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  • Date publishedThursday, February 27, 2025

March 1, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Women in Wine

LCBO Wine Picks: March 1, 2025 VINTAGES New Release Collection
Here are my top wine picks from the March 1, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, which features Women in Wine as the theme of the release. There are 85 wines in this release, with nearly 70% of the wines red, and save for a dozen wines, nearly everything comes in at under $40. All the wines should be available for purchase by Saturday, if not already on shelves by now.

We'll begin with the theme focusing on Women in Wine that includes twenty-four wines in the feature story, of which ten are recommended buys among my top wine picks. The lone bubbly is a Blanquette de Limoux that is crafted using 100% Mauzac. White wine recommendations from the Women in Wine feature are the Sauvignon Blanc from Niagara, a Chardonnay from South Africa, and the Pecorino from Marche. There are two blends from the feature story that are highly recommended buys - the Riserva Chianti Classico that is composed of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Merlot, and the Rioja that is a blend of 96% Tempranillo and 4% Mazuelo. The mono-varietal reds are a Xinomavro from Greece, a Cabernet Franc from Niagara, a Malbec from Uco Valley in Argentina, and a fine Syrah from Chile.

Kir-Yianni Cuvée Villages Xinomavro 2021 (90+ pts)Brancaia Riserva Chianti Classico 2020

Catena Paraje Altamira Malbec 2022Leyda Coastal Vineyard Canelo Syrah 2020

Thirty Bench Winemaker's Blend Cabernet Franc 2021Velenosi Pecorino 2023 (88+ pts)

Most of my red wine recommendations from the main release are blends. From Bordeaux, the Lalande de Pomerol is composed of 80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, while the Montagne-Saint-Émilion is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Also from France, the Rhône red is a Grenache-based blend, while the Spanish red from Jumilla is a blend of 80% Monastrell, 15% Syrah, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. And last, but not least, the excellent Brunello di Montalcino is made with 100% Sangiovese Grosso.

Villa Poggio Salvi Brunello di Montalcino 2019 (92 pts)El Goru Gold Mad Hairy Fella Monastrell / Syrah / Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Among my top white wine picks from the main release, all are mono-varietal wines from two varieties - Riesling and Chardonnay. The Riesling from Niagara is crafted in a medium-sweet style, while the Riesling from Germany is essentially dry. Of the Chardonnay wines, one is from Chile, while the other is from Beaujolais!

Vignerons des Pierres Dorées La Rose Blanche Beaujolais 2022 (89 pts)

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

  • KIR-YIANNI CUVÉE VILLAGES XINOMAVRO 2021 - Vegan, PDO Naoussa, Greece (#14151) (XD) - $18.00  90+ pts  updated review soon...
  • LE GRAVILLAS SÉGURET CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2021 - AC, France (#309260) (XD) - $18.95
  • EL GORU GOLD MAD HAIRY FELLA MONASTRELL / SYRAH / CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Vegan, DOP Jumilla, Spain (#13621) (XD) - $18.95  review coming soon...
  • LEYDA COASTAL VINEYARD CANELO SYRAH 2020 - DO Valle de Leyda, Chile (#42109) (XD) - $18.95
  • CHÂTEAU GUILLOU 2022 - AC Montagne-Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France (#140483) (XD) - $23.95
  • CATENA PARAJE ALTAMIRA MALBEC 2022 - Sustainable, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#492413) (XD) - $23.95
  • THIRTY BENCH WINEMAKER'S BLEND CABERNET FRANC 2021 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#30073) (XD) - $26.95
  • CHÂTEAU VIEUX CHEVROL 2020 - AC Lalande de Pomerol, Bordeaux, France (#525931) (XD) - $34.95
  • LAN GRAN RESERVA 2017 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#928622) (XD) - $36.95
  • BRANCAIA RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#260802) (XD) - $50.95
  • VILLA POGGIO SALVI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2019 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#363028) (XD) - $56.95  92 pts  wine review

White Wine:

  • CASA FÈVRE ESPINO RESERVA ESPECIAL CHARDONNAY 2023 - DO Valle del Maipo, Chile (#350058) (XD) - $16.95
  • VELENOSI PECORINO 2023 - DOCG Offida, Marche, Italy (#173252) (XD) - $17.95  88+ pts  wine review
  • NEDERBURG THE WINEMASTERS CHARDONNAY 2022 - Vegan, WO Western Cape, South Africa (#41444) (XD) - $18.95
  • MEGALOMANIAC NARCISSIST RIESLING 2023 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#67587) (M) - $19.95
  • DOMDECHANT WERNER HOCHHEIM ORTSWEIN RIESLING TROCKEN 2022 - VDP, Rheingau, Germany (#25710) (D) - $19.95
  • VIGNERONS DES PIERRES DORÉES LA ROSE BLANCHE BEAUJOLAIS 2022 - AP, France (#42794) (XD) - $22.95  89 pts  wine review
  • PELLER PRIVATE RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 - Sustainable, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#692632) (XD) - $23.95

Sparkling Wine:

  • ANTECH RÉSERVE M LE MAUZAC EXTRA BRUT BLANQUETTE DE LIMOUX 2022 - Traditional method, AP, Languedoc, France (#656470) (D) - $21.95
  • THIRTY BENCH SPARKLING RIESLING - Traditional method, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#469478) (XD) - $40.00

Fortified Wine:

  • GONZÁLEZ BYASS NUTTY SOLERA MEDIUM OLOROSO SHERRY - DO, Spain (#35204) (MS) - $21.95

Dessert Wine:

  • INNISKILLIN NIAGARA ESTATE RIESLING ICEWINE 2022 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#558288, 375 mL) (S) - $89.95


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  • Date publishedMonday, February 24, 2025

Coral Duero enVena Tinta de Toro 2022 (Spain) - Wine Review

red wine review is a delicious Tinta de Toro (aka Tempranillo) from Spain that is a brand new arrival that landed at the LCBO in the recent LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Bodegas Coral Duero, a winery that was founded in 2003 by Jesús Fernández, a native of Toro who spent most of his life working in the marine sector. Jesús is a wine lover at heart and harboured a dream to one day return to his home in Toro and produce the best wines in this historic wine region.

Winemaking in the Toro region, in northwestern Spain, dates back to before Roman settlements, while in the Middle Ages the wines from this region were highly regarded and enjoyed royal privileges. Toro wines were also the first to be shipped to America with Columbus. During the 19th century, large quantities were exported to France to replenish stocks that had been devastated by the phylloxera plague. In the 1970s, the first steps were taken to create what was to later become the Toro Designation of Origin, which was formally established in 1987.

To fulfill his dream, Jesús purchased over 30 hectares of the oldest and most resilient vines in El Pego, a small village that was known to have the best terroir in the region. Coral Duero produced its first wine from their first harvest in 2005 with the assistance of a team of experts and the rare and exceptional variety - Tinta de Toro - and gained its first international recognition in 2008.

After retiring in 2019, Jesús' dream lives on as a group of forward-thinking, young wine enthusiasts continue his legacy and bring a breath of fresh air to the traditions of the Toro terroir to create eloquent and elegant expressions of Tinta de Toro. Today, led by a core group of members, Coral Duero is committed to honouring the traditions of Toro's historic terroir and respecting the nature which nourishes its resilient soil. The name 'Coral' is a reference to Jesús' seafaring background and the extraordinary resilience of coral reefs, which also allude to the vitality of their vines that have survived for more than 140 years, resisting even the Phylloxera plague. The 'Duero' part of the name is in reference to the Duero river which bisects the Toro Region, while also replenishing and giving life to the vines.

At Coral Duero, respect for nature and tradition are core values. With centuries-old vines, sustainable winemaking methods, hand-harvested grapes, and a strict selection process, Coral Duero is able to allow their wines to preserve the character, personality, and tradition of Toro. They have approximately 32 hectares of vineyards which are divided into 4 subplots: Rompesedas, El Salgadero, Los Lastros, and Las Parvas. Balance, order, rhythm, and harmony in the vineyard are of paramount importance at Coral Duero as they have some of Spain's oldest vines, some more than 140 years old. In order to achieve these goals in the vineyard, the team at Coral Duero studies the soil, prunes the vines, practices sustainable agriculture, and handpicks the harvest, while also adjusting to the extreme continental climate of each vintage.

In the pursuit of crafting authentic and outstanding wines in honour of Toro's historic terroir, the enVena (or in vein) is crafted Coral Duero's youngest wine in the collection, with most of the grapes from their younger vines nestled in the Rompesedas plot, within the municipality of El Pego, in the province of Zamora. This red wine is crafted using 100% Tinta de Toro, a grape known outside the region of Toro as Tempranillo. The 40-50 year old vines are west-facing and situated close to the Guareña river. The vines are rooted in a sandy loam alluvial soil, with gravel and small pebbles underneath, which allows for proper drainage and imparts minerality into the wine. Furthermore, this type of soil structure lowers pH levels, and helps produce wines of extraordinary quality, balance, and elegance.

To craft this wine, the grapes were manually harvested by selecting only the best bunches, followed by further selecting only the top-quality grapes from these bunches, and immediately placing the fruit in a cold chamber to preserve their fruity intensity. Vinification begins with a cold maceration in stainless steel tanks, followed by fermentation. It was aged for 6 months in French and American oak barrels.

The growing season in El Pego usually features short, hot, dry, and mostly clear summers, while winters are extremely cold and windy. Throughout the year, there are many hours of sunshine, which is essential for the cultivation of the Tinta de Toro grape varietal, while temperatures rarely dip below 5°C or go above 35°C. In 2022, the vintage delivered generous amounts of grapes, but the berries were smaller than usual. Summer featured intense heat, while favourable weather appeared during the final stages of ripening, including some rain in early September and lower temperatures with high diurnal range. While acidity levels were a bit lower, the young wines showed good freshness. Let's see how this 2022 Tinta de Toro from Spain is tasting tonight...

Coral Duero enVena Tinta de Toro 2022 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

CORAL DUERO ENVENA TINTA DE TORO 2022 - DO Toro, Spain (#40867) (XD) - $16.95
This 100% Tinta de Toro (aka Tempranillo) has a fragrant, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose that offers a pleasing, spicy mix of ripe red & black cherries, plum, and savoury earth aromas. It's medium-full bodied and dry with delicious ripe, plummy, red and black cherry, and spice replays on the flavour profile, plus some dried herbs notes. It's supported by fresh and crisp acidity, alongside well-structured, slightly firm tannins. There's some palate warmth, but still within balance, along with some florality on the back palate. Cherries, spices, and plum notes taper to minerals on the long, textured, youthful, and slightly firm finish. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other delicious wines by Coral Duero can be ordered through their Agent - Buyers+Cellars.


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  • Date publishedFriday, February 21, 2025

Maturana Puente Austral Reserva Privada Carmenère 2022 (Chile) - Wine Review

red wine review is a delicious Carmenère from Chile that made its debut at the LCBO as part of last weekend's LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on .

Like the 2021 Puente Austral Reserva Privada Cabernet Sauvignon I enjoyed last year, this red wine is produced by Maturana Winery, a family-owned winery that was established by the two Maturana two brothers - José Ignacio and Sebastian. After the great earthquake in Chile in 2010, the brothers decided that there was no time to waste to start their great passion for viticulture and wine. Since that time, Maturana has produced unique wines which represent a way of life, including how to sustainably keep intact the conditions from which their grapes come from.

Maturana's philosophy is to capture the identity of each variety and specific place, and allow each to be expressed in the wine. In order to achieve the best expression of each variety and place, Maturana uses innovative approaches to fermentation and ageing by using different materials such as concrete in different sizes and shapes, clay jars, or French oak. Maturana welcomes differentiation and looks at doing different things as an opportunity. Furthermore, the brothers support the natural and responsible management of vineyards, which benefits the growers and their families. For example, Maturana pays their growers more than 7 times the market average for the price per kilo of grapes. Moreover, Maturana believes in the concept of horizontal growth, whereby the grower of heritage vineyards, the grape processor, and the international marketing of wines all grow together. Maturana also has a strong commitment to making known old vineyards and native strains of varieties that exist in central Chile, with some of these vineyards dating back to the year 1900.

Passion and quality are the main drivers at Maturana. The brothers are passionate about doing, selling, knowing, and creating something new, while also identifying with the phrase by Walt Disney "Dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them." Their mission is to produce the best quality wines, with the image, name, and communication method all playing a role and contributing to their concept of creating something unique. In order to produce the best quality wines, their search for the best terroir leads them to winegrowers who share their passion for preserving the soil and growing quality grapes.

In 2022, the growing season in Chile started out well with decent rainfall during winter, which offered relief from the prolonged drought. However, another drought period hit in spring, which stressed some of the vines and reduced some yields. Beyond those challenges, the climate offered moderate temperatures with good diurnal range, leading to a vintage comparable to the stellar 2018 vintage. In Colchagua, it was somewhat cooler, which resulted in concentrated and fresh reds. Let's see how this 2022 Carmenère from Chile is tasting tonight...

Maturana Puente Austral Reserva Privada Carmenère 2022 (88+ pts)

Tasting Note:

MATURANA PUENTE AUSTRAL RESERVA PRIVADA CARMENÈRE 2022 - Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#42113) (XD) - $14.95
Aged in third use French oak barrels for 6 months, this 100% Carmenère has a fragrant, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose that is ripe and spicy with red plum, cassis, currant, and black cherry aromas with earthy and herbaceous undertones. The ripe, rounded, and medium-full bodied palate is dry with plummy, black cherry, currant, cassis, spice, and earthy replays. It has crisp acids, while the tannins are smooth and rounded with a fine, dusty texture. Mildly grippy on the back palate, while savoury earth and touches of plum and cherry notes linger on the crisp finish, with good length. Recommended buy. Score: 88+ pts

Other delicious wines by Maturana Winery can be ordered through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedWednesday, February 19, 2025

Evans & Tate Hullabaloo Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (Margaret River) - Wine Review

red wine review is a delicious Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon that is a brand new arrival at the LCBO over the weekend as part of the feature story on wines from Australia in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Evans & Tate, a winery whose history began when John Evans & John Tate first planted vines in Swan Valley, just north of Perth. Three years later, in 1974, Evans & Tate was established when the two friends and business partners purchased land and planted a vineyard in Wilyabrup, in the heart of Margaret River, three hours south of Perth in Western Australia. John Evans was a winemaker and contributed his technical expertise, while John Tate was an entrepreneur and wine enthusiast who was involved in viticulture and business development. Together, Evans & Tate played a pioneering role in establishing Margaret River as a world-class wine region.

Evans & Tate has changed hands a couple of times and joined Fogarty Wine Group in 2012. Today, the winemaking philosophy at Evans & Tate begins with accessing high-quality fruit and oak, as well as using state-of-the-art winemaking equipment. The winemaking team is led by Senior Winemaker Matt Byrne, who has been at the helm of Evans & Tate winemaking since 2001, and Winemaker Feleasha Prendergast, and together they continuously strive to craft elegant wines which exhibit distinct regional characteristics and intense purity of fruit. Evans & Tate continues to be based in the Margaret River wine region - one of the world's most isolated and elite wine regions. Situated adjacent to the Indian Ocean, the Margaret River wine region boasts optimal conditions for viticulture due to its proximity to the ocean, soil consistency, and perfect seasonal temperatures. The region is situated at an elevation of 295 feet above sea level and 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 Margaret River wine region is loamy sand and gravel, which was formed directly from underlying granite and gneissic rock.

With many lines of wines at various price points in the Evans & Tate portfolio, this red wine is from their Hullabaloo range, which blows the trumpet for the renowned wine region of Margaret River and offers remarkable fruit purity and intensity, while also celebrating the region's distinct flavours.

The 2018 vintage in Margaret River is considered to be one of the best and most classically styled vintages ever recorded in the region and across Western Australia. Rain was heavy rain in winter, followed by below average rain in spring. Growing conditions were perfect during the mild and dry summer from December to late-February, with only five days above 30°C, while slightly cooler weather resulted in wines with high acidity and brightness. It was an easy vintage that allowed producers ample time to bring the grapes to optimal ripeness prior to harvesting. From an epic vintage, let's see how this 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon from Margaret River is tasting tonight...

Evans & Tate Hullabaloo Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

EVANS & TATE HULLABALOO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 - Margaret River, Western Australia (#41312) (XD) - $19.95
100% Cabernet Sauvignon and enclosed by screw cap. Fresh and open, the medium-high to highly aromatic nose offers cool, minty, black cherry, dark currant, and cassis aromas alongside gentle oak spice, and savoury earth notes. It's full-bodied and dry, with ripe cassis, plum, dark currant, black cherry, savoury earth, and cedary oak spice flavours flecked with minty herbs in a warming profile. It has crisp and juicy acidity, while the medium-firm and textured tannins are well-structured. Savoury earth and minty herb notes with touches of cedary oak linger on the long, chalky textured finish. This recommended buy will go great with lamb, your favourite red meat, or other protein. Score: 89 pts

Very limited quantities of one other Evans & Tate wine is available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedMonday, February 17, 2025

San Felice Il Grigio Riserva Chianti Classico 2021 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

red wine review is a lovely Riserva Chianti Classico from Tuscany. A relatively frequent visitor to Ontario, this latest vintage arrived at the LCBO on Saturday as part of the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by San Felice, an estate whose origins date back to Etruscan times, but whose modern winemaking activities go back to the 1960s after it was acquired and developed into the iconic winery (and resort) it is today. Findings unearthed on the estate show that the Etruscans shaped the territorial landscape of the Chianti landscape, including the introduction of the cultivation of vines. The Borgo of San Felice, as it's known today, was established in the Middle Ages, with its first mention dating back to the year 714, when it was originally known as San Felice in Avana.

Today, San Felice is an emblem of authentic Tuscany with vineyards in the region's three-most prestigious winemaking territories - 150 hectares in Chianti Classico, 23 hectares in Montalcino, and 15 hectares in Bolgheri, and producing wine from only estate-owned grapes.

San Felice Estate and its historic Borgo Cellars are situated in Castelnuovo Berardenga, in the south of Chianti Classico, just minutes north of Siena. With deep respect for its historic estate, the philosophy at San Felice starts with sustainability. The estate covers 150 hectares at approximately 400 metres above sea level, and features an ideal combination of soil and microclimate to produce highly acclaimed wines and oils. The winemaker at San Felice, Leonardo Bellaccini, has pioneered many unique practices at the estate, including identifying the distinctive characteristics in each of San Felice's undulating slopes and treating each vine within the vineyard individually. Leonardo has also identified five macro-areas, allowing San Felice to plant the appropriate grape varieties in a specific geography and soil type, which allows the grapes to thrive and express the terroir. The 18th century cellar of San Felice is carved out of rugged limestone and is where tradition is combined with advanced technology. The cellar contains rows of oak barrels, as well as halls of steel tanks, where wines undergo temperature-controlled fermentation and ageing.

This red wine is crafted with 100% Sangiovese that was grown at the San Felice Estate in Castelnuovo Berardenga, Siena, in the south of Chianti Classico. The vines were trained using the spur-pruned cordon system and grown on medium-textured, predominantly calcareous marl consisting of Alberese and Galestro limestones, with abundant gravel-pebble mixture. After harvesting the grapes in the second week of September and the first week of October, they were vinified by fermentation on the skins at 28–30° C for 18–20 days, followed by malolactic fermentation in steel. It was matured in oak for 24 months, with 80% of the wine being aged in 60/90 hl Slavonian oak casks, and the remaining 20% aged in 225 L French barriques, followed by further ageing in bottle for approximately 6 months.

It is difficult to generalize the vintage growing conditions in Chianti Classico because each UGA tends to have its own geographical uniqueness. Overall, however, the 2021 vintage featured a hot summer with a later harvest that yielded vibrant and focused red grapes with ripe tannins, albeit with slightly reduced yields at lower elevations. At the estate in Castelnuovo Berardenga, the 2021 growing season had a regular seasonal pattern with spring rains favouring vegetative growth and ensuring water reserves for the summer. While bud growth was slightly delayed due to cooler temperatures after the beginning of April, there was no negative impact on plant health. The summer was dry, with moderate temperatures and no excessive heatwaves, and also featured occasional sporadic rains. Plant stress was prevented because of water reserves that accumulated during spring. From late-August, nighttime temperatures dropped significantly and helped aid ripening. From an excellent vintage that produced healthy and high-quality grapes, let's see how this 2021 Riserva Chianti Classico from Tuscany is tasting tonight...

San Felice Il Grigio Riserva Chianti Classico 2021 (91 pts)

Tasting Note:

SAN FELICE IL GRIGIO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 - Sustainable, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#716266) (XD) - $29.95
This Sangiovese has a medium+ to medium-high intensity nose with a slightly reductive character that yields to a lovely, complex mix of dark red cherry, floral, clove, and sweet wood spice aromas in a slightly dried cherry/floral profile. On the dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate it has lovely dark red cherry, wood spice, cocoa, clove, cinnamon, and sweet spice flavours nuanced with dried cherry, floral, and orange peel notes. It has crisp, juicy acidity, along with creamy, well-structured, and slightly youthful tannins. Savoury spice, cocoa, and earthy notes with touches of dried herb notes lingering on the long, crisp, and juicy finish. Decant and enjoy this recommended buy, or hold at least 5+ years for a more mature expression. Score: 91 pts

While their Chianti Classico Annata is readily available at the LCBO, other wines by San Felice can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedFriday, February 14, 2025

La Ferme du Mont Les Marnes Bleues Rasteau 2022 (Rhône) - Wine Review

To celebrate , red wine review is the inaugural vintage of this terrific blend of Grenache and Syrah from the Southern Rhône Valley Cru of Rasteau. It was released into the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on as part of the feature story exploring France's top wine regions.

La Ferme du Mont was established in 2000 by Stéphane Vedeau, a third-generation winemaker and viticulturalist who started out by understanding Grenache, paradoxes, agreed impossibilities, climates, and elevation. Stéphane spent countless hours and days performing micro-vinifications and journeys deep into the cellar to gain an understanding of Grenache and its verticality and all its freshness. At this point, a perfect balance didn't exist, but he was getting closer. With further experimentation and acquired knowledge, Stéphane eventually gained notoriety for producing high-quality wines and his attention to detail.

In 2010, Stéphane continued his journey into the northern tip of the Southern Rhône Valley by acquiring Clos Bellane in Valréas. In 2016, a new adventure begins after meeting Jean-François. After the two men reconnected through their passion for beauty and vision of the vineyard, as well as to get to know each other for a couple of years, they decide to form a business partnership and dedicate themselves to discovering the beautiful terroirs in the Rhône Valley. In 2020, the business was expanded further by purchasing 10 hectares of Val de Rois, while giving the former owner, Emmanuel Bouchard, carte blanche to maintain the vineyards at both Val de Rois and Clos Bellane. The latest acquisition took place in 2022, when the business partners purchased 12 hectares and the winemaking cellar in Crozes-Hermitage, in the northern Rhône Valley.

Today, Les Domaines du Mont is made up of these four estates and one vision - to seek the most sensitive and true interpretation of each of their terroirs in the pursuit of natural balance. The philosophy is to let nature express itself freely, as well as the constant pursuit of natural simplicity. With a conviction that everything is already in nature, Domaines du Mont seeks to express the characteristics of their terroirs using a holistic vision, one in which man is a 'guide', rather than a 'maker.' With humility a guiding principle, man must restrain the urge to intervene too much, and thus allow nature and the grapes to express their deepest essence. The goal of purity, finesse, and balance is achieved by using a minimalist approach, gentle and traditional vinification methods, including the use of gravity-fed vinification, indigenous yeasts, and minimizing sulfites well-below the limits authorized in organic wine production.

This particular wine is from La Ferme du Mont, a range of wines which I've had the pleasure of tasting several times over the years. The wines of La Ferme du Mont offer a unique and complex mosaic of vineyards, within the finest terroirs of the southern Rhône Valley. Sensible to the integrity of its environment, Stéphane Vedeau has deciphered, interpreted, and adapted to these terroirs to reveal their most sincere expression. Representative of a simple place where plants live in a constant balance within a biotope rich in different species, the goal is to produce the healthiest and most balanced fruits in harmony with the plant. With a goal of achieving harmony and balance, each vineyard parcel is approached individually and harvested at the point where freshness will remain even at high ripeness.

From the Rasteau Cru, this red wine is a blend of Grenache and Syrah. It gets its name - Les Marnes Bleues - because the grapes were grown on fine, sandy soils underlined by a safre matrix, which has a grey-blue-reflecting terroir that imparts an elegant exuberance to the renowned ripeness of Rasteau, as well as a subtle mineral texture. This vineyard is situated between 160 and 290 metres above sea level. To craft this wine, each grape was vinified separately, with multiple harvests taking place in order to achieve an optimal ripeness level that balances sweetness and harmony for each parcel. It underwent a 5 to 7 week fermentation, without any mechanical extractions prior to pressing, and was aged in uncoated concrete vats situated in a semi-underground cellar.

The extreme conditions during the 2022 growing season in the Southern Rhône were marked by intense heat and drought, with the year beginning as a dry winter that saw very little rain. It was followed by a spring that rapidly warmed up, although April did experience a fleeting cold snap. Even though temperatures continued to rise, budburst and flowering were a success. May was abnormally hot, while rain in June brought some relief. Heat and drought during the summer months kept rot and disease at bay, while humidity arrived in August, which revived the vines and greatly benefited the red grape varieties Grenache and Syrah. With high grape quality this vintage, let's see how this 2022 Rasteau from the Southern Rhône is tasting tonight...

La Ferme du Mont Les Marnes Bleues Rasteau 2022 (91+ pts)

Tasting Note:

LA FERME DU MONT LES MARNES BLEUES RASTEAU 2022 - AP, Rhône, France (#40869) (XD) - $26.95
Aged in concrete, this blend of Grenache and Syrah has a fragrant, medium-high intensity nose that is uber ripe and fruit forward with red & black raspberry, black cherry, and touches of dried herb aromas layered over blackberry and stony mineral notes that gain prominence with time in the glass. It is medium-full to full-bodied on the impressively concentrated, dry, and ripe palate with delicious black & red fruits, raspberry, black cherry, blackberry, stony mineral, and dried herbal replays. Harmonious and balanced with crisp, finely tuned acidity and smooth, ripe, and dusty textured tannins that are mildly grippy on the back palate with good structure. Ripe dark fruit, raspberry, savoury stony mineral, and smoke notes linger on long, slightly youthful, and grippy finish. Almost drinks like a Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

Only a few bottles of one other wine by La Ferme du Mont is available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Dionysus Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedThursday, February 13, 2025

February 15, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Australia

LCBO Wine Picks: February 15, 2025 VINTAGES Release
Here are my top wine picks from the February 15, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, which features wines from Australia as the theme of the release. This is a relatively large release with 105 wines offered, and includes just over a dozen Online & Flagship Exclusives (OFE). Most wines in this release come in at under $30, and all should be available for purchase by this Saturday. As a reminder, HST savings are still in effect until February 15th.

Of the thirteen wines included as part of the theme titled "Australia Coming to Light", five wines from Australia are included among my top wine recommendations in this release. We'll begin with a perennial favourite Hunter Valley Semillon, followed by a blend of 75/25 blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon from Margaret River. There's also the consistently well-made Chardonnay from Clare Valley/Limestone Coast that is a frequent visitor to VINTAGES. The reds from Australia are both Cabs, with the 2018 crafted using 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, while the 2022 Cab is actually a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 4% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc.

Tyrrell's Hunter Valley Semillon 2023Xanadu Vinework Sauvignon Blanc / Semillon 2023 (89 pts)

Evans & Tate Hullabaloo Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (89 pts)Xanadu Circa 77 Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 (88+ pts)

Wakefield Estate Label Chardonnay 2022 (89 pts)

There is only one blend among my top red wine picks from the main release - the Ventoux from Rhône that is a blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Cinsault. Among the mono-varietal wines, both the Riserva and the Gran Selezione Chianti Classicos are 100% Sangiovese, while the Tinto de Toro is the local name in DO Toro for Tempranillo. Chile is well-represented among my picks with three wines crafted using Syrah, Carmenère, and Cabernet Sauvignon, respectively. On the local front, there are a pair of lovely Pinot Noir wines - one each from Niagara and Prince Edward County.

Lornano Gran Selezione Chianti Classico 2017 (93 pts)San Felice Il Grigio Riserva Chianti Classico 2021 (91 pts)

Le Clos Jordanne Jordan Village Pinot Noir 2021 (90 pts)Coral Duero enVena Tinta de Toro 2022 (89 pts)

MontGras Antu Las Araucarias Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 (89 pts)Maturana Puente Austral Reserva Privada Carmenère 2022 (88+ pts)

Among my top white wine picks from the main release, the barely off-dry Riesling from Alsace tops the list. After that, we've got a pair of Sauvignon Blanc wines from New Zealand, followed by a Grüner Veltliner from Austria, and a Viognier from the Rhône. For sweet wine lovers, the Tokaji from Hungary was supposed to arrive last November, but got delayed, and is finally now here for your next special occasion.

Enjoy my top wine picks from this release! Cheers mate!

Red Wine:

  • MATURANA PUENTE AUSTRAL RESERVA PRIVADA CARMENÈRE 2022 - Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#42113) (XD) - $14.95  88+ pts  wine review
  • CORAL DUERO ENVENA TINTA DE TORO 2022 - DO Toro, Spain (#40867) (XD) - $16.95  89 pts  wine review
  • PESQUIÉ ÉDITION 1912M VENTOUX 2022 - Vegan, AP, Rhône, France (#636159) (XD) - $16.95
  • XANADU CIRCA 77 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 - Margaret River, Western Australia (#18344) (XD) - $18.95  88+ pts  wine review
  • MONTGRAS ANTU LAS ARAUCARIAS VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 - Sustainable, Vegan, DO Valle de Maipo, Chile (#444703) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
  • EVANS & TATE HULLABALOO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 - Margaret River, Western Australia (#41312) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review

  • CASAS DEL BOSQUE GRAN RESERVA SYRAH 2022 - Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#389759) (XD) - $22.95
  • TERREDORA DI PAOLO CORTE DI GISO AGLIANICO 2019 - DOC Irpinia, Campania, Italy (#39183) (XD) - $26.95
  • REDTAIL HUBBS CREEK VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2020 - VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (#42667) (XD) - $27.00
  • SAN FELICE IL GRIGIO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 - Sustainable, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#716266) (XD) - $29.95  91 pts  wine review
  • LE CLOS JORDANNE JORDAN VILLAGE PINOT NOIR 2021 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#33894) (XD) - $30.00  90 pts  wine review
  • LORNANO GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2017 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#491985) (XD) - $48.95  93 pts  wine review
  • PORSELEINBERG SYRAH 2020 - WO Swartland, South Africa (#483941) (XD) - $99.95

White Wine:

  • WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL CHARDONNAY 2022 - Clare Valley / Limestone Coast, South Australia (#711556) (XD) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
  • RABL LANGENLOIS GRÜNER VELTLINER 2022 - Sustainable, DAC Kamptal, Austria (#377457) (XD) - $18.95
  • DOMAINE FONT SARADE BLANC VIOGNIER 2023 - IGP Vaucluse, Rhône, France (#42392) (XD) - $19.95
  • MOHUA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#536219) (XD) - $19.95
  • THE HUNTING LODGE VIBRANT EXPRESSIONS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#17667) (XD) - $21.95
  • XANADU VINEWORK SAUVIGNON BLANC / SEMILLON 2023 - Sustainable, Margaret River, Western Australia (#41315) (XD) - $22.95  89 pts  wine review
  • TYRRELL'S HUNTER VALLEY SEMILLON 2023 - New South Wales, Australia (#632034) (XD) - $23.95  review coming soon...
  • TRIMBACH RÉSERVE RIESLING 2022 - AC Alsace, France (#247023) (D) - $43.95  OFE

Fortified Wine:

  • GONZÁLEZ BYASS LA COPA VERMOUTH ROJO - Jerez, Spain (#491712) (S) - $25.95

Dessert Wine:

  • PUKLUS PINCÉSZET TOKAJI ASZÚ 5 PUTTONYOS 2016 - Tokaj-Hegyalja, Hungary (#47209, 500mL) (S) - $42.95  OFE


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  • Date publishedTuesday, February 11, 2025

Valentine's Day Wine Picks (2025)

Celebrating Valentine's Day, Galentine's Day, or cozying up for a quiet evening alone at home on ? Here are a few wine recommendations to treat yourself or that special someone in your life. All three wines are versatile enough that they can be enjoyed on their own, or paired with food at the dinner table, and will provide immense pleasure.

Valentine's Day Wine Picks

Sparkling wine is always a safe bet, not only to start off your evening as an apéritif on its own or with a light, salty snack, but sparkling wines are also very versatile at the dinner table. Prosecco goes really well with seafood - grilled, seared, or fried & salty, but can also be paired with a wide range of foods, such as pizza, white meat entrées, and vegetarian cuisine.

LA MARCA PROSECCO - DOC Veneto, Italy (#487694) (D) - $19.40
Glera grapes selected from small vineyards were gently crushed and pressed. The juice was cold-settled and underwent initial fermentation in stainless steel tanks, then aged on its lees prior to undergoing secondary fermentation in the classic Charmat method. Fresh, medium+ intensity nose delivers attractive honeysuckle, pear, acacia floral, and lemon citrus aromas flecked with white peach notes. The mid-weighted palate is off-dry (i.e. slightly sweet) with delicious honeyed pear and acacia floral flavours accented with lemon peel and white peach notes. There's good structure on the mid-palate, and it's supported by crisp and lively acidity and bubbles. Balanced flavours of honeysuckle, pear, floral, and lemon citrus taper to minerals on the finish, with very good length.

La Marca Prosecco (88+ pts)

White wines are perfect for any setting, such as an apéritif before dinner or sipping while cooking. With a lighter and more casual feel, white wines such as this Pinot Grigio are ideal for intimate or laid back celebrations, while also complementing a wide range of dishes such as seafood, creamy pasta, salad, and cheese, due to the wine's food-friendly acidity.

ATTEMS PINOT GRIGIO 2023 - DOC Friuli, Italy (#707950) (XD) - $17.20
Fresh, fragrant, and intense aromas of lemon citrus, grapefruit, ripe Golden apple, pear, and yellow floral aromas accented with honeysuckle and grassy notes. It was impressive weight and concentration on the dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate with lovely spice notes complementing the ripe lemon citrus, grapefruit, yellow floral, apple, and pear, and grassy flavours. It has crisp, juicy, and zesty acidity, along with a fine mineral texture. Lemon citrus, grapefruit, apple, and grassy notes taper to leesy minerals on the slightly chalky textured and lengthy finish.

Attems Pinot Grigio 2023 (89 pts)

Red wines tend to complete a great meal, and for Valentine's Day celebrations you can splurge on a special bottle of wine, such as this Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley in Sonoma County. If you're serving this wine with dinner, it is best paired with proteins such as red meat, but is versatile enough to be enjoyed with poultry, pork, pasta, and even a rich whitefish such as bass.

RODNEY STRONG ALEXANDER VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Sonoma County, California, USA (#350454) (XD) - $30.95
100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The medium+ to medium-high intensity nose is fresh, ripe, and mostly red fruited with red currant, cassis, dark red cherry, red plum, and fine wood spice aromas, plus touches of milk chocolate. On the dry, full-bodied palate it has ripe red currant, red plum, dark red cherry, cassis, wood spice, and milk chocolate flavours, along with some savoury and dried herb characters arriving on the mid-palate. It has very good, juicy acidity, along with chewy, structured tannins. More savoury with smoky, graphite mineral, and milk chocolate notes lingering on the long, juicy, and well-structured finish. Enjoyable now, and can also be cellared to the end of the decade.

Rodney Strong Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (91 pts)

Other fine wines by these producers can be found at the LCBO, or through their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedTuesday, February 4, 2025

Babich Black Label Pinot Noir 2021 (New Zealand) - Wine Review

red wine review is a lovely Pinot Noir from Marlborough in New Zealand. While this particular wine is long sold out because it arrived in limited quantities as an Online & Flagship Exclusive in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, you can go up a notch and get your hands on Babich's Organic Single Vineyard Pinot Noir, which arrived in LCBO VINTAGES over the .

One of New Zealand's most prominent wine producers, Babich Wines is also one of the country's oldest family-owned wineries. It was founded in 1916 by Josip Babich, a Dalmatian immigrant (now part of modern day Croatia) after he immigrated to New Zealand at 14 years old to join his brothers in the far north of the country. People thought he was crazy planting vines in remote New Zealand.

Today, Babich Wines has over 100 years of experience across three generations of innovation, achievement, and winemaking excellence, making them New Zealand's most experienced family-owned winery. Their aim is to have vineyards on superior sites in the right regions, and ensure that the right varieties are planted on those superior sites. Furthermore, they aim to sustainably grow and craft wines that are stylish, refined, and have an easy drinking appeal. With a long history of looking ahead, the Babich family loves their craft, doing things by hand, and caring for their land. Babich has been patiently making wine the difficult way with vision, thoughtfulness, ingenuity, and true craft, along with a hard-working spirit that still runs deep in the family's veins today.

Babich Wines is led today by cousins David and André Babich, the third generation of the Babich family. David is the son of Peter, while André is the son of Joe. Brothers Peter and Joe are sons of founder Josip Babich. The main winery and cellar door is still based in northern New Zealand, in the Henderson Valley, West Auckland, just a short drive from the city of Auckland. In addition to the vineyard surrounding the winery in Henderson Valley, Babich also has a winery and 7 estate-owned vineyards in Marlborough, as well as an additional 5 vineyards in Hawke's Bay. Babich Wines has garnered numerous accolades over the years for its wines and continues to innovate and evolve, ensuring that it continues to be a leader in New Zealand wine.

Like the excellent 2023 Babich Black Label Marlborough Pinot Gris that landed in LCBO VINTAGES on the weekend, this Pinot Noir is also from Babich's Black Label range. Each wine in the Black Label range is crafted using fruit from their own estate vineyards and sustainably crafted to be enjoyed with food in a rich, complex, and textural style that is suitable for any dining occasion. First crafted in the 2012 vintage, this Pinot Noir was grown in the Waihopai and Wairau Valleys, and after machine harvesting the grapes, they were de-stemmed, but not crushed, with a small percentage undergoing carbonic maceration. It was fermented in open-top vats using both wild and inoculated yeasts, followed by malolactic fermentation. The wine was matured for 6 months in oak, fined using egg whites, and then bottled.

The 2021 growing season in Marlborough began with a chilly spring and some nasty frosts. The weather was mostly dry. However, intermittent rains during flowering disrupted some of the vine growth, which reduced yields. Late spring featured unusually hot and dry weather, conditions which continued into summer. Drought conditions reduced yields, which also meant that both disease and rot were kept at bay. Even though 2021 is a lower-yield vintage, the quality is superb across the board, with Marlborough wines exhibiting characteristics described as fresh, fruit-forward, aromatic, and complex with sophisticated structure. The lower yields also led to more concentrated fruit. Let's see how this 2021 Pinot Noir from Marlborough is tasting tonight...

Babich Black Label Pinot Noir 2021 (91 pts)

Tasting Note:

BABICH BLACK LABEL PINOT NOIR 2021 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#465963) (XD) - $26.95
Screw cap. Complex, medium-high intensity aromas of dark fruited, savoury wood spice, black cherry, black raspberry, and mushroom accented with savoury earth and clove notes, plus touches of dried herbs. Some lovely black tea notes emerge with time in the glass. It's medium+ to medium-full bodied, impressively concentrated, and dry, with delicious ripe dark fruit, dark sour cherry, and black raspberry flavours weaving through savoury earth, mushroom, and oak spice notes. It has crisp, juicy acidity, along with a relatively firm mouthfeel with slightly chalky textured and mildly grippy tannins. Savoury, earthy, and smoky notes with hints of tea leaf linger on the long, well-structured, and youthful finish. Should drink nicely over at least the next 4-5 years and is a highly recommended buy, if you can find it! Score: 91 pts

Other lovely wines by Babich can be found at the LCBO, or ordered through their Agent - Dionysus Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedSunday, February 2, 2025

Deux Roches Tradition Mâcon-Villages 2022 (Burgundy) - Wine Review

white wine review is the latest Chardonnay in a line of recent excellent wines by Deux Roches, the Burgundy estate of Collovray & Terrier, that has come through the LCBO. This Mâcon-Villages arrived at the LCBO this weekend in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and is featured in the theme of the release which explores France's top wine regions.

The origins of Deux Roches begins in 1928, when Joanny Collovray settled in the small village of Davayé, in the south of Burgundy, a few kilometres west of Mâcon. On this land, Joanny made goat cheeses and farmed the land by growing crops, including grapevines. By 1940, Joanny was noted for the quality of his work. In 1956, he was succeeded by his son, Henri, who maintained the family's polyculture, but also expanded the family's vine holdings by purchasing a few parcels of land in the Mâcon-Davayé appellation. Henri's son, Christian Collovray, began working the vines at the age of 16 and devoted himself entirely to vine growing.

The Terrier family had no history of cultivating vines, but Léon Terrier was the village blacksmith and worked alongside local winegrowers. Jean-Luc Terrier, Léon's son, specialized in viticulture at an agricultural college and crossed paths along the way with his neighbour and childhood friend, Christian Collovray.

The two friends - Christian Collovray and Jean-Luc Terrier - shared a love and passion for vines and wine, and married two sisters - Brigitte and Florence - who came from a family of winegrowers. Bringing together two families, the two couples had a dream to create an estate and make wine together using Christian's and his father's vines. The dream became reality in 1986 with the formation of Deux Roches, which translates to "Two Rocks", and is named after the two limestone rocks of Vergisson and Solutré that are situated in the area of Davayé.

Today, there are six members of the Collovray & Terrier involved in the family business, including Julien Collovray, son of Christian and Brigitte, and his wife Caroline, and Pierre-Alexis Terrier, son of Florence and Jean-Luc. Situated in the heart of the Mâconnais wine region in Burgundy, with its soils rich in limestone, Deux Roches is renowned for producing high-quality Chardonnay wines. The philosophy at Deux Roches is to work the soil and respect the vegetation to produce good quality fruit. They aim for perfection by mastering each and every step with each passing vintage, while also adapting to the year's weather conditions. In 2017, with a commitment to the environment, Deux Roches earned their High Environmental Certification - the French certificate for environmental sustainability.

While the excellent 2021 Deux Roches Les Pommards Saint-Véran (and still available for purchase) is from their top-tier Parcel Selections range, this Tradition Mâcon-Villages is from their lower-tiered Timeless Collection - exemplary wines that are crafted for immediate pleasure, sharing, and enjoyment.

This 100% Chardonnay was grown in the Mâcon-Villages appellation of southern Burgundy. The cuvee is a blend of several plots which were selected for their limestone soil and drainage quality, as well as their early, southeast-facing exposure to the sun. This combination of soil and sun exposure characteristics allows Deux Roches to develop straightforward, fruity, lively, and fresh wines in the pure spirit of Mâconnais. After harvest, the grapes are gently loaded by gravity into pneumatic presses, where the grapes undergo slow and long presses in order to delicately extract the juices and preserve aromatic finesse. The musts are cooled and decanted, followed by a temperature-controlled alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The wine undergoes malolactic fermentation depending on the vintage. The wine remains in tanks for aging on its fine lees until spring. Inputs such as SO₂ are limited as much as possible throughout the entire process from picking to bottling.

The 2022 growing season in Mâconnais was marked by ample rain in June, including a big rainstorm at the end of the month, which helped slow down the physiological ripening of the grapes during the heat and dry weather of the summer months. The resilience of the vines, along with two weeks of dry and windy conditions that preceded harvest resulted in healthy grapes of good quality. Overall, it is a classic, juicy vintage with quantity. From an excellent vintage, let's see how this 2022 Chardonnay from Mâcon-Villages is tasting tonight...

Deux Roches Tradition Mâcon-Villages 2022 (91+ pts)

Tasting Note:

DEUX ROCHES TRADITION MÂCON-VILLAGES 2022 - AP, Burgundy, France (#38077) (XD) - $27.95
100% Chardonnay. Lovely, medium-high to highly aromatic nose offers elegant ripe apple, pear, lemon citrus, and orchard fruit aromas, plus touches of doughy and leesy characters and hints of white peach, with an underlying stony minerality adding further complexity. The medium-full bodied palate is dry, concentrated, ripe, and honeyed with lovely apple-pear, orchard fruit, lemon citrus flavours accented with mild spice, vanilla, and white peach notes. It has clean, juicy acidity, somewhat creamy, and a fine, mineral texture on the mid-palate. Shows finesse, elegance, and balance throughout with spice and mineral notes lingering on the long, succulent finish. Best enjoyed over the next 3-5 years on its own, with goat cheese, fish, or poultry. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

A couple of wines by Deux Roches are available at LCBO, while the full line-up can be ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.


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