Wakefield Pinot Noir 2021 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is the latest vintage of a lovely Pinot Noir from Australia that arrived at the LCBO as part of the recent January 21st LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Wakefield Wines, a family wine business established in 1969 by Bill Taylor Sr. and his two sons, Bill and John, by the Wakefield River in South Australia's Clare Valley. They planted their first vineyards at that time and their desire was to create authentic, estate-grown wines where the vineyards and winery both reside at the same location. The Taylor family was inspired by the great producers of Bordeaux and the approach of having ultimate control over the vineyards, winery, and even bottling of the wines appealed to the them.

These days, the wines are still crafted and bottled at the estate, but the grapes aren't necessarily grown there. This is mainly due to the popularity of Wakefield Wines - they need more fruit to satisfy demand, but also fruit from other areas can be of higher quality, as is the case for Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. With the Taylor family's continued commitment, they have earned an enviable reputation of consistently crafting quality wines that have contributed to their success, including winning many awards around the globe for almost half a century.

While the 2018 Wakefield Pinot Noir that I enjoyed a couple of years ago was crafted with grapes exclusively from Adelaide Hills, this particular vintage is regionally labelled as from South Australia, with grapes primarily coming from Adelaide Hills and possibly a small amount from Riverland or Clare Valley. It was matured for 9 months in a combination of 1 and 2 year old French oak hogshead barrels prior to bottling and enclosed by screw cap.

To help wine lovers enjoy Wakefield Wines, the Taylor family has added an innovative Optimum Drinking Temperature sensor on the back label that will tell you when the wine is ready to enjoy. All Estate range wines have this temperature sensor and it is calibrated to each varietal and wine. To use the sensor, simply touch the round temperature sensor and compare its colour to the chart located to its left. If the colour of the sensor falls between the optimum temperature indicated in the chart, then the wine is ready to drink. Let's see how this 2021 Australian Pinot Noir is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

WAKEFIELD PINOT NOIR 2021 - South Australia (#197392) (XD) - $19.95
Screw cap. The rich, medium-high intensity nose offers perfumed aromas of raspberry and black cherry nuanced with lovely black tea leaf, spices, beet root, and forest floor adding intrigue. On the light-to-mid weighted palate it is dry and fruity with ripe raspberry, black cherry, spices, tea leaf, and wild herb flavours. It has fresh, juicy acidity and sweet, ripe, supple and lightly textured tannins. Raspberry, tea leaf, and touches of cedary wood notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Wakefield are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Powers Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (Washington) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Cabernet Sauvignon from the Columbia Valley in Washington State that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the January 21st LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Powers Winery was founded by the legendary Bill Powers, a man who was drawn from Oklahoma to the Columbia Valley in the 1950's. After years of farming multiple crops, Bill and his son, Greg, planted their estate Badger Mountain Vineyard in 1982 and soon after they went organic. In 1990, their Badger Mountain estate was the first certified organic vineyard in Washington.

Since the release of their first wines in 1992, Powers Winery has remained committed to crafting concentrated, structured, and age-worthy wines, while also practicing and innovating environmental, community, and fiscal sustainability. Bill Powers passed away in 2014, but he was highly respected for his progressive techniques and farming expertise. He was honoured by his colleagues many times over the years and was considered a Washington wine industry pioneer.

Today, Bill's legacy lives on through his son, Greg Powers, Director of Winemaking. They have a dynamic winemaking team and long-time grower partnerships that allows Powers Winery to continue to showcase Washington State's diverse micro-climates and distinctive vineyards. All Powers wines reflect a devotion, experience, and integrity that result in products worthy to carry the family name.

Their comprehensive approach to sustainability comes from a long-held belief that they are responsible not only to the land from which the fruit comes, but also to their employees, grower partners, and to the larger communities in which they operate. Powers Winery believes that stewardship in the vineyard, the winery, and the community is rewarded with better wines, but more importantly they believe it is simply the right thing to do. By utilizing both tradition and technology, they are able to produce compelling wines with a sustainable approach. Their continued approach to reduce their carbon footprint led to the installation of solar panels and giving back to the grid in 2011, making their own bio-diesel by sourcing recycled cooking oil from local restaurants, and switching to lighter weight glass for their wines.

This red wine actually a blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Carménère, and 1% Merlot which was sourced from seven vineyards across the Columbia Valley. I love the transparency that Powers Winery lists exactly where the grapes were sourced from. The Cabernet Sauvignon in this wine was grown in five different vineyards - Goose Ridge Vineyard (36%) in Columbia Valley, Champoux Vineyard (28%) in Horse Heaven Hills, Rivercrest Vineyard (25%) in Columbia Valley, Ravenscliff Vineyard (5%) in Wahluke Slope, and Kiona Vineyard (3%) in Red Mountain. With all of these great vineyard sites to choose from, Powers was able to have the lots harvested from late-September into early-November and blend the perfectly ripe and balanced fruit with great acidity and tannin structure into a very complex, yet approachable Cabernet. It was fermented using PDM yeast in a combination of pump-under method and in upright stainless steel tanks. It was aged in mostly used French oak barrels for 22 months, with 50% in third-use and 38% in second-use barrels. Let's see how this Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

POWERS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 - Columbia Valley, Washington, USA (#434456) (XD) - $19.95
Screw cap. This blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Carménère, and 1% Merlot has a medium-high intensity nose that delivers complex sage, herbal, and minty freshness aromas layered over dark currant, blackberry, black raspberry, savoury wet earth, and subtle plum and oak spices. On the medium to medium-full bodied, dry palate it has delicious ripe dark berry, blackberry, black currant, raspberry, spices, savoury earth, and chocolate flavours that are supported by juicy, well-balanced acidity and smooth, fine-grained, and lightly grippy tannins. Blackberry, savoury earth, mineral, and chocolate notes linger on the finish, with very good length. A delicious, recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Powers Winery can be ordered through their Agent - Rare Earth Wines.

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Domaine Yvon & Laurent Vocoret Petit Chablis 2020 (Burgundy) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely Chardonnay from Burgundy that newly landed at the LCBO as part of last weekend's LCBO VINTAGES Release on January 21.

It is produced by Domaine Yvon & Laurent Vocoret, a small family-owned estate whose history inscribed in vine cultivation and winemaking dating back to 1713. It all began in the early 18th century with Jean Vocoret, whose winemaking soul no doubt guided him to pass down his wisdom, his fruits, his passion, and the nobility of winemaking to his descendants,

The Domaine's more recent history of winemaking in Chablis begins with Victor Hyppolite Vocoret, the great, great grandfather of Yvon Vocoret. Born in 1863, Victor had a few acres of vineyards and some leaflets in the cellar. Henri Vocoret, born in 1895, and alongside his wife Louise were the grandparents of Yvon and they managed to make the land prosper with the help of their horses, and were very proud to produce excellent wine.

The fourth generation of the family to own the estate were Yvon's parents, Maurice (1928-1997) and Huguette (1933), who carefully reflected upon the art of winemaking and invested in high performance equipment for the cellar. Maurice and Huguette knew how to anticipate and plan so that the quality of their wines would be recognized.

Today, the Domaine is led by Yvon, the 5th generation of the family, and his son, Yvon, the 6th generation, together with Huguette, as they uphold the family motto - quality, dignity, and respect - and continue to write the story of a humble, but determined family of winegrowers who craft wines that bring pleasure. Since 1974, the Vocoret family has been farming the vineyards organically to respect and protect their vines and soils, as well as the environment. They have also been using organic soil materials which forces the soil to do its own work in order to transform the organic materials to minerals, so that the vine can feed itself and grow fruit in a natural, sustainable way and guarantee a quality vintage, year after year. The wines of Domaine Yvon & Laurent Vocoret represent the essence of their exceptional terroir.

This Petit Chablis is crafted with 100% Chardonnay that was sourced from various plots covering 4 hectares of land throughout the appellation of Petit Chablis. The vines average 30 years of age and were planted on Portlandian Barrois clay-limestone and limestone marl soils which also feature red pebbles and a reddish-brown colour. Each plot of grapes were harvested at maturity and either manually or mechanically. It underwent a light static settling to retain the fine lees so that the alcoholic and malolactic fermentations can take place naturally. And finally, each plot was aged for approximately 9 months in stainless steel vats to preserve its fresh characteristics and allow plot to express itself prior to creating the final blend.

The 2020 growing season was warm and dry, yielding grapes with exceptional freshness and purity. The white wines of Burgundy classically styled, balanced, and consistently of a very high quality. As the 2020 vintage is such a fine vintage across the board, let's see how this 2020 Petit Chablis is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

DOMAINE YVON & LAURENT VOCORET PETIT CHABLIS 2020 - AC, Burgundy, France (#26446) (XD) - $27.95
This lovely Chardonnay has an elegant, medium-high intensity nose offering a lovely mix of ripe lemon, citrus, mineral oil, nutty, lactic, green apple, and white peach aromas. It is impressively weighted and quite structured on the medium-full bodied palate with lactic, mineral, lemon citrus, and green apple flavours supported by juicy, well-balanced acidity. Lemon citrus, apple, and white peach taper to leesy mineral notes on the long, crisp finish. Enjoyable now, but will be even better in a year or two. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

There is a Chablis 1er Cru available at the LCBO, while other lovely wines from their portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - DBINO David Beauroy Selections.

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Delheim Grand Reserve 2017 (South Africa) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is an excellent Bordeaux variety blend from South Africa that newly arrived at the LCBO over the weekend as part of the January 21st LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Delheim Wines is a family business that was established in 1938 when Hans Otto Hoheisen purchased the farm, which had various owners over the years, as a retirement home for himself and his wife Deli. The name "Delheim" is German for "Deli's home". They started by planting citrus trees but quickly discovered that the area wasn't suited to Delheim because of the windy conditions. Their German friends suggested that they grow vineyards and two years later Hans Otto planted his first grape vines.

In 1944, the concrete tanks in the cellar were completed by Italian prisoners-of-war. Several years later, Deli mentioned to her nephew in Germany that she needed help on the wine farm in South Africa, and because he didn't see a future in post-war Germany, he decided to join them and arrived in South Africa in 1951. Her nephew's name was Michael "Spatz" Sperling - Sperling is the German word for "sparrow" and Spatz means "baby sparrow".

Michael Sperling soon took a keen interest in the few vineyards Hans Otto had planted. As Michael knew nothing about winemaking, and there were no books or winemaking schools in South Africa at the time, he taught himself through a process of trial and error and with some help from neighbours and visiting German winemakers. Over time, Spatz established himself as a serious winemarker and garnered numerous awards. He also embarked on a series of pioneering initiatives in the South African wine industry over the ensuing decades.

In 1971, patriarch Spatz Sperling’s far-sightedness led him to buy 80 hectares of prime red-wine land on the Klapmutskop mountain, about 3 kilometres from Delheim, as the crow flies in a westerly direction. This property was called Delvera in honour of Spatz’s wife, Vera, while the vineyards are called Vera Cruz - Cruz meaning "cross", allegedly for the cross Vera has had to bear during her long marriage to Spatz! With its warmer, drier climate, and sandier soils, Vera Cruz was better suited to growing high-quality red wines. Delvera is planted mainly with Cabernet Sauvignon, predominantly grown as bush vines and today aged between 15 and 37 years, along with some Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

Today, Delheim is owned by the Sperling family. Vera still resides on the farm, while the late Michael Hans "Spatz" Sperling is the Patriarch and a South African wine industry legend. Their eldest son, Victor Sperling, and eldest daughter, Nora Sperling-Thiel, serve as Directors of the company and live on the farm with their families, while their other two children, Maria and Nicholas, live in Europe.

In the vineyard, their philosophy is that they are custodians of the land and must tread lightly in order to minimize the impact they have on it, as well as creating balance and harmony in the vineyards. They also strive to gain a sense of timelessness by allowing their vineyards to grow old, tell their stories and allowing the wines to gain a sense of place, while also keeping an eye on the future, seeking longevity and sustainability. Delheim also practices precision farming by embracing technologies to improve the quality of their vineyards and grapes.

This red wine is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc that was grown on their Vera Cruz property. The soil at Vera Cruz has an Oakleaf profile with mainly decomposed granite, and faces southwest on a slope between 220 to 280 metres above sea level. The grapes were handpicked and in small batches and fermented in a combination of open-top fermenters and vertical stainless steel tanks. The was was matured in 300 L French oak barrels for 18 months, and only the finest barrels were selected for this Grand Reserve blend.

From an excellent vintage, let's see how this 2017 Cabernet Merlot blend from South Africa is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

DELHEIM GRAND RESERVE 2017 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#26094) (XD) - $31.95
A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. The highly aromatic nose is fresh and fragrant with ripe blackberry, black currant, fine wood spices, and savoury earth aromas, with intriguing touches of cassis, tomato leaf, and graphite. It's full-ish bodied on the dry, chewy palate with very good concentration and complex, lightly tangy flavours of ripe dark berry, blackberry, currant, tomato leaf, and some pipe tobacco and graphite notes. It has fresh, juicy, and well-balanced acidity, while the structured tannins are smooth, refined, and well-integrated. There's a pleasing, subtly chalky mouthfeel on the back palate. Savoury, graphite mineral notes linger on the long, very satisfying finish. Maturing nicely, enjoy this delicious, highly recommended buy to the end of the decade. Score: 92+ pts

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

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LAVAU Rasteau 2019 (Rhône) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Rhône red wine from the southern Rhône Valley Cru of Rasteau that arrived at the LCBO this weekend in the January 21 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Maison LAVAU was founded in 1965 after the Lavau family, who had been involved in winemaking for several generations, took charge of a small winemaking cellar a year earlier in Sablet, in the southern Rhône Valley. It was established by Jean-Guy Lavau, the third generation of the family, and his wife Anne-Marie as they returned to France from Tunisia. Together, Jean-Guy and Anne-Marie Lavau built a reputation as top quality winemakers in the region thanks to their dedication to high standards, attention to detail, and thirst for excellence. Recognized as a major local player, Maison LAVAU has developed close ties with other winegrowers, especially in the southern Rhône Valley.

Today, Maison LAVAU is run by their two sons - Frédéric and Benoît Lavau. After completing their studies in Canada, Frédéric joined the family business in 1995, and Benoît quickly followed in 1997. The Lavau brothers official took charge of the Maison in 2000 when their parents retired. Their youth, energy and adventurous spirit allowed them to further structure and develop the Maison, including building a new cellar in Violès, and investing in modern, high-performance cellar facilities. As talented winemakers and wine traders, the Lavau brothers also invested in vineyards to also become producers of wine. Maison LAVAU is today one of the last family-run and independent wine estates in the Rhône Valley. Their objective is to offer the very best of the Rhône Valley by producing top quality wines that are fine, generous, and affordable.

Like previous vintages, including the 2017 LAVAU Rasteau that I enjoyed a couple of years ago, this southern Rhône Valley red continues to be a blend of 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah. The village of Rasteau is situated on the summit of a hill at an altitude of 200 metres. The grapes for this wine come from parcels located near the village, on east-facing, stony hillsides that have a Mediterranean climate and offer some protection from the Mistral wind. The vineyards are planted on fairly deep, fairly dry, and pebbly terrain, which results in low yields and late ripening grapes.

It was vinified by completely de-stemming the grapes and placing them in temperature-controlled vats to macerate for around 25 days with rack-and-return operations at the start of fermentation, followed by two pumping-over operations per day. The wine was then aged in barrels for 12 months, with half going into 450 L second- or third-use barrels.

The 2019 growing season began with a wet winter setting the table for the region's vineyards to get through the hot, dry growing season. Grenache, in particular, excelled this vintage as it coped well with the severely hot weather and cooler nights that helped it retain acidity and aromas. Overall, the excellent 2019 vintage is a powerful, ripe vintage with localized areas of greatness. Let's see how this 2019 southern Rhône Valley red from Rasteau is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

LAVAU RASTEAU 2019 - AC, Rhône, France (#394650) (XD) - $23.95
Blend of 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah. The fragrant nose of medium-high intensity delivers lovely, perfumed aromas of dark berry, black cherry, black plum, peppery spice, and meaty notes with subtle whiffs of violet, floral, and oak. It's medium-full bodied with ripe, dark fruited flavours of black cherry, black plum, cassis, peppery spice, violet, meaty, and subtle wood. It's slightly spicy on the mid-palate and has fresh, lively acidity, along with smooth, ripe, refined, and lightly chewy and well-structured tannins. Lovely smoky mineral notes linger on the long-lasting, juicy finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

Limited quantities of one other Maison LAVAU wine is available at the LCBO, while the rest of their portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.

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Gunderloch Fritz's Riesling 2021 (Rheinhessen) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely, off-dry Riesling from Germany that is featured as a Smart Buy in the recent January 7 LCBO VINTAGES Release and is readily available across the Ontario.

Weingut Gunderloch was founded in 1890 when banker Carl Gunderloch purchased the fabled Nackenheimer Rothenberg. Not content with just making wine, Carl had a pioneering spirit and led the charge toward quality-oriented viticulture within the region and was a fierce proponent of fine winemaking culture. Gunderloch is a founding member of what is now known as the Verein Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter (VDP), a prestigious association of Germany's finest winegrowers, and one of only four estates to have remained a member for the entire span, which goes back to 1910. The estate has been passed down through six generations of the Gunderloch family, with Johannes Hasselbach taking over the winemaking reins upon the sad passing in 2016 of renowned winemaker Fritz Hasselbach.

The 28 hectare estate and Gunderloch family residence is situated within the Rheinhessen appellation. They craft clear, mineral-driven wines, working primarily with Riesling, which reflect the family's unique blend of experience and ingenuity. The centrepiece of Gunderloch are their vineyards on Roter Hang (aka Red Hill), one of Germany's most revered and richly historical vineyards. Set on picturesque, steep slopes that rise above the Rhine river between the towns of Nackenheim and Nierstein, Roter Hang has very special, iron-oxide laced red shale and clayey soils known as Rotliegend, which have taken on an almost mythical status among wine aficionados.

This white wine is crafted with 100% Riesling grapes that were grown on vivid red slate soils on Roter Hang. The vineyards are situated on steep, southeast facing slopes very close to the river Rhine. The four factors - the red slate soil, the closeness to the river, great sun exposure, and the steepness of the vineyards - are the ideal combination to produce high-quality Riesling. This particular Riesling was fermented naturally with indigenous yeasts and, uncommonly, aged in 600 L neutral oak barrels. From one of the most challenging vintages in recent memory, let's see how this 2021 Riesling from Germany is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

GUNDERLOCH FRITZ'S RIESLING 2021 - Qualitätswein, Rheinhessen, Germany (#216366) (M) - $17.95
Screw cap. The medium+ intensity aromatics seem rather quiet, with notes of orchard fruits, apple, peach, and citrus. It's light-to-mid weighted on the palate with fresh, juicy, and bracing acidity that lifts the lovely honeyed, apple, peach, and citrus flavours, gliding over the tongue in an off-dry profile. It's nicely balanced throughout with a subtle chalky textured mouthfeel on the mid-palate, while mineral notes appear and linger through to the long, dry-ish finish. A smart (and highly recommended) buy. Score: 89 pts

You can get other lovely wines by Weingut Gunderloch at the LCBO and through their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.

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January 21, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: California

Here's my top wine picks from the January 21, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES Release which focuses on California's top wine regions as the theme of the release. Also included in this release is a selection of Online Exclusives (VOE) that will also be available at select Flagship Store locations.

The theme is titled "Places in the Sun" and looks at California's top wine regions. There are ten wines featured as part of the theme, and while there are a couple of wines from here that I would happily recommend, just one wine is included among my top wine picks - a consistently well-made Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley from a solid producer.

Moving on to my top red wine picks from the rest of the release, for Rhône wine lovers there is the Lirac that is a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, while the Rasteau is equal parts Grenache and Syrah. From Spain, the 2017 Rioja is a composed of 85% Tempranillo and 15% Graciano / Mazuelo / Garnacha, while the 2015 Rioja is a blend of Tempranillo and Graciano. Fans of Bordeaux blends will want to seek out the premium wine from South Africa that is composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, or the wine from Washington that is a blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Carmenere, and 1% Merlot, or the budget-friendly 2015 Bordeaux that is a blend of 60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Cabernet Franc. Wines from Italy include a Tuscan red crafted with 90% Sangiovese and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the Barolo which is, of course, made with Nebbiolo.

Among my white wine recommendations, the Rhône white is a blend of 50% Grenache Blanc, 30% Roussanne, 15% Clairette, and 5% Viognier, while the Portuguese white is composed of 50% Loureiro, 40% Arinto, and 10% Trajadura. The other white wines are all mono-varietal wines, with both the Petit Chablis and the Chilean white crafted with Chardonnay.

Sparkling wine recommendations in this release include a Champagne which is crafted with 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, as well as a Cava which is made with 75% Macabeo and 25% Chardonnay. For sweet wine lovers, there is a lovely Sauternes that is crafted with 91% Sémillon and 9% Sauvignon Blanc, and a Sherry which is made with 100% Pedro Ximénez.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• CHÂTEAU LES PINS DE BOSSUET 2015 - AC Bordeaux Supérieur, France (#26305) (XD) - $16.95
• WAKEFIELD PINOT NOIR 2021 - South Australia (#197392) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
  
• POWERS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 - Columbia Valley, Washington, USA (#434456) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• SALENTEIN RESERVE MALBEC 2020 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#640854) (XD) - $19.95
• MONTERRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - Vegan, McLaren Vale, South Australia (#12835) (XD) - $19.95
• LAVAU RASTEAU 2019 - AC, Rhône, France (#394650) (XD) - $23.95  90+ pts  wine review
• XAVIER VIGNON LIRAC 2019 - AP, Rhône, France (#636183) (XD) - $24.95  91 pts  wine review

• CASTELLO VICCHIOMAGGIO AGOSTINO PETRI RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2018 - 47th Anniversary, sustainable, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#993360) (XD) - $30.95  91 pts  wine review
• DELHEIM GRAND RESERVE 2017 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#26094) (XD) - $31.95  92+ pts  wine review
• BARÓN DE LEY GRAN RESERVA 2015 - Vegan, DOCa Rioja, Spain (#642496) (XD) - $32.95  92+ pts  wine review
• RODNEY STRONG ALEXANDER VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - Sustainable, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA (#350454) (XD) - $35.95  91+ pts  wine review
  
• CVNE IMPERIAL RESERVA 2017 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#424390) (XD) - $39.95
• MIRAFIORE BAROLO 2016 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#26908) (XD) - $49.95  92+ pts  wine review

White Wine:

• ARCA NOVA VINHO VERDE 2021 - Vegan, DOC, Portugal (#292029) (XD) - $13.95
• CHÂTEAU DE NAGES HÉRITAGE BLANC 2020 - AC Costières de Nîmes, Rhône, France (#479659) (XD) - $22.95
• DOMAINE YVON & LAURENT VOCORET PETIT CHABLIS 2020 - AC, Burgundy, France (#26446) (XD) - $27.95  91 pts  wine review
• CLOS HENRI SAUVIGNON BLANC 2019 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#675629) (XD) - $29.95
• TARA ATACAMA WHITE WINE 1 2020 - Unfiltered, DO Valle de Atacama, Chile (#511337) (XD) - $54.95  VOE

Sparkling Wine:

• SEGURA VIUDAS HEREDAD RESERVA BRUT CAVA - Traditional method, DO, Spain (#558825) (D) - $39.95  91 pts  wine review
  
• VILMART ET CIE GRANDE RÉSERVE 1ER CRU CHAMPAGNE - AC, France (#12619) (D) - $73.95  92 pts  wine review

Dessert Wine:

• CASTELNAU DE SUDUIRAUT 2015 - Second wine of Château Suduiraut, AC Sauternes, Bordeaux, France (#29694) (S) (375mL) - $26.95  VOE

Fortified Wine:

• GONZÁLEZ BYASS NECTAR PEDRO XIMÉNEZ DULCE SHERRY - Vegan, DO, Spain (#87577) (S) - $26.95

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Tenuta Iuzzolini Cirò Rosso Classico 2021 (Calabria) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious red wine from Calabria crafted with the indigenous Gaglioppo variety that arrived at the LCBO just over a week ago as part of the recent LCBO VINTAGES Release on January 7th.

Tenuta Iuzzolini was founded in 2004 by Fortunato Iuzzolini and his wife Giovanna Colicchio, and the couple transferred their love and passion for the land to their four sons who are also now part of the Estate. Located in Cirò, a small Calabrian town with Greek roots along the Ionian coast of Crotone, they have approximately 500 hectares of land on the Estate with 100 hectares planted to vineyards, 50 hectares to secular olive groves, 100 hectares of arable land, and the remaining land consists of pastures and woods for livestock raised in the wild.

The soils at Tenuta Iuzzolini are of clayey-limestone and sandy origin, and very fertile because they are rich in natural springs. It experiences a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and short, rainy winters, providing the ideal conditions for growing vines and olive trees. In addition to making quality wines, the goal of the Iuzzolini family is to recover and enhance native Calabrian vines, namely Greco Bianco, Gaglioppo, and Magliocco. The most widely planted of the three varieties is Gaglioppo as it has been cultivated for thousands of years in the area of Cirò and thrives because it has adapted to the dry climate and resists disease. Today, the family employs 35 workers to perform specific tasks within the company, a number which triples during the grape and olive harvest period.

While the 2017 Tenuta Iuzzolini Cirò Rosso Classico that I tasted a couple of years ago was crafted with 100% Gaglioppo, this vintage, according to the back label, is crafted with mainly Gaglioppo. The grapes were grown in the "Timpa Bianca" area, in Cirò Marina, in the central eastern part of the province of Crotone, Calabria. The vineyards are situated 50 to 100 metres above sea level and planted on white clay soils, and experience a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot, dry summers. The grapes were manually harvested during the first week of October and underwent a traditional fermentation, followed by ageing in steel for 5 months with a short passage in barriques. Let's see how this 2021 Gaglioppo from Calabria is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

TENUTA IUZZOLINI CIRÒ ROSSO CLASSICO 2021 - DOC, Calabria, Italy (#13034) (XD) - $19.95
Crafted mainly with the Gaglioppo variety, the medium+ intensity nose is lightly candied and fruit forward with ripe red fruits, red cherry, red plum, raspberry, plus some spices and savoury wood undertones adding interest. It's medium+ bodied and dry on the palate with delicious red berry, raspberry, red plum, and spice flavours supported by fresh, juicy acidity and supple, rounded tannins. The red berry, plum, and spice notes are joined by a touch of mineral on the finish, with very good length. Enjoy this recommended buy over the next few years. Score: 88 pts

Other delicious wines by Tenuta Iuzzolini can be ordered through their Agent - Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.

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Michele Chiarlo Tortoniano Barolo 2017 (Piedmont) - Wine Review

After enjoying the beautiful 2018 Michele Chiarlo Reyna Barbaresco back in November, tonight's red wine review is a lovely Barolo that landed at the LCBO a couple of weekends ago as part of the January 7 VINTAGES Release.

Even though Michele Chiarlo was only established in the 1950s, its story begins in 1898 with the birth of Pietro Chiarlo who was born into a farming family in Bubbio. Pietro worked as a farmhand and then at the winery in Canelli during his adolescent years, and in the 1930s, after working for a period in Abyssinia, he returned to Calamandrana determined to invest in the estate and production of wine. Peitro, along with his brother Felice, tilled the lands, breaking the soil by hand to replant the vineyards, and had a sense that wine was the future of the Piedmont hills.

Michele Chiarlo, Pietro's first son, was born in 1935, and he attended a winemaking school in Alba and his classmates were the future protagonists of Italian winemaking: Renato Ratti, Ezio Rivella, Franco Ziliani, Giuliano Noè, and Giacomo Tachis. In 1956, Michele Chiarlo started his adventure as a producer of wine and understood that quality wine in the Piedmont hills began with the choice of vineyards in the most suitable areas. The first cru of Barolo bottled under his name dates back to 1958.

Through the 1960s, Michele expanded the market boundaries for wine, and was among the first producers in Piedmont to believe in the success of Italian wines abroad. He consolidated his success by building a larger, more functional winery in Calamandrana, and began purchasing select vineyards in important positions in Langhe, Monferrato, and the area of Gavi. As a founding member across a number of organizations, including Istituto Grandi Marchi and Accademia del Barolo, the family wine business of Michele Chiarlo is now run by Michele and his two sons Stefano and Alberto Chiarlo. Together, they have an international outlook with great attention to the details at home, including the maniacal care of the vineyards, vinification while respecting the terroirs and vines, and artisanship of the processes. Situated in Calamandrana, Michele Chiarlo is one of the most important oenological realities in Piedmont.

This Barolo is crafted with 100% Nebbiolo grown on calcareous marl clay soils of sedimentary marine origin from the Tortonian period of 9 million years ago. The soil is also composed of 12% active limestone and a basic pH, with a significant presence of micro-elements, specifically magnesium and manganese. The vineyards have southeast and southwest exposure to the sun. After manually harvesting the grapes, it was vinified in steel tanks and underwent 17 to 18 days of skin maceration, with a soft "shower" system of wetting the cap at a temperature between 32°C and 27°C. It was aged for a minimum of 3 years, with the first 24 months spent in average-sized oak casks, followed by refinement in bottle.

According to winemaker Stefano Chiarlo, the 2017 was characterized by a long summer with very little rainfall. In the vineyard, they adopted agronomic practices that allowed them to keep the soil moist and preserve the freshness of the grapes. Some of these practices include doing extraordinary work on the soil to oxygenate the roots, not eliminating excess leaves to prevent sunlight from directly hitting the bunches and avoiding sunburn, while also delaying leaf thinning operations in order not to risk damaging the fruit. To maintain elegance, freshness, and avoid excessive alcohol content, harvest was brought forward by about ten days compared to normal. Chiarlo thinks that 2017 can be compared to vintages such as 2007 or 2011 in terms of climate and organoleptic characteristics. Let's see how this 2017 Barolo is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MICHELE CHIARLO TORTONIANO BAROLO 2017 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#586388) (XD) - $44.95
100% Nebbiolo. Intensely fragrant with lovely, complex aromas of new leather, earth, red cherry-berry, fine wood spices, juniper berry, and cedar, with touches of rose floral, orange, and barnyard. On the medium-full to full-bodied, structured, slightly creamy palate it is quite approachable right now with red cherry, wild berry, forest floor, wet earth, and savoury wood spice flavours with a touch of orange. Acids are juicy and well-balanced. The structured tannins have some chalky grip, but are accessible now. Forest floor, cherry, and wild berry notes linger on the very long, savoury finish. Enjoyable now and should drink well to the end of the decade. Highly recommended buy! Score: 92 pts

Many other lovely wines by Michele Chiarlo are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Univins & Spiritueux.

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Stags' Leap Winery Petite Sirah 2018 (Napa Valley) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is an excellent Petite Sirah, a distinct variety not to be confused with Syrah, from Napa Valley that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the January 7th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Established in 1893, Stags' Leap Winery is one of California's oldest wine estates. Their 240-acre property is situated on the watershed of the Stags Leap Palisades, nine miles north of the city of Napa, and is planted to 90 acres of vineyards. Situated in an intimate valley within the greater Napa Valley, they have a unique terroir and ideal microclimate which supports a classical standard of viticulture, land use, and winemaking. Their goal is to convey the essence of their world-class terroir from grape to glass, and to create handcrafted wines that tell an authentic story of the land on which they are grown.

The Stags' Leap name originated in the late 1880s with the founding Chase family, and is attributed to a native Wappo legend of a stag leaping to escape hunters. The mountains behind the property on the eastern side came to be known as the Stags Leap Palisades.

The Stags Leap Palisades are a rock outcropping that forms the eastern boundary of the estate and sheds debris in the form of volcanic rhyolite and tuff, which is carried to the valley floor where it mingles with the deeper subsoil made up of Bale loam formed from ancient river sediment. Topographically, the slope of the palisades and its small valley are oriented to block early morning sun, retain afternoon heat, and funnel cooler marine air coming from the San Pablo Bay to the south. The sheer volume of rock has a direct impact on the local climate of the estate as the rock face of the palisades gives off stored warmth after sunset, radiating down over the entire ranch. Moreover, the high incidence of rock in the soil holds the heat of the sun into the early twilight hours, and then loses it rapidly, effectively slowing and prolonging the ripening process. With Napa Valley's long growing season combined with the accentuated warmth and cooling of the Stags Leap District, the result is an ideal balance of acid and sugar in the fruit that also gives the grapes more time to mature and develop.

This Petite Sirah is actually a blend that includes small amounts of Syrah, Grenache, and other Rhône varieties. The grapes that make up the backbone of this wine come from the estate's vineyards which have deep, rocky soils, while other carefully selected fruit also comes from Calistoga and St. Helena in the north, and Oakville, Oak Knoll and Coombsville in the south, as well as from their own Stags Leap District. Petite Sirah is a varietal that is enhanced by the deliberate diversity of their vineyard sites.

It was vinified by Winemaker Christophe Paubert using the same, time-honoured techniques - simple and traditional - that have made Petite Sirah one of the winery's staples, thereby showing the uniqueness of the Petite Sirah fruit. It underwent a relatively short maceration and fermentation, and was aged for approximately 15 months in mostly used American oak barrels.

The 2018 growing season in Napa Valley was stunning and near-perfect with good winter rains, mild spring weather, and steady temperatures throughout that allowed for even flowering and bud break. These ideal growing conditions were followed by a cool, even, and slow-paced harvest, which allowed Stags' Leap to vinify wines at a gentle pace. The result is that the wines of 2018 are of very high quality with lower alcohol, concentrated flavours, colour, and excellent acidity. Let's see how this 2018 Petite Sirah from Napa Valley is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

STAGS' LEAP WINERY PETITE SIRAH 2018 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#590356) (XD) - $60.95
Primarily Petite Sirah with a small amount of Syrah, Grenache, and other Rhône varieties completing the blend. Elegantly perfumed aromas of black and blue berry, dark plum, peppery spice, and cocoa, with some wood spice and reductive notes rise out of the glass. It's full-bodied and well-structured on the palate with juicy, ripe black and blue fruit, pepper, spices, and cocoa flavours with touches of smoky mineral and black raspberry adding further complexity. Acids are fresh, vibrant, and juicy, while the firm tannins are structured and grainy. Nicely balanced throughout with savoury, smoky mineral, and cocoa notes lingering on the very long finish. Enjoyable now, but will be better in a few years. Drink over the next 15 years. Highly recommended buy! Score: 93 pts

Other excellent wines by Stags' Leap Winery are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.

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Trapiche Medalla Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (Argentina) - Wine Review

I enjoyed the lovely 2018 Trapiche Medalla Malbec last year, and for tonight's wine review I uncorked it's companion wine - a Cabernet Sauvignon - that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the January 7 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Trapiche Winery, Argentina's largest producer of wine. Established in 1883, Trapiche has grown to become one of Argentina's most internationally recognized brands. With a long history in exploration, Trapiche is also one of the wine industry's leading innovators while pioneering new sites, partnering with premium grape growers, and developing a new generation of talented winemakers. Some of Trapiche's pioneering efforts include being among the first in Argentina to work with Bordeaux varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, using French oak barrels, exploring micro-terroirs, and developing modern winemaking techniques.

Today, Trapiche owns more than 1,000 hectares of vineyards across Mendoza's Primera Zone and Uco Valley, as well as having longstanding partnerships with some of the province's revered grape growers. With a relentless determination to achieve the highest standards in the world of winemaking, Trapiche has received global recognition from publications such as Wine Enthusiast and Drinks International and won awards such as "The New World Winery of the Year" and "50 Most Admired Wine Brands".

Like the Malbec, this wine is part of Trapiche's Medalla collection of wines that was created in 1983 to celebrate the company's 100th anniversary. Each wine in the Medalla range is crafted using grapes from Mendoza's Primera Zona, the province's premium winemaking area, and predominantly old vineyards that have for decades produced the most prestigious Argentine wines. Medalla wines are 100% single varietal wines crafted with a nod to Old World style and sophistication. This particular wine is crafted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that was sourced from their vineyards in Luján de Cuyo. It was aged for 18 months in new French oak barrels.

The 2019 vintage in Argentina was excellent, with some winemakers calling it their best vintage of the decade. The hot, dry summer, particularly in Mendoza, was bookended by a cold winter, and cool spring and autumn, which slowed down ripening times (and moderating alcohol levels along with it), and brought harvest times in line with the average. Because of the cooler climate, yields were slightly lower than normal, but also resulted in highly concentrated wines with great colour and acidity. Let's see how this Cabernet Sauvignon from Argentina is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

TRAPICHE MEDALLA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - Mendoza, Argentina (#568865) (XD) - $19.95
100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Luján de Cuyo, this has fragrant, open, and intense aromatics offering lovely notes of ripe dark black-blue berry, dark currant, black cherry, cassis, plum, fine wood spices, and a touch of herb. It's full-bodied with ripe, chewy tannins and ripe black-blue fruit, currant, plum, and black cherry flavours balanced with savoury wood spice and earthy mineral. It has fresh, juicy acidity, while the dusty, fine-grained tannins provide a pleasing, lightly textured mouthfeel. Lovely earthy mineral notes linger on the long, savoury, and well-balanced finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

You can find many other lovely wines by Trapiche at the LCBO or through their Agent - Dandurand.

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Viña del Pedregal Kidia Reserve Carmenère 2018 (Chile) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely, single vineyard Carmenère from Chile that is new to the LCBO, arriving on shelves across Ontario on the weekend as part of the January 7 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Viña del Pedregal, a family with a long history in wine that dates back to the mid-19th century when Carlos Adolfo del Pedregal Neumann was one of the first to introduce French Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cot to the Chilean market. The passion for the wine trade and the land they developed and worked on was passed along from one generation to the next, eventually reaching Alberto del Pedregal Aldunate, the 6th generation of the family. In the middle of the 19th century, Alberto, who is now President, was the person responsible for materializing years of experience into what is known today as Viña del Pedregal.

Alberto left behind artisan production to develop wines for export, raising industry standards, and positioning the winery as one of the most renowned in Chile. José Manuel del Pedregal Labbé is the 7th generation of the family and the driving force behind the company's internationalization process, reaching over 40 countries. José Manuel del Pedregal Mujica and Matías Gutiérrez del Pedregal are the 8th generation of the family and they currently focus on innovation while promoting their premium wines and the development of the new look. Today, with time and commitment, Viña del Pedregal has grown to become one of the oldest and most recognized vineyards in Chile.

Viña del Pedregal's vineyards are located in the Loncomilla Valley, in the Maule Region in central Chile. The Maule Valley is a transverse valley with an east-west orientation, encompassing an area from the Andes Mountains in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west. Their vineyards start at the foothills, extending along the banks of the Loncomilla River until they reach the vicinity of the Chilean Coastal Range, a setup which provides soil and climate variability among the vineyards, which in turn contributes to the diversity and complexity of their wines.

This particular wine is from Viña del Pedregal's Kidia range of wines. Kidia is another name for the orchid, a flower with approximately 35,000 different species. The orchid represents both delicacy and strength - it is a flower that blossoms in innumerable forms and colours. For Viña del Pedregal, Kidia is a wine that symbolizes femininity and, therefore, this line of wines was designed and inspired by, and for, women. The Kidia range has 18 wines designated as either Gran Reserva, Reserva and Varietal, with each wine assigned a specific species of this delicate flower. Each wine seeks to transmit this flower's elegance, colour, and complexity.

Depicted on the label of this Carmenère is the Vanda Kultana species of orchid. Crafted with 100% Carmenère, the grapes were grown in the D.O. Valle Pencahue, in the Loncomilla Valley. It was grown on loamy clay soils and harvested at the beginning of May. It was cold-soaked for 5 days, fermented with selected yeasts and remained in contact with skins for 25 days. The wine was aged for 8 months in mostly used French oak - 20% new, 50% second-use, and 30% third-use, and bottled without any filtration.

From an excellent harvest in terms of both quantity and quality with no extreme events, let's see how this 2018 Carmenère from Chile is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

VIÑA DEL PEDREGAL KIDIA RESERVE CARMENÈRE 2018 - Sustainable, Single Vineyard, DO Valle Pencahue, Valle de Loncomilla, Valle del Maule, Chile (#24766) (XD) - $18.95
Sustainably crafted and vegan-certified, this 100% Carmenère has clean, refined, well-balanced, and generous aromas of resinous herbs layered over dark berry, black cherry, plus savoury touches of wood spice and minerals. It's medium-full bodied on the smooth, refined palate with lovely herbal, dark berry, black cherry, peppery spice, and earthy mineral flavours with a hint of plum. Acids are fresh and well-balanced, while the tannins are smooth, supple, and well-structured. Impeccably well-balanced throughout with smoky mineral notes lingering on the long, very satisfying finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the next 5+ years. Score: 90 pts

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

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Lakeview Cellars Riesling Icewine 2019 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Continuing the recent trend of enjoying fine Icewines, which included the 2017 Lakeview Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine last month, tonight's Icewine review is a lovely, vegan Riesling Icewine from Niagara that returned to the LCBO this weekend as part of the January 7th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Lakeview Cellars, a brand that was established in 1991 by Eddy Gurinskas in Vineland, Ontario, within the Niagara Region. Having built a worldwide reputation over the years for creating premium Niagara wines that are both high quality and affordable, Lakeview Cellars is now owned by Diamond Estates and is one of their oldest wine brands. Lakeview Cellars wines are crafted and sold at Lakeview Wine Co. on Niagara Stone Road in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Leading the team at Lakeview is Thomas Green, VP of Winemaking and Winery Operations. The Lakeview Cellars brand is nostalgic for Thomas as he began his career at the company in the late 1990s as an apprentice to winemaking under Eddy. After graduating as part of the first graduating class of the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture program at Brock University in 2000, he remained with Lakeview Cellars. Following Eddy's retirement, Thomas took over head winemaking duties for Lakeview Cellars in January 2003, and Diamond Estates in 2005.

Although the Vidal grape is the main variety used to craft Icewine in Niagara, Riesling comes a close second due to its ability to retain freshness and acidity, which helps balance the sweetness in the wine. The grapes for this Riesling Icewine were sourced from their best vineyards in the Niagara region, kissed by Lake Ontario's offshore breeze. The grapes were harvested in late-December, when they were frozen and temperatures were between -10°C and -13°C. Like the other Lakeview Cellars Icewines I tasted recently, the juice was settled in stainless steel tanks, followed by a cool-fermentation, and then placed outside to complete a natural cold stabilization. Let's see how this Riesling Icewine from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

LAKEVIEW CELLARS RIESLING ICEWINE 2019 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#471839) (S) (200 mL) - $34.95
The fragrant nose offers gorgeous aromas of honeyed apricot and peach mingling with candied lemon, ginger, orange peel, and apple. On the medium to medium-full bodied palate it is lightly spicy and has lusciously sweet aroma replays of honey, apricot, peach, lemon, and orange peel with a slightly viscous mouthfeel. Bracing acidity provides just enough freshness to balance the sweetness, while caramel and faintly mineral notes emerge on the lingering finish. Delicious and a highly recommended buy! Score: 92 pts

Other lovely Icewines (and table wines) from Lakeview Cellars are available not only at the LCBO, but also direct from the winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

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Casale del Giglio Satrico 2020 (Lazio) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely, eclectic white wine blend of three varietals that arrived at the LCBO today as a Smart Buy in the January 7 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Casale del Giglio, whose story begins in 1914 when three brothers - Emidio, Isidoro and Antonio Santarelli - established "Berardino Santarelli & Figli", a company named after the founding father, Berardino, Wine Merchant. The company moved to Rome and grew over the years, selling wines, liquors, and olive oils, and had several outlets across the city. In 1955, Emidio's son, Dino, founded the company "Santarelli S.p.A." to bottle Lazio's classic wines. These wines were sold primarily in Rome, but were also quite popular in Canada.

Casale del Giglio was established in 1967 by Dino Santarelli. He was fascinated by the Agro Pontino valley and founded Casale del Giglio at Le Ferriere, a hamlet close to the ancient city of Satricum in the province of Latina, some 50 kilometres south of Rome. A virgin territory, quite unlike other parts of Lazio or any other Italian region, the area was ripe for viticultural exploration.

In the early 1990s, Antonio Santarelli joined his father, Dino, and in partnership with the young enologist Paolo Tiefenthaler from the northern Italian Trentino region, they achieved remarkable results stemming from an intense programme of research and experimentation. They were joined by famous ampelographers and university researchers and planted close to 60 different experimental vines in Casale del Giglio's soil. With a scheme that was bold and daring in a very scientific way, they were rewarded and achieved their first significant results from the red grape varieties Syrah and Petit Verdot and from whites such as Sauvignon, Viognier, and Petit Manseng.

Today, Casale del Giglio continues to subscribe to the philosophy that "the future of Italian viticulture relies not only on consolidating the image of its traditional wine producing zones, but on its ability to produce top quality wines at favourable prices in areas whose potential is still relatively unexplored." As a result of Casale del Giglio's research, the the European Community authorized the cultivation of "new recommended varieties" such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Syrah, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Sauvignon in the province of Latina (from 1990), while other varieties were authorized later. Casale del Giglio has since elected to plant those grape varieties which adapt well to the territory and produce quality wines.

The Satrico is a white wine blend consisting of 40% Chardonnay, 40% Sauvignon Blanc, and 20% Trebbiano Giallo. Satrico gets its name from the ancient pre-Roman city of Satricum. Traces of the earliest huts, which formed a village around a central place of worship on high ground near the river Astura, date from the 9th century B.C. This hillside settlement, later to become the acropolis of the city, was the site of a temple dedicated to the goddess Mater Matuta. Remains of her temple can still be seen today, close to Casale del Giglio’s vineyards in the hamlet of Le Ferriere, near the town of Latina.

The grapes for this white wine were harvested just as they begin to ripen and vinified separately to ensure that the fresh, distinctive aromas and flavours of each variety come through in the final blend. The bunches were carefully selected, with only the very best bunches included in this wine, and after careful soft-pressing, the free-run juice was separated from the skins. It underwent a temperature-controlled, slow fermentation over 7-8 days, matured in stainless steel tanks, and bottled at the beginning of the following year. Let's see how this white wine blend from Lazio is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CASALE DEL GIGLIO SATRICO 2020 - IGT Lazio Bianco, Italy (#569806) (D) - $18.95
This eclectic blend of 40% Chardonnay, 40% Sauvignon Blanc, and 20% Trebbiano Giallo has a soft, medium+ intensity nose that is dusty and earthy with floral, lemon citrus, melon, and ripe apple aromas with a whiff of mango adding interest. It's impressively concentrated on the medium+ bodied palate with slightly spicy flavours of ripe melon, mango, lemon citrus, floral flavours in a dry flavour profile. Slightly viscous mouthfeel, along with juicy, well-balanced acidity, while savoury, leesy, and mineral notes linger on the long finish. Chill well and enjoy this recommended buy now! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Casale del Giglio can be ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Portugal: A Region to Dream About

Tonight's red wine reviews are a trio of wines from some of Portugal's best red wine growing appellations - Douro (& Porto), Dão, and Alentejo.

Given the time of year when the days are cold and the leaves have long fallen, many wine lovers gravitate to sipping a warming glass of red wine and daydream about warmer climes. If you combine the two on a vinous reverie - you will reach sunny Portugal!

With a mainly hot, dry Mediterranean climate, Portugal offers a wealth of elegant, structured wines. For lighter reds, you can head further north on the Atlantic coast. Portugal boasts an impressive diversity of vineyard terroirs, from rugged mountains to verdant river valleys. There are more than 250 native grape varieties grown in Portugal, and they are often crafted into highly distinctive wines in a variety of styles. Portuguese wines are the ideal choice for adventurous wine lovers looking for wines off-the-beaten track. To get started, let's look at some of Portugal's best red wine appellations.

Situated in northern Portugal, the Douro region is made up of mainly granite and schist slopes, and the steep, terraced vineyards follow the sinuous path of the Douro River from the Spanish border, gradually flattening as they near Porto. I visited Porto many years ago and the slopes along the Douro River are quite the sight and a must visit for every wine enthusiast. The rugged beauty and long-standing quality reputation of Douro wines have garnered the region UNESCO World Heritage status.

In the hot, dry climate of the Douro, which is protected from wet coastal weather by the Serra do Marão mountains, red grape varieties such as Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, and Tinto Cão thrive. These are the favoured varieties to craft the Douro's famous fortified dessert Port wines, as well as the region's ageworthy, structured, and dark fruited dry red wines.

Travelling southwest from Douro, we arrive in the mountainous region of Dão. The Dão appellation is sheltered from the extremes of both continental and maritime weather patterns, giving it a temperate climate. Like the Douro, the Dão winegrowing region takes its name from the river of the same name that traverses its vineyards. The reigning red grape in Dão is Touriga Nacional and it is often blended with Tinta Roriz, while the granite soils in Dão offer a a slightly fresher, more mineral-laced quality to these red blends compared to Douro wines. Excellent red wines are also being made from the region's Alfrocheiro and Jaen varieties.

The third wine region covered in this post is Alentejo. Located in the southwestern part of Portugal, the hot, dry region of Alentejo represents one-third of Portugal's total surface area. Due to it's size, the appellation is divided into eight distinct sub-regions because of the multitude of different soil types and varied topography, from steep mountainous terrain in the north to vast, gently undulating vineyards further south. Alentejo is known as the heartland of Portugal's red wine production and the major grapes grown here include Alfrocheiro, Alicante Bouschet, Aragonez, Castelão, and Trincadeira. Although difficult to generalize given the region's wide diversity, red wines are commonly rich, velvety, and ripe-fruited.

Portugal has a proud tradition for fine winemaking dating back thousands of years. Each Portuguese wine is unique and tells us a story that, if you let it, can transport you into the heart of its vineyards.

The Alentejo red in this post is part of the VINTAGES Essentials Collection and is available year-round, while the Dão and Douro red wines arrived at the LCBO as part of a VINTAGES Release earlier this year and are still available for purchase. To explore more Portuguese wines from these producers, you can look on lcbo.com or contact each producer's Agent, while other wines from Portugal can be found at the LCBO, including their Portugal Destination Collection store located at 2151 St Clair Ave. West in Toronto.

Tasting Notes:

JOSÉ MARIA DA FONSECA DOMINI 2019 - DOP Douro, Portugal (#452730) (XD) - $17.95 $15.25
Blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) and Touriga Francesa grown on schist soils and aged for 3 months in new French and American oak. Ripe and fruity medium+ intensity nose is dark fruited with blackberry, black plum, peppery spice, and mineral undertones. On the dry, medium+ bodied palate it has ripe plummy and blackberry flavours along with some peppery spice, herbs, and minerals adding a pleasant savoury component. Acids are fresh, juicy, and well-balanced, while the supple tannins have a nice, textural mouthfeel. Savoury minerals linger on the long, juicy finish. Agent: Dandurand. Score: 88+ pts 

CABRIZ COLHEITA SELECIONADA 2019 - DOC Dão, Portugal (#247973) (D) - $14.95
Blend of 40% Alfrocheiro Preto, 30% Aragonez (Tempranillo), and 30% Touriga Nacional. The medium-high intensity nose offers intriguing aromas of red berry, cherry, raspberry, and spices and touches of plummy. Savoury mineral notes add further interest. On the medium-bodied palate it is ripe with red berry, plum, cran-cherry-raspberry, and subtle spice flavours. Acids are fresh and juicy, while the tannins are smooth and supple. Nicely balanced with minerally and smoky notes on the finish, with very good length. In a nice place right now compared to when first tasted earlier this year. Agent: Noble Estates Wines & Spirits. Score: 88+ pts

ESPORÃO RESERVA RED 2019 - DOC Alentejo, Portugal (#606590) (XD) - $26.95
Blend of Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional, Aragonez, Syrah, Trincadeira, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Touriga Franca that was grown organically on granite/schist soils with clay/loam structure. It was aged for 12 months in 60% American and 40% French oak barrels. The medium+ intensity nose seems a bit shy, offering aromas of sweet wood spice, sandalwood, and ripe dark berries, blackberry, and hints of licorice. It is also very ripe on the medium-full bodied palate with youthful, gritty tannins and fresh acidity. Dark berry, blackberry, sweet wood spice, sandalwood, and licorice flavours on the palate, turning savoury and smoky on the finish, with very good length. Interesting fact: Each vintage of this wine features a new label graced with works from some of Portugal's finest artists. Agent: FWP Trading Inc. Score: 89 pts

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