Byron & Harold Rags to Riches Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 (Margaret River) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely, vegan-friendly Cabernet Sauvignon from Margaret River in Western Australia and made its debut at the LCBO in the August 1 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Byron & Harold, a wine company that was founded in the Margaret River wine region of Western Australia in 2012 by Paul Byron and Harold (Ralph) Dunning. After a combined 60+ years in the fine wine business, Paul and Ralph came together to create Byron & Harold with a solemn pledge to find, package, and share the wine they love with all who share their appreciation of the romance, the history, the sheer pleasure fine wine brings to a shared meal.

Based in Western Australia, Byron & Harold focuses on producing wines from Margaret River and Great Southern, cool-climate winegrowing regions that benefit from their southerly latitudes and strong maritime influences. The winemaking philosophy at Byron & Harold begins in the vineyard as they seek out the best parcels of fruit in Western Australia in order to craft wines that wine lovers want to drink. Wines are crafted with flavours that are true to their variety and have provenance that reflects their origins.

Today, Margaret River is known for its outstanding viticulture, wine production, and international tourism, and as the leading wine region of Western Australia, it is respected and enjoys a reputation that is recognised around the world. Situated along the westerly coastal strip of southwestern Australia, Margaret River enjoys a Mediterranean-influenced maritime climate, with average annual rainfall of roughly 1,100 mm and the moderating influence of the Indian Ocean. The region's ideal winegrowing conditions include good winter rains to replenish soil moisture, warm summer days, long sunshine hours, and cooling sea breezes during the ripening period. This combination of maritime influences and diverse, well-drained soils helps produce consistently high-quality fruit with intense flavours.

This Cabernet Sauvignon is from Byron & Harold's "Rags to Riches" collection, a range of premium wines crafted using fruit from their vineyards in Margaret River. The name pays homage to the immigrants who arrived in Margaret River after the First World War. The Western Australian Government encouraged migrants to settle in the region and establish farms, and by 1922, more than 100 settlers had arrived. From humble beginnings and the challenges of carving out a living from the native bushland, Margaret River has evolved into one of Australia's—and the world's—most respected winegrowing regions, making the "Rags to Riches" name particularly fitting.

To craft this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the fruit was harvested during the cool hours of the early morning. Upon arriving at the winery, the grapes were delicately crushed into static fermenters and inoculated with cultured yeast to begin fermentation. To extract colour, flavour, and tannins, while also encouraging aeration, pump-overs were conducted twice daily. After fermentation was complete, the wine was aged in French oak barriques until September 2024. The various parcels were then blended in tank and allowed to settle before undergoing light fining and filtration prior to bottling.

The 2023 vintage in Margaret River featured optimal, dry conditions, and mild weather that allowed for gentle and consistent ripening across all varieties. Budburst and vine development were delayed by about two to three weeks due to lower-than-average winter temperatures, but good fruit set resulted in healthy, and ultimately higher, yields. Although the spring growing season started slowly, summer brought glorious conditions, with consistent warmth in January allowing vine development to catch up. Ideal ripening conditions, combined with minimal disease pressure, produced inky, dense, and intense Cabernet Sauvignons with very fine tannin structure. Described as a once-in-a-decade vintage of the highest quality, let's see how this 2023 Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

BYRON & HAROLD RAGS TO RICHES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 - Vegan, Margaret River, Western Australia (#50142) (XD) - $23.95
Screw cap enclosure. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon has lovely, fragrant, and open aromatics of medium-high to high intensity featuring ripe black & red currants, grilled herbs, blackberry, black cherry, evergreen, smoky oak, graphite, and spice aromas with earthy undertones in a complex profile. On the dry, ripe, and medium-full bodied palate it has plummy, black currant, black cherry, blackberry, evergreen herbs, oak spice, graphite, and savoury earth flavours, all supported by fresh and juicy acidity. Smooth, ripe tannins have good structure and a slightly youthful mouthfeel. Well-balanced throughout with sweet fruit notes on the mid-palate leading to graphite, spice, and savoury earth on the long, balanced finish. Enjoy into the mid-2030s. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Other lovely wines by Byron & Harold can be ordered through their Agent - Kylix Wines.

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Planeta Frappato 2024 (Sicily) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is this excellent, organic Frappato from the Sicilia Vittoria DOC in Sicily that arrived at the LCBO after a one-year absence. It was featured as part of the thematic on wines from Italy's islands of Sicily (and Sardinia) in last weekend's August 1st LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Planeta, a family-owned winery that ranks among Sicily's most respected and influential wine producers. Over the course of more than 500 years and 17 generations, the Planeta family has established deep roots on the island, playing an important role in the agricultural evolution of Sicily's diverse and complex landscapes.

The approach at Planeta leans towards openness and innovation, with the family's most recent history beginning in the early 1900s when Grandfather Vito transformed the small, family winery in Menfi, in western Sicily, into a thriving co-operative in a remarkably short period, laying the foundation for future growth and new opportunities. Today, Planeta operates six estates across Sicily, each chosen to express the unique character of its respective terroir.

The family's journey to Vittoria began in the late 1990s with the restoration of the historic Dorilli estate, centred around a grand country house on land long associated with the Planeta family. The first vineyards were planted in 1997, and the estate has since become the family's home for producing wines from Vittoria's distinctive red sandy soils. Rich in history and agricultural tradition, Vittoria has long held a special place in the family's story—so much so that earlier generations debated whether Vittoria or Menfi was the better place to cultivate vines.

Today, Planeta is led by two generations of the family—brothers and sisters, along with their children, nieces, and nephews—who share a common vision rooted in collaboration, respect for the land, and environmental stewardship. Their commitment to sustainable viticulture and thoughtful winemaking has earned Planeta an international reputation for producing wines that faithfully express the remarkable diversity of Sicily's terroirs.

I was first introduced to this wine five years ago with the 2018 Planeta Frappato, and it has been a consistently recommended buy ever since. Frappato is a rare variety planted mainly in Sicily and has a close genetic relationship to Sangiovese. There are only approximately 1,000 hectares of vines planted to Frappato, with Planeta cultivating theirs according to sustainable and organic standards in the red sands of Vittoria, where it reaches its ultimate expression, not far from the sea.

First crafted in the 2013 vintage, this red wine is crafted with 100% Frappato that was grown at Planeta's Mogli vineyard in the district of Acate in southeastern Sicily. The vineyard is situated at 70 metres above sea level and planted on sandy textured soils that are the main characteristics of the Vittoria area. Furthermore, the soil consists mainly of loose red sands with a structure of small dimension, moderately deep, and a layer of tufa that lies at about 90 cm, which crucially helps with water capacity and balancing of the water in the plants.

To vinify this wine, the grapes were hand-harvested and transported to the winery in small trolleys, after which they were destalked and pressed, then transferred into 114 hL and 150 hL stainless steel tanks. The grapes were stirred three times a day with very short pump overs of 10–20 minutes according to the phase of fermentation, as well as to protect the skins and fruit as much as possible. It was cool-fermented at the beginning, then raised to about 24°C to allow the final alcohol level to develop. After completing fermentation, the skins remain in contact with the wine for 10–13 days, then racked off. Malolactic fermentation was completed, followed by maturation, all in the same stainless steel tanks.

While the 2024 vintage in Sicily was characterized by a drop in yields, drought, high temperatures, and an early harvest, quality did not suffer as good ripeness levels were attained. It is considered to be a good to excellent vintage with exceptionally healthy fruit that produced balanced wines. In the Vittoria area of southeastern Sicily, the vintage is considered to be excellent as Frappato is suited to areas with low rainfall, along with the significant diurnal temperatures between night and day and cooling sea breezes. Let's see how this 2024 Frappato from Vittoria in Sicily is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

PLANETA FRAPPATO 2024 - DOC Sicilia Vittoria, Italy (#508655) (XD) - $23.95
100% Frappato and certified organic, this has a fresh, fragrant, and medium-high+ intensity nose offering attractive dark red berried cran-cherry, strawberry, and red plum aromas mingling with fine spices, peppercorn, earth, mineral, plus a hint of blood orange adding further complexity. It's light-to-medium bodied on the dry palate with lovely cran-cherry, red berry, strawberry, red plum, savoury earth, and dried spice flavours. Some bitter notes appear on the mid-palate, while acids are crisp and fresh. Present and well-structured tannins offer a somewhat chalky textured mouthfeel. It's well-balanced with dark red cherry and spice notes tapering to earth and minerals on the long, savoury finish. Should drink nicely over the coming 5-6 years and is a highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

Several wines by Planeta are available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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d'Arenberg The Custodian Grenache 2021 (McLaren Vale) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is this lovely Grenache from the McLaren Vale in Australia. It arrived at the LCBO as part of the feature on Summer Smart Buys in the July 18th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by d'Arenberg, a renowned and well-respected winery that was established in 1912 by Joseph Osborn in the McLaren Vale wine region of South Australia. With a long and rich history of winemaking, d'Arenberg has been passed down from one generation to the next and is currently led by Chester Osborn, the fourth generation of the Osborn family, who became Chief Winemaker at the family estate in 1984.

Today, the focus at d'Arenberg is to encourage each vineyard to showcase its personality by practicing viticulture and winemaking with minimal intervention. This is implemented by time-honoured techniques such as open fermentation, foot treading, and basket pressing, which allow the personality of the vineyard to shine. Furthermore, all d'Arenberg estate owned and leased vineyards are ACO Certified for organic and biodynamic processes. By using natural and environmentally friendly processes, this encourages strong root systems that penetrate the soil, which results in lively tannin structures, soil characters, and fine minerality. The environment, sustainability, and community are core values at d'Arenberg as they aim for net carbon zero by 2035 and pass on a sustainable business to the next generation.

Winemaking at d'Arenberg begins with Chester walking the vineyard rows and tasting grapes in order to classify and determine the ideal picking time for each individual vineyard. McLaren Vale is home to some of the oldest vines in the country, with some dating as far back as 1850. McLaren Vale also has a Mediterranean climate with a huge array of soil types, while its proximity to the ocean and cooling sea breezes make it an idyllic location for winegrowing. At the winery, each wine, from entry level to iconic, undergoes basket pressing, with all red ferments foot trod during fermentation, a labour-intensive action that is controlled, extremely gentle, and yields quality results. Importantly, all parcels remain separate until final blending.

The name of this wine comes from a time during the 1980s vine pull scheme when d'Arry Osborn refused to remove his old Grenache vineyards. Today, as keeper of nearly one-third of McLaren Vale's old bush vine Grenache, d'Arenberg has earned the title of "Custodian" of the variety.

To craft this 100% Grenache wine, small batches of grapes were gently crushed and transferred into open fermenters, after which foot treading was undertaken two-thirds of the way through fermentation. The wine was then basket-pressed and transferred into old French oak to complete fermentation and mature. The basket-fermented wine was then aged on its lees for 9 months, without any racking until final blending. After blending, it was bottled without undergoing any fining or filtration.

In McLaren Vale, the 2021 growing season began with a wet winter and spring that replenished soil moisture before a hot, dry November naturally reduced yields. Well-timed February rain refreshed the vines, while warm conditions accelerated ripening, resulting in one of the earliest harvests on record. Mild, dry autumn weather, punctuated by a few warm days in late March and early April, allowed Grenache and other late-ripening varieties to reach full maturity. From a vintage that produced both quantity and quality, along with it being considered as one of the best vintages of this century, let's see how this 2021 Grenache from Australia is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

D'ARENBERG THE CUSTODIAN GRENACHE 2021 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#713040) (XD) - $19.95
Enclosed by screw cap, this 100% Grenache has a medium+ to medium-high intensity nose that seems a bit tight, with deep aromas of red & black raspberry, black cherry, dried herbs, and toasted nut notes nuanced with peppery spice, stony minerals, and a touch of red florals adding further interest and complexity. On the dry, mid-weighted palate it has fresh and lively acidity, alongside ripe, fine-grained tannins with good structure. It has lovely red & black raspberry, black cherry, dried herb, peppery spice, and savoury mineral flavours. Well-balanced with juicy acids on the mid-palate leading to savoury, earthy mineral, and toasted nut notes with a slightly chalky texture on the long finish. Should dink nicely over the coming half dozen+ years and is a highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

A couple of wines by d'Arenberg are widely available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Churchill Cellars.

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Cellier des Dauphins Réserve Côtes du Rhône 2023 (France) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Réserve Côtes du Rhône, a blend of Grenache and Syrah that arrived at the LCBO last month as part of the July 18 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Union des Vignerons des Côtes du Rhône (UVCdR), a co-operative winery founded in 1965 in the southeastern French region of Drôme Provençale by a group of local grower co-operatives. Today, UVCdR unites approximately 2,300 winegrowing families across the Southern Rhône Valley, cultivating more than 12,000 hectares of vineyards to produce wines from numerous Rhône Valley appellations, including several Crus.

As one of the Rhône Valley's largest wine producers, UVCdR has become one of the region's leading co-operative groups, with Cellier des Dauphins serving as its flagship brand. Introduced in 1967, Cellier des Dauphins has grown into one of the Rhône Valley's best-known wine brands, built on the co-operative values of its founding growers. The brand reflects a commitment to quality from vine to glass, while celebrating the collective spirit that has united generations of Rhône winegrowers. Its name—"Cellar of the Dolphins"—pays tribute to the historic Dauphiné region, which bordered the Rhône Valley in southeastern France.

In the vineyard, Cellier des Dauphins growers work their vineyards every day with concrete actions in favour of biodiversity. Their winegrowers have converted 3,000 hectares to High Environmental Value (HVE) certification, and 1,350 hectares to organic agriculture. Cellier des Dauphins is also committed to eco-design of packaging and is constantly seeking sustainable solutions to packaging, along with waste reduction and preserving natural resources.

I last enjoyed this delicious Rhône red when the 2019 Cellier des Dauphins Réserve landed at the LCBO five years ago, and while that vintage was predominantly (90%) Grenache with Syrah playing a very small role, the 2023 blend shifts to 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah. The grapes were selected from their best terroir in the villages of Richerenche, Vinsobres, Puyméras, Tulette, and Saint Maurice. The vineyards are situated at altitude in the lower Pré-Alpes north of Mont Ventoux, on terraces with a cooler climate where the sunny Mediterranean climate is cooled by the Mistral winds. The soil on these terraces is composed of clay limestone formed of sedimentary rock and pebbles. To craft this wine, the grapes were harvested when extra ripe to obtain maximum aromatic concentration and natural mellowness. It was traditionally vinified with the must macerating for two weeks at a controlled temperature, followed by extended wood ageing.

In 2023, the growing season began with a very dry start from January to March, which resulted in a relatively late budburst in early April. The Mistral winds blew frequently during the period between budburst and flowering—precisely when growers would have preferred calmer conditions. On the bright side, there were welcoming rains in May and June, followed by a warm and arid summer, which climaxed to 43°C in late August, which led to some grapes suffering sunburn and maturation issues. Rain at the end of August allowed the vines to recover and the grapes to resume ripening, although the fierce heat remained until the end of the month. This was a season that suited vines grown on clay soils (under rolled pebbles). The early harvest wasn't particularly good for Grenache as sugar ripening had often got ahead of phenolic ripening, which may help explain the increased proportion of Syrah in this vintage for this wine. Despite the challenges, this is a good vintage for red wines from the Southern Rhône. Let's see how this 2023 Côtes du Rhône red is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CELLIER DES DAUPHINS RÉSERVE CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2023 - AOC, France (#14081) (XD) - $16.95
This blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah has a medium+ intensity nose that takes some coaxing to reveal a fine mix of ripe black raspberry, garrigue, peppery spice, and black cherry aromas with warm stones and scorched earth notes adding further complexity. The medium to medium+ bodied palate is dry with ripe, plummy, dark cherry, black raspberry, black cherry, blackberry, and peppery spice flavours nuanced with meaty, scorched earth, and stony minerals. It's supported by fresh, lively, and slightly tangy acidity, along with grainy textured tannins with good structure. Nicely balanced throughout with savoury black raspberry and scorched earth notes lingering on the long finish. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

A few wines by UVCdR bearing the "Dauphins" name are available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Churchill Cellars.

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August 1, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Sicily & Sardinia

Happy long weekend!

Here are my top wine picks from the August 1, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here), where the spotlight is on the wines of Italy's two largest islands—Sicily and Sardinia. This is a relatively small and less-expensive release, featuring 93 products with an average bottle price of just under $26. As always, the wines should be available both online and at LCBO outlets across Ontario.

We'll begin with the feature on Sicily and Sardinia. Winemaking on these Mediterranean islands dates back more than 3,000 years. Today, Sicily ranks as Italy's fourth-largest wine-producing region by volume, while Sardinia is considerably smaller, ranking 14th. Although the feature includes just 10 wines—seven from Sicily and three from Sardinia—fully half are among my top recommendations. Highlights from Sicily include an excellent Frappato red and a refreshing rosé made from the same varietal. The only Sicilian blend comes from Tenute Orestiadi, combining 90% Nero d'Avola with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, while the lone white wine is made from Grillo. Representing Sardinia is a delicious Cannonau, the island's renowned expression of Grenache (Garnacha).

Continuing with my top red wine picks, Italy remains well represented, with the Chianti Classico predominantly Sangiovese with a touch of Merlot, while the Riserva Chianti Classico is composed of 90% Sangiovese and the balance split evenly between Merlot and Syrah. Also recommended are an impressive Cabernet Sauvignon from Tuscany and a classic Nebbiolo from Piedmont. Beyond Italy, Portugal offers a Douro red made from a traditional field blend of Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Sousão, and old-vine fruit, while the Côtes du Rhône blends 70% Grenache with 30% Syrah. Rounding out the reds are an excellent Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia and a Jumilla red from Spain crafted with approximately 80% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Among my white wine recommendations, Italy once again takes centre stage with three single-varietal wines: a Timorasso from Piedmont, a Garganega from Soave in Veneto, and a Pecorino from Abruzzo. The only blend is a Côtes du Rhône Blanc featuring Viognier, Marsanne, and Grenache Blanc. Other lovely whites include a Grüner Veltliner from Austria, a Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa, and a dry Pinot Gris from Australia. Closer to home, there are two lovely Chardonnays—one from Niagara's Twenty Mile Bench and another from British Columbia's Okanagan Valley.

My rosé recommendations begin with a Loire Valley rosé crafted from Pinot Noir. Two rosé blends also earned a place among my picks: a Niagara wine made from equal parts Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir, and a Luberon rosé from the Rhône composed of Syrah, Grenache, and Rolle. Rounding out my picks is a distinctive Blanc de Noir sparkling wine crafted exclusively from Gamay Noir.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• EL GORU GOLD MAD HAIRY FELLA MONASTRELL/ SYRAH/ CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 - Vegan, DOP Jumilla, Spain (#13621) (XD) - $19.95  review coming soon...
• JERZU ANTICHI BANTU CANNONAU DI SARDEGNA 2023 - DOC, Sardinia, Italy (#51716) (XD) - $19.95  review coming soon...
• XAVIER VIGNON CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2023 - AOP, France (#297317) (XD) - $19.95  review coming soon...
• QUINTA DO VALLADO VINHO TINTO 2023 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#41900) (XD) - $19.95
• TENUTE ORESTIADI RISERVA IL ROSSO DI LUDOVICO 2020 - DOC Sicilia, Italy (#388645) (D) - $21.95  91 pts  wine review
• BYRON & HAROLD RAGS TO RICHES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 - Vegan, Margaret River, Western Australia (#50142) (XD) - $23.95  90 pts  wine review
• PLANETA FRAPPATO 2024 - DOC Sicilia Vittoria, Italy (#508655) (XD) - $23.95  91+ pts  wine review
• RÉVA NEBBIOLO D'ALBA 2023 - DOC Langhe, Piedmont, Italy (#38310) (XD) - $29.95
• CARPINETO FARNITO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - IGT Toscana Rosso, Italy (#996553) (XD) - $34.95  91 pts  wine review
• VOLPAIA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2023 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#953828) (XD) - $37.95
• VITICCIO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#599308) (XD) - $47.95  91 pts  wine review

White Wine:

• ALVI'S DRIFT SIGNATURE SELECTION SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#41453) (XD) - $14.95
• LES DAUPHINS RÉSERVE CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2024 - Sustainable, AOC, France (#18600) (XD) - $14.95
• BRIGALDARA SOAVE 2024 - Sustainable, DOC, Veneto, Italy (#23030) (XD) - $16.95
• ANGOVE PINOT GRIS 2025 - Sustainable, South Australia (#50150) (XD) - $17.95  88+ pts  wine review
• UMANI RONCHI VELLODORO PECORINO 2025 - IGT Terre d'Abruzzo, Italy (#289553) (XD) - $17.95  review coming soon...
• COLOMBA BIANCA RESILIENCE GRILLO 2024 - DOC Sicilia, Italy (#49369) (XD) - $21.95  89 pts  wine review
• ZULL GRÜNER VELTLINER 2024 - DAC Weinviertel, Austria (#17497) (XD) - $24.95  91 pts  wine review
• MISSION HILL RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2023 - BC VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#545004) (XD) - $27.95
• FONTANAFREDDA DERTHONA COLLI TORTONESI TIMORASSO 2024 - Vegan, Sustainable, DOC, Piedmont, Italy (#36416) (XD) - $29.95
• BACHELDER CUESTA SINGLE VINEYARD FAR EAST, MAN! CRU NIAGARA CHARDONNAY 2023 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#52011) (XD) - $45.00

Rosé Wine:

• ORGANIZED CRIME ROSÉ 2025 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#16296) (XD) - $19.95
• CHÂTEAU VAL-JOANIS ROSÉ 2025 - AOP Luberon, Rhône, France (#707281) (XD) - $19.95
• CARUSO & MININI FRAPPO FRAPPATO ROSÉ 2025 - IGP Terre Siciliane, Italy (#43979) (XD) - $19.95
• JEAN-MAX ROGER LA GRANGE DÎMIÈRE SANCERRE ROSÉ 2025 - AOC, Loire, France (#490813) (XD) - $31.95

Sparkling Wine:

• 13TH STREET GAMAY BLANC DE NOIR SPARKLING 2023 - Sustainable, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#39728) (XD) - $34.95

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Madison Park Breakfast Gin Iced Tea (Québec) - Review

Tonight's ready-to-drink alcoholic cocktail beverage landed at the LCBO as a brand-new arrival a couple of months ago and is currently on promotion, offering 20 bonus Aeroplan points until August 15th.

It is produced by 1769 Distillery, a family-owned and -operated distillery that was established in 2014 by the husband-and-wife team of Andrew Mikus and Maureen David. This urban distillery is located in the historic Seagram distillery site in the LaSalle borough of Montreal and was the city's first modern craft distillery. The "1769" in the name of the distillery commemorates the year of the first recorded commercial distillery in Canada, which was established in Québec City. As Montreal’s top-rated distillery, 1769 Distillery is a premier destination for award-winning products in Québec and is recognized as one of the best grain to bottle distilleries Montreal has to offer.

1769 Distillery handcrafts all of their products, and one of their newest creations is this Madison Park Breakfast Gin Iced Tea – a non-carbonated, ready-to-drink cocktail that was handcrafted using Madison Park® Breakfast Gin® as its spirit base. This ready-to-drink cocktail is a balanced blend of their artisanal black tea-infused bergamot gin that is combined with just the right amount of lemon and cane sugar, making it a naturally flavoured gin-based iced tea. It is crafted with 5.5% alc./vol., packaged in 355 mL cans, and is crafted to be savoured all year round. Let's see how this Madison Park Breakfast Gin Iced Tea from Québec is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MADISON PARK BREAKFAST GIN ICED TEA - Québec, Canada (#48791) - $3.50  LTO 20 bonus Aeroplan points until August 15
Smells exactly like iced tea with hints of lemon citrus. On the palate it has a pleasing, tea-like texture and gently sweet lemon citrus and tea flavours, along with subtle botanical herbal notes on the mid-palate. Savoury tea notes linger on the crisp, refreshing, and dry finish. Goes down very easy and keeps you coming back sip after sip. Recommended buy for iced tea lovers!

The Madison Park Breakfast Gin is readily available at the LCBO (and SAQ), while the full range of Madison Park beverages can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Boutari Assyrtiko 2025 (Greece) - Wine Review

I enjoyed the 2023 Boutari The Authentic Assyrtiko nearly a year ago, and while tonight's white wine review is the latest vintage of the same wine, it does come to us with slightly simplified branding by removing "The Authentic" from the label. Nevertheless, this is a lovely white wine that arrived at the LCBO just over a week ago in the July 18 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by the historic, renowned, and well-respected Boutari wine company that was established in 1879 by Ioannis Boutaris in Naoussa, Macedonia, in Northern Greece. As one of Greece's most influential and important wineries, Ioannis built Naoussa's first privately-owned winery and retail cellar in 1906, while also launching the production of the first Greek red wine that was bottled under the now-renowned "Naoussa Boutari" label.

Boutari was passed down along family lines from father to son with Stelios Boutaris, son of Ioannis, taking over the reins in the mid-1930s and laying the foundation of the wine company for years to come. In 1968, Giannis and Konstantinos Boutaris, the two sons of Stelios, took over the winery and ventured into vine growing by purchasing a vineyard in Imathia, in Central Macedonia of Northern Greece, and took the family business to new heights, including building their new state-of-the-art winery in 1978 in Stenimachos, Naoussa, a facility that would become their flagship winery as a centre for production, bottling, and ageing.

During the 1980s, Boutari continued to grow and expand while highlighting Greece's various unique wine regions and vine-growing qualities, along with experimenting and cultivating both Greek and international varieties to create a series of experimental wines, some of which remain in the current portfolio. In 2022, a new chapter in the story of Boutari wineries began as they were acquired by holding company Hellenic Wineries, with Elias and Thomas Georgiadis as key investors. While no longer family-owned, the investor group has promised to preserve the heritage and further develop the Boutari name, while also continuing the long tradition of Boutari wineries.

Like the last vintage I tasted, this Assyrtiko is from Boutari's "Varieties" range, which focuses on Greek and international varietal wines from Greece's main wine producing regions and is crafted with passion and love. To craft this wine, the Assyrtiko grapes were selected from the mountainous regions of Florina and Pieria, in Macedonia of Northern Greece. A combination of both berry testing and analytical data determined the time of harvest in each vineyard, while all harvesting took place during the lowest possible temperatures of the day. Upon arriving at the winery, the grapes were strictly sorted manually, then underwent alcoholic fermentation at controlled temperatures using selected yeast strains. Upon completing fermentation, the wine remained in tank for aging by stirring its fine lees until it was bottled.

The growing season in Northern Greece in 2025 was a return to relative normality after a couple of tough harvests marked by major weather events. In 2025, the conditions were generally typical and featured no extreme weather phenomena, with June and July being notably hot and dry, while a diurnal temperature drop of 10°C nightly helped preserve acidity. Cold and rainy conditions arrived at the appropriate time, while heat during the day and cold nights ensured that the grapes developed full aromatics and phenolic ripeness. From a very good to excellent vintage, let's see how this 2025 Assyrtiko from Macedonia in Northern Greece is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

BOUTARI ASSYRTIKO 2025 - PGI Macedonia, Greece (#44246) (XD) - $23.95
Fresh and slightly perfumed, the medium-high to high intensity nose offers engaging and complex aromas of yellow & white floral, lemon citrus, leesy mineral, yellow apple, and spice. The dry, medium-full bodied palate has a textured and slightly chewy mouthfeel with lovely, ripe, and gently honeyed flavours of yellow & white floral, lemon citrus, apple, leesy mineral and spice replays in a nicely balanced profile. Acids are juicy and well-balanced. Touches of pleasing, savoury bitterness appear on the mid-palate, and tapers to apple, lemon, and leesy minerals on the long, succulent, and juicy finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

Several other lovely wines by Boutari are available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - KOLONAKI Group of Companies.

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Los Clop Paraje Altamira Reserva Malbec 2023 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Malbec from the high-altitude region of Paraje Altamira within the Uco Valley of Mendoza, Argentina. It is brand new to the LCBO, arriving both in-store and online in last weekend's July 18 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

This Malbec is produced by Clop Wines, a family-run winery whose story begins after José Clop emigrated from Spain to the Mendoza region of Argentina in 1885. José built the Clop family's first winery in 1915, and the business was boosted by his grandson, Don Eraclio Ricardo Clop, in 1991 with a vision to find the best site for the production of premium wines of great depth and unique personality.

In 2002, Ricardo and his sons, Gustavo and Rubén, bought the current winery, not far from the original winery in the district of Fray Luis Beltrán, Department of Maipú, in Mendoza. By 2005, the Clop brothers took on the challenge of producing high-quality wines with the same vision as their father and great-grandfather. In 2007, they began exporting their wines, with the first export to the Island of Mauritius. In 2015, international acclaim arrived as they were awarded Best Argentine Cabernet Sauvignon at the Decanter World Wine Awards.

Today, Clop Wines continues to be run by brothers Gustavo and Rubén. They have decided to invest mostly in the oases where some of Argetina's best vines are grown: Agrelo and Valle de Uco. The structure and architecture of the winery mimics the first wineries in Mendoza and offers a large and convenient space for the reception and processing of grapes. To produce quality wines, Clop Wines combines age-old tradition with innovative, leading-edge technology.

This red wine is crafted with 100% Malbec that was grown in the Paraje Altamira appellation within the department of San Carlos, Uco Valley. The vineyard was planted in 2007 at an altitude of 1,070 metres above sea level on soil that is sandy with stones on the surface and a significant presence of calcareous material lying underneath. The area typically receives only 180 millimetres of rainfall annually, thus the vines are watered via drip irrigation.

To craft this Malbec, the grapes were hand-harvested in the second fortnight of April, and then brought to the winery for cluster and berry selection. The grapes underwent a cold maceration at 6°C for approximately 5 days with constant monitoring and assessment, followed by a traditional fermentation with indigenous yeasts between 26°C and 28°C for 15 days. The wine remained in contact with its skins to enhance mouthfeel and texture, after which it was separated from the skins by pressing. Malolactic fermentation was carried out with indigenous bacteria, followed by 12 months of ageing in new French oak barrels.

The growing season in the 2023 vintage in Argentina was the hottest year recorded since 1961. It was also another roller coaster of a vintage as La Niña left the country in a state of drought, including during the winter months which were unnaturally dry but with some polar influences. Spring frosts in Altamira mildly affected yields, which resulted in fewer berries and contributed to the power of the wines this year. From a very good to outstanding vintage in Altamira that produced minerally and age-worthy wines, let's see how this 2023 Malbec from Paraje Altamira in Argentina is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

LOS CLOP PARAJE ALTAMIRA RESERVA MALBEC 2023 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#49711) (XD) - $22.95
Elegantly well-balanced with a touch of reductive character, this has a lifted, medium-high to highly aromatic nose of violet, floral, peppery oak spice, blackberry, and black cherry, plus touches of stony/earthy minerals. On the dry, medium to medium-full bodied palate it is ripe and well-structured with violet, black & purple fruits, blackberry, and peppery oak spice flavours. Fresh acids are crisp and lively, while the tannins are quite structured and slightly grippy. Nicely textured throughout with purple and black fruits, and violet notes tapering to savoury, stony minerals on the long, gently chalky textured finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

A few other Clop Wines are available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Churchill Cellars.

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July 18, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Summer Smart Buys + Orange Wines

Here are my top wine picks from the July 18, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here). The feature story for this release is Summer Smart Buys, while Orange Wines serve as the mini-theme. In total, the release showcases 121 products, along with an additional 20 Online & Flagship Exclusive (OFE) wines. It's a strong summer lineup, with white and rosé wines accounting for nearly half of the selection—ideal for warm-weather drinking. All the wines are readily available for purchase both online and at LCBO stores across Ontario.

We'll begin with the "Summer Smart Buys" feature, a theme that first appeared in August 2023 before returning last year. This year's selection includes 24 products: ten whites, ten reds, two rosés, two sake, and one sparkling wine. Six of those wines earn a place among my top recommendations in this release. Leading the white wines are the Creekside Sauvignon Blanc from Niagara, a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, and an ever-fragrant Moschofilero from Greece. On the red side, my picks are a Gamay Noir from Niagara and a Grenache from Australia. Rounding out the feature is a fine Barolo from Piedmont, crafted, of course, from Nebbiolo—perhaps not the most obvious summer wine, but certainly one worth making an exception for.

My lone recommendation from the Orange Wines mini-theme is a Viognier from Chile. Orange wines are made by fermenting white grape varieties on their skins, much like red wines, resulting in wines with added texture, complexity, and their characteristic amber-orange hue.

Among my top red wine picks from the main release, the standout is a superb Amarone crafted from nearly equal parts Corvina and Corvinone, complemented by approximately 15% Rondinella. Close behind is a Rioja that is predominantly Tempranillo with a small proportion of Graciano. Other blends include a Greek red composed of 60% Syrah, 20% Merlot, and 20% Limnio, as well as a Côtes du Rhône red that blends 60% Grenache with 40% Syrah. Rounding out the mono-varietal selections are a Malbec from Argentina, a Merlot from South Africa, and a Gamay from Beaujolais.

My top white wine recommendations begin in Greece with a Santorini Assyrtiko sourced from ancient vines estimated to be 150–200 years old, alongside another fine Assyrtiko from Macedonia. Two white blends also make the list: a Soave composed of approximately 85% Garganega with the balance Trebbiano di Soave, and a Côtes du Roussillon blending Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, and Macabeu. Closer to home, Niagara is represented by a pair of lovely Chardonnays, a fine Sauvignon Blanc, and an excellent Riesling with just a kiss of sweetness. Completing the white wine selections are a Fiano from Campania and a dry Pinot Gris from Wairarapa, New Zealand.

My rosé recommendations include a Bandol composed of 65% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache, and 15% Cinsault, along with a Côtes du Rhône Rosé made from approximately 70% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, and 10% Syrah. For sparkling wines, my picks include a Champagne blended from 40% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay, and 25% Pinot Meunier, as well as a Loire sparkler crafted entirely from Chenin Blanc.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• CELLIER DES DAUPHINS RÉSERVE CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2023 - AOC, France (#14081) (XD) - $16.95  89 pts  wine review
• GLENELLY GLASS COLLECTION MERLOT 2021 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#26669) (XD) - $19.95
• D'ARENBERG THE CUSTODIAN GRENACHE 2021 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#713040) (XD) - $19.95  90 pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU DE PONCIÉ BEAUJOLAIS-VILLAGES ROUGE 2022 - AOC, France (#48908) (XD) - $19.95
• LOS CLOP PARAJE ALTAMIRA RESERVA MALBEC 2023 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#49711) (XD) - $22.95  90+ pts  wine review
• BACHELDER KIRBY SINGLE VINEYARD GAMAY NOIR 2023 - VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#45139) (XD) - $29.00
• BARÓN DE LEY GRAN RESERVA 2018 - Vegan, DOCa Rioja, Spain (#642496) (XD) - $32.95
• KTIMA GEROVASSILIOU RED 2022 - Vegan, PGI Epanomi, Greece (#32378) (XD) - $38.95  OFE  91+ pts  wine review
• ROBERTO SAROTTO BAROLO 2021 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#49375) (XD) - $39.95  91+ pts  wine review
• BRIGALDARA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2019 - Sustainable, DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#300012) (XD) - $64.95

White Wine:

• M. CHAPOUTIER BILA-HAUT CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON BLANC 2024 - AOP, Midi, France (#485656) (XD) - $16.95
• MITRAVELAS WHITE ON GREY MOSCHOFILERO 2025 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#49094) (XD) - $16.95  89 pts  wine review
• PADDY BORTHWICK PINOT GRIS 2025 - Wairarapa, North Island, New Zealand (#555516) (XD) - $19.95
• JANARE FIANO 2025 - DOP Sannio, Campania, Italy (#528786) (XD) - $19.95
• AHI KA BLACKMORE GROWER SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Dillons Point, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#41803) (XD) - $20.95
• PIEROPAN SOAVE CLASSICO 2024 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#946848) (XD) - $21.95
• CREEKSIDE BACKYARD BLOCK SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Sustainable, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#341792) (XD) - $22.00  90+ pts  wine review
• BOUTARI ASSYRTIKO 2025 - PGI Macedonia, Greece (#44246) (XD) - $23.95  90+ pts  wine review
• JACKSON-TRIGGS GRAND RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#25368) (XD) - $24.95
• SIEGEL NARANJO VIOGNIER 2024 - Sustainable, Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#37759) (XD) - $27.95
• CHARLES BAKER LAUNDRY VINEYARD RIESLING 2024 - VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#46059) (D) - $34.95
• CLOUDSLEY TWENTY MILE BENCH CHARDONNAY 2024 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#16093) (XD) - $36.95  92+ pts  wine review
• DIVERGENCE GRIMSBY HILLSIDE VINEYARD FRONTIER BLOCK CHARDONNAY 2023 - VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#51974) (XD) - $53.00  OFE  91+ pts  wine review
• ARGYROS CUVÉE EVDEMON ASSYRTIKO 2022 - PDO Santorini, Greece (#51195) (XD) - $116.95  OFE

Rosé Wine:

• E. GUIGAL CÔTES DU RHÔNE ROSÉ 2025 - AOC, France (#225003) (XD) - $23.95
• BASTIDE DE LA CISELETTE LOU PIGNA BANDOL ROSÉ 2025 - AOC, Provence, France (#49431) (XD) - $26.95  OFE

Sparkling Wine:

• LAUDACIUS MONTLOUIS-SUR-LOIRE BRUT NATURE SPARKLING - Traditional Method, AOP, Loire, France (#49418) (XD) - $31.95
• FRESNE DUCRET LE CHEMIN DU CHEMIN BRUT 1ER CRU CHAMPAGNE - AOC, France (#49032) (XD) - $68.95  OFE

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Château de Rochemorin Pessac-Léognan 2022 (Bordeaux) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is an excellent Merlot-based red wine from Bordeaux's Left Bank that made its debut earlier this month in the July 4 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

The wines of Château de Rochemorin are produced by Vignobles Famille André Lurton, one of Bordeaux's largest and most respected family-owned wine companies. The Lurton family's ancestors, the Récapet, had been cultivating vines since the middle of the 17th century in the parish of Saint-Laurent-des Combes, not far from the famous village of Saint-Émilion. The know-how of the Récapet has been passed along to successive generations as they became liquorists by the middle of the 19th century.

In 1894, Léonce Récapet married Emma Thibeaud, daughter of an owner-vinegrower in Moulon, who set forth a dream to be fulfilled as he embarked on a winegrowing adventure. Léonce's passion for viticulture took root in the family and was transferred to the couple's only living child and heiress - Denise. In 1923, Denise wed François Lurton, a man from the city, and they settled at Château Bonnet. Together, they had four children, with the eldest being André, who was born in 1924. André Lurton was a man of quiet determination and remarkable foresight who dedicated his life to revealing the full potential of Bordeaux's diverse terroirs. He built a legacy based on discovery and had philosophy rooted in terroir – believing that wine should express where it comes from.

Château de Rochemorin has a long history that begins in 1520, when Jean de Amelin from the Périgord region arrived in Bordeaux. He was lord of the Rochemorin noble stronghold in Saint-Front d'Alemps and decided to invest in winegrowing. He set out to find a property and found Maison Noble de Beaubois, in the parish of Martillac, cleared the forest and planted vines as the Rochemorin vineyard was born. Rochemorin was passed through familial lines over generations until it was acquired in 1919 by a company that specialized in forestry and had little interest in viticulture. The estate changed hands one more time and eventually fell into decline, until 1973.

In 1973, Rochemorin was acquired by the visionary André Lurton, who tore down the trees and replanted the original vineyard. Today, Château de Rochemorin, with its unusual architecture, is situated at 56 metres above level, the highest point within the commune of Martillac, and on one of the highest gravelly hilltops in the Pessac-Léognan appellation. The 42 hectares of red grape vines are planted on deep gravel soil, and the 14 hectares of white varieties have shelly sand soil, while the entire vineyard has a base of gravel on clay subsoil terroir. Château de Rochemorin is characterized by the great diversity of its terroir, as this variety of soils and appropriate grape varieties planted on each soil type results in minerally, expressive white wines, and fine, elegant red wines. The prestigious Pessac-Léognan appellation was established as its own AOC in 1987 (it was previously part of the Graves AOC) and is equally famous for both its white and red wines.

This red wine is crafted using a blend of 65% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc that was grown on deep gravel terroir within a vineyard spanning 56 hectares. The vines average 20 years old and were pruned using a double Guyot system with debudding. After harvesting the grapes, they were sorted using an automatic system upon arriving at the cellar. It underwent fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with a patented cap-breaking system, followed by ageing for 12 months in oak barrels (30–40% new) with racking each trimester.

The growing season in Bordeaux in 2022 was atypical due to the extreme weather conditions. It began with an early frost in the spring, which affected the vineyard just as the vines were starting to bud. There was also a long period of exceptional drought conditions from May until the end of September. While these exceptional weather conditions resulted in lower yields, the end result was grapes in a perfect state of health at the time of harvest, which was earlier than usual and completed by October 4th. From a hot and dry vintage that produced excellent wines, let's see how this 2022 Bordeaux red wine from Pessac-Léognan is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU DE ROCHEMORIN PESSAC-LÉOGNAN 2022 - AOC, Bordeaux, France (#48823) (XD) - $39.95
This terrific blend of 65% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc is fresh and highly aromatic, with an engaging nose that has lovely dark fruited aromas of black cherry, currant, and blackberry, cocoa, and oak spice aromas with accents of barnyard and graphite all wrapped around a savoury core of wet earth. The medium-full bodied palate has a lighter feel to it with fresh acidity lifting the black fruit, currant, black cherry, blackberry, cocoa, savoury earth, and graphite flavours in a nicely balanced profile. Well-structured tannins are smooth and elegant, while leafy herbs and spice add further complexity on the slightly grippy mid-palate. Savoury earth and graphite notes linger on the finish, with excellent length. Enjoy this highly recommended buy into the mid-2030s! Score: 93 pts

Other lovely wines by Vignobles Famille André Lurton can be ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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El Goru Rosado Garnacha Tinta 2025 (Spain) - Wine Review

To celebrate Spain's World Cup final appearance, tonight's rosé wine review is a delicious, sustainable, and vegan rosé crafted with Garnacha (a.k.a. Grenache) from Spain that made its debut at the LCBO in last month's June 6th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and is still widely available both online and in-stores across Ontario.

El Goru is a range of wines produced by Ego Bodegas. The husband and wife team of Santos Ortiz and Ioana Paunescu established Ego Bodegas in 2011 after settling in the Jumilla wine region of southeastern Spain, not far from the historical centre of Jumilla. Santos is of Spanish origin, while Ioana was from Romania, and with passion and effort they had a vision to produce high-quality wines that showcase the unique terroir of Jumilla.

Ego Bodegas was built from the roof down on a spectacular farm in a prime, elevated area of Jumilla that was locally known as the carpenter's place. The farm is surrounded by old vineyards, with some vines over 50 years old, planted to Monastrell and offering a naturally beautiful landscape. After two years of hard work and focusing on Quality, Image, and Price, the couple launched Ego Bodegas based on a philosophy centred on ego, talento, and infinito – or self, talent, and infinity.

The wines of Ego Bodegas are crafted using a contemporary twist by combining traditional methods with modern techniques using their modern winemaking facilities to improve quality and efficiency, while continuously striving to seek out the best technology available. They cultivate approximately 20 hectares of vineyards within the Jumilla DO, all located in the provinces of Murcia and Albacete, and are planted with mostly native varieties. With a dedication to innovation, craftsmanship, and excellence in winemaking, the focus at Ego Bodegas is to produce high-quality wines that reflect the unique terroir of the region.

The El Goru range is the Ego Bodegas' flagship range of wines and represents the heart and soul of the winery's identity. The name "Goru" comes from a local Jumilla nickname meaning "the big-headed one" or "big head", and adorns the label of each El Goru wine. The range was initially designed to showcase the Monastrell varietal, but now also includes wines crafted using other varieties such as this Garnacha Tinta rosé.

This dry rosé is crafted using Garnacha that was grown sustainably within the Jumilla wine region of Spain. Upon reaching maturity in the vineyard, the grapes were hand-harvested and placed in small capacity boxes in order to preserve the quality that was obtained during cultivation. This rosé was crafted using the Saigneé method, whereby the skins were macerated with the must for the time necessary to achieve the desired colour, after which the skins were removed from the tank. The juice then underwent a temperature-controlled alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks, and the resulting wine was used exclusively to create this Garnacha Rosé.

After four years of drought conditions, the 2025 vintage in Jumilla delivered an exceptional vintage that yielded high-quality grapes to produce well-balanced wines with good body, structure, and flavour intensity. The growing season began with damp conditions in March and April, followed by some hailstorms to the southeast in May. Summer heat helped ripen the grapes and led to a potentially earlier than usual harvest. From an exceptional vintage where presence in the vineyard was essential, let's see how this 2025 Garnacha rosé from Spain is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

EL GORU ROSADO GARNACHA TINTA 2025 - Vegan, Sustainable, DO Jumilla, Spain (#49815) (XD) - $14.95
Crafted with 100% Garnacha (a.k.a. Grenache), this has a medium+ intensity nose that is ripe and slightly confected with strawberry, raspberry, and red cherry aromas, plus savoury hints of stony mineral and white pepper spice. The weighty, concentrated, and medium-full bodied palate is dry with delicious ripe strawberry, red cherry, raspberry, grapefruit citrus, and peppery spice flavours. It has a slightly crunchy and viscous mouthfeel, alongside juicy, well-balanced acidity. A touch of pleasant bitterness gives way to raspberry, strawberry, cherry, and spice notes on the finish, with very good length. Recommended buy! Score: 88+ pts

A couple of other delicious wines by Ego Bodegas are available at the LCBO, while their full the range of wines can be ordered through their Agent - KOLONAKI Group of Companies.

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July 4, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Nothing But Chardonnay

Here are my top wine picks from the July 4, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here). After the last release focused on wines not named Chardonnay, this release's feature story is titled "Nothing But Chardonnay" and is a Chardonnay wine lover's delight. Overall, this is a very good release with 99 products offered, and everything should be readily available at LCBO outlets across Ontario.

We'll begin with the feature story that focuses on the noble Chardonnay grape varietal. Of the fourteen wines featured as part of the thematic, six wines are included among my top Chardonnay wine picks. These days, Chardonnays tend to be crafted using various methods ranging from fermentation in stainless steel to concrete to various barrel types, and almost always aged in one of these vessels. Looking at my Chardonnay recommendations, the wine by Rustenberg was wild fermented using indigenous yeast and raised entirely in stainless steel tanks, while the Australian Chardonnay was wild fermented and aged in French oak barriques. The Novellum was mostly vinified in tank with a small portion aged in barrel. The complex versions are the wines by Henry of Pelham, Stratus, and Planeta, which were all fermented and aged in barrel.

My top red wine picks from this release begins in Bordeaux with the excellent Pessac-Léognan that is crafted with 65% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc, while the Fronsac is made with 100% Merlot. Staying in France, the Côtes du Roussillon-Villages is composed of Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre, and Syrah, while the Régnié is from Beaujolais and crafted with Gamay. The rest of my remaining red wine picks are all mono-varietal wines, beginning with a pair of dynamite Pinot Noirs, one each from Prince Edward County in Ontario and Central Otago in New Zealand. From Italy, both Riserva Chianti Classico wines are made with 100% Sangiovese, while the Etna Rosso from Sicily is crafted with Nerello Mascalese.

There are a number of white wine recommendations outside of Chardonnay in this release, with the only blend coming from Costières de Nîmes in Rhône, and it is composed of 50% Roussanne, 30% Grenache Blanc, 10% Marsanne, and 10% Viognier. From Greece, there is a fine Malagousia, as well as an Assyrtiko. There is also a lovely Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, followed by a Verdicchio from Marche. And lastly, there is a Picpoul from Midi, a varietal we don't see too often in our market.

Among my rosé wine picks, the only mono-varietal rosé is a Pinot Noir from New Zealand, while the rest are all blends. The dry rosé from Provence is composed of Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault, while the rosé from Abruzzo is a 70/30 blend of Sangiovese and Montepulciano. The last rosé is a blend of Castelão and Cabernet Sauvignon from Portugal.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• LUIS GURPEGUI 147 ANIVERSARIO TEMPRANILLO 2021 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#37088) (XD) - $15.95
• GREEK WINE CELLARS FLOWERS XINOMAVRO 2023 - PGI Macedonia, Greece (#49583) (XD) - $17.95
• GÉRARD BERTRAND HERITAGE AN 1886 LES ASPRES GRENACHE/ MOURVÈDRE/ SYRAH 2022 - AOP Côtes du Roussillon-Villages, France (#413245) (XD) - $19.95
• CHÂTEAU MAYNE-VIEIL FRONSAC 2019 - Sustainable, AOC, Bordeaux, France (#14469) (XD) - $19.95
• HOSPICES DE BEAUJEU CUVÉE MARQUISE DE VAUDREUIL RÉGNIÉ 2023 - AOC, Beaujolais, France (#49860) (XD) - $23.95
• FIRRIATO LE SABBIE DELL'ETNA ROSSO 2021 - DOC Etna Rosso, Sicily, Italy (#219592) (XD) - $26.95
• LORNANO LE BANDITE RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#230672) (XD) - $29.95
• LOVEBLOCK PINOT NOIR 2022 - Sustainable, Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand (#313924) (XD) - $29.95  92 pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU DE ROCHEMORIN PESSAC-LÉOGNAN 2022 - AOC, Bordeaux, France (#48823) (XD) - $39.95  93 pts  wine review
• FÈLSINA BERARDENGA RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#32304) (XD) - $49.95  92 pts  wine review
• CLOSSON CHASE CHURCHSIDE PINOT NOIR 2023 - Vegan, Sustainable, Unfiltered, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (#265074) (XD) - $55.00

White Wine:

• LE JADE PICPOUL DE PINET 2024 - AOP, Midi, France (#350124) (XD) - $17.95
• ZACHARIAS ASSYRTIKO 2024 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#588814) (XD) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review
• RUSTENBERG WILD FERMENT UNWOODED CHARDONNAY 2024 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#48202) (XD) - $18.95
• NOVELLUM CHARDONNAY 2024 - France (#390781) (XD) - $19.95
• FILODIVINO SERRA 46 VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO 2023 - DOC, Marche, Italy (#49371) (XD) - $19.95
• MAS DES BRESSADES TRADITION BLANC 2024 - Sustainable, AOP Costières de Nîmes, Rhône, France (#701094) (XD) - $20.95  88 pts  wine review
• VILLA MARIA WAIRAU VALLEY RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Sustainable, Wairau Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#536201) (XD) - $24.95
• SMALL WONDER LANDSCAPE CHARDONNAY 2024 - Tamar Valley, Tasmania, Australia (#50127) (XD) - $28.95
• DOMAINE COSTA LAZARIDI SINGLE VINEYARD MALAGOUSIA 2024 - Vegan, PGI Drama, Greece (#30609) (XD) - $32.95  91+ pts  wine review
• HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2024 - Sustainable, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#616466) (XD) - $34.95  91 pts  wine review
• STRATUS CHARDONNAY 2025 - Vegan, Sustainable, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#267856) (XD) - $35.20
• PLANETA CHARDONNAY 2024 - DOC Sicilia Menfi, Italy (#485102) (XD) - $56.95

Rosé Wine:

• CASA SANTOS LIMA COLOSSAL RESERVA ROSÉ 2025 - Vinho Regional Lisboa, Portugal (#50311) (XD) - $13.95  88+ pts  wine review
• S DE LA SABLETTE COTEAUX VAROIS-EN-PROVENCE ROSÉ 2025 - AOP, France (#23757) (XD) - $17.95
• ERADUS SADIE ROSÉ 2025 - Awatere Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#43353) (XD) - $19.95
• TORRE ZAMBRA INCASTRO ROSA 2025 - Vegan, Sustainable, IGT Terre di Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy (#50316) (XD) - $19.95  88+ pts  wine review

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