and created from parcels that offer extraordinary fruit that showcases the varietals distinctive regional characteristics and style.

The 2016 bottling has a bit more Clare Valley fruit than the previous vintage. Perhaps this is due to the fact that even though rainfall was below average, it came at the right time and had a very positive impact on the quality of fruit. The 2016 vintage in Clare Valley is being lauded as one of the great vintages in part due to the timely rainfall, as well as the fact that the vines were stress free heading into winter, and conditions were ideal during flowering.

In Coonawarra, the growing season was drier than usual, and combined with a warmer October, the whole growing season was a couple of weeks earlier than normal. However, berry development and ripening was in line with normal growing seasons, which allowed adequate time for the fruit to develop tannins and complexity. In February and March, temperatures were mild, and the cold nights and warm days delivered an extended ripening period and the longer hang time contributed to a rich, medium bodied Cabernet Sauvignon with good varietal definition.

Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

WAKEFIELD JARAMAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2016 - Coonawarra/Clare Valley, South Australia (#142398) (XD) - $24.95
100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Coonawarra (73%) and Clare Valley (27%) that was aged in used oak barrels. Screw cap. The medium+ intensity nose offers ripe blackcurrant and cassis aromas mingling with savoury oak spice and hints of herbs and mint. It is medium+ bodied and very spicy on the palate with blackcurrant, chocolate, mint, herbs, and cassis flavours. Acids are fresh and juicy, while the chalky and grippy tannins are tight at the moment. Herb, oak spice, dark berry, and chocolate notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Seems lighter than previous vintage, but tannins need a good 2-3 years to loosen up. Score: 89 pts

Closerie des Alisiers Bourgogne Aligoté 2017 (Burgundy) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely white wine that is made using Burgundy's other white wine varietal - Aligoté - and will be arriving on VINTAGES shelves this weekend as part of the August 17th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Stéphane Brocard, son of famed Chablis winemaker Jean-Marc Brocard. Closerie des Alisiers was founded by Stéphane when he settled in Marsannay (south Dijon) in 2007. In addition to working his own vines in Pommard and in the old wine village of Daix, Stéphane has also been working for years with the same growers and on the same plots for the wines he sources according to his philosophy that focuses on purity, fruit and freshness. He likes to produce genuine wines while having respect for terroir and environment. Stéphane's main objective is to highlight terroirs through the each grape variety.

This white wine was vinified in stainless steel vats and made in order keep in line with his philosophy to preserve the purity of the fruit, minerality and freshness. Ageing for 6 to 9 months and malolactic fermentation also occurred in stainless steel vats.

Closerie des Alisiers Bourgogne Aligoté 2017 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

CLOSERIE DES ALISIERS BOURGOGNE ALIGOTÉ 2017 - AC, Burgundy, France (#557728) (XD) - $18.95
The medium+ intensity nose offers enticing aromas of apple and lime citrus mingling with flinty minerality. It is medium+ bodied, a touch creamy, and quite fleshy with good fruit concentration on the palate. Nicely balanced with more flavours of apple and lime citrus with a distinct oyster shell note. It has crisp and fresh acidity, while the finish is long and minerally. Recommended buy. Score: 89 pts

LCBO Wine Picks: August 17, 2019 VINTAGES Release

The main theme of the upcoming August 17, 2019 LCBO VINTAGES Release features wines from Argentina for perfect pairings, while the mini-theme focuses on hidden treasures from Europe. All of the wines from the themes, plus the main release will arrive on LCBO VINTAGES shelves across Ontario by this Saturday.

We'll begin with the main theme that features wines from Argentina that will pair perfectly with grilled fare off the barbecue. Of the twelve wines featured as part of the theme, five are included among my top wine picks. The lone white wine is a barrel fermented Chardonnay. Among the red wines from Argentina, there are a trio of lovely Malbec wines that would be awesome to try side-by-side. The last of the reds is a very nice Cabernet Franc. All of these delicious wines should go great with foods made over the barbecue.

H J. Fabre Barrel Selection Malbec 2016 (90 pts)

Fabre Montmayou Reserva Cabernet Franc 2016 (90 pts)

Susana Balbo Signature Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2016 (89 pts)

The mini-theme is titled "Hidden Treasure" and focuses on wines from Europe's up-and-coming and lesser-known wine regions. Of the nine wines featured as part of this theme, three are included among my wine recommendations. The white wine is a dry Grüner Veltliner from the Kremstal appellation in Austria. The first red wine is a blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Carignan from Tautavel, an appellation in Roussillon in the South of France. Lastly, from Alentejo in Portugal is an indigenous blend of 45% Trincadeira, 35% Aragonez, and 20% Alicante Bouchet.

Gérard Bertrand Grand Terroir Tautavel 2016 (89 pts)

Carmim Terra Lenta Premium Reguengos 2016 (88 pts)

Winzer Krems Grüner Veltliner 2017 (88 pts)

From my red wine recommendations, the Bordeaux red is made with 100% Merlot, while the Rioja is the Wine of the Month and consists of 85% Tempranillo and 15% Graciano. The rest are all single varietal wines.

Among my white wine picks from this Release, the only blend is from Roussillon and it consists of Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, and Macabeu. If you prefer sweeter wines, the Niagara Riesling will be off-dry (i.e. slightly sweet), while the 2009 Riesling Spätlese from Germany will be fairly sweet and still has all the right elements to continue further ageing.

Dr. Siemens Herrenberg Riesling Spätlese Feinherb 2009 (91 pts)

Leaning Post Wismer-Foxcroft Vineyard Riesling 2016 (90 pts)

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this Release! Cheers!