August 2025 Archive | VINTAGES Wine Picks & Reviews

Friday, August 22, 2025

August 16, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Summer Smart Buys + Greece

LCBO Wine Picks: August 16, 2025 VINTAGES New Release Collection

Here are my top wine picks from the August 16, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, with digital edition here. The feature story of the release is titled "Summer Smart Buys", while the mini-feature focuses on the exciting wines from Greece. In all, there are 105 products included in this release, with a whopping 25 - nearly a quarter of the release - as Online & Flagship Exclusives (OFE). Overall, this is a very good release, with a relatively high number of OFE wines as recommended buys, while the number of quality red wines below $20 continues to dwindle. All the wines should already be available for purchase online and in-store.

We'll start with the feature story of the release - Summer Smart Buys - which includes 23 wines, most of which are under $20, and nearly all are under $25. There are five recommended Smart Buys among my top wine picks, and at the top of the list is a wine from McLaren Vale that is composed of 70% Grenache and 30% Mataro (aka Mourvèdre). The other reds are a Ventoux from Rhône that is a blend of 40% Syrah, 40% Grenache, and 20% Carignan, as well as a Merlot from Niagara. Smart white wine buys are the Chenin Blanc from South Africa, and a Chardonnay from Argentina.

The mini-thematic features the exciting wines from Greece. Once again, the mini-theme is small with only four wines included in the topic, but three are among my top recommendations. The lone red is an excellent Single Vineyard Xinomavro, while the whites are a Malagouzia from Evia (Central Greece) and an Assyrtiko from the Peloponnese. Other Greek highlights in the release include a trio of wines from Santorini - a couple of which are world-class Assyrtikos, as well as the Atlantis White, which is a blend of 90% Assyrtiko, 5% Athiri, and 5% Aidani.

Kir-Yianni Single Vineyard Ramnista Xinomavro 2020

Among my top wine picks, the OFEs lead the way once with a trio of fantastic wines. First up is a Super Tuscan that is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, followed by a couple of wines crafted with Gamay - one from Niagara-on-the-Lake, and the other from the Morgon cru in Beaujolais. Other wines from Tuscany include a Brunello di Montalcino that is straight Sangiovese, while the Riserva Chianti Classico is the Wine of the Month and is mainly Sangiovese. From Veneto, the Valpolicella is a blend of 55% Corvina, 25% Corvinone, and 20% Rondinella, while the Roussillon-Villages from France is composed of Grenache, Carignan, and Syrah. And lastly, there is a fine Cabernet Franc from Niagara.

Brigaldara Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 2022 (90 pts)

Castellani Riserva Chianti Classico 2019 (89 pts)

Most of the white wines from the main release are actually OFEs, starting with the Old Vines blend from South Africa that is composed of 68% Chenin Blanc, 14% Clairette Blanche, 6% Sémillon Gris, 6% Grenache Blanc, and 6% Viognier. Other white wine OFEs are the Saint-Joseph Rhône white which is actually Marsanne, the off-dry Pinot Gris from New Zealand, and the dry Gewürztraminer from Alto Adige in Italy. The only other recommended white is from Costières de Nîmes, and it is a blend of 50% Grenache Blanc, 30% Roussanne, and 20% Clairette.

Alléno & Chapoutier Croix de Chabot Saint-Joseph Blanc 2023

Greywacke Marlborough Pinot Gris 2023 (92 pts)

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

DOMAINE BRUNELY VENTOUX 2022 - AP, Rhône, France (#43525) (XD) - $15.95
FEATHERSTONE RED TAIL MERLOT 2022 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#131540) (XD) - $19.95
CHÂTEAU SAINT-ROCH CHIMÈRES CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON-VILLAGES 2022 - AP, Midi, France (#119354) (XD) - $19.95
CASTELLANI RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#86298) (XD) - $21.95 89 pts wine review
BRIGALDARA VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO SUPERIORE 2022 - Sustainable, DOC, Veneto, Italy (#16090) (XD) - $22.95 90 pts wine review
HITHER & YON GRENACHE/MATARO 2023 - Sustainable, McLaren Vale, South Australia (#42067) (XD) - $24.95
LOUIS LATOUR MORGON 2023 - AC, Beaujolais, France (#44210) (XD) - $25.95 OFE
WENDING HOME ESTATE VINEYARD CABERNET FRANC 2021 - VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#46478) (XD) - $29.95
BACHELDER BAI XU SINGLE VINEYARD GAMAY NOIR 2021 - VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#46460) (XD) - $29.95 OFE
KIR-YIANNI SINGLE VINEYARD RAMNISTA XINOMAVRO 2020 - PDO Naoussa, Greece (#178020) (XD) - $38.95 review coming soon...
CAPARZO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2019 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#579094) (XD) - $59.95
RENIERI RE DI RENIERI 2021 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#104653) (XD) - $61.95 OFE

White Wine:

CRIOS CHARDONNAY 2024 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#243196) (XD) - $16.95
BUTINAGES COSTIÈRES DE NÎMES BLANC 2023 - Sustainable, AP, Rhône, France (#20906) (XD) - $17.95
PETRIESSA MALAGOUZIA 2024 - PGI Evia, Greece (#37059) (XD) - $17.95
SKOURAS WILD FERMENT ASSYRTIKO 2024 - Vegan, PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#32387) (XD) - $19.95 review coming soon...
BADENHORST SECATEURS CHENIN BLANC 2024 - WO Swartland, South Africa (#37537) (XD) - $19.95
ATLANTIS WHITE 2024 - Santorini, Greece (#371658) (XD) - $27.95 review coming soon...
PETER ZEMMER GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2023 - DOC Alto Adige, Italy (#44241) (XD) - $29.95 OFE
GREYWACKE MARLBOROUGH PINOT GRIS 2023 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#994939) (D) - $32.95 OFE 92 pts wine review
ALLÉNO & CHAPOUTIER CROIX DE CHABOT SAINT-JOSEPH BLANC 2023 - AC, Rhône, France (#43784) (XD) - $39.95 OFE review coming soon...
MULLINEUX OLD VINES WHITE 2024 - WO Swartland, South Africa (#556597) (XD) - $39.95 OFE
ARGYROS CUVEE PALATIA ASSYRTIKO 2023 - PDO Santorini, Greece (#46042) (XD) - $83.95 OFE
ARGYROS CUVEE MONSIGNORI ASSYRTIKO 2022 - PDO Santorini, Greece (#35718) (XD) - $98.95 OFE

Rosé Wine:

STRATUS CABERNET FRANC ROSÉ 2024 - Sustainable, Vegan, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#43598) (XD) - $32.20 OFE

Burgo Viejo Reserva 2020 (Rioja) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Tempranillo from Rioja that arrived at the LCBO last month as the Wine of the Month in the July 19th 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...

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.

Mega Spileo Assyrtiko 2023 (Greece) - Wine Review

Tonight's 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 July 19, 2025 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...

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.

Featherstone Gemstone 2023 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's 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 July 19th 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...

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.

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.

Rhonéa Les Confluences Vinsobres 2022 (90 pts)

Amédée Sans Soufre Ajouté Luberon 2023 (89 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.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!