Luna Estate Pinot Noir 2019 (New Zealand) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is this lovely Pinot Noir from Martinborough in New Zealand that arrived at the LCBO last month in the June 24th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Luna Estate, a winery that was established in 2000 and is situated in the beautiful Wairarapa wine region, in the southern part of the North Island in New Zealand. Luna Estate is named after the moon because of its unifying qualities - because it doesn't matter where you are on the planet, we all see the same moon. At the heart of the operation is their sustainable and organic principles, which drive the farming process, while in the winery they let the grapes do the talking. Luna Estate looks after their land and soils, employing regenerative and organic farming principles and practices across both of their vineyards, eliminating the need for harmful herbicides and pesticides in their ecosystems, because better and cleaner farming is good for all of us.

Two vineyards make up Luna Estate. The Eclipse Vineyard, which is tended to organically, lies in the heart of the terrace on Puruatanga Road, where planting began in 1992 with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines that now form the core of Luna's higher-tier bottlings. While these vineyards are relatively new, they owe gratitude to government scientists in the 1970s who suggested that the climate, combined with an ancient rocky riverbed to the east of the village, might make Martinborough a suitable place for winegrowing. Pioneers experimented by planting several grape varieties over the years and determined that Pinot Noir fared very well, leading to justifications now that Martinborough is among the top Pinot Noir grape growing regions on the planet.

The Blue Rock Vineyard is their north-facing, hillside vineyard with silty clay loams interspersed with ancient marine sediment soils, located approximately 12 km south of Martinborough on Dry River Road. Planting at Blue Rock began in 1986, with some of the vines still producing grapes today. This vineyard is also in the process of converting to full organic practices.

This 100% Pinot Noir is crafted using only estate grown fruit that was harvested from their Eclipse and Blue Rock vineyards, with the majority coming from younger vines growing on the clay/limestone hillside of the Blue Rock Vineyard. All of the fruit is de-stemmed and gently transferred into 6 ton open-top temperature-controlled stainless steel fermenters. After the fruit is chilled down and held for a 5-6 day cold soak to aid in colour and flavour extraction, the cooling is turned off and a temperature-controlled fermentation begins. The total maceration time was between 15–30 days before gentle pressing. It was matured in oak for 10 months, then bottled with minimal fining and gentle filtration, without the use of any animal products throughout the entire process.

The 2019 vintage began with winter arriving late and a cold and wet August and September, as well as a catastrophic frost in late spring which resulted in heavy losses across the region. Their Eclipse vineyard was struck across the blocks closest to the terrace edge, with losses estimated at around 30%. Spring was very challenging with high rainfall in November impacting the flowering stage, significantly reducing crop levels and making the vineyard work extremely difficult. Summer was hot and relatively dry, while harvest was early again with perfect weather for picking. In spite of the challenges, the quality of the fruit harvested was excellent, albeit in small quantities.

After enjoying the lovely 2016 Luna Estate Pinot Noir a couple of years ago, let's see how this latest vintage of Pinot Noir from NZ is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

LUNA ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2019 - Sustainable, Martinborough, North Island, New Zealand (#17544) (XD) - $27.95
Screw cap. The fragrant, highly aromatic nose is rich and spicy with attractive aromas of black and red cherry, strawberry, beetroot, and earth, plus hints of tea leaf and dried herbs. It's light-to-mid weighted on the palate with light, fine-grained tannins and juicy acidity that supports the black and red cherry, strawberry, spices, stony mineral, and earth flavours complementing each other quite nicely. It's well-balanced and nicely composed throughout. Pleasing chalky textured mouthfeel on the mid-palate, while stony mineral and spicy notes linger on the long, juicy, and savoury finish. Will drink well over the next 3-4 years. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

Limited quantities of other Luna Estate wines are available at the LCBO, while the entire portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Blue Label Merlot 2018 and Red Label Zinfandel 2019 (California) - Wine Reviews

For Father's Day, tonight's red wine reviews are a pair of delicious red wines from California that are arriving at the LCBO in next weekend's June 24 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

These wines are produced by Francis Ford Coppola Winery. Famous for their name in cinema, the Coppola family purchased the historic Chateau Souverain property in Sonoma County in 2006 so they could create a resort, a wine wonderland, and a place to celebrate the love of life. After two years of renovations, the winery had its grand opening in 2010 with a tasting room, museum, and restaurant, and encompasses all that Francis loves most - cinema, wine, food, resorts and adventure. The backbone of each of these endeavours is the deep commitment to quality, authenticity, and pleasure.

With more than 20 years of experience in the wine industry, Corey Beck is the Executive Vice President Production & Chief Winemaker at Coppola. He began his career in viticulture by tagging alongside his grandfather who was the vineyard manager for Napa Valley's renowned Chateau Montelena. Corey has a degree in Fermentation Science from U.C. Davis in California and joined the Coppola family wine business in 1998 as an assistant winemaker, eventually becoming CEO and Chief Winemaker in 2018. Corey and his team have created a strong grower relations program with more than 150 growers, and are regarded as leaders in the wine industry for their innovative and engaging approach.

Following along these lines, Francis and Eleanor Coppola have long supported sustainability throughout their lives and many business endeavours in an effort to preserve the land for generations to come. The have constantly searched for innovative ways to implement environmentally responsible practices into the vineyards and winemaking techniques to improve efficiency, minimize environmental impacts, and create a nurturing habitat for wildlife, on-site staff, and visiting guests. Some of these initiatives include reducing energy use, while currently 36% of the energy sourced from renewable sources. In the vineyard, Coppola has implemented leading water conservation practices which includes aerial imagery, weather stations, soil monitoring probes, smart scheduling, and drip irrigation, while reducing water usage and recycling water in every aspect of their operations. The winery was certified sustainable through the California Sustainable Wine-growing Alliance in 2012, while the whole business was 100% certified sustainable in 2019. Sustainability efforts are also extended throughout their network of growers.

Like the 2018 Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Red Blend that I enjoyed last year, both of these wines are from Coppola's Diamond Collection range and inspired by the oldest bottle in the portfolio - the Claret. The Diamond Collection represents quality, consistency, and authenticity. The range has expanded to more than 15 wines, showcasing grapes sourced from high quality vineyards situated along the coast and inland valleys across California. By combining carefully selected fruit with precise winemaking techniques, the Diamond Collections aims to capture the pure expression of each varietal.

Although both wines reviewed below are labelled as a varietal wine because each is composed of at least 75% of the variety mentioned on the label, each wine is in fact a blend. It is interesting that Petite Sirah is common between both wines. Let's see how these red wines from California are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

FRANCIS COPPOLA DIAMOND COLLECTION BLUE LABEL MERLOT 2018 - California, USA (#595686) (XD) - $24.95
A blend of 75% Merlot, 15% Petite Sirah, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon from grapes grown across California and aged for 13 months in French and American oak. The intriguing, medium+ intensity nose is savoury with cocoa, nutty, earthy woodspice, and dried herb aromas which surround a core of black fruit. On the lush, dry, medium-bodied palate it is dry with fresh dark berry fruit, blackberry, plum, oak spice, and chocolate flavours supported by fresh acidity and smooth, supple tannins. Very good length on the fresh, savoury and dried herb finish. Recommended buy. Score: 88+ pts

FRANCIS COPPOLA DIAMOND COLLECTION RED LABEL ZINFANDEL 2019 - California, USA (#708289) (D) - $24.95
This blend of 87% Zinfandel and 13% Petite Sirah was sourced from old vines in Amador County and cooler sites in Paso Robles and Sonoma, and aged for 10 months in French oak. The medium+ intensity nose is ripe and somewhat jammy and raisiny with brambly berry, sweet spices and vanilla aromas. It's medium-full bodied with just a kiss of sweetness on the spicy palate with ripe, brambly dark berry, and savoury woodspice flavours. Tangy on the mid-palate with fresh, juicy acidity, and dusty textured, fine-grained tannins. Savoury and earthy with brambly dark berry tones lingering on the finish, with very good length. A widely appealing, recommended buy. Score: 88 pts

Other delicious wines by Francis Ford Coppola can be purchased at the LCBO or through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Ken Forrester Sparklehorse Sparkling Chenin Blanc 2019 (South Africa) - Wine Review

Tonight's sparkling wine review is this excellent traditional method bubbly made with Chenin Blanc from South Africa. It arrived at the LCBO today in the June 10 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and is available for purchase exclusively on lcbo.com and Flagship Exclusive locations.

It is produced by Ken Forrester Vineyards, a winery that was established in 1993 by Ken Forrester and his wife Teresa after they acquired this vacant and derelict farm and homestead at a public auction. Although Ken and Teresa were new to this piece of land, the farm had a long history that can be traced back to the year 1689 and is one of the oldest farms in the Cape. The farm changed hands over the years and a German family took residence in 1833, happily growing vines for nearly 100 years. The property fell on hard times in the early 1990s and eventually found itself at the auction where Ken and Teresa were able to purchase it.

Ken Forrester Vineyards is situated on the slopes of of the Helderberg Mountain in the heart of South Africa's most famous wine region - Stellenbosch. They undertook a massive renovation both in the vineyard and the house, and produced the first wines under their own label a year later. The grapes for his wines were grown on the property, with some vines planted as far back as 1970. Soon after creating his wines, Ken Forrester was at the forefront leading the Chenin Blanc revival and his vineyards today are commonly referred to as the Home of Chenin Blanc.

Like the excellent 2019 Ken Forrester Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc that I enjoyed last July, with the 2019 vintage Ken Forrester celebrated 25 years of winegrowing and winemaking in Stellenbosch. Sustainable farming is a core value at Ken Forrester Vineyards. They farm the vineyards without the use of herbicides or pesticides. While labour intensive, they also till, prune, and thin bunches and leaves, and harvest by hand, thereby providing job opportunities and improving the quality of life of the locals and community. As such, each bottle represents change for the better in someone's life.

This dry, vintage sparkling wine is crafted in the traditional method, which is known as Methode Cap Classique in South Africa, with 100% Chenin Blanc from vines that were planted in 1975 in Helderberg, in the south of Stellenbosch. The mature, cool vineyard is irrigated and managed to control yields. As one of the top producers of Chenin Blanc with intimate knowledge of winegrowing, the vineyard is farmed in blocks for a specific wine purpose. Due to the age of the vines and old plant material, there are leafroll viruses present in the block which has an effect on the ripening phase of a vineyard. Thus, by harvesting the fruit early, specifically to create sparkling wines, the pressure on the vineyard is reduced. The grapes were handpicked and sorted to optimize quality prior to crushing. It was aged for 8 months on its lees and a further 28 months sur lattes to develop creaminess and delicate mousse while maintaining the bright fruit notes. Let's see how this 2019 vintage traditional method sparkling wine from South Africa is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

KEN FORRESTER SPARKLEHORSE SPARKLING CHENIN BLANC 2019 - Traditional method, WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#32030) (XD) - $32.95
Lovely fragrant, autolytic, and biscuit aromas with a twist of honey and citrus surround a core of apple, pear, quince, and leesy notes. It's medium-full bodied on the crisp, dry, and tangy palate with lovely citrusy, apple, pear, toasty, biscuit, leesy, and autolytic flavours. Nicely balanced with crisp, lively acidity and a fine, elegant mousse. Leesy mineral and floral notes linger on the long, crisp, lip-smacking finish, with excellent length. Highly recommended buy! Score: 92 pts

The latest vintage of the Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc is available at the LCBO, while other wines from Ken Forrester Vineyards are available through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Castelli del Grevepesa Clemente VII Chianti Classico 2019 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

After enjoying this lovely red wine as part of the Castelli del Grevepesa Clemente VII Trio gift pack last fall, this Chianti Classico Annata arrives on its own next weekend in the May 27 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and is tonight's red wine review.

Castelli del Grevepesa is a modern, co-operative winery that was established in 1965 by visionary Sir Armando Nunzi and an initial group of 17 winegrowers from the different areas of Florentine Chianti Classico. They came together because the 60's were difficult years in the Chianti winegrowing region. Together, they wanted to safeguard the land and maintain age-old traditions of Tuscan winegrowing with the long-established know-how that farmers still pass on from one generation to the next. They also had a shared ambition to introduce innovative production methods and techniques, which included careful grape selection and a rigorously controlled vinification process, to produce high quality wines at affordable prices in compliance with the strict regulations of the law and the consortium that was previously called Consorzio Gallo Nero, and now Consorzio del Chianti Classico.

Today, Castelli del Grevepesa has grown to become the largest Chianti Classico family with over 120 associate winegrowers that are passionate and hard working. The logo of Castelli del Grevepesa is an iris flower that grows naturally between Val di Greve and Val di Pesa. The iris is a perennial flower that resists both the sweltering heat of summer and the winter frost - it is a symbol of the solidity of Castelli del Grevepesa and its unbreakable bond with Florentine culture and traditions. Castelli del Grevepesa's mission is to be guardians of hundreds of years of traditions as their ancestors taught them that wine comes, first and foremost, from the vineyard. Thus, they are committed to promoting the land and safeguarding the traditions of ancient craftsmanship. As one of the first co-operative wineries in Italy, one of their founding values is that fine quality wine must be for everyone and is a source of great pride and satisfaction.

As I enjoyed the 2018 Castelli del Grevepesa Clemente VII Chianti Classico back in November, this vintage is also crafted with 100% Sangiovese. Certified sustainable, the grapes were hand-harvested with individual bunch selection and then fermented at a controlled temperature with 10 days of maceration with skins. It was aged for 12 months with 85% in Slavonian oak barrels and 15% in barriques, followed by a further 3 months in bottle after blending.

Although the growing season in Chianti Classico can be hard to generalize since it is a fairly large region, the 2019 summer growing season can be defined as a real classic. Let's see how this 2019 Chianti Classico is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CASTELLI DEL GREVEPESA CLEMENTE VII CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019 - Sustainable, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#421388) (XD) - $22.95
100% Sangiovese. The medium-high intensity nose offers an attractive mix of red cherry, savoury wet earth, red currant, raspberry, dried herbs, and sweet oak spice aromas. On the dry, medium to medium-full bodied it has red fruited, red cherry and red plum flavours, plus savoury earth, oak spice, and dried herbal notes which are supported fresh, well-balanced acidity and ripe, refined, dusty textured, and lightly grippy tannins. Spicy mid-palate. Cherry and savoury earth notes are joined by hints of orange and mineral on the finish, with very good length. Enjoy this recommended buy to the end of the decade. Score: 89 pts

One other wine by Castelli del Grevepesa is available at the LCBO, while other lovely wines from their portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Anatolikos Vineyards (Greece) - Winemaker's Dinner

Back in October, I enjoyed the fine wines of Anatolikos Vineyards with winemaker Sakis Nikolaidis at the new (and very secluded) Vintage Conservatory location in Yorkville, downtown Toronto. The wines were paired with a specially prepared 4-course dinner and hosted by Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits, the agency who represents the wines of Anatolikos Vineyards.

Anatolikos Vineyards was established in 2005 by brothers Sakis and Marios Nikolaidis. The Nikolaidis brothers are from Xanthi in northeastern Greece and experienced businessmen in the field of gastronomy. Their vineyard is located in the Avdira area of Xanthi, which is in the Thrace region of Greece. The city of Avdira is known from the ancient times as a city of initiative. In this same spirit in the year 2000, the Nikolaidis brothers began the revival of a famous ancient vineyard and in 2005 Anatolikos Vineyards started farming Greek and foreign grape varieties on the site.

The vineyard is located on the dry hills of Avdira at an elevation of 50-70 metres above sea level, approximately 3 km north of the Thrace Sea, and features sandy soils, continuous cool winds, and Avdira's micro-climate which is great for growing high quality grapes. Avdira's micro-climate offers an ideal environment for the cultivation of grapes as it experiences very little, but necessary, rainfall, while the evenings have low temperatures. The thermal amplitude between warm days and cool nights is about 13-15°C.

Today, Anatolikos Vineyards has 10 varietal and regional wines in their portfolio, all certified organic, vegan, and vegetarian, and continues to develop and expand the vineyard. The wines are grown according to the principals of bio-agriculture, cultivating traditional grape varieties from the lands of Avdira and Thrace, highlighting the history and interest of the wider region. One of the more interesting facts I learned from Sakis is that their wines are aged outdoors in clay amphorae for 270 days. They also continue to develop the distribution channels in Greece and overseas. In Canada, the lovely wines of Anatolikos Vineyards are available via Kolonaki.

Thank you to the team at Kolonaki for a lovely evening and the opportunity to taste these fine, certified vegan and organic wines from Greece. All five wines were great and really complemented the food pairings very nicely. Full reviews of each wine is provided below and all of the Anatolikos Vineyards wines can be purchased through Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.

Tasting Notes:

ANATOLIKOS FINE ASSYRTIKO 2021 - PGI Avdira, Greece (XD) - $34.95
Aged for 6 months on fine lees in French oak barrels, this Assyrtiko has an elegant, medium-high to highly aromatic nose that is leesy with citrus, herbs, and earthy mineral aromas. On the medium-bodied, well-structured palate, it is fleshy and gains weight in the mouth with pleasing aroma replays, plus salty notes on the ripe flavour profile. With balanced acidity, it is nicely textured on the mid-palate, continuing on the long finish with touches of vanilla and butter. Score: 90+ pts

ANATOLIKOS MALAGOUSIA 2021 - PGI Avdira, Greece (XD) - $32.95
Fermented with indigenous yeast and spending some time in French oak barrels, this Malagousia has a lovely, fragrant, highly aromatic nose featuring aromas of anise, wild herbs, chamomile, some citrus, and touches of sweet oak. It's medium-full bodied on the nicely textured, dry palate with lovely, flavourful replays joined by floral notes. It's well-structured with good acidity, and very good length on the finish. Score: 91 pts

ANATOLIKOS ORANGE WINE 2019 - PGI Avdira, Greece (XD) - $61.95
Blend of 80% Assyrtiko and 20% Malagousia that was grown on sandy hills with stony subsoil at a distance of 3 km from the sea. This skin-fermented white (aka orange wine) was fermented in amphora with native yeasts. It offers a medium+ intensity nose with aromas of tea leaf, orange citrus, herbs, and spices. It's medium-full to full-bodied and harmonious with lovely, dry aroma replays, and nicely textured with a chalky mouthfeel. Impressively concentrated and a lingering finish. Score: 92 pts

ANATOLIKOS MV MAVROUDI OF THRACE 2018 - PGI Avdira, Greece (XD) - $36.95
Organically grown blend of 60% Mavroudi, 20% Merlot, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, it was fermented with native yeasts and aged for 10 months in French oak barrels. The fragrant, medium-high to highly aromatic nose is spicy with dark currant, dark berry, cassis, and blackberry aromas. On the medium-full to full-bodied palate it is structured with mildly grippy, yet smooth tannins balanced with fresh, juicy acidity. It has nicely balanced aroma replays on the flavour profile with a tinge of cocoa on the long finish. Score: 91+ pts

ANATOLIKOS FINE MAVROUDI OF THRACE 2019 - PGI Avdira, Greece (XD) - $49.95
Organically grown 100% Mavroudi, this has an elegant, medium-high to highly aromatic nose of spices, pepper spice, ripe dark berry, blackberry, black cherry, and cassis. It's medium-full to full-bodied on the palate with appealing ripe currant, pepper spice, and green herbal flavours which are supported by fresh acidity and smooth, refined tannins. Elegant and nicely balanced throughout, with excellent length on the finish. Score: 93 pts

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Frind Pinot Noir Cuveé 2019 (British Columbia) - Wine Review

After being introduced to a pair of lovely wines by Frind Estate Winery a couple of years ago, including the 2018 Frind Chardonnay, tonight's red wine review is a Pinot Noir from the same producer that is new to the LCBO, arriving on shelves a few months ago as part of the December 3 LCBO VINTAGES Release and still available for purchase now (at a potentially reduced price in-store).

Frind Estate Winery is a fairly new producer that was established in 2017 by Markus Frind, the creator of the dating website Plenty of Fish. However, the property, which is situated lakeside in West Kelowna, British Columbia, was owned by the Bennett family of political fame for more than 50 years before it was sold to Markus. As a descendent of a generation of farmers, Markus, who was born in Germany and immigrated to Canada as a young boy with his parents, grew up on a farm in northeastern British Columbia. After studying Business and Computer Science at the British Columbia Institute of Technology and achieving many successes, he decided to follow his ambition into B.C. wine by combining his two passions: technology and agriculture.

Each bottle of Frind Estate wines features an abstract golden pinecone representing three aspects meaningful to the founder and his family - science, symbolism, and sentiment. Markus Frind is passionate about science and math, and over a decade ago he cracked a mathematical sequence used as supporting research for another academic paper that helped its author win the Nobel Prize in math. The bottom of any pine cone features a beautiful spiral pattern, also found in snail shells and roses, that is the result of Fibonacci sequences. Coincidentally, the City of Kelowna logo also represents the geometry of a pinecone. Symbolism is represented by Bacchus, the Roman God of wine, who is often depicted wielding a Thyrsus - a staff topped with a pinecone that represents fertility, prosperity, and could turn water into wine. The pinecone is also sentimental to the family because the property is sprinkled with beautiful, old growth Ponderosa Pine trees, and it was on the property where Markus and his daughter Ava found the perfect pinecone to artistically render for the brand.

Frind Estate Winery strives to celebrate and preserve the rich history of this spectacular location in West Kelowna. They are committed to lead through innovation and technology to create smooth, fruit forward wines, while also growing the business and inspiring the international wine industry. Let's see how this 2019 Pinot Noir from British Columbia is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

FRIND PINOT NOIR CUVEÉ 2019 - BC VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#25655) (XD) - $29.95
This 100% Pinot Noir was sourced from vineyards in Summerland and Kelowna, from various soil types and different Pinot clones, and aged in French barrels for five months. Enclosed by screw cap, the medium-high intensity nose offers a pleasing mix of ripe, slightly desiccated, bright and dark red cherries, and blackberry aromas with hints of red plum, sweet spice, and mineral. It has good weight on the medium+ bodied, well-structured palate with ripe red and dark cherry, currant, strawberry, red plum, and spice flavours which are supported by fresh acidity and supple, dusty textured, and mouth-coating tannins. Cherry notes are joined by minerals and touches of dried herbs on the long, juicy finish. Enjoy this recommended buy over the next couple of years. Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Frind Estate Winery can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Lungarotti Rubesco Rosso di Torgiano 2019 (Umbria) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a delicious, mainly Sangiovese-based red wine from the lesser-known region of Umbria. It was featured on the cover of the recent March 4 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and is widely available across Ontario now.

It is produced by Cantine Giorgio Lungarotti, a family-owned winery that was founded in the 1960's in Torgiano, the heart of Umbria in central Italy. The pioneering founder was Giorgio Lungarotti and the family is a symbol of Umbrian oenological excellence within the region and Italy. He transformed the agricultural firm into a winemaking estate, focusing on traditional grape varieties, and implementing modern vine training systems and technology in the cellars.

Today, Lungarotti is led by Maria Grazia, wife of the late Giorgio, and their two daughters - Chiara and Teresa. The third generation of the family has also joined the business, which spans 250 hectares of vineyards across their two estates, one each in Torgiano and Montefalco. Together, they are focused on quality wine production and sustainability.

The name of this wine, Rubesco, is a trademark of Lungarotti and derives from the Latin verb "rubescere", which means "to blush" (with joy). On the label of this wine is an image that recalls the panel depicting the harvest from the Fontana Maggiore in Perugia, a fountain that was built in approximately 1277 and is one of Italy's most beautiful Medieval fountains. It was the Rubesco wine in 1962 that helped Lungarotti establish the Torgiano winegrowing region. The success of this wine fueled Lungarotti's passion for the region's grapes and helped the region achieve Torgiano DOC status in 1968, Umbria's first DOC. The terroir in Torgiano is well-suited to cultivating expressive, high-quality Sangiovese, a grape that mirrors its terrain and climate very well.

I enjoyed the previous vintage of this wine, the 2018 Lungarotti Rubesco Sangiovese/Colorino, back in December 2021, and while both the 2018 and 2019 are composed of the same grape varieties, this vintage has slightly more Sangiovese (95%) with 5% Colorino completing the blend. The grapes were grown on medium mix soils with a looser structure on the higher hillsides, and soils with medium depth, good structure, and a limestone sub-soil. The grapes were harvested between the end of September and early October and fermented in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature with 15 days of skin contact. It was refined for one year in casks, and after a light filtration it was further refined by spending one year in bottle. Let's see how this 2019 Rosso di Torgiano is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

LUNGAROTTI RUBESCO ROSSO DI TORGIANO 2019 - DOC, Umbria, Italy (#368548) (XD) - $21.95
This blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Colorino has a ripe, medium-high intensity nose offering attractive, lightly dried red cherry and floral aromas, plus clove, spices, and raspberry, with savoury earth undertones. It's mid-weighted on the very ripe palate with delicious dark red cherry, clove, spices, raspberry, and earthy replays on the flavour profile. It has refreshing acidity and supple, lightly textured tannins. Slightly tangy on the mid-palate with savoury mineral notes lingering on the long, juicy, and succulent finish. Enjoy this recommended buy over the couple of years. Score: 88+ pts

Other lovely wines by Cantine Lungarotti are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Manos Negras Stone Soil Malbec 2019 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is this lovely Malbec from the famed Paraje Altamira appellation within the Uco Valley that landed at the LCBO last weekend as part of the March 4th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is made by Manos Negras, a producer that was born out of a friendship between an American Wine Educator, an Argentine star viticulturalist, and two Kiwi winemakers, all with extensive international experience and a no nonsense, hard-nosed work ethic.

Manos Negras is co-owned by Jeff Mausbach and Alejandro Sejanovich, friends who built a long-lasting friendship through experience and hard work. Jeff spent over a decade as Wine Education Director for Bodega Catena Zapata and has travelled the world preaching the gospel of the unique character of Argentine wines. Alejandro was Vineyard Director for Bodega Caetna Zapata for 15 years and pioneered high-altitude vineyard planting while also conducting ground breaking research on Mendoza Malbec clones. The Kiwi winemakers are Jason Mabbett, who was a professor of winemaking at Auckland University and also made wine in Australia, California, and Argentina, and Duncan Killiner who has made wine from Israel to Uruguay and from Italy to Chile, while also taking on winemaking consultant duties for producers in Chile and Argentina.

The winery's name literally translates to "Black Hands" and reflects their philosophy towards winemaking - get their hands black with wine by rolling up their sleeves and getting their hands dirty with a fearless, hands-on approach to winemaking from budbreak to bottling. That's how they make the hand-crafted wines of Manos Negras.

This particular Malbec was grown in the Paraja Altamira GI within the Uco Valley in Mendoza. The soil profile in Mendoza is unique and every vineyard has patches of very rocky top soil that is rich in limestones. These small lots produce Malbec grapes of exceptional concentration with a flinty minerality. This Malbec was sourced exclusively from small lots of rocky, mineral-rich soils.

From a good-to-excellent vintage, let's see how this 2019 Malbec from Paraje Altamira is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MANOS NEGRAS STONE SOIL MALBEC 2019 - Paraje Altamira, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#482109) (XD) - $21.95
100% Malbec grown in small lots of rocky, mineral-rich soils, this has a fresh, medium-high intensity nose of distinctive earthy-stony mineral aromas layered over ripe dark berry, blackberry, cool herbs, spices, and hints of black plum. It's mid-weighted on the dry, salty palate with lovely dark berry, blackberry, spices, and stony mineral flavours which are supported by fresh, bright, and juicy acidity. Supple tannins are well-structured and lightly chalky textured. Lovely stony mineral notes linger on the long, savoury finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Manos Negras can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Zingari 2019 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

After enjoying the delicious 2018 Zingari last year, tonight's red wine review is the latest edition of this lovely Super Tuscan that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the February 18 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Petra, a winery and estate whose modern story was conceived in the late 1990's with the intention of bringing together some of the greatest pioneers of Italian wine to create a new benchmark for Super Tuscans - wines made using international grape varieties grown and vinified on Tuscan soils. Petra is situated close to the ancient village of Suvereto, in northern Maremma of Tuscany, on the ferrous hills of the Val di Cornia where you can see as far as the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Although Petra was only conceived fairly recently, it's roots go back to 1808 when Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi, Napoleone's sister, Princess of Lucca and Piombino and grand duchess of Tuscany, chose this place in Maremma to establish the first seed of an agricultural and viticultural project. Nearly two centuries later, Francesca Moretti fell in love with the history and the culture of the chateaux in Bordeaux and began studying agriculture and oenology. She eventually settled in the fertile Val di Cornia and in 1997, her father Vittorio Moretti, one of the greats of Italian wine, purchased 60 hectares in San Lorenzo and 45 hectares in Campiglia Marittima, a few kilometres from Piombino, in the Suvereto area, as the start of the contemporary project that would become Petra.

While still in university, Francesca planted her first varietals at the winery based on the terroir and her vision and favouring international varieties in the Princess Vineyard, a 5 hectare plot where Elisa Bonaparte had also planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes two centuries earlier. The vineyards of Petra are located in a pristine, "wild" part of Maremma along the Tuscan coast where biodiversity is vibrant. The vineyards are managed according to organic practices while in the process of being certified, as well as reducing environmental impact.

The Zingari wine was born as an experimental vineyard on loamy-sandy textured and slightly calcareous soils to test the attitude of its varietals: Syrah, Merlot, Sangiovese, and Petit Verdot. The wine traces its roots to an ancient water spring that was a stop-over for pilgrims and wayfarers who were travelling along the Aurelia Street, hence the name Zingari (aka Gypsies), and could seek refreshment by resting near by its crystal clear waters. The decision to plant not only autochthonous grape varieties, but also international varieties, was to underline and narrate the migrating nature of the wine. The grape varieties used in this wine travelled distances to finally find comfort within the water spring of Zingari! It was aged in barrels and barriques for at least 12 months, and then at least a further 3 months in bottle prior to release.

By most accounts, the 2019 growing season in Tuscany was extremely good, marked by extreme summer heat and life-saving rains which fell towards the end of July that prevented the onslaught of drought. The weather stayed fine and stable through to harvest period, raising expectations for producing some excellent wines. Let's see how this 2019 Super Tuscan is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ZINGARI 2019 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#244228) (XD) - $19.95
This Super Tuscan is a blend of Syrah, Merlot, Sangiovese, and Petit Verdot has clean, fragrant, medium-high intensity aromatics that deliver spicy, dried herbs, dark-black cherry, cocoa, clove, earthy mineral, and balsamic notes with impressive complexity. On the dry, chewy, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate it has ripe dark berry cherry, cassis, black plum, mineral, and dried herbs flavours with a saltiness that permeates throughout. Acids are fresh and succulent, while the supple tannins have a lightly pleasant chalky grip. Salty minerals, dark berry, cherry, sweet cassis, and cedary oak notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Better than the previous vintage and a highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other delicious Petra Wines can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Rodney Strong Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (California) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Cabernet Sauvignon from the Alexander Valley in Sonoma County, California, that arrived at the LCBO last month. It was featured as part of the theme on California wines in the January 21st LCBO VINTAGES Release, and while the magazine and LCBO website list the 2018 vintage, it's actually the 2019 that arrived and widely available across Ontario.

It is produced by Rodney Strong Vineyards, a pioneering winery that was the 13th winery established in Sonoma County in 1959. Rodney Strong envisioned Sonoma County as a special place for producing wine and led the way for the future of the region's winemaking.

Winery Founder Rodney D. Strong was born in 1927 in Carnas, Washington, and was a Renaissance man from an early age. In 1946, Rod returned from a dancing stint in Paris, where he fell in love with fine wine. In 1959, Rod retired from dancing, married his dance partner, Charlotte Ann Winson, and began his new career in winemaking. After searching California and meeting UC Davis scientists, Rod and Charlotte settled in Sonoma County. Over the ensuing years, Rodney Strong purchased vineyards and lands, and replanted some of them with new vines, while also building a new winery in 1970 in Russian River Valley with an innovative and cutting edge design.

In 1979, as Rod took a step back from the demanding daily activities, Rick Sayre came on board as the new winemaker for Rodney Strong Vineyards. At this time, the management consulting firm McKinsey & Company was also hired to evaluate the potential of the well-known Sonoma County winery. Tom Klein was employed by McKinsey & Company and met Rod and Rick for the very first time.

Tom realized that he truly loved the wine business and purchased Rodney Strong Vineyards in 1989, and over the next decade made significant investments in innovation in the cellar, including purchasing fermentation tanks, state-of-the-art wine presses, custom barrel equipment, and a large barrel ageing building.

Today, Rodney Strong Vineyards is flourishing under the leadership of the Klein family. They are passionate and committed to crafting premium wines and a leader in sustainability in Sonoma County. As 4th generation California farmers, the Klein family is committed to protecting and preserving the environment in both the vineyards and at the winery through sustainable farming and winemaking.

The history of this wine goes back to the 1960s when Rodney Strong recognized that Sonoma County's Alexander Valley was an exceptional area for heat loving Cabernet Sauvignon grape varietal. He planted the wine producer's first Cabernet vineyard, Alexander's Crown, in 1971 on a small hill in Jimtown and the reputation for fine Sonoma County Cabernet was set and has never looked back. Alexander Valley is best known for classic Bordeaux varieties which thrive in the unique soils and warm climate, with parts of the valley moderated by cooling ocean breezes and evening fog. Today, Rodney Strong has three exceptional vineyards planted with Cabernet Sauvignon in Alexander Valley - Jimtown in the southern part of the valley, Geyserville in the central part of the valley, and Cloverdale in the north. The vineyards are planted on well-drained, alluvial, volcanic, and uplifted shale/sandstone soils that make Sonoma County an ideal place for this noble grape variety.

The 2019 vintage of this red wine is crafted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that was grown on the hillsides of the Alexander Valley and aged in French oak barrels for 24 months, half of which was new. According to Rodney Strong, the 2019 growing season produced another fantastic vintage in California. It started with a copious amount of rain in Sonoma County, saturating the soil in late winter and early spring, followed by early summer heat waves which acclimated the vines to warmer weather and allowed the grapes to withstand the heat spell in August. This moved the sugars higher and allowed the flavours to ripen. Let's see how this 2019 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

RODNEY STRONG ALEXANDER VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - Sustainable, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA (#350454) (XD) - $35.95
100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The fresh, fragrant, and highly aromatic nose offers lovely, fine oak spice scented aromas of red & black fruits, currant, and cassis layered over wet earth and herbal notes. On the medium-full bodied palate it has elegant, medium-firm, lightly grippy tannins and juicy, well-balanced acidity that frames the currant, cassis, and earthy flavours replays, plus some mocha chocolate notes. Juicy and flavourful with earthy, mocha chocolate notes lingering on the long finish. Enjoyable now, but will improve with a couple of years in the cellar, and drink well to the end of the decade. Recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

With many lovely wines in the Rodney Strong portfolio, quite a few are available at the LCBO, while others can be ordered through their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.

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LAVAU Rasteau 2019 (Rhône) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Rhône red wine from the southern Rhône Valley Cru of Rasteau that arrived at the LCBO this weekend in the January 21 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Maison LAVAU was founded in 1965 after the Lavau family, who had been involved in winemaking for several generations, took charge of a small winemaking cellar a year earlier in Sablet, in the southern Rhône Valley. It was established by Jean-Guy Lavau, the third generation of the family, and his wife Anne-Marie as they returned to France from Tunisia. Together, Jean-Guy and Anne-Marie Lavau built a reputation as top quality winemakers in the region thanks to their dedication to high standards, attention to detail, and thirst for excellence. Recognized as a major local player, Maison LAVAU developed close ties to with other winegrowers, especially in the southern Rhône Valley.

Today, Maison LAVAU is run by their two sons - Frédéric and Benoît Lavau. After completing their studies in Canada, Frédéric joined the family business in 1995, and Benoît quickly followed in 1997. The Lavau brothers official took charge of the Maison in 2000 when their parents retired. Their youth, energy and adventurous spirit allowed them to further structure and develop the Maison, including building a new cellar in Violès, and investing in modern, high-performance cellar facilities. As talented winemakers and wine traders, the Lavau brothers also invested in vineyards to also become producers of wine. Maison LAVAU is today one of the last family-run and independent wine estates in the Rhône Valley. Their objective is to offer the very best of the Rhône Valley by producing top quality wines that are fine, generous, and affordable.

Like previous vintages, including the 2017 LAVAU Rasteau that I enjoyed a couple of years ago, this southern Rhône Valley red continues to be a blend of 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah. The village of Rasteau is situated on the summit of a hill at an altitude of 200 metres. The grapes for this wine come from parcels located near the village, on east-facing, stony hillsides that have a Mediterranean climate and offer some protection from the Mistral wind. The vineyards are planted on fairly deep, fairly dry, and pebbly terrain, which results in low yields and late ripening grapes.

It was vinified by completely de-stemming the grapes and placing them in temperature-controlled vats to macerate for around 25 days with rack-and-return operations at the start of fermentation, followed by two pumping-over operations per day. The wine was then aged in barrels for 12 months, with half going into 450 L second- or third-use barrels.

The 2019 growing season began with a wet winter setting the table for the region's vineyards to get through the hot, dry growing season. Grenache, in particular, excelled this vintage as it coped well with the severely hot weather and cooler nights that helped it retain acidity and aromas. Overall, the excellent 2019 vintage is a powerful, ripe vintage with localized areas of greatness. Let's see how this 2019 southern Rhône Valley red from Rasteau is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

LAVAU RASTEAU 2019 - AC, Rhône, France (#394650) (XD) - $23.95
Blend of 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah. The fragrant nose of medium-high intensity delivers lovely, perfumed aromas of dark berry, black cherry, black plum, peppery spice, and meaty notes with subtle whiffs of violet, floral, and oak. It's medium-full bodied with ripe, dark fruited flavours of black cherry, black plum, cassis, peppery spice, violet, meaty, and subtle wood. It's slightly spicy on the mid-palate and has fresh, lively acidity, along with smooth, ripe, refined, and lightly chewy and well-structured tannins. Lovely smoky mineral notes linger on the long-lasting, juicy finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

Limited quantities of one other Maison LAVAU wine is available at the LCBO, while the rest of their portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.

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Trapiche Medalla Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (Argentina) - Wine Review

I enjoyed the lovely 2018 Trapiche Medalla Malbec last year, and for tonight's wine review I uncorked it's companion wine - a Cabernet Sauvignon - that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the January 7 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Trapiche Winery, Argentina's largest producer of wine. Established in 1883, Trapiche has grown to become one of Argentina's most internationally recognized brands. With a long history in exploration, Trapiche is also one of the wine industry's leading innovators while pioneering new sites, partnering with premium grape growers, and developing a new generation of talented winemakers. Some of Trapiche's pioneering efforts include being among the first in Argentina to work with Bordeaux varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, using French oak barrels, exploring micro-terroirs, and developing modern winemaking techniques.

Today, Trapiche owns more than 1,000 hectares of vineyards across Mendoza's Primera Zone and Uco Valley, as well as having longstanding partnerships with some of the province's revered grape growers. With a relentless determination to achieve the highest standards in the world of winemaking, Trapiche has received global recognition from publications such as Wine Enthusiast and Drinks International and won awards such as "The New World Winery of the Year" and "50 Most Admired Wine Brands".

Like the Malbec, this wine is part of Trapiche's Medalla collection of wines that was created in 1983 to celebrate the company's 100th anniversary. Each wine in the Medalla range is crafted using grapes from Mendoza's Primera Zona, the province's premium winemaking area, and predominantly old vineyards that have for decades produced the most prestigious Argentine wines. Medalla wines are 100% single varietal wines crafted with a nod to Old World style and sophistication. This particular wine is crafted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that was sourced from their vineyards in Luján de Cuyo. It was aged for 18 months in new French oak barrels.

The 2019 vintage in Argentina was excellent, with some winemakers calling it their best vintage of the decade. The hot, dry summer, particularly in Mendoza, was bookended by a cold winter, and cool spring and autumn, which slowed down ripening times (and moderating alcohol levels along with it), and brought harvest times in line with the average. Because of the cooler climate, yields were slightly lower than normal, but also resulted in highly concentrated wines with great colour and acidity. Let's see how this Cabernet Sauvignon from Argentina is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

TRAPICHE MEDALLA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - Mendoza, Argentina (#568865) (XD) - $19.95
100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Luján de Cuyo, this has fragrant, open, and intense aromatics offering lovely notes of ripe dark black-blue berry, dark currant, black cherry, cassis, plum, fine wood spices, and a touch of herb. It's full-bodied with ripe, chewy tannins and ripe black-blue fruit, currant, plum, and black cherry flavours balanced with savoury wood spice and earthy mineral. It has fresh, juicy acidity, while the dusty, fine-grained tannins provide a pleasing, lightly textured mouthfeel. Lovely earthy mineral notes linger on the long, savoury, and well-balanced finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

You can find many other lovely wines by Trapiche at the LCBO or through their Agent - Dandurand.

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Lakeview Cellars Riesling Icewine 2019 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Continuing the recent trend of enjoying fine Icewines, which included the 2017 Lakeview Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine last month, tonight's Icewine review is a lovely, vegan Riesling Icewine from Niagara that returned to the LCBO this weekend as part of the January 7th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Lakeview Cellars, a brand that was established in 1991 by Eddy Gurinskas in Vineland, Ontario, within the Niagara Region. Having built a worldwide reputation over the years for creating premium Niagara wines that are both high quality and affordable, Lakeview Cellars is now owned by Diamond Estates and is one of their oldest wine brands. Lakeview Cellars wines are crafted and sold at Lakeview Wine Co. on Niagara Stone Road in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Leading the team at Lakeview is Thomas Green, VP of Winemaking and Winery Operations. The Lakeview Cellars brand is nostalgic for Thomas as he began his career at the company in the late 1990s as an apprentice to winemaking under Eddy. After graduating as part of the first graduating class of the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture program at Brock University in 2000, he remained with Lakeview Cellars. Following Eddy's retirement, Thomas took over head winemaking duties for Lakeview Cellars in January 2003, and Diamond Estates in 2005.

Although the Vidal grape is the main variety used to craft Icewine in Niagara, Riesling comes a close second due to its ability to retain freshness and acidity, which helps balance the sweetness in the wine. The grapes for this Riesling Icewine were sourced from their best vineyards in the Niagara region, kissed by Lake Ontario's offshore breeze. The grapes were harvested in late-December, when they were frozen and temperatures were between -10°C and -13°C. Like the other Lakeview Cellars Icewines I tasted recently, the juice was settled in stainless steel tanks, followed by a cool-fermentation, and then placed outside to complete a natural cold stabilization. Let's see how this Riesling Icewine from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

LAKEVIEW CELLARS RIESLING ICEWINE 2019 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#471839) (S) (200 mL) - $34.95
The fragrant nose offers gorgeous aromas of honeyed apricot and peach mingling with candied lemon, ginger, orange peel, and apple. On the medium to medium-full bodied palate it is lightly spicy and has lusciously sweet aroma replays of honey, apricot, peach, lemon, and orange peel with a slightly viscous mouthfeel. Bracing acidity provides just enough freshness to balance the sweetness, while caramel and faintly mineral notes emerge on the lingering finish. Delicious and a highly recommended buy! Score: 92 pts

Other lovely Icewines (and table wines) from Lakeview Cellars are available not only at the LCBO, but also direct from the winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

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Portugal: A Region to Dream About

Tonight's red wine reviews are a trio of wines from some of Portugal's best red wine growing appellations - Douro (& Porto), Dão, and Alentejo.

Given the time of year when the days are cold and the leaves have long fallen, many wine lovers gravitate to sipping a warming glass of red wine and daydream about warmer climes. If you combine the two on a vinous reverie - you will reach sunny Portugal!

With a mainly hot, dry Mediterranean climate, Portugal offers a wealth of elegant, structured wines. For lighter reds, you can head further north on the Atlantic coast. Portugal boasts an impressive diversity of vineyard terroirs, from rugged mountains to verdant river valleys. There are more than 250 native grape varieties grown in Portugal, and they are often crafted into highly distinctive wines in a variety of styles. Portuguese wines are the ideal choice for adventurous wine lovers looking for wines off-the-beaten track. To get started, let's look at some of Portugal's best red wine appellations.

Situated in northern Portugal, the Douro region is made up of mainly granite and schist slopes, and the steep, terraced vineyards follow the sinuous path of the Douro River from the Spanish border, gradually flattening as they near Porto. I visited Porto many years ago and the slopes along the Douro River are quite the sight and a must visit for every wine enthusiast. The rugged beauty and long-standing quality reputation of Douro wines have garnered the region UNESCO World Heritage status.

In the hot, dry climate of the Douro, which is protected from wet coastal weather by the Serra do Marão mountains, red grape varieties such as Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, and Tinto Cão thrive. These are the favoured varieties to craft the Douro's famous fortified dessert Port wines, as well as the region's ageworthy, structured, and dark fruited dry red wines.

Travelling southwest from Douro, we arrive in the mountainous region of Dão. The Dão appellation is sheltered from the extremes of both continental and maritime weather patterns, giving it a temperate climate. Like the Douro, the Dão winegrowing region takes its name from the river of the same name that traverses its vineyards. The reigning red grape in Dão is Touriga Nacional and it is often blended with Tinta Roriz, while the granite soils in Dão offer a a slightly fresher, more mineral-laced quality to these red blends compared to Douro wines. Excellent red wines are also being made from the region's Alfrocheiro and Jaen varieties.

The third wine region covered in this post is Alentejo. Located in the southwestern part of Portugal, the hot, dry region of Alentejo represents one-third of Portugal's total surface area. Due to it's size, the appellation is divided into eight distinct sub-regions because of the multitude of different soil types and varied topography, from steep mountainous terrain in the north to vast, gently undulating vineyards further south. Alentejo is known as the heartland of Portugal's red wine production and the major grapes grown here include Alfrocheiro, Alicante Bouschet, Aragonez, Castelão, and Trincadeira. Although difficult to generalize given the region's wide diversity, red wines are commonly rich, velvety, and ripe-fruited.

Portugal has a proud tradition for fine winemaking dating back thousands of years. Each Portuguese wine is unique and tells us a story that, if you let it, can transport you into the heart of its vineyards.

The Alentejo red in this post is part of the VINTAGES Essentials Collection and is available year-round, while the Dão and Douro red wines arrived at the LCBO as part of a VINTAGES Release earlier this year and are still available for purchase. To explore more Portuguese wines from these producers, you can look on lcbo.com or contact each producer's Agent, while other wines from Portugal can be found at the LCBO, including their Portugal Destination Collection store located at 2151 St Clair Ave. West in Toronto.

Tasting Notes:

JOSÉ MARIA DA FONSECA DOMINI 2019 - DOP Douro, Portugal (#452730) (XD) - $17.95 $15.25
Blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) and Touriga Francesa grown on schist soils and aged for 3 months in new French and American oak. Ripe and fruity medium+ intensity nose is dark fruited with blackberry, black plum, peppery spice, and mineral undertones. On the dry, medium+ bodied palate it has ripe plummy and blackberry flavours along with some peppery spice, herbs, and minerals adding a pleasant savoury component. Acids are fresh, juicy, and well-balanced, while the supple tannins have a nice, textural mouthfeel. Savoury minerals linger on the long, juicy finish. Agent: Dandurand. Score: 88+ pts 

CABRIZ COLHEITA SELECIONADA 2019 - DOC Dão, Portugal (#247973) (D) - $14.95
Blend of 40% Alfrocheiro Preto, 30% Aragonez (Tempranillo), and 30% Touriga Nacional. The medium-high intensity nose offers intriguing aromas of red berry, cherry, raspberry, and spices and touches of plummy. Savoury mineral notes add further interest. On the medium-bodied palate it is ripe with red berry, plum, cran-cherry-raspberry, and subtle spice flavours. Acids are fresh and juicy, while the tannins are smooth and supple. Nicely balanced with minerally and smoky notes on the finish, with very good length. In a nice place right now compared to when first tasted earlier this year. Agent: Noble Estates Wines & Spirits. Score: 88+ pts

ESPORÃO RESERVA RED 2019 - DOC Alentejo, Portugal (#606590) (XD) - $26.95
Blend of Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional, Aragonez, Syrah, Trincadeira, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Touriga Franca that was grown organically on granite/schist soils with clay/loam structure. It was aged for 12 months in 60% American and 40% French oak barrels. The medium+ intensity nose seems a bit shy, offering aromas of sweet wood spice, sandalwood, and ripe dark berries, blackberry, and hints of licorice. It is also very ripe on the medium-full bodied palate with youthful, gritty tannins and fresh acidity. Dark berry, blackberry, sweet wood spice, sandalwood, and licorice flavours on the palate, turning savoury and smoky on the finish, with very good length. Interesting fact: Each vintage of this wine features a new label graced with works from some of Portugal's finest artists. Agent: FWP Trading Inc. Score: 89 pts

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Tenuta San Guido Wine Tasting (Tuscany) - Wine Reviews

Back in September, I had a great opportunity to taste the latest wines by Tenuta San Guido - makers of the iconic Sassicaia Super Tuscan wine from Bolgheri - and after the structured tasting enjoyed a fine lunch at Stratus Restaurant in downtown Toronto.

The story of Tenuta San Guido begins with Mario Incisa della Rocchetta. The Marchesi Incisa della Rocchetta are among the protagonists of Italian history, from the early Middle Ages to the emergence of the Baroque age, and beyond. Mario was born into a Piedmontese family in 1899 and studied agriculture in Pisa and immediately cultivated a strong inclination for agronomy. By the 1920s, his dream was to find perfection in agriculture and respect for the land.

In 1930, Mario married Clarice della Gherardesca, a descendant of one of the oldest families in Tuscany, and moved to Maremma, Tuscany. In addition to a common passion for wine, Mario and Clarice also had a passion for thoroughbred horses - a family passion that continues to this day with an on-site stable and training centre. Countess Clarice was also the heiress to 2,500 hectares in the Bolgheri area: Tenuta San Guido.

Mario Incisa immediately realized Tenuta San Guido as one of the most extraordinary biotypes of Mediterranean Europe and began experimenting with some French grape varieties, concluding that Cabernet had the bouquet he was seeking. Recalling a time in the 1920s when Mario Incisa tasted a wine belonging to the Dukes Salviati di Migliarino, grown on the hill of San Giuliano, near Pisa, he asked Salviatis for some plants of their vines and planted the first Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard on the hills that gently descended towards the sea, below the fortress of Castiglioncello. He also noticed the similarity between this land in Bolgheri and the Graves area in Bordeaux, due to the mainly gravelly soil which is very favourable to the production of great red wines. In order to grow excellent quality fruit, he pruned drastically to obtain low-yields, and then introduced barrique for the ageing of fine wines, following the example of French producers.

Although no one considered Bolgheri an area suited for the cultivation of Cabernet Sauvignon before the 1940s, Tenuta San Guido benefits from a set of natural elements that favours this varietal. The soils are partially clayey and situated at an altitude between 100 and 400 meters above sea level, with west and southwest exposure, along with a strong presence of limestone areas rich in Alberese and Gabbro, as well as stones. The climate also has its own peculiarity with an amphitheatre of hills embracing the land that stretches from Bibbona to Castagneto, protecting the vineyards and olive groves from northeast winds, while in summer this corridor is cooled by winds generated between the valleys of the Cecina river. The energy and sunlight are reflected from the sea to the hills, which in turn retains the sea breeze and generates refreshing humidity. Situated within a range of 2,500 hectares, this area was found to have the ideal terroir for Sassicaia.

Sassicaia, the wine whose name is a toponym, was strictly a private product reserved for family and friends from 1945 to 1967. In 1971, the 1968 vintage was the first vintage available to the public and it received praise worthy of greatness and importance. In 1978, the 1972 Sassicaia was awarded first place at a Decanter magazine blind tasting among 33 Cabernet Sauvignons from around the world and moved towards becoming the iconic wine it is today. In order to recognize Mario's vision in creating a wine that gave Italian winemaking lustre and fame, Italy created the Bolgheri DOC appellation in 1983, and in 2013 the sub-appellation of DOC Bolgheri Sassicaia was created. Since Tenuta San Guido owns all of the land under the DOC Bolgheri Sassicaia appellation, Sassicaia is the only wine that is made in the appellation.

Today, Tenuta San Guido is led by Honorary President Nicolò Incisa della Rocchetta. son of Mario. Nicolò joined his father in 1955 to help manage the family business. The Incisa family had a relationship with the Antinori family through Nicolò's mother, Clarice, who was from the Della Gherardesca family. It was through this relationship that Nicolò worked with the young oenologist Giacomo Tachis to develop the first red Bordeaux blend in the history of Bolgheri - it was the aforementioned 1968 Sassicaia. Nicolò was instrumental in turning Tenuta San Guido into a modern estate that combined family traditions with the expertise of independent managers.

The bond that exists between the family and company is now represented by Priscilla Incisa della Rocchetta, daughter of Nicolò and brand manager responsible for external relations, and her five cousins and their children. The estate covers 2,500 hectares, of which 90 hectares are devoted to the vineyards and the winery. The approach in the vineyard is always measured against the needs of the land. Vineyard management requires a great deal of time and care and is influenced by the seasonality to determine if any interventions are required, while the concepts of sustainability, integration, and conservation are also important prerequisites prior to taking any action. Harvest is carried out manually, while in the winery, they strive to create wines with balance, pleasantness, elegance, freshness, sinuous tannins, and longevity.

In addition to Sassicaia, Tenuta San Guido also produces two other wines - Guidalberto and Le Difese. We had the opportunity to taste all three wines during the structured tasting which was led by Priscilla. After taking us through each of the fantastic wines, including some back vintages, we also had the opportunity to pair the wines with lunch. Reviews of all of the wines tasted are provided below, with the latest vintages available for purchase through the Agent - Sylvestre Wines & Spirits, or at the LCBO in the coming months.

Tasting Notes:

TENUTA SAN GUIDO LE DIFESE 2020 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#147876) (XD) - $38.95
First produced in 2002 and traditionally more Cab Sauv than Sangiovese, this vintage is a blend of 55% Sangiovese and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the Sangiovese purchased from two estates. From a warm vintage that was good for early ripening varieties, this has a clean, ripe, medium-high to highly aromatic nose of dark cherry-berry, currant, and clove with hints of cassis, as well as elegant wood spice aromas. Some beautiful floral notes emerge with time in glass. On the medium to medium-full bodied palate it offers elegant, fine-grained, and gritty tannins that have some structure. Very nice aroma replays are nicely balanced on the palate. Clove, currant, and dark cherry replays linger on the long, succulent finish. Coming to LCBO VINTAGES May 2023. Score: 92 pts

TENUTA SAN GUIDO GUIDALBERTO 2020 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#72439) (XD) - $66.95
A 50/50 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that is fresh, yet seems shy with crushed dark red berry, currant, and cassis aromas with savoury undertones. It’s medium-full bodied on the crunchy palate with tight tannins. Very nice aroma replays on the flavour profile are joined by licorice, and wild herbs. It has fresh acidity and excellent length on the long, balanced, finish. Still a bit young and should age nicely up to a decade from now. Coming to LCBO VINTAGES March 2023. Score: 93 pts

TENUTA SAN GUIDO GUIDALBERTO 2015 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#72439) (XD)
Named after Guidalberto della Gherardesca, the ancestor who made the greatest contribution to the territory’s agricultural and viticultural history. This blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot has a lovely, perfumed, highly aromatic nose of currant, cassis, red & black fruits, with savoury, wet earth, forest floor undertones. It’s medium-full bodied with smooth, refined tannins that have some structure and is still a bit tight. Nicely balanced aroma replays with elegance on the palate. Balanced acids. Long, dark berry, currant, and earthy finish. Score: 93 pts

SASSICAIA 2019 - DOC Bolgheri-Sassicaia, Tuscany, Italy (#480533) (XD) - $249.95
A traditional blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc. From a very regular, steady vintage, this has a medium-high to highly aromatic nose that offers a lovely perfume of red & black fruits, currant, cherry, wet earth, and forest floor, with touches of florality. It’s medium-full to full-bodied with lovely aroma replays plus spice notes and smooth, structured, and elegant tannins that are balanced with fresh acidity. Nicely balanced flavours throughout, tapering to a very long, currant, dark berry, and wet earth finish. Score: 96 pts

SASSICAIA 2018 - DOC Bolgheri-Sassicaia, Tuscany, Italy (#480533) (XD)
85/15 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. First made in 1968 and celebrating its 50th vintage, the perfumed, medium-high to highly aromatic nose offers fresh dark and red berry, currant, and cassis notes with touches of purple fruit and floral. On the medium-full to full-bodied palate it has fresh acidity and lovely aroma replays. Smooth, structured, and dusty textured tannins are very nicely balanced throughout. Attractive fruit and savoury earthy interplays on the finish, with excellent length. Very approachable now and will continue to age well into the late 2030s. Score: 96 pts

SASSICAIA 2010 - DOC Bolgheri-Sassicaia, Tuscany, Italy (#480533) (XD)
Blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc from a fresher vintage and long harvest. Beautiful, highly aromatic, maturing nose of dried cherry, rose florals, and savoury wet earth. Wow! Lovely smooth, refined, finely textured tannins on the medium-full to full-bodied palate with lovely aroma replays plus some earthy mineral notes on the flavour profile. Juicy, well-balanced acids. Very nice, very long, earthy mineral finish. Will continue to drink well for another 10+ years. Score: 97 pts

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