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  • Date publishedWednesday, August 20, 2025

Burgo Viejo Reserva 2020 (Rioja) - Wine Review

red wine review is a lovely Tempranillo from Rioja that arrived at the LCBO last month as the Wine of the Month in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Bodegas Burgo Viejo, a Spanish winery in La Rioja with roots going back to 1950. Bodegas de Familiar Burgo Viejo came together in 1987 when six families of winegrowers in La Rioja - Castillo Garcia, Galán Garijo, Gurría García, Marques Malumbres, Rivas Marques, and Ruiz Casas - brought their vineyards, winegrowing traditions, and age-old knowledge that was passed down from one generation to the next to create wines with an innovative spirit under a single brand.

Today, the winemaking process at Burgo Viejo is based on the highest standards of food safety - Brand Reputation through Compliance (BRCGS) and International Featured Standards (IFS), as well as a deep commitment to quality and meeting the needs of the market. The families at Burgo Viejo are focused on continued growth and offering products of the highest quality.

The six families combine to have more than 200 hectares of vines that are cultivated with passion, attention to detail, and care, which allows them to obtain high-quality grapes, and, in turn, craft a wide range of high-quality wines. The vineyards stretch across the entire municipality of Alfaro, from the Ebro valley right up to the slopes of the sierra of Monte Yerga, in La Rioja of northern Spain. An extensive surface area such as this offers a wide variety of soil types, micro-climates, and distinctive features, which are expressed through each varietal that is planted on these lands. The vineyards average 30 years old, with some parcels almost a century old. Burgo Viejo owns nearly all of their vineyards, allowing them to constantly monitor each site, reduce yields for optimum quality, handle any disease problems, and decide upon the right time to harvest.

It is crafted with 100% Tempranillo, using grapes that were grown in vineyards under the DOCa Rioja appellation of Spain. After harvesting the grapes during the pandemic, the grapes were destemmed and underwent light crushing. It was fermented at a controlled temperature in stainless steel tanks, followed by malolactic fermentation in concrete tanks. The wine was matured for at least 18 months in a combination of 225 L American and French oak barriques.

The hot 2020 growing season featured rainfall and early budding, which resulted in an early and uneven harvest. Some areas were severely hit by hail and mildew, which had the effect of smaller yields, while areas not impacted by these conditions had more generous yields. Furthermore, producers that harvested after the rain at the end of September benefited from northern winds, and produced balanced wines with moderate alcohol, good acidity, and deep colour. From a vintage considered "Very Good", let's see how this 2020 Tempranillo from Rioja is tasting tonight...

Burgo Viejo Reserva 2020 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

BURGO VIEJO RESERVA 2020 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#168823) (XD) - $19.95
This 100% Tempranillo has a medium+ to medium-high intensity nose that is savoury with earthy oak, tangy black plum, cran-cherry, dark berry, and coconut aromas. On the dry, medium+ bodied palate it offers delicious fine earthy oak spices, coconut, dark berry, cran-cherry, and black plum replays in a slightly tangy profile. It has crisp and juicy acidity, alongside smooth, fine-grained tannins with good structure. Spice touches on the mid-palate. Savoury, earthy oak, and coconut notes linger on the long, juicy finish. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

One other wine by Burgo Viejo is available in small quantities at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Dionysus Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedSaturday, August 16, 2025

Mega Spileo Assyrtiko 2023 (Greece) - Wine Review

white wine review is the latest vintage of a perennially lovely Assyrtiko from Greece. It arrived at the LCBO last month as part of the feature on BBQ Wines in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by the historic and significant winery and monastery - Mega Spileo Estate. The roots of Mega Spileo go back to 362 A.D., when it was established by brothers who were also monks. Mega Spileo is situated near the town of Kalavryta, in the Achaea region of northern Peloponnese, and holds a special place in Greek orthodox tradition and history.

Vine cultivation was added to the lands surrounding the monastery in approximately the mid-15th century, and the grapes were used by the monks to produce wine for both the Holy Communion and as a nutritious dietary supplement. A massive barrel called "Angelis" was acquired during this period and was used to store 12 tonnes of wine - a barrel which still survives to this day.

Today, the long and storied history of Mega Spileo Estate lies in the hands of brothers Giannis and Theodoros Anastasiou, who received a long-term lease on the Estate from the Monastery in 1999. Their vision was to revitalize the historical vineyard using a team of experienced oenologists and wine producers in order to create a completely new and unique estate. The team at Mega Spileo re-planted the vines and implemented best practices in the vineyard and winery. Among their practices include protecting the environment and using sustainable agricultural techniques.

The modern winery of Mega Spileo Estate resides a few minutes away from the historic monastery, within the UNESCO Chelmos-Vouraikos Global Geopark that covers an area of 647 sq. km. The area surrounding the Estate has tall mountains, plateaus, sheer gorges, ancient trees, wild herbs, flowers, and cool breezes, all of which come together to create a unique micro-climate that is ideal for the cultivation of grape vines. By cultivating high-quality grapes, which in turn results in high-quality wines, Mega Spileo has become a significant point of reference in Greek wine production.

Like the 2022 Mega Spileo Assyrtiko I enjoyed last year, this white wine is 100% Assyrtiko that was grown at a relatively high elevation of more than 700 metres above sea level in the mountain vineyards of Aigialeia and Kalavryta. It is classified as PGI Achaia, a winegrowing area that lies on a strip of land between the Ionian Sea to the west and the Patraic and Corinthian Gulfs to the north, on the northwest coast of the Peloponnese. After harvesting the grapes in late-September, it underwent static racking of the grape must after 48 hours. The grapes were fermented with selected yeasts at low temperatures and stayed in contact with its fine lees for 3 months in stainless steel tanks. It was aged mostly in tanks, with a third of the wine matured in oak barrels for an additional 3 months.

Although the 2023 growing season reduced yields, the warm vintage produced grapes of high quality. Let's see how this 2023 Assyrtiko from Greece is tasting tonight...

Mega Spileo Assyrtiko 2023 (90 pts)

Tasting Note:

MEGA SPILEO ASSYRTIKO 2023 - PGI Achaia, Greece (#31680) (XD) - $19.95
Elegant, medium-high intensity aromatics deliver lovely ripe lemon citrus and stony-leesy mineral aromas nuanced with melon, stone fruits, apple, and touches of mealy notes. The mid-weighted palate is dry, ripe, and lightly honeyed with delicious lemon citrus, spice, apple, and mineral flavours buoyed fresh and lively acidity. It has good structure on the mid-palate, while citrusy, spice, and savoury mineral notes carry you through to the long, crisp finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Many other fine wines by Mega Spileo are available in various quantities at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedMonday, August 11, 2025

Featherstone Gemstone 2023 (Niagara) - Wine Review

red wine review is a delicious, certified sustainable, and vegan-friendly blend of Cab Franc and Merlot from Niagara that made its debut at the LCBO last month in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by the eco-friendly Featherstone Estate Winery that is situated in the Twenty Mile Bench sub-appellation of the Niagara Escarpment. It was founded in 1999 by Louise Engel and her winemaker husband, Dave Johnson.

In 2024, amidst their 25th anniversary, Featherstone changed hands and is now under the ownership of philanthropist Rayla Myhal and businessman George Myhal. Even though Featherstone is under new ownership, Rayla and George aim to build on the successes of the past and continue to produce distinctive, small-batch Niagara wines that are cultivated in soils that reflect the biodiversity of the Niagara Escarpment.

Since the beginning, Featherstone has prided itself on its eco-friendly practices in the vineyard and cellar. In addition to farming insecticide-free since its founding, the philosophy at Featherstone has always been based on respect for the land, which is at the heart of making wine that is true to its soil and site. Furthermore, as nutrients and minerals are exchanged and transformed in a give-and-take relationship between living soil organisms and plants, there is a mutually beneficial circle where the soil nourishes the vine, while farming practices nurture the soil. In 2023, Featherstone Estate Winery received their Sustainable Winegrowing Ontario (SWO) certification.

This red wine is a blend of 57.1% Cabernet Franc and 42.9% Merlot. The various parcels of grapes were harvested over a couple of weeks from Oct. 26 to Nov 10, 2023. Each component of the blend was individually vinified in their climate-controlled cellar. After undergoing alcoholic fermentation, the wine underwent 100% complete malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks to ensure freshness and bright fruit flavours. It was minimally oaked by spending only 2 months in oak barrels.

The growing season in 2023 featured a wet, dreary, and smoke-filled summer, which delayed harvest. It also featured an extended growing season that allowed for the development of ripe, concentrated primary fruit flavours and complexity, alongside firm tannins and finesse. Furthermore, the vintage produced bountiful fruit with a dry and warm fall that resulted in very good to excellent fruit quality, with impressive results for structured reds such as Cabernet Franc and Merlot - the two grapes comprising this red wine. Let's see how this 2023 Cabernet Franc and Merlot blend from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Featherstone Gemstone 2023 (88 pts)

Tasting Note:

FEATHERSTONE GEMSTONE 2023 - Sustainable, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#46055) (XD) - $17.95
This vegan-friendly blend of 57.1% Cabernet Franc and 42.9% Merlot is enclosed by Stelvin screw cap. The medium-high intensity nose is ripe and plummy with dark berry, currant, and peppery spice aromas, plus accents of cassis, black cherry, and subtle oak spice. The mid-weighted palate is dry and ripe with some jammy notes joining the plummy, black fruit, dark cherry, currant, cassis, and subtle oak spice characters. It has fresh and juicy acidity, along with ripe, lightly structured, and grainy tannins. Earthy and subtle oak spice notes with touches of dark cherry and herbs on the dry and savoury finish, with good length. Enjoy this recommended buy over next 2-3 years. Score: 88 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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  • Date publishedFriday, August 1, 2025

August 2, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Canadian Wines

LCBO Wine Picks: August 2, 2025 VINTAGES New Release Collection
Here are my top wine picks from the August 2, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (click here for digital edition), which features Canadian Wines from Coast to Coast as the theme of the release, while the mini-feature has a trio of wines from an Australian producer, and in Local Talent there's a look at wines from Lake Erie North Shore (aka LENS). The release is a bit on the small side with only 86 products offered, but there are quite a few nice wines, and everything should be readily available for purchase across the province.

We'll begin with the feature story about Canadian Wines from Coast to Coast. There are thirteen wines included as part of the feature, with half a dozen wines each from British Columbia and Ontario, plus one wine from Nova Scotia. Two of these wines are among my top wine picks - a Pinot Gris from British Columbia, and a Riesling from Niagara - and both have some natural sweetness to them.

Redstone Limestone Vineyard South Riesling 2023 (90+ pts)

My top red wine picks from the main release begin in the Rhône with a trio of fantastic wines, all blends. At the top of the list is the Châteauneuf-du-Pape that is composed of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and 10% Mourvedre. The Vinsobres is an unspecified blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, while the Luberon is an unoaked blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache that was vinified without adding sulfites. From Spain, the 2020 Rioja is 100% Tempranillo, while the 2015 Rioja is 95% Tempranillo with the balance made up of Garnacha, Graciano, and Mazuelo. From Italy, the Chianti Classico is crafted with mainly Sangiovese and a splash of Colorino, while the Cannonau di Sardegna is Grenache from Sardinia. On the local front, the wine from Niagara-on-the-Lake is a kitchen sink type of blend consisting of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Semillon, Syrah, and Sangiovese.

Remy Ferbras Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2021Rhonéa Les Confluences Vinsobres 2022 (90 pts)

Amédée Sans Soufre Ajouté Luberon 2023 (89 pts)

Stratus Alto 2023 (90+ pts)Villa Cerna Primocolle Chianti Classico 2021 (90+ pts)

The only blend among my white wine recommendations from the main release is a Sicilian white crafted with 90% Catarratto and 10% Chardonnay. Other notable white wines include a Pecorino from Abruzzo, an Alvarinho from Portugal, and a Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough. There's also an Assyrtiko from Greece, a Grüner Veltliner from Austria, and a Chenin Blanc from South Africa. And lastly, the Pinot Gris from New Zealand is a touch off-dry (i.e. slightly sweet).

Aveleda Solos de Xisto Alvarinho 2022 (91 pts)Tenute Orestiadi Riserva Il Bianco di Ludovico 2021 (90 pts)

Among my top rosé wine picks, the rosés from Niagara and Sancerre (Loire) are both crafted with Pinot Noir, while the Tavel is a blend of Grenache, Mourvedre, Clairette, Picpoul, and Syrah. Lastly, the Champagne is composed of 60% Pinot Meunier and 40% Pinot Noir.

Malivoire Vivant Rosé 2024 (90+ pts)

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

  • AMÉDÉE SANS SOUFRE AJOUTÉ LUBERON 2023 - AP, Rhône, France (#43529) (XD) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
  • ASKOS CANNONAU DI SARDEGNA 2023 - DOC, Sardinia, Italy (#36810) (XD) - $18.95
  • VENTISQUERO GREY SINGLE BLOCK CARMENÈRE 2022 - Trinidad Vineyard, DO Valle del Maipo, Chile (#325415) (XD) - $19.95
  • VILLA CERNA PRIMOCOLLE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#573501) (XD) - $19.95  90+ pts  wine review
  • RHONÉA LES CONFLUENCES VINSOBRES 2022 - AC, Rhône, France (#43748) (XD) - $24.95  90 pts  updated review soon...
  • BERONIA VIÑAS VIEJAS 2020 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#16587) (XD) - $24.95
  • PUELLES GRAN RESERVA 2015 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#30222) (XD) - $27.95
  • STRATUS ALTO 2023 - Sustainable, Vegan, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#40108) (XD) - $28.95  90+ pts  wine review
  • LAKEVIEW SYRAH 2020 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#49999) (XD) - $40.00
  • REMY FERBRAS CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2021 - AP, Rhône, France (#15184) (XD) - $50.95  review coming soon...

White Wine:

  • MAN FREE-RUN STEEN CHENIN BLANC 2024 - WO Cape Coast, South Africa (#126847) (XD) - $14.95
  • MARKUS WALDSCHÜTZ KAMPTAL GRÜNER VELTLINER 2023 - Sustainable, DAC, Austria (#34245) (XD) - $17.95
  • MATAHIWI ESTATE PINOT GRIS 2023 - Sustainable, Wairarapa, North Island, New Zealand (#12679) (D) - $18.95
  • TENUTE ORESTIADI RISERVA IL BIANCO DI LUDOVICO 2021 - DOC Sicilia, Italy (#36478) (XD) - $18.95  90 pts  wine review
  • LYRARAKIS VOILA ASSYRTIKO 2023 - Vegan, PGI Crete, Greece (#40446) (XD) - $19.95
  • RIVER FARM SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#32547) (XD) - $21.95
  • REDSTONE LIMESTONE VINEYARD SOUTH RIESLING 2023 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#381251) (M) - $22.95  90+ pts  wine review
  • AVELEDA SOLOS DE XISTO ALVARINHO 2022 - Vegan, Vinho Verde, Portugal (#35465) (XD) - $24.95  91 pts  wine review
  • MISSION HILL FAMILY RESERVE PINOT GRIS 2023 - BC VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#537076) (XD) - $25.95
  • UMANI RONCHI CENTOVIE PECORINO 2023 - IGT Colli Aprutini, Abruzzo, Italy (#11108) (XD) - $27.95

Rosé Wine:

  • DOMAINE DES CARTERESSES TAVEL 2024 - AC, Rhône, France (#739474) (XD) - $20.95
  • MALIVOIRE VIVANT ROSÉ 2024 - Sustainable, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#498535) (XD) - $21.95  90+ pts  wine review
  • JEAN-MAX ROGER LA GRANGE DÎMIÈRE SANCERRE ROSÉ 2024 - AC, Loire, France (#490813) (XD) - $30.95

Sparkling Wine:

  • JEAN-NOËL HATON BRUT CLASSIC BLANC DE NOIRS CHAMPAGNE - AC, France (#45411) (XD) - $59.95


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  • Date publishedWednesday, July 30, 2025

Eradus Sadie Rosé 2024 (New Zealand) - Wine Review

rosé wine review is a lovely Pinot-based dry rosé from New Zealand that made its debut at the LCBO earlier this month in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Eradus Wines, a family-owned winery that was established in the early 1980s by Har and Sophie Eradus. The Eradus family had emigrated from Holland and initially grew flowers in Auckland before moving to winegrowing in Marlborough, and then to Awatere Valley, which was mostly dryland sheep country with only a handful of pioneering winegrowers.

The Eradus family settled on a sliver of land that captured their imagination. The land was nestled between a higher terrace and the glacial river below, along with a guarding boundary of gnarled old macrocarpa trees. As fate would have it, their connection to the land was formed when Sophie cleared a shed on the property and found an old potbelly door with an embossed logo that entwined their initials - "H", "S" AND "E" - which inspired the Eradus wine label.

From the beginning, Har and Sophie desired to have the unique and wild terroir of the Awatere Valley to speak through their vines. Their first vintage, a 2002 Sauvignon Blanc from the Breloft Vineyard, has heralded a future of extraordinary wines that reflect the essence of the Awatere Valley.

In 2004, their son, Michiel, and his Kiwi wife, Hanna, took over the family business and to this day, remain committed to celebrating the unique terroir of this place. Their philosophy is to bend to nature and let the Awatere Valley imprint itself upon every Eradus wine. Knowing that good fortune led the family to this remarkable piece of land in a valley that is now globally acclaimed for its wines, the Eradus family's role has been to take this good luck and build it into vines and wines that pay homage to the Awatere Valley.

Dedicated to their super lady, Sadie, this dry rosé is crafted with 48% Pinot Gris, 48% Chenin Blanc, and 4% Pinot Noir from vines averaging 18-years-old that were grown on a slender terrace at the edge of the Awatere River that features a unique micro-climate and soil structure that consists of alluvial and river stone. This parcel of land is stony, dry, windy, and cool due to the influences of a fault line, a river, and the power of the nearby Pacific Ocean, and features the elements to create lively wines with elegance, minerality, and long finishing. In this wine, Eradus lets the untameable terroir of the Awatere Valley express itself through their vines and grapes. Completely vinified in stainless steel, this rosé brings together new world fruit and old world elegance and minerality.

While the 2024 growing season in New Zealand had uncertain weather at times, with yields down across the board, the quality of the fruit is said to be brilliant. The growing season began with some unpredictable weather during budburst and flowering, then settled down for a warm and dry (but not hot) summer, which led to drought conditions for most of the country. Cooler weather arrived in autumn, which helped cool the grapes and retain essential acidity and aromatics. From a vintage that produced clean and fresh fruit, let's see how this 2024 rosé from New Zealand is tasting tonight...

Eradus Sadie Rosé 2024 (90+ pts)

Tasting Note:

ERADUS SADIE ROSÉ 2024 - Awatere Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#43353) (XD) - $19.95
Enclosed by screw cap, this blend of 48% Pinot Gris, 48% Chenin Blanc, and 4% Pinot Noir pours a pale copper-orange colour. The fragrant, medium-high intensity nose has enticing and ripe aromas of grapefruit and orange citrus aromas nuanced with yellow fruit, red apple, strawberry, and raspberry, with touches of spice. It shows good weight and concentration on the dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate with flavours grapefruit, orange citrus, red apple, and red berry, plus touches of savoury spice and minerality. It has fresh, well-balanced, and juicy acidity, alongside a slightly textured mouthfeel. Citrusy, apple, red berry, and spice notes taper to savoury minerals on the long, succulent finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

Their Sauvignon Blanc is available at the LCBO, while other lovely wines by Eradus can be ordered through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedMonday, July 28, 2025

Evans & Tate Wild Cape Sauvignon Blanc 2022 (Margaret River) - Wine Review

white wine review is a refreshingly delicious Sauvignon Blanc from Margaret River. It made its debut at the LCBO earlier this month in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Like the 2018 Evans & Tate Hullabaloo Cabernet Sauvignon I enjoyed earlier this year, this white wine is produced by Evans & Tate, a winery whose roots were established in 1971 by two friends - John Evans & John Tate. In 1974, the friends and business partners purchased land and planted a vineyard in Wilyabrup, the heart of Margaret River, Western Australia, and named the vineyard Redbrook. Evans & Tate played pioneering roles in establishing Margaret River as a world-class wine region.

In 2012, Evans & Tate joined the Fogarty Wine Group portfolio of wine brands. The winemaking philosophy at Evans & Tate begins with accessing high-quality fruit and oak, as well as using state-of-the-art winemaking equipment. Senior Winemaker Matt Byrne, who has been at the helm of winemaking at Evans & Tate since 2001, continues to lead the team at Fogarty as they continuously strive to craft elegant wines which exhibit distinct regional characteristics and intense purity of fruit.

The Margaret River wine region is situated adjacent to the Indian Ocean and boasts optimal conditions for viticulture due to its proximity to the ocean, soil consistency, and generally perfect seasonal temperatures. Situated at an elevation of 295 feet above sea level, the Margaret River wine region features a high mean January (peak summer) temperature of 20.2°C, and a low mean annual temperature of 7.6°C, which translates to a pleasant year-around Mediterranean climate that is warm and dry during summer with cooling afternoon breezes, and a mild winter. The soil in the area is loamy sand and gravel, which was formed directly from underlying granite and gneissic rock.

Evans & Tate has been crafting Margaret River wines for over 50 years. Today, they have eight lines of wines ranging from fun-and-friendly to award-winning and sophisticated. This particular white wine is from their mid-range Wild Cape line. The Wild Cape range of three wines is a celebration of the raw beauty of Western Australia's southwest region and is inspired by the spectacular coastline and distinct regional characteristics of Margaret River wine. Adorning each label of Wild Cape wine is a dramatic photo by Andrew Semark that embodies the essence of the region where dramatic waves crash into the cape and world-class wines are produced in this remote, pristine part of the world. The photo that represents the Wild Cape Sauvignon Blanc is called ‘Void’ and captures the wave succinctly as "force, rare and relentless", terms which can also describe Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc as it offers a relentless wave of flavour with purity and energy, while showcasing the unique varietal characteristics of the region.

Crafted with 100% Sauvignon Blanc, the grapes for this white wine were picked at various times from small parcels in two vineyards in order to capture the myriad of aromas and flavours that Sauvignon Blanc vines produce at various ripeness levels. The grapes from the Karridale Vineyard were pressed upon arriving at the winery to soften acidity and to impart aromatic and textural complexity. The grapes from the Wilyabrup Vineyard were allowed to cold-soak on the skins for 24 hours before pressing and fermenting the clear juice. A small portion (13%) was allowed to undergo wild fermentation in used 500 L French oak puncheons to impart texture.

The growing season of the 2022 vintage began with a very wet winter, which led to good and healthy vine growth. The dry summer featured intense heat, which resulted in decreased yields. However, the dry, sunny days also provided a natural barrier to disease, while the extensive marri blossom kept bird pressure at bay. While some bunches suffered from sunburn, there were minimal challenges in the vineyard. Yields were lower than average, but the quality was the fruit resulted in outstanding wines. From a cracker of a vintage, let's see how this 2022 Sauvignon Blanc from Margaret River is tasting tonight...

Evans & Tate Wild Cape Sauvignon Blanc 2022 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

EVANS & TATE WILD CAPE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 - Margaret River, Western Australia (#41435) (XD) - $19.95
Screw cap. Fresh and fragrant, the medium-high to highly aromatic nose delivers tropical fruit (passion fruit, guava), lime/lemon zest, citrus, and green herbal aromas with underlying savoury mineral and a touch of white floral. The medium+ weighted palate is dry and ripe with lime/lemon zest, passion fruit, guava, and herbs joined by mild spice notes. It has fresh and vibrant acidity, alongside a textured mouthfeel with good structure on the mid-palate. Lime zest, herbs, spice, and touches of mineral linger on the long, crisp finish. Chill well and enjoy this recommended buy on a hot summer day! Score: 89 pts

Other delicious wines by Evans & Tate are available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedFriday, July 25, 2025

Maturana Naranjo Torontel Orange Wine 2023 (Chile) - Wine Review

wine review is a lovely and highly-acclaimed orange wine (i.e. skin-fermented white) that arrived at the LCBO earlier this month and was featured on the back cover of the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Maturana Winery, a family-owned wine producer that was founded in 2010, after the great earthquake in Chile, by brothers José Ignacio and Sebastian Maturana. After the earthquake, the brothers decided that there was no time to waste in getting started on their great passion for viticulture and wine. Since the beginning, the Maturana brothers have produced unique, sustainably crafted wines which represent a way of life.

The core values at Maturana are based on innovation, differentiation, fair price, passion, rescue of heritage strains, and quality. With innovation, the goal is to capture the identity of the varieties and specific locations in order to bring out each of their best characteristics. Because Chile has been making wines in the same way for decades, Maturana welcomes differentiation as this is an opportunity to differentiate themselves from others. Maturana supports natural vineyard management and believes in horizontal growth by responsibly paying their growers, sometimes as much as seven times the market price per kilo. Passion is the drug that keeps the Maturana brothers going, and is personified by the Walt Disney phrase: "Dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them." With a deep commitment to promoting the ancient vineyards of central Chile, Maturana aims to revive varietals such as País, Torontel, San Francisco, and others. Last, but not least, producing the best quality wines is their core value and goes hand-in-hand with their concept of creating something unique.

This unique orange wine is crafted with 100% Torontel from old vines that were planted ungrafted in 1935 in Loncomilla, within the Maule Valley. The grapes were selected and harvested by hand. It was vinified using traditional Orange Wine (or Amber Wine) methods whereby the white wine remains in contact with the grape skins. To craft this wine, the grapes were fermented and aged for 9 months in concrete eggs.

The 2023 growing season was a warm and somewhat challenging vintage for most of Chile, except for the mostly coastal areas. It began with a chilly and wet winter, followed by an equally cold spring. Vegetative growth was relatively prolific due to replenished water levels, while budburst and flowering was slow due to cold weather. Summer was sizzling as one of the hottest in decades, with fires breaking out in parts of the country, including Maule. Those that were lucky enough to be out of the fires' path avoided smoke taint and the drop in yields, with the result being good quality wines. Let's see how this 2023 Torontel Orange Wine from Chile is tasting tonight...

Maturana Naranjo Torontel Orange Wine 2023 (90+ pts)

Tasting Note:

MATURANA NARANJO TORONTEL ORANGE WINE 2023 - Sustainable, Loncomilla, Valle del Maule, Chile (#556217) (XD) - $24.95
Pours a vivid orange colour. The medium-high intensity nose is deep and intense with lovely orange, white tea, and dried herb aromas accented with spice notes. The medium+ weighted palate is dry and spicy with bright and vibrant acidity lifting the orange, white tea, blossom, and herbally flavours. Stony mineral notes add interest and complexity on the textured mid-palate. Spices and herbs give way to tea and minerals on the long, juicy, dry, and fine-grained finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

One other wine by Maturana is available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedTuesday, July 22, 2025

Les Dauphins Réserve Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2023 (France) - Wine Review

white wine review is a lovely, certified sustainable, and vegan-friendly white wine blend that is predominantly Grenache Blanc and Viognier that arrived at the LCBO a couple of weeks ago in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Les Dauphins is one of several wine brands produced by Union des Vignerons des Côtes du Rhône (UVCDR), a co-operative winery that was founded in the southeastern French region of Drôme Provençale in 1965 by a group of local grower co-operatives. Together, they specialize in the production of an extensive range of AOC Côtes du Rhône, Villages, and Cru wines, thanks to the wealth of terroirs and grape varieties cultivated by their growers. The wines of UVCDR are crafted with the aim of encapsulating the beauty of their landscapes and the fabulous diversity of their Rhône Valley vineyards.

With its colourful, retro-style label, the Les Dauphins brand captures the "Joie de Vivre" of Paris in the Roaring 1920s, at a time when Paris was the festive capital of culture, and creativity was at its peak. The brand's origins go back to the 1920s, when family winegrowers in the region of Dauphiné joined forces in a co-operative style. The wines quickly became very popular because of their fruit-forward and palate-pleasing style.

The name "Les Dauphins" pays tribute to the terroir of the former Dauphiné province in southeastern France, where these wines originate from. The area, which has some of the Southern Rhône's best plots of vineyards, is bordered by the French Alps to the east, the Rhône River to the west and Provence to the south. The climate in this area is typically warm and sunny with little rainfall, while the soils range from stony clay-limestone to sandy soil.

Today, Les Dauphins wines are crafted by the new generations of winegrowers in the southern Rhône Valley as they work together with care and dedication to their terroir and by practicing environmentally-friendly viticulture. To obtain the unique style of Les Dauphins wines, the winemakers of Les Dauphins wines first select the plots among their vineyards, guide the vinification at their facilities, then select, blend, and age the best wines that will adorn the Les Dauphins label.

This white wine is a blend of 50% Grenache Blanc, 40% Viognier, and 10% Marsanne. The grapes were grown in a vineyard situated in the southeast of France, around the village of Tulette, within the old historic region of Dauphiné, on two different soil types: clay-limestone soil formed of sedimentary rock and pebbles, and stony soil with a sandy subsoil. With careful attention throughout the winemaking process, the grapes were grown in carefully selected plots and picked at dawn in order to preserve a pale colour, crunchy aromas, and freshness. It was aged for 4 months to increase drinking pleasure and soften the wine.

The 2023 growing season in the southern Rhône was very good for white wine varieties. The season began with a very dry start from January to March. Bud burst was relatively late (early April), while the Mistral winds were often influential from early April to flowering in mid-May. Following some welcoming late-spring rains in May and June, the summer months were warm and arid, reaching a climax of 43°C on August 22nd, and the fierce heat remained until the end of the month. White varieties were picked from mid-to-late-August. It was a season well-suited for vines planted in clay soils, rather than sandy soils. Let's see how this 2023 Côtes du Rhône Blanc is tasting tonight...

Les Dauphins Réserve Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2023 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

LES DAUPHINS RÉSERVE CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2023 - Sustainable, Vegan, AC, France (#18600) (XD) - $14.95
Screw cap. Blend of 50% Grenache Blanc, 40% Viognier, and 10% Marsanne. The medium+ to medium-high intensity nose is open and ripe with lovely yellow apple, pear, and lemon citrus aromas nuanced with white peach, melon, mealy, leesy, and vanilla. The dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied has good weight with delicious, ripe yellow fruit, apple, pear, citrus, leesy, spice, white peach, and vanilla flavours. Gently spicy on the mid-palate along with fresh and juicy acidity. Yellow orchard fruit and leesy notes with touches of vanilla linger on the long, very satisfying finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other delicious Les Dauphins wines are available at the LCBO, and can also be ordered through their Agent - Churchill Cellars Ltd.


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  • Date publishedSunday, July 20, 2025

Bodega El Porvenir de Cafayate Laborum Finca El Retiro Torrontés 2023 (Argentina) - Wine Review

white wine review is an excellent, high-altitude, and single vineyard Torrontés from the Cafayate Valley in Salta, Argentina, that arrived at the LCBO earlier this month in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Established in 2000 by the Romero Marcuzzi family, Bodega El Porvenir de Cafayate is one of the benchmark wineries in the high-altitude Cafayate Valley wine region of Argentina. While El Porvenir is relatively new, its roots go back to the 1970s as the first winery was located in Tolombón, a few miles outside Cafayate.

The name 'El Porvenir' means 'future' and embodies the paradigm of Cafayate wine - the fusion between permanent innovation and great respect for the identity and unmistakable character of the Cafayate terroir. El Porvenir is part of a generation of wineries that emerged at the end of the 20th century with the transformation of the Argentine wine industry, the reconversion of Salta's viticulture and the projection of Cafayate wines to the world.

Since 2013, El Porvenir has been led by Lucía Romero Marcuzzi, a vintner, entrepreneur, mother, and third-generation vineyard owner who was born and raised in Salta and took her first steps at her grandfather's finca. With Lucia's hands-on approach, this female-led, family-run project is rewriting the legend of Cafayate. The philosophy at El Porvenir is based on a deep respect and love for their terroir in Cafayate, and is reflected in the wines.

Cafayete is a small, isolated, and elevated valley known for its stunning red rock formations. It is located 180 km (111 miles) south of the city of Salta and features a unique terroir that ensures high-quality and healthy grapes. The Cafayete Valley has an extreme desert climate, along with poor soils, warm days and cool nights, very little rainfall, and plentiful sunlight, all of which, when combined, allow El Porvenir to practice integrated, sustainable, and organic viticulture at high-altitudes between 1,750 and 2,500 metres above sea level. Furthermore, because these vineyards are among the highest in the world, the height and thermal amplitude (i.e. diurnal temperature range) are the elements that significantly influence the growth of the vine and impart unique characteristics to the grapes.

Like the previous vintage, this white wine is crafted with 100% Torrontés that was grown at El Porvenir's oldest vineyard - Finca El Retiro. The vineyard is located at the high-altitude of 1,650 metres above sea level in the Cafayate Valley, Salta, and first planted in 1945 uses both pergola and parral vine-training techniques. Harvest was carried out manually over three periods - the first week of February, and the first and last weeks of March - in order to obtain different layers of complexity. The clusters of grapes were harvested, placed into 20 kg bins, and brought to the winery for cluster selection. It was vinified by whole-cluster pressing and underwent alcoholic fermentation using selected yeasts for 30 days at relatively cool temperatures between 11°C and 13°C. The wine was aged on its fine lees for 3 months, then underwent débourbage (clarifying) and final blending in September prior to bottling.

I enjoyed the 2022 Bodega El Porvenir de Cafayate Laborum Finca El Retiro Torrontés about 18 months ago, and I am expecting this vintage to be even better. The 2023 growing season in Argentina was a bit of a rollercoaster, with recent years influenced by La Niña leaving the country in an unnatural state of drought, as well as being influenced by the southern pole. After devastating spring frosts during budburst, which cut yields in some parts of the country, the season settled into warm, dry days, with summer being one of the hottest and driest in years, which resulted in the grapes ripening quickly. Vineyards at high altitudes (such as those in Salta) benefited from high diurnal temperature variation, which helped retain acidity and aromatics. Due to the heat, the resulting harvest was a little earlier than normal. From what is considered to be an excellent vintage for high-altitude white wines, let's see how this 2023 Torrontés from the Cafayate Valley in Salta is tasting tonight...

Bodega El Porvenir de Cafayate Laborum Finca El Retiro Torrontés 2023 (90 pts)

Tasting Note:

BODEGA EL PORVENIR DE CAFAYATE LABORUM FINCA EL RETIRO TORRONTÉS 2023 - Valle de Cafayate, Salta, Argentina (#489179) (XD) - $19.95
Screw cap. Delicately lifted and fresh, the medium-high to highly aromatic nose offers green herbs, ripe kaffir lime citrus, and lemongrass aromas nuanced with hints of tropical fruit, guava, blossom, and pithy fruit, with touches of leesy minerality. The medium+ to medium-full bodied palate shows impressive weight, concentration, and structure in a tangy flavour profile of ripe lime citrus, green herbs, lemongrass, and tropical fruit flavours, plus some peppery spice and leesy notes. It has crisp, juicy, and well-structured acidity. Leesy minerals carry you through to the long, savoury finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Other lovely wines by Bodega El Porvenir de Cafayate can be ordered through their Agent - Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedThursday, July 17, 2025

Skouras Cuvée Prestige Agiorgitiko / Moscofilero Rosé 2024 (Greece) - Wine Review

After enjoying the lovely 2023 Skouras Cuvée Prestige Agiorgitiko / Moscofilero Rosé last year, rosé wine review is the latest vintage of this terrific wine that arrived at the LCBO earlier this month as part of the feature story on Mediterranean wines in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by the well-respected Domaine Skouras, a winery that was founded in 1986 by George Skouras. George was born in the Peloponnese town of Argos, one of Europe's oldest towns and one with a rich, 3,000-year-old tradition of wine and culture. After completing his studies that began in agriculture and finished with a degree in Oenology in Burgundy, George gained his experience in the classic wine-producing regions of France before returning home to realize the dream of having his own winery.

Initially, he set up his winery in the small village of Pyrgela, on the outskirts of Argos, then eventually moved to Nemea in the northeastern Peloponnese. It was in Nemea where he gained invaluable lessons about Agiorgitiko and the Nemea appellation. Today, Domaine Skouras is situated in the highlands of Argolida, an area that is blessed with ideal winegrowing conditions, particularly for Agiorgitiko.

The ultra-modern winery of Domaine Skouras helps fulfill their winemaking philosophy that focuses on purity, varietal clarity, tracing of the region's mesoclimate, and imprint of the terroir. The viticultural team at Skouras has only one aim: to achieve optimum ripeness and obtain the best possible grape. With a belief that the better the fruit, the better the wine, the wines of Domaine Skouras consistently show the hallmarks of their creator with intensity, vibrancy, and complexity, and all is expressed with elegance, grace, and nobility. Domaine Skouras' wines are engraved with the character of their terroir.

Like the previous vintage, the 2024 vintage is also composed of 70% Agiorgitiko and 30% Moscofilero and grown in the Peloponnese wine region of Greece. The Agiorgitiko was grown in Corinthia at an elevation of 850 metres above sea level on calcareous soil, while the Moscofilero was grown in Mantinia at an elevation of 750 metres above sea level on sandy soil. The average age of the Agiorgitiko vines is 29 years, while the average age of the Moscofilero vines is 31 years. After harvesting the grapes from the end of September to the beginning of October, the Moscofilero underwent skin contact for 6 hours at 16°C, and was then blended and co-fermented with the Agiorgitiko in stainless steel vats at the same controlled temperature of 16°C. The wine was aged on its fine lees for a short period of time and then bottled and enclosed by screw cap.

From a warm vintage with reduced volumes, let's see how this 2024 rosé from Greece is tasting tonight...

Skouras Cuvée Prestige Agiorgitiko / Moscofilero Rosé 2024 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

SKOURAS CUVÉE PRESTIGE AGIORGITIKO / MOSCOFILERO ROSÉ 2024 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#25745) (XD) - $16.95
Blend of 70% Agiorgitiko and 30% Moscofilero and enclosed by screw cap. Enticing with an attractive, complex, and medium-high to highly aromatic nose of citrus, grapefruit, blood orange, floral, red berry, currant, raspberry, and cherry notes. Quite full and weighty on the dry palate with delicious citrus, grapefruit, red berry, raspberry, currant, and blood orange flavours nuanced with gentle spice. It has very good, crisp, juicy, and slightly tangy acidity. Citrus and red berry flavours are joined by touches of leesy minerals on the finish, with very good length. Highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Domaine Skouras can be found at the LCBO and through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedThursday, July 17, 2025

July 19, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: BBQ Wines

LCBO Wine Picks: July 19, 2025 VINTAGES New Release Collection
Here are my top wine picks from the July 19, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, where BBQ Wines is the feature story of the release. The mini-theme highlights a trio of wines from Nova Scotia, while also included in this release is a new selection of Online & Flagship Exclusives (OFE). There are 102 products offered in this release, and all should be available for purchase by this Saturday, if not earlier.

We'll begin with the feature story on Wines for the BBQ. The printed catalogue (and digital edition) offer good pairing ideas for these wines, as well as serving temperatures. Of the twenty-two wines included as part of the theme, seven are among my recommended wine picks. Quality white wines for BBQ fare include the Assyrtiko from Greece, the Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, and the Grillo from Sicily. Among the reds, the only blend is the Chianti Classico, which is composed of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Mono-varietals reds are the Gamay Noir from Niagara, the Pinot Noir from New Zealand, and the outstanding Cabernet Franc from Niagara.

Mega Spileo Assyrtiko 2023 (90 pts)Feudo Maccari Olli Grillo 2024 (89 pts)

Red wine recommendations from the main release begin in Tuscany with a Super Tuscan that is crafted with 57% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Petit Verdot. From France, the Rasteau is composed of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre, and 5% Carignan, while the Languedoc-Roussillon red is 70/30 Grenache and Syrah. Other red blends include the $14 Portuguese wine that is a blend of 40% Alicante Bouschet, 30% Aragonez (Tempranillo), and 30% Trincadeira, and the Gemstone from Niagara that is 57.1% Cabernet Franc and 42.9% Merlot. We also travel the globe for mono-varietal red wines, beginning with a Tempranillo from Spain, a Malbec from Argentina, and a Pinot Noir from South Africa.

Lafage Narassa 2022 (90+ pts)Fabre Montmayou Barrel Selection Malbec 2022 (90+ pts)

Rhonéa Tradition Rasteau 2021 (90+ pts)Burgo Viejo Reserva 2020 (89 pts)

Featherstone Gemstone 2023 (88 pts)

Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay lead the pack among my white picks from the main release. For Sauvignon Blanc wine lovers, there are four wines in total representing Pouilly-Fumé and Sancerre in Loire, Argentina, and Australia. For fans of Chardonnay, the local hit parade from the last release continues in this release with wines by Huff Estates in Prince Edward County, and Inniskillin in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Other white wines include a skin-contact Pinot Grigio from Friuli, and the only white wine blend - a Sicilian white composed of 38% Catarratto, 28% Inzolia, 21% Grecanico, 7% Grillo, and 6% Chardonnay.

Huff Catherine's Chardonnay 2022 (91+ pts)Inniskillin Montague Vineyard Chardonnay 2022 (90 pts)

Bird In Hand Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (89 pts)

My lone sparkling wine recommendation from this release comes from South Africa, and it is primarily Pinot Noir with Chardonnay and Pinotage playing complementary roles.

Boschendal Cap Classique Brut Rosé Sparkling (90+ pts)

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

  • CARMIM TERRA LENTA PREMIUM 2023 - DOC Alentejo, Portugal (#646083) (XD) - $13.95
  • FEATHERSTONE GEMSTONE 2023 - Sustainable, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#46055) (XD) - $17.95  88 pts  wine review
  • VILLA TRASQUA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#121160) (XD) - $19.95
  • BURGO VIEJO RESERVA 2020 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#168823) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
  • RHONÉA TRADITION RASTEAU 2021 - AP, Rhône, France (#998716) (XD) - $19.95  90+ pts  updated review soon...
  • FABRE MONTMAYOU BARREL SELECTION MALBEC 2022 - Patagonia, Argentina (#42115) (XD) - $19.95  90+ pts  wine review
  • THELEMA MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS SUTHERLAND PINOT NOIR 2021 - WO Elgin, South Africa (#624924) (XD) - $23.95  OFE
  • LAFAGE NARASSA 2022 - IGP Côtes Catalanes, Languedoc-Roussillon, France (#483313) (XD) - $24.95  90+ pts  wine review
  • JULES TAYLOR PINOT NOIR 2021 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#329805) (XD) - $25.95
  • BACHELDER WILLMS LES NATURISTES GAMAY NOIR CRU 2020 - VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#45883) (XD) - $29.95
  • BLACK BANK HILL CABERNET FRANC 2022 - VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#46056) (XD) - $39.95
  • TENUTA DI TRINORO LE CUPOLE TRINORO 2022 - IGT Rosso Toscana, Italy (#30361) (XD) - $53.95  OFE

White Wine:

  • FEUDO MACCARI OLLI GRILLO 2024 - DOP Sicilia, Italy (#477877) (XD) - $16.95  89 pts  wine review
  • BIRD IN HAND SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Vegan, Adelaide Hills, South Australia (#41875) (XD) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
  • HUMBERTO CANALE ESTATE 1909 SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Patagonia, Argentina (#42735) (XD) - $17.95
  • TASCA D'ALMERITA REGALEALI BIANCO 2024 - DOC Sicilia, Italy (#531780) (XD) - $17.95
  • ATTEMS RAMATO PINOT GRIGIO 2024 - DOC Friuli, Italy (#111732) (XD) - $19.95
  • SPY VALLEY SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#686675) (XD) - $19.95
  • MEGA SPILEO ASSYRTIKO 2023 - PGI Achaia, Greece (#31680) (XD) - $19.95  90 pts  wine review
  • CHATELAIN LES VIGNES DE SAINT-LAURENT L'ABBAYE POUILLY-FUMÉ 2023 - Sustainable, AC, Loire, France (#958801) (XD) - $29.45  OFE
  • INNISKILLIN MONTAGUE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2022 - VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#238642) (XD) - $32.95  OFE  90 pts  wine review
  • HUFF CATHERINE'S CHARDONNAY 2022 - VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (#88955) (XD) - $34.00  91+ pts  wine review
  • JEAN-MAX ROGER CUVÉE MARNES ET CAILLOTTES SANCERRE 2023 - AC, Loire, France (#196667) (XD) - $39.95

Sparkling Wine:

  • BOSCHENDAL CAP CLASSIQUE BRUT ROSÉ SPARKLING - Disgorged July 2024, Traditional Method, WO Western Cape, South Africa (#34127) (D) - $29.95  OFE  90+ pts  wine review


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  • Date publishedTuesday, July 15, 2025

Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (South Africa) - Wine Review

white wine review is an excellent, certified sustainable Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa that arrived at the LCBO as an Online & Flagship Exclusive in the LCBO VINTAGES Release Collection - with bottles still available for purchase.

It is produced by Southern Right, a winery that was founded by Anthony Hamilton Russell in 1994 as a sibling winery to the renowned and highly-acclaimed Hamilton Russell Vineyards. In 2005, Southern Right established its home on a strikingly beautiful 448-hectare property in the cool, maritime, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley appellation, just behind the old fishing village of Hermanus. In 2009, their "Overberg" style cellar was built on the property and tailor-made for their Pinotage and Sauvignon Blanc.

The winery is named after the rare Southern Right whales that frequent the cool, South Atlantic Walker Bay, which is located a mere 3 kilometres from the vineyards at its closest point. With each bottle of Southern Right sold, the Russell family makes a contribution to the whales' conservation, as well as the conservation of indigenous and endangered vegetation in the area. Their motto 'Naturam Esse Omne', which means 'Nature is Everything', is carried on the neck label of each Southern Right bottle and is their commitment to the conservation and improvement of the environment.

As a boutique winery, Southern Right is a small specialist in Pinotage and Sauvignon Blanc wines. With Pinotage, the aim of Southern Right is to produce serious, age-worthy wines that combine distinct South African fruit and flavour expression with classic styling and refinement. Southern Right's vineyards have stony, very high iron and clay content, and shale-derived soils which are best suited to crafting refined and classically-styled wines. As is their philosophy at Hamilton Russell Vineyards, they practice rigorous yield management and take extreme care to ensure harvesting the grapes at optimal physiological ripeness. With Sauvignon Blanc, a wine that is a local and international bestseller, it undergoes a slower fermentation using both natural and endemic yeasts, and is crafted with the aim of avoiding excessively dramatic varietal characters that obscure the expression of the site and soil.

This white wine is crafted with 100% Sauvignon Blanc that was grown in the Cape Coast area. More specifically, 53% of the fruit comes from Walker Bay, while 47% is from Hemel-en-Aarde. The vineyards are planted on diverse soils consisting of 40% clay-rich shale, 32% Table Mountain sandstone, and 28% decomposed granite. The wine was crafted to ensure the personality of the sites and soils is not overridden by the forceful character of Sauvignon Blanc, and aims to balance the tight Old World minerality and length with New World texture and body. With a significant percentage of the fruit coming from iron and clay-rich soil, this adds a fine textural and structural component to the wine, as well as additional overall complexity. To further impart texture and mouthfeel, 8% of this wine was matured in neutral barrels. Meanwhile, the sandstone soils contribute their typically bright, tensile character and a marked, saline minerality.

The 2023 growing season along the Cape Coastal areas was one of the coolest years on record, averaging a maximum of 24.18°C from December to March. Budbreak was slightly later than normal for Sauvignon Blanc, while ripening was just over one week earlier. The later-ripening sites were at risk from significant rainfall during harvest in late-February and March, however, careful selection in the vineyard enabled the team at Southern Right to bring only the best grapes to the cellar. Considered a somewhat challenging vintage of good quality with cool-climate characteristics, this vintage produced vibrant and energetic wines with wonderful natural acidity. Let's see how this 2023 Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa is tasting tonight...

Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (91+ pts)

Tasting Note:

SOUTHERN RIGHT SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 - Sustainable, WO Cape Coast, South Africa (#512277) (XD) - $24.95
Cool and fresh, the medium-high intensity nose has complex aromas of lemon/lime citrus, grapefruit, sea spray, asparagus, snow pea, tarragon, grassy, and green herb aromas accented with guava and ripe tropical fruits. The dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate has very good concentration supporting the spicy flavours of lemon/lime citrus, grapefruit, saline mineral, tarragon, herbal, and grassy notes. It's nicely textured, and a touch viscous on the mid-palate, alongside clean, tangy, fresh, and vibrant acidity. Complex throughout with tangy citrus and herbs tapering to saline and earthy minerals on the long, savoury finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

Other fine Southern Right wines can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedSunday, July 13, 2025

Cantine Povero Campo del Palio Moscato d'Asti 2023 (Piedmont) - Wine Review

wine review is a lovely, sweet, semi-sparkling (or frizzante) wine with a lower alcohol content of 5.5% alcohol by volume (abv) from Piedmont. Sustainable and vegan-friendly, this bubbly arrived at the LCBO a few weeks ago in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on .

It is produced by Cantine Povero, a winery with roots going back nearly 200 years to 1837 on the lands of Roero, Monferrato, and Langhe, in the heart of Piedmont, Italy. Modern winegrowing entered the picture in 1948, when Bartolomeo Povero (aka Grandfather Tumlin) inherited a vineyard and increased his production by planting his first vineyard. Tumlin felt a strong emotional bond towards his land and was proud to continue the tradition of his ancestors, with the ancient wisdom passed down through the generations.

An excellent vintage in 1964 inspired brothers Giovanni and Michelino Povero, the sons of Tumlin, to produce their first branded bottles of Povero wines, which in turn resulted in expanded sales across Piedmont. In 1976, the brothers acquired their current headquarters at the foot of a medieval castle in the hamlet of San Matteo, within the commune of Cisterna d'Asti, and planted a further 10 hectares of vineyards. In 1987, the third generation of the Povero family expanded the family's business as the sons of Giovanni - Luca, Daniele, and Alessio - established Tenuta Fratelli Povero and produced wines from the oldest vineyards in Roero.

In 1998, the winery was renovated and modernized, along with a focus on organic farming and sustainability, as they installed a photovoltaic system in 2010 to allow the facility to use only renewable energy during the daytime. In 2019, Cantine Povero obtained organic certification for all of their vineyards. A year later, the third and fourth generations of the Povero family began leading the future of the winery with a dedication to both tradition and innovation.

Today, Cantine Povero's philosophy is to carry on the ancient wisdom handed down generation to generation, while innovating in a sustainable approach to agriculture. With a strong commitment to the environment, beginning with Nonno Tumlin and through each generation, they have learned to listen to the seasons and observe with love the branches, bunches, and leaves, and to confidently await the reward for their efforts. They practice organic cultivation without the use of any chemicals, and minimize their use of any treatments by using their innovative weather station to monitor humidity, rainfall, and temperature. Furthermore, they are practicing regenerative agriculture and encourage a diversified and harmonic ecosystem.

This frizzante is crafted with 100% Moscato that was grown in the Asti region of Piedmont. The vines are planted in sandy and clayey soil, and cultivated using the espalier system with Guyot pruning. The grapes were manually harvested, destemmed, and then cooled to 10–12°C before being gently pressed. It was fermented at a controlled temperature in stainless steel tanks.

From a somewhat tough vintage where conditions were seldom steady, let's see how this 2023 Moscato d'Asti from Italy is tasting tonight...

Cantine Povero Campo del Palio Moscato d'Asti 2023 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

CANTINE POVERO CAMPO DEL PALIO MOSCATO D'ASTI 2023 - Sustainable, Vegan, DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#477869) (S) - $16.95
Fresh, medium+ intensity aromas of peach, candied citrus, spring flowers, melon, and Flintstones vitamins, with a twist of orange. Crafted in a frizzante style, the fairly light-weighted palate is clean and refreshing with bright acidity and gentle bubbles lifting the peach, candied citrus, orange, melon, and floral notes in a gently sweet flavour profile. A touch sticky on the finish with well-balanced peach, melon, and candied citrus notes tapering to savoury and leesy notes on the long-lasting finish. Versatile and widely appealing for the patio, dinner table, or with dessert. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Cantine Povero can be ordered through their Agent - Rare Earth Wines.


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