Wakefield Jaraman Shiraz 2022 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is the latest vintage of an always terrific Australian Shiraz that arrived at the LCBO as part of the recent November 30th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Wakefield Wines, which is known as Taylors Wines in Australia. This family estate winery was established near the Wakefield River in South Australia's Clare Valley in 1969 by Bill Taylor Sr. and his two sons. The Taylor family worked as wine merchants, but desired to have their own vineyards and create their own, authentic, and estate-grown wines. By 1969, they settled on a site near the Wakefield River and established Taylors Wines.

Today, Wakefield Wines is led by brothers Mitchell, Justin, and Clinton, the third-generation of the Taylor family, the sons of Bill Taylor and grandchildren of Bill Taylor Sr. The brothers continue their family's tradition of crafting delicious wines that stand the test of time, while also firmly fixed upon the future and the next generation. The family's philosophy is to craft wines sustainably and responsibly, while respecting the fruit and where it comes from. Their goal is to be Australia's best wine company at applying best practiced principles in environmental management to enhance sustainable business activities and products. They also favour the most innovative techniques to improve energy efficiency, water conservation, and packaging, while also preventing or eliminating waste and pollution. Through a holistic approach to environmental management, they aim to achieve sustainable land and biodiversity management outcomes for both the present and future. Taylors Wine is also a founding member of Australia's First Families of Wine, which was formed in 2009.

Wakefield Wines has several ranges of wines in their portfolio, with this wine coming from their premium Jaraman range, which celebrates Australia's iconic wine regions which provide great diversity. With the Jaraman range, the Taylor family searches for parcels of extraordinary fruit which they can use to showcase the distinctive regional characters and style for each grape variety. The fruit for Jaraman wines is sourced from celebrated wine regions in Australia that are renowned for producing particular varieties. At the winery, the winemaker at Wakefield ensures that the distinct regional characteristics of each variety are preserved and enhanced, while also making sure that the fruit is the star of the wine, and any winemaking influence only plays a supporting role. Respecting the fruit is a core value at Wakefield Wines, and the Jaraman range showcases the skill and dedication to this core value.

While the previous vintage of this wine - the 2021 Wakefield Jaraman Shiraz - was nearly equal parts of fruit from Clare Valley and McLaren Vale, this latest vintage is 100% Shiraz with 72% Clare Valley fruit and 28% McLaren Vale fruit. Traditional vinification methods were used to craft this red wine, with parcels from the two regions kept separate until blending prior to oak ageing. The wine was matured for an average of 12 to 15 months in a selection of new and used American oak hogsheads and then bottled.

The 2022 vintage in Clare Valley was a year of both high quality and quantity as the crops basked in the mild, sunny days without any rain or humidity. The stunningly beautiful weather provided uninterrupted and idyllic conditions that were more typical of the better vintages during the 80s and 90s. In McLaren Vale, it was a slightly different story as inconsistent fruit set reduced yields by about 15%, which likely explains the reduction of McLaren Vale fruit in this cuvée. The growing season featured mild conditions of warm days and cool nights, with minimal rain and no heat spikes. The end result produced some of the best McLaren Vale reds in years with vibrant wines having supple tannins and bright, natural acidity. From a mostly cool and very good vintage, let's see how this 2022 Shiraz from Australia is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

WAKEFIELD JARAMAN SHIRAZ 2022 - Clare Valley / McLaren Vale, South Australia (#377036) (XD) - $24.95 $21.70
Screw cap. The fragrant, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose has plummy dark fruit, mulberry, blackberry, and black cherry aromas alongside savoury oak, chocolate, clove, and subtle Asian spice notes. The medium+ bodied palate is dry with delicious mulberry, brambly, plum, blackberry, sweet spice, clove, and chocolatey oak flavours in a slightly jammy profile. It is quite firmly structured on the palate, with smooth, ripe tannins. Gently tangy acids are crisp, juicy, and succulent, while the chocolatey oak, plum, and earthy notes linger on the long, well-structured finish. Recommended buy to enjoy into the early 2030s. Score: 89 pts

Other lovely Wakefield Wines can be purchased at the LCBO, or through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Catena High Mountain Vines Malbec 2022 and Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine reviews are a pair of lovely and consistently well-made wines from Argentina that are widely available year-round at the LCBO as they are part of the VINTAGES Essentials Collection.

These wines are produced by Catena Zapata, one of Argentina's most prestigious wineries, which is known for producing high-quality wines. It was established in 1902 by Nicola Catena, an Italian immigrant, after he planted his first Malbec vines in Mendoza during a time when Malbec was used primarily as a blending grape. Nicola's eldest son, Domingo, inherited his father's dream and took the family business to another level to become one of Mendoza's largest vineyard holders.

Catena Zapata was revitalized and gained international acclaim during the 1980s when Nicolás Catena Zapata, son of Domingo, took over the family business. Today, the renowned winery is led by Dr. Laura Catena, daughter of Nicolás, and the 4th generation of the family to work in the wine business. The Catena family is noted for being one of Argentina's first wineries to introduce modern viticultural and winemaking techniques to the country, as well as for its commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability.

Today, nearly all of Catena's vineyards are farmed sustainably and organically, focusing on lower yields and biodiversity. Both of the wines reviewed in this post are certified sustainable and are noticeably lighter in bottle weight due to the fact that they are now packaged in 500 g glass bottles (down from 700 g), resulting in a 28% lighter bottle. It is also worth noting that up to 60% of the carbon footprint of a wine is the glass of the bottle.

Both of these wines are from the "Catena" range - a blend of single varietal lots from the family's high mountain estate vineyards. These high mountain vineyard wines are made by Laura Catena, a fourth generation vintner, and Alejandro Vigil, chief winemaker. Through decades of study and exploration within Mendoza's high altitude mountain terroirs, the Catena family has identified special locations for its Estate vineyards. Each historic vineyard is divided into lots that are harvested separately, and specially prepared to be part of the final blend. The three wines that make up the Catena range are Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Chardonnay, and are intricately crafted by blending components from different terroirs and altitudes to create balanced and expressive wines of unique character with natural balance, concentration, and distinct varietal identity. These wines can be consumed upon release or aged beautifully for a decade or more.

The 100% Malbec is crafted using grapes from three high mountain vineyards of alluvial origin - Lunlunta (3,018 ft. / 920 m elevation with loamy clay in the topsoil with rounded rocks on the bottom), El Cepillo in Eugenio Bustos (3,593 ft. / 1,090 m with loam-sandy soil, thick calcareous layers and rounded rocks on the bottom), and Gualtallary (4,757 ft. / 1,450 m elevation featuring gravel and limestone soil, and rounded rocks in the bottom). The Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of grapes (including 7% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot) from four high mountain vineyards of alluvial origin - Agrelo (3,117 ft. / 950 m elevation with clay topsoil with rounded rocks on the bottom), Villa Bastías (3,675 ft. / 1,120 m elevation with silt loamy soil and limestone on the bottom, Altamira in La Consulta (3,593 ft. / 1,095 m with loamy soil and rounded rocks on the bottom, and El Cepillo in Eugenio Bustos.

The 2022 growing season was an exceptional year from a qualitative standpoint at Catena Zapata, with wines having optimal acidity, great concentration and ripeness of polyphenols, and just-right alcohol levels. While it was a bit of a roller coaster with two big frosts and a shorter harvest period, Alejandro Vigil stated that this was the best year that he has lived through. The vintage required deep knowledge of every region and vineyard because the weather patterns were very unpredictable. From a challenging, and yet promising vintage, let's see how the 2022 Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Argentina are tasting...

Tasting Notes:

CATENA HIGH MOUNTAIN VINES MALBEC 2022 - Mendoza, Argentina (#478727) (XD) - $22.95
100% Malbec, this grapes underwent extensive cold maceration to extract aromas, followed by alcoholic fermentation using wild yeasts. It was aged for 11 to 13 months in combination of first, second, and third use French oak barrels. The fragrant, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose is slightly reductive with lovely spicy, dark fruit, blackberry, and violet aromas with savoury, earthy undertones. It's dry with very good concentration on the medium+ bodied palate, along with ripe with dark fruited, plummy, blackberry, grapey, and spice flavours accented with savoury earth and violet notes. It's supported by juicy, succulent acidity and smooth, refined, and well-structured tannins. Savoury, peppery, and dark berry notes with hints of mineral linger on the long, gently grippy finish. Score: 90 pts

CATENA HIGH MOUNTAIN VINES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 - Mendoza, Argentina (#985002) (XD) - $22.95 $20.95 until Jan. 5
This blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot was fermented with wild yeasts in stainless steel tanks, and aged in a mix of first, second, and third-use French oak barrels for 11-13 months. Fragrant, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose is dark fruited and plummy with blackberry, black currant, savoury oak spice, and earthy aromas with hints of purple fruit. It's dry, medium-full bodied, and ripe on the palate with plummy black fruit, blackberry, currant, savoury earth, and oak spice flavour replays supported by clean, juicy acidity and smooth, refined, integrated, and well-structured tannins. Some cassis, sweet black fruits, and peppery spice add interest on the mid-palate, while savoury earth, black fruit, and peppery notes linger on the long, balanced, and slightly chalky-grippy textured finish. Score: 89 pts

Other fine wines by Catena Zapata can be found at the LCBO, or ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Susana Balbo Críos Malbec 2022 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious Malbec from Argentina that arrived at the LCBO earlier this month in the November 2 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Dominio del Plata, or more commonly known today as Susana Balbo Wines. The renowned winery was founded in 1999 by Susana Balbo, a pioneering figure in Argentine winemaking, as the country's first female winemaker. Overcoming challenges both personally and professionally, Susana Balbo is highly regarded for producing innovative and expressive wines by combining traditional winemaking techniques with modern approaches.

Today, Susana Balbo Wines is a family-run winery located in Mendoza, Argentina, at the foothills of the Andes mountain range. Susana is joined by her two children, José and Ana, who decided to join the team of over one hundred people and help build the family legacy. With an entrepreneurial, revolutionary, and pioneering spirit, the team at Susana Balbo Wines works daily to deliver high-quality wines with a methodic care for detail. They seek to grow the wine industry in terms of investigation, innovation, and sustainability. The philosophy of the winemaking team combines a deep knowledge of Argentina's best soils, an endless curiosity and passion for the art and science behind winemaking, and a strong commitment to sustainable practices. The pillars of Susana Balbo Wines' sustainability initiatives are centered around being economically viable, environmentally and socially responsible, based on ethics and transparency.

Like the 2020 Críos Chardonnay I enjoyed nearly three years ago, this red wine is from Susana Balbo's entry-level Críos line of wines. Críos, which translates to "kids", was born out of Susana's love for her children and desire to forge a legacy for her family, while also helping them navigate their own journeys through life with lessons learned from her lifetime of trailblazing entrepreneurship. Each bottle of Críos wine features the iconic handprint logo, symbolizing the family bond and illustrates the hand as a powerful tool for mothers as they hold, provide warmth, nourish, comfort, and teach the next generation the skills and wisdom to survive and thrive.

To create something and leave an indelible personal mark with the power of your hands, it is necessary to have conviction, vibrancy, and identity. Críos wines are crafted with care to bring out the best of each varietal. With a strong commitment to quality, Susana Balbo chooses the region of Argentina most suited for growing each particular grape, and then nurturing each varietal in order to elevate its intrinsic character. Inspired by Susana’s history, the Críos line of wines supports the community through various charitable events.

Crafted with 100% Malbec, the grapes were grown at high altitude, averaging 1,050 metres above.sea-level. After manually harvesting the grapes, it was fermented with selected yeasts at a maximum temperature of between 28-31°C. It underwent a 15-20 day maceration, along with closed and open pumping over, with délestage at various stages of fermentation. 40% of the wine was aged for 8 months in third- and fourth-use French oak barrels.

The 2022 vintage in Argentina was challenging, yet promising. The growing season began with a cool spring and very little rainfall, and included several severe bouts of frosts which cut yields. Much needed rain arrived at the end of spring and the beginning of summer, which refreshed the vines. After the rain had passed and the weather cleared, there was just enough heat to allow the red grape varieties to reach phenolic ripeness. In general, it was a cool year, which gave rise to wines with clean, delicate, and highly pure aromas. Let's see how this 2022 Malbec from the Uco Valley in Argentina is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

SUSANA BALBO CRÍOS MALBEC 2022 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#162529) (XD) - $17.95
The fragrant, medium-high intensity nose is slightly reductive with attractive aromas of earthy dark berry, blackberry, violet, black cherry, and black plum, with touches of oak spices. It's medium+ bodied on the dry palate with ripe dark berry, black cherry, blackberry, violet, and earthy oak spice flavours. Acids are crisp and fresh, while the fine-grained, lightly textured tannins have lightly structured. Some warmth on the mid-palate. Quite grippy and chalky textured on the lengthy, savoury, and earthy finish. Give it a slight chill and enjoy this recommended buy over the coming year. Score: 88+ pts

Other delicious wines by Susana Balbo can be found at the LCBO, or ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Rémy Ferbras Plan de Dieu Côtes du Rhône-Villages 2022 (France) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Côtes du Rhône-Villages from the Plan de Dieu appellation that arrived at the LCBO last month in the October 19th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Like the 2018 Rémy Ferbras Terre de Mistral Plan de Dieu Côtes du Rhône-Villages I enjoyed a couple of years ago, this red wine is produced by Rémy Ferbras, a winery with deep roots in the Southern Rhone Valley, at the heart of the prestigious Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyards. Owned by Grandes Serres winery, they pay tribute to Rémy Ferbras, its very first cellar master. Rémy Ferbras was an iconic figure of the winery and a tireless advocate of the Rhône terroir and its grape varieties. He succeeded in expressing the full potential of Rhône Valley wines and, through his work and tenacity, contributed greatly to the development and public recognition of Grandes Serres. The Rémy Ferbras range of wines are the result of strict selections, precise vinification, and ageing, methodologies he would've used, to produce wines that are rich, elegant, complex, and flavourful.

This red wine is a blend of four grapes that were grown in the Plan de Dieu appellation, in the heart of the Southern Rhône Valley. Plan de Dieu is spread across four villages and extends to the foothills of the Dentelles de Montmirail. In the Middle Ages, the sisters of Prébayon Abbey tended to these lands, which were covered with a vast garrigue forest rife with brigands and other robbers who ambushed travellers. Thus, when travelling in the region, it is best to put yourself in God's hands! Vine cultivation had been practiced in the region since at least 1326, but was abandoned for many years until it was revived during the 1920s. The terroir of this plateau is stony and arid, with soils composed of mainly limestone chippings and brown clay, conditions loved by Grenache.

A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, and Mourvèdre, the grapes for this red wine were picked at optimum harvest maturity. Each grape was vinified separately using traditional techniques for each grape variety. It underwent alcoholic fermentation between 26-28°C, with two weeks of maceration. After undergoing malolactic fermentation, the individual wines were blended and bottled.

The 2022 growing season in the Southern Rhône Valley was marked by intense heat and drought. The year began with a dry winter and very little rain, followed by a spring that rapidly warmed up, although there was a fleeting cold snap in April. Temperatures continued to rise throughout spring, leading to a successful budburst and flowering. May was abnormally hot, while June rains brought some relief. Summer brought intense heat and drought, with some vines struggling, while rot and disease were mostly kept at bay. Some humidity in August helped revive some of the vines. From a very good vintage that was more suitable for red wines, particularly Grenache and Syrah, let's see how this 2022 Plan de Dieu Côtes du Rhône-Villages red wine is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

RÉMY FERBRAS PLAN DE DIEU CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2022 - AP, France (#538009) (XD) - $17.95
This blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, and Mourvèdre has a fragrant, open, and medium-high intensity nose that offers ripe, lush, and complex aromas of black raspberry, scorched earth, smoky mineral, red plum, black cherry, blackberry, and spice notes. On the crisp, dry, medium+ bodied palate, it has lovely, ripe black raspberry, red plum, cherry, peppery spice, red licorice, and mineral flavours. It has juicy, succulent acidity, and supple, lightly chalky tannins with good structure. Gently tangy on the mid-palate, while lovely smoky mineral and touches of spice notes linger on the long, savoury finish. Absolutely delicious and a highly recommended buy to enjoy over the next 3-4 years. Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Rémy Ferbras can be ordered through their Agent - DBINO David Beauroy Selections.

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La Chevalière Rasteau 2022 (Rhône) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is an excellent Grenache-based blend from Rasteau that arrived at the LCBO earlier this month as part of the October 5 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

The La Chevalière label is a joint product between Les Grandes Serres and Rémy Ferbras. Both producers are based in the Rhône Valley and known for their expertise in crafting high-quality wines from the prestigious Southern Rhône Valley appellations. They use traditional winemaking techniques combined with modern practices to express the unique terroirs of the Rhône Valley. With sustainable vineyard practices, hand-harvesting, and meticulous sorting of grapes, both producers work with growers to ensure high-quality grapes are grown.

Like the 2017 La Chevalière Rasteau I enjoyed a few years ago, this red wine is a blend of four grapes led by Grenache. The 2022 vintage is, in fact, a blend of 70% Grenache, 10% Carignan, 10% Mourvèdre, and 10% Syrah. The grapes were grown in the Rasteau Cru, a village located just north of Vaucluse county, between the valleys of Aigues and Ouvèze, in the Southern Rhône Valley. The area of Rasteau has a variety of terroirs, including red marl and sandstone, clay and limestone soils, and is covered with worn pebbles on the surface. After accumulating heat throughout the day, these pebbles are known for their ability to release all that heat at night, which in turn cools down the vines. The Mediterranean climate and diversity of terroirs in Rasteau offers an ideal environment for the wines to fully express their structured, generous, and powerful nature.

To vinify this Rhône red, the grapes were destemmed, softly crushed, and placed in temperature-controlled vats to undergo a three-week maceration with regular pumping-over and délestage (rack and return). After ageing, the different terroirs were blended together to achieve optimum balance for the very differentiated character of this Rasteau.

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

Tasting Note:

LA CHEVALIÈRE RASTEAU 2022 - AC, Rhône, France (#18502) (XD) - $23.95
This blend of 70% Grenache, 10% Carignan, 10% Mourvèdre, and 10% Syrah has a ripe, bright, and lifted nose of medium-high to high intensity that delivers lovely red & black raspberry, blackberry, black cherry, and spice aromas surrounding a meaty, savoury, and mineral core. Some olive and Mediterranean herb aromas appear with time in the glass, adding further complexity. On the dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate it has spicy, black and red berry fruited raspberry, cassis, savoury mineral, and earthy flavours with some plummy notes. Acids are fresh and tangy, while structured, grainy tannins have some chalky grip. Peppery spice with savoury earth and stony mineral notes linger on the long, grippy, and structured finish. Enjoyable now, and should drink well over the next 6-8 years. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

Other lovely wines from the producers of La Chevalière can be ordered through their Agent - DBINO David Beauroy Selections.

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Trénel Beaujolais-Villages 2022 (France) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Gamay from Beaujolais that arrived at the LCBO last month in the September 21 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Maison Trénel, a winery that was created in Burgundy in 1928 by Henri Claudius Trénel. Since the beginning, Maison Trénel's philosophy has been driven by the search for authenticity in their wines, as well as their fruit-liqueurs. To create their products, Trénel chooses the best terroirs in Burgundy and Beaujolais as the source of their fruit. With Burgundy tradition the cornerstone of Maison Trénel, the taste of authenticity has been present since its founding.

Today, Maison Trénel is renowned for its wines, specifically from the Beaujolais and Mâconnais areas. Trénel has also become a local reference as the winery was passed down from Henri Claudius to his son, André, and remains a familial authentic company, a philosophy that shared with the famous Maison M. Chapoutier, with whom they collaborate with today.

Trénel is dedicated to crafting high-quality wines that reflect the unique terroirs from across Beaujolais and Burgundy. While embracing sustainable vineyard practices, Trénel uses traditional winemaking methods and focuses on minimal intervention during the vinification process to allow the wines to express the specific terroir, climate, and geology of each area.

This red wine is crafted with 100% Gamay from the Beaujolais Villages AOP. There are 38 Villages that make up the Beaujolais Villages AOP, which produce wines of distinction and character. Most of the grapes in this red wine come from the areas of Le Perréon and Clochermerle, in the south of the AOP. These regions' undulating landscapes are perfectly suited to Gamay Noir. The Gamay used to craft this wine are from 30 to 60 year old vines which are planted facing southeast, on silty clay granite soil. After hand-harvesting the grapes, they underwent an 8-10 day maceration, 30% of which were destemmed. After fermentation, the wine was aged for 6 months in concrete tank, and then bottled without fining, but a light filtration.

The 2022 growing season in Beaujolais began with a cold January and a mild February. This was followed by cool weather in March, which helped prevent frost damage in April, while the rest of April and May was warm and dry, leading to an even and successful flowering. Violent summer storms, which often come to this continental zone, arrived at the end of June and caused some hail damage. The summer months of July and August were fiercely sunny and warm, leading to some drought losses and lowered yields during harvest. However, the quality of the grapes was outstanding, leading to aromatic and intense wines with fine balance, sap, and poise, especially from those grown in clay and granite soils. Let's see how this 2022 Beaujolais-Villages Gamay is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

TRÉNEL BEAUJOLAIS-VILLAGES 2022 - AP, France (#487140) (XD) - $19.95
100% Gamay. The open, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose is spicy with savoury earth aromas layered over ripe black fruits, black cherry, plus touches of cassis, floral, cranberry that emerge with time in the glass. On the dry, mid-weighted palate it is ripe with black cherry, cassis, spice, earth flavours with touches of cranberry. It has crisp, clean, and fresh acidity, along with supple, slightly grippy tannins. Pleasing mineral notes join the dark cherry, earth, and spice flavours on the finish, with very good length. This shows better balance with time in the glass and will be better in 6 to 12 months. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other delicious wines by Maison Trenel can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Les Turitelles Altugnac Pinot Noir 2022 (France) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious Pinot Noir from the Upper Aude Valley in the Languedoc region. It is a brand-new arrival at the LCBO that landed on shelves across Ontario as part of the September 21st LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Domaine Altugnac is the Languedoc wine estate of two winegrowing families - Collovray & Terrier. The estate of Altugnac is situated in Antugnac, on the edge of Languedoc, on the Pyrenean foothills, where the vines flirt with the scrubland and the woods, between sunny days and cool nights, and at the crossroads of the Atlantic and Mediterranean winds. Antugnac is a peaceful village that is dominated by an amphitheatre of mountains, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, and an invitation to imagine and create unique wines.

The Collovray & Terrier arrived in Antugnac in 1997 with a desire to explore new horizons and take on new challenges. Coming from Burgundy, the quality of the white wines in Languedoc appealed to them, especially those from high in the Aude Valley where mostly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are planted on limestone soils. Moreover, the harvest dates of these grapes were within a few days compared to those back home in Davayé (Burgundy), while the vegetative cycles were also very similar.

At the time, the domaine was owned by Mr. Ramirez, a founding member of the association of private cellars, and one of the first to imagine Chardonnay in the Aude Valley. Upon taking over the domaine in 1997, the Collovray & Terrier families undertook the colossal project to revitalize the 45 hectares of vineyards and rebuild the facilities.

Today, there are six members of the Collovray & Terrier families that work with a strong sense of cohesion within the family business, and with the support of a close-knit, loyal, and dedicated team. Their philosophy begins with strong roots in agriculture, where everything begins in the vines. It is widely known that working with the soil and respecting the vegetation are the prerequisites for a healthy, ripe, and good quality crop. While adapting to the year's weather conditions, the team at Altugnac has the know-how to evolve and experiment, in order to ensure that each variety is harvested at the optimum moment. The goal is to reveal the diversity of their terroirs, while also protecting and developing the biodiversity in and around the vineyards.

Collovray & Terrier has three ranges of wines within the Altugnac label. The excellent 2021 Altugnac Terres Amoureuses that I enjoyed last year (with a few bottles still available at LCBO) is from their Les Terroirs d'Altitude range, while this red wine is from their Les Turitelles d'Altugnac range. Turitelles are marine fossils that are found in abundance in their plots situated on the slopes of the Upper Aude Valley. This area experiences significant diurnal temperature variations between night and day, and when combined with clay-limestone soils, helps promote slow and complete maturation of the grapes to produce are range of aromatic and fresh wines.

This red wine is crafted with 100% Pinot Noir that was grown in their vineyard that is full of Turitelles fossils on the slopes of the Upper Aude Valley. These fossils are the origin of their soil and are carried by a limestone and clay base, which form the sloping plateaus in the landscape. This terroir in the foothills of the Pyrenees is known for the quality of its hillsides and its sunny and cool microclimate. To vinify this wine, the harvested grapes were placed into vats by gravity. They underwent a few days of cold, prefectural maceration, along with daily, gentle pickling and winding, to extract a beautiful aromatic palette and silky tannins. Two weeks after a controlled-temperature alcoholic fermentation, below 25°C, the juices are tasted, followed by malolactic fermentation and ageing in stainless steel or concrete tanks for several months, with bottling taking place within a year from harvest. From harvest to bottling, inputs are limited as much as possible, including the reduction of sulphites.

From a hot and dry growing season that is rated as a very good vintage, let's see how this 2022 Pinot Noir from Languedoc is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

LES TURITELLES ALTUGNAC PINOT NOIR 2022 - IGP Pays d'Oc, France (#37921) (XD) - $19.95
The ripe, medium+ intensity nose offers mild mannered, yet typical, Pinot characters of red & black cherry, and strawberry aromas with touches of beet root, earth, and black tea. The ripe notes continue on the light-to-mid-weighted palate with red & black cherry, strawberry, beet root, earth, and black tea leaf flavour replays. It has fresh, succulent acidity, while the light, supple tannins have a gentle, chalky textured mouthfeel. A touch grippy, with dark berry, earthy, and hints of mineral linger on the finish, with very good length. Recommended buy. Score: 88+ pts

Small quantities of the Amoureuses, while the entire portfolio of wines by Collovray et Terrier can be ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Catena Appellation Tupungato Chardonnay 2022 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely, high-altitude Chardonnay from Tupungato in Argentina that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the September 7th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Catena Zapata, one of Argentina's most prestigious and renowned winemaking families. A pioneer in Argentine winemaking, the Catena family also has a long history of viticulture and winemaking that goes back over a century.

Bodega Catena Zapata was established in 1902 by Nicola Catena when he planted his first Malbec vineyard in Mendoza. At the time, Malbec was used primarily as a blending grape, but Nicola suspected that it would find its hidden splendour in the Argentine Andes. His eldest son, Domingo, inherited his father's dream and took the family business to another level, becoming one of Mendoza's largest vineyard holders.

In the 1960s, Nicolás Catena Zapata, Domingo's son and a recent PhD graduate, took over the family winery after years of turmoil due to a downturn in the Argentine economy and soaring inflation rates. The name Zapata comes from Nicolás' paternal grandmother's ancestors, who were a traditional landowning family dating back to colonial times, and by Argentine custom, Zapata follows Catena in Nicolás's full name. In the early 1980s, Nicolás got the opportunity to become a visiting scholar of economics at the University of California, on the world-renowned campus at Berkeley. During this period, California decided to challenge France by creating Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines that could rival the best French wines. This provided Nicolás and his wife, Elena, with inspiration, so that when he returned to Mendoza, he sold his bulk wine table-wine producing company and focused on producing fine wine. In 1992, the Catena family settled in Gualtallary Alto - the highest and westernmost spot in Tupungato, at 5,000 feet above sea level, an area that is cool, but well-protected from frost by the nearby mountains. The vineyard, which is named after his youngest daughter - Adrianna - has a slight slope and a small hill.

Today, Bodega Catena Zapata is led by Dr. Laura Catena, daughter of Nicolás, and the 4th generation of the family, along with talented Winemaker Alejandro Vigil. Catena Zapata is known for being one of the first Argentine wineries to introduce modern viticultural and winemaking techniques to the country, as well as for its commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability. Catena wines are produced from six historic family estate vineyards and each of these vineyards is divided into parcels according to their soil composition, with each parcel farmed individually. Nearly all of Catena's vineyards are farmed sustainably and organically, focusing on lower yields and biodiversity.

Like the 2019 Catena Appellation Tupungato Chardonnay I enjoyed just over three years ago, this white wine is crafted using Chardonnay that was grown in the high-altitude Tupungato sub-region of northern Uco Valley. Over two decades ago, Nicolás Catena Zapata selected the Tupungato appellation to plant the family's Chardonnay vineyards. Situated between 4,000 and 5,000 feet above sea level in the foothills of the Andes mountains, the Tupungato appellation has pebble-covered soils and extreme cool nights. Catena's Tupungato Vineyard is located at about 1,450 metres (4,750 feet) above sea level and has soil of alluvial origin, with gravel and limestone, rounded rocks at the bottom, and sandy loam. To vinify this wine, the grapes undergo cold settling for 8-24 hours at 5ºC (41ºF), followed by a 25 to 45 day fermentation. After fermentation, the wine spends 4 to 10 months in contact with its fine lees in 100% French oak, 35% new.

The 2022 growing season at Catena Zapata was exceptional, producing wines with optimal acidity, great concentration and ripeness of polyphenols, and just-right alcohol levels. While the growing season was like a roller-coaster year with two big frosts, a shorter harvest period, and unpredictable weather patterns, the team at Catena persevered with great dedication and endurance while using their deep knowledge of every region and vineyard. Winter was milder than usual, while glacial water played an important role because spring and summer were especially dry with rain 15-40% less than usual in most areas. Spring frosts were remedied by lighting anti-frost cans. Yields were down 10-20% by harvest time, while cooler than usual autumn temperatures allowed the grapes to ripen slowly and fully. From a challenging vintage, let's see how this 2022 Chardonnay from Argentina is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CATENA APPELLATION TUPUNGATO CHARDONNAY 2022 - Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#10964) (XD) - $19.95
The medium+ to medium-high intensity nose offers bright lemon citrus and ripe apple-pear aromas nuanced with vanilla, earthy mineral, and hints of butterscotch and tropical fruit notes. On the rich, dry, medium-full bodied palate it has delicious lemon citrus, apple-pear, vanilla, and mineral replays, plus some spice flavours. It's well-structured with tight and juicy acidity. Citrus and apple notes taper to savoury minerals on the long, crisp finish. Has room to develop further and should drink well over the next 5 years. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Many other fine wines by Catena Zapata can be found at the LCBO, or ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Wine Art Estate Idisma Drios Assyrtiko 2022 (Greece) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is an excellent Assyrtiko from PGI Drama in northeastern Greece. It is a brand-new arrival at the LCBO, coming to shelves as part of last month's August 24th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and is readily available across Ontario right now.

Founded by Yiannis Papadopoulos in 1993, Wine Art Estate is a project of love and passion for wine. Yiannis, who is a civil engineer by profession, wanted to explore the vinification procedure and settled on planting a small, family vineyard on the outskirts of Drama, on the northeastern end of Macedonia in northern Greece.

The Drama wine region is made up of quiet valleys, exceptional microclimates, and rich soil that shapes the character of the wines. Wine Art Estate's vineyards are planted on carefully chosen slopes situated between two parallel mountains - Mount Falakro and Mount Menikion - which create a unique winegrowing environment that offers amazing potential for the production of distinctive, high-quality, aromatic, flavourful, and balanced wines. Highly suitable for the cultivation of Greek and international varieties, the soil in these vineyards is mainly composed of sandy-clay over limestone layers. Moreover, the blocks in the Kali Vrisi area have been known since ancient times for the cultivation of vines and production of wines, as indicated at the ruins of the Sanctuary of Dionysus. Kali Vrisi was chosen for its rich soil and is known as a premium wine growing area.

In 2009, Akis Papadopoulos, son of Yiannis, returned from his studies in Bordeaux and took over from his father as Chief Oenologist. Iralklis Topalidis joined the team as viticulturist and, after seeing and assessing the vines, began focusing on the importance of the vineyard as a precursor to quality winemaking. After years of research and experimentation, as well as an enthusiastic response from consumers, trade and press in many countries around the world, Wine Art Estate continues its dedication to quality with a winemaking philosophy that respects harmony and balance. Additionally, the philosophy at Wine Art Estate is that great wines begin in the vineyard and are grown by those who adapt, listen to nature, and are respectful of the land's energy. With winemaking experience spanning three decades, Wine Art Estate is committed to sustainable winegrowing, while producing high quality wines without compromise, and preserving nature for future generations.

While I recall enjoying the 2019 Wine Art Techni Alipias Red Blend last November, with this wine we go up a notch to Wine Art Estate's Idisma Drios premium range of wines that showcases their commitment to quality and tradition. The name "Idisma Drios" translates to "sweetly oaked" in Greek, and reflects the careful use of oak barrels in the winemaking process for each of the four Idisma Drios wines.

This particular wine is crafted with 100% Assyrtiko that was grown in the villages of Kali Vrisi and Mikrochori, from vineyards that are under conversion to organic viticulture. The Kali Vrisi vineyard has sandy-clay soil over limestone layers, while the Mikrochori vineyard has sandy-clay soil. The climate in these vineyards is continental with intense diurnal temperature changes between day and night, along with cool, northern winds during summer. To craft this white wine, the skins were cold-soaked prior to fermentation in order to transfer aromas from the grapes to the must. After fermentation for 7 days in stainless steel tanks, the wine is transferred with its fine lees into 225 L French oak barrels where it completes fermentation. Manual bâtonnage (stirring of fine lees) is applied for about 6 months to give the wine volume, density, and creaminess.

The 2022 growing season in northern Greece can be characterized as a late year that was very demanding for viticulturists. Winter was normal, but spring had low temperatures, which delayed the start of the vegetative cycle. Normal temperatures combined with rainfall during June and July led to smooth maturation of grapes, but winegrowers did need to stay alert to protect the health of the vineyards and ensure leaf surface and yield were balanced. While August had favourable temperatures, there was also plentiful rainfall, which led to temporary interruption of harvest in some places, as well as disease-related issues. September was smooth, and the harvest was completed without any further complications. Overall, the white wines from this vintage show rich varietal aromas and good acidity. Let's see how this 2022 Assyrtiko from Greece is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

WINE ART ESTATE IDISMA DRIOS ASSYRTIKO 2022 - PGI Drama, Greece (#36834) (XD) - $28.95
Richly fragrant, the medium-high to highly aromatic nose offers elegant and enticing aromas of buttery and vanillin oak layered over ripe lemon citrus, apple, orchard fruit, mineral, and floral. On the dry, medium-full to full-bodied palate it is richly structured, creamy, and complex with delicious vanilla, toasty oak spice, citrus, apple, orchard fruit, and nut flavours. Touch spicy on the mid-palate, while leesy mineral notes appear on the back palate. It has tangy and juicy acidity, while vanilla, citrus, orchard fruit, and mineral notes with touches of spice lingering on the very long, succulent finish. Should drink nicely to the end of the decade and is a highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

Other fine wines by Wine Art Estate can be ordered at the LCBO or through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.

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LAVAU Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2022 (France) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a delicious blend of Grenache Blanc and Viognier from the Rhône wine region of France. It made its debut at the LCBO in the recent August 24th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and is widely available across Ontario right now.

It is produced by Maison LAVAU, a winery that was founded by the Lavau family in 1965. The Lavau family had already been involved in winemaking for several generations when Jean-Guy Lavau, the third generation of the family, and his wife, Anne-Marie, returned to France from Tunisia in the mid-20th century. By 1964, the couple decided to take over a small winemaking cellar in the southern Rhône Valley village of Sablet. Together, the Lavau's built a reputation as one of the region's top winemakers thanks to their dedication to high-quality standards, attention to detail, and thirst for excellence.

Today, Maison LAVAU is a major player locally in the Rhône Valley as it has developed close ties with other winegrowers in the region. Maison LAVAU is led by brothers Frédéric and Benoît Lavau, the sons of Jean-Guy and Anne-Marie. The brothers completed their studies in Canada and joined the family business - Frédéric in 1995, followed by Benoît two years later, and by 2000, the Lavau brothers had taken over the family business because their parents opted to retire. Frédéric and Benoît's youthful energy and adventurous spirit allowed them to further structure, develop, and improve the Maison, including building a new cellar in Violès and investing in modern, high-performance cellar facilities. Maison LAVAU has long-running partnerships with more than 250 winegrowers who have over 140 hectares of vines across the appellations of Rhône Valley. Moreover, the Lavau brothers are also talented winemakers and wine traders, and invested in vineyards so they could produce their wine using their own grapes. As one of the last family-run and independent wine estates in the Rhône Valley, Maison LAVAU's main objective is to offer the very best of the Rhône Valley by producing quality wines that are fine, generous, and affordable, while also expressing the unique characteristics of the Rhône Valley's terroirs.

This white wine is a blend of 60% Grenache Blanc and 40% Viognier that was grown in selected vineyards in the Vaucluse and Gard departments of the Rhône wine region, from vines planted in clay-limestone soil on plains and hillsides. Upon arriving at the winery, the grapes underwent a light skin maceration, then pressed and placed into temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. Fermentation was carried out at a low temperature to preserve the fruit. The wine was aged in stainless steel vats, on its fine lees, without malolactic fermentation, in order to preserve the crisp and crunchy character of the wine.

The 2022 growing season was the hottest and driest vintage in the Rhône since 1950! The season was marked by extremes, beginning with a dry winter that saw very little precipitation, while spring rapidly warmed up, although there was a fleeting cold snap in April. Budburst and flowering were a success, even though temperatures continued to rise. May was abnormally hot, while June brought some relief with rain. Summer was marked by heat and drought, with rot and disease mostly kept at bay, while August brought some humidity which helped revive some of the vines. Faced with the increasing regularity of these growing conditions, it would appear as though the vines have learned to adapt by slowing down their growth rates and maturity cycles. From a vintage that favours white grape varieties, let's see how this 2022 Côtes du Rhône Blanc is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

LAVAU CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2022 - AC, France (#36914) (XD) - $16.95
This 60/40 blend of Grenache Blanc and Viognier has a fresh, medium+ intensity nose offering attractive aromas of fresh and ripe pear, apple, lemon citrus, Mediterranean herbs, and grapefruit with accents of white floral and white peach. Intriguing leesy and mealy aromas emerge with time in the glass. On the weighty, medium-full bodied, and dry palate it has very good concentration with a fleshy mouthfeel and delicious ripe pear, apple, white floral, yellow fruit, lemon citrus, grapefruit, and spice flavours with some honeyed overtones. It has very good acidity, while pear, apple, floral, and spice notes linger on the long-lasting and juicy finish. With the alcohol starting to peak through, you'll want to chill well and enjoy this recommended buy over the coming year. Score: 88+ pts

Other lovely wines by Maison LAVAU can be found at the LCBO, or ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Zacharias Moschofilero 2022 (Greece) - Wine Review

After enjoying the excellent 2022 Zacharias Assyrtiko last month, tonight's white wine review is another lovely wine from the same producer that arrived at the LCBO today as part of the July 6 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. While stores may be closed due to the strike, this can be ordered online from lcbo.com.

Like the Assyrtiko, this white wine is produced by Zacharias Winery, a notable family-owned winery that was established over 30 years ago in the Nemea region of northeastern Peloponnese, Greece. The family has forty hectares of blessed land located on slopes that embrace the village of Leontio, Nemea. These vineyards are spread out and produce some of Greece's finest fruit, which leads to high-quality wines.

Since its founding in 1974 and as one of the region's most historic wineries, the art of winemaking for the Zacharias family has been more than a passion. Zacharias has continuously offered a vision, mood, and work ethic to qualitatively improve the wines made with Agiorgitiko. In addition to Agiorgitiko, the family also plants twelve other grape varieties, including top indigenous varieties such as Assyrtiko, Moschofilero, Roditis, and Mavrodaphne, as well as some international varieties. The vineyards are managed to produce small yields, while using an integrated environmental management system which respects both nature and man, which results in concentrated grapes to produce quality wines. The aim of Zacharias Winery is to offer approachable wines with a unique identity, while preserving the tradition and dissemination of grape varieties of the PDO Nemea and PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) Peloponnese appellations, which are an integral part of the cultural heritage of the place.

The PGI Peloponnese appellation was established in 1989 and consists of seven regional units. While not the same quality as PDO wines, PGI wines largely demonstrate authenticity and formality with respect to varieties and regions. The PGI wines crafted by Zacharias Winery use grapes grown in the administrative boundaries of the Municipality of Nemea, in Corinthia of the Peloponnese, and Mantinia of Arcadia. The climate in the Peloponnese varies depending on the region and altitude, but in general, it has a privileged Mediterranean climate where it is mild and warm on the coast, and cold in the interior lands.

This 100% Moschofilero was organically farmed in the PGI Peloponnese appellation and hand-harvested from late-September to early-October. To vinify this wine, the grapes underwent a cold maceration for 3 hours for 20% of the final blend, and fermentation at a low, controlled temperature in stainless tanks. Let's see how this 2022 Moschofilero from Greece is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ZACHARIAS MOSCHOFILERO 2022 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#548222) (XD) - $15.95
The attractive, medium-high intensity nose offers pretty aromas of Mandarin orange, honeysuckle, floral, grapefruit, lychee, and citrus. The medium+ to medium-full bodied palate is dry, ripe, and slightly honeyed with delicious citrus, grapefruit, honeysuckle, orange blossom, and floral flavours with touches of spice, wild herbs, and lychee adding further complexity. Acids are fresh, juicy, and mouth-watering. There's a touch of zesty spice on the mid-palate, while savoury, leesy notes come through on the juicy finish, with very good length. Perfect thirst quencher for summer drinking and a highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Zacharias Winery can be found at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Dionysos Wines (Greece) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's post features a trio of lovely wines from Greece. All three wines are new arrivals as Destination Collection products at the LCBO and can be purchased online or by visiting the LCBO Destination Collection stores on Danforth (Toronto) or Erin Mills Parkway (Mississauga).

All three of these wines are produced by Dionysos Winery S.A., a wine producer that was founded in 1936 in Athens by Asimakis Koutsouros and Stelios Gikas. Greece is known for its rich heritage and high-quality wines, which reflect the country's deep-rooted viticultural traditions.

Named after the ancient Greek god of wine, Dionysus, the two families that established Dionysos Winery had a passion for Greece's native grape varieties and a vision to create world-class wines. Today, the business is still owned by the Koutsouros and Gikas families, and because creating quality wines is what counts the most, the families have invested heavily in their modest winery to move forward and create quality wines.

Dionysos Winery is located about 30 minutes southwest of Athens in Lechio, within the Corinthos wine district - the most important quality vine growing region in the Peloponnese. In this location, the Mediterranean climate from the south meets the continental winds from the north to create superb winegrowing conditions that result in fruit forward, lively, temperamental, and complex wines.

Tasting Notes:

DIONYSOS LA CULTURE EN ROSE CUVÉE LIMITÉE 2022 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#35720) (XD) - $21.95
A blend of 95% Mavrofilero and 5% Grenache Noir that was grown in the Mountainous Mantinia region of Peloponnese. The oxidative, sherry-like, medium-high intensity nose has prominent florals with lemon blossom and rose aromas joined by macerated citrus and fig adding complexity. There is a sense of sweetness on the dry, medium-full bodied palate with blood orange, floral, citrus, and grapefruit flavours in a slightly oxidative style. It has very good, juicy, and slightly tangy acidity, along with a nicely textured, and well-structured mouthfeel. Florals and citrus notes linger on the long, juicy, and dry finish. Score: 90+ pts

DIONYSOS MANTINIA MOSCHOFILERO 2022 - PDO Mantinia, Greece (#547232) (XD) - $21.95
Fragrant, medium-high intensity nose delivers yellow and white citrus and floral aromas nuanced with leesy mineral, bergamot, and wild herbs. On the dry, ripe, light-to-medium bodied palate it has a very slightly honeyed profile of lemon citrus, floral, spice, and wild herb flavours with touches of leesy mineral notes. It has fresh, crisp, and juicy acidity, along with a fine, chalky textured mouthfeel. The spice notes give way to leesy minerals on the impressively long, dry finish. Score: 90+ pts

DIONYSOS OENOMELO SWEET WHITE WINE - Peloponnese, Greece (#35722) (S) - $25.95
This blend of 60% Muscat, 20% Moschofilero, and 20% Roditis has a medium+ to medium-high intensity nose that offers sweet aromas of candied lemon and ginger, honey, yellow floral, honeysuckle, and roses. It's medium+ to medium-full bodied and deliciously sweet on the palate with lovely candied lemon, honey, candied ginger spice, and floral notes on the flavour profile. It has fresh, well-balanced acidity, while candied lemon and honey notes taper to floral on the finish, with very good length. Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Dionysos Winery can be ordered through their Agent - Don Ackerman's Wines & Spirits.

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Mega Spileo Assyrtiko 2022 (Greece) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is yet another lovely white wine from Greece. This refreshing Assyrtiko arrived at the LCBO as part of the recent LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on June 8th.

Like the lovely 2022 Mega Spileo Malagousia that I enjoyed last month, this white wine is also produced by the historic and significant winery and monastery - Mega Spileo Estate.

Situated near the town of Kalavryta, in the Achaea region of northern Peloponnese, Mega Spileo holds a special place in Greek orthodox tradition and history. It is built into the side of a steep cliff overlooking the Vouraikos Gorge and offers stunning natural views of the landscape. Originally established in 362 A.D. by brothers who were also monks, the monastery added vine cultivation to its lands around the mid-15th century. The grapes were used by the monks to produce wine for both the Holy Communion and a nutritious dietary supplement. During this period, a massive barrel called "Angelis" was acquired and used to store 12 tonnes of wine - a barrel which still survives to this day.

In 1999, the latest chapter of the long and storied history of Mega Spileo Estate began after brothers Giannis and Theodoros Anastasiou received a long-term lease on the Estate from the Monastery. The vision of the Anastasiou brothers was to revitalize the historical vineyard using a team of experienced oenologists and wine producers. In order to create a completely new and unique estate, the team re-planted the vines and implemented best practices in the vineyard and winery, including protecting the environment and using sustainable agricultural techniques. The process led to the cultivation of high-quality grapes, which in turn to the production of high-quality wines, resulting in Mega Spileo Estate becoming a significant point of reference for Greek wine production.

Today, Mega Spileo Estate is situated just a few minutes away from the historic monastery, and within the UNESCO Chelmos-Vouraikos Global Geopark, which covers an area of 647 sq. km. It was included as part of the UNESCO program in 2015 thanks to its unique characters - a combination of rare geological, natural, and cultural elements. The area surrounding the Estate has tall mountains, plateaus, sheer gorges, ancient trees, wild herbs, flowers, and cool breezes, all of which come together to create a unique micro-climate.

Crafted with 100% Assytriko, the grapes were grown on mountain vineyards in Aigialeia and Kalavryta, at an altitude of more than 700 metres above sea level. After harvesting the grapes in late-September, it underwent a static racking of the grape must for 48 hours, followed by a low-temperature, alcoholic fermentation using selected yeasts. The wine stayed in contact with its fine lees for 3 months in stainless steel tanks, after which one-third of the wine was transferred into oak barrels and matured for a further 3 months, then reassembled and bottled. Let's see how this 2022 Assyrtiko from Greece is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MEGA SPILEO ASSYRTIKO 2022 - PGI Achaia, Greece (#31680) (XD) - $22.95
Fresh and fragrant, the medium-high intensity nose offers lovely, slightly perfumed aromas of ripe lemon citrus, orchard fruit, apple, pear, and mineral notes with touches of spice. It's mid-weighted on the palate with a fine, textural mouthfeel that supports the ripe, lightly honeyed flavours of lemon citrus, leesy mineral, ripe apple/pear, grapefruit, and mild spice notes. Complex and nicely balanced with fresh, lively acidity, and a gently chalky textured mouthfeel. Spice notes taper to leesy minerals and lime citrus on the long, textured finish. Chill and enjoy this highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Other lovely wines by Mega Spileo can be found at the LCBO, or ordered through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.

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La Ferme du Mont Le Ponnant Côtes du Rhône-Villages 2022 (France) - Wine Review

To celebrate Father's Day, tonight's red wine review is an excellent GSM-blend Côtes du Rhône-Villages that is a frequent visitor to the LCBO, with the latest vintage arriving on shelves across Ontario last weekend in the June 8 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by La Ferme du Mont, a notable winery situated in the Southern Rhône Valley of France. La Ferme du Mont is a relatively new project in the context of French winemaking, led by winemaker Stéphane Vedeau, and has gained notoriety for its high-quality wines and attention to detail.

With more than two decades of experience as a viticulturist and winemaker, Stéphane Vedeau is a 3rd generation winemaker who continues the traditions from his mother's side of the family. Stéphane has a deep understanding of the Rhône Valley's terroir and winemaking traditions. With La Ferme du Mont, the aim is to create wines that express the unique characteristics of the terroir, emphasizing minimal intervention in the winemaking process to allow the terroir to shine through.

In the vineyard, the goal is harmony. The plants live in a permanent equilibrium in the middle of a biotope rich in different species. The goal is to have the healthiest grapes, which take up most of the time and effort, as well as grapes that are balanced and in harmony with the plant and the natural environment, as well as be in harmony of fruit, juices, and breeding.

Having tasted several vintages of this red wine in the past, this is generally a Grenache-led blend, with this 2022 vintage composed of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre. The grapes were grown in the Southern Rhône Valley in a region dominated by a rocky peak and rounded stones in the vineyards, while the climate is warm, dry, and influenced by the powerful Mistral winds. The combination of these factors allows Stéphane to use an environmentally-friendly approach to viticulture, with minimal intervention. To vinify this wine, the grapes were lightly pressed and then underwent a long fermentation of 5 to 6 weeks, with soft extractions. To fully express the terroir, two-thirds of the wine was matured in concrete tubs for at least 8 months, out of contact with air, while the remaining was aged 225 L and 500 L barrels to increase complexity. The wine is bottled without filtration.

The 2022 growing season was marked by intense heat and drought. The year began with a dry winter that saw very little rain, followed by a spring that rapidly warmed up, although April did experience a fleeting cold snap. Budburst and flowering were a success, even though temperatures continued to rise. May was abnormally hot, while rain in June brought some relief. The summer months were marked by heat and drought, conditions which keep rot and disease at bay. The vines were revived in August thanks to some humidity, and benefited the red grape varieties Grenache and Syrah. Overall, grape quality is high, which will produce some sophisticated, age-worthy wines. Let's see how this 2022 Côtes du Rhône-Villages red wine from the Southern Rhône Valley is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

LA FERME DU MONT LE PONNANT CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2022 - AP, unfiltered, France (#171371) (XD) - $26.95
This lovely GSM blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre has a lifted, medium-high to highly aromatic, and complex nose of black cherry, raspberry, kirsch liqueur, black peppercorn, and spice with hints of stony minerality. On the medium-full bodied palate it is chewy, ripe, dry, slightly warming and spicy with delicious dark berry-cherry, black raspberry, black peppercorn, stony mineral, and earthy flavours. Acids are crisp and refreshing, while the smooth tannins have some structural and textured grip. Lovely stony mineral notes linger on the long, grippy finish. Should drink nicely to the end of the decade. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

One other lovely wine by La Ferme du Mont is available at the LCBO, while the entire range can be ordered through their Agent - Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.

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Zacharias Assyrtiko 2022 (Greece) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely Assyrtiko from Greece that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the June 8th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Zacharias Winery, a notable family-owned winery that was established over 30 years ago in the Nemea region, which is situated in the northeastern part of the Peloponnese, in Greece.

The Zacharias family has forty hectares of blessed land located on slopes that embrace the village of Leontio. The family's vineyards on these lands are spread sluggishly, offering the finest fruit for the production of high-quality wines. Zacharias plants thirteen grape varieties, including top indigenous varieties such as Agiorgitiko, Assyrtiko, Moschofilero, Roditis, and Mavrodaphne, as well as international varieties. With small yields and an integrated environmental management system which respects both nature and man, the juices from these grapes create quality wines.

Situated 115 km southwest of Athens, historically, Nemea was better known for the famous feat of Hercules who exterminated the terrible Lion of Nemea that inhabited the area. According to legend, the son of the god of wine, Dionysus, reigned this land and founded a city that bore his name - Fliounta. Nemea used to be called Agios Georgios, from the homonymous Byzantine church from which the famous grape variety - Agiorgitiko - took its name. Winegrowing, including the Agiorgitiko variety, and the production of wine in the region date back to 2000 B.C.

For the Zacharias family, the art of winemaking has been more than a passion for over 30 years. As the most historic winery in Nemea, since 1974, it has continuously offered a vision, mood, and work ethic to qualitatively improve the wines made with Agiorgitiko. The aim of Zacharias Winery is to offer approachable wines with a unique identity, while preserving the tradition and dissemination of grape varieties of the PDO Nemea and PGI Peloponnese appellations, which are an integral part of the cultural heritage of the place.

The production area in and around Nemea is quite extensive, ranging from 200 metres up to 850 metres above sea level, with most of the area's vineyards planted on slopes. The climate in the region is the typical Mediterranean climate, with average annual temperatures of 17°C, and average annual rainfall of 750 mm. The soil in the vineyards have average organic content, with moderate alkaline pH, and a relatively high content of calcium carbonate.

To craft this 100% Assyrtiko, the grapes were grown within the PGI Peloponnese appellation, the southernmost of the Balkan peninsula and Greece's largest and most productive wine region. After hand-harvesting the grapes in late-September, they underwent a cold maceration for 12 hours, followed by a cooler fermentation in stainless steel vats. Let's see how this 2022 Assyrtiko from Greece is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ZACHARIAS ASSYRTIKO 2022 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#588814) (XD) - $18.95
Fresh and fragrant, the inviting, medium-high intensity nose offers lovely yellow flowers, ripe lemon citrus, and melon aromas accented with fresh herbs and anise notes. On the dry, well-structured, medium-full bodied palate it is ripe and very lightly honeyed with delicious lemon citrus, floral, melon, and herbal replays on the flavour profile. It's supported by crisp and refreshing acidity, along with some spice notes and a fine, chalky textured mouthfeel on the mid-palate. Crisp and fresh, with leesy mineral notes lingering on the long, juicy finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Other fine wines by Zacharias Winery can be found at the LCBO, or ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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La Posta Malbec Rosé 2023 and Armando Bonarda 2022 (Argentina) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wine reviews are a pair of delicious wines by La Posta that arrived at the LCBO as part of recent LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collections and are widely available across Ontario right now.

La Posta Vineyards was established at the turn of the century by Laura Catena, of the renowned Catena family, who have significant involvement and development in the Argentine wine industry. Dr. Laura Catena established this brand after she discovered a handful of growers who consistently showed impressive results with specific varietals year-after-year.

Today, La Posta focuses on producing wines that highlight not only the local, independent growers, but also the distinct terroir and grape varieties of Argentina. La Posta wines salute the hard-working growers who strive for superior flavours from the grapes they grow on their own estate. Often, La Posta wines are single-vineyard bottles which illustrate the story of each family, while the labels are inspired by Art Nouveau and Art Déco designs of the 1920s and 1930s.

The Armando Bonarda is one of the wines from the portfolio. The Bonarda grapes were grown by Estela Armando, a fourth generation winegrower from a family that has been in the wine business and growing grapes in Mendoza since their arrival from the Piedmont region of Italy in 1887. It was Estela's great-grandfather that established the family's wine business, while her grandfather and father planted the present Bonarda vineyard in 1963 - grapes which are used to craft this red wine. The combination of a unique place in Guaymallén, old vines, and very little irrigation help create grapes of high quality.

Both the 2022 and 2023 vintages in Argentina had their challenges. Let's see how these two wines from Argentina are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

LA POSTA MALBEC ROSÉ 2023 - Sustainable, Tupungato, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#24747) (XD) - $15.95
100% Malbec grown at an average of 1,000 metres above sea level. It was vinified without the use of any oak using carbonic maceration by press, with 100% whole clusters that were hand-loaded into 5,000 L stainless steel tanks. The medium+ to medium-high intensity nose offers grapefruit, white pepper spice, and dried herb aromas with accents of mineral, blood orange, citrus, and red cherry. It has good weight on the dry, medium-full bodied palate with delicious grapefruit, dried herb, peppery spice, red currant-cherry, and citrus flavours. Acids are juicy and succulent, joined by some palate warmth on the mid-palate. Dried herbs, peppery spice, red currant-cherry, and mineral notes linger on the crisp and dry finish, with very good length. Chill well and enjoy! Arrived in LCBO VINTAGES on April 13. Score: 88+ pts

LA POSTA ARMANDO BONARDA 2022 - Mendoza, Argentina (#261586) (XD) - $14.95
This 100% Bonards was grown in a vineyard that was planted in 1964 in Guaymallén, in the eastern part of Mendoza, at an elevation of 700 metres, and has shallow loamy clay soil with gravel subsoil. Half of the wine was aged for 9 months in 2nd and 3rd-use French oak barrels. Fresh and fragrant, the medium-high intensity nose is ripe and fruity with dark fruited, black cherry, black plum, blackberry, and smoky oak aromas with touches of peppery spice. On the dry, mid-weighted palate it is ripe with black cherry, blackberry, plum, oak spice, pepper, and clove flavours. It has crisp, juicy acidity, along with a touch of warmth on the mid-palate. Present tannins offer a grippy, textured mouthfeel. The balanced flavour profile of black cherry, dark berry, and plum tapering to smoky oak notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Arrived in LCBO VINTAGES on May 11. Score: 88+ pts

Other delicious La Posta Vineyards wines can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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