tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32549803546658150832024-03-27T17:12:45.105-04:00VINTAGES Wine Picks & LCBO Wine ReviewsBi-weekly wine picks from LCBO Vintages release, plus wine reviews and tips. Learn about wine and shop for wine accessories.cono_surhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219124933976657219noreply@blogger.comBlogger1602125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254980354665815083.post-45553238724005544732024-03-27T05:00:00.003-04:002024-03-27T05:00:00.129-04:00March 30, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Cabernet Sauvignon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4o9dgNeylp5beXVDVpmSuqlySjDwkpxpSjsipqVeNWuyGz3RXCm6XLbUshLSUe1yWWamAWYV-5WHvjQKVTLeM_-V-xvImRpZR6gO8LsTvmHDFrzikOGKzgyq8FJUo9V_r8kuzsYMFDI37DsG42HWnktMNtu6D4ML27iYyxTQUIucDJ0YPlsIoU6K07M14/s800/240330_en.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="LCBO Wine Picks: March 30, 2024 VINTAGES New Release Collection" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="598" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4o9dgNeylp5beXVDVpmSuqlySjDwkpxpSjsipqVeNWuyGz3RXCm6XLbUshLSUe1yWWamAWYV-5WHvjQKVTLeM_-V-xvImRpZR6gO8LsTvmHDFrzikOGKzgyq8FJUo9V_r8kuzsYMFDI37DsG42HWnktMNtu6D4ML27iYyxTQUIucDJ0YPlsIoU6K07M14/w200-h268/240330_en.jpg" title="LCBO Wine Picks: March 30, 2024 VINTAGES New Release Collection" width="200" /></a></div>Here's my top wine picks from the <a href="http://www.vintageassessments.com/MVC/240302.pdf" target="_blank">March 30, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection</a>, which focuses on Cabernet Sauvignon Around the World as the theme of the release. It also includes a new batch of Online & Flagship Exclusive (FE) wines. In all, there are 101 wines on offer, and all should be available for purchase across Ontario by this Saturday.<br /><br />We'll begin with the theme of Cabernet Sauvignon wines from around the world. There are fourteen wines included as part of the theme (and many more from the main release), and only two are among my top Cabernet Sauvignon wine picks. First up is a perennially lovely <b>100% Cabernet Sauvignon</b> from Australia, while the other wine is from the Aconcagua Valley in Chile and actually consists of <b>88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, and 5% Cabernet Franc</b>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wcQgXQZeOlScCD2uOec8xp7BE9jFqmv85xSnkc3V_h1iDnAC6cuIOATuADKqnHavSgz7_n74c0lWop5qjjuK5Y2AIdUkng3SRhdY3vFRBUQGx1GbdSo54i3NxID5WJYc36UeSyCTYA0Ux3DIcK18bpVr_RSIadIoJ0XDfAfid9lTpuuqvtx9AT1aYd0m/s900/Wakefield-Jaraman-Cabernet-Sauvignon-2021-Clare-Valley-Coonawarra-South-Australia_08661.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (90 pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wcQgXQZeOlScCD2uOec8xp7BE9jFqmv85xSnkc3V_h1iDnAC6cuIOATuADKqnHavSgz7_n74c0lWop5qjjuK5Y2AIdUkng3SRhdY3vFRBUQGx1GbdSo54i3NxID5WJYc36UeSyCTYA0Ux3DIcK18bpVr_RSIadIoJ0XDfAfid9lTpuuqvtx9AT1aYd0m/w240-h320/Wakefield-Jaraman-Cabernet-Sauvignon-2021-Clare-Valley-Coonawarra-South-Australia_08661.JPG" title="Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (90 pts)" width="240" /></a></div><br />Among my top red wine picks from the main release, there are a pair of Cabernet Sauvignon wines - one from Greece and one from Chile. There is also a Cabernet/Shiraz that is a blend of <b>60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Shiraz</b>. Moving on to other varietals, there is a Gigondas, which is composed of roughly <b>50% Grenache Noir, 40% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre</b>, while the Barolo is <b>100% Nebbiolo</b>. Staying in Italy, the Chianti Classico is crafted with <b>95% Sangiovese and 5% Canaiolo</b>, while the Valpolicella is a blend of <b>90% Corvina/Corvinone and 10% Rondinella</b>.<br /><br />The only blend among my top white wine picks is the excellent Soave from Veneto, which consists of <b>70% Garganega and 30% Trebbiano di Soave</b>. There are a variety of dry white wines, including a pair of <b>Sauvignon Blancs</b> - one each from Niagara and Marlborough, as well as a trio of white wines from Italy - <b>Falanghina</b> from Campania, <b>Pinot Grigio</b> from Friuli, and a <b>Gavi</b> from Piedmont. For those that prefer some sweetness in their wines, there is a brilliant off-dry <b>Riesling</b> from Niagara, while the <b>Riesling Kabinett</b> from Mosel is sweeter.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-U6RYvB7m7wH7h8XPu-YBQuBtztsGhqSk8ULtpvs2DyJZdxNdfUjqQWqkjG-4-MQ5mzXmGWQFJDV38ziieuT_zTZtq1vvyVFHVOSd5bnMgnSw8to1hEjPBVIIfaQHejZC8gkrv6tGESdnAGLQuN67KvOE2fsb41NtypATdgYYAUA9Enxn7IJAOON2VTN-/s900/Pieropan-Calvarino-Soave-Classico-2021-Single-Vineyard-DOC-Veneto-Italy_08786.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pieropan Calvarino Soave Classico 2021 (93 pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-U6RYvB7m7wH7h8XPu-YBQuBtztsGhqSk8ULtpvs2DyJZdxNdfUjqQWqkjG-4-MQ5mzXmGWQFJDV38ziieuT_zTZtq1vvyVFHVOSd5bnMgnSw8to1hEjPBVIIfaQHejZC8gkrv6tGESdnAGLQuN67KvOE2fsb41NtypATdgYYAUA9Enxn7IJAOON2VTN-/w240-h320/Pieropan-Calvarino-Soave-Classico-2021-Single-Vineyard-DOC-Veneto-Italy_08786.JPG" title="Pieropan Calvarino Soave Classico 2021 (93 pts)" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJt-6Tj0S91ufS7U34CrirVlHdTGKVxZN_pDGqCbYBTsBRhgMFnytmCb-6f2YLuJJXcCNfjBo6YDhroD82IVk8okpD7HJX3iYhlgqvKb6Nqo_iBMJu3N5-lI3_3LpDaSAE4C17h8ornWAyBUgfZLK6d8nzvM8UudYXW5TBeGv139ZEkNY-8x7z70XuR3nj/s900/Thirty-Bench-Steel-Post-Vineyard-Small-Lot-Riesling-2020-VQA-Beamsville-Bench-Niagara-Escarpment-Ontario-Canada_07770.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Thirty Bench Steel Post Vineyard Small Lot Riesling 2020 (92+ pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJt-6Tj0S91ufS7U34CrirVlHdTGKVxZN_pDGqCbYBTsBRhgMFnytmCb-6f2YLuJJXcCNfjBo6YDhroD82IVk8okpD7HJX3iYhlgqvKb6Nqo_iBMJu3N5-lI3_3LpDaSAE4C17h8ornWAyBUgfZLK6d8nzvM8UudYXW5TBeGv139ZEkNY-8x7z70XuR3nj/w240-h320/Thirty-Bench-Steel-Post-Vineyard-Small-Lot-Riesling-2020-VQA-Beamsville-Bench-Niagara-Escarpment-Ontario-Canada_07770.JPG" title="Thirty Bench Steel Post Vineyard Small Lot Riesling 2020 (92+ pts)" width="240" /></a></div><br />Other wines in this release include a dry rosé from Provence that is a majority of <b>Grenache, with Cinsault, Syrah, and Mourvèdre</b> completing the blend. There is also a rosé sparkling wine that is crafted with <b>51% Chardonnay and 49% Pinot Noir</b>. For fans of very sweet wines, you'll want to try the fortified wine from Spain that is made using the <b>Pedro Ximénez</b> varietal.<br /><br />Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Red Wine:</h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>VISTAMAR GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020</b> - Sustainable, La Moralina Vineyard, Valle del Cachapoal, Chile (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=27204" target="_blank">#27204</a>) (XD) - $17.95</li><li><b>TINAZZI COLLEZIONE DI FAMIGLIA VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO SUPERIORE 2019</b> - DOP, Veneto, Italy (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=32711" target="_blank">#32711</a>) (D) - $19.95</li><li><b>HUGH HAMILTON THE LARRIKIN CABERNET/SHIRAZ 2020</b> - McLaren Vale, South Australia (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=33559" target="_blank">#33559</a>) (XD) - $20.95</li><li><b>ERRÁZURIZ ACONCAGUA ALTO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021</b> - Sustainable, DO Valle del Aconcagua, Chile (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=203364" target="_blank">#203364</a>) (XD) - $22.95</li><li><b>CASTELLO DI RADDA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020</b> - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=16448" target="_blank">#16448</a>) (XD) - $22.95</li><li><b>WAKEFIELD JARAMAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021</b> - Clare Valley and Coonawarra, South Australia (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=142398" target="_blank">#142398</a>) (XD) - $24.95 <i>90 pts <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2023/10/wakefield-jaraman-cabernet-sauvignon-2021-australia-wine-review.html">wine review</a></i></li><li><b>BABICH BLACK LABEL PINOT NOIR 2021</b> - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=465963" target="_blank">#465963</a>) (XD) - $26.95 <i>FE</i></li><li><b>MEGA SPILEO ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2015</b> - PGI Achaia, Greece (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=539924" target="_blank">#539924</a>) (XD) - $36.95 <i>review coming soon...</i></li><li><b>LAVAU GIGONDAS 2019</b> - AC, Rhône, France (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=234955" target="_blank">#234955</a>) (XD) - $37.95</li><li><b>ROCCHE COSTAMAGNA ROCCHE DELL'ANNUNZIATA BAROLO 2019</b> - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=413484" target="_blank">#413484</a>) (XD) - $64.95</li></ul><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">White Wine:</h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>VESEVO BENEVENTANO FALANGHINA 2022</b> - IGP, Campania, Italy (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=289538" target="_blank">#289538</a>) (XD) - $17.95</li><li><b>VIENI SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021</b> - VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=37971" target="_blank">#37971</a>) (XD) - $19.95</li><li><b>VILLA MARIA WAIRAU VALLEY RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022</b> - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=536201" target="_blank">#536201</a>) (XD) - $20.95</li><li><b>ENRICO SERAFINO GRIFO DEL QUARTARO GAVI DEL COMMUNE DI GAVI 2022</b> - Sustainable, estate bottled, DOC, Piedmont, Italy (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=22138" target="_blank">#22138</a>) (XD) - $24.95</li><li><b>MAX FERD. RICHTER BRAUNEBERGER JUFFER RIESLING KABINETT 2022</b> - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=36929" target="_blank">#36929</a>) (S) - $31.95</li><li><b>THIRTY BENCH STEEL POST VINEYARD SMALL LOT RIESLING 2020</b> - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=319640" target="_blank">#319640</a>) (D) - $33.95 <i>FE 92+ pts <a href="https://www.winealign.com/wines/156614-Thirty-Bench-Steel-Post-Vineyard-Small-Lot-Riesling-2020" target="_blank">wine review</a></i></li><li><b>PIEROPAN CALVARINO SOAVE CLASSICO 2021</b> - Single vineyard, DOC, Veneto, Italy (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=19010" target="_blank">#19010</a>) (XD) - $33.95 <i>FE 93 pts <a href="https://www.winealign.com/wines/156616-Pieropan-Calvarino-Soave-Classico-2021" target="_blank">wine review</a></i></li><li><b>JERMANN PINOT GRIGIO 2022</b> - DOC Friuli, Italy (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=12812" target="_blank">#12812</a>) (XD) - $39.95</li></ul><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Rosé Wine:</h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>DOMAINES OTT CHÂTEAU DE SELLE CRU CLASSÉ ROSÉ 2022</b> - Sustainable, AP Côtes de Provence, France (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=74617" target="_blank">#74617</a>) (XD) - $57.95 <i>FE</i></li></ul><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Sparkling Wine:</h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>PONGRÁCZ CAP CLASSIQUE ROSÉ</b> - Traditional method, WO Western Cape, South Africa (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=646968" target="_blank">#646968</a>) (D) - $22.95</li></ul><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Fortified Wine:</h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>ALVEAR SOLERA 1927 PEDRO XIMÉNEZ</b> - DO Montilla-Moriles, Spain (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=463034" target="_blank">#463034</a>, 375 mL) (S) - $30.95</li></ul>cono_surhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219124933976657219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254980354665815083.post-57986931123927265852024-03-26T17:33:00.003-04:002024-03-27T01:42:43.515-04:00Cuvée 2024 - Tickets selling fast for Ontario’s biggest VQA celebrationIt’s a tasting experience no wine enthusiast should miss.<br /><br />Featuring more than 100 wines, each carefully curated as the favourites of Ontario’s top winemakers, the 2024 Cuvée Grand Tasting promises an experience like no other as it takes over the Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Centre in St. Catharines on <time datetime="2024-03-30">Saturday, March 30</time>.<br /><br />Organized by Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI), the event is the largest celebration of VQA wine of its kind, highlighting Ontario’s wine industry — an important economic driver for the province.<br /><br />The Cuvée Grand Tasting, which starts at 7 p.m., will showcase nearly 40 Ontario VQA wineries alongside 10 chefs preparing perfectly paired cuisine at live cooking stations.<br /><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-KK6Nqh-g_knrBrO-ZgfPvaPVUkjGN0zCmSZGSmhxKWt8FZTB9eam9OGVTDGpEPfzMTbd6hjR7BHamaAsvIdr_FSLw4YKfxfTAPFRf1Ihu8sFxx3or9a-XEx_OSttNRSPOUHId_czm-T0_TiaNyMlk8_s2osK92wdzwSR9HXNSXO-cX-q2PFv14YZ8qg/s900/Cuvee2024-900.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Experience an unforgettable night at the Cuvée Grand Tasting with more than 100 VQA wines to choose from, 10 live gourmet food stations and an after-party featuring live music by Jonesy." border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="900" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-KK6Nqh-g_knrBrO-ZgfPvaPVUkjGN0zCmSZGSmhxKWt8FZTB9eam9OGVTDGpEPfzMTbd6hjR7BHamaAsvIdr_FSLw4YKfxfTAPFRf1Ihu8sFxx3or9a-XEx_OSttNRSPOUHId_czm-T0_TiaNyMlk8_s2osK92wdzwSR9HXNSXO-cX-q2PFv14YZ8qg/w500-h323/Cuvee2024-900.jpg" title="Experience an unforgettable night at the Cuvée Grand Tasting with more than 100 VQA wines to choose from, 10 live gourmet food stations and an after-party featuring live music by Jonesy." width="500" /></a></div><br />“We couldn’t be more excited for this event’s return,” said Cuvée Manager Barb Tatarnic. “The Grand Tasting is more than an opportunity to try an unmatched selection of Ontario’s top wines. It’s also a chance to hear directly from talented winemakers from across the province, all while supporting the next generation of industry professionals.”<br /><br />Proceeds from the event support the Cuvée Legacy Fund, which was established to fund industry-driven research initiatives and scholarships for students. More than $122,000 has been generated to invest in the future of the industry through students and research since CCOVI took the lead in organizing the event in 2015.<br /><br />In addition to the gourmet sensory experience, the Grand Tasting will recognize champions in the province’s grape and wine industry with the Cuvée Vineyard of Excellence and Winemaker of Excellence awards along with the Tony Aspler Award of Excellence.<br /><br />Following the Grand Tasting, the night erupts with the largest industry party of its kind: the exclusive Après Cuvée. Grand Tasting attendees and winemakers alike will hit the dance floor as Niagara’s own Jonesy brings live music to the stage. A selection of carefully curated regional Icewines, sparkling wines and craft beer will be available for guests to enjoy.<br /><br />For those looking to expand their Cuvée experience, the Cuvée en Route passport program kicks off the long weekend celebrations on Friday, March 29, running until Sunday, March 31 at more than 20 participating wineries across Niagara. A complete list of participating wineries at the Grand Tasting and en Route can be found at <a href="https://cuvee.ca/wine-and-culinary-partners/?utm_source=vintageswinepicks" target="_blank">cuvee.ca</a>.<br /><br />While en Route passport tickets can be purchased separately, a Grand Tasting ticket will provide guests access to the en Route passport, more than 100 wines at the Grand Tasting event and the Après Cuvée party. Grand Tasting tickets are available online at <a href="https://cuvee.ca/tickets/?utm_source=vintageswinepicks" target="_blank">cuvee.ca/tickets</a> for $245 per person. <b>Use Discount Code SHOWOFEXCEL for 20% off.</b> Tickets for the en Route passport only are $50.<br /><br />Will I see you there?cono_surhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219124933976657219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254980354665815083.post-13788195667534971692024-03-25T17:35:00.000-04:002024-03-25T17:35:33.442-04:00Mountadam Five-Fifty Chardonnay 2020 (Australia) - Wine Review<time datetime="2024-03-25">Tonight's</time> white wine review is a delicious Eden Valley Chardonnay from Australia that arrived at the LCBO earlier this year as part of the <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2024/01/january-6-2024-lcbo-vintages-release-wine-picks-smart-buys.html"><time datetime="2024-01-06">January 6th</time> LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection</a>.<br /><br />It is produced by <a href="https://www.mountadam.com.au/" target="_blank">Mountadam Vineyards</a>, a winery that was established in 1972 by the late David Wynn. David was one of the most significant contributors to the Australian Wine Industry as he was the first to recognize the potential of a cool, elevated site to produce Australian wines of great elegance and structure. Wynn searched across Australia for a vineyard site that met his expectations and eventually settled in an area high above the township of Eden Valley, within a sub-region that was formally recognized in 2001 as High Eden. The area of High Eden is oval-shaped and covers 40 square kilometres, and is situated in the highest areas of the Eden Valley. David named his first vineyard after his son, Adam, who became the company's winemaker in 1984.<br /><br />Mountadam Vineyards' logo was created when David Wynn brought his artist friend Tate Adams to the property, so he could get inspiration to come up with a design for the wine label. As they were walking on the property, two eagles were circling above and Wynn told Adams that they were nesting in a tree on the property. Following this visit, Adams designed and made two engravings incorporating the eagle.<br /><br />Today, Mountadam Vineyards is in the hands of David and Jenni Brown, who acquired the winery and 80 hectares of vineyards from LMVH in 2005. In 2015, the Brown's purchased the Treasury Wine Estates High Eden vineyard, which included 67 hectares of vines, and allowed them to re-assemble the Mountadam property of over 1,000 hectares. The Brown's share David Wynn's vision for sustainability and have invested significantly in redeveloping the winery and vineyards with items such as open fermenters, filtration, solar power, and water treatment. The Brown family is keen on continuing Wynn's vision to produce wines of elegance and structure, while also focusing on sustainable, low input viticulture that will guarantee the success of the vineyards and farm into the future.<br /><br />This white wine is part of Mountadam's Five-Fifty range, which is named after the Estate's altitude of 550 metres above sea level. While all Mountadam wines are sourced exclusively from their Estate, which has 147 hectares of vines, the wines in the Five-Fifty range are crafted to offer amazing quality for the price. This Chardonnay is crafted using Mountadam's original 1970s plantings, with 87% of the fruit from Blocks 22, 15, and 29 on the Estate's eastern side, and 13% from Block 57, which is situated on the western side. 60% of this wine was matured in French oak barriques for 1 year, with only 10% new, while the remaining 40% was tank fermented and aged in stainless steel.<br /><br />In Eden Valley, the drought conditions during the growing season in 2020 resulted in very low yields. Although it was a challenging vintage, the warm conditions helped produce grapes of excellent quality, which resulted in wines of exceptional quality, particularly Chardonnay. Let's see how this 2020 Eden Valley Chardonnay from Australia is tasting tonight...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhirDLxQEumeCU0acBkHi135f3uGilqlPNmSEK2lW_HWqQbQmP4IlOZ50f-asawY4N2OzgnZM6cXBd6ZwbucavldY71NErsM_kgZ37FTWS3GtN1Iz9iWw8aemT7p2xNFpjJM8hizMlOuhNiRh7TgOA7zhWdpMJSFgZiKQ4zBx6rlYBr42wEVs8HUs6uuTTT/s900/Mountadam-Five-Fifty-Chardonnay-2020-Eden-Valley-South-Australia_09296.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mountadam Five-Fifty Chardonnay 2020 (88 pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhirDLxQEumeCU0acBkHi135f3uGilqlPNmSEK2lW_HWqQbQmP4IlOZ50f-asawY4N2OzgnZM6cXBd6ZwbucavldY71NErsM_kgZ37FTWS3GtN1Iz9iWw8aemT7p2xNFpjJM8hizMlOuhNiRh7TgOA7zhWdpMJSFgZiKQ4zBx6rlYBr42wEVs8HUs6uuTTT/w300-h400/Mountadam-Five-Fifty-Chardonnay-2020-Eden-Valley-South-Australia_09296.JPG" title="Mountadam Five-Fifty Chardonnay 2020 (88 pts)" width="300" /></a></div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Tasting Note:</h4><b>MOUNTADAM FIVE-FIFTY CHARDONNAY 2020</b> - Eden Valley, South Australia (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=22984" target="_blank">#22984</a>) (XD) - $17.95<br />Screw cap. The rich, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose offers buttery, vanilla, apple, and lemon citrus aromas with touches of butterscotch and oak spice. It's dry, medium+ bodied and quite spicy on the lively palate with buttery, apple/pear, lemon citrus, vanillin oak spice, and leesy mineral flavours. It is creamy, yet also has a slightly chalky textured mouthfeel. Acids are crisp and juicy. Buttery, apple, and citrus notes give way to leesy minerals on the lengthy finish. Chill and enjoy this recommended buy! Score: 88 pts<br /><br />Small quantities of other Mountadam wines can be found at the LCBO, while the entire range can be ordered through their Agent - <a href="http://churchillcellars.com/" target="_blank">Churchill Cellars</a>.cono_surhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219124933976657219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254980354665815083.post-43696976352148430812024-03-23T17:37:00.000-04:002024-03-23T17:37:00.432-04:00Fortes Sauvignon Blanc 2022 (South Africa) - Wine Review<time datetime="2024-03-23">Tonight's</time> white wine review is a lovely, cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa. It is a brand-new wine that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2024/03/march-16-2024-lcbo-vintages-release-wine-picks-family-feasts.html">LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on <time datetime="2024-03-16">March 16th</time></a>.<br /><br />It is produced by <a href="http://forteswines.com/" target="_blank">Fortes Family Wines</a>, a boutique winery that was established and is led by Neil Fortes. Having known Neil for many years, he is also the owner of Wine Guru Selections Inc., a wine agency and distributor based in Ontario who specializes in representing and merchandising wines in Canada and has over 40 years of experience in the wine trade. The Fortes family originated in Spain and can be traced back to the time of Queen Isabella in the 15th century. During their history, they migrated to Russia, where they were grain merchants in Melitopol, in southeastern Ukraine. At the beginning of the 19th century, the family migrated to the U.S., followed by a migration to South Africa during the last century.<br /><br />Today, Neil Fortes spends his time between Canada and South Africa. Fortes Family Wines is situated in the pristine Napier valley, close to Cape Agulhas, at the southernmost tip of the African continent. The name "fortes" means "strong" in Spanish, which also describes the strength and intensity of the wines they are crafting. Located in this region, the temperate climate allows Fortes to produce groundbreaking, cool-climate wines of enormous extract and quality. Furthermore, the soils are of great complexity and structure. Fortes Family wines is also a proud member of the Agulhas Wine Triangle, a non-profit company that was established in 2019 to showcase the wines, tourism, and natural beauty of the Agulhas area.<br /><br />In general, the 2022 growing season in South Africa was cooler and produced a slightly smaller harvest, with promising wine quality. Let's see how this 2022 Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa is tasting tonight...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjul15AS3k9tqiqNjJvrFjGJFhMw4Kb_5-oR7XQ_UCrL_e1OxuhmVV5DuBkBFbUCPw-CYOYRU_Dw4VvTnHHW1sqr6UkZthCOPMNA6yAQekOL9sBXyWQHKo20wGtL7PhUqIWXUUvMppgYUaUvb7oZuZkFwmhdOJIdk8AN7p70vspWQlf4u7ZgLZT11IsmzTd/s900/Fortes-Sauvignon-Blanc-2022-WO-Napier-South-Africa_09294.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fortes Sauvignon Blanc 2022 (89 pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjul15AS3k9tqiqNjJvrFjGJFhMw4Kb_5-oR7XQ_UCrL_e1OxuhmVV5DuBkBFbUCPw-CYOYRU_Dw4VvTnHHW1sqr6UkZthCOPMNA6yAQekOL9sBXyWQHKo20wGtL7PhUqIWXUUvMppgYUaUvb7oZuZkFwmhdOJIdk8AN7p70vspWQlf4u7ZgLZT11IsmzTd/w300-h400/Fortes-Sauvignon-Blanc-2022-WO-Napier-South-Africa_09294.JPG" title="Fortes Sauvignon Blanc 2022 (89 pts)" width="300" /></a></div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Tasting Note:</h4><b>FORTES SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022</b> - WO Napier, South Africa (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=33297" target="_blank">#33297</a>) (XD) - $23.95<br />Lightly matured in small oak casks, this Sauvignon Blanc is fresh, fragrant, and highly aromatic with pretty aromas of passion fruit, kiwi, and guava layered over citrus, flowers, and touches of mineral. It's medium+ bodied and gently spicy on the palate with delicious passion fruit, kiwi, guava, and lemon citrus replays on the flavour profile. It's supported by fresh, bracing acidity and a gently chalky textured mouthfeel on the mid-palate. Succulent and juicy with passion fruit, citrus, and guava notes tapering to a long, leesy mineral finish. Enjoy this fantastic, highly recommended buy over the next 3-4 years. Score: 89 pts<br /><br />Other lovely wines by Fortes Family Wines can be ordered through their Agent - <a href="https://wineguruselectionsinc.godaddysites.com/" target="_blank">Wine Guru Selections Inc.</a>cono_surhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219124933976657219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254980354665815083.post-27628693715356952922024-03-20T14:22:00.015-04:002024-03-20T17:40:23.365-04:00Elderton Eden Valley Chardonnay 2022 (Australia) - Wine Review<time datetime="2024-03-20">Tonight's</time> white wine review is a lovely Chardonnay from the Eden Valley in South Australia that landed at the LCBO over the weekend as part of the <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2024/03/march-16-2024-lcbo-vintages-release-wine-picks-family-feasts.html"><time datetime="2024-03-16">March 16th</time> LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection</a>.<br /><br />It is produced by <a href="https://eldertonwines.com.au/" target="_blank">Elderton Wines</a>, a renowned winery whose story begins in 1894, when early German settlers, the Scholz family, first planted a vineyard on the banks of the North Para River in Nuriootpa. In 1916, it was purchased by Samuel Elderton Tolley, and he named the Estate "Elderton". Samuel built a sprawling homestead on the estate and sold the fruit to his family's winery. The estate was run successfully for many years until around 1975, when it became derelict and the vines were pulled out.<br /><br />In 1980, the property was offered to Lorraine and Neil Ashmead - if they bought the house, the surrounding 72 acres of old vines could be had for nothing. The Ashmead's decided to accept the offer as the rambling old homestead looked ideal for a growing family, while also working tirelessly to salvage and restore the phenomenal treasure of a vineyard. In 1982, the Ashmead family produced the first wine made under the Elderton label. They prevailed through tough times, but ultimately the Ashmead's vision shone through and today Elderton is celebrated as a major reason for the rejuvenation of the Barossa Valley.<br /><br />In 2003, the second generation of the family - brothers Cameron and Allister - took over the reins of the business. Together, they both believed very strongly in continuing the family traditions in the Nuriootpa vineyard. However, they wanted to take the family business to the next level by acquiring great vineyards in other significant sub-appellations of the Barossa. This white wine is from the Craneford vineyard, a great little vineyard in Eden Valley that was purchased in 2007. <br /><br />Elderton has also taken a leadership role within the Australian wine industry with regard to environmental sustainability. They have proactively implemented a number of initiatives in the vineyard and at the winery to minimize their environmental footprint and promote a sustainable and environmentally responsible workplace. The hope is that through their sustainable practices, the next generation of the Ashmead family will have a lot to work with when they are at the helm.<br /><br />The 2022 vintage of this white wine is the fourteenth release of this single site wine, and it always shows the typicity of the vineyard, while varying somewhat depending on what growing season brings. Elderton is on a constant learning journey with their vineyard and this wine, adapting to each season. This 100% Chardonnay is 100% Estate grown, from 30-year-old vines at Elderton's Eden Valley vineyard, just south of the small township of Craneford, within the Barossa Zone. The vineyard sits at an elevation of 420 metres, with the Chardonnay blocks planted at one of the highest points of the vineyard. The Eden Valley is generally wetter and cooler, with soils tending to be skeletal and minerally, while the aspect to the sun varies significantly with many rolling hills and valleys that provide site variation. The Eden Valley vineyard is tended to by their own viticulturists, Peter Wild and Conrad Pohlinger, who ensure that the utmost care is taken at every step of the vine cycle.<br /><br />To craft this wine, the fruit was crushed and pressed off skins immediately upon arrival at the winery. The juice was cold settled and separated into two stainless steel fermenters, with each fermenter inoculated with a different yeast. After completing alcoholic fermentation, the wine was transferred into a combination of new and used French oak to undergo partial malolactic fermentation. Coupled with regular battonage for 8 months, maturation in oak helped build a creamy texture in the wine.<br /><br />The growing season in 2022 began with ample winter rainfall, followed by a mild spring, which allowed for a great start to the season. Canopy development was decent and provided adequate protection and capacity to ripen the fruit. Short and frequent irrigation during the season ensured that the lean soil retained enough moisture, while a steady ripening season allowed for the retention of natural acidity. Overall, it was a cooler year that delivered good results. Let's see how this 2022 Eden Valley Chardonnay is tasting tonight...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKLcHnfWixcpUwZx92NkVU38cqkkKruSzCNyzzdNZegLci7-cKm1p10xVf_H5l910I4trNTRC-8o4yEioEexf-ySe8nEtmmUGm3estA0EMWfc5t2k9Sehvb7mBYOtzbymmPfb7r0EIY9qV2o6ty6A6MP6rVxkTNhtZcQtjMJRAlwoR5le6WNqwdAtRE9H/s900/Elderton-Eden-Valley-Chardonnay-2022-Single-Vineyard-Eden-Valley-South-Australia_09293.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Elderton Eden Valley Chardonnay 2022 (90+ pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKLcHnfWixcpUwZx92NkVU38cqkkKruSzCNyzzdNZegLci7-cKm1p10xVf_H5l910I4trNTRC-8o4yEioEexf-ySe8nEtmmUGm3estA0EMWfc5t2k9Sehvb7mBYOtzbymmPfb7r0EIY9qV2o6ty6A6MP6rVxkTNhtZcQtjMJRAlwoR5le6WNqwdAtRE9H/w300-h400/Elderton-Eden-Valley-Chardonnay-2022-Single-Vineyard-Eden-Valley-South-Australia_09293.JPG" title="Elderton Eden Valley Chardonnay 2022 (90+ pts)" width="300" /></a></div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Tasting Note:</h4><b>ELDERTON EDEN VALLEY CHARDONNAY 2022</b> - Single vineyard, Eden Valley, South Australia (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=15054" target="_blank">#15054</a>) (XD) - $23.95<br />Screw cap. Fragrant and intensely aromatic with rich, intriguing, and complex aromas that feature butter, nutty oak, flinty mineral, lemon curd, ripe apple, and citrus notes. It's dry, medium-full bodied and creamy on the palate with gently tart and tangy flavours that give way to butter, vanilla, nutty oak, gentle spice, apple, and citrus. It has fresh, lively acidity, plus some saline characters on the mid-palate, while leesy mineral, subtle spice, nut, and oak notes linger on the long, succulent finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the next 3-4 years. Score: 90+ pts<br /><br />Other fine Elderton Wines are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dionysuswines/" target="_blank">Dionysus Wines & Spirits</a>.cono_surhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219124933976657219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254980354665815083.post-16224332904001266052024-03-17T17:42:00.000-04:002024-03-17T17:42:25.511-04:00Clemente VII Gran Selezione Chianti Classico 2019 (Tuscany) - Wine Review<time datetime="2024-03-17">Tonight's</time> red wine review is a lovely Gran Selezione Chianti Classico from Tuscany that arrived at the LCBO yesterday in the <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2024/03/march-16-2024-lcbo-vintages-release-wine-picks-family-feasts.html"><time datetime="2024-03-16">March 16</time> LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection</a>.<br /><br />Like the <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2024/02/castelgreve-riserva-chianti-classico-2019-tuscany-wine-review.html">2019 Castelgreve Riserva Chianti Classico</a> I enjoyed last month, this red wine is produced by <a href="https://www.castellidelgrevepesa.it/" target="_blank">Castelli del Grevepesa</a>, a modern co-operative winery that has a history which is deeply intertwined with the rich winemaking heritage of the Chianti Classico wine region of Tuscany, Italy. <br /><br />Castelli del Grevepesa was established in 1965 by visionary Sir Armando Nunzi and an initial group of seventeen winegrowers as one of Italy's first co-operative wineries. Together, they recognized the potential of pooling their resources and generations of know-how to produce wine collectively. By coming together, the group of small-scale growers were able to safeguard and maintain the age-old tradition of Tuscany winegrowing. In the co-operative model, individual vineyard growers maintain their own autonomy in the vineyard, while benefiting from shared facilities, including equipment, and sharing knowledge.<br /><br />Over the years, Castelli del Grevepesa experienced steady growth to become Chianti Classico's largest family today, with over 120 associate growers. Situated in the heart of Chianti Classico, they use modern and innovative winemaking techniques and technologies to improve the quality and achieve greater efficiency when producing their wines. Castelli del Grevepesa is dedicated to crafting high-quality wines that represent the essence of the Chianti Classico wine region, while also upholding the principles of sustainability and environmental stewardship to preserve the land for future generations. With a great passion and love for their land, Castelli del Grevepesa's mission is to produce wines of high quality at affordable prices.<br /><br />This red wine is from Grevepesa's Clemente VII range, which celebrates a member of the famous Florentine Medici family - Giulio de' Medici - who became Pope Clemente VII in the year 1523. Giulio lived in Campoli, within the Chianti Classico region where Castelli del Grevepesa produces their wines today.<br /><br />Gran Selezione is a relatively new type of Chianti Classico. It was introduced in 2014 and is at the top of the qualitative pyramid of the Chianti Classico denomination. Crafted with 100% Sangiovese, this red wine was grown in Grevepesa's vineyards in Campoli, within the municipality of San Casciano in Val di Pesa, in the Chianti Classico appellation of Tuscany. The vines where this Sangiovese was grown are planted on hills rising up from the alluvial plateau with geological formations of Sillano and Alberese stones. Trained using the Guyot, spurred cordon vine training system, the vines now average 20 to 30 years old. The grapes were harvested from the end of September to the beginning of October by hand, only selecting the best grapes. To vinify this wine, the grapes were gently crushed, fermented in stainless steel tanks with maceration on the skins for 15 days at a thermostatically controlled temperature of a maximum of 28°C. It underwent malolactic fermentation in concrete tanks, followed by ageing in Slavonian oak cask for 24 months, and at least another 6 months in bottle for further refining.<br /><br />While it is difficult to generalize the growing season in Chianti Classico, 2019 was comparatively easier than the two prior years as it was much drier with no humidity, but avoided drought and heat spikes. The productive vintage resulted in both high quantity and quality, as well as a later harvest into October that is very good for the late-ripening Sangiovese grape varietal. Overall, 2019 is an excellent vintage that will enhance the characteristic features of the Sangiovese grape and the many facets of such a widely varied area in soil diversity and microclimates. Let's see how this 2019 Gran Selezione Chianti Classico is tasting tonight...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqa1WFr34JEBdB_gRl_zaUwTacunsHBS47B8PbKCdgUgazE82EBp1wYFBU7WwvUMSxM6HjBUbUg7ytfXsOPWCMFv1Kvh4Tkw4H9qrhmh26bEtudrc5SFnumAKuN2qJyUc25wJcfEEvSKIY1OsIBiQB1t2II0zX0Ubk5ZZ7niXKo64RlK7oaiVQelPZhwf/s900/Clemente-VII-Gran-Selezione-Chianti-Classico-2019-DOCG-Tuscany-Italy_09290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Clemente VII Gran Selezione Chianti Classico 2019 (91+ pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqa1WFr34JEBdB_gRl_zaUwTacunsHBS47B8PbKCdgUgazE82EBp1wYFBU7WwvUMSxM6HjBUbUg7ytfXsOPWCMFv1Kvh4Tkw4H9qrhmh26bEtudrc5SFnumAKuN2qJyUc25wJcfEEvSKIY1OsIBiQB1t2II0zX0Ubk5ZZ7niXKo64RlK7oaiVQelPZhwf/w300-h400/Clemente-VII-Gran-Selezione-Chianti-Classico-2019-DOCG-Tuscany-Italy_09290.JPG" title="Clemente VII Gran Selezione Chianti Classico 2019 (91+ pts)" width="300" /></a></div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Tasting Note:</h4><b>CLEMENTE VII GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019</b> - Sustainable, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=573493" target="_blank">#573493</a>) (XD) - $35.95<br />100% Sangiovese. Elegantly refined, open, and pretty aromatics of pure red cherry, sweet spices, cinnamon, and rose floral notes with a hint of orange layered savoury forest floor aromas. On the chewy, medium-full bodied palate it delivers spicy, savoury earth, dark red cherry, forest herbs, and chocolate flavours. It has very good, juicy, well-balanced, and lightly tangy acidity, while the tannins are smooth and refined, with good structure. Savoury, earthy, and chocolate notes linger on the long, classy finish. Should drink nicely over the next 6-8 years. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts<br /><br />Other lovely wines by Castelli del Grevepesa are available not only at the LCBO, but also through their Agent - <a href="https://profilewinegroup.com/" target="_blank">Profile Wine Group</a>.<br /><br /><br />cono_surhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219124933976657219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254980354665815083.post-314087094562188672024-03-15T17:52:00.002-04:002024-03-16T17:16:38.674-04:00Bichot Saint-Romain Pinot Noir 2018 (Burgundy) - Wine Review<time datetime="2024-03-15">Tonight's</time> red wine review is a lovely Pinot Noir from Burgundy that was a new arrival at the LCBO in December. It was included as part of the theme of "Fine Wines for Festive Entertaining" in the <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2023/11/december-2-2023-lcbo-vintages-release-wine-picks-fine-wines-festive-entertaining.html"><time datetime="2023-12-02">December 2nd</time> LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection</a> and would be a fine match for upcoming family feasts, with the added bonus that it's on clearance right now, with plenty of bottles still available for purchase.<br /><br />It is produced by the prestigious and historic <a href="https://www.albert-bichot.com/" target="_blank">Maison Albert Bichot</a>. The first traces of the family name date back to 1214, while in 1350 they settled in Burgundy, France. The Bichot family's coat of arms - a doe (biche) - was established in the 14th century and has not changed since. In 1831, Bernard Bichot founded a wine trading business in his name in Monthélie, while his son, Hippolyte, succeeded him and bought the first vines in Volnay. Hippolyte's son, Albert Bichot, the first to bear the name, gave the family business new momentum in the late 19th century and settled in the centre of Beaune in 1912.<br /><br />Born in 1900, the second Albert Bichot was a pioneer of international commerce and travelled the globe to introduce the family's wines, which were already recognized as being among the best. During the second half of the 20th century, Albert's four sons - Albert, Bernard, Bénigne, and Jean-Marc - inherited the family business and know-how, and a new era of expansion with the construction of a large cellar, bottling facility, and winery.<br /><br />In the early 1990s, Albéric Bichot, the son of the third Albert, joined the family company and took over its management in 1996. Though he fully respects long-held family traditions, he is completely focused on the future. He compares himself to the conductor of an orchestra and is proud to bring people and their talents together over a common project. Albéric has numerous challenges, such as converting to organic viticulture in the Côte-d'Or vineyards, ongoing adaptation to new markets, and increasing the prestige and exposure of Burgundy wines, but he is convinced that the quality of the wine is dependent on the quality of the grapes. Thus, he is focused on developing control of grape growing, a task that began in the 1980s. Albéric also secured equipment, expanded vinification capacity, and the ageing cellars, while the company's vineyards now total 6 estates that are spread out across Burgundy from the north to the south.<br /><br />Today, the philosophy at Albert Bichot is based on protecting their children's planet, and respect for the terroir and nature. They practice sustainable viticulture based on observation, prevention, and being attentive to the complex balances found in nature. The soil is maintained responsibly, while encouraging manual labour that boosts the plants’ natural defences. Bichot also follows up on their partners' grower plots with the same thoroughness and philosophy as their own. At the winery, they apply a minimal interventionist approach during the vinification process so that the wines reveal the terroir and characteristics of the village where they hail from. The wine is carefully transferred from the vinification vats or barrels to the cellars by means of gravity. It is during the key period, while in the cellar, that time and expertise come together, and the wines truly acquire their body, reveal their personality, and all of their potential.<br /><br />Crafted with 100% Pinot Noir, this red wine was grown in the village appellation of Saint-Romain, in the central part of Côte de Beaune, Burgundy. The appellation is situated in an isolated valley to the north of the Cote d'Or's main escarpment and stands at the foot of a high cliff, but at an elevation which enables it to look out over a wide stretch of the countryside. While bears and lions roamed here 100,000 years ago, the area has been a focus of human activity since neolithic times. The area was one of the first places in Bourgogne where the Celts and Gallo-Romans cultivated vines, and eventually led to Saint-Romain being instituted as an appellation in 1947. The terroir in Saint-Romain can be traced back to the earliest period of the Jurassic, with the soil consisting of a blend of limestone and marl, with patches of clay. The vines in Saint-Romain, which face south-southeast and north-northeast at altitudes between 280 and 400 metres, occupy a sloping site where they benefit from the excellent soil. The Pinot Noir vines used to craft this wine were grown in brown limestone soil. It was vinified in oak barrels (20% new) for 6 to 8 weeks, and remained in oak barrels (25% new) for 14 to 16 months to maturation.<br /><br />The 2018 growing season was noted for being one of the hottest and driest growing seasons since the intense heatwave of 2003. Despite a wet winter and spring, perfect weather arrived in time for an early, but very successful flowering. Summer was hot and exceedingly dry, followed by ideal conditions arriving in August and September, which meant that producers could harvest their grapes at their own leisure. From an excellent vintage, let's see how this 2018 Pinot Noir from Burgundy is tasting tonight...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtkYA8Bmp8bL34U5gUvMmkYMAn1kkI1YuOJ76DncE5LStjIyjBPmkc208e0ET6DBywTTcGWrlCVAp-L_zcdSML7_MFmMH7rDGAA-aS6viZP6wExPY1jUUWAc3dZM8MLQLgxKAn-M6LqEZyRLEg0YENjocYrr1EsBY0O9M2_yfx696EKIdtLJqlx7Ck6Q8/s900/Bichot-Saint-Romain-Pinot-Noir-2018-AC-Burgundy-France_09289.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bichot Saint-Romain Pinot Noir 2018 (91+ pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtkYA8Bmp8bL34U5gUvMmkYMAn1kkI1YuOJ76DncE5LStjIyjBPmkc208e0ET6DBywTTcGWrlCVAp-L_zcdSML7_MFmMH7rDGAA-aS6viZP6wExPY1jUUWAc3dZM8MLQLgxKAn-M6LqEZyRLEg0YENjocYrr1EsBY0O9M2_yfx696EKIdtLJqlx7Ck6Q8/w300-h400/Bichot-Saint-Romain-Pinot-Noir-2018-AC-Burgundy-France_09289.JPG" title="Bichot Saint-Romain Pinot Noir 2018 (91+ pts)" width="300" /></a></div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Tasting Note:</h4><b>BICHOT SAINT-ROMAIN PINOT NOIR 2018</b> - AC, Burgundy, France (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=33708" target="_blank">#33708</a>) (XD) - <strike>$41.95</strike> $34.75<br />From the Saint-Romain village appellation of Côte de Beaune, this Pinot Noir has a perfumed, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose that offers a lovely bouquet of rose floral, sweet spices, ripe red & black cherry, earthy mineral, and mushroom aromas. It's light-to-mid weighted with good structure and fine, crisp, and tangy acidity that supports the ripe red & black cherry, gentle oak spice, and earthy mineral flavours with touches of beetroot. The light tannins have a subtle, chalky textured grip. Earthy mineral notes linger on the finish, with excellent length. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts<br /><br />Other fine wines by Maison Albert Bichot are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dionysuswines/" target="_blank">Dionysus Wines & Spirits</a>.cono_surhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219124933976657219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254980354665815083.post-84675886459878913012024-03-13T05:00:00.019-04:002024-03-23T17:39:00.566-04:00March 16, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Family Feasts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsoN5ewI2Akb5mX27H848nNSzzrRUfRn6Gp42socQE51b8v0HbBb3jH202p1wYUtRRojBEqMDX6lcMHgGBWS5XxKgj-UNRnExhGoH9bZ7MOdNMXnd-JnaZX0lvJxK-0bx-sYPiiWLqGD6sUNmYDn-IZ3vejoxL5_s6u6ZqBZDqY3LBbgl0LxPbRaucOZd_/s800/240316_en.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="LCBO Wine Picks: March 16, 2023 VINTAGES New Release Collection" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="598" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsoN5ewI2Akb5mX27H848nNSzzrRUfRn6Gp42socQE51b8v0HbBb3jH202p1wYUtRRojBEqMDX6lcMHgGBWS5XxKgj-UNRnExhGoH9bZ7MOdNMXnd-JnaZX0lvJxK-0bx-sYPiiWLqGD6sUNmYDn-IZ3vejoxL5_s6u6ZqBZDqY3LBbgl0LxPbRaucOZd_/w200-h268/240316_en.jpg" title="LCBO Wine Picks: March 16, 2023 VINTAGES New Release Collection" width="200" /></a></div>Here's my top wine picks from the <a href="http://vintageassessments.com/MVC/240316.pdf" target="_blank">March 16, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection</a>. With Easter long weekend on the horizon, the feature of this release is titled "Perfect Pairings for Family Feasts". Overall, it is a very good release, albeit on the small-ish side that is on-trend for the year, with 85 products on offer.<br /><br />We'll begin with the feature on wines that are Perfect Pairings for Family Feasts. Of the seventeen wines that are included as part of the theme, six are included among my top wine picks. First up on the list is an excellent vintage Champagne that is crafted with <b>52% Pinot Noir and 48% Chardonnay</b> that will be ideal for pairing with appetizers. For pairing wines with cheese, try the <b>Sauvignon Blanc</b> from Niagara, or the wine from Bierzo that is made with <b>93% Mencía and 3% Alicante Bouschet</b>. The LCBO suggests serving the <b>Gamay Noir</b> from Niagara with veggies, although it is big enough to serve with richer dishes such as poultry, braises, or roasts. From Margaret River in Western Australia, the white wine crafted with <b>51% Sauvignon Blanc and 49% Sémillon</b> can be paired with weighty and textured dishes such as those with rich sauces. The last wine from the feature is a <b>Carmenère</b> from Chile, which can be paired with well-seasoned, full-flavoured meals.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFNtYRaCIaGQeTMqSTxzw0NMfX5eQsiHDCG5TiVFEPLowAKbB99hE_KWFFseFSaEyU2fYAxLGk639ViCwA-_dO5XmnhEcTk_H6JmcbTADd4bT7wV28AFVkQGkqsTr58XBi9t5yjr92AqF-FyLiDiUK0Vd9wQ0UFvss69b-77xjuJJE8aMYkdI3SIap17L/s900/Lanson-Le-Vintage-Brut-Champagne-2012-AC-France_08505.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lanson Le Vintage Brut Champagne 2012 (94 pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFNtYRaCIaGQeTMqSTxzw0NMfX5eQsiHDCG5TiVFEPLowAKbB99hE_KWFFseFSaEyU2fYAxLGk639ViCwA-_dO5XmnhEcTk_H6JmcbTADd4bT7wV28AFVkQGkqsTr58XBi9t5yjr92AqF-FyLiDiUK0Vd9wQ0UFvss69b-77xjuJJE8aMYkdI3SIap17L/w240-h320/Lanson-Le-Vintage-Brut-Champagne-2012-AC-France_08505.JPG" title="Lanson Le Vintage Brut Champagne 2012 (94 pts)" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklzBjQWSw29tH1U_xDj_f1YH-iygw1gUFaTGoM1G3RFhj3NABBQEqJ6TFQrbOZ9VK0a1R9VcT0DszCFf3C03CeQNVD2yZ8xqEqiJ5jIFU2Z-7gxX29udBERXZHrO6O7J6ip45CTcCqMrvcXnctemhjqEJ05ijTm_c9uml3rF6MkmB0kdW2S7xPHcecXdX/s900/Bachelder-Les-Villages-Gamay-Noir-2021-VQA-Niagara-Peninsula-Ontario-Canada_08939.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bachelder Les Villages Gamay Noir 2021 (92+ pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklzBjQWSw29tH1U_xDj_f1YH-iygw1gUFaTGoM1G3RFhj3NABBQEqJ6TFQrbOZ9VK0a1R9VcT0DszCFf3C03CeQNVD2yZ8xqEqiJ5jIFU2Z-7gxX29udBERXZHrO6O7J6ip45CTcCqMrvcXnctemhjqEJ05ijTm_c9uml3rF6MkmB0kdW2S7xPHcecXdX/w240-h320/Bachelder-Les-Villages-Gamay-Noir-2021-VQA-Niagara-Peninsula-Ontario-Canada_08939.JPG" title="Bachelder Les Villages Gamay Noir 2021 (92+ pts)" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7NJodYZ1xBHGnWXsIBLUMHQLvsBmYkAJwNraj_KXNhL4u2NOkj6Sxy5ItyucyN06y2ZDtj8ZsKSKNpdmHMwHsxVrMFrcWTM3FYPhm8Nk2U4BtfHPa3xYJTZi-DIMEdl_AQxaBW1dutS_SvCDExtf9XHZvnpa5IyyqRCijVoUMpV4mb_xitDfGiN8WWcV/s900/Descendientes-de-J-Palacios-Petalos-2021-Old-Vines-DO-Bierzo-Spain_152234770.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Descendientes de J. Palacios Pétalos 2021" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7NJodYZ1xBHGnWXsIBLUMHQLvsBmYkAJwNraj_KXNhL4u2NOkj6Sxy5ItyucyN06y2ZDtj8ZsKSKNpdmHMwHsxVrMFrcWTM3FYPhm8Nk2U4BtfHPa3xYJTZi-DIMEdl_AQxaBW1dutS_SvCDExtf9XHZvnpa5IyyqRCijVoUMpV4mb_xitDfGiN8WWcV/w240-h320/Descendientes-de-J-Palacios-Petalos-2021-Old-Vines-DO-Bierzo-Spain_152234770.jpg" title="Descendientes de J. Palacios Pétalos 2021" width="240" /></a></div><br />Red wine recommendations from the main release start in Italy with a Barolo that is, of course, crafted with <b>100% Nebbiolo</b>, followed by the Gran Selezione Chianti Classico that is made with <b>100% Sangiovese</b>. There's also a Rioja red that is composed of <b>86% Tempranillo, 8% Graciano, 4% Mazuelo, and 2% Garnacha</b>, while the Rhône red is <b>equal parts Grenache and Syrah</b>. For Australian Shiraz wine lovers, the Clare Valley wine is made with <b>100% Shiraz</b>, while the Frankland River <b>Shiraz is blended with 4% Touriga Nacional, 4% Mourvedre, and 1% Viognier</b>. And lastly, there is a fine <b>Pinot Noir</b> from Chile.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8CCjXf0st-e97KkokZyB5MTsSFrXLau334kcmFv6svtCDL8B9dl4-2qXAZsFqqc0AE5ERNWi6pUFIIHwZuvJW9NUBfOErFJ2i-mpQGaHTzUvML5D8XZ2R0mVQDfudfr-sC1YRumRup0WQcZD5ljCOEzyaDu9ycfGyh7-PidO8FVR4bjOrtWmxMBBYLnV/s900/Casa-E-di-Mirafiore-Barolo-2018-DOCG-Piedmont-Italy_08918.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Casa E. di Mirafiore Barolo 2018 (93 pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8CCjXf0st-e97KkokZyB5MTsSFrXLau334kcmFv6svtCDL8B9dl4-2qXAZsFqqc0AE5ERNWi6pUFIIHwZuvJW9NUBfOErFJ2i-mpQGaHTzUvML5D8XZ2R0mVQDfudfr-sC1YRumRup0WQcZD5ljCOEzyaDu9ycfGyh7-PidO8FVR4bjOrtWmxMBBYLnV/w240-h320/Casa-E-di-Mirafiore-Barolo-2018-DOCG-Piedmont-Italy_08918.JPG" title="Casa E. di Mirafiore Barolo 2018 (93 pts)" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglG6KrCHFa6KTDUJwADnlyp2WUVOfKws2Hktr6najHq2fIgK94ZbW-yE6sTzCjaobORufaeK77WJ3ONdpIx2spcr-_TYwJ0OmvemGzvHrQr-eUc4rbiR5e85TAPWd8RTwiD0LPoa3tiyEsetcLXo3fuBeeZpjEErYUmKYmSvlT_z9Xsv9wOXE3286S5NPp/s900/Clemente-VII-Gran-Selezione-Chianti-Classico-2019-DOCG-Tuscany-Italy_09287.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Clemente VII Gran Selezione Chianti Classico 2019 (91+ pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglG6KrCHFa6KTDUJwADnlyp2WUVOfKws2Hktr6najHq2fIgK94ZbW-yE6sTzCjaobORufaeK77WJ3ONdpIx2spcr-_TYwJ0OmvemGzvHrQr-eUc4rbiR5e85TAPWd8RTwiD0LPoa3tiyEsetcLXo3fuBeeZpjEErYUmKYmSvlT_z9Xsv9wOXE3286S5NPp/w240-h320/Clemente-VII-Gran-Selezione-Chianti-Classico-2019-DOCG-Tuscany-Italy_09287.JPG" title="Clemente VII Gran Selezione Chianti Classico 2019 (91+ pts)" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kjVoK52C-p3I3pkj1dyhKxtERws86RNBqSW90XU8oz7Y_ZU2VkZXg2fAfOB43f0EtQiXUZeLZlcnV6Kdhpq4dXVJ1EXmI2t0QzJlir7dHcm1XRs7TcpetZckXv8ozTf6ZFK0mb5fzw9DCZsv9BbgOP3VOMijP-llBDnffY3GWg8GnNOD0vgkHQG3UtQt/s900/Errazuriz-Aconcagua-Costa-Pinot-Noir-2021-DO-Aconcagua-Costa-Chile_09040.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Errázuriz Aconcagua Costa Pinot Noir 2021 (91+ pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kjVoK52C-p3I3pkj1dyhKxtERws86RNBqSW90XU8oz7Y_ZU2VkZXg2fAfOB43f0EtQiXUZeLZlcnV6Kdhpq4dXVJ1EXmI2t0QzJlir7dHcm1XRs7TcpetZckXv8ozTf6ZFK0mb5fzw9DCZsv9BbgOP3VOMijP-llBDnffY3GWg8GnNOD0vgkHQG3UtQt/w240-h320/Errazuriz-Aconcagua-Costa-Pinot-Noir-2021-DO-Aconcagua-Costa-Chile_09040.JPG" title="Errázuriz Aconcagua Costa Pinot Noir 2021 (91+ pts)" width="240" /></a></div><br />The only blend among my top white wine picks from the main release is the Soave from Veneto, which is composed of <b>85% Garganega and 15% Trebbiano di Soave</b>. Among the mono-varietal wines, the <b>Torrontés</b> from Argentina, <b>Chardonnay</b> from Australia, and <b>Sauvignon Blanc</b> from Chile all underwent barrel fermentation. Other white wine picks include an organic, old vine <b>Verdicchio</b> from Marche, as well as an off-dry (i.e. lightly sweet) <b>Riesling</b> from Niagara. There's also the lusciously sweet <b>Gewürztraminer</b> Icewine from Niagara that would be ideal for post-dinner sips.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw-RZyLR1Z4B9A_38VWL4Rpc0U4yy46q__xxzqM1SR85vH4ffUFg2hqC7cPKuvKc4aE3nM7FkDLq7nyhPaTuYycpP9yN7dDhL_LAkl-EPzcTGtsxqZnngAS-tehgQWVVNSeFs73mJXCseRawEbPOrDPogPaNoElAYERxZsadEiwhSyV7zOOHSr6yuFx-iu/s900/Pieropan-Soave-Classico-2022-DOC-Veneto-Italy_153307258.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pieropan Soave Classico 2022" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw-RZyLR1Z4B9A_38VWL4Rpc0U4yy46q__xxzqM1SR85vH4ffUFg2hqC7cPKuvKc4aE3nM7FkDLq7nyhPaTuYycpP9yN7dDhL_LAkl-EPzcTGtsxqZnngAS-tehgQWVVNSeFs73mJXCseRawEbPOrDPogPaNoElAYERxZsadEiwhSyV7zOOHSr6yuFx-iu/w240-h320/Pieropan-Soave-Classico-2022-DOC-Veneto-Italy_153307258.jpg" title="Pieropan Soave Classico 2022" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSc-kvjO3MQzPuQ3hGpoTYXRiKsbgB3jDwydPSKddw6mtdrMRGeWfbvsiQ0sa_lG9y4NTwtRzx2jijGqsbETSX-cLHdNhBg-3lKpdgLKaCT6Cy71VGWV3IbmkHFgpL4ngus_DDN4cN_ZaDrc6ahIHTQyOCXsRpoBjk1IQIrhrXvvL3tHSZIik2QcbGdHo/s900/Elderton-Eden-Valley-Chardonnay-2022-Single-Vineyard-Eden-Valley-South-Australia_09292.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Elderton Eden Valley Chardonnay 2022 (90+ pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSc-kvjO3MQzPuQ3hGpoTYXRiKsbgB3jDwydPSKddw6mtdrMRGeWfbvsiQ0sa_lG9y4NTwtRzx2jijGqsbETSX-cLHdNhBg-3lKpdgLKaCT6Cy71VGWV3IbmkHFgpL4ngus_DDN4cN_ZaDrc6ahIHTQyOCXsRpoBjk1IQIrhrXvvL3tHSZIik2QcbGdHo/w240-h320/Elderton-Eden-Valley-Chardonnay-2022-Single-Vineyard-Eden-Valley-South-Australia_09292.JPG" title="Elderton Eden Valley Chardonnay 2022 (90+ pts)" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA2ee6X-ThSW9mF8Mdd8s6NDKDTyDgFXGsGt1V3URAwZetI_bnP8K0u_wPFC_GH8mIOUiBloAWYvedH5bafx5loGBc3Nfe7FUXl5neywbUyv6XXvC8ysUnZiAhSYzscbJbzBzAox4kCja1QSBmajHe3WJK5Zf_wPv4h0PXYb3iOPoXn87w13P5qHlKMiF1/s900/Fortes-Sauvignon-Blanc-2022-WO-Napier-South-Africa_09291.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fortes Sauvignon Blanc 2022 (89 pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA2ee6X-ThSW9mF8Mdd8s6NDKDTyDgFXGsGt1V3URAwZetI_bnP8K0u_wPFC_GH8mIOUiBloAWYvedH5bafx5loGBc3Nfe7FUXl5neywbUyv6XXvC8ysUnZiAhSYzscbJbzBzAox4kCja1QSBmajHe3WJK5Zf_wPv4h0PXYb3iOPoXn87w13P5qHlKMiF1/w240-h320/Fortes-Sauvignon-Blanc-2022-WO-Napier-South-Africa_09291.JPG" title="Fortes Sauvignon Blanc 2022 (89 pts)" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7iu1rpDdQFGk5PMLfNbkkVHkGIZ86bJO2wzPBc6ArHmJh8GUNQ6TtBFfVuGktpo_Y9u0TPlItC9o2C-cK3Mt5ewPY4YJ4Dn5GsUv_UeRp4Rc3uL3hByDAYEPEjwU-8Y2sqFAYOjgvfQQUrQi7iBqbWorbBzX8ORbAfaD91mBh3Em2O9zR0YmUdo81_m_/s900/Lakeview-Cellars-Gewurztraminer-Icewine-2019-VQA-Niagara-Peninsula-Ontario-Canada_07519.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lakeview Cellars Gewürztraminer Icewine 2019 (92+ pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7iu1rpDdQFGk5PMLfNbkkVHkGIZ86bJO2wzPBc6ArHmJh8GUNQ6TtBFfVuGktpo_Y9u0TPlItC9o2C-cK3Mt5ewPY4YJ4Dn5GsUv_UeRp4Rc3uL3hByDAYEPEjwU-8Y2sqFAYOjgvfQQUrQi7iBqbWorbBzX8ORbAfaD91mBh3Em2O9zR0YmUdo81_m_/w240-h320/Lakeview-Cellars-Gewurztraminer-Icewine-2019-VQA-Niagara-Peninsula-Ontario-Canada_07519.JPG" title="Lakeview Cellars Gewürztraminer Icewine 2019 (92+ pts)" width="240" /></a></div><br />Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Red Wine:</h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>LAVAU CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2019</b> - AC, France (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=421024" target="_blank">#421024</a>) (XD) - $16.95</li><li><b>SAN PEDRO 1865 SELECTED VINEYARDS CARMENÈRE 2022</b> - Las Lagunas, DO Valle de Colchagua, Chile (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=249201" target="_blank">#249201</a>) (XD) - $19.95</li><li><b>ERRÁZURIZ ACONCAGUA COSTA PINOT NOIR 2021</b> - Sustainable, DO Aconcagua Costa, Chile (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=541151" target="_blank">#541151</a>) (XD) - $22.95 <i>91+ pts <a href="https://www.winealign.com/wines/156403-Errazuriz-Aconcagua-Costa-Pinot-Noir-2021" target="_blank">wine review</a></i></li><li><b>JIM BARRY THE LODGE HILL SHIRAZ 2021</b> - Clare Valley, South Australia (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=998476" target="_blank">#998476</a>) (XD) - $23.95</li><li><b>FRANKLAND ESTATE SHIRAZ 2020</b> - Frankland River, Western Australia (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=15998" target="_blank">#15998</a>) (XD) - $25.95</li><li><b>BACHELDER LES VILLAGES GAMAY NOIR 2021</b> - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=17239" target="_blank">#17239</a>) (XD) - $26.95 <i>92+ pts <a href="https://www.winealign.com/wines/156395-Bachelder-Les-Villages-Gamay-Noir-2021" target="_blank">wine review</a></i></li><li><b>DESCENDIENTES DE J. PALACIOS PÉTALOS 2021</b> - Old vines, DO Bierzo, Spain (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=446484" target="_blank">#446484</a>) (XD) - $28.95</li><li><b>CLEMENTE VII GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019</b> - Sustainable, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=573493" target="_blank">#573493</a>) (XD) - $35.95 <i>91+ pts <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2024/03/clemente-vii-gran-selezione-chianti-classico-2019-tuscany-wine-review.html">wine review</a></i></li><li><b>MARQUÉS DE MURRIETA FINCA YGAY RESERVA 2018</b> - DOCa Rioja, Spain (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=209148" target="_blank">#209148</a>) (XD) - $37.95</li><li><b>CASA E. DI MIRAFIORE BAROLO 2018</b> - Vegan, DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=26908" target="_blank">#26908</a>) (XD) - $56.95 <i>93 pts <a href="https://www.winealign.com/wines/156369-Mirafiore-Barolo-2018" target="_blank">wine review</a></i></li></ul><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">White Wine:</h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>SKUTTLEBUTT SAUVIGNON BLANC / SEMILLON 2022</b> - Margaret River, Western Australia (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=47621" target="_blank">#47621</a>) (XD) - $19.95</li><li><b>HENRY OF PELHAM THE DRY RIVER RIESLING 2022</b> - Sustainable, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=557165" target="_blank">#557165</a>) (D) - $19.95</li><li><b>TRIUS DISTINCTION SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021</b> - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=19379" target="_blank">#19379</a>) (XD) - $19.95</li><li><b>PIEROPAN SOAVE CLASSICO 2022</b> - DOC, Veneto, Italy (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=946848" target="_blank">#946848</a>) (XD) - $20.95</li><li><b>SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE BARREL FERMENTED TORRONTÉS 2022</b> - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=384339" target="_blank">#384339</a>) (XD) - $22.95</li><li><b>FORTES SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022</b> - WO Napier, South Africa (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=33297" target="_blank">#33297</a>) (XD) - $23.95 <i>89 pts <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2024/03/fortes-sauvignon-blanc-2022-south-africa-wine-review.html">wine review</a></i><br /></li><li><b>ELDERTON EDEN VALLEY CHARDONNAY 2022</b> - Single vineyard, Eden Valley, South Australia (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=15054" target="_blank">#15054</a>) (XD) - $23.95 <i>90+ pts <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2024/03/elderton-eden-valley-chardonnay-2022-australia-wine-review.html">wine review</a></i></li><li><b>LEYDA LOT 4 SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021</b> - Valle de Leyda, Chile (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=18997" target="_blank">#18997</a>) (XD) - $25.95</li><li><b>CASAL DI SERRA VECCHIE VIGNE VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2021</b> - DOC, Marche, Italy (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=98111" target="_blank">#98111</a>) (XD) - $26.95</li></ul><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Sparkling Wine:</h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>LANSON LE VINTAGE BRUT CHAMPAGNE 2012</b> - AC, France (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=29949" target="_blank">#29949</a>) (XD) - $99.95 <i>94 pts <a href="https://www.winealign.com/wines/156373-Lanson-Gold-Label-Vintage-Brut-Champagne-2012" target="_blank">wine review</a></i></li></ul><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Dessert Wine:</h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>LAKEVIEW CELLARS GEWÜRZTRAMINER ICEWINE 2019</b> - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=547703" target="_blank">#547703</a>, 200mL) (S) - $34.95 <i>92+ pts <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2022/11/lakeview-cellars-gewurztraminer-icewine-2019-niagara-wine-review.html">wine review</a></i></li></ul>cono_surhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219124933976657219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254980354665815083.post-37055845568456202782024-03-11T17:50:00.002-04:002024-03-11T18:03:07.871-04:00Kacaba Cabernet/Syrah 2020 (Niagara) - Wine Review<time datetime="2024-03-11">Tonight's</time> red wine review is a lovely Cabernet Franc and Syrah blend that was locally and sustainably grown and crafted in Niagara and arrived at the LCBO as part of the recent <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2024/02/march-2-2024-lcbo-vintages-release-wine-picks-italian-women-in-wine.html"><time datetime="2024-03-02">March 2nd</time> LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection</a>.<br /><br />Like the <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2023/08/kacaba-cabernet-franc-2019-niagara-wine-review.html">2019 Kacaba Cabernet Franc</a> that I enjoyed last year, this red wine is also produced by <a href="https://kacaba.com/" target="_blank">Kacaba Vineyards & Winery</a>, a premium, small-batch winery located on prime, winegrowing land on the Niagara Escarpment in Vineland, Ontario. The history of the winery begins in 1997 after the land was purchased by Michael Kacaba, a Bay St. lawyer in Toronto of Ukrainian descent and a Saskatchewan background. Although the land was slated for a subdivision, Mr. Kacaba had other visions and began the work to establish a vineyard and winery. Only two years later, in 1999, Kacaba had their first vintage and consistent success followed thereafter.<br /><br />The choice of establishing the vineyard and winery on the Niagara Escarpment - the slope leading to the lake bed of the prehistoric lake that covered southern Ontario - has greatly contributed to Kacaba's success. This unique geographical area sets up a circulating air flow whereby cold air naturally moves down the Escarpment and over Lake Ontario, where it warms, rises, and returns to heat the Escarpment. This process helps extend the frost-free season through spring and fall, thereby extending the growing season, which allows grapes such as Syrah and Bordeaux varieties, such as Cabernet Franc, to develop phenolic maturity.<br /><br />Today, while no longer owned by Michael Kacaba, the wines of Kacaba Vineyards & Winery are produced using only the finest grapes on the estate or from partner growers in surrounding vineyards. The philosophy at Kacaba is dependent on producing small quantities of wines by limiting the quantities they can handle such that they are able to manage all aspects of the winemaking process mainly by hand. By focusing on small-batch winemaking, Kacaba is able to produce wines of merit that are deep in colour, rich in aromas and character. Kacaba also strives to encourage sustainable agriculture on their land, as well as their partner growers.<br /><br />This red wine is a blend of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Syrah, and due to the stellar growing season in the Niagara region, the Cabernet Franc was harvested in early November, while the Syrah was harvested in mid-October. Each varietal was picked separately at slightly different times and kept separate throughout the vinification process. The grapes were gently destemmed and fermented in stainless steel containers. After pressing, the wines were aged in a combination of French and American oak barrels for 17 months. In the spring of 2022, Winemaker Vadim Chelekhov tasted the various barrels of wine and selected the unique tasting casks that showed elegant tannins and overall balance. The chosen barrels were then blended, filtered, and bottled on May 17, 2022.<br /><br />The 2020 growing season started off warmer than average and was mostly dry with only a few snow storms in January and February. The warm trend continued into March, but then slowed in April, which included a cold snap in the latter part of the month, and kept the vines dormant. The great growing season took off once spring arrived in May, followed by a dry and warm summer, which was followed by a cool, dry, and long fall season. With extensive crop thinning, leaf pulling, and constant vineyard monitoring, the Cabernet Franc grapes hung on to the vines into October and early November. From a vintage that has been deemed the vintage of the century in Niagara, let's see how this 2020 Cabernet Franc - Syrah blend from Niagara is tasting tonight...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic627fVxDWJzGnuCJZryJvj3oqdzkq2qsrHyUo1G242wcMo3hdKLlJShkGNMATLDCNvjcs2Drg5Yi0pTMLToTxnOos_3S_U7Q2vxZM5R22-COIHHvofSM_fQBHzGZk4ebYaVxoxt161ejcOdFQBM8LEHt8eTwrdBApsYW3CSs1xDY3qf1d6zfe8uKaRGyF/s900/Kacaba-Cabernet-Syrah-2020-VQA-Niagara-Peninsula-Ontario-Canada_09286.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kacaba Cabernet/Syrah 2020 (90 pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic627fVxDWJzGnuCJZryJvj3oqdzkq2qsrHyUo1G242wcMo3hdKLlJShkGNMATLDCNvjcs2Drg5Yi0pTMLToTxnOos_3S_U7Q2vxZM5R22-COIHHvofSM_fQBHzGZk4ebYaVxoxt161ejcOdFQBM8LEHt8eTwrdBApsYW3CSs1xDY3qf1d6zfe8uKaRGyF/w300-h400/Kacaba-Cabernet-Syrah-2020-VQA-Niagara-Peninsula-Ontario-Canada_09286.JPG" title="Kacaba Cabernet/Syrah 2020 (90 pts)" width="300" /></a></div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Tasting Note:</h4><b>KACABA CABERNET / SYRAH 2020</b> - Sustainable, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=26424" target="_blank">#26424</a>) (XD) - $24.95<br />A blend of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Syrah, this has a rich, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose that offers pleasing, ripe red & black fruit, currant, raspberry, oak spice, chocolate, and savoury earth aromas, plus hints of plum, meaty, and mineral notes. It's medium-bodied on the dry palate with delicious, tangy red & black fruits, currant, raspberry, savoury earth flavours, plus subtle oak spice, black pepper, and meaty notes add further character. It has fresh, lemony acidity, while the smooth, supple, and refined tannins are well-managed. There's a touch of chalky grip on the back palate. Tangy with savoury earth and mineral notes linger on the long, fresh finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the next 5+ years. Score: 90 pts<br /><br />Some of the fine wines by Kacaba Vineyards are available at the LCBO, while the full range is available direct from winery in Niagara.cono_surhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219124933976657219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254980354665815083.post-73333289089632423582024-03-09T20:57:00.006-05:002024-03-09T20:57:52.690-05:00Samos Vin Doux White Muscat (Greece) - Wine Review<time datetime="2024-03-09">Tonight's</time> wine review is a delectably sweet fortified wine from the Island of Samos in Greece that made its inaugural arrival at the LCBO in last weekend's <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2024/02/march-2-2024-lcbo-vintages-release-wine-picks-italian-women-in-wine.html"><time datetime="2024-03-02">March 2</time> LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection</a>.<br /><br />It is produced by <a href="https://www.samoswine.gr/" target="_blank">United Winemaking Agricultural Cooperative of Samos</a> (UWC Samos), one of the oldest cooperative wineries in Greece as it was founded in 1934. UWC Samos is also one of Greece's biggest wineries, composed of more than 2,200 producers participating in the Cooperative as members.<br /> <br />The Cooperative was formed after actions taken by the vine growers of the island in 1934, and has proved that the alliance was a strategically important move that helped the preservation of viticulture on the island, as well as the protection of the producers' income. As a cooperative, the principal objective of UWC Samos is to advance the economic and social conditions of its member vine growers and, in general, the Samian society. UWC Samos receives the grapes, produces the wine, and trades almost the entire production of the island through their modern wineries in Malagari (the capital of the island) and Karlovassi (the second-biggest town). In a harmonious combination with traditional viticulture and winemaking, UWC Samos is in constant search for modernization while investing in technology and know-how. The wines of Samos have received hundreds of distinctions at international competitions and fairs over the years, with the very first award received in 1937. <br /><br />While Somas Muscat wines of Protected Designation of Origin Samos (or PDO Samos) are one of the oldest origin-controlled appellations in Europe, the history of viticulture on the island goes back much further. When one thinks of Samos vineyards, the word's mythology, history, and the name of "Ampelos" (Vine) for one of the two mountain ranges that dominate the island come to mind. The history of Samos wine dates back to early antiquity, while legend says that Dionysus (the god of wine) taught the Samians all about winegrowing and winemaking in order to thank them for their help in defeating the Amazons. According to tradition, the first person to teach winegrowing to the inhabitants of the island was the hero of the Argonauts, Agkaios. There are also historical references in antiquity that reference the wines of Samos in the writings of Hippocrates, Galenos, and Theophrastos, while "Samena" military ships transported wine in amphorae with a pointed base from Samos to various ports in other parts of the globe. References to Samos wine are also found during the Byzantine period, when a traveller clergyman visited the island in 741 AD.<br /><br />A turbulent history on the island culminated in the almost complete desolation of the land during the 15th century, which resulted in the abandonment of the vineyards as natives lived in hiding in inaccessible mountain areas. Fortunately, Samos was recolonized a century later with people arriving from all parts of Greece, and the history of Muscat wines on the Island of Samos begins again. During the Ottoman occupation and after 1562, European forces appear to be commercially interested in the wines of Samos and setup Consulates on the island for this purpose. Samos' wines were noted by French and German travellers during the 18th century, and in the 19th century, Samos was supplying branded wines to the east and west, while the Catholic Church granted Samos the privilege of producing wine certified by the Catholic Mission.<br /><br />In 2016, UWC Samos formed a strategic alliance with Greek Wine Cellars to further the commercial development of the award-winning Samos wines, with the aim of strengthening its position in domestic and international markets.<br /><br />As a fortified wine, the Samos Vin Doux falls under the Vins de Liqueurs category. Not only is it the most popular wine of Samos, this wine is also the No. 1 selling sweet wine in Greece. It is crafted using the indigenous White Muscat of Samos, the grape that reigns king on the island. It was grown on semi-mountainous and mountainous terraces that are influenced by the sun and the Aegean winds. Let's see how this Vin de Liqueur from Samos is tasting tonight...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jceSIe7OkcCrqnQygvQuTJCHG9JlMGD4_47Z9zJJu_V3Hcthd3cVbv3cOwtbr8cjJq791L0FSTnNj_AYphA94RJfx-QQBpNiZh1kDgYJt0V76SpPi1YuJVFFY1CpgXqMGSy6QEaPe-NhI9HAmUxmD5tjEFFnSrHGaxU5kW8QTbzjl9r57QMMT1qmg0v_/s900/Samos-Vin-Doux-White-Muscat-PDO-Samos-Greece_09285.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Samos Vin Doux White Muscat (90+ pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jceSIe7OkcCrqnQygvQuTJCHG9JlMGD4_47Z9zJJu_V3Hcthd3cVbv3cOwtbr8cjJq791L0FSTnNj_AYphA94RJfx-QQBpNiZh1kDgYJt0V76SpPi1YuJVFFY1CpgXqMGSy6QEaPe-NhI9HAmUxmD5tjEFFnSrHGaxU5kW8QTbzjl9r57QMMT1qmg0v_/w300-h400/Samos-Vin-Doux-White-Muscat-PDO-Samos-Greece_09285.JPG" title="Samos Vin Doux White Muscat (90+ pts)" width="300" /></a></div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Tasting Note:</h4><b>SAMOS VIN DOUX WHITE MUSCAT</b> - PDO Samos, Greece (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=44578" target="_blank">#44578</a>) (S) - $15.95<br />Attractive, medium-high intensity nose of dried apricot, orange marmalade, peach, and honey aromas with a touch of golden raisin. It's mid-weighted on the palate with a sweet and spicy flavour profile of dried apricot, peach, orange zest, honey, and raisin replays, plus butterscotch and caramel flavours adding further complexity. It has well-balanced acidity, along with some warmth on the mid-palate, while notes of dried apricot, orange zest, caramel, and touches of vanilla linger on the long, delicious finish. Really sings after a nice chill. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts<br /><br />Small quantities of other fine wines by UWC Samos are available at the LCBO, while the entire range can be ordered through their Agent - <a href="https://kolonakifinewines.com/" target="_blank">Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits</a>.cono_surhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219124933976657219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254980354665815083.post-84630532878223862662024-03-07T17:37:00.000-05:002024-03-07T17:37:05.284-05:00Les Hauts de Lagarde Blanc 2022 (Bordeaux) - Wine ReviewTonight's white wine review is a delicious, organic and vegan white wine blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon from Bordeaux that arrived at the LCBO over the weekend as part of the <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2024/02/march-2-2024-lcbo-vintages-release-wine-picks-italian-women-in-wine.html">LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on March 2nd</a>.<br /><br />It is produced by <a href="https://maison-raymond.vin/" target="_blank">Maison Raymond</a>, a vigneron and negociant that is located in the southeastern end of Bordeaux's largest appellation, the Entre-Deux-Mers region, southeast of the city of Bordeaux. It was founded by the Raymond family in 1850 and, as such, they have a long history of winegrowing since the medieval times in the villages of Saint-Laurent-du-Bois, Saint-Martial, and Saint-Felix de Conclude.<br /><br />Today, Maison Raymond is led by the 8th generation of the family. They reside on the family property of Domaine du Château de Lagarde, which had been built over the years by successive generations. The winery honours its heritage by using a special combination of ancestral tradition and the most efficient modern technologies to craft its wines. Organic farming at Maison Raymond was introduced after Lionel Raymond acquired an organic vineyard in 2000 and, because he had a strong respect for the environment and terroir, he was convinced that organic was the way to move forward and proceeded to convert all 130 hectares of vines at Maison Raymond to organic viticulture. Most winemakers in the area thought he was crazy as it was twice the work of a conventional vineyard. Today, Maison Raymond is one of Bordeaux's largest organic wineries and one of the few in the region that has made a commitment to organic viticulture. Maison Raymond is passionately relentless in its commitment to crating wines using natural, chemical-free methods, and without compromising on quality.<br /><br />Like the <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2021/01/les-hauts-de-lagarde-blanc-2019-bordeaux-wine-review.html">2019 Les Hauts de Lagarde Blanc</a> that I enjoyed a few years ago, this vintage is also a blend of 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Sémillon. The grapes were sourced from hillside sites in Saint Laurent du Bois. The climate at these sites is mild, with cooling breezes off the Atlantic Ocean, with lots of sunshine and regular rain. The vineyards are planted in soil composed of clay and limestone. The grapes were vinified completely in thermo-regulated stainless steel vats, without the use of any oak.<br /><br />The 2022 growing season was surprisingly good, despite the perilous conditions. Winter started cool and dry, with dry conditions remaining in place even as temperatures started to rise in spring, and allowed for both an early and successful budburst and flowering. The aforementioned perilous conditions arrived with frosts in April and significant hailstorms in June. Yields were cut, but temperatures continued to rise, leading to drought conditions. July was the driest in decades, and from that month onward there was virtually no rain, and it featured prominent heatwaves. Serious wildfires sparked concerns of smoke taint, but most of the vineyards managed to escape unscathed. Cool nights helped bring some relief, which in turn helped preserve aromatic freshness and acidity in the fruit. Harvest was a little early, with much of the resulting fruit exceptionally fine. Let's see how this 2022 Bordeaux Blanc is tasting tonight...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHtug9Ay19fZmIlgu82HY8Kl-kXZwMZyBQ7bDBrAaP_VZA_PE3B9yLH982BqCo_Ztr_HhCmh_lCLQYJiZVYNImqhSZ_D2EgavIx9z9RRLsvUXUtjHhelmQY8yJt-eUBHLDdmYzhGqzHL1XCvuKARPCPCRSXc752hkFWiPwnu0nFCQfwqrlS1cWiZs9YEN/s900/Les-Hauts-de-Lagarde-Blanc-2022-AC-Bordeaux-France_09284.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Les Hauts de Lagarde Blanc 2022 (89 pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHtug9Ay19fZmIlgu82HY8Kl-kXZwMZyBQ7bDBrAaP_VZA_PE3B9yLH982BqCo_Ztr_HhCmh_lCLQYJiZVYNImqhSZ_D2EgavIx9z9RRLsvUXUtjHhelmQY8yJt-eUBHLDdmYzhGqzHL1XCvuKARPCPCRSXc752hkFWiPwnu0nFCQfwqrlS1cWiZs9YEN/w300-h400/Les-Hauts-de-Lagarde-Blanc-2022-AC-Bordeaux-France_09284.JPG" title="Les Hauts de Lagarde Blanc 2022 (89 pts)" width="300" /></a></div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Tasting Note:</h4><b>LES HAUTS DE LAGARDE BLANC 2022</b> - Vegan, AC Bordeaux, France (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=387787" target="_blank">#387787</a>) (XD) - $19.95<br />This organic white wine is a blend of 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Sémillon. The medium to medium-high intensity nose offers an attractive bouquet of citrus, apple, grapefruit, orange, and honeysuckle aromas layered over guava, passion fruit, and tropical fruit notes. It has good concentration on the dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied with lovely citrus, grapefruit, white floral, herbal, and spice flavours. It's supported by fresh, lemony acidity, while citrusy, spice, and mineral notes linger on the juicy finish, with very good length. Enjoyable now, but will be even better with a further 6-12 months in the cellar. Highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts<br /><br />Other fine wines by Maison Raymond can be ordered through their Agent - <a href="http://www.rareearthwines.com/" target="_blank">Rare Earth Wines</a>.<br />cono_surhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219124933976657219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254980354665815083.post-68873645374689343512024-03-05T17:45:00.001-05:002024-03-05T17:45:18.850-05:00El Goru Gold Monastrell/Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (Spain) - Wine Review<time datetime="2024-03-05">Tonight's</time> red wine review is a lovely, vegan-friendly Monastrell-based blend from Jumilla in Spain that arrived at the LCBO over the weekend in the <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2024/02/march-2-2024-lcbo-vintages-release-wine-picks-italian-women-in-wine.html"><time datetime="2024-03-02">March 2, 2024</time> LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection</a>.<br /><br />It is produced by <a href="https://egobodegas.com/" target="_blank">Ego Bodegas</a>, a winery project that was started from scratch in 2011 by Santos Ortiz, of Spanish origin, and Ioana Paunescu from Romania. The project was born out of the partners' passion and effort. While they were short on financial resources, they had an extraordinary talent for creating wines and coordinating the financial, marketing, and sales departments.<br /><br />Together, Santos and Ioana, who are united and committed, both personally and professionally, built the winery from top to bottom, from the roof down. They fell in love with a spectacular farm in an area known as the carpenter's place, just a few kilometres away from the historical city of Jumilla. Situated in an elevated area, they enjoyed the beauty of the landscape which was surrounded by vineyards planted to Monastrell that were older than their combined ages. Their objectives were sales and profitability, as when these targets are achieved, it would guarantee the future of the company. The idea was simple: to achieve a balance between the three concepts of quality, image, and price, and then get to work to achieve that balance. The process took two years, and by 2013 Ego Bodegas had a good design, good pricing, and good wine that has been improving ever since, allowing the company to gain a foothold in over 30 countries.<br /><br />Today, Ego Bodegas is a winery with modern facilities that improve quality and efficiency, and strives to seek out the best technology available. Since the beginning, they have taken a contemporary twist on winemaking by combining traditional methods with modern techniques. They have also been fascinated by the land and the magical combination of its soil and native grape variety - Monastrell, while devoting themselves to finding the best vineyards and obtaining the best fruit possible. Monastrell is a native variety to Jumilla and has best adapted to the climatic and soil conditions of the region. As such, more than 80% of the vineyards in Jumilla are planted to Monastrell. The climate in the region is continental, influenced by the Mediterranean in the east and by the plateau of La Mancha in the west. Along with a sunny and arid climate, it receives more than 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, and is one of the driest areas of Spain, averaging 300 litres per square metre in annual precipitation over the last few years. The soil in Jumilla is dark and enriched with lime, while also being permeable with good moisture retention, which helps the vines during periods of drought.<br /><br />This red wine is a blend of mainly Monastrell (70%), which is also known as Mourvèdre and Mataro in other regions. Completing the blend is 20% Syrah, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. All the grapes were harvested by hand with a strict selection in the vineyard. In the cellar, maceration is supervised in order to reach the ideal wine profile. The pigeage technique for pumping down, which leads to a slower extraction and favours the development of varietal aromas. It underwent a temperature-controlled fermentation up to a maximum of 28ºC in order to extract the full potential of the grapes. It was aged for 12 months in new French and American oak barrels.<br /><br />The 2019 growing season was a warm, dry year in Spain, with below average rainfall, an early summer heatwave for some regions, and very low levels of disease in the vineyards. Conditions were wet and windy during flowering, which kept yields naturally at a modest level, while berries and bunch weights were significantly smaller than the prior year. Harvest was extended into November, allowing for a long ripening season. According to Wines from Spain, 2019 may end up being one of the best vintages of the decade. Let's see how this 2019 Jumilla red from Spain is tasting tonight...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcAU-Fw9w-2fYCvpy9Okb4H6_eXK6IEEG7IQxh1gHph_izvzfDcpMtM-_XnLUqFcrUn2CV7WhFZAcBq6AqYmLgTFNwAP_CU6_I7q5wsPs6LE6KjEZbLeipqE5EjAKnqWIu5Px6rnkNrnCnjNxe1f6lhCh7ZGh7JvIpt_Djxn81Wh7jBYNuX8LM3PUlhMh/s900/El-Goru-Gold-Monastrell-Syrah-Cabernet-Sauvignon-2019-DOP-Jumilla-Spain_09283.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="El Goru Gold Monastrell/Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (89 pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcAU-Fw9w-2fYCvpy9Okb4H6_eXK6IEEG7IQxh1gHph_izvzfDcpMtM-_XnLUqFcrUn2CV7WhFZAcBq6AqYmLgTFNwAP_CU6_I7q5wsPs6LE6KjEZbLeipqE5EjAKnqWIu5Px6rnkNrnCnjNxe1f6lhCh7ZGh7JvIpt_Djxn81Wh7jBYNuX8LM3PUlhMh/w300-h400/El-Goru-Gold-Monastrell-Syrah-Cabernet-Sauvignon-2019-DOP-Jumilla-Spain_09283.JPG" title="El Goru Gold Monastrell/Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (89 pts)" width="300" /></a></div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Tasting Note:</h4><b>EL GORU GOLD MONASTRELL / SYRAH / CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019</b> - Vegan, DOP Jumilla, Spain (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=13621" target="_blank">#13621</a>) (XD) - $19.95<br />This blend of 70% Monastrell, 20% Syrah, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon has a fragrant, open, medium-high to highly aromatic nose that delivers a perfumed nose of spices, dark berry, blackberry, woodsy earth, and black plum. On the dry, medium-full bodied palate it offers delicious ripe black-purple fruit, blackberry, violet, cedar, earthy oak, and black pepper spice flavours that are framed by smooth, ripe, and refined tannins and crisp, juicy acidity. The mouthfeel has a supple grip on the mid-palate, while earthy oak and smoke notes linger on the long, balanced finish. Very nicely done. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the next 4-5 years. Score: 89 pts<br /><br />A few wines by Ego Bodegas can be found at the LCBO, while the entire portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - <a href="https://kolonakifinewines.com/" target="_blank">Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits</a>.cono_surhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219124933976657219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254980354665815083.post-28931829401102768482024-03-03T17:44:00.000-05:002024-03-03T17:44:21.875-05:00Brancaia N°2 Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (Tuscany) - Wine Review<time datetime="2024-03-03">Tonight's</time> red wine review is an excellent, organic Cabernet Sauvignon from the Maremma Toscana DOC in Italy that arrived at the LCBO this weekend as part of the feature on Italian Women in Wine in the <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2024/02/march-2-2024-lcbo-vintages-release-wine-picks-italian-women-in-wine.html"><time datetime="2024-03-02">March 2nd</time> LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection</a>.<br /><br />It is produced by <a href="https://brancaia.com/" target="_blank">Brancaia</a>, a prominent and modern estate winery that was revived in 1981 when the Swiss couple Brigitte and Bruno Widmer fell in love with each other and purchased an abandoned winery on the Brancaia hill in Castellina in Chianti. There were four hectares of vineyards on the site, and with their location on a hill they thought it should be possible to produce first-class wine here that reflects the character of the region. The Widmer family was able to move forward with the production of quality wine and the infrastructure and know-how of the Mazzei family.<br /><br />In 1986, the family winery gained recognition at an important 1983 vintage Chianti Classico tasting and international acclaim followed soon thereafter. The success of the winery led to expansion in Radda in Chianti in 1989. In 1998, the Widmer's acquired 82 hectares of land facing the Mediterranean Sea (only 10 kilometres away) in the Maremma, within the territory of the municipality of Grosseto, to establish Brancaia in Maremma. Like their other estates, Brancaia planted vineyards in Maremma that were surrounded by forests and, thus, protected it from any spray from their neighbours.<br /><br />While the Swiss couple laid the foundation stone, Brancaia has long been in the hands of the second generation of the Widmer family. Today, the family business is run by Barbara Widmer, daughter of Brigitte & Bruno. Living on the estate since the 1990s, Barbara took part in her first harvest in 1993, and began studying oenology in Switzerland in 1995. She is supported by the whole family, including the 3rd generation, who is now also involved in smaller tasks, but getting more and more involved every day. For example, her daughter, Nina, helps out with social media activities, while her son, Nicolas, likes to help out in the Osteria’s kitchen.<br /><br />Brancaia is a top-producer of high-quality, organic wines. Since 1982, only a year after their founding, Brancaia has been cultivating organic viticulture because their vineyards on Brancaia hill were always completely surrounded by forest, and they never had to be concerned that spray from their neighbours would reach Brancaia. All the wines are vinified at Brancaia in cellars and a logistics centre that meets the highest standards. The Widmer family values traditions and feels a strong connection to Tuscany, while also not being afraid to break new ground. Since day one, Brancaia has been producing top-quality wines typical of the region and without compromise. While they are proud of what they have achieved so far, the Widmer family has a drive to keep developing. <br /><br />First produced in 2015, the "N°2" is the little brother to their flagship Ilatraia wine from Maremma. It is crafted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that was grown exclusively in their vineyards in Maremma and is classified as a Maremma Toscana DOC wine, a relatively new appellation that was elevated to DOC status in 2011. The vineyards where this Cabernet Sauvignon was grown are planted on sandy loamy soil, with two-thirds sand and one-third silt and clay, and situated between 75 and 175 metres above sea level with a southwest exposure to the sun. The climate in this area is mediterranean with very hot summers and very mild winters. There are also massive differences between day and nighttime temperatures, as well as a nearly constant coastal breeze from the sea in the west that assures continuous ventilation of the vineyards. To craft this wine, the grapes were hand-picked and spontaneously fermented using cultivated yeast at 28°C, with up to 18 days of must contact. It was matured for 12 months in used tonneaux, followed by further ageing for a few months in bottle.<br /><br />From a good-to-excellent vintage, let's see how this 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon from Tuscany is tasting tonight...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3KV8kHLygY9x3eKVYz_jl1OaZbQ6tmCwPk1dbfeb2aFLLKrVjz_DA7rMQ1TRA2Mr9_F-mW2hLsTko2D3gT8Yv1nMDhNZR-YA4hyphenhyphenWiOhiQM7oEX1RH24PyNHS9YIVdScBRdcZrDX9J7o8j0ERrdK3hBU5UrSkqTUURL0YO7_2qinpW2vB0xNCM4C3_zbe/s900/Brancaia-No-2-Cabernet-Sauvignon-2021-DOC-Maremma-Toscana-Italy_09282.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Brancaia N°2 Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (92 pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3KV8kHLygY9x3eKVYz_jl1OaZbQ6tmCwPk1dbfeb2aFLLKrVjz_DA7rMQ1TRA2Mr9_F-mW2hLsTko2D3gT8Yv1nMDhNZR-YA4hyphenhyphenWiOhiQM7oEX1RH24PyNHS9YIVdScBRdcZrDX9J7o8j0ERrdK3hBU5UrSkqTUURL0YO7_2qinpW2vB0xNCM4C3_zbe/w300-h400/Brancaia-No-2-Cabernet-Sauvignon-2021-DOC-Maremma-Toscana-Italy_09282.JPG" title="Brancaia N°2 Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (92 pts)" width="300" /></a></div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Tasting Note:</h4><b>BRANCAIA N°2 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021</b> - DOC Maremma Toscana, Italy (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=28451" target="_blank">#28451</a>) (XD) - $33.95<br />This organic 100% Cabernet Sauvignon has a fragrant, medium-high intensity nose that is ripe with black cherry, red currant, cassis, and Doris plum aromas accented with savoury whiffs of earth and reductive notes. On the medium-full bodied, well-structured palate it has ripe and spicy flavours of black cherry, red currant, plum, forest herbs, mineral, and wet earth with touches of iron. It is juicy with crisp acidity and ripe, well-structured tannins that have some youthful grip. Savoury minerals linger on the long, grippy, well-structured finish. Enjoyable now, but will reward with a few years in the cellar. Drink over the next 8-10 years. Highly recommended buy! Score: 92 pts<br /><br />Minimal quantities of other fine wines by Brancaia can be found at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - <a href="https://nobleestates.com/" target="_blank">Noble Estates Wines & Spirits</a>.cono_surhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219124933976657219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254980354665815083.post-18497830353036708232024-02-29T17:31:00.002-05:002024-02-29T17:35:31.445-05:00Hatzimichalis Alfega White 2022 (Greece) - Wine Review<time datetime="2024-02-29">Tonight's</time> white wine review is a lovely Smart Buy from Greece that was a new arrival at the LCBO in the <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2024/01/january-6-2024-lcbo-vintages-release-wine-picks-smart-buys.html"><time datetime="2024-01-06">January 6, 2024</time> LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection</a>, with quite a few bottles still available across Ontario.<br /><br />It is produced by <a href="https://www.hatzimichalis.com/" target="_blank">Domaine Hatzimichalis</a>, a winery that was founded by Dimitris Hatzimichalis, who made his first wine in the backyard of his home at the young age of 19 years old. With a quickly evolving passion for wine, Dimitris was inspired to put a small wine press in the back of his family's office, while also studying the history of wine. In 1973, Dimitris purchased his first 9 hectares of land, which was situated in Atalanti Valley.<br /><br />Dimitris selected the Atalanti Valley because he noticed the unique microclimate that existed in the area. The Atalanti Valley is situated in Central Greece, between the cool breezes of Mount Parnassus and the Euboean gulf of the Aegean Sea. Smaller-scale viticulture had already found a home in Atalanti prior to the arrival of Domaine Hatzimichalis, which was an important factor in Dimitris' decision to invest in the area. The terroir at Domaine Hatzimichalis is surrounded by the ideal ecosystem for winegrowing. <br /><br />During the early years of Domaine Hatzimichalis, Dimitris laid the foundation for a well-structured business. Moreover, at that time, Greek winemaking was not as evolved as it is now. Today, many people credit Dimitris Hatzimichalis for being one of the leaders of the Greek Wine Revolution. Dimitris' intensive studies in all areas of winemaking, along with its history, led him to decide on the most ideal varieties to cultivate in his vineyards. He also made additional investments in infrastructure, including top-tier equipment, and developed partnerships with those that had experience and passion to further the development of Greek wine.<br /><br />The label of Domaine Hatzimichalis has a connection to Canada. Dimitris had a long-standing passion for breeding birds and developed a farm for breeding turkeys, which helped support some of the vineyard expenses. The Canadian connection is that the turkeys were imported from Canada and bred for the traditional Christmas table in Greece. Dimitris continues to breed turkeys today, and the turkey proudly adorns the labels and corks of each Domaine Hatzimichalis wine.<br /><br />It is also interesting to know that harvest and pruning activities are performed by a group of skilful and experienced Greek women. The choice was deliberate as, according to Domaine Hatzimichalis, Greek women are known for their caring, patient, and tender character, as well as their overall courage and strength. Inspired and amazed by their care for the vineyards, Dimitris' vision is to create authentic wines that support local culture and values.<br /><br />Alfega is the name of this white wine, and it comes from the first and last letter of the Greek alphabet, representing their philosophy to make wines from the first stage through to the last. Hatzimichalis cultivates their own grapes, vinifies their own wines, and distributes their own products. This white wine is a blend of two indigenous varieties, Malagousia (40%) and Robola (20%) that combine harmoniously with 40% Sauvignon Blanc. The grapes were grown in the PGI Valley of Atalanti, which is situated in the district of Fthiotida, within the region of Central Greece. The grapes were selected from their own sub-mountainous vineyards, with each variety fermented separately in temperature-controlled, stainless steel vats, prior to blending and bottling. Let's see how this 2022 white wine from Greece is tasting tonight...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTeBpWq7KQWeItrnKfELjuOQUxKhv42pEHgLyCtiPTXJyJ3Y8qOFrX8t5PpeiDThwropovRpEfS5KXiGBzdh0ujehCDT8z_y4DhV3YPKsKNQJiicBFoDlM0iY3CVGvEWLNVxfNR80ZKDFQu5JJmf8Uhaw0OTdf9cOKiJ50ZHg8lH8fjdM41CMh3oZR6x6L/s900/Hatzimichalis-Alfega-White-2022-PGI-Valley-of-Atalanti-Greece_09281.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hatzimichalis Alfega White 2022 (90+ pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTeBpWq7KQWeItrnKfELjuOQUxKhv42pEHgLyCtiPTXJyJ3Y8qOFrX8t5PpeiDThwropovRpEfS5KXiGBzdh0ujehCDT8z_y4DhV3YPKsKNQJiicBFoDlM0iY3CVGvEWLNVxfNR80ZKDFQu5JJmf8Uhaw0OTdf9cOKiJ50ZHg8lH8fjdM41CMh3oZR6x6L/w300-h400/Hatzimichalis-Alfega-White-2022-PGI-Valley-of-Atalanti-Greece_09281.JPG" title="Hatzimichalis Alfega White 2022 (90+ pts)" width="300" /></a></div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Tasting Note:</h4><b>HATZIMICHALIS ALFEGA WHITE 2022</b> - PGI Valley of Atalanti, Greece (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=33255" target="_blank">#33255</a>) (XD) - $15.95<br />This blend of 40% Sauvignon Blanc, 40% Malagousia, and 20% Robola has an elegant, medium-high intensity nose that delivers lemon citrus, apple, pear, and floral aromas layered over nuances of leesy mineral, tropical fruit, apricot, and subtle spice. It has good weight, concentration, and structure on the medium+ to medium-full bodied palate that is dry and ripe with lovely lemon citrus, apple, pear, floral flavours, plus touches of spice and leesy mineral adding a savoury component. It has juicy, succulent acidity and a nicely textured mouthfeel, plus some saline characters on the mid-palate. Complex and inviting with citrusy, stone fruit, spice, and leesy mineral notes lingering on the long, satisfying finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts<br /><br />One other wine by Domaine Hatzimichalis can be found currently at the LCBO, while the entire range can be ordered through their Agent - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dionysuswines/" target="_blank">Dionysus Wines & Spirits</a>.cono_surhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219124933976657219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254980354665815083.post-36663720132071166412024-02-29T05:00:00.038-05:002024-03-11T18:01:17.483-04:00March 2, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Italian Women in Wine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMJp-8JUY5rPLnaxmUkXXGWWhQ7VE6YYAX03OSNckR8zbgo3RYIeCkriKvtvYknxswJfhv4K7rFSRCIUrFQWNUV-n8UlbLQUvqtB9VN1uDCt620pZ2PDj5vov_aWJmeXkulEZRLDF9XweT2Q9b5wSG_tmVCr6wG_knUd-pxhihSNVWimOH1eMwku30ssx/s800/240302_en.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="LCBO Wine Picks: March 2, 2024 VINTAGES New Release Collection" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="598" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMJp-8JUY5rPLnaxmUkXXGWWhQ7VE6YYAX03OSNckR8zbgo3RYIeCkriKvtvYknxswJfhv4K7rFSRCIUrFQWNUV-n8UlbLQUvqtB9VN1uDCt620pZ2PDj5vov_aWJmeXkulEZRLDF9XweT2Q9b5wSG_tmVCr6wG_knUd-pxhihSNVWimOH1eMwku30ssx/w200-h268/240302_en.jpg" title="LCBO Wine Picks: March 2, 2024 VINTAGES New Release Collection" width="200" /></a></div>Here's my top wine picks from the <a href="http://www.vintageassessments.com/MVC/240302.pdf" target="_blank">March 2, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection</a> which is titled "Women in Wine - Italian Tastemakers". There are 89 wines included in this release, which also includes a selection of Online & Flagship Exclusives. In keeping with what seems to be the trend of the year, the number of wines in each release does seem to be smaller than in the past. Having said that, it is a very good release with many lovely wines to add to your collection. All the wines in this release should be available for purchase by this Saturday.<br /><br />The feature of this release focuses on twenty-one Italian women in wine. There are thirteen wines as part of the theme, and four are included among my top wine picks. At the top of the list is the pioneering Donatella Cinelli Colombini and her Brunello di Montalcino that is crafted with <b>100% Sangiovese</b>. There is also an organic <b>Cabernet Sauvignon</b> from Tuscany by Barbara Widmer, who uses a terroir-driven approach and is the daughter of the founders of Brancaia. Chiara Lungarotti and Teresa Severini are the daughters of Giorgio Lungarotti, and they bring us a lovely white blend that is composed of <b>50% Vermentino, 30% Grechetto, and 20% Trebbiano</b>. And lastly, the white wine from Sicily is predominantly <b>Lucido</b> (a synonym for <b>Catarratto</b>), by Gabriella Anca Rallo, who founded Donnafugata with her husband.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIUPxbAw0dmaLp6tgW-RNM3AYU5dg2jcAxUvtL6E5gZ_yC3Rq2Ewl60Fua5e7Py3xAAkq3WyfTx-QzcbnNnHFiJZlanXAyHlhoPp2aHXF5X8l0RfugwJGWWrr_Kd59zNjXWFSMaBAbMTyjid1eI-wvmx5yknrd0tZSuNp0SjscGgA0dmqCQkIMSlbnCkYK/s900/Donatella-Cinelli-Colombini-Brunello-di-Montalcino-2018-DOCG-Tuscany-Italy_07432.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Donatella Cinelli Colombini Brunello di Montalcino 2018 (93+ pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIUPxbAw0dmaLp6tgW-RNM3AYU5dg2jcAxUvtL6E5gZ_yC3Rq2Ewl60Fua5e7Py3xAAkq3WyfTx-QzcbnNnHFiJZlanXAyHlhoPp2aHXF5X8l0RfugwJGWWrr_Kd59zNjXWFSMaBAbMTyjid1eI-wvmx5yknrd0tZSuNp0SjscGgA0dmqCQkIMSlbnCkYK/w240-h320/Donatella-Cinelli-Colombini-Brunello-di-Montalcino-2018-DOCG-Tuscany-Italy_07432.JPG" title="Donatella Cinelli Colombini Brunello di Montalcino 2018 (93+ pts)" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSAVgzjWNfQqcw8PGwzVV8p851yme8hItsOt0GrzKB8-eaW448TutCvIliVHOYdQHR7rbN5CRKbqQC-aWWEIb259hlLeRCpp0FfhlfiEndQ6amnrVED5Gd_kSBvTzNE6EwaPQQtAbPEBK4kqaBwhAQnRZDQFx2y1tmO5EsYO4-dSPDkmlTqAPO_5CniAJC/s900/Brancaia-No-2-Cabernet-Sauvignon-2021-DOC-Maremma-Toscana-Italy_09274.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Brancaia N°2 Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (92 pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSAVgzjWNfQqcw8PGwzVV8p851yme8hItsOt0GrzKB8-eaW448TutCvIliVHOYdQHR7rbN5CRKbqQC-aWWEIb259hlLeRCpp0FfhlfiEndQ6amnrVED5Gd_kSBvTzNE6EwaPQQtAbPEBK4kqaBwhAQnRZDQFx2y1tmO5EsYO4-dSPDkmlTqAPO_5CniAJC/w240-h320/Brancaia-No-2-Cabernet-Sauvignon-2021-DOC-Maremma-Toscana-Italy_09274.JPG" title="Brancaia N°2 Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (92 pts)" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqowLE23pRIwPJFA8LJUq3Obtb3UM7SazQiynyd1O7kF_WkWE0px0UXA9Rv8glJMBJmp6SEDtvLujM8cqKsZMh1Px5y9310FeYnGUlKNdPqe1MFQ2IG4u80reOnmDja5xt5y34h7BvzZCVace5zUsIxC13wD_v-qXPAeMkT5cwbhVZZDkP6ir3-msLY9ea/s900/Lungarotti-Torre-di-Giano-Bianco-di-Torgiano-Vermentino-Grechetto-Trebbiano-2022-DOC-Umbria-Italy_08816.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lungarotti Torre di Giano Bianco di Torgiano Vermentino / Grechetto / Trebbiano 2022 (90 pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqowLE23pRIwPJFA8LJUq3Obtb3UM7SazQiynyd1O7kF_WkWE0px0UXA9Rv8glJMBJmp6SEDtvLujM8cqKsZMh1Px5y9310FeYnGUlKNdPqe1MFQ2IG4u80reOnmDja5xt5y34h7BvzZCVace5zUsIxC13wD_v-qXPAeMkT5cwbhVZZDkP6ir3-msLY9ea/w240-h320/Lungarotti-Torre-di-Giano-Bianco-di-Torgiano-Vermentino-Grechetto-Trebbiano-2022-DOC-Umbria-Italy_08816.JPG" title="Lungarotti Torre di Giano Bianco di Torgiano Vermentino / Grechetto / Trebbiano 2022 (90 pts)" width="240" /></a></div><br />The blends among my red wine recommendations include a red wine from the spectacular 2020 NIagara vintage that is composed of <b>60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Syrah</b>, while the red wine from Spain is crafted with <b>70% Monastrell, 20% Syrah, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon</b>. The Portuguese red is a blend of <b>Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Barroca</b>, while the Roussillon red is made of <b>Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan</b>. The other red wines are all single-varietal wines, including the Gran Selezione Chianti Classico that is made with <b>100% Sangiovese Grosso</b>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZuNEVyZ4mMwMBHlGkTc96aij1ze8fWuXeeS1ENOOn2dZ-Y8o29bkgP7qhqAd6CuE7_TB204x__f42C8WAlctjZwZqs1_7VWd87775OfTN4aPyfH3j80t7yv9HPOOo49ul99NPxgNeoB6FOpf8vR7Y0TOrBlCUC75UySwMRl88BQK7wc9PjesjxME3QtN/s900/Kacaba-Cabernet-Syrah-2020-VQA-Niagara-Peninsula-Ontario-Canada_09275.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kacaba Cabernet/Syrah 2020 (90 pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZuNEVyZ4mMwMBHlGkTc96aij1ze8fWuXeeS1ENOOn2dZ-Y8o29bkgP7qhqAd6CuE7_TB204x__f42C8WAlctjZwZqs1_7VWd87775OfTN4aPyfH3j80t7yv9HPOOo49ul99NPxgNeoB6FOpf8vR7Y0TOrBlCUC75UySwMRl88BQK7wc9PjesjxME3QtN/w240-h320/Kacaba-Cabernet-Syrah-2020-VQA-Niagara-Peninsula-Ontario-Canada_09275.JPG" title="Kacaba Cabernet/Syrah 2020 (90 pts)" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcBpWNQEoLR6Cyca1jrHmjPya-gW5z0hUzzkHSlga8DPdEslPEnN4lEFrWYeL6gtpCqnh4WC5CL74sO-F8m7lJE9kjx7iDgtzThqpv31ZFqR0bwszrcESqzNMXgDTFNSxORSCqbVc9nDeaUOydb2hofKBhTbyI0aKbTBwrUuO1LeyebWx8ANiRZo-Ytuo/s900/El-Goru-Gold-Monastrell-Syrah-Cabernet-Sauvignon-2019-DOP-Jumilla-Spain_09278.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="El Goru Gold Monastrell / Syrah / Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (89 pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcBpWNQEoLR6Cyca1jrHmjPya-gW5z0hUzzkHSlga8DPdEslPEnN4lEFrWYeL6gtpCqnh4WC5CL74sO-F8m7lJE9kjx7iDgtzThqpv31ZFqR0bwszrcESqzNMXgDTFNSxORSCqbVc9nDeaUOydb2hofKBhTbyI0aKbTBwrUuO1LeyebWx8ANiRZo-Ytuo/w240-h320/El-Goru-Gold-Monastrell-Syrah-Cabernet-Sauvignon-2019-DOP-Jumilla-Spain_09278.JPG" title="El Goru Gold Monastrell / Syrah / Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (89 pts)" width="240" /></a></div><br />Among my white wine picks from the rest of the release, the Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blend of roughly equal parts <b>Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Bourboulenc, Clairette, and Picpoul</b>, while the wine from Croatia is composed of <b>70% Pošip, 20% Chardonnay, and 10% Vugava</b>. White wines from Bordeaux are usually blends, including the Lagarde Blanc that is <b>60/40 Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon</b>, but the Savas Cuvée Eva is actually made with <b>100% Sauvignon Blanc</b>. The <b>Riesling</b> from Australia is crafted in a dry style, while the delectably sweet fortified wine from Greece is made with <b>White Muscat</b>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbrKqItJcBQDFWgDw8j5U6Ewl7NOGCE_184NuN9vqmyNF_pn8Ayevug5TOSSvpVLCNW7DxRu-HiD-4nSWmrjHTEQ4hxv_S7ECXvi5ihj2qexYXfaPW8QG2tIcn-lw787yW850CNe-BUk_Srm9MsbfYZQsfxYmx_r6QBWGEEZQWFV5fakrJ0ysi5NnAmMB/s900/Les-Hauts-de-Lagarde-Blanc-2022-AC-Bordeaux-France_09280.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Les Hauts de Lagarde Blanc 2022 (89 pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbrKqItJcBQDFWgDw8j5U6Ewl7NOGCE_184NuN9vqmyNF_pn8Ayevug5TOSSvpVLCNW7DxRu-HiD-4nSWmrjHTEQ4hxv_S7ECXvi5ihj2qexYXfaPW8QG2tIcn-lw787yW850CNe-BUk_Srm9MsbfYZQsfxYmx_r6QBWGEEZQWFV5fakrJ0ysi5NnAmMB/w240-h320/Les-Hauts-de-Lagarde-Blanc-2022-AC-Bordeaux-France_09280.JPG" title="Les Hauts de Lagarde Blanc 2022 (89 pts)" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZQsP6fWdWQjeU-R4i-LesjDgWf_r4JZr1I0g3im045ilzxaQCoE_mcyLTWNJjjmWfrUNzHGslUGqDyEOsQKqjTPnccnmlxmwcT7fTFf1rzcid8B6ABDNnE-SydCqZnMkS_waMTIdjqDeVn_dYTs0RdZ885Q6W747j6sdp4SLnuCJ6VbRRwQUGNt_6WQj/s900/Samos-Vin-Doux-White-Muscat-PDO-Samos-Greece_09279.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Samos Vin Doux White Muscat (90+ pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZQsP6fWdWQjeU-R4i-LesjDgWf_r4JZr1I0g3im045ilzxaQCoE_mcyLTWNJjjmWfrUNzHGslUGqDyEOsQKqjTPnccnmlxmwcT7fTFf1rzcid8B6ABDNnE-SydCqZnMkS_waMTIdjqDeVn_dYTs0RdZ885Q6W747j6sdp4SLnuCJ6VbRRwQUGNt_6WQj/w240-h320/Samos-Vin-Doux-White-Muscat-PDO-Samos-Greece_09279.JPG" title="Samos Vin Doux White Muscat (90+ pts)" width="240" /></a></div><br />Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release. Cin cin!<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Red Wine:</h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>EL GORU GOLD MONASTRELL / SYRAH / CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019</b> - Vegan, DOP Jumilla, Spain (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=13621" target="_blank">#13621</a>) (XD) - $19.95 <i>89 pts <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2024/03/el-goru-gold-monastrell-syrah-cabernet-sauvignon-2019-spain-wine-review.html">wine review</a></i></li><li><b>CHÂTEAU SAINT-ROCH CHIMÈRES GRENACHE / CARIGNAN / SYRAH 2020</b> - AP Côtes du Roussillon-Villages, France (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=119354" target="_blank">#119354</a>) (XD) - $19.95</li><li><b>ZUCCARDI Q MALBEC 2022</b> - Sustainable, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=723478" target="_blank">#723478</a>) (XD) - $20.95</li><li><b>CRASTO 2020</b> - Vegan, DOC Douro, Portugal (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=81588" target="_blank">#81588</a>) (XD) - $21.95</li><li><b>CASAS DEL BOSQUE GRAN RESERVA CARMENÈRE 2022</b> - Sustainable, Valle del Cachapoal, Chile (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=36166" target="_blank">#36166</a>) (XD) - $22.95 <i>89 pts <a href="https://www.winealign.com/wines/156279-Casas-Del-Bosque-Gran-Reserva-Carmenere-2022" target="_blank">wine review</a></i></li><li><b>KACABA CABERNET / SYRAH 2020</b> - Sustainable, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=26424" target="_blank">#26424</a>) (XD) - $24.95 <i>90 pts <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2024/03/kacaba-cabernet-syrah-2020-niagara-wine-review.html">wine review</a></i></li><li><b>BRANCAIA N°2 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021</b> - DOC Maremma Toscana, Italy (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=28451" target="_blank">#28451</a>) (XD) - $33.95 <i>92 pts <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2024/03/brancaia-no-2-cabernet-sauvignon-2021-tuscany-wine-review.html">wine review</a></i></li><li><b>BABICH WINEMAKERS' RESERVE SYRAH 2017</b> - Single vineyard, estate grown and bottled, Hawke's Bay, North Island, New Zealand (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=32412" target="_blank">#32412</a>) (XD) - $36.95 <i>FE 91+ pts <a href="https://www.winealign.com/wines/156246-Babich-Winemakers%27-Reserve-Syrah-2017" target="_blank">wine review</a></i></li><li><b>BIBBIANO VIGNA DEL CAPANNINO GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019</b> - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=32287" target="_blank">#32287</a>) (XD) - $49.95</li><li><b>DONATELLA CINELLI COLOMBINI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2018</b> - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=113357" target="_blank">#113357</a>) (XD) - $73.95 <i>93+ pts <a href="https://www.winealign.com/wines/146092-Donatella-Cinelli-Colombini-Brunello-Di-Montalcino-2018" target="_blank">wine review</a></i></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbceRakVi-njN4LY4MB4dwNcjnHzQA4ABpNlkTbQanHQlfkm_6QkG0vv1v17k9Q06wyUeAjQ70wokYGAxQHrfV3mlkNsdn8wHbPIcuOaqycVA3hGCEkcg52fu7XpDAcpV7fJeDrWIwXz_K5rcn07jbrMPTpZ_sufixnGHTCBkYdkqBrkUu-9kweGHJtHo/s900/Babich-Winemakers-Reserve-Syrah-2017-Single-Vineyard-Estate-Grown-and-Bottled-Hawkes-Bay-North-Island-New-Zealand_05549.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Babich Winemakers' Reserve Syrah 2017 (91+ pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbceRakVi-njN4LY4MB4dwNcjnHzQA4ABpNlkTbQanHQlfkm_6QkG0vv1v17k9Q06wyUeAjQ70wokYGAxQHrfV3mlkNsdn8wHbPIcuOaqycVA3hGCEkcg52fu7XpDAcpV7fJeDrWIwXz_K5rcn07jbrMPTpZ_sufixnGHTCBkYdkqBrkUu-9kweGHJtHo/w240-h320/Babich-Winemakers-Reserve-Syrah-2017-Single-Vineyard-Estate-Grown-and-Bottled-Hawkes-Bay-North-Island-New-Zealand_05549.JPG" title="Babich Winemakers' Reserve Syrah 2017 (91+ pts)" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1otazaPN_0mkGDdAyzXgjNaOM1ORV8IhKJyToHvENrpl2tHDo-URqVu8MXjHUIlu73dnH3zeyT9WR355cZs2KgSC5aqwvebW1jaSG3m8-1a0VAKM7QzcU-kW1z3mfJUAtepzjaQTXJYXsW-0J0rvFE1TTg3X2_V3A4ZOvSxHhoMtDvgnLBVGMo5z6vzmF/s900/Casas-del-Bosque-Gran-Reserva-Carmenere-2022-Valle-del-Cachapoal-Chile_09027.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Casas del Bosque Gran Reserva Carmenère 2022 (89 pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1otazaPN_0mkGDdAyzXgjNaOM1ORV8IhKJyToHvENrpl2tHDo-URqVu8MXjHUIlu73dnH3zeyT9WR355cZs2KgSC5aqwvebW1jaSG3m8-1a0VAKM7QzcU-kW1z3mfJUAtepzjaQTXJYXsW-0J0rvFE1TTg3X2_V3A4ZOvSxHhoMtDvgnLBVGMo5z6vzmF/w240-h320/Casas-del-Bosque-Gran-Reserva-Carmenere-2022-Valle-del-Cachapoal-Chile_09027.JPG" title="Casas del Bosque Gran Reserva Carmenère 2022 (89 pts)" width="240" /></a></div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">White Wine:</h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>WAPISA PATAGONIA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022</b> - Rio Negro, Patagonia, Argentina (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=36181" target="_blank">#36181</a>) (XD) - $17.95</li><li><b>LUNGAROTTI TORRE DI GIANO BIANCO DI TORGIANO VERMENTINO / GRECHETTO / TREBBIANO 2022</b> - DOC, Umbria, Italy (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=268110" target="_blank">#268110</a>) (XD) - $17.95 <i>90 pts <a href="https://www.winealign.com/wines/156270-Lungarotti-Torre-De-Giano-Vigna-Il-Pino-Bianco-Di-Torgiano-2022" target="_blank">wine review</a></i></li><li><b>DONNAFUGATA ANTHÌLIA BIANCO 2022</b> - Sustainable, DOC Sicilia, Italy (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=195115" target="_blank">#195115</a>) (XD) - $18.95</li><li><b>LES HAUTS DE LAGARDE BLANC 2022</b> - Vegan, AC Bordeaux, France (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=387787" target="_blank">#387787</a>) (XD) - $19.95 <i>89 pts <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2024/03/les-hauts-de-lagarde-blanc-2022-bordeaux-wine-review.html">wine review</a></i></li><li><b>DOMÄNE WACHAU TERRASSEN FEDERSPIEL GRÜNER VELTLINER 2022</b> - Sustainable, Qualitätswein, Austria (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=31534" target="_blank">#31534</a>) (XD) - $19.95</li><li><b>STINA CUVÉE WHITE 2022</b> - PDO Central and South Dalmatia, Croatia (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=32035" target="_blank">#32035</a>) (XD) - $19.95</li><li><b>SAVAS CUVÉE EVA 2020</b> - AC, Bordeaux, France (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=35368" target="_blank">#35368</a>) (XD) - $21.95</li><li><b>MITCHELL WATERVALE RIESLING 2022</b> - Clare Valley, South Australia (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=487785" target="_blank">#487785</a>) (XD) - $21.95</li><li><b>PAPAGIANNAKOS ASSYRTIKO 2022</b> - Vegan, PGI Attica, Greece (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=33260" target="_blank">#33260</a>) (XD) - $24.95 <i>90+ pts <a href="https://www.winealign.com/wines/156267-Papagiannakos-Assyrtiko-2022" target="_blank">wine review</a></i></li><li><b>DOMAINE CHANTE CIGALE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE BLANC 2022</b> - AP, Rhône, France (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=102962" target="_blank">#102962</a>) (XD) - $48.95 <i>FE</i></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4WPcwsKF_0eBaR4J9Xh_7UD21TLcM5XqOHtBs5fic5x5e5GVdZlYhCZcNLButjYplLKnS_SofnvLSbDpzaY-tgS7VGrccQ1yImBFu9lEzQ3hkaLEYwpYRN53mABDXIL4joXB42YFX2HjPAE5tn95O-mwEw3nk8_vFeSTu4Q58CrNLIyVTi_VB_ie1iOz/s900/Papagiannakos-Assyrtiko-2022-PGI-Attica-Greece_08733.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Papagiannakos Assyrtiko 2022 (90+ pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4WPcwsKF_0eBaR4J9Xh_7UD21TLcM5XqOHtBs5fic5x5e5GVdZlYhCZcNLButjYplLKnS_SofnvLSbDpzaY-tgS7VGrccQ1yImBFu9lEzQ3hkaLEYwpYRN53mABDXIL4joXB42YFX2HjPAE5tn95O-mwEw3nk8_vFeSTu4Q58CrNLIyVTi_VB_ie1iOz/w240-h320/Papagiannakos-Assyrtiko-2022-PGI-Attica-Greece_08733.JPG" title="Papagiannakos Assyrtiko 2022 (90+ pts)" width="240" /></a></div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Fortified:</h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>SAMOS VIN DOUX WHITE MUSCAT</b> - PDO Samos, Greece (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=44578" target="_blank">#44578</a>) (S) - $15.95 <i>90+ pts <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2024/03/samos-vin-doux-white-muscat-greece-wine-review.html">wine review</a></i></li></ul>cono_surhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219124933976657219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254980354665815083.post-13128010005284314782024-02-26T17:59:00.001-05:002024-03-17T14:46:35.348-04:00Castelgreve Riserva Chianti Classico 2019 (Tuscany) - Wine Review<time datetime="2024-02-26">Tonight's</time> red wine review is a lovely Riserva Chianti Classico from Tuscany that arrived at the LCBO as part of the recent <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2024/02/february-17-2024-lcbo-vintages-release-wine-picks-france.html"><time datetime="2024-02-17">February 17th</time> LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection</a>.<br /><br />It is produced by <a href="https://www.castellidelgrevepesa.it/" target="_blank">Castelli del Grevepesa</a>, a modern co-operative winery that was established in the Chianti Classico wine region of Tuscany in 1965 by visionary Sir Armando Nunzi and an initial group of 17 winegrowers. Situated in Greve in Chianti, the co-operative model allowed small growers to pool their resources to collectively make wines. Castelli del Grevepesa was one of Italy's first co-operative wineries.<br /><br />Today, Castelli del Grevepesa is Chianti Classico's largest family with over 120 associate growers. Together, they promote the land, while also safeguarding and maintaining the age-old tradition of Tuscan winegrowing. As many of these growers are small, family-owned farms that have been handed down along ancestral lines for generations, the long-established knowledge and traditions are still transferred from one generation to the next. As a co-operative, they also share knowledge and use modern and innovative production methods and techniques to craft their wines. With passion and love for their land, Castelli del Grevepesa's mission is to produce wines of high quality at affordable prices.<br /><br />This red wine is from Castelli del Grevepesa's historical line of wines named Castelgreve, a collection of wines that have been produced since the 1970s and whose name is derived from the company's full name. The Castelgreve collection of wines reflects the winery's dedication to crafting high-quality wines which represent the essence of the Chianti Classico region. Like the <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2022/11/castelgreve-riserva-chianti-classico-2018-tuscany-wine-review.html">2018 Castelgreve Riserva Chianti Classico</a> that I enjoyed about a year and a half ago, this red wine is crafted mainly with Sangiovese (min. 80% as per the regulations), plus other permitted varieties. After hand-harvesting the grapes with individual grape selection, it was fermented at a controlled temperature. It was matured for a minimum of 24 months in oak barrels, followed by further refinement for 3 months in bottle. <br /><br />While 2018 was a challenging vintage, 2019 was a comparatively easy ride as it was much drier with no humidity, as well as without the drought and heat spikes of 2017. Quantity and quality is high across the region, with an excellent vintage that will enhance the characteristic features of the Sangiovese grape and the many facets of such a widely varied area in rich soil diversity and microclimates. Let's see how this 2019 Riserva Chianti Classico from Tuscany is tasting tonight...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9MnIcQ_pLsQzerMcAIqrRR3b3VU1Bx_A36c56GBOzOMoJQebVou5q3dMrTRItV_MtAo-6TNGfZr-JXR7LhU_UMobLVIRXkHy4_60u9WCT_X6wHJAQUwWqdvzKpM8TnNODi37ZTiVLIsiyYdkJYS98PrWIvnWXhDojdSbBZzesUJ9QLRgv7FFzvpSEpho/s900/Castelgreve-Riserva-Chianti-Classico-2019-DOCG-Tuscany-Italy_09276.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Castelgreve Riserva Chianti Classico 2019 (90 pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9MnIcQ_pLsQzerMcAIqrRR3b3VU1Bx_A36c56GBOzOMoJQebVou5q3dMrTRItV_MtAo-6TNGfZr-JXR7LhU_UMobLVIRXkHy4_60u9WCT_X6wHJAQUwWqdvzKpM8TnNODi37ZTiVLIsiyYdkJYS98PrWIvnWXhDojdSbBZzesUJ9QLRgv7FFzvpSEpho/w300-h400/Castelgreve-Riserva-Chianti-Classico-2019-DOCG-Tuscany-Italy_09276.JPG" title="Castelgreve Riserva Chianti Classico 2019 (90 pts)" width="300" /></a></div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Tasting Note:</h4><b>CASTELGREVE RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019</b> - Sustainable, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=344416" target="_blank">#344416</a>) (XD) - $23.95<br />Crafted mainly with Sangiovese, the medium+ to medium-high intensity nose offers enticing red and black cherry, spices, cedar wood, wet earth, and baking spice aromas. It's medium+ bodied and dry with elegant red and black cherry, and savoury wet earth flavours accented with oak spice, cedar, and forest floor notes. It has fresh, juicy acidity and while the grainy textured tannins have some tannic grip. There's a touch of graphite minerality on the mid-palate which lingers through to the savoury, smoky, long, and juicy finish. Best enjoyed over the next 4-5 years and a highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts<br /><br />Other lovely wines by Castelli del Grevepesa are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - <a href="https://profilewinegroup.com/" target="_blank">Profile Wine Group</a>.cono_surhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219124933976657219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254980354665815083.post-21507010235628534112024-02-24T17:58:00.001-05:002024-03-17T22:17:21.648-04:00Bertani Catullo Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore 2019 (Veneto) - Wine Review<time datetime="2024-02-24">Tonight's</time> red wine review is an excellent Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore from Veneto that arrived at the LCBO as the Wine of the Month in last weekend's <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2024/02/february-17-2024-lcbo-vintages-release-wine-picks-france.html"><time datetime="2024-02-17">February 17</time> LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection</a>.<br /><br />Like the excellent <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2024/01/bertani-amarone-della-valpolicella-valpantena-2020-veneto-wine-review.html">2020 Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Valpantena</a> that I loved last month, this red wine is produced by <a href="https://www.bertani.net/" target="_blank">Cantine Bertani</a>. Situated in the heart of Veneto, Cantine Bertani has a long and storied history that began in the mid-19th century. It was established in Valpantena in 1857 by Gaetano and his brother Giovan Battista Bertani, after Gaetano returned from Burgundy, where he learned from his friend and well-known winemaker Jules Guyot about the most modern techniques in viticulture and winemaking.<br /><br />Today, one of Cantine Bertani's most essential values is to remain coherent with their authentic identity. With more than 150 years of winemaking history, Bertani is recognizable for its identity and wines with a clear and unmistakable stylistic profile. The path for Bertani has always focused on wines of a territory, even when method is guiding them. While the path of territory can be difficult at times, it does build relationships and has led to countless numbers of happy customers. The values of Respect, Coherence, and Patience are the foundation of the company and remain solid and strong today. To continue to perpetuate their style, Bertani uses innovation as respect for tradition - meaning that they respect what has been done and, at the same time, re-evaluate it every day in order to assure quality worthy of their potential and reputation.<br /><br />The grapes for this red wine come from Tenuta Novare, within the Valpolicella Classica zone. Valpolicella is embraced by the warm air from Lake Garda to the west and the cool breezes from Monti Lessini from the north and east. The geological structure of Valpolicella's soil has been influenced by both the Adige River to the south and Alpine glaciers to the north. Moreover, the valley landscapes fan out from Monti Lessini and slope down into the Veronese plains. As such, the soils have great diversity - basalt soils, marine gravel, limestone and clay mixtures, red and white limestone - which benefits a great variety of wines.<br /><br />From Bertani's Tradition range of wines - which only consists of an Amarone della Valpolicella Classico and this wine - this Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore is crafted using 70% Corvina Veronese, 20% Corvinone, and 10% Rondinella, with all the fruit grown at their Tenuta Novare Estate in Arbizzano di Negrar. The vineyards are planted on marl-limestone soil with clay deposits and trained using the Double Guyot system, with the vines averaging 20 years old. It is crafted using the ripasso method of double fermentation. In the ripasso method, the first fermentation turns the must into basic Valpolicella, while the second fermentation was triggered in March by adding slightly sweet skins left over from Amarone Classico production. It was aged for 12 months in 75 hectolitre French oak barrels, followed by a year in 100 hectolitre concrete vats. The wine was matured further by spending at least 6 months in bottle prior to release.<br /><br />The 2019 growing season began with a cool and rainy spring, along with the coolest temperatures that April and May have seen in the last 30 years. It was followed by a hot and dry March. Summer was very hot, with heat waves reaching 38°C at the end of June and into July. While drought conditions marked June, hailstorms took place in July and August, with temperatures returning to normal in early August and throughout September. From a very good to excellent vintage, let's see how this 2019 Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore is tasting tonight...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHUTPPPZAz6nyeyLI6hzSIwIbftamHn7M3Jg7Vlm1D06Bxq076qFNLnJuSoQtl7ZPMEvAjGvSjPY3R1rLIsADRKj6i5BYP4f_k5oolKA4Jmr1EaTVe05qYvev7qsLlA75w2fGe67Y9NdL_NzTJmuYqLURCKwhBXYWuogWGkZkkz4FlY7dZPBV7vWx89k0/s900/Bertani-Catullo-Valpolicella-Ripasso-Classico-Superiore-2019-DOC-Veneto-Italy_09273.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bertani Catullo Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore 2019 (91 pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHUTPPPZAz6nyeyLI6hzSIwIbftamHn7M3Jg7Vlm1D06Bxq076qFNLnJuSoQtl7ZPMEvAjGvSjPY3R1rLIsADRKj6i5BYP4f_k5oolKA4Jmr1EaTVe05qYvev7qsLlA75w2fGe67Y9NdL_NzTJmuYqLURCKwhBXYWuogWGkZkkz4FlY7dZPBV7vWx89k0/w300-h400/Bertani-Catullo-Valpolicella-Ripasso-Classico-Superiore-2019-DOC-Veneto-Italy_09273.JPG" title="Bertani Catullo Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore 2019 (91 pts)" width="300" /></a></div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Tasting Note:</h4><b>BERTANI CATULLO VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2019</b> - DOC, Veneto, Italy (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=17777" target="_blank">#17777</a>) (XD) - $26.95<br />Blend of 70% Corvina Veronese, 20% Corvinone, and 10% Rondinella. The elegant and refined nose of medium-high intensity has attractive red berry, cherry, strawberry aromas followed by sweet and savoury spice, and sandalwood notes. On the medium+ bodied palate it is well-structured and dry with red and dark red cherry, strawberry, earthy spices, and white pepper flavours. Although quite pale in colour for this style of wine, it has very good structure with some grip to the gently chalky tannins. Very good acidity. Lovely cherry, strawberry, and earthy notes are joined by mineral touches on the long, crisp finish. Still feels quite young. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the next 5-6 years. Score: 91 pts<br /><br />Fine wines by Bertani can be found at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - <a href="https://www.markanthonywineandspirits.ca/" target="_blank">Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits</a>.cono_surhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219124933976657219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254980354665815083.post-63010164776443633082024-02-21T17:39:00.001-05:002024-02-21T17:39:34.432-05:00Bodega El Porvenir de Cafayate Laborum Finca El Retiro Torrontés 2022 (Argentina) - Wine Review<time datetime="2024-02-21">Tonight's</time> white wine review is a lovely Torrontés from the high-altitude Cafayate Valley that arrived at the LCBO as part of the feature on wines from Argentina in the <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2024/01/february-3-2024-lcbo-vintages-release-wine-picks-chile-argentina.html"><time datetime="2024-02-03">February 3, 2024</time> LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection</a>.<br /><br />It is produced by <a href="https://elporvenirdecafayate.com/" target="_blank">Bodega El Porvenir de Cafayate</a>, a winery that was born as part of a generation of wineries at the end of the 20th century, during the transformation of the Argentine wine industry. During this time, the Salta wine industry was also re-converted, including the expansion of Cafayete wines. El Porvenir was founded by the Romero Marcuzzi family in 2000 and since 2013 has been led by Lucía Romero Marcuzzi, a vintner, entrepreneur, mother, and third-generation vineyard owner who was born and raised in Salta. Under Lucía's direction, this female-led, family-run project is rewriting the legend of Cafayate.<br /><br />El Porvenir - which means "future" - embodies the paradigm of Cafayate wine - the fusion between innovation and great respect for the identity and unmistakable character of the terroir. The philosophy at El Porvenir is based on deep respect and love for terroir, with their wines a reflection of their terroir. With both the heart and mind firmly in the Cafayate Valley, El Porvenir wants to share their place with the world.<br /><br />Cafayate is known for its stunning red rock formations. It is a small, isolated, and elevated valley that was home to the pre-Hispanic Diaguita-Calchaquí indigenous people and is located 180 km south of the city of Salta. With its unique characteristics and care of El Porvenir, Cafayete is able to produce high-quality and healthy grapes from this special, high-altitude valley to create iconic vintages, modern classics, and cutting-edge, innovative wines. The extreme desert climate, combined with poor soils, warm days and cool nights, very little rainfall, and plentiful sunlight means that it is easy for El Porvenir to practice integrated, sustainable, and organic viticulture. With vineyards situated between 1,750 and 2,500 metres above sea level, the broad thermal amplitude allows the grapes to become highly concentrated while retaining fresh acidity.<br /><br />This 100% Torrontés was crafted using fruit grown at Finca El Retiro, El Porvenir's most established vineyard. It is situated in the heart of Cafayate, Salta, at the high-altitude of 1,650 metres above sea level, in the far north of Argentina. The vineyard at Finca El Retiro was planted in 1945 on soil that is deep and sandy, with the presence of minerals such as mica crystals. The Torrontés planted in this vineyard were trained using the pergola system, a vine-training system that is ideal for cultivating Torrontés. To craft this wine, it underwent a fairly long fermentation with selected yeast in stainless steel tanks, followed by several months of ageing on its lees. <br /><br />The 2022 growing season in Salta didn't have any major climatic events, but did produce a late vintage. It was a cooler growing season, with yields at the usual quantities. From a very good vintage, let's see how this 2022 Torrontés from Argentina is tasting tonight...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6C38fFdh2Sn7lune0krmaljxaKDrX0ISpEVpz8jkl86oIeNsyAeo179MjLAjgVY2HVyyjkIL11zNw8f_vTVUWynASwzdlQEAONk_Y_6nZsBg2X84t-uyBPbz3AzYUfGcDiHm3MBXOU4Ps5KZ7H3i2FFFSd8_RiUqT0zQd6O3wwD-jz2EcyFiusfYARKy/s900/Bodega-El-Porvenir-de-Cafayate-Laborum-Finca-El-Retiro-Torrontes-2022-Single-Vineyard-Valle-de-Cafayate-Salta-Argentina_09272.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bodega El Porvenir de Cafayate Laborum Finca El Retiro Torrontés 2022 (89 pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6C38fFdh2Sn7lune0krmaljxaKDrX0ISpEVpz8jkl86oIeNsyAeo179MjLAjgVY2HVyyjkIL11zNw8f_vTVUWynASwzdlQEAONk_Y_6nZsBg2X84t-uyBPbz3AzYUfGcDiHm3MBXOU4Ps5KZ7H3i2FFFSd8_RiUqT0zQd6O3wwD-jz2EcyFiusfYARKy/w300-h400/Bodega-El-Porvenir-de-Cafayate-Laborum-Finca-El-Retiro-Torrontes-2022-Single-Vineyard-Valle-de-Cafayate-Salta-Argentina_09272.JPG" title="Bodega El Porvenir de Cafayate Laborum Finca El Retiro Torrontés 2022 (89 pts)" width="300" /></a></div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Tasting Note:</h4><b>BODEGA EL PORVENIR DE CAFAYATE LABORUM FINCA EL RETIRO TORRONTÉS 2022</b> - Single vineyard, Valle de Cafayate, Salta, Argentina (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=489179" target="_blank">#489179</a>) (XD) - $18.95<br />Screw cap. Fresh, medium-high intensity nose of floral, lemon citrus, grapefruit, and herbal aromas with a touch of thyme. On the dry, mid-weighted palate it has a very nicely textured mouthfeel with lovely floral, lemon citrus, thyme, grapefruit, lychee, apple, and herbal flavours supported by fresh, lemony, and zesty acidity. Leesy mineral notes arrive on the mid-palate and is joined by lemon citrus notes on the juicy and exceptionally long finish. Should continue to drink well over the next 3-4 years and is a highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts<br /><br />Other lovely wines by Bodega El Porvenir de Cafayate can be ordered through their Agent - <a href="https://eurovintage.com/" target="_blank">Eurovintage Wines & Spirits</a>.cono_surhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219124933976657219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254980354665815083.post-91980617275266052092024-02-19T17:35:00.000-05:002024-02-19T17:35:40.234-05:00Puente Austral Reserva Privada Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (Chile) - Wine Review<time datetime="2024-02-19">Tonight's</time> red wine review is a delicious, sustainably crafted Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon that arrived at the LCBO earlier this month as part of the feature on wines from Chile in the <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2024/01/february-3-2024-lcbo-vintages-release-wine-picks-chile-argentina.html"><time datetime="2024-02-03">February 3</time> LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection</a>.<br /><br />It is produced by <a href="https://maturanawinery.com/" target="_blank">Maturana Winery</a>, a family-owned winery that was established in Colchagua, central Chile, in 2010 by José Ignacio Maturana, together with his brother Sebastian and his family. Their passion for making excellent wines developed after the great earthquake that affected Chile. Since that time, Maturana has developed unique wines, which also represent a way of life and how to sustainably keep intact the conditions from which our grapes come from.<br /><br />One of the ways Maturana differentiates themselves is due to innovation. They aim to capture the identity of each variety and specific place, and deliver the best expression in each wine. To achieve this goal, they use different and innovative materials such as concrete in different shapes and sizes, clay amphoras, or French oak, which allows Maturana to capture and develop the best ageing capabilities for each variety. While the Chilean wine industry has developed in much the same way for decades, in a classic and traditional way, and there is nothing wrong with that, Maturana wants to do things that are different in every way possible, embracing differentiation as an opportunity.<br /><br />With sustainability a core value of Maturana, the family supports the management of the vineyards in a natural and responsible manner that also 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. They believe 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 the old vineyards that exist in central Chile, with some of these vineyards dating back to the year 1900 and featuring native strains of grape varieties.<br /><br />At Maturana, they believe that producing the best quality wines is their responsibility, and it goes hand-in-hand with their concept of creating something unique. The Puente Austral brand of wines is Maturana's second label, with the Reserva Privada range created as a result of their innovative spirit and openness to taking risks. The origin of Reserva Privada wines lies in their constant search for new vineyard sites, new varieties, and unique blends, while restricted in production. The Puente Austral Reserva Privada wines are approachable, medium-bodied wines that stand out for their fruitiness, freshness, and intensity.<br /><br />From a very good to excellent vintage, let's see how this 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile is tasting tonight...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm93U1rdG6hjJUWshaq-jOEqFJ-MGZLK0-6MLc6JHf1GCZm-oSCahCTb2EptHuM7NuO6_b17sa2bpjqhyphenhyphenY9w7Ne87ZQ9tGuWN4gBVCmdBggTAaBnAMWd0heQQsl2b2oMoXidsW0qGNIQScdT1zvOrwj0eDJFPJZgLP5PTEe1EDw9FfCRUiCgWi-IudNIXZ/s900/Puente-Austral-Reserva-Privada-Cabernet-Sauvignon-2021-Valle-de-Colchagua-Chile_09271.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Puente Austral Reserva Privada Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (89 pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm93U1rdG6hjJUWshaq-jOEqFJ-MGZLK0-6MLc6JHf1GCZm-oSCahCTb2EptHuM7NuO6_b17sa2bpjqhyphenhyphenY9w7Ne87ZQ9tGuWN4gBVCmdBggTAaBnAMWd0heQQsl2b2oMoXidsW0qGNIQScdT1zvOrwj0eDJFPJZgLP5PTEe1EDw9FfCRUiCgWi-IudNIXZ/w300-h400/Puente-Austral-Reserva-Privada-Cabernet-Sauvignon-2021-Valle-de-Colchagua-Chile_09271.JPG" title="Puente Austral Reserva Privada Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (89 pts)" width="300" /></a></div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Tasting Note:</h4><b>PUENTE AUSTRAL RESERVA PRIVADA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021</b> - Sustainable, Valle de Colchagua, Chile (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=21960" target="_blank">#21960</a>) (XD) - $16.95<br />100% Cabernet Sauvignon that was aged in third-use French barrels for 6 months. The medium+ to medium-high intensity nose has attractive, ripe, red fruited currant, cassis, cran-cherry, and red plum aromas accented with touches of vanilla and oak spice. On the dry, medium to medium-full bodied palate it offers deliciously harmonious, ripe, and fruit-forward flavours of red currant, cran-cherry, cassis, and red plum, plus touches of earthy oak adding savoury tones. It has fresh, juicy acidity and smooth, creamy, and fine-grained tannins. It has a supple grip with savoury, earthy oak, and touches of mineral notes lingering on the finish, with very good length. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the next 2-3 years. Score: 89 pts<br /><br />Other delicious wines by Maturana Winery can be found at the LCBO, or ordered through their Agent - <a href="https://kolonakifinewines.com/" target="_blank">Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits</a>.cono_surhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219124933976657219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254980354665815083.post-58924021837444646782024-02-15T17:37:00.002-05:002024-02-15T17:37:57.692-05:00Calcu Tiny Blocks Gran Reserva Cabernet Franc 2020 (Chile) - Wine Review<time datetime="2024-02-15">Tonight's</time> red wine review is a lovely, sustainable and vegan-friendly Cabernet Franc from Chile. It is brand new to the LCBO and arrived on shelves earlier this month as part of the feature on wines from Chile in the recent <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2024/01/february-3-2024-lcbo-vintages-release-wine-picks-chile-argentina.html">LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on <time datetime="2024-02-03">February 3rd</time></a>.<br /><br />It is produced by <a href="https://calcu.cl/" target="_blank">Calcu Vineyards</a>, a winery project that was established in 2003 by the Hurtado family. With over a century's worth of experience making quality wines in the Colchagua Valley, the Hurtado family found a unique place in Marchigüe, within the Colchagua Valley in central Chile, that is marked by hills of granite stone. The hills are the inspiration for the name Calcu Vineyards - "CAL: Hill" and "CUrá: Stone" - and means Hills of Stone.<br /><br />The granite hills with clay seams, combined with the proximity of the vineyard to the sea at just 26 kilometres from the Pacific Ocean, as well as the altitude of the vineyard with different orientations of the slopes allows for a perfect blend that reflects the personality of the vineyard. By combining all of these features, it enables each Calcu wine to showcase the brand's characteristic freshness, structure, verve, and depth. <br /><br />The core values at Calcu Vineyards are excellence, perseverance, and honesty. While sustainability is also one of the four essential values of the Hurtado family, whereby caring for the environment, workers, and the local community is key, Calcu Vineyards was created with the ambition of redefining the Colchagua Valley with world-class, handcrafted wines. With the assistance of winemaking advisor, Xavier Choné, the Hurtado family designed each of the 166 micro-terroirs using a high-precision manual process that followed the orientation of the slopes and natural clay seams that are present on the site. This resulted in a vineyard architecture of small blocks, with many less than 1 hectare in size, with varying slopes and irregular shapes. The nature of these blocks allows each variety to find the ideal place within the vineyard, where it can express its maximum potential. One of the most important aspects of the site is the gentle granitic slopes on the coastal hills. The soil on these slopes contains important seams of clay, which are preserved and maintained as they contribute structure, texture, and depth to the resulting wines.<br /><br />To craft this red wine, the grapes were manually harvested and double sorted from vineyards situated at their Marchigüe Estate vineyard, 25 km from the Pacific Ocean. The vineyard is planted on the gentle hills of the coastal hills, where the soft sea breeze moderates the temperatures and allows the grapes to develop excellent concentration and fresh, aromatic fruit. The soil in this vineyard is mainly granitic with a significant clay content, characters that positively influence concentration and persistent aromas. The tiny blocks selected for this Cabernet Franc (which also includes splashes of Petit Verdot and Carménère) are planted in the highest sectors of soil with a high presence of quartz, which provides a fantastic combination of fresh fruit, structure, and elegance. It was fermented in stainless steel tanks at temperatures between 20ºC and 24ºC, and underwent 18 days of maceration time with its skins. After completing malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks, it was aged for 12 months in French oak barrels.<br /><br />The 2020 growing season at Calcu was marked by a warm and dry climate. This challenged the team at Calcu because they needed to be more alert than ever in identifying the opportune time for harvest in order to maintain the elegance and natural balance that characterizes the wines from this terroir. The resulting wines from the high quality 2020 vintage have high concentration, excellent colour intensity and complexity, and very good ageing capability. Let's see how this 2020 Cabernet Franc from Chile is tasting tonight...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzeClquzMI9GuWd_PGZXVglQVEOSmZHlPbPTS7jeLvMLfRcrCDloKcSU_i-bsUgB5kjtQIGd6hmGwe4-9hE8OWHmDkjWlDhyKBsQcFKaFRL2tTKmWOPOD_1PqcraR8HoIsyE9uYGT1-XsP-XlM4tRhJx1O38DsjAuHxnq6Rtl_eMUSWO6iQ_2wE_ltx33/s900/Calcu-Tiny-Blocks-Gran-Reserva-Cabernet-Franc-2020-Valle-de-Colchagua-Chile_09270.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Calcu Tiny Blocks Gran Reserva Cabernet Franc 2020 (90 pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzeClquzMI9GuWd_PGZXVglQVEOSmZHlPbPTS7jeLvMLfRcrCDloKcSU_i-bsUgB5kjtQIGd6hmGwe4-9hE8OWHmDkjWlDhyKBsQcFKaFRL2tTKmWOPOD_1PqcraR8HoIsyE9uYGT1-XsP-XlM4tRhJx1O38DsjAuHxnq6Rtl_eMUSWO6iQ_2wE_ltx33/w300-h400/Calcu-Tiny-Blocks-Gran-Reserva-Cabernet-Franc-2020-Valle-de-Colchagua-Chile_09270.JPG" title="Calcu Tiny Blocks Gran Reserva Cabernet Franc 2020 (90 pts)" width="300" /></a></div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Tasting Note:</h4><b>CALCU TINY BLOCKS GRAN RESERVA CABERNET FRANC 2020</b> - Sustainable, Valle de Colchagua, Chile (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=35677" target="_blank">#35677</a>) (XD) - $14.95<br />This blend of 95% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, and 2% Carménère has a lovely, lifted, medium-high intensity nose of wet earth, mineral, dark fruited (blackberry, black cherry), minty herb, and sweet tobacco aromas. On the dry, ripe, medium+ bodied palate it has lovely, elegant, and balanced aroma replays of dark fruit, mineral, savoury wet earth, blackberry, black cherry, and tobacco flavours with some spicy and herbal notes. It is well-structured with very good acidity and grippy, structured, and mouth puckering tannins. Minerally with dark fruit and tobacco notes linger on the long, crisp, and juicy finish. Enjoyable now, but will reward with 2-3 years in the cellar. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts<br /><br />While only a limited number of the excellent <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2023/05/calcu-winemakers-selection-blend-2018-chile-wine-review.html">2018 Calcu Winemaker's Selection Blend</a> is available on clearance at the LCBO, all wines in the Calcu Vineyards portfolio can be ordered through Agent - <a href="https://ca.linkedin.com/in/don-ackerman-06770816" target="_blank">Don Ackerman's Wines & Spirits</a>.cono_surhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219124933976657219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254980354665815083.post-50085776313075703662024-02-14T05:00:00.041-05:002024-02-26T18:01:20.623-05:00February 17, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: France<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPIypLTrLb9j7_cJJ9lUo2HCaJYl2upyhvMca-RacCM3aFagbXqP01RQxwXn-eRsqHYjGYzTNz9pjOPp-QrwgICWcV5yM8LjnATDo-5-scF3M6xFFCo43hagU7yg7picu-AFYHkWA5FgCEoMzhht2XgUULtY62dCtmo1SJe-AryyWimBkI9b2hfSImMtg/s800/240217_en.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="LCBO Wine Picks: February 17, 2024 VINTAGES New Release Collection" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="598" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPIypLTrLb9j7_cJJ9lUo2HCaJYl2upyhvMca-RacCM3aFagbXqP01RQxwXn-eRsqHYjGYzTNz9pjOPp-QrwgICWcV5yM8LjnATDo-5-scF3M6xFFCo43hagU7yg7picu-AFYHkWA5FgCEoMzhht2XgUULtY62dCtmo1SJe-AryyWimBkI9b2hfSImMtg/w200-h268/240217_en.jpg" title="LCBO Wine Picks: February 17, 2024 VINTAGES New Release Collection" width="200" /></a></div>Here's my top wine picks from the <a href="http://vintageassessments.com/MVC/240217.pdf" target="_blank">February 17, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection</a>. It's another small-ish release with 85 wines offered, although a number of these are VINTAGES Essentials products. The feature of the release focuses on the wines from France, and all the wines should be available for purchase by this Saturday.<br /><br />We begin with the feature that looks at the wines from France. There are nineteen wines as part of the theme, but six of these are VINTAGES Essentials products that are always available. Overall, it is a weak theme with several important categories missing, such as wines from Loire, Rhône whites, and reds from Languedoc. Of the nineteen wines in the theme, only three are included among my top wine recommendations. There are two whites - a <b>Gewurztraminer</b> from Alsace and an <b>Aligoté</b> from Burgundy, while the lone red wine is from Bordeaux, and it is crafted with <b>50/50 Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon</b>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWidgPgbDDS6yvRmxXslpr4pPhoNnPvsar-LYXJKlo_o6wG6W13jjm48PDjAHgKs5EcVFey-AA51LDXusOOcWb_1qsW4ypLJA6EX4OiiNUYbjtQ3V8v71JJcG23x2O20G0qKxgxO2OHRwhXK8FoBQAvNJx27KH4gMTNB01KYTiNCowt6DLVY6KLKj0NQLX/s900/Closerie-des-Alisiers-Bourgogne-Aligote-2022-AP-Burgundy-France_171829403.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Closerie des Alisiers Bourgogne Aligoté 2022" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWidgPgbDDS6yvRmxXslpr4pPhoNnPvsar-LYXJKlo_o6wG6W13jjm48PDjAHgKs5EcVFey-AA51LDXusOOcWb_1qsW4ypLJA6EX4OiiNUYbjtQ3V8v71JJcG23x2O20G0qKxgxO2OHRwhXK8FoBQAvNJx27KH4gMTNB01KYTiNCowt6DLVY6KLKj0NQLX/w240-h320/Closerie-des-Alisiers-Bourgogne-Aligote-2022-AP-Burgundy-France_171829403.jpg" title="Closerie des Alisiers Bourgogne Aligoté 2022" width="240" /></a></div><br />Leading the way in the main release among my top red wine picks is Italy with five recommended wines, most of which are from Tuscany. At the top of the list is the Brunello di Montalcino, which is crafted with <b>100% Sangiovese Grosso</b>, followed by the Rosso di Montalcino that is made with <b>100% Sangiovese</b>. The Chianti Classico Annata is also <b>100% Sangiovese</b>, while the Riserva Chianti Classico is a blend with a minimum of <b>80% Sangiovese</b>. The last wine from Italy is the Wine of the Month - a Valpolicella that is composed of <b>70% Corvina Veronese, 20% Corvinone, and 10% Rondinella</b>. Red wine blends from other parts of the world include the Niagara Syrah which is actually a co-fermented blend of <b>99.4% Syrah and 0.6% Viognier</b>, while the Gualtallary red from Argentina is composed of <b>50% Cabernet Franc, 45% Malbec, and 5% Casavecchia</b>. There is also an Australian GSM that is made with <b>67% Grenache, 27% Shiraz, and 6% Mataro</b>, as well as the red from South Africa that is crafted with <b>82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Syrah</b>. And last, but not least, the Rhône red is a <b>50/50 blend of Grenache and Syrah</b>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqJKkJZzZAB8GOa7UYhhcmFWCB7tcFN65-e1BQMiYrTB3JDbw_St7fGNsnNcSqUEIZldBEcUBhjeIZUN-3NTD3c1TCEZj5YatYzItOeoe8yS6EbKgHo5MVUWB5LJr1pdRWGh5Kqrzl7HLXsQ0nCXOfAFb1VAemtsddCBtyM9yc8VNT_fhobN6x8YlHyYw/s900/Carpineto-Brunello-di-Montalcino-2018-DOCG-Tuscany-Italy_08844.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Carpineto Brunello di Montalcino 2018 (92+ pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqJKkJZzZAB8GOa7UYhhcmFWCB7tcFN65-e1BQMiYrTB3JDbw_St7fGNsnNcSqUEIZldBEcUBhjeIZUN-3NTD3c1TCEZj5YatYzItOeoe8yS6EbKgHo5MVUWB5LJr1pdRWGh5Kqrzl7HLXsQ0nCXOfAFb1VAemtsddCBtyM9yc8VNT_fhobN6x8YlHyYw/w240-h320/Carpineto-Brunello-di-Montalcino-2018-DOCG-Tuscany-Italy_08844.JPG" title="Carpineto Brunello di Montalcino 2018 (92+ pts)" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1chkLeSJK3-xj1-3HMXM_fXuGzQ8dVstmrvVSBR_Nh3yhaJgSHOyVcnX7TnJR-VHeV6GmAI0mKNs2lhh16fzyHcldMqQuLiRGHmdJ4Wm6ghS7BOckf6OrIDsrW5o_MldMpYoPRwjstGnfFGJZG70LhFgDxsNUB585YSBOi_plnLsduCh7pRGN-Io7TIT0/s900/Corte-Pavone-Rosso-di-Montalcino-2021-DOCG-Tuscany-Italy_08862.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Corte Pavone Rosso di Montalcino 2021 (91 pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1chkLeSJK3-xj1-3HMXM_fXuGzQ8dVstmrvVSBR_Nh3yhaJgSHOyVcnX7TnJR-VHeV6GmAI0mKNs2lhh16fzyHcldMqQuLiRGHmdJ4Wm6ghS7BOckf6OrIDsrW5o_MldMpYoPRwjstGnfFGJZG70LhFgDxsNUB585YSBOi_plnLsduCh7pRGN-Io7TIT0/w240-h320/Corte-Pavone-Rosso-di-Montalcino-2021-DOCG-Tuscany-Italy_08862.JPG" title="Corte Pavone Rosso di Montalcino 2021 (91 pts)" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-GIkgzl5xCXXLTbj_cf0E0K9x-dTg3FaCgyymIeMvfyNsO80-GEoeLXZcQr6lJZkh4Vc6TuusbbysN77PepBMhAu0KNJsRDYHxJ8BVer3WwSez5x5ZlKygkuKDcvoa1jlHyrpVytGQzsmpsoXlHx6wo3LJIU0oFR7N26LRhr9oOZPbmTZTDWkUPxaRVz/s900/Il-Molino-di-Grace-Chianti-Classico-2019-DOCG-Tuscany-Italy_07003.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Il Molino di Grace Chianti Classico 2019 (90+ pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-GIkgzl5xCXXLTbj_cf0E0K9x-dTg3FaCgyymIeMvfyNsO80-GEoeLXZcQr6lJZkh4Vc6TuusbbysN77PepBMhAu0KNJsRDYHxJ8BVer3WwSez5x5ZlKygkuKDcvoa1jlHyrpVytGQzsmpsoXlHx6wo3LJIU0oFR7N26LRhr9oOZPbmTZTDWkUPxaRVz/w240-h320/Il-Molino-di-Grace-Chianti-Classico-2019-DOCG-Tuscany-Italy_07003.JPG" title="Il Molino di Grace Chianti Classico 2019 (90+ pts)" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4jLca73VbsOauQsDH7Kv8PYfC62SgKIl6GKrWM3Jkd80SUvuZoHgkbjAl81oW7Rq_xpg0TBNUO3ogbvQMf9rn5pYV_G0CpMlFrf4zJep3wl6hx5JKRoBRetjkI0R1YxlWyw_olkdDb1zhWVZTf7G-H2eIeZkw-CdGm03-jUwEi3GenhBOcAv5b1xiFZn/s900/Castelgreve-Riserva-Chianti-Classico-2019-DOCG-Tuscany-Italy_09267.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Castelgreve Riserva Chianti Classico 2019 (90 pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4jLca73VbsOauQsDH7Kv8PYfC62SgKIl6GKrWM3Jkd80SUvuZoHgkbjAl81oW7Rq_xpg0TBNUO3ogbvQMf9rn5pYV_G0CpMlFrf4zJep3wl6hx5JKRoBRetjkI0R1YxlWyw_olkdDb1zhWVZTf7G-H2eIeZkw-CdGm03-jUwEi3GenhBOcAv5b1xiFZn/w240-h320/Castelgreve-Riserva-Chianti-Classico-2019-DOCG-Tuscany-Italy_09267.JPG" title="Castelgreve Riserva Chianti Classico 2019 (90 pts)" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf8kOl-JINdvI4r000eSkEIjCoD5Pv3aZhaCzdM7Kz78k7mlsYFffrrtjjFXZiCWLgK1bFZrKXa-wh2xJwWbR10bggqCinIkxUJKt5EyBnl8S3sOjJoI2dRgLf-2hVWTrxwdTYPQj1EvbB3T06kySSbZo4wzceePOGKIQVTw3VjB8PEmSnGE_Ss4LXWZ0R/s900/Bertani-Catullo-Valpolicella-Ripasso-Classico-Superiore-2019-DOC-Veneto-Italy_09266.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bertani Catullo Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore 2019 (91 pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf8kOl-JINdvI4r000eSkEIjCoD5Pv3aZhaCzdM7Kz78k7mlsYFffrrtjjFXZiCWLgK1bFZrKXa-wh2xJwWbR10bggqCinIkxUJKt5EyBnl8S3sOjJoI2dRgLf-2hVWTrxwdTYPQj1EvbB3T06kySSbZo4wzceePOGKIQVTw3VjB8PEmSnGE_Ss4LXWZ0R/w240-h320/Bertani-Catullo-Valpolicella-Ripasso-Classico-Superiore-2019-DOC-Veneto-Italy_09266.JPG" title="Bertani Catullo Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore 2019 (91 pts)" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpv1TeHJJznczgpujPvuoWIHza8-e7SjUWoaE5W8cKCQ5I1CNiXdFRgoEcfh51tANR3tOpVH_Wvm40sfSi2rPZcjXfxDHYzQKe3SifMsbMiEb-O9CwT2XFqmyaESkiXW-cWYiFTc4P5_HhRP-kTMhHaByzb4GDCZLvrCIbT5sjYvC9Axt2epTg5AB8yxY_/s900/Creekside-Iconoclast-Syrah-2020-VQA-St-Davids-Bench-Niagara-on-the-Lake-Ontario-Canada_07517.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Creekside Iconoclast Syrah 2020 (91 pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpv1TeHJJznczgpujPvuoWIHza8-e7SjUWoaE5W8cKCQ5I1CNiXdFRgoEcfh51tANR3tOpVH_Wvm40sfSi2rPZcjXfxDHYzQKe3SifMsbMiEb-O9CwT2XFqmyaESkiXW-cWYiFTc4P5_HhRP-kTMhHaByzb4GDCZLvrCIbT5sjYvC9Axt2epTg5AB8yxY_/w240-h320/Creekside-Iconoclast-Syrah-2020-VQA-St-Davids-Bench-Niagara-on-the-Lake-Ontario-Canada_07517.JPG" title="Creekside Iconoclast Syrah 2020 (91 pts)" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyLABKHQVeswARKP7MboNonveAiSseYZ35lJRjXFOH300oPLDn_yPtLLKC4WCluYalbKFF_RnAxm-UK7AQ1wGInmK7Re_rBptCJo__AxXA4N8nx-N9KbAt1FT-G5LKoAZf23SIj8SN8WpIrdPXUbAb13loNmXBlPhIAKqFYZEWtrCNYl76Y00dq4NAK_K/s900/LAVAU-Rasteau-2020-AC-Rhone-France_171912741.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="LAVAU Rasteau 2020" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyLABKHQVeswARKP7MboNonveAiSseYZ35lJRjXFOH300oPLDn_yPtLLKC4WCluYalbKFF_RnAxm-UK7AQ1wGInmK7Re_rBptCJo__AxXA4N8nx-N9KbAt1FT-G5LKoAZf23SIj8SN8WpIrdPXUbAb13loNmXBlPhIAKqFYZEWtrCNYl76Y00dq4NAK_K/w240-h320/LAVAU-Rasteau-2020-AC-Rhone-France_171912741.jpg" title="LAVAU Rasteau 2020" width="240" /></a></div><br />Among my white wine recommendations from the main release, all are mono-varietal wines. From Italy, there is a <b>Fiano</b> from Campania, and the Lugana from Veneto is crafted with the <b>Turbiana</b> varietal. The other white wines are a <b>Chenin Blanc</b> from South Africa, and an <b>unoaked Chardonnay</b> from Niagara. If you enjoy decadently sweet wines, the Sherry made with <b>Pedro Ximénez</b> will be right up your alley.<br /><br />Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Salud!<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Red Wine:</h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>KIR YIANNI CUVÉE VILLAGES XINOMAVRO 2020</b> - Vegan, PDO Naoussa, Greece (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=14151" target="_blank">#14151</a>) (XD) - $17.95 <i>90+ pts <a href="https://www.winealign.com/wines/156066-Kir-Yianni-Cuvee-Villages-Xinomavro-2020" target="_blank">wine review</a></i></li><li><b>SHANAHANS THE BARKING DOG GSM 2021</b> - Barossa Valley, South Australia (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=20880" target="_blank">#20880</a>) (XD) - $18.95</li><li><b>HENRY LAGARDE OLD VINES ORGANIC MALBEC 2022</b> - Vegan, Mendoza, Argentina (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=36182" target="_blank">#36182</a>) (XD) - $20.95</li><li><b>DOÑA PAULA 1350 ALTITUDE SERIES RED 2020</b> - Gualtallary, Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=17382" target="_blank">#17382</a>) (XD) - $22.95</li><li><b>CHÂTEAU FONTAINE DE L'AUBIER 2016</b> - AC Médoc, Bordeaux, France (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=35619" target="_blank">#35619</a>) (XD) - $22.95</li><li><b>CASTELGREVE RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019</b> - Sustainable, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=344416" target="_blank">#344416</a>) (XD) - $23.95 <i>90 pts <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2024/02/castelgreve-riserva-chianti-classico-2019-tuscany-wine-review.html">wine review</a></i></li></ul><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>LAVAU RASTEAU 2020</b> - AC, Rhône, France (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=394650" target="_blank">#394650</a>) (XD) - $23.95</li><li><b>GREAT HEART RED BLEND 2020</b> - WO Swartland, South Africa (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=33288" target="_blank">#33288</a>) (XD) - $23.95</li><li><b>IL MOLINO DI GRACE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019</b> - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=85209" target="_blank">#85209</a>) (XD) - $24.95 <i>90+ pts <a href="https://www.winealign.com/wines/156114-Il-Molino-Di-Grace-Chianti-Classico-Docg-2019" target="_blank">wine review</a></i></li><li><b>CREEKSIDE ICONOCLAST SYRAH 2020</b> - Queen's Road Vineyard, VQA St. David's Bench, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=471797" target="_blank">#471797</a>) (XD) - $25.00 <i>91 pts <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2022/12/creekside-iconoclast-syrah-2020-niagara-wine-review.html">wine review</a></i></li><li><b>BERTANI CATULLO VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2019</b> - DOC, Veneto, Italy (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=17777" target="_blank">#17777</a>) (XD) - $26.95 <i>91 pts <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2024/02/bertani-catullo-valpolicella-ripasso-classico-superiore-2019-veneto-wine-review.html">wine review</a></i></li><li><b>CORTE PAVONE ROSSO DI MONTALCINO 2021</b> - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=550699" target="_blank">#550699</a>) (XD) - $28.95 <i>91 pts <a href="https://www.winealign.com/wines/156113-Corte-Pavone-Rosso-Di-Montalcino-Doc-2021" target="_blank">wine review</a></i></li><li><b>CARPINETO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2018</b> - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=14857" target="_blank">#14857</a>) (XD) - $66.95 <i>92+ pts <a href="https://www.winealign.com/wines/146166-Carpineto-Brunello-Di-Montalcino-2018" target="_blank">wine review</a></i></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEthQTzpOulrBbHDBq_4VkmtxRSX9Y9i6XWq4FFLlGpfpPY4x_p-HZ1SKMhYYduu7HTDWIg1-lUE5PDoV7c1cUctVsqGPtu46FAxLUxSHkfmnV6DofV6cwxEtuj-_HC0QWwa6v1xX-1trEUGcUBhf2vgo6WSOjU7DcvliWydV_bx4qv2zuyJaPtHSM-AaY/s900/Kir-Yianni-Cuvee-Villages-Xinomavro-2020-PDO-Naoussa-Greece_08749.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kir Yianni Cuvée Villages Xinomavro 2020 (90+ pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEthQTzpOulrBbHDBq_4VkmtxRSX9Y9i6XWq4FFLlGpfpPY4x_p-HZ1SKMhYYduu7HTDWIg1-lUE5PDoV7c1cUctVsqGPtu46FAxLUxSHkfmnV6DofV6cwxEtuj-_HC0QWwa6v1xX-1trEUGcUBhf2vgo6WSOjU7DcvliWydV_bx4qv2zuyJaPtHSM-AaY/w240-h320/Kir-Yianni-Cuvee-Villages-Xinomavro-2020-PDO-Naoussa-Greece_08749.JPG" title="Kir Yianni Cuvée Villages Xinomavro 2020 (90+ pts)" width="240" /></a></div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">White Wine:</h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>CANTINA SAN PAOLO FIANO 2022</b> - IGP, Campania, Italy (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=36304" target="_blank">#36304</a>) (XD) - $15.95</li><li><b>TOMMASI LE FORNACI LUGANA 2022</b> - DOC, Veneto, Italy (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=23866" target="_blank">#23866</a>) (XD) - $19.95</li><li><b>JOSEPH CATTIN GEWURZTRAMINER 2022</b> - Sustainable, AC Alsace, France (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=224626" target="_blank">#224626</a>) (M) - $19.95</li><li><b>ROCKWAY VINEYARDS UNOAKED CHARDONNAY 2022</b> - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=483891" target="_blank">#483891</a>) (XD) - $20.00</li><li><b>CLOSERIE DES ALISIERS BOURGOGNE ALIGOTÉ 2022</b> - AP, Burgundy, France (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=557728" target="_blank">#557728</a>) (XD) - $22.95</li><li><b>GREAT HEART CHENIN BLANC 2021</b> - WO Swartland, South Africa (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=24764" target="_blank">#24764</a>) (XD) - $23.95</li></ul><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Fortified Wine:</h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>GONZÁLEZ BYASS NECTAR PEDRO XIMÉNEZ DULCE SHERRY</b> - Vegan, DO, Spain (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=87577" target="_blank">#87577</a>) (S) - $26.95</li></ul>cono_surhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219124933976657219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254980354665815083.post-56161232872095856872024-02-13T17:39:00.000-05:002024-02-13T17:39:41.702-05:00Indómita Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2022 (Chile) - Wine Review<time datetime="2024-02-13">Tonight's</time> white wine review is a lovely Sauvignon Blanc from Chile that arrived at the LCBO as part of the feature on wines from Chile in the recent <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2024/01/february-3-2024-lcbo-vintages-release-wine-picks-chile-argentina.html"><time datetime="2024-02-03">February 3, 2024</time> LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection</a>.<br /><br />It is produced by <a href="https://www.indomita.cl/" target="_blank">Viña Indómita</a>, a prominent Chilean winery that was established in 2001 by the Del Pedregal family in a privileged location between Chile's two most important cities - Santiago and Valparaíso - in the cool-climate of the Casablanca Valley. As a fairly young wine producer, the modern architecture of the winery building has an unrivalled panoramic view of the valley, while nestled within the hill is the barrel room in which the temperature and humidity is naturally regulated.<br /><br />Indómita's mission is to produce quality wines with a focus on sustainability and fair trade values. From vineyard to bottle, the grapes and the subsequent wine are carefully monitored to obtain the best<br />expression of the land. The mission is to create an ethical and responsible supply chain that benefits everyone from our winemakers to our end customers, while also promoting fair and transparent business practices that have a positive impact on our communities and the environment.<br /><br />With several ranges of wines in the Indómita portfolio, this white wine is from their Gran Reserva range and represents the spirit of their vineyards. Indómita's Gran Reserva wines have character, are powerful, and outstanding. The Gran Reserva wines invite you to learn more about wine and its benefits, and is also an invitation to live the Indómita experience and enjoy life.<br /><br />The Sauvignon Blanc grapes for this wine were grown in Casablanca Valley, a cold-weather valley that experiences the cool and saline winds of the Pacific Ocean, and is an extreme location for winegrowing due to the annual accumulation of heat barely reaching the minimum suggested levels for vineyards. The vines for this Sauvignon Blanc were planted in 2002 and 2006 on hillsides and the valley floor, on soil that ranges between a sandy and deep clay structure, with some gravel. The vineyards are planted in both North-South and West-East orientations, a combination that produces high oenological potential with very disparate profiles, and delivers powerful acidity and briny minerality. The grapes were crushed in a reductive environment, with only the free run juice obtained by gravity used to craft this wine. It was fermented in stainless steel tanks using selected yeasts, with gentle lees treatment. To add complexity, 3% of this wine was barrel-fermented and aged in barrels for 3 months.<br /><br />The 2022 growing season in Chile's coastal wine regions, such as Casablanca Valley, has delivered a promising vintage with fresh and focused wines from a slightly cooler than average year. Cool-climate varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc particularly excelled. Let's see how this 2022 Sauvignon Blanc from Chile is tasting tonight...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOkkxcLX7qKTPvzSjrbgj1W2qUm2shq9X5GzQIQxvVBGegTOlzjgTZ9qHsrGV2qSYMhBsqgMrfDbj0ojF1wO74Yz-6OkjSu5SgP5JteDVhyPR6EQDTj4_N8vrpKH_r0G6UFwdBdpD9GZLww-sE5tsz9wTAJb5kz8B1pVGOKY58J7R0oyF9YgBc13p6W1c/s900/Indomita-Gran-Reserva-Sauvignon-Blanc-2022-DO-Valle-de-Casablanca-Chile_09269.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Indómita Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2022 (89 pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOkkxcLX7qKTPvzSjrbgj1W2qUm2shq9X5GzQIQxvVBGegTOlzjgTZ9qHsrGV2qSYMhBsqgMrfDbj0ojF1wO74Yz-6OkjSu5SgP5JteDVhyPR6EQDTj4_N8vrpKH_r0G6UFwdBdpD9GZLww-sE5tsz9wTAJb5kz8B1pVGOKY58J7R0oyF9YgBc13p6W1c/w300-h400/Indomita-Gran-Reserva-Sauvignon-Blanc-2022-DO-Valle-de-Casablanca-Chile_09269.JPG" title="Indómita Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2022 (89 pts)" width="300" /></a></div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Tasting Note:</h4><b>INDÓMITA GRAN RESERVA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022</b> - DO Valle de Casablanca, Chile (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=544213" target="_blank">#544213</a>) (XD) - $15.95<br />Elegantly aromatic with a medium-high intensity nose of guava, green herbs, lemon/lime citrus, grassy, melon, and jalapeño aromas with an underlying saline minerality. It has good weight on the medium+ bodied, dry and creamy palate with lovely lemon/lime citrus, green herb, guava, grassy, and melon flavour replays supported by juicy, well-balanced acidity. There's a touch of spice, along with some leesy minerality on the mid-palate. It's nicely textured with good structure, while leesy mineral notes linger on the long, succulent finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy with seafood! Score: 89 pts<br /><br />Other lovely wines by Viña Indómita can be ordered through their Agent - <a href="http://www.rareearthwines.com/" target="_blank">Rare Earth Wines</a>.cono_surhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219124933976657219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254980354665815083.post-57918957341004614002024-02-10T17:35:00.003-05:002024-02-10T17:38:10.023-05:00Catena Lunlunta Old Vines Appellation Malbec 2021 (Argentina) - Wine ReviewAfter enjoying the excellent <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2021/02/catena-lunlunta-old-vines-appellation-malbec-2018-argentina-wine-review.html">2018 Catena Lunlunta Old Vines Appellation Malbec</a> three years ago, <time datetime="2024-02-10">tonight's</time> red wine review is the latest vintage of this terrific wine that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the theme on wines from Argentina in the <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2024/01/february-3-2024-lcbo-vintages-release-wine-picks-chile-argentina.html"><time datetime="2024-02-03">Feb. 3, 2024</time> LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection</a>.<br /><br />It is produced by <a href="https://catenazapata.com/" target="_blank">Catena Zapata</a>, one of Argentina's and the world's most renowned and prestigious wine growers and producers. The winery was founded in 1902 by Italian immigrant Nicola Catena in Mendoza, Argentina, and was later revitalized to international acclaim in the 1980s by Nicola's grandson - Nicolás Catena Zapata.<br /><br />Today, the family-run winery is now in the hands of the fourth generation - Dr. Laura Catena, daughter of Nicolás. The Catena family is one of the most iconic and influential wine families and have been instrumental in developing Mendoza into a world-class wine region over the past 100+ years. As one of Argentina's pioneering wineries, Catena Zapata is known for its commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability, and was one of the first Argentine wineries to introduce modern viticultural and winemaking techniques to the country. The Catena family also played a significant role in elevating Malbec to its current status as Argentina's flagship grape variety. Catena Zapata produces several Malbec wines that showcase the grape's potential, while also focusing on expressing the terroir of Mendoza.<br /><br />Catena Zapata has several ranges of wines in their portfolio. This particular red wine is from their Appellation Village series of wines, which borrows the idea from Burgundy whereby grapes grown in the territory of certain villages give their name to the appellation. In Argentina, the rural towns of Lunlunta, Vista Flores, San Carlos, Tupungato, Agrelo, and La Consulta lend their names to the beautiful historic vineyards that surround them. Also, like in France where village vineyards are small and often owned by siblings and cousins within the same family due to the Napoleonic code (which establishes that at a person's death, his or her land is divided equally among his or her heirs), in Argentina, over half of the vineyards in Mendoza are less than 4 hectares and owned by multiple family members. The wines of the Catena Appellation Village range express the diversity of terroir and the historic farming customs of these local families.<br /><br />Like previous vintages, this red wine is crafted with 100% Malbec that was grown in the small Lunlunta district that straddles the administrative departments of both Maipú and Lujan de Cuyo, along the Mendoza River, within the Mendoza wine region. Lunlunta is an idyllic district of small orchards and tree-lined country roads, and is well-known for its ancient Malbec vines. This Malbec is from a vineyard situated at 2,785 feet above sea level that was planted in 1930. The soil composition in this vineyard is sandy and loamy, with 50% sand, 30% silt, 20% clay, and 5% surface stones, and has northwestern exposure to the sun. It was fermented in stainless steel tanks and underwent malolactic fermentation. It was aged in a combination of both stainless steel tanks and 1-year-old 225 L French oak for 12 months, then aged a further 10 months in bottle prior to release.<br /><br />The 2021 growing season in Argentina was interesting with wetter and colder than normal conditions, along with damp conditions that persisted into summer. Furthermore, spring experienced significant frosts, which cut yields dramatically. The cool humidity meant that growers had to be vigilant against rot and disease, while the general lack of sunlight resulted in grapes taking longer to reach phenolic ripeness. The long growing season ensured that the resulting fruit was in good condition, with the wines showing fine aromatics, acidity, and elegance. Let's see how this 2021 Malbec from Argentina is tasting tonight...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJoN7KMuugUbj44uvFx8mQ6-GDwAEzU2ScVB3ltv3YKfTy_2iUQTMeFJOCxDlCLKifg8IVM4fN3OWIEXXy5mtdSeoOHYaYHOGsq9GIflSVpkMavo15cgcaO0oCeA1Y1CMck1FGSPLNt8mTXJp1OuQ0w_dw1W-GnGAIGXPFdgJqVrmF43Pp9K7Hmy8g-Bb/s900/Catena-Lunlunta-Old-Vines-Appellation-Malbec-2021-Mendoza-Argentina_09265.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Catena Lunlunta Old Vines Appellation Malbec 2021 (91 pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJoN7KMuugUbj44uvFx8mQ6-GDwAEzU2ScVB3ltv3YKfTy_2iUQTMeFJOCxDlCLKifg8IVM4fN3OWIEXXy5mtdSeoOHYaYHOGsq9GIflSVpkMavo15cgcaO0oCeA1Y1CMck1FGSPLNt8mTXJp1OuQ0w_dw1W-GnGAIGXPFdgJqVrmF43Pp9K7Hmy8g-Bb/w300-h400/Catena-Lunlunta-Old-Vines-Appellation-Malbec-2021-Mendoza-Argentina_09265.JPG" title="Catena Lunlunta Old Vines Appellation Malbec 2021 (91 pts)" width="300" /></a></div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Tasting Note:</h4><b>CATENA LUNLUNTA OLD VINES APPELLATION MALBEC 2021</b> - Sustainable, Mendoza, Argentina (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=11769" target="_blank">#11769</a>) - (XD) - $24.95<br />From vines planted in 1930, this lovely Malbec has a medium-high intensity nose that is elegant and ripe with a lovely mix of plummy, blackberry, earthy-stony mineral, spice, and some herbal aromas. On the spicy, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate it has very fruit-acid-tannin tension that provides a well-structured mouthfeel. Dry with lovely mineral-driven, dark fruited, blackberry, spice, black cherry, plum, and herbal flavours. Structured with tangy and juicy acidity, and medium-firm structured tannins that offer a pleasant, gently chalky grip. Minerally with blackberry, black cherry, and spice notes linger on the long, smoky finish. Enjoyable now, but will reward with a few years in the cellar and drink well to the end of the decade. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts<br /><br />Many fine wines by Catena are available at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - <a href="https://nobleestates.com/" target="_blank">Noble Estates Wines & Spirits</a>.cono_surhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219124933976657219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254980354665815083.post-66234683238737081622024-02-07T17:35:00.000-05:002024-02-07T17:35:51.791-05:00Attems Pinot Grigio 2022 (Friuli) - Wine Review<time datetime="2024-02-07">Tonight's</time> white wine review is a lovely Pinot Grigio from DOC Friuli in northeastern Italy that returned to the LCBO last weekend as part of the <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2024/01/february-3-2024-lcbo-vintages-release-wine-picks-chile-argentina.html"><time datetime="2024-02-03">February 3</time> LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection</a>.<br /><br />It is produced by <a href="https://www.attems.it/en/" target="_blank">Attems</a>, an estate winery with a dynasty that dates as far back as 1106 with documentation that confirms ownership of the land dedicated to viticulture in Collio. Synonymous with the history of wine in Friuli Venezia Giulia, there are also general ledgers from 1764 for the production of Ribolla Gialla and Refosco wines.<br /><br />With a thousand years of tradition, Attems has become a local reference point with Count Douglas Attems as the key protagonist. It was Douglas that founded the Consorzio dei Vini del Collio in 1964, the third (in chronological terms) Consorzio founded in Italy and the first in the Friuli wine region. The story of Attems is interwoven with history from the Patriarchate of Aquileia to the County of Gorizia, from the First World War to the present day. As the area is particularly suited to viticulture, Friuli Venezia Giulia is one of Italy's leading grape-growing regions.<br /><br />Today, Attems is situated in the Collio Goriziano, in the far eastern part of northern Italy, with 44 hectares of south-facing terraced slopes to the west of Gorizia. This unique territory is protected from the cold northern winds and the characteristic “bora” wind of Trieste. The estate is surrounded by nature that is unspoiled and rich in biodiversity, important factors in the cultivation of grape vines. The microclimate of the territory has three distinctive features - the diversity of the three types of soils, diurnal temperature fluctuations and summers that are not excessively hot, and the refractive sunlight from the Adriatic coast a mere 15 kilometres from the vineyards that provides optimal ripening conditions. The philosophy at Attems is to create wines that are an expression of the territory, and with no intervention.<br /><br />In 2000, Attems was acquired by the renowned Frescobaldi family, and with a fascinating past and an accomplished present, the future will be filled with innovation. With the Frescobaldi family at the helm, they continue to pursue Attems tradition with great respect for the estate's distinctive characteristics. <br /><br />This white wine is crafted with 100% Pinot Grigio that was grown in vineyards located between the plains and slopes in the Province of Gorizia, at the far eastern edge of Friuli Venezia Giulia, at an average of 60 metres above sea level. The vineyard age averages 20 years old and is planted on soil that is composed of Eocene sandstone, which was formed when the sea bed lifted 50 million years ago, naturally moist clay-rich soil, and deep soil with many pebbles. The grapes were hand-harvested from the last ten days of August to the beginning of September and gently pressed upon arrival at the winery. The juice was left to decant for 24 to 48 hours and then began its alcoholic fermentation at low temperatures in mainly steel containers, and 10% in barriques. After fermentation, the wine was aged on its noble lees. <br /><br />The growing season in 2022 began with a dry winter, with little rainfall and mild temperatures. Attems delayed the opening of the buds by about 10 days (compared to local averages) by using late pruning techniques. Spring was characterized by mild temperatures and generally good weather, which ensured constant vegetation growth. The Pinot Grigio grapes reached full bloom on around May 25, which was much earlier than the previous two vintages, while the summer heat in June and July was mitigated by some beneficial rain, which allowed the grapes to head into August without an excessive water imbalance. The Pinot Grigio bunches were relatively sparse, and harvest was carried out over as many days as possible, which allowed for a good balance between sugar content and acidity in the must. Within the first few days of fermentation, the must was already releasing some excellent aromas. Let's see how this 2022 Pinot Grigio from Friuli is tasting tonight...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJERDA6DmaX3rdn8tVEYmgp7EMkSFkqgD_07Knr8mLGinv5giIDxhC367-gcNHj7JtJUd3w9fany5K-huND_7eQhH25CQoM85fFZYK8k5-UoTRM_6PWSR48I-6Hr5Ag9kZ_HkzhwYsVtgoOINaUz21I7sLjdwfJM1d7t20-kh0W7lpaNSwwMHM0unbt_1L/s900/Attems-Pinot-Grigio-2022-DOC-Friuli-Italy_09264.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Attems Pinot Grigio 2022 (90 pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJERDA6DmaX3rdn8tVEYmgp7EMkSFkqgD_07Knr8mLGinv5giIDxhC367-gcNHj7JtJUd3w9fany5K-huND_7eQhH25CQoM85fFZYK8k5-UoTRM_6PWSR48I-6Hr5Ag9kZ_HkzhwYsVtgoOINaUz21I7sLjdwfJM1d7t20-kh0W7lpaNSwwMHM0unbt_1L/w300-h400/Attems-Pinot-Grigio-2022-DOC-Friuli-Italy_09264.JPG" title="Attems Pinot Grigio 2022 (90 pts)" width="300" /></a></div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Tasting Note:</h4><b>ATTEMS PINOT GRIGIO 2022</b> - DOC Friuli, Italy (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=707950" target="_blank">#707950</a>) (XD) - $19.95<br />Elegantly aromatic with a medium-high intensity nose of lemon peel, citrus, melon, tropical fruit, orange, floral, and mineral aromas with a tinge of honey. It is impressively concentrated on the dry, medium+ bodied palate with lovely ripe citrus, grapefruit, honey, yellow floral and spice flavours. It has a very nicely textured mouthfeel and fresh acidity. Balanced and intriguing with leesy mineral and spice notes lingering on the long, gently sticky, and dry finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts<br /><br />While only a small quantity of the fabulous Attems Cicinis is available at the LCBO, the full portfolio of wines by Attems can be ordered through their Agent - <a href="https://www.markanthonywineandspirits.ca/" target="_blank">Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits</a>.cono_surhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219124933976657219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254980354665815083.post-9295456039787471622024-02-05T17:54:00.002-05:002024-02-05T17:54:40.455-05:00Wakefield Estate Label Chardonnay 2022 (Australia) - Wine Review<time datetime="2024-02-05">Tonight's</time> white wine review is the latest vintage of a perennially delicious Chardonnay from South Australia that arrived at the LCBO over the weekend in the <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2024/01/february-3-2024-lcbo-vintages-release-wine-picks-chile-argentina.html"><time datetime="2024-02-03">February 3, 2024</time> LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection</a>.<br /><br />It is produced by the renowned and well-respected <a href="https://www.wakefieldwines.com/" target="_blank">Wakefield Wines</a>. The family estate winery was established in 1969 by Bill Taylor Sr. and his two sons near the Wakefield River in Clare Valley, South Australia. After working as wine merchants, the Taylor family desired to have their own vineyards and create their own, authentic, and estate-grown wines. The Estate Label wines were the first wines established by the Taylor family, with the Chardonnay joining the range several years later.<br /><br />Today, Wakefield Wines is led by the third generation of the family - brothers Mitchell, Justin, and Clinton - with a focus on continuing the family tradition of making delicious wines that stand the test of time. The family's philosophy is to produce wines sustainably and responsibly, while respecting the fruit and where it comes from. The family also has a strong innovative spirit, and one of their innovations is the <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2020/08/wakefield-estate-wines-australia-and-optimum-drinking-temperature.html">Optimum Drinking Sensor</a> that is located on the back label of their Estate Label and Promised Land wines, including this Estate Label Chardonnay.<br /><br />While the <a href="http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2023/02/wakefield-estate-label-chardonnay-2021-australia-wine-review.html">2021 Wakefield Estate Label Chardonnay</a> was crafted with fruit predominantly from Padthaway, this vintage is composed of 51% Clare Valley fruit and 49% from the Limestone Coast zone. Padthaway is one of a number of wine regions situated within the Limestone Coast zone. The different parcels of fruit from both regions were kept separate during the vinification process. It was matured for 10 months in French oak, mostly 2- and 3-years-old, and then blended and bottled.<br /><br />The 2022 growing season in Clare Valley produced fruit of both high-quality and quantity, with crops of all varieties basking in mild, sunny days with no rain or humidity. It was a beautiful, idyllic vintage of uninterrupted weather that was more typical of the better vintages of the 80s and 90s. Growing conditions across the Limestone Coast zone were mostly good, with yields in Padthaway slightly below average due to mild and dry conditions. Let's see how this 2022 Chardonnay from South Australia is tasting tonight...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKyRW9CeTqRYOQ7LkOExIOWgsCfbvu_mhvb0FZBo-oRAVRAjeozwPCNbbHd2NJJ8MNlo_wNLQAmnBHfGl_ivQPNmO5jgHgj0ONuPxYUOowVm1qrzRIyTonYPvOLFU1I4XbGd9lBYxltuBeT7VsMefITNZJCC0uhAI8srNx2AU192v_r1U0bw2_s32_NJi/s900/Wakefield-Estate-Label-Chardonnay-2022-Clare-Valley-Limestone-Coast-South-Australia_09263.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Wakefield Estate Label Chardonnay 2022 (89 pts)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKyRW9CeTqRYOQ7LkOExIOWgsCfbvu_mhvb0FZBo-oRAVRAjeozwPCNbbHd2NJJ8MNlo_wNLQAmnBHfGl_ivQPNmO5jgHgj0ONuPxYUOowVm1qrzRIyTonYPvOLFU1I4XbGd9lBYxltuBeT7VsMefITNZJCC0uhAI8srNx2AU192v_r1U0bw2_s32_NJi/w300-h400/Wakefield-Estate-Label-Chardonnay-2022-Clare-Valley-Limestone-Coast-South-Australia_09263.JPG" title="Wakefield Estate Label Chardonnay 2022 (89 pts)" width="300" /></a></div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Tasting Note:</h4><b>WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL CHARDONNAY 2022</b> - Clare Valley / Limestone Coast, South Australia (<a href="https://www.lcbo.com/en/product?sku=711556" target="_blank">#711556</a>) (XD) - $16.95<br />Screw cap. The fragrant, open, and perfumed nose offers attractive aromas of ripe orchard fruit, apple, and pear nuanced with vanilla spice and lemon citrus, plus touches of banana and ripe tropical fruits adding further complexity. It has good weight on the dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate with ripe apple, pear, lemon citrus, and vanilla spice flavours. It has a nicely textured mouthfeel and crisp, juicy acidity, while leesy mineral notes linger on the lengthy finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts<br /><br />Other lovely wines by Wakefield Wines are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - <a href="https://profilewinegroup.com/" target="_blank">Profile Wine Group</a>.cono_surhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06219124933976657219noreply@blogger.com0