Urbanihof 4U Grüner Veltliner 2024 (Austria) - Wine Review

After enjoying the lovely 2024 Urbanihof Classic Grüner Veltliner last month, tonight's white wine review is another lovely, organic wine from the same producer that also made its debut at the LCBO recently and was featured in the thematic of the April 25th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Weingut Urbanihof, a family-run organic winery that has been passed down from one generation to the next for over 400 years. Urbanihof is situated in Fels am Wagram, in Niederösterreich (Lower Austria), which is Austria's largest Qualitätswein winegrowing region.

Today, Weingut Urbanihof is run by the 11th generation of the family – Sonja and Franz Paschinger, while their children, the 12th generation — Lisa, Jakob, and Julia — wait in the wings as they look to manage their family's 40 hectares of organic vineyards. Lisa is a graduate of Höhere Bundeslehranstalt (HBLA) in Fruit and Viticulture in Klosterneuburg, and Jakob is currently a student in the same program at HBLA, while Julia is a wine enthusiast and aspiring lawyer.

The Paschinger family's focus is on sustainability and quality, while striving to offer their customers only the very best. The family places great importance on healthy vineyards and wines that inspire and, since 2000, they have worked as naturally and gently as possible. Weingut Urbanihof became certified organic in 2016, which has allowed them to achieve their ultimate goal of leaving future generations with healthy soils and ample fertile space for growth, and ultimately a foundation for long-term success.

Their philosophy in the densely planted vineyards is to keep yields low, while guaranteeing optimal ripening conditions by intensely managing the soil and canopy. One of the things that make Urbanihof unique is that for the last five years, they have been sustainably producing rich manure through their own composting of horse manure and grape pomace. The manure is then applied to their vineyards, which ensures a healthy, nutrient-rich soil.

This white wine is crafted with 100% Grüner Veltliner that was organically cultivated in the Fels area of the Wagram DAC, in Lower Austria, on deep loess soils. The name "4U" simply means "for you", and was created as an inviting, modern label to make Austrian wine more accessible and in a friendly and approachable manner. It was vinified by undergoing a cold fermentation of 18°C in stainless steel tanks and bottled without seeing any time in oak.

Like the aforementioned Classic Grüner Veltliner, this Grüner is also from a challenging 2024 vintage that produced miraculous results. The growing season featured rain during early bud break and spring frosts, along with rain in early summer and in September, all of which combined to reduced yields. On the positive side, temperatures rose by mid-June, which allowed the grapes to ripen on schedule and reach phenolic ripeness, with the hot temperatures continuing well into September. While challenging, the vintage favoured Grüner Veltliner as the variety is more resistant to rain. The resulting wines made with Grüner Veltliner tend to be ripe and with relatively lower acidity levels. From a good vintage, let's see how this 2024 Grüner Veltliner from Austria is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

URBANIHOF 4U GRÜNER VELTLINER 2024 - DAC Fels, Wagram, Austria (#49424) (XD) - $21.95
Enclosed by screw cap, this organic Grüner Veltliner has a fragrant, medium-high intensity nose of stone fruit, peach, melon, lemon drop, citrus, and grapefruit aromas flecked with leesy minerals. The weighty palate is dry with a slight spritz and delicious, ripe flavours of melon, white peach, stone fruit, lemon citrus, and grapefruit. Acids are clean, fresh, and balanced, while the rounded mid-palate is mildly textured with spice touches. Melon, peach, and citrus notes taper to leesy minerals on the long, crisp, and savoury finish. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

The Classic Grüner Veltliner is available at the LCBO, while the full range of wines by Weingut Urbanihof can be ordered their Agent - KOLONAKI Group of Companies.

Read More

Bolgrad Select Chardonnay 2024 and Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2024 (Ukraine) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wine reviews are a pair of delicious wines from Ukraine that made their debut at the LCBO in last month's April 11 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Both of these wines are produced by Bolgrad Winery, the No. 1 still-wine producing winery in Ukraine, as they produce 18% of the country's still-wine production. Bolgrad is based in the Odesa region, which is at the heart of the country's winemaking, with over 60% of Ukraine's vines rooted in this region. While the brand was only formed in 1990, the company's history goes back more than 100 years.

Bolgrad's history begins in 1900, when it was housed in the State Wine Warehouse, and vines were grown by landowners. Over time, the producer became the country's largest state-owned winery. At the end of the war in 1945, the company's official history with a decree, and it became a factory on paper. The winery has travelled a thorny path since that time, but has maintained its principles and commitment to producing high-quality wine.

Today, Bolgrad is a well-established producer of alcoholic beverages, including wine and spirits, with quality control at every stage and distribution in various countries globally. To produce their wines, they use a combination of both traditional and modern winemaking techniques.

These wines are from Bolgrad's Select Collection, which is their export-focused, premium range of wines. Selection Collection wines are varietally expressive, fruit-forward, and designed for international palates. Each of these wines are mono-varietal wines that were grown on the southwestern slopes of Yalpug, one of Ukraine's largest freshwater lakes. This area is nestled in a unique valley, where the grapes are kissed by the sunlight from both the sun in the sky and its shimmering reflection on the water's surface. The grapes were carefully selected and hand-harvested at the precise moment of optimal maturity to produce wines of balance.

Given the challenging conditions that are present in the country, the 2024 vintage in Ukraine is considered to be a success in terms of quality. There was continuous rainfall throughout winter and spring, until late May, while summer was exceptionally sunny and hot, which resulted in an earlier than usual harvest. Yields were impacted by the weather conditions, as well as the ongoing conflict, but overall, the vintage is considered to be of exceptional quality. Let's see how these 2024 vintage wines from Ukraine are tasting...

Tasting Notes:

BOLGRAD SELECT CHARDONNAY 2024 - Odesa, Ukraine (#48301) (XD) - $17.95
Delicate, medium intensity nose features white peach, apricot, and ripe lemon citrus aromas, plus hints of honeyuckle and floral. The weighty, medium-full bodied palate is dry with honeyed notes of lemon citrus, apple, pear, apricot, and honeysuckle flavours. It has clean, well-balanced acidity, along with some spicy warmth on the mid-palate. Citrus and apricot notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Score: 87+ pts

BOLGRAD SELECT CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2024 - Ukraine (#48357) (XD) - $17.95
A gentle nose of red plum and currant aromas with hints of cran-cherry, cassis, and savoury oak. It's medium-full bodied and very ripe with sweet fruited flavours of currant, cassis, plum, black cherry, and oak spice. It's supported by very good, fresh acidity, alongside well-structured and gently grippy tannins. Good length on the savoury, slightly smoky finish. Score: 86 pts

While there is a Brandy by Bolgrad available at the LCBO, any other products may be ordered through their Agent - Rare Earth Wines.

Read More

Château Roquefort Les Roches Blanches Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (Bordeaux) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely, organic Sauvignon Blanc from Bordeaux that landed at the LCBO a couple of weeks ago in the April 11 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Château Roquefort, a family estate winery situated between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers in the heart of the Entre-deux-Mers region, within the commune of Lugasson and only a stone's throw away from Saint-Émilion. The estate has a very long, deep-rooted history, and has also passed through several families over the centuries, with the Bellanger family taking over Château Roquefort in 1976.

The name Roquefort takes its name from the Middle Ages: Roca Forte, which means rocky outcrop. Archeological evidence from the Neolithic era at the site finds a human settlement on the Roquefort limestone plateau, including pottery dating back to 4500 BC, along with a walkway and mass burial site at around 3700 BC. Further excavations revealed items from the Bronze and Iron Ages, as well as from the Gallo-Roman era. The oldest archival documents refer to the Roquefort fortification house in 1291 that was authorized to be rebuilt by King Edward I of England, with only a part of the original tower remaining today and has been restored by the Bellanger family.

From the 18th century onward, the château has evolved and tells a story of agriculture and winemaking in the region. When Jean and Christiane Bellanger fell in love with Château Roquefort in 1976, they breathed new life into the site in Entre-deux-Mers. Together, they understood terroir and gradually replanted the vineyard and worked with the Bordeaux Faculty of Oenology to adopt the best winemaking practices. By 1983, there were 30 hectares of vines, and in 1987 they began winemaking activities.

Today, Château Roquefort is run by the son of Jean and Christiane, Frédéric Bellanger, and his wife Anne. Frédéric took over the reins from his parents in 1995 and continued to develop the estate, which now covers 240 hectares, of which 85 hectares are grape vines. Together, they have succeeded in strengthening the estate's soul by paying tribute to its history and traditions, while also pushing towards a modern era of responsible and expert winemaking. They also share a passion for wine and the products of nature, which tell their history and provide unforgettable tasting moments and emotional experiences. Their four daughters — Victoire, Inès, Eva, and Raphaëlle — could be the future authors of Château Roquefort as each is learning how to produce and share good wine in their own way. With a strong commitment to respect for the environment, Château Roquefort was awarded Haute Valeur Environnementale in 2017, which was followed by the conversion to organic for white wines in 2021.

This white wine is crafted using 100% Sauvignon Blanc and showcases the mineral memory of the limestone terroirs where it is grown. The vineyards are located within the commune of Castelviel, which is the highest point in the Gironde, and the Sauvignon Blanc here thrives on the clay-limestone soils where fossilized oyster beds outcrop. This particular Sauvignon Blanc is from organically cultivated vines averaging 20 years old and are planted on chalky-clay soils. It was vinified by macerating the skins and undergoing a low-temperature fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats.

In Bordeaux, the 2024 growing season was an uneven and challenging vintage that featured lots of rain, which led to problems with downy mildew, coulure, and millerandage. On the bright side, white wines found great success as they delivered freshness, good concentration, and expressive aromas. The success of white wine varieties can be attributed to the less extreme temperatures of the year, along with cooler nighttime temperatures in August and September. Furthermore, vineyards on earlier-ripening sites and clay-based soils also benefitted from this low-yielding vintage. Let's see how this 2024 Sauvignon Blanc from Bordeaux is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU ROQUEFORT LES ROCHES BLANCHES SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - AOC Bordeaux, France (#35860) (XD) - $15.95
This lovely, organic Sauvignon Blanc has a restrained, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose of grapefruit, lime citrus, gooseberry, and herbal aromas nuanced with stony, yeasty, leesy mineral complexity. It is impressively concentrated on the dry, medium-full bodied palate with delicious grapefruit, lime citrus, herbal, gooseberry, and stony mineral replays on the flavours. It has fresh and zesty acidity, good structure, and a fine, chalky mineral textured mouthfeel. Stony minerals with grapefruit, lime citrus, and herbal notes linger on the long, balanced, and slightly chalky textured finish. Ideal with seafood, vegetarian fare, and poultry, and is a highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Other fine wines by Château Roquefort can be ordered through their Agent - Woodman Wines & Spirits.

Read More

Urbanihof Classic Grüner Veltliner 2024 (Austria) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely, organic Grüner Veltliner from Austria that made its debut at the LCBO in the recent March 21st LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Weingut Urbanihof, an organic winery that has been run as a family business for over 400 years, passing down from one generation to the next. Urbanihof is located in Fels am Wagram, in Niederösterreich (Lower Austria), which is Austria's largest Qualitätswein winegrowing region.

Today, Urbanihof is run by Sonja and Franz Paschinger, the 11th generation of the family. Their children — Lisa, Jakob, and Julia — are waiting in the wings as they look to manage their family's 40 hectares of organic vineyards. Lisa is a graduate of Höhere Bundeslehranstalt (HBLA) in Fruit and Viticulture in Klosterneuburg, and Jakob is currently a student in the same program at HBLA, while Julia is a wine enthusiast and aspiring lawyer.

At Urbanihof, the Paschinger family's focus is on sustainability and quality, while striving to offer their customers only the very best. They place great importance on healthy vineyards and wines that inspire, and since 2000, they have worked as naturally and gently as possible. Since 2016, Weingut Urbanihof has officially been certified organic, enabling them to achieve their ultimate goal of leaving future generations with healthy soils and ample fertile space for growth, a foundation for long-term success.

In their vineyards, which are densely planted, they deliberately keep yields low, while intensive soil and canopy management guarantee optimal ripening conditions for the grapes. One of the many sustainability initiatives at Urbanihof is that they have been producing rich manure through their own composting of horse manure and grape pomace for the past five years. They then apply this manure to their vineyards, which ensures a healthy, nutrient-rich soil.

Their vineyards in Wagram are terraced slopes that were shaped by uplift and subsidence during the last Ice Age, primarily due to storms. These terraces consist of loess – a fine, sandy loam soil – which is particularly well-suited to viticulture. The loess was deposited by windblown loess masses on the terraces formed by the ancient Danube and is now up to 30 metres thick, and beneath the loess are layers of gneiss and gravel. Loess soil has excellent water and nutrient retention capacity, an indispensable characteristic given that there is ever-decreasing rainfall. The climate in Wagram is shaped by the coolness of the Waldviertel region to the north, the mildness of the Danube Valley to the south, and the warm Pannonian winds from the east. Furthermore, Wagram experiences warm days and cool nights.

This white wine is crafted with 100% Grüner Veltliner that was organically grown on deep loess soil within the municipality of Fels am Wagram, from the DAC Wagram appellation in Niederösterreich (Lower Austria). In 2022, beginning with the 2021 vintage, Wagram became the 17th winegrowing region in Austria to be granted DAC status. The grapes underwent a cold temperature fermentation and likely matured in stainless steel, without any oak ageing.

The 2024 growing season presented many challenges and is considered a miracle vintage. Rain during early bud break and spring frosts, along with rain in early summer and in September reduced yields. By mid-June, temperatures rose and allowed the grapes to ripen on schedule and reach phenolic ripeness, with the hot temperatures continuing into September. The year favoured Grüner Veltliner, as the variety is more resistant to rain, with the resulting wines tending to be ripe, and having relatively lower acidity levels. From a smaller than usual crop, with good quality, let's see how this 2024 Grüner Veltliner from Austria is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

URBANIHOF CLASSIC GRÜNER VELTLINER 2024 - DAC Wagram, Austria (#49425) (D) - $24.95
Enclosed by screw cap, this organic Grüner Veltliner has a lovely, deep, medium-high intensity nose featuring a ripe core of lemon citrus and yellow apple aromas accented with white peach, melon, and spice, plus hints of grapefruit and savoury earthy mineral. The medium+ to medium-full bodied palate is fairly dense and concentrated, with a kiss of sweetness offering ripe flavours of lemon citrus, yellow apple, spice, white peach, and melon in a slightly off-dry flavour profile. It's all supported by juicy and refreshing acidity. Savoury and dry with leesy mineral notes lingering on the long, succulent finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

One other wine by Weingut Urbanihof is coming to VINTAGES in a couple of weeks, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - KOLONAKI Group of Companies.

Read More

Praise Bistro Blanc 2024 and Bistro Rouge 2024 (Languedoc) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wine reviews are a pair of delicious, vegan-friendly IGP Pays d'Oc wines from Languedoc that are brand-new arrivals at the LCBO, with both landing in-store and online in the March 21 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Praise Wines was founded a few years ago by sommeliers, friends, and business partners Scott Zebarth and Will Predhomme. Praise was born out of a desire to democratize wine, with the core values of quality, transparency, collaboration, sustainability, empowerment, and life-changing. In addition to making wine accessible for everyone, they wanted to go one step further and launched their Drink Better Initiative.

In today's world, access to clean water is the biggest crisis in the world, and the team at Praise believes that everyone should have access to clean water. At Praise, they are on a mission to combat the water crisis and create a positive impact through their wine brand. Praise believes that businesses can be agents of change and transform the world together. Their vision is to end water scarcity and build a sustainable future where humanity thrives in harmony with nature. With their commitment to making a difference, each bottle of Praise wine helps provide clean and safe water, an essential resource, to those in need for one year.

Praise proudly works with Water.org, who offers a portfolio of smart solutions that break down the financial barriers between people living in poverty and access to safe water and sanitation. Their unique solutions are adapted to the conditions in 11 countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, as they work in collaboration with their in-country partners to provide efficient and scalable solutions, while using financing as a tool to help those in need.

There are only two wines in the Praise portfolio - the Bistro Blanc and Bistro Rouge. Both wines are crafted using organically cultivated grapes that were grown in Minervois, Languedoc, and labelled as IGP Pays d'Oc wines. Additionally, both wines are vegan-friendly, sustainable HVE3 certified, and packaged with environmentally-friendly packaging.

The growing season in 2024 in Minervois experienced drought conditions for the third year in a row, along with hot (and sometimes very hot) temperatures, which led to reduced yields. The resulting wines were generally aromatic with concentrated and dense flavours. From a very good vintage in terms of quality, let's see how these two IGP Pays d'Oc wines from Languedoc are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

PRAISE BISTRO BLANC 2024 - Vegan, Sustainable, IGP Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, France (#46876) (XD) - $18.95
Blend of 70% Marsanne and 30% Viognier grown in Minervios and enclosed by screw cap. The delicate, medium+ intensity nose offers ripe yellow fruit, lemon citrus, pear, and floral aromas with touches of fresh herbs and honeysuckle. On the dry, medium-full bodied palate it has impressive weight and concentration with flavours of ripe lemon citrus, pear, white peach, floral, and herbs, plus touches of gummy bear notes. It has juicy, well-balanced acidity, along with some warmth and spice on the mid-palate. Pear and citrus notes taper to leesy minerals on the finish, with good length. Recommended buy. Score: 88 pts

PRAISE BISTRO ROUGE 2024 - Vegan, Sustainable, IGP Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, France (#46339) (D) - $18.95
100% Grenache enclosed by screw cap. The fresh, open, medium-high intensity nose is quite ripe and fruity with a fine mix of red berry, raspberry, savoury earth, and spice aromas, plus hints of white pepper and milk chocolate. On the mid-weighted palate it has fresh, juicy, and lively acidity that supports the ripe-fruited flavours of raspberry, white pepper spice, clove, and chocolate, with savoury earth undertones. It has ripe, supple tannins with a slightly gritty texture. The ripe fruit has a touch of sweetness that is masked by the high acids, which makes the wine come off as dry. Ripe raspberry, spice, and savoury earth notes linger on crisp finish, with very good length. Give it a light chill, crack open and enjoy! Score: 87+ pts

Both of these wines can also be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

Read More

Featherstone Four Feathers 2024 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a delicious, vegan-friendly, and off-dry (i.e. slightly sweet) white wine blend from Niagara that is crafted with mainly Riesling. It is a VINTAGES Essentials product that was featured in Local Talent in last weekend's March 21 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, and this vintage should be readily available at most stores.

It is produced by Featherstone Estate Winery, a boutique, eco-conscious winery that was established by Louise Engel and her winemaker husband, Dave Johnson. The name "Featherstone" is an homage to the gourmet food shop named "Feather" which specialized in poultry that they once owned, and "stone" for the stone rock face and quarry adjacent to the vineyard. Featherstone is situated in Vineland, Ontario, among the rolling hills of the Twenty Mile Bench sub-appellation of the Niagara Escarpment. Featherstone prides itself on its eco-friendly farming practices, which have been in place since its founding in 1999.

In 2024, amidst its 25th anniversary, Featherstone began a new chapter as it was acquired by philanthropist Rayla Myhal and businessman George Myhal, while Louise and Dave look forward to retirement after 25 successful years. Today, the Head Winemaker at Featherstone is Kevin Qin, a graduate of the Niagara College Winery & Viticulture program. Kevin joined Featherstone in 2014 and has grown alongside the winery ever since as he started out in retail and eventually moved into cellar operations and harvest leadership, while also assisting Dave in winemaking.

The philosophy at Featherstone remains the same - as both grape growing and winemaking are both scientific and intuitive processes - the wines of Featherstone reflect the special character of the grapes, as well as the artistry of the winemaker. In the vineyard, they work through the growing season to enhance the grapes' natural attributes, and then craft wines with minimal winemaking embellishments. Their goal is to produce limited amounts of small-lot wines so that they are able to practice hands-on, artisanal wine production.

As a local leader in eco-friendly farming practices, respect for the land is at the heart of making wine that is true to its soil and its site. Featherstone pioneered in Niagara the employment of a small flock of sheep to naturally eat their way through the grape leaves that need to be removed from the fruiting zone on the vines, while also fertilizing the soil as they move through the vineyard. Among the many sustainable practices, Featherstone takes care of their dirt by avoiding herbicides, planting cover crops, using organic compounds to control mould and mildew, managing bugs without the use of insecticides, and switching to a recycle sprayer. In 2023, Featherstone received its Sustainable Winegrowing Ontario (SWO) certification.

This certified sustainable white wine is a blend of precisely 60.1% Riesling, 18.2% Pinot Grigio, 12.6% Chardonnay, and 9.1% Gewurztraminer using grapes grown across the Niagara Peninsula. The grapes were both hand- and machine-harvested from Sept. 9th to Oct. 18th. After bringing the grapes to the winery, the juice was pressed and transferred into stainless steel tanks to undergo a temperature-controlled fermentation. It also underwent eight hours of juice fining and settling, then racked off its lees.

In 2024, the growing season in Niagara had perfect conditions from early bud break to the warm and late fall that allowed for a long hang time. While there was a slight hiccup in early fall due to moisture and disease pressure from rain that affected early-ripening and thin-skinned grapes, those that picked early were able to mitigate these pressures. From an exceptional vintage with plenty of ripeness and acidity, let's see how this 2024 Riesling-based blend from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

FEATHERSTONE FOUR FEATHERS 2024 - Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#341586) (D) - $15.95
Enclosed by Stelvin screw cap, this blend of 60.1% Riesling, 18.2% Pinot Grigio, 12.6% Chardonnay, and 9.1% Gewurztraminer has a delicate, medium+ intensity nose of ripe peach, lemon peel, and apple with hints of honey and floral. On medium+ bodied palate it is gently off-dry with good concentration and delicious poached peach, lemon peel, apple, honey, and floral replays joined by spice notes on the flavour profile. Acids are clean and well-balanced. Finishes crisp and dry with leesy and apple notes, with good length. Chill and enjoy this easy drinking, recommended buy. Score: 88 pts

Many other delicious wines by Featherstone are available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered direct from the winery in Niagara.

Read More

Maturana Parellon Natural Semillon 2024 (Chile) - Wine Review

After enjoying the lovely 2022 Maturana Puente Austral Gran Reserva Carmenère earlier this month, tonight's wine review is another fine and unique white wine crafted with Semillon that arrived at the LCBO earlier this month as an Online & Flagship Exclusive in the March 7th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Maturana Winery is a family-owned boutique winery that was established in 2010 after the great earthquake in Chile by the Maturana brothers, José Ignacio and Sebastian. The brothers had a great passion for viticulture and wine, and after the earthquake they decided that there was no time to waste in pursuing their passion.

The identity of Maturana is centred around innovation, differentiation, fair price, passion, rescue of heritage strains, and quality. They use innovation to capture the essence of each variety and specific location to bring them to their fullest potential by using diverse materials such as concrete in various sizes and shapes, clay amphorae, and French oak. Because Chile's wine industry has developed in the same way for decades, in a traditional and classic manner, Maturana welcomes the opportunity to be different. While supporting the natural management of vineyards, Maturana also responsibly pays their growers at a more-than-fair price of seven times the market price per kilo. Passion is the drug that keeps Maturana motivated, along with their commitment to showcasing old vineyards in central Chile, with some vineyards dating back to 1900. At the end, their mission is to produce wines of the highest quality, while also creating something unique.

Like the 2023 Maturana Naranjo Torontel Orange Wine I enjoyed last year, this wine is also one of Maturana's unique offerings. It is crafted with 100% Semillon that was grown in old vineyards in the Colchagua Valley Coast, in Paradones area in central Chile. It is uniquely crafted with 25% of the wine remaining in contact with its grape skins for four and a half months. Furthermore, 75% of the wine was aged in third-use French oak barrels for four and a half months.

The growing season in 2024 began with a very wet winter due to El Niño, which also contributed to a cool spring in the central regions. However, the lack of any summer heat spikes allowed for slow, even ripening and higher than normal acidity levels. From a high-quality vintage, let's see how this 2024 Semillon from Chile is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MATURANA PARELLON NATURAL SEMILLON 2024 - DO Valle de Colchagua Costa, Chile (#15745) (XD) - $28.95
The medium-high intensity nose has rich and concentrated aromas of ripe lemon citrus, grapefruit, toasty vanilla, and spice with touches of blossom, honey, and leesy notes. It's medium-full bodied on the dry and slightly creamy palate with lovely honeyed, lemon citrus, floral blossom, and melon flavours with leesy, smoky, and vanilla undertones. Touch spicy on the textured mid-palate, along with juicy and succulent acids. Spice and citrus notes taper to leesy and smoky minerals on the long, crisp, and juicy finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

Other fine wines by Maturana can be ordered through their Agent - KOLONAKI Group of Companies.

Read More

Les Hauts de Lagarde Blanc 2024 (Bordeaux) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely, organic, and vegan-friendly white wine blend crafted with Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. It arrived at the LCBO in today's March 7 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Maison Raymond, a family winery based in the commune of Saint-Laurent-du-Bois, in the heart of the Entre-Deux-Mers wine region, about 50 km southeast of Bordeaux. The roots of Maison Raymond begin in 1850 when the first generation of the Raymond family settled in the region and practiced winegrowing at Château de Lagarde.

In 1980, Jean-Pierre Raymond, the 6th generation of the family, took over the business and converted 100% of the family farm to wine production. In total, Jean-Pierre converted 30 hectares of crops exclusively into vineyard land, a number which grew as he expanded Château de Lagarde to 260 hectares of mixed farming across the communes of Saint-Laurent-du-Bois, Saint-Felix, and Saint-Martial.

Organic farming at Maison Raymond was introduced when Lionel Raymond, son of Jean-Pierre, joined the family business in 2000. Lionel expanded the vineyard area at the estate from 70 hectares to 180 hectares, while also acquiring new (and organic) properties. As Lionel had strong respect for the environment and terroir, he was convinced that organic was the way to move forward and proceeded to convert all 130 hectares of vines at Maison Raymond to organic viticulture. As a result, the Raymond family was one of the very first in Bordeaux to convert their entire estate to organic farming, with a firm commitment to sustainability and soil health. As a pioneer and visionary with nearly 250 hectares of certified organic vineyards, Maison Raymond is now the largest independent organic winery in France.

The winemaking philosophy at Raymond is based upon a relentless pursuit of quality and innovation, a set of values that have been passed down through the generations to produce exceptional and authentic wines. In 2010, the Lagarde wine cellar was completely renovated and features over 6000 m² of state-of-the-art equipment. As the largest sustainable wine development project at the time, they also installed 2500 m² of photovoltaic panels on the roof to generate renewable electricity.

I've enjoyed previous vintages of this white wine, including most recently the 2022 Les Hauts de Lagarde Blanc a couple of years ago. It is produced using a blend of 50% Sauvignon Blanc and 50% Sémillon. The grapes were grown organically on hillside sites within the commune of Saint-Laurent-du-Bois, on clay-limestone soil with gravels. The vineyard experiences a mild climate due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, and also receives lots of sunshine and regular rainfall. The vines were trained using Bordeaux tradition of the double Guyot system, which also helps the grapes reach maturity and avoid phytosanitary disease. It was traditionally vinified in thermo-regulated stainless steel vats, without any oak ageing.

The 2024 growing season in Bordeaux was an uneven and challenging vintage that featured rain, rain, and more rain, which led to problems with downy mildew, coulure, and millerandage. However, white wines found great success and consistency in this challenging vintage with freshness, good concentration, and expressive aromas. White wine varieties benefitted from the less extreme temperatures of the year and cooler nighttime temperatures in August and September. Vineyards on earlier-ripening sites and clay-based soils also benefitted from this low-yielding vintage. From a good vintage for white wines in Bordeaux, let's see how this 2024 Bordeaux Blanc is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

LES HAUTS DE LAGARDE BLANC 2024 - Vegan, AOC Bordeaux, France (#387787) (XD) - $19.95
Equal parts Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, this organic white wine has a delicate, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose that offers attractively ripe and gently honeyed aromas of lemon peel, citrus, yellow apple, quince, and hay with touches of white floral. On dry, medium-full bodied palate it is impressively dense and concentrated with delicious citrus, yellow apple, waxy, and quince flavours in a slightly tart profile, plus white floral and leesy minerals adding a pleasant savoury component. Acids are juicy and fresh. With a nicely textured mouthfeel, the citrus and orchard fruit notes taper to savoury, leesy minerals, plus a touch of dried spice on the long and juicy finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy with seafood, salad, creamy cheeses, or poultry. Score: 89 pts

One other wine by Maison Raymond is available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Rare Earth Wines.

Read More

Eradus Pinot Gris 2024 (New Zealand) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely, dry Pinot Gris from the Awatere Valley in Marlborough that was featured as part of the thematic on wines from the Southern Hemisphere in last weekend's February 21 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Eradus Wines, a small, family-owned winery that was established by Har and Sophie Eradus, a couple who had emigrated from Holland in 1982 and grew flowers in Auckland. The couple embarked on a semi-retirement project in the 1990s and settled on an extraordinary footprint of land at the edge of the Awatere River, in the Awatere Valley of Marlborough, to grow grapes. At the time, this dryland was sheep country with only a few pioneering winegrowers.

The couple's connection to this land seemed fated when Sophie cleared a shed on the property and found an old potbelly door with an embossed logo that entwined their initials - "H", "S" and "E" - which inspired the Eradus logo. The couple's imagination was captured by this sliver of land that was nestled between a higher terrace and the glacial river below, with its guarding boundary of gnarled old macrocarpa cypress trees. From the beginning, Har and Sophie desired to have the unique and untameable terroir of the Awatere Valley express itself through their vines, grapes, and ultimately, the wines.

In 2004, Michiel, son of Har and Sophie, and his Kiwi wife, Hanna, took over the family business with a commitment to celebrating the unique terroir of this place. Their philosophy is based upon bending to nature and letting the Awatere Valley imprint itself upon every Eradus wine.

Eradus' piece of land has a unique mesoclimate that is truly cool-climate viticulture. To the east is the Pacific Ocean, a windswept stretch of blue which influences diurnal temperatures. To the south is towering Mount Tapuae-o-uenuku, while on the western horizon are sun-bleached high country hills. In between, on a sliver of terrace at the edge of a river, Eradus grows wines that encapsulate this extraordinary place. The windier nature of this area naturally protects their vines from disease. The area is also drier with a harsh sun, cool winds, and rocky soils that ensure small berries with concentrated flavours. The vine's roots dig deep into the rocky terrace, four metres above the mountain-fed Awatere River, to create wines of minerality and crisp, clean acidity.

Like other wines in the Eradus portfolio, including the lovely 2023 Eradus Pinot Noir I enjoyed last year, this white wine is also a single vineyard that was grown on the estate in the Awatere Valley. Crafted with 100% Pinot Gris from 19-year-old vines that are grown on a slender terrace at the edge of the Awatere River, on alluvial and river stone soils. With a unique microclimate and soil structure that is influenced by a fault line, a river, and the power of the nearby Pacific Ocean, their land is stony, dry, windy, and cool, elements which create wines of elegance and minerality with a lively and lingering finish.

The 2024 vintage in New Zealand is widely considered to be the best in living memory. The growing season began with unpredictable weather, including during budburst and flowering, but then settled down without any extreme weather. Summer was warm and dry, which created drought conditions for most of the country. However, temperatures during summer never got intensely hot, while autumn brought cooler weather, which helped cool the grapes and retain acidity and aromatics, and also extended the harvest season. Although yields were down in most of the country, the results were brilliant with clean and fresh fruit. From an exceptional vintage, let's see how this 2024 Pinot Gris from New Zealand is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ERADUS PINOT GRIS 2024 - Awatere Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#439000) (XD) - $21.95
Enclosed by screw cap, this single vineyard Pinot Gris underwent fermentation and ageing in both stainless steel and barrel. Fresh, crisp, and clean medium-high intensity nose delivers ripe citrus, lemon pith, pear, stone fruits, white peach, and melon aromas with hints of leesy mineral. The medium+ bodied palate is dry with a lovely textural mouthfeel and flavours of zesty lemon citrus, pear, melon, and white peach alongside spice notes and touches of stony minerals. It has a fresh and zesty acidity, while citrus and grapefruit notes taper to savoury and stony minerals on the long, dry, crisp, and textured finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

One other wine by Eradus is readily available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - KOLONAKI Group of Companies.

Read More

Le Garenne Chenin Blanc 2024 (Loire) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a delicious, dry Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley that landed at the LCBO as a brand-new arrival in last month's January 10 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Le Garenne, a modern and relatively new wine brand that was established around the beginning of the decade. The brand focuses on wines from the Loire Valley, which is often called the "Garden of France" because of its noble landscapes.

The Loire Valley is defined by the Loire River, which is France's longest river that stretches nearly 1,000 km from east to west, crossing five different regions from the Ardèche in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region to the Atlantic Ocean in the west. The Loire region has always been recognized for its perfect climate and diversified soils for quality viticulture going back to the times of the Roman Empire. Given its northerly location and the substance and vitality of the river, the well-adjusted climate and soil composition in the Loire Valley is conducive to producing beautifully refined, and concentrated wines made with Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Grolleau, and Pinot Noir.

At Le Garenne, the focus is to create sustainable wines that are both good for your taste buds and nature. Sustainable winegrowing is very important value for Le Garenne as it carries a comprehensive set of practices that are environmentally sound, socially equitable and economically viable. With 25% of the vineyards in the Loire farmed using sustainable agriculture, Le Garenne carefully selects the winegrowers and vintners they choose to work with, ensuring that the grapes come from sustainable family farms and of high-quality. Sustainable vineyard and winery practices involve conservation of water and energy, maintaining healthy soils while protecting air and water quality, enhancing relations with employees and communities, preserving local ecosystems and wildlife habitat, and improving the economic vitality of vineyards and wineries. The goal of Le Garenne is to give consumers a Super Premium, healthy, and authentic experience at an affordable price.

This white wine is from La Garenne's Premium range of entry-level wines. It is crafted using 100% Chenin Blanc from vineyards located mostly surrounding the villages of Le Puy Notre Dame and Le Vaudelnay, on the left bank of the Loire River in Saumur. The vines are planted on calcareous and clay soils, with south-southwest exposure to the sun. The average age of the vines is 45 years old, which naturally limits yields and provides great concentration and depth in the wine. The grape must was slowly pressed and selected during the pressing phase. It underwent a temperature-controlled, alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks for nearly 8 weeks in order to develop the aromas.

The growing season in 2024 in the Loire Valley was a uniformly difficult vintage that began very mild and very wet. May was a constant struggle against mildew, along with cool and wet weather during flowering meant poor flower set and grape development, which cut yields further. Weather conditions in the Loire only modestly improved in August. If there is a bright spot in this difficult vintage, it's that white wine varietals in the zones of Anjou and Saumur suffered less than other regions in the Loire, and produced wines that retained their aromatic freshness. From a difficult vintage, let's see how this 2024 Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

LE GARENNE CHENIN BLANC 2024 - Loire Valley, France (#47327) (XD) - $18.95
Fresh and elegant, the lifted, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose offers attractive, ripe lemon citrus, apple, stony mineral, and yellow floral aromas, plus hints of honeysuckle and orange peel adding further interest. The dry, mid-weighted palate has lemon citrus, apple, orange peel, and yellow floral flavours in a slightly tart profile. It's supported by juicy acidity, while the lemon citrus and apple notes taper to stony-leesy minerals on the juicy finish, with very good length. Only 10.5% abv. Recommended buy to enjoy with seafood or poultry. Score: 88 pts

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

Read More

Bottega Il Vino dei Poeti Brut Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore 2024 (Veneto) - Wine Review

Tonight's sparkling wine review is a delicious, premium Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG that made its debut at the LCBO last month. It was included as part of the feature on Finest Festive Wines in the December 6 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Bottega SpA, a family-owned winery and distillery with deep roots in the Veneto wine region of northeastern Italy. Their story begins in 1635 when their forefather, Andrea, cultivated vines in the hills near Molinetto della Croda in Refrontolo, a comune in the Province of Treviso. The family were tenant farmers for the Counts of Collalto until they gained their freedom, after which they started to farm their own lands.

The more recent history of the family begins in the 1920s with Domingo Bottega, a wine trader and passionate oenologist who was able to easily identify the best grapes in the vineyard. In the 1950s and 1960s, Aldo Bottega, son of Domingo, expanded on his father's passion for the vine and established a distillery. In 1977, Bottega SpA was founded by Aldo and his wife, Rosina, in Pianzano di Godega, within the Province of Treviso, the heartland and historical home of Prosecco.

Today, Bottega is run by the children of Aldo and Rosina - siblings Sandro, Barbara, and Stefano. Sandro became the company director in 1983. In 1992, they added a winery to the distillery and began producing Prosecco Spumante. In 2007, the company moved its premises to a big 18th century farmhouse situated in Bibano di Godega di Sant'Urbano, 50 km from Venice, near Conegliano Veneto, among 10 hectares of vineyards. This farmhouse was renovated according to state-of-the-art environmental standards, while also keeping its original architectural features.

The mission and values at Bottega are based on quality and typicality, design and innovation, and sustainability. As a major international exporter, Bottega's products are available in over 150 countries worldwide. Bottega is particularly known for their portfolio of Prosecco sparkling wines, many of which come in distinctive packaging that are immediately recognizable as Bottega.

In the pyramid of Prosecco quality, this sparkling wine is part of the upper, higher-quality pyramid of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco. The story of this DOCG begins in the hilly area of Conegliano Valdobbiadene, in northeast Italy, about 50 km from Venice and 100 km from the Dolomites. Locals have grown grapes to produce Prosecco Superiore in this area for over three centuries, with success arriving in 1876 after the founding of Italy's first School of Oenology. The production area of Conegliano Valdobbiadene covers 15 communes and represents the heart of the world of Prosecco. Italy first recognized this historic denomination in 1969, and in 2009 it was elevated it to a Denomination of Controlled and Guaranteed Origin (DOCG), the highest level of quality for Italian wines.

This vintage Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore is crafted with 100% Glera that was grown in the hilly area close to the Venetian Prealps. This area has a temperate climate with mild winters and fresh summers, while also offering a wide diurnal temperature range which stimulates the aromatic compounds in the grapes, resulting in finer and more intense aromas. This area also has a diversity of soils, sun exposure, and slopes, which helps craft complex Prosecco wines.

To craft this wine, the grapes were hand-harvested at various times according to their ripeness at the end of September. Only ripe, healthy, and suitable grapes were selected, and then softly pressed to protect grape integrity. The must was stored at low temperatures in steel tanks, followed by first fermentation using selected yeasts. In accordance with the Martinotti (aka Charmat) method, the second fermentation took place in cuve close (sealed tank) at a controlled temperature of
15°C in order to preserve the primary aromas of the grapes. The wine was left in contact with its lees to enhance the body, structure, and aroma of the wine, while also balancing sugar residues. It was then cold-stabilized, filtered, and finally bottled. The wine rests for a few days in bottle to restore its natural balance prior to release.

In 2024, the growing season in Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG was unstable with many challenges. Spring was unusually cold and rainy with near-record rainfall from April to mid-June. These weather conditions significantly delayed vegetative development until early July, which resulted in uneven fruit set, loose clusters, and irregular berries. However, improved conditions leading up to and during harvest allowed growers to bring in a generally healthy crop, albeit with slightly reduced yields. From a promising vintage, let's see how this 2024 Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

BOTTEGA IL VINO DEI POETI BRUT VALDOBBIADENE PROSECCO SUPERIORE 2024 - Sustainable, DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#46058) (D) - $29.95
100% Glera. Clean, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose of peach, nectarine, yellow citrus, white floral, and acacia aromas with hints of orange peel and leesy mineral. On the mid-weighted palate it has delicious peach, nectarine, white floral, acacia, and yellow citrus flavours with pleasing touches of savoury bitterness and leesy notes, plus a pinch of balancing sugar in a mostly dry flavour profile. It has clean and fresh acidity, along with refined bubbles. It's nicely balanced throughout with citrus and leesy notes on the lengthy, lip-smacking finish. Enjoy this recommended buy over the next 1-2 years. Score: 89 pts

Many other lovely wines by Bottega SpA are available at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

Read More

Torbreck Woodcutter's Semillon 2024 (Barossa) - Wine Review

Happy New Year! To start off 2026, tonight's white wine review is an excellent Semillon from the Barossa Valley in Australia. It arrived at the LCBO - along with its companion Shiraz - late last year in the November 22nd LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, and both are readily available for purchase today.

It is produced by Torbreck Vintners, a wine producer that was established in the Barossa Valley by David Powell in 1994. The winery is named after a forest in Scotland where David worked as a lumberjack. Mr. Powell gained his winemaking experience at various Barossa wineries and was inspired to create his own label. He began to share-farm vineyards in order to obtain fruit from some of the Barossa Valley's very best vineyards. Torbreck takes its inspiration from France's Rhône Valley, while championing the rich viticultural heritage of the Barossa.

In 2008, Pete and Terri Kight entered into a partnership with Torbreck and eventually took over the business in 2013. Today, proprietors Pete and Terri are dedicated to establishing Torbreck among the world's leading wine producers. They remain focused on this journey by staying true to their core vision, rather than following trends or fashions. With provenance at its heart, the Barossa and its Mediterranean climate and 175 years of winemaking heritage provide an extraordinary foundation for Torbreck wines. While they have achieved much over the first three decades, their journey is far from complete as they continue to look forward.

Torbreck sources fruit from some of the finest vineyards in the Barossa, and they constantly seek to understand the difference between all of these special places. Moreover, they seek to understand how the fruit reacts to the seasons and how this combination of soil and climate and farming experience is reflected in unique grape flavours. This requires patience, as well as a gentle hand in the winemaking process. Torbreck respects the vineyard and the wine, as they are simply custodians. Led by General Manager and Chief Winemaker Ian Hongell, the team of experienced winemakers and viticulturists bring a deep understanding of the region's terroir and expertise to ensure that every bottle of wine reflects the artistry, intensity, and elegance for which Torbreck is renowned.

Semillon has always found a natural home in the Barossa, going back to when it was first planted by settlers around 160 years ago. It has succeeded in this area due to the Mediterranean climate and careful farming, to create a heritage of old, low-yielding Semillon vineyards. The Semillon for this wine is exclusively the age-old, robust, and pink-skinned Madeira clone, which is found mainly in the Barossa.

This white wine is crafted with 100% Semillon that was grown in the sub-regions of Rowland Flat, Ebenezer, and Lyndoch, within the Barossa Valley. The grapes were harvested throughout the month of February and traditionally vinified. The wine was matured for 3 months, with 60% in stainless steel tank and the remainder in seasoned French barrique. The resulting wine is reminiscent of the savoury white wines found in the central and southern regions of France.

The 2024 vintage in Barossa saw timely spring rainfall and calm conditions for flowering and fruit set. An idyllic summer featured mild to warm temperatures, which propelled even growth and fruit development. While yields were variable and below average, the quality is exceptional across the board. Let's see how this 2024 Semillon from the Barossa Valley is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

TORBRECK WOODCUTTER'S SEMILLON 2024 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#927541) (XD) - $29.95
Screw cap enclosure. The restrained, medium+ intensity nose delivers attractive lemon citrus, white floral, and garden herb aromas accented with leesy minerals and a touch of spice. On the dry, medium+ bodied palate it is well-structured and ripe with lovely lemon citrus, grapefruit, white floral flavours joined by straw, paraffin, waxy, earthy mineral, and spice accents adding complexity. It has clean, crisp, and refreshing acidity, while the well-structured mid-palate is crisp with a slightly chalky textured mouthfeel. Spice and lemon citrus notes taper to savoury minerals on the crisp, and very long finish. Very youthful at this stage, this will gain further complexity and interest as it ages over the next dozen years. Highly recommended buy! Score: 92 pts

Quite a few wines by Torbreck are available on the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

Read More

Alpha Estate Turtles Single Vineyard Malagouzia 2024 and Hedgehog Single Vineyard Xinomavro 2022 (Greece) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wine reviews are a pair of excellent, vegan-friendly wines from Greece that arrived at the LCBO last month. The Xinomavro arrived in the November 8 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, while the Malagouzia arrived in the November 22 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, and both wines are readily available across Ontario.

Both of these wines are produced by Alpha Estate, a highly-regarded winery situated in the Amyndeon region of Florina, in Northwestern Macedonia of Greece. It was established in 1997 by experienced viticulturist Makis Mavridis, and chemist-oenologist Angelos Iatridis. They gained many years of experience and had passion in their respective fields before becoming business partners and creating their own wines from vineyards planted in Amyndeon.

The modern winery of Alpha Estate is now run by the next generation of the families, Angeliki Iatridou and Emorfili Mavridou, daughters of Angelos and Makis. Together, they carry on the knowledge and passion for winemaking, while respecting tradition and evolving to participate in Alpha Estate's common vision. With a 220-hectare privately-owned vineyard with a unique ecosystem situated in Amyndeon, they respect nature and use the most recent international standards in eco-friendly and sustainable farming practices and winemaking. The soul of their work is the team of people that contribute every day to the dream, to craft wines with professional know-how and experience throughout each stage, from vineyard to production to promotion.

Alpha Estate's winemaking facility is located at the heart of the vineyard, thereby allowing the grapes to arrive at the winery upon harvesting in the shortest amount of time. Furthermore, the grapes are harvested during the coolest hours of the day and transported to the winery in special refrigerators, which allows the grapes' organoleptic characteristics to be protected and shows the great respect that Alpha Estate has for grapes. The modern winemaking facility was designed to allow the grapes to move throughout the winery by using gravity, which allows for minimum possible stress on the raw material. The winery was constructed in the mid-2000s using highly inactive and neutral materials in order to create a completely neutral atmospheric condition inside the winery, which helps protect the quality of the grape, must, and wine.

This Malagouzia was grown in their Turtles vineyard, on the Amyndeon plateau of Northwestern Macedonia, and named "Turtles" because freshwater turtles are commonly found in the nearby lakes and wetlands. The privately-owned 220-hectare vineyard is situated at 620–710 metres above sea level, which is among the highest vineyards in Greece, and planted on sandy – sandy clay soil over limestone, with excellent drainage. To craft this wine, the grapes were hand-harvested on September 14th, destemmed, and optically sorted. After undergoing light crushing, the grapes underwent a temperature-controlled alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks, with skin contact. The wine remained in contact with its fine lees for 2 months, with regular stirring.

The Xinomavro was grown by Alpha Estate's founder, Makis Mavridis, and crafted by winemaker Angelos Iatridis. The grapes were grown at Mavridis' privately-owned Hedgehog vineyard on the Amyndeon plateau of Northwestern Macedonia. The vineyard is named "Hedgehog" because of the hedgehogs that are commonly found in the area, and is planted between 620–710 metres above sea level, with northern exposure to the sun and facing Lake Petron and Mount Voras. The grapes were brought to the winery and destemmed. Without crushing, the grapes were cold-soaked with skin contact, and underwent alcoholic fermentation at gradually increasing temperatures while maintaining contact sue lie for 8 months, with regular stirring. It was aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, followed by maturation in bottle for 12 months.

Let's see how these two fantastic wines from Northwestern Macedonia in Greece are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

ALPHA ESTATE TURTLES SINGLE VINEYARD MALAGOUZIA 2024 - Vegan, PGI Florina, Greece (#32161) (XD) - $19.95
This 100% Malagouzia has a lifted, medium-high to highly aromatic nose that offers an elegant mix of leesy, limestone mineral, lemon citrus, and grapefruit aromas flecked with spring flowers, herbs, peach, and tropical fruit. On the dry, medium+ bodied palate it is dense and impressively structured with crunchy lemon citrus, stony mineral, spice, grapefruit, and herbal flavours nuanced with peach and floral notes. It has crisp, lively, and well-structured acidity, along with a fine, gently chalky textured mouthfeel. Juicy with lemon citrus notes tapering to stony and leesy minerals on the finish, with excellent length. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

ALPHA ESTATE HEDGEHOG SINGLE VINEYARD XINOMAVRO 2022 - Vegan, PDO Amyndeon, Greece (#259762) (XD) - $29.95
Clean and open, this has a medium-high intensity nose of tomato leaf mingling red cherry, dried rose floral, savoury earth, mineral, licorice, and sandalwood aromas that pleasantly evolve in the glass. The mid-weighted palate is dry and gently spicy with ripe red fruited notes of plum, cherry, tomato leaf, licorice, dried rose floral layered over savoury earth and oak spice flavours. It has fresh, juicy, and lemony acidity, while the supple, textured tannins are mildly grippy, with good structure. The tomato and red fruit notes give way to savoury and earthy minerals on the long finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

Many other lovely wines by Alpha Estate are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - KOLONAKI Group of Companies.

Read More

Inniskillin 50th Anniversary Single Vineyard Wines (Niagara) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wine reviews are a trio of exceptional wines that were launched this past summer by Inniskillin Wines to celebrate their 50th anniversary. As they celebrated their first 50 years of excellence with great pride, they are also looking forward to the next 50 years, which promises to be even more exciting. This excitement is fuelled by Canadian innovation and the launch of a series of new, premium wines to elevate your table.

The first 50 years at Inniskillin began when it was granted the first winery licence since prohibition in 1975 to become Canada's first estate winery. It was established by Donald Ziraldo and Karl Kaiser, two friends and business partners who became instant pioneers in Canadian winemaking after taking big risks and earning many firsts in the Canadian wine history. Karl was the Head Winemaker and helped develop Inniskillin's reputation for over 30 years before eventually stepping away from the project in 2006.

In 2007, Bruce Nicholson assumed the role of senior winemaker at Inniskillin in Niagara. Bruce had previously spent approximately 20 years working in the Okanagan Valley before returning to Niagara to provide leadership and ensuring that Inniskillin continued to excel.

In 2013, Nicholas Gizuk joined Inniskillin and rose up through the ranks within the company to become Head Winemaker at Inniskillin's Niagara Estate in 2001. Nicholas is part of a new generation of winemakers that stand on the shoulders of Donald and Karl. This new generation of winemakers are using the success of the last 50 years as the foundation for what’s next and believe that the next chapter will be even more exciting.

Nicholas Gizuk says that "With a renewed focus on single vineyard expressions, we're showcasing the incredible diversity of Canadian terroir through wines that are unmistakably Inniskillin, Our intimate history and experience with this land and these grapes puts us in a position to develop one-of-a-kind wines that simply can't be re-created anywhere else."

Today, as Canada's oldest winery, Inniskillin Wines is synonymous with Canadiana and part of a family of wineries owned by Arterra Wines Canada. Inniskillin is looking to the future and is ready to redefine what premium Canadian wine can be once again with innovative techniques and over 50 years of experience that focus on every aspect of from terroir to winemaking, to deliver high-quality wines that can only be made in Canada.

In addition to this Single Vineyard Riesling and a pair of Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc wines, the other two wines in the series are the 2022 Inniskillin Illuvia Cabernet Franc, which I enjoyed a couple of months ago, and the 2024 Inniskillin Zabek Single Vineyard Riesling Icewine. All five wines in the series are available at Inniskillin and online at Great Estates Niagara, while the Icewine is also available in very limited quantities at the LCBO. Inniskillin's 50th Anniversary Series wines are ideal companions to elevate your next hosting engagement or gifting needs.

Tasting Notes:

INNISKILLIN SINGLE VINEYARD MONTAGUE RIESLING 2024 - VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $29.22
Stelvin screw cap enclosure. The medium-high intensity nose has lovely, focused aromas of orange zest, white peach, honeyed melon, and lemon/lime citrus, plus whiffs of petrol and limestone minerality adding savoury complexity. It's medium+ bodied with impressive concentration and structure on the dry palate with delicious beeswax, honey, white peach, orange, and melon replays, plus white grapefruit, spice and leesy mineral flavours. It has crisp, succulent, and structured acidity, along with a finely textured mouthfeel. Nicely balanced throughout, and tapering to leesy minerals and limestone on the savoury finish, with excellent length. Score: 92 pts

Pairs with: Light, textured fish, poached and fried white meats, shellfish, sushi, mild Asian cuisine, and citrus-based sauces.

INNISKILLIN SINGLE VINEYARD HERON POND CABERNET FRANC 2023 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $37.18
The medium-high intensity nose is clean and fresh, with herbaceous aromas mingling with ripe red & black fruits, currant, black cherry, and tobacco, plus touches of cedary oak spice and reductive notes. It's medium+ to medium-full bodied on the dry, elegant, and complex palate with ripe red fruits, red currant, black cherry, red licorice, and red plum nuanced with dried herbs, gentle oak spice, tobacco flavours. It is well-balanced throughout with refreshing acidity, and smooth, elegant, and fine-grained tannins. Tobacco, spice, and savoury earth notes linger on long, well-structured, and balanced finish. Score: 91+ pts

Pairs with: Rare red meats, roasted red meats, game meats, cured and salted meats, tomato-based sauces, vegetable dishes, full-flavoured sauces, tart red fruit sauces and firm cheeses.

INNISKILLIN SINGLE VINEYARD LAMENT FARMS CABERNET FRANC 2023 - VQA St. David's Bench, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $37.18
The medium-high intensity nose has savoury dark fruited aromas rising out of the glass, with layers of black currant, dark cherry, cedar, savoury oak spice, and earthy mineral, plus flecks of white pepper and Damson plum adding further interest and complexity. The medium-full bodied palate is dry and well-structured with more dark fruited replays of currant, cassis, black cherry, oak spice, pipe tobacco, savoury earth, and dried herb flavours. Acids are crisp and juicy, while the firm, somewhat youthful tannins are well-structured. Touch grippy and slightly tangy with dark berry, savoury earth, and dried herbal notes on the long-lasting finish. Enjoyable now, but should improve with time in the cellar and drink well over the next 6-8 years. Score: 92 pts

Pairs with: Rare red meats, roasted red meats, game meats, cured and salted meats, tomato-based sauces, vegetable dishes, full-flavoured sauces, bitter chocolate, tart red fruit sauces, and firm cheeses.

Read More

Atlantis White 2024 (Santorini) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely white wine from Santorini that is primarily crafted with Assyrtiko. It arrived at the LCBO in last month's August 16th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Estate Argyros, the premier and largest private vineyard owner on the island of Santorini, Greece. While Estate Argyros was formally established in 1903 by Georgios Argyros, the Argyros family had been involved in wine production for decades prior to that.

Since the beginning, the Argyros family has focused on both vine growing and winemaking based on a deep understanding that great grapes are always a prerequisite for great wines. Each generation has contributed to the development of Estate Argyros wines on both fronts. In 1974, Yiannis Argyros, the third generation of the family, took hold of Estate Argyros and propelled it to one of the world's wine-producing elite. Yiannis worked tirelessly for more than three decades to prove that his Vinsantos are some of the finest, rarest sweet wines in the world, and was also instrumental in proving that the dry Assyrtikos of Santorini can be sublime and age worthy.

Today, Estate Argyros is led by Matthaios Argyros, son of Yiannis, and a fourth generation wine grower. Matthaios took over the estate in 2004 and was the driving force behind the establishment of a new winery and further acquisitions of vineyard land. Matthaios travels abroad often to not only promote the wines of Estate Argyrosling, but also to see the great vineyards and taste the finest wines from around the globe. Matthaios is very detail-oriented and his depth of knowledge of the Santorini vineyard guarantees that the future of the Estate is in safe hands.

The new Estate Argyros Winery was inaugurated in 2015 in Episkopi, in south-central Santorini. With modern, cutting-edge technology, the 3,000 m² winery is one of the most impressive on the island. There was great emphasis placed on the production facilities to ensure that every stage of the winemaking process could be handled with both maximum control and minimum intervention. The winery was designed with true respect to the Santorini landscape, while also being environmentally friendly and energy efficient.

At Estate Argyros, the philosophy is based on working with almost exclusively old vines because only these vineyards can provide the depth, the definition, and the concentration needed to produce the desired style of wine. They undertake meticulous work in the vineyard, while the timing of harvest is carefully determined, plot-by-plot, in order to pick at optimum ripeness. In the cellar, as an artisan producer, Estate Argyros crafts small quantities of top-quality wines. Each plot is harvested, vinified, and aged separately, then blended only at the very late stages of production. The vines of Estate Argyros are farmed organically, without any pesticides. Vineyard work is done manually, except for plowing, which is carried out by mules, and the vines are not irrigated.

This white wine is a blend of 90% Assyrtiko, 5% Athiri, and 5% Aidani that was grown on the volcanic island of Santorini. The grapes were harvested in the first ten days of August from vines averaging 10 to 30 years old. After bringing the grapes to the winery, they were fermented in stainless steel vats at a controlled temperature of 16–18°C for almost three weeks, and then matured for six months (on its lees?) in stainless steel vats.

The 2024 growing season in Santorini began with a mild winter with 153 mm of rainfall, followed by a spring that featured higher-than-average temperatures and 55 mm of rainfall. Summer continued with drought and "meltemia" (strong, dry, and northerly winds) conditions, and the result was a harvest that began on the 2nd of August. Yields were slightly below average, while grape quality was very good. Let's see how this 2024 white wine from Santorini is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ATLANTIS WHITE 2024 - Santorini, Greece (#371658) (XD) - $27.95
Enclosed by Stelvin screw cap, this blend of 90% Assyrtiko, 5% Athiri, and 5% Aidani has a lifted nose of medium-high intensity that is crisp and tangy with lovely lemon citrus, flinty mineral, white floral, ripe apple, and pear aromas, plus touches of spice. The dry, medium+ bodied palate has good weight and concentration, with ripe flavours of lemon citrus, apple, spice, flinty mineral, and white floral supported by fresh, vibrant, and zesty acidity. It has a finely textured mouthfeel on the mid-palate, while lemon citrus, apple, spice, and mineral notes linger through to the long and well-balanced finish. This recommended buy is ideal with seafood or vegetarian fare. Score: 90+ pts

A couple of really fine wines by Estate Argyros are available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.

Read More