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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Escapade Shiraz 2021 (Barossa) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely, vegan-friendly Australian Shiraz. It is a brand-new arrival at the LCBO that landed on shelves (and online) in Ontario as part of last month's September 21 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Escapade Vineyards wines are produced by Shanahans Wines, a family-owned and operated winery situated in the hamlet of Greenock, on the outskirts of northwestern Barossa, that has grown from humble beginnings to a significant operation.

The name 'Shanahans Wines' is a tribute to John Harris' family, in particular to his late grandfather, James (Jim) Shanahan. It was Jim who established a broadacre farm in the early 1900s at Magdala, South Australia, while John spent much of his childhood years by his grandfather's side, helping and exploring this beloved property.

On the property is an old shearing shed, where John recalls his fondest memories spending time with the shearers and seasonal workers. It was also in this shed where John turned one tonne of fruit that had been gifted to him into the first 60 cases of Shanahans Wines, which he shared with friends and family. The enjoyment of hand-crafting such a small parcel of premium Barossa fruit and having a label to honour his family started a tradition.

Today, Shanahans Wines is led by John and his wife, Gemma, along with their three boys that they are bringing up together among their vines. John has worked in the wine industry for more than two decades, working his way up from cellar hand to winemaker to owning his own wine company. He has love for his iconic family farm in the Barossa Valley with strong ancestral ties to the region and its people. Gemma is a seventh generation Barossan who comes from a long line of vignerons. She grew up in the small village of Krondorf and spent her childhood years in the vineyards exploring and helping her late father tend to 30 acres of vines.

Together, the Harris family hand crafts their wines with care each vintage, using small parcels of premium fruit that are sourced predominantly from the Western Barossa sub-regions of Greenock and Marananga, as well as parcels from selected growers in Eden Valley, Ebenezer, and Tanunda. In order to represent the true character of the individual vineyards and varieties, much of the fruit is hand-picked from old vineyards and fermented in small batches on skins to retain as much fleshy fruit as possible. Mostly older French oak is used for maturation, ensuring that the fruit is the main feature of each wine.

This red wine is crafted using 100% Shiraz that was sourced from a selection of growers that John has worked with for several years in the Barossa Valley hamlets of Greenock, Tanunda, Ebenezer, and Bethany. The individual vineyards were picked and crushed separately. Each vineyard provides different characteristics, and when coming together by assemblage, becomes more than the sum of its parts. It underwent fermentation in small, 4-tonne open fermenters, with pumping twice a day for one week before draining and being slowly basket-pressed. After fermentation, the wine was aged in 2- to 4-year-old French oak.

From a near-perfect vintage that resulted in both high quality and quantity, let's see how this 2021 Shiraz from Barossa Valley is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ESCAPADE SHIRAZ 2021 - Vegan, Barossa Valley, South Australia (#36286) (XD) - $17.95
Screw cap. The open, fragrant, medium-high to highly aromatic nose has lovely ripe black and red raspberry, blackberry, and black pepper spice aromas layered over savoury earth, oak spice, and touches of meaty and dried herb notes. It's medium+ to medium-full bodied on the dry palate with delicious ripe raspberry, blackberry, black pepper, and dried herb flavours with just a touch of jamminess. It has fresh, juicy acidity, while the ripe, supple, and fine-grained tannins provide a nice, textured mouthfeel and are integrating nicely. It's well-balanced with blackberry, raspberry, and peppery notes tapering to a long, savoury, mineral-tinged finish. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely Shanahans Wines can be ordered through their Agent - Lexcellent Wines.

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Omrah Crossing Chardonnay 2023 (Western Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely Chardonnay from Great Southern, Western Australia, that arrived at the LCBO in the recent LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on September 7th.

Located in the Great Southern wine region of Western Australia, Omrah Wines are produced by Plantagenet Wines, a wine producer that was established in 1968 by Tony Smith. Plantagenet produced its first vintage in 1974 and purchased an apple packing shed in Mount Barker and converted it to the region's first winery cellar.

The Omrah Wines label was established in 1996 and focuses on producing fresh, fruit-driven wines with minimal oak influence. The story of Omrah wines begins with the best parcels of grapes from Western Australia's wine regions, where the rich and diverse terroir provides the perfect canvas for crafting exceptional wines. The vineyards in Western Australia benefit from an idyllic climate with warm days and cool nights, which ensure that the grapes develop a perfect balance of acidity and flavour. In this unique environment, Omrah wines are produced in a fresh, contemporary style that is as vibrant as the land from which they come. Omrah wines are produced for those who appreciate the art of casual elegance, such as a relaxed beach picnic, a lively backyard barbecue, or an intimate dinner with friends.

The name "Omrah" is believed to be inspired by a maritime exploration and travel ship that sailed between Australia and England during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with Omrah chosen to reflect the spirit of exploration and discovery to uncover and express the cool-climate varietals of Western Australia's Great Southern region. The grapes for Omrah wines are responsibly sourced from some of the best vineyards in Western Australia and crafted by the winemaking team at Plantagenet Wines. Embracing freshness, vibrancy, and balance, Omrah wines are designed to be enjoyed now. With seven wines in the portfolio, Omrah has a wine for every occasion.

This white wine is crafted with 100% Chardonnay that was grown in the Great Southern wine region of Western Australia. The Great Southern is the largest region in Australia and one of the nine regions of Western Australia. It is situated southeast of Perth and contains five distinct sub-regions. As the second-largest producer of grapes in Western Australia, the Great Southern has a landscape of forested cliffs and resplendent mountain ranges, grazing pastures and towns steeped in history. The climate in Great Southern is cool-temperate and strongly influenced by its proximity to the Southern Ocean. There is plenty of rainfall, even during the hottest Australian summer, while daytime temperatures are moderated by the cool, evening sea breeze. The high diurnal temperature range between warm days and cool nights in Great Southern allows for the maximum retention of acidity and varietal expression to create complex wines. Details are light on the vinification methods used to craft this wine, but after undergoing alcoholic fermentation, it also underwent minimal malolactic fermentation and spent minimal time in oak.

The 2023 growing season in Great Southern was characterized by a warmer than average March, which aided ripening just prior to harvest. At the beginning of the growing season, Mount Barker had a cool and wet winter, which ensured ample moisture for budburst and early season growth. Early spring rains delayed flowering and fruit set, while healthy vine canopies were well-balanced and healthy. Growing conditions were perfect from December to February, with clear blue skies, warmer temperatures, and cool, clear nights. By the time harvest season arrived in March, phenological ripening stages of the vineyards were back to normal and helped deliver great aromatic intensity in white grape varieties. From an overall successful vintage, let's see how this 2023 Chardonnay from Great Southern is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

OMRAH CROSSING CHARDONNAY 2023 - Great Southern, Western Australia (#17644) (XD) - $21.95
Screw cap. The fragrant, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose delivers white peaches & cream, ripe stone & orchard fruit, and apple aromas accented with vanilla and touches of cashew nut and earthy mineral. On the medium+ to medium-full bodied palate it is dry and lightly honeyed with delicious ripe apple, stone & orchard fruit, white peach, vanilla, and oak spice flavours. It has bright and lively acidity, while the stone & orchard fruit notes taper to cashew and earthy mineral flavours on the crisp, juicy, and long-lasting finish. Enjoyable now, but will reward with 1-2 years in the cellar. Enjoy this recommended buy over next 4-5 years. Score: 90+ pts

Other lovely Omrah Wines can be ordered through their Agent - Airen Imports.

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Deep Woods Hillside Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (Margaret River) - Wine Review

After enjoying the lovely 2023 Deep Woods Margaret River Chardonnay last month, tonight's red wine review is a lovely follow-up from the same producer. This red wine is a brand-new arrival at the LCBO as part of the recent July 6th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Like the Chardonnay, it is produced by Deep Woods Estate, a winery situated in the Margaret River wine region of Western Australia that is highly regarded and known for producing high-quality wines. It was originally established in 1987 by Dr. Thomas Cullity, who named the winery after a fictitious location from the popular "Phantom" comic that he was a fan of. The Deep Woods logo is also based on the Phantom ring.

In 1992, the estate winery was acquired by the Gould family, and it remained in their hands until 2005, when it was purchased by the Fogarty family. Under the ownership of Fogarty Wine Group, Deep Woods Estate was transformed into one of Margaret River's most highly regarded wineries as the vineyards were re-worked, while also implementing sustainable vineyard practices to improve fruit quality with smaller yields. Wine production at Deep Woods is based on a combination of traditional philosophy using modern techniques.

Situated in the heart of the Yallingup Hills in Margaret River, Western Australia, Deep Woods Estate is perched high on a ridge overlooking the valley and surrounded by large jarrah and marri trees. The terroir in this area is unique with soils that are comprised of deep, sandy gravels over clay, as well as a dual maritime influence from both the Indian Ocean and Geographe Bay - factors that contribute to this world-class wine region.

Deep Woods Estate has a number of ranges of wines. By combining sustainable viticultural practices with Margaret River's exceptional and unique terroir, Deep Woods is able to get incredibly high-quality fruit, for each vintage, in an unwavering pursuit of excellence. This red wine is from Deep Woods' Hillside range - a group of ripe, delicate, and limited-production wines made from low-yielding fruit that is grown on the steepest slopes on the estate and showcases their dedication to site-selection and pure varietal expression.

Crafted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, this red wine is a unique expression from the Margaret River wine region - one of the best Cabernet producing areas in the world. The fruit for this wine is mostly from vineyards located on the Deep Woods Estate in Yallingup, with the vines just coming of age and showing great intensity and verve. To vinify this wine, the grapes underwent 10-14 days of skin contact during fermentation and were then pressed directly to barrel. It was aged for approximately 12 months in barrels, with 15% new oak.

The 2021 growing season in Margaret River was unusually challenging and wet. Canopy management, timing of harvest, and careful fruit selection were vital components in ensuring high-quality fruit. The work in the vineyard was especially difficult due to a season of labour shortages. proved vital, a tricky balancing act in a season of labour shortages. The cooler and drier conditions in March and April improved aromatics, vibrancy, and fine tannins. The result was that the 2021 vintage produced very fine and refined wines. Let's see how this 2021 Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

DEEP WOODS HILLSIDE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Margaret River, Western Australia (#33418) (XD) - $24.95
Screw cap. The fragrant, medium-high+ intensity nose offers lovely, perfumed aromas of red & black fruits, currant, cassis, blackberry, black plum, grilled herbs, and mild oak spice. On the dry, well-structured, and medium+ to medium-full bodied palate it delivers ripe and stylish red & black fruits, cassis, currant, black cherry, blackberry, grilled herbs, smoky mineral, gentle vanilla oak spice, and savoury earth flavours. It's nicely balanced throughout with fresh and succulent acidity. It has smooth, refined tannins, with just a touch of grip and spice notes on the back palate. Savoury with graphite and dried herbal characters linger on the long, juicy finish. Very approachable right now and a highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

Other fine wines by Deep Woods Estate can be ordered through their Agent - Eurovintage Wines & Spirits, and perhaps at the LCBO when stores re-open after the strike ends.

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Deep Woods Margaret River Chardonnay 2023 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely Chardonnay from Margaret River in Western Australia. It is brand-new to the LCBO and arrived on shelves across the province as part of last weekend's LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on June 8th.

It is produced by Deep Woods Estate, a Margaret River gem that was established in 1987 by Dr. Thomas Cullity. The founder was a fan of the popular comic "Phantom" and named the winery Deep Woods, a fictitious location from the comic, while also designing the logo based on the Phantom ring. In 1992, Deep Woods was acquired by the Gould family.

In 2005, Deep Woods Estate was purchased by the Fogarty family, a wine group currently run by Peter and Lee Fogarty, and is one of a number of wine estates owned by Fogarty Wine Group. Under the guidance of the Fogarty group, Deep Woods has been transformed into one of Margaret River's most highly regarded wineries. Wine production at Deep Woods is based on a combination of traditional philosophy using modern techniques. The talented team is led by Chief Winemaker Julian Langworthy, who produces wines of prestige and provenance.

The Estate is situated in the heart of the Yallingup Hills in Margaret River, Western Australia, perched high on a ridge overlooking the valley and surrounded by large jarrah and marri trees. The terroir in this area is unique with soils that are comprised of deep, sandy gravels over clay, as well as a dual maritime influence from both the Indian Ocean and Geographe Bay - factors that contribute to this world-class wine region.

After being acquired by the Fogarty family, the vineyards were re-worked and a new maintenance program was introduced to utilize sustainable vineyard practices to improve fruit quality and produce small, higher-quality yields. As of 2024, Deep Woods' vineyards are certified sustainable under Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, a process which has led to outstanding fruit and superior wines, including award-winning Chardonnay that is processed and bottled in small batches on-site. Sustainable viticultural practices, together with Margaret River's exceptional and unique terroir, help deliver high-quality fruit year after year, which is then used to craft high quality wines across a number of ranges in the pursuit of excellence.

This white wine is from Deep Woods' Estate range of wines that display individual varietal character and represent incredible value in the Margaret River wine region. Crafted with 100% Chardonnay, the fruit was sourced from vineyards across the Margaret River wine region. It was fermented using wild yeast and left to mature on its lees for six months in new and seasoned French oak to impart great texture and length.

The 2023 growing season in Margaret River began with a mild spring with adequate soil moisture, which resulted in a slightly later start to the season. The moderate summer led to ideal ripening conditions, with little pressure in the vineyard, including the lack of any major rain events. Consistently warm days and cool evenings allow for great acid retention within the grapes, while also achieving optimal fruit expression. From an excellent vintage, let's see how this 2023 Margaret River Chardonnay is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

DEEP WOODS MARGARET RIVER CHARDONNAY 2023 - Margaret River, Western Australia (#33569) (XD) - $19.95
Screw cap. The fragrant, medium-high intensity nose leads with smoky, mineral, barrel-influenced aromas layered over apple, pear, orchard fruit, lemon citrus, nutty, and leesy notes. The dry, medium-full bodied palate is more fruit forward with ripe apple, pear, lemon citrus flavours mingling with smoky oak, leesy mineral, and spice notes, plus a tinge of honey adding further complexity. It's nicely balanced with a slightly chalky textured mouthfeel, with some sense of elegance. Acids are juicy and succulent. Leesy mineral notes linger on the long, savoury finish. Enjoy to the end of the decade. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

One other lovely wine by Deep Woods Estate can be found at the LCBO, while the entire portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.

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PHI Chardonnay 2021 (Yarra Valley) - Wine Review

After enjoying the lovely 2019 De Bortoli Estate Vineyard Chardonnay last month, we go up a notch with tonight's white wine review - a fantastic single vineyard Chardonnay from the Yarra Valley in Victoria. It is a brand-new arrival at the LCBO, arriving a few months ago in the March 2 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and is still available for purchase Online and in-person at Flagship Exclusive locations.

It is produced by De Bortoli Wines, one of Australia's leading family-owned wine companies. De Bortoli Wines was established in 1928 after Vittorio De Bortoli, an Italian immigrant from Treviso, arrived in New South Wales to discover that the flat plains and red earth were very different compared to his homeland and purchased a 55 acre mixed fruit farm. That same year, there was a glut of Shiraz grapes in the region and Vittorio was able to get 15 tonnes of Shiraz grapes for free since other farmers preferred to let them rot. Vittorio's wine was very popular among local Italians and other Europeans in the area, and they wanted to buy the wine off him. With this first of many successes, Vittorio established De Bortoli Wines.

Vittorio married his fiancée, Giuseppina, on the farm a year later, and the 1930s brought the second generation of the De Bortoli family with the births of Florrie, Deen, and Eola. The family business continued to grow over the years, while Deen left school (against his parents' wishes) at the age of 15 in 1951 to work at the family winery, and by 1957 he was itching to modernize it. In 1958, Deen married Emeri Cunial and the third generation of the De Bortoli family arrived with the births of Darren, Leanne, Kevin, and Victor. Deen was instrumental in expanding the family business during the 1970s, and in 1987, De Bortoli expanded into Yarra Valley, Victoria. In 1990, De Bortoli Yarra Valley Estate was established and led by Leanne De Bortoli and her husband, Steve Webber, and together they welcomed the 4th generation of the family. Their daughter, Kate Webber, joined the family wine business and is the winemaker for this Chardonnay.

This particular white wine is from De Bortoli's PHI range of wines. PHI is the 21st letter of the Ancient Greek alphabet and symbolizes balance, harmony, and proportion. Similarly, with PHI wines, the third and fourth generations of the De Bortoli family are working together to create Single Vineyard wines that give proportion to climate, soil, and maker.

The Yarra Valley is one of Australia's premier cool climate wine regions and is located approximately 50 km northeast of Melbourne, near the towns of Yarra Glen and Healesville. This Chardonnay was grown at the Lusatia Park Vineyard in the town of Woori Yallock, one of the most iconic single vineyard sites in the Yarra Valley. The Lusatia Park Vineyard was purchased from the Shelmerdine family in 2016 and forms part of De Bortoli's plans to establish iconic vineyards to produce single plot fine wines. The 18 hectare, north-facing vineyard was first planted in 1985 at an altitude of 240 metres, while the soil is deep decomposed basalt that is quite rich in iron.

To craft this lovely Chardonnay, the grapes were hand-harvested in mid-to-late March, whole-bunch pressed, and allowed to settle overnight. The juice was then racked into older French oak casks where it underwent natural fermentation. The wine was then left on its yeast lees for 9 months, with occasional stirring.

It was a classic, cooler growing season in Yarra Valley and Lusatia Park in 2021. Spring featured timely rain, while ripening season temperatures tracked long-term averages. From a good-to-excellent vintage that featured idyllic growing conditions, let's see how this 2021 Chardonnay from Yarra Valley is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

PHI CHARDONNAY 2021 - Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia (#33567) (XD) - $33.95
Vegan-friendly and enclosed by screw cap. The fragrant, perfumed, medium-high to highly aromatic nose offers lovely saline minerality aromas layered over green apple, lemon citrus, pear, savoury earth, and subtle spice notes. On the dry, medium-full bodied palate it has a creamy mouthfeel with lovely green apple, lemon citrus, and saline mineral flavours joined by accents of almond and mealy notes on the back palate. It's supported by fresh, lively, and slightly tangy acidity. A touch spicy on the mid-palate with a finely textured mouthfeel, while saline mineral, citrus, and apple notes linger on the long, balanced, and savoury finish. Enjoy to the early 2030s. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

The Estate Vineyard Chardonnay is still available at the LCBO, while the entire portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Dionysus Wines & Spirits.

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Seppeltsfield EC405 Barossa Shiraz/Mataro 2020 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is an excellent blend of Shiraz and Mataro from the Barossa Valley in Australia. It arrived as a brand-new wine at the LCBO last month in the March 2nd LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection as an Online & Flagship Exclusive, with many bottles now available both in-store and online.

It is produced by Seppeltsfield Wines, an iconic winery located on the Western Ridge of the Barossa Valley. With a rich history, Seppeltsfield combines over 420 acres of ancient vineyards, gardens, and heritage-listed architecture to handcraft quality wines and unique offerings. The Seppeltsfield estate is surrounded by a small settlement, also named Seppeltsfield, and is among the most western townships in the Barossa Valley. The picturesque region is a patchwork of vineyards on gently rolling hills, contrasted by open fields of cereal crops. The estate is a landmark of South Australia where travellers of all origins were warmly welcomed throughout the 19th and 20th centuries due to the generous hospitality of the Seppelt family. Today, Seppeltsfield proudly continues the Seppelt family vision of the "village", ensuring that the history, heritage, and provenance of this remarkable estate is shared with many.

Seppeltsfield was established in the Barossa Valley by Joseph and Johanna Seppelt, just 15 years after the European settlement of South Australia. In 1851, Joseph Seppelt, an emigrant from Silesia, purchased 158 acres of land with the original intention of farming tobacco, with later generations of the Seppelt family concentrating their efforts on grape growing and winemaking. Seppeltsfield flourished into the 20th century, along with the Seppelt family's expanding interest in the liquor industry. The Seppelt family is regarded as one of Australia's most successful wine dynasties as it remained within the family until 1985.

In 2007, Seppeltsfield returned to private ownership, and is now under the custodianship of proprietor Warren Randall. Mr. Randall is a qualified viticulturist and winemaker who had previously worked for the Seppelt family in the 1980s, and is supported by proud investors. The estate is viewed by Warren as a custodianship of the Seppelt family legacy. In 2010, the 1888 Gravity Cellar was recommissioned and has revitalized the estate's prowess with still wines as all super premium red Barossa varietals are once again passing though the Gravity Cellar. Originally completed in 1888, the visionary design of the Gravity Cellar was borne out of engineering logic by Oscar Benno Seppelt, son of Joseph and Johanna. The Gravity Cellar uses a gravity-fed, minimal handling approach to winemaking, which is now a coveted modern-day winemaking principle, and results in wines with heightened aromatics and purity of fruit, aided by the gentle extraction of colour, flavour, and tannin. As part of Randall Wine Group, Seppeltsfield is also committed and compliant with Freshcare Australian Wine Industry Standard of Sustainable Practice – Winery Standard and the Sustainable Winegrowing Australia programs.

This red wine is a handcrafted blend of Shiraz (aka Syrah) and Mataro (aka Mourvèdre or Monastrell), a wine that celebrates the winemaking art of assemblage (bench blending) to achieve a final blended wine that is greater than the sum of its parts. The "EC" (East Cellar) part of the name of this wine goes back to the earliest red varietal blends that were first released by Seppeltsfield's founding family in the 1960s. While the composition of each wine varied with each vintage, the East Cellar code was a unique reference to where the wines were rested and matured in oak barrels prior to release.

The EC405 borrows the legacy of earlier EC bottlings, and brings together the traditional blend of Shiraz and Mataro. This 2020 vintage of the EC405 is a blend of 66% Shiraz and 34% Mataro. The Shiraz is made up of a parcel grown on Seppeltsfield's "V-Block" Vineyard in the western part of the valley and a parcel grown on Seppeltsfield's "Chooks Block" in the southern part of the valley, while the Mataro was sourced from a grower vineyard on the western ridge. The grapes used to craft the EC405 were fermented at their 1888 Gravity Cellar, which is built into the hillside on a series of terraces. Gravity guides the flow of the fruit through the winery, delivering gentle extraction of colour, flavour, and tannins. Each vineyard parcel was kept separate throughout the entire process, including maturation in seasoned French oak hogsheads. Bench blend trials were then conducted by the Seppeltsfield winemaking team, prior to assemblage and bottling.

While the 2020 growing season proved to be yet another challenging vintage, which led to reduced yields, and in turn, reducing supply, the quality of what was produced is high. Let's see how this 2020 Barossa Shiraz/Mataro is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

SEPPELTSFIELD EC405 BAROSSA SHIRAZ/MATARO 2020 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#33561) (XD) - $33.95
Enclosed by screw cap, this blend of 66% Shiraz and 34% Mataro has an elegant, fragrant, medium-high to highly aromatic nose of ripe, sweet black and purple fruits, blackberry, black cherry, and potpourri aromas with accents of savoury earth, iron, and minty herbs. It's medium-full to full-bodied with well-structured, rustic tannins and black-purple fruited and savoury flavours of blackberry, black cherry, sweet cassis, peppery spice, and graphite with persistent savoury mineral and cocoa characters. Acids are crisp and juicy. Some spice notes on the mid-palate taper to savoury graphite and mineral flavours on the long, grippy finish, with excellent length. Enjoy now to 2040. Highly recommended buy! Score: 93 pts

Small quantities of other Seppeltsfield Wines are available at the LCBO, while the entire range can be ordered through their Agent - Dionysus Wines & Spirits.

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De Bortoli Estate Vineyard Chardonnay 2019 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is another fine Chardonnay from Australia. It is a brand-new arrival at the LCBO that landed on shelves across Ontario last month as part of the March 2nd LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by De Bortoli Wines, one of Australia's leading family-owned wine companies. Their story begins when Italian immigrant Vittorio De Bortoli journeyed from Castelcucco in Treviso to New South Wales and discovered that the flat plains and red earth are very different to his homeland. His fiancée, Giuseppina, arrived in Australia a couple of years later, and in 1928 Vittorio purchased a 55 acre mixed fruit farm. In 1928, there was a glut of Shiraz grapes and many farmers saw it as cheaper to let them rot. Instead, Vittorio took them for free and crushed 15 tonnes of Shiraz grapes. The resulting wine was very popular among local Italians and other European workers in the area as they offered to buy the wine off him. Thus, the creation of De Bortoli Wines, with Vittorio and Giuseppina getting married on the farm a year later.

The 1930s brought the second generation of the family - Florrie, Deen and Eola - and also brought high demand for De Bortoli Wines as train loads of 270 litre barrels were transported to Sydney and Queensland. The family business continued to grow over the years, and in 1951, against his parents' wishes, Deen left school at the age of 15 to begin working at the family winery. By 1957, Deen was now itching to modernize the production facility. In 1958, Deen marries Emeri Cunial and the third generation of the De Bortoli family arrived in the 1960s with the births of Darren, Leanne, Kevin, and Victor.

Deen De Bortoli was instrumental in expanding the family business (normally when his dad was out of town and unaware!) during the 1970s, during Australia's first major wine boom. As a newly qualified winemaker in 1982, Deen created the highly acclaimed Noble One - a wine that has won numerous awards over the years.

In 1987, De Bortoli expanded into Yarra Valley, Victoria, where this wine is from, by purchasing an existing winery and vineyard. De Bortoli Yarra Valley Estate was established in 1990 and led by Leanne De Bortoli and her husband, Stephen (aka Steve), who is also a winemaker. Together, they welcomed the 4th generation of the De Bortoli family, and in 2007 Steve Webber was awarded Gourmet Traveller WINE magazine’s Winemaker of the Year.

Today, De Bortoli has grown to become one of Australia's largest and most respected wine producers, and is renowned for its commitment to quality winemaking, innovative practices, and sustainability. By the 2010s, De Bortoli made great strides in their sustainability initiatives and goal to become a "zero-waste" winery, while earning their first of many accolades for its achievements in sustainability that same decade. De Bortoli goes well beyond the mandatory requirements and is driven by both philosophical and pragmatic factors, but mostly by their desire to leave a legacy for future generations.

This white wine is crafted with 100% Chardonnay that was grown at the Estate Vineyard in Yarra Valley. The Estate Vineyard consists of a series of small plots of mature Chardonnay, with the oldest vines planted in 1976 and the youngest planted in 1994. These small plots are located within a few hundred metres of each other and consistently produce the finest, most detailed wines on the Estate. To craft this wine, the grapes were hand-harvested over 8 days beginning on the 19th of February, then whole-bunch pressed and allowed to settle for 4-6 hours. The juice was then racked to new and used French oak cask where it underwent natural fermentation. The lees were stirred in late Autumn, and the wine was then left to rest on its lees until November.

The growing season during 2019 was warm and early with timely rain. The conditions were very good and resulted in grapes with good, natural acidity and balanced flavours. Let's see how this 2019 Chardonnay from Yarra Valley is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

DE BORTOLI ESTATE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2019 - Dixons Creek, Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia (#33565) (XD) - $23.95
This vegan-friendly, 100% Chardonnay is barrel-fermented and aged, and enclosed by screw cap. The fresh, medium-high intensity nose offers lovely pear, apple, and buttery aromas with accents of lemon citrus and flinty minerality. It has good weight on the dry, medium-full bodied palate with spicy flavours of pear, apple, gentle oak spice, butter, and lemon citrus. It has a crisp, textured mouthfeel with good structure and very good, juicy acidity, while leesy mineral notes linger on the crisp and lengthy finish. Will provide pleasure over the next 4-5 years and is a highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Other fine wines by De Bortoli Wines can be ordered through their Agent - Dionysus Wines & Spirits.

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Mountadam Five-Fifty Chardonnay 2020 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a delicious Eden Valley Chardonnay from Australia that arrived at the LCBO earlier this year as part of the January 6th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Mountadam Vineyards, a winery that was established in 1972 by the late David Wynn. David was one of the most significant contributors to the Australian Wine Industry as he was the first to recognize the potential of a cool, elevated site to produce Australian wines of great elegance and structure. Wynn searched across Australia for a vineyard site that met his expectations and eventually settled in an area high above the township of Eden Valley, within a sub-region that was formally recognized in 2001 as High Eden. The area of High Eden is oval-shaped and covers 40 square kilometres, and is situated in the highest areas of the Eden Valley. David named his first vineyard after his son, Adam, who became the company's winemaker in 1984.

Mountadam Vineyards' logo was created when David Wynn brought his artist friend Tate Adams to the property, so he could get inspiration to come up with a design for the wine label. As they were walking on the property, two eagles were circling above and Wynn told Adams that they were nesting in a tree on the property. Following this visit, Adams designed and made two engravings incorporating the eagle.

Today, Mountadam Vineyards is in the hands of David and Jenni Brown, who acquired the winery and 80 hectares of vineyards from LMVH in 2005. In 2015, the Brown's purchased the Treasury Wine Estates High Eden vineyard, which included 67 hectares of vines, and allowed them to re-assemble the Mountadam property of over 1,000 hectares. The Brown's share David Wynn's vision for sustainability and have invested significantly in redeveloping the winery and vineyards with items such as open fermenters, filtration, solar power, and water treatment. The Brown family is keen on continuing Wynn's vision to produce wines of elegance and structure, while also focusing on sustainable, low input viticulture that will guarantee the success of the vineyards and farm into the future.

This white wine is part of Mountadam's Five-Fifty range, which is named after the Estate's altitude of 550 metres above sea level. While all Mountadam wines are sourced exclusively from their Estate, which has 147 hectares of vines, the wines in the Five-Fifty range are crafted to offer amazing quality for the price. This Chardonnay is crafted using Mountadam's original 1970s plantings, with 87% of the fruit from Blocks 22, 15, and 29 on the Estate's eastern side, and 13% from Block 57, which is situated on the western side. 60% of this wine was matured in French oak barriques for 1 year, with only 10% new, while the remaining 40% was tank fermented and aged in stainless steel.

In Eden Valley, the drought conditions during the growing season in 2020 resulted in very low yields. Although it was a challenging vintage, the warm conditions helped produce grapes of excellent quality, which resulted in wines of exceptional quality, particularly Chardonnay. Let's see how this 2020 Eden Valley Chardonnay from Australia is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MOUNTADAM FIVE-FIFTY CHARDONNAY 2020 - Eden Valley, South Australia (#22984) (XD) - $17.95
Screw cap. The rich, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose offers buttery, vanilla, apple, and lemon citrus aromas with touches of butterscotch and oak spice. It's dry, medium+ bodied and quite spicy on the lively palate with buttery, apple/pear, lemon citrus, vanillin oak spice, and leesy mineral flavours. It is creamy, yet also has a slightly chalky textured mouthfeel. Acids are crisp and juicy. Buttery, apple, and citrus notes give way to leesy minerals on the lengthy finish. Chill and enjoy this recommended buy! Score: 88 pts

Small quantities of other Mountadam wines can be found at the LCBO, while the entire range can be ordered through their Agent - Churchill Cellars.

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Elderton Eden Valley Chardonnay 2022 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely Chardonnay from the Eden Valley in South Australia that landed at the LCBO over the weekend as part of the March 16th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Elderton Wines, a renowned winery whose story begins in 1894, when early German settlers, the Scholz family, first planted a vineyard on the banks of the North Para River in Nuriootpa. In 1916, it was purchased by Samuel Elderton Tolley, and he named the Estate "Elderton". Samuel built a sprawling homestead on the estate and sold the fruit to his family's winery. The estate was run successfully for many years until around 1975, when it became derelict and the vines were pulled out.

In 1980, the property was offered to Lorraine and Neil Ashmead - if they bought the house, the surrounding 72 acres of old vines could be had for nothing. The Ashmead's decided to accept the offer as the rambling old homestead looked ideal for a growing family, while also working tirelessly to salvage and restore the phenomenal treasure of a vineyard. In 1982, the Ashmead family produced the first wine made under the Elderton label. They prevailed through tough times, but ultimately the Ashmead's vision shone through and today Elderton is celebrated as a major reason for the rejuvenation of the Barossa Valley.

In 2003, the second generation of the family - brothers Cameron and Allister - took over the reins of the business. Together, they both believed very strongly in continuing the family traditions in the Nuriootpa vineyard. However, they wanted to take the family business to the next level by acquiring great vineyards in other significant sub-appellations of the Barossa. This white wine is from the Craneford vineyard, a great little vineyard in Eden Valley that was purchased in 2007.

Elderton has also taken a leadership role within the Australian wine industry with regard to environmental sustainability. They have proactively implemented a number of initiatives in the vineyard and at the winery to minimize their environmental footprint and promote a sustainable and environmentally responsible workplace. The hope is that through their sustainable practices, the next generation of the Ashmead family will have a lot to work with when they are at the helm.

The 2022 vintage of this white wine is the fourteenth release of this single site wine, and it always shows the typicity of the vineyard, while varying somewhat depending on what growing season brings. Elderton is on a constant learning journey with their vineyard and this wine, adapting to each season. This 100% Chardonnay is 100% Estate grown, from 30-year-old vines at Elderton's Eden Valley vineyard, just south of the small township of Craneford, within the Barossa Zone. The vineyard sits at an elevation of 420 metres, with the Chardonnay blocks planted at one of the highest points of the vineyard. The Eden Valley is generally wetter and cooler, with soils tending to be skeletal and minerally, while the aspect to the sun varies significantly with many rolling hills and valleys that provide site variation. The Eden Valley vineyard is tended to by their own viticulturists, Peter Wild and Conrad Pohlinger, who ensure that the utmost care is taken at every step of the vine cycle.

To craft this wine, the fruit was crushed and pressed off skins immediately upon arrival at the winery. The juice was cold settled and separated into two stainless steel fermenters, with each fermenter inoculated with a different yeast. After completing alcoholic fermentation, the wine was transferred into a combination of new and used French oak to undergo partial malolactic fermentation. Coupled with regular battonage for 8 months, maturation in oak helped build a creamy texture in the wine.

The growing season in 2022 began with ample winter rainfall, followed by a mild spring, which allowed for a great start to the season. Canopy development was decent and provided adequate protection and capacity to ripen the fruit. Short and frequent irrigation during the season ensured that the lean soil retained enough moisture, while a steady ripening season allowed for the retention of natural acidity. Overall, it was a cooler year that delivered good results. Let's see how this 2022 Eden Valley Chardonnay is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ELDERTON EDEN VALLEY CHARDONNAY 2022 - Single vineyard, Eden Valley, South Australia (#15054) (XD) - $23.95
Screw cap. Fragrant and intensely aromatic with rich, intriguing, and complex aromas that feature butter, nutty oak, flinty mineral, lemon curd, ripe apple, and citrus notes. It's dry, medium-full bodied and creamy on the palate with gently tart and tangy flavours that give way to butter, vanilla, nutty oak, gentle spice, apple, and citrus. It has fresh, lively acidity, plus some saline characters on the mid-palate, while leesy mineral, subtle spice, nut, and oak notes linger on the long, succulent finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the next 3-4 years. Score: 90+ pts

Other fine Elderton Wines are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Dionysus Wines & Spirits.

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Wakefield Estate Label Chardonnay 2022 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is the latest vintage of a perennially delicious Chardonnay from South Australia that arrived at the LCBO over the weekend in the February 3, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by the renowned and well-respected Wakefield Wines. The family estate winery was established in 1969 by Bill Taylor Sr. and his two sons near the Wakefield River in Clare Valley, South Australia. After working as wine merchants, the Taylor family desired to have their own vineyards and create their own, authentic, and estate-grown wines. The Estate Label wines were the first wines established by the Taylor family, with the Chardonnay joining the range several years later.

Today, Wakefield Wines is led by the third generation of the family - brothers Mitchell, Justin, and Clinton - with a focus on continuing the family tradition of making delicious wines that stand the test of time. The family's philosophy is to produce wines sustainably and responsibly, while respecting the fruit and where it comes from. The family also has a strong innovative spirit, and one of their innovations is the Optimum Drinking Sensor that is located on the back label of their Estate Label and Promised Land wines, including this Estate Label Chardonnay.

While the 2021 Wakefield Estate Label Chardonnay was crafted with fruit predominantly from Padthaway, this vintage is composed of 51% Clare Valley fruit and 49% from the Limestone Coast zone. Padthaway is one of a number of wine regions situated within the Limestone Coast zone. The different parcels of fruit from both regions were kept separate during the vinification process. It was matured for 10 months in French oak, mostly 2- and 3-years-old, and then blended and bottled.

The 2022 growing season in Clare Valley produced fruit of both high-quality and quantity, with crops of all varieties basking in mild, sunny days with no rain or humidity. It was a beautiful, idyllic vintage of uninterrupted weather that was more typical of the better vintages of the 80s and 90s. Growing conditions across the Limestone Coast zone were mostly good, with yields in Padthaway slightly below average due to mild and dry conditions. Let's see how this 2022 Chardonnay from South Australia is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL CHARDONNAY 2022 - Clare Valley / Limestone Coast, South Australia (#711556) (XD) - $16.95
Screw cap. The fragrant, open, and perfumed nose offers attractive aromas of ripe orchard fruit, apple, and pear nuanced with vanilla spice and lemon citrus, plus touches of banana and ripe tropical fruits adding further complexity. It has good weight on the dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate with ripe apple, pear, lemon citrus, and vanilla spice flavours. It has a nicely textured mouthfeel and crisp, juicy acidity, while leesy mineral notes linger on the lengthy finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

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

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Wakefield Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is the latest vintage of a delicious and consistently well-made Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia that arrived at the LCBO just over a week ago as part of the recent LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on January 6th.

It is produced by the renowned and well-respected Wakefield Wines, a winery that is also known in its home market of Australia as Taylors Wines. The estate winery was established by Bill Taylor Sr. and his sons in 1969 in the Clare Valley, South Australia. At the time, Bill Sr. was already an experienced wine merchant with a deep passion for the wine industry. However, he wanted to create his own exceptional wines bearing the family name and sought out a parcel of land to make this dream come true. Bill Sr. established the estate after acquiring a parcel of land by the Wakefield River in Clare Valley.

Today, Wakefield Wines is run by the third generation of the Taylor family - brothers Mitchell, Justin, and Clinton. Together, they carry on their grandfather's tradition of staying true to their core values of quality, authenticity, and craftsmanship. As stewards of the land, the Taylor family is also committed to sustainability. With a passion for winemaking using innovative techniques, attention to detail, and dedication to quality, the Taylor family continues to craft exceptional wines and are one of the most respected wine producers around the globe.

With several ranges in the Wakefield portfolio, this particular red wine is from their Estate Label range, which celebrates the family's wine business that was established in 1969 after they decided to create a proper "old world" style estate in the Clare Valley. The term "Estate", in the language of wine, means that the vineyards and the winery are in the same location. The Taylor family was inspired by the great producers of Bordeaux, in particular Chateaux Mouton Rothschild, and gave the family ultimate control over the vineyards, winery, and bottling. These days, all the wines are crafted and bottled at the estate, but not all the fruit for Estate Label wines are grown at the property. This Cabernet Sauvignon (and a Shiraz) were the first wines the family released and are the heart and soul of the business.

Like recent vintages, including the 2020 Wakefield Estate Cabernet Sauvignon that I enjoyed last year, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is crafted using fruit from both the Limestone Coast and Clare Valley, with the percentage of fruit from each region almost equal this time around with 52% coming from Limestone Coast and 48% from Clare Valley. The grapes from the two regions were kept separate during vinification, and matured for up to 10 months in used French oak barrels, with half in 2-year-old oak and the other half in 3-year-old oak. After maturation, it was then finally blended and bottled.

The 2021 vintage growing conditions across most of Australia were idyllic, with slightly warmer than average temperatures. The season was markedly calm, with a near perfect ratio between warm, sunny days and intermittent rain. In the Limestone Coast sub-regions of Coonawarra, Wrattonbully, and Padthaway, the warm conditions during flowering locked in big yields, followed by much colder than normal conditions. A long, cool, and dry ripening season made for a late harvest, reminiscent of the late 1980s and 1990s. In the Clare Valley, the high-quality grapes produced wines of excellent quality and high acidity. Let's see how this 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon from South Australia is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

WAKEFIELD ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Limestone Coast / Clare Valley, South Australia (#744235) (XD) - $19.95
Screw cap. The fragrant, medium-high intensity nose offers a perfumed bouquet of black & red fruit, currant, cassis, grilled herbs, tomato leaf, mint, and gentle oak spice aromas. It's full-bodied and quite salty on the well-structured palate with currant, cassis, cranberry, tomato leaf, mint, herbal, cocoa, and mild oak spice flavours. Tangy acids are juicy and succulent, while the smooth, refined tannins have a lightly chalky textured grip. Earthy and cocoa notes, with smoky overtones linger on the long, savoury finish. Another solid, recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

A broad selection of fine wines by Wakefield Wines are available both at the LCBO and through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Wakefield Jaraman Shiraz 2021 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review, and my first wine of 2024, is this lovely, premium Australian Shiraz that returned to the LCBO last month in the December 16th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by the renowned and well-respected Wakefield Wines, also known as Taylors Wines in their home market in Australia. The estate winery was established in 1969 by the Wakefield River in Clare Valley, South Australia, by Bill Taylor Sr., a wine merchant who was inspired by Bordeaux wine producers and had a vision of crafting his own family estate wines that rival the best in the world.

Today, the family-owned estate is led by the third generation of the Taylor family - brothers Mitchell, Justin, and Clinton - as they carry on their grandfather's tradition of staying true to their core values of quality, authenticity, and craftsmanship. The Taylor family continues its dedication to crafting wines of exceptional quality by using innovative winemaking techniques, while also implementing sustainable viticultural practices. As stewards of the land, the Taylor family is committed to sustainability in both rural and urban settings, as well as on land and in the sea. Their love for winemaking, keen eye for detail, and commitment to excellence have made Wakefield Wines a renowned producer of some of Australia's top wines.

Wakefield Wines has several ranges of wines, and this particular red wine is from their Jaraman range, which consists of this wine, two other reds, and a Chardonnay. As Australia's iconic wine regions provide great diversity, with the Jaraman range, the Taylor family seeks out parcels of extraordinary fruit to craft wines that showcase their distinctive regional characteristics and style. The grapes for Jaraman wines are sourced from celebrated Australian wine regions that are renowned for their particular variety. At the winery, the winemakers ensure that the distinct regional characteristics are preserved and enhanced, with the fruit playing the leading role in the wine, while any winemaking influence plays only a supporting role. Jaraman wines showcase the skill and dedication of the winemakers towards their philosophy of respecting the fruit.

Like the 2020 Wakefield Jaraman Shiraz that I enjoyed a couple of summers ago, this red wine from Australia is crafted with 100% Shiraz from fruit grown in both Clare Valley (54%) and McLaren Vale (46%), a blend that has been more or less the same for several vintages now. The individual parcels were kept separate during the vinification process and after fermentation, the wines were matured for an average of 12 months in used coopers’ American oak hogsheads, with 30% in 1-year-old casks and the rest in 2-3 year-old casks. The different parcels were then blended and bottled.

Idyllic growing conditions that were slightly warmer than average were prevalent throughout most of Australia during 2021. The season was markedly calm, with a near perfect ratio between warm, sunny days and intermittent rain. In the Clare Valley, the grapes produced wines of excellent quality and high acidity, while McLaren Vale had healthy yields that were bolstered by rainfall in early February. A mild Autumn in McLaren Vale kept sugar levels at bay and helped produce grapes with strong varietal definition, concentrated aromas, and deep colour and tannins. Overall, it is a vintage rated as good-to-excellent and produced fantastic wines from South Australia.

After enjoying a different bottling of the 2021 Wakefield Jaraman Shiraz last summer, let's see how this 2021 Australian Shiraz is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

WAKEFIELD JARAMAN SHIRAZ 2021 - Clare Valley/McLaren Vale, South Australia (#377036) (XD) - $24.95
Screw cap. The fragrant and open, the medium-high to highly aromatic nose delivers rich, dark fruited, jammy blackberry, minty herb, and wood spice aromas layered over dark currant, and dark plum. It's medium+ bodied on the dry, dark, and sweet fruited palate with jammy blackberry, cedary oak, minty herb, dark currant, black pepper, black cherry, and dark plum flavours which are supported by fresh, well-balanced acidity. Ripe tannins are smooth and refined, with good structure and a mild grip. Smoky mineral notes linger on the long, savoury finish. Enjoy this recommended buy over the next 5+ years. Score: 90 pts

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

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Wynns Coonawarra Estate Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is an excellent and historic 64th vintage of a Cabernet Sauvignon from Coonawarra in South Australia that returned to the LCBO earlier this month as part of the December 2nd LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Wynns Coonawarra Estate, a historic and renowned winery in Coonawarra, South Australia, that was established in 1891 by visionary Scottish pioneer John Riddoch. After moving to the Coonawarra region in 1861, he divided 800 hectares of terra rossa soil on his land and called it the Coonawarra Fruit Colony. He then offered four-hectare allotments to those interested and began planting his first vineyards in 1891, with 95,000 vines and 10,000 fruit trees planted in the first year. That same year, the famous triple-gabled winery and surrounding vineyards were built and named Chateau Comaum. By 1897, 141 hectares of vines were being cultivated, including 52 hectares by Riddoch. However, after a promising start, the Coonawarra Fruit Colony failed to prosper due to is distance from major markets and poor economic conditions, and John Riddoch died on July 15, 1901, at the age of 73.

In the first half of the 20th century, Coonawarra was at its lowest ebb as a wine-producing area. Although "Coonawarra Claret" was well-recognized in Australia, the red wine market was small as most Australians consumed fortified wines. The winery was destined to become a wool shed and sheep run until it was purchased in 1951 by Melbourne-based winemakers Samuel Wynn and his son David. With no expectations of making a profit, David took over the operations in 1953 and was Australia's first wine producer to use the word "estate" to mark the wine's regionality. It was during this time that David commissioned Melbourne artist Richard Beck to produce a woodcut of the winery facade - an illustration that has appeared on (almost) every Wynns Coonawarra Estate label since, and is one of Australia's most recognized wine symbols.

Beginning in the 1960s, as Australians began to develop a taste for dry red table wine, Wynns consistently marketed Coonawarra Estate wines based on their variety and place of origin, building awareness of the Coonawarra district as a region of outstanding wines. Wynns' success led to expansion, and by 1981 it was the largest grower in the district with 440 hectares under vine. In 1982, Wynns produced their first wine bearing John Riddoch's name.

The 1990s brought a new chapter in the history of Wynns when, in 1993, Winemaker Sue Hodder worked her first vintage at the estate alongside then Senior Winemaker Peter Douglas. In 1998, Sue was appointed Senior Winemaker - a position she holds to this day, while Sarah Pidgeon was welcomed to the team. Since the turn of the century, as Senior Winemaker, the renowned Sue Hodder oversaw the release of all the Wynns' first single vineyard wines, as well as the major rejuvenation projects across 300 hectares of vines. In 2004, Wynns Coonawarra Estate celebrated its 50th vintage of the iconic Wynns Coonawarra Estate Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon and marked the occasion by hosting many of the world's most influential wine tasters in Coonawarra for a special tasting of 50 vintages of this iconic wine.

In 2008, another round of replanting took place with new rootstocks, international vine clones, and selections from older top-quality Wynns vineyards. By 2015, Wynns vineyards were consolidated around the Gables winery, in the prime Terra Rossa vineyard sites of the region, with ongoing research and studies to ensure the best winemaking and viticultural practices are engaged for the future.

In 2016, Sue and Sarah were jointly named "Winemaker of the Year" at the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology (ASVO) Awards for excellence, while in 2017 Sue was awarded "Women of Inspiration" at the Women in Wine awards. In 2022, Sue Hodder celebrated her 30th vintage at Wynns and continues to bring valuable experience and passion to her work locally and internationally.

Coonawarra is named after an Aboriginal word meaning "honeysuckle". The region is situated in South Australia, 450 km west of Melbourne (Victoria) and 380 km southeast of Adelaide (South Australia). The region's claim to fame is its natural soil phenomenon called the terra rossa - a low, cigar-shaped ridge of soil stretching 20 kilometres long and up to two kilometres wide. Terra rossa, or red earth, is a topsoil that is rich and free-draining, but also thin. It ranges from 5 to 100 cm deep and is one of the best soils in Australia for winegrowing, producing small, well-coloured berries that develop well in optimal sunlight. The climate in Coonawarra is cool and marginal as it receives the cool Antarctic winds via the Southern Ocean, and helps ensure a long, cool ripening period which builds intensity of flavours slowly in the grape, as well as balanced acidity.

First produced in 1954, the Wynns Black Label Cabernet is truly an icon of Australian wine. Since its first vintage, it has had a reputation for ageing gracefully and displaying excellent varietal and regional characteristics. It is produced from only the top 20 to 25 percent quality of Cabernet Sauvignon fruit that is grown on Wynns' terra rossa vineyards. It was matured for 14 months in 31% new and seasoned French oak, in a combination of 61% hogsheads, 26% barriques, and 13% vats.

The 2019 growing season in Coonawarra was fed by good winter rains, and highlighted the importance of the good quality and quantity of underground water that was used to mitigate temperature and seasonal weather conditions. There was no significant crop loss due to the heat, while canopies remained in excellent condition right through to the end of harvest. The grapes also benefited significantly from the typically cool nights created by the Southern Ocean. A cool and dry April was perfect for ripening, allowing for full flavour development and optimal sugar levels, while yields were between average and just below the long-term average. Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were deep and rich in colour with great varietal definition and soft ripe tannins. Overall, the 2019 vintage in Coonawarra is considered to be excellent.

As a wine of style, stature, and a perennial favourite, the Black Label is one of Australia's benchmark Cabernet Sauvignon wines and can consistently be aged over the medium to long-term. Let's see how this 2019 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE BLACK LABEL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - Coonawarra, South Australia (#84996) (XD) - $47.95
Screw cap. The medium-high intensity nose is fragrant and open with attractive aromas of leafy grilled herbs, red & black fruits, currant, cherry, cassis, and fine wood spice with touches of mint and savoury earth. It's full-bodied, ripe, and dry with lovely red and black fruited cherry, currant, cassis, mint, and leafy herb flavours on the palate. It's well-structured with fresh, juicy acidity and ripe, structured, and fine-grained tannins that are youthful and a touch grippy. More savoury with earth and wood spice notes on the mid-palate, which linger through to the long, gently smoky finish. Enjoyable now, but still a few years away from prime drinking and should age gracefully into the 2040s. Highly recommended buy! Score: 93 pts

One other fine wine by Wynns Coonawarra Estate can be found at the LCBO, while the entire range can be ordered through their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.

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Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is the latest vintage of a perennial favourite that arrived at the LCBO recently as part of the October 7 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Wakefield Wines, a wine brand used in Canada and other export markets by the well-respected and renowned Taylor family who established their own Bordeaux-style estate in Australia's Clare Valley in 1969. Locally in Australia and other nearby countries, the Taylor family markets their wines under their own family name - Taylors Wines.

After making wines for others for many years, Bill Taylor Sr. and his two sons acquired some land by the Wakefield river in the Clare Valley and set out to produce their own Estate wines where the vineyards and winery are situated in the same location. Once they acquired property, they planted their first vines - Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz - wines which would become the heart and soul of the family business.

Today, the Taylor family is one of Australia's most renowned wine producers. The team is led by the third generation of the family - brothers Mitchell, Justin, and Clinton. Since its founding, the Taylor family has rested on the principle that the finest wines are those made with the greatest dedication and care, while also respecting the fruit. Committed to both the land and sea, sustainability is also a core pillar of the Taylor family as their goal is to apply best practised principles in environmental management to enhance sustainable business activities and products. As a family-owned company, they are committed to ensuring that they operate in a responsible and sustainable manner.

The Taylor family has several ranges of wines, and this particular wine is from their Jaraman range. With this range, the Taylor family searches for parcels of extraordinary fruit from Australia's iconic wine regions to craft wines that showcase their distinctive regional characteristics and style. The fruit for each wine in the Jaraman range is sourced from celebrated Australian wine regions that are renowned for their particular variety - Clare Valley and Coonawarra in the case of this Australian Cabernet Sauvignon. Jaraman wines showcase the skill and dedication of the winemakers to their philosophy of respecting the fruit.

Like the 2020 Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon that I enjoyed earlier this year, this vintage is also composed of 52% Clare Valley fruit and 48% Coonawarra. Crafted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, it also appears to be vinified using the exact same techniques as the 2020, including oak maturation which occurred in French oak barrels (50% 1-year-old and 50% a combination of 2- and 3-year-old) for a period of 10 to 12 months before being bottled.

From a good-to-excellent vintage that was calm, slightly warmer than average, and just the right amount of sun, let's see how this 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

WAKEFIELD JARAMAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Clare Valley and Coonawarra, South Australia (#142398) (XD) - $24.95
Screw cap. The ripe, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose seems a bit shy, offering minty cassis, blackcurrant, blackberry compote, and oak spice aromas layered over savoury earthy notes. The bright, medium-full bodied palate has lively acidity which lifts the dark fruited, minty cassis, currant, blackberry, oak spice, and earthy flavours. It's gently spicy on the mid-palate and supported by firm, grainy, and lightly grippy tannins that should soften nicely over the next couple of years. Cassis and blackcurrant notes taper to savoury and earthy oak on the crisp, juicy and lingering finish. Enjoy this recommended buy over the next 5-7 years. Score: 90 pts

Many other fine wines by Wakefield Wines can be found at the LCBO, or ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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d'Arenberg The Stump Jump Grenache / Shiraz / Mourvèdre 2019 (McLaren Vale) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious GSM blend from McLaren Vale in Australia that arrived at the LCBO last month as part of the recent August 19th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by d'Arenberg, a well-known and highly regarded winery situated in McLaren Vale, South Australia. It was established in 1912 by Joseph Osborn when he planted his first eight acres of Shiraz vines on the property. The same year, Joseph was joined by his third child, Frank Osborn, who left university to take up life on the land. Joseph also sold his stable of prize winning horses to purchase the d'Arenberg property, which was originally named Bundarra.

In 1913, Frank Osborn harvested his first vintage at the Bundarra property in McLaren Vale, with grape prices reaching an unheard of price of £20 per tonne. After several years serving in the army, Frank married Helena d'Arenberg in 1920. A year later, Jane Antoinette (Toni) Osborn was born, followed by the birth of Rowen Frederick Osborn in 1924. In 1926, Helena Osborn died after giving birth to their third child, Francis d'Arenberg Osborn, who was also always known as d'Arry.

After encouragement from Sam Tolley, Frank's brother-in-law and wine industry mentor, in 1927 Frank decided to build a winery and produce his own wine. Frank spent some time learning about winemaking, while Sam was largely responsible for building the winery. In 1928, Frank Osborn produced his first wines, which were labelled "Bundarra Vineyards by F. E. Osborn & Sons". Production ceased in 1942 due to Frank's health, but resumed when d'Arry Osborn left school at the age of 16 to join the family business in 1943 and work at the winery full-time.

Modernization began during this period when the first tractor with rubber tires was purchased in 1946, followed by electricity and the electrification of the production area in 1951. In 1959, d'Arry Osborn launched his own wine label with a distinctive red stripe, while also designing the family crest that has the Latin words "Vinum vita est", which translates to "Wine is Life", and the fertility symbol in the top right corner of the crest, and grapes in the opposite corner.

On a day that was hailed as a good start to the financial year, Chester d'Arenberg Osborn was born on July 1, 1962. In 1963, they purchased their first hydraulic basket press and a year later they built their first tasting room. To this day, traditional winemaking methods are still used, with all of the wines basket pressed and all the red wine ferments foot trodden. In 1965, d'Arry received a letter from another well-established winery who had applied for trademark protection for the name "Bundarra", and by mutual agreement, d'Arry agreed to let the name go and stop using the Bundarra name.

The name change didn't hinder progress or success, as d'Arenberg had to build another tasting room to accommodate the ever increasing number of visitors. In 1971, they installed their own bottling line. Starting in the late 1960s, d'Arenberg was awarded many trophies and awards for their wines.

d'Arenberg's success continued when Chester Osborn, the fourth generation of the family, took over as Chief Winemaker, focusing his efforts on producing high quality and distinctive wines, while also reducing yields in the vineyards by eliminating fertilization and minimizing irrigation. d'Arenberg is also focused on natural and environmentally-friendly philosophies which encourage strong root systems that penetrate the soil, which in turn results in lively tannin structures, soil characters, and fine minerality. Moreover, all d'Arenberg estate owned and leased vineyards are NASAA Certified for organic and biodynamic processes. d'Arenberg is also a founding member of Australia's First Families of Wine.

This particular red wine is from d'Arenberg's "The Stump Jump" range of wines. The name comes from a rumour that the inventor of the Stump Jump plough, which enabled a ploughshare to jump over tree roots, had poor eyesight and required regular eye tests to ensure he could still operate machinery safely. The label design of The Stump Jump range is inspired by an optometrist's eye chart and serves as a
makeshift sobriety test - if you can hold the bottle at arm's length and still read the front label, you can enjoy another glass. There are half a dozen wines in the range, and this particular wine is a blend is approximately equal parts Grenache and Shiraz, with Mourvèdre completing the blend. The grapes used to craft this blend were mostly from very old bush vines that underwent gentle crushing and were fermented in traditional, open tank fermenters, followed by basket pressing and maturation in oak prior to bottling.

During the 2019 growing season, winter was quite dry with sporadic light showers that didn't penetrate the soil very deeply. Although bud burst was impacted, it was managed with irrigation. During spring, a strong wind event at the time of flowering upset some of the growth, especially in Shiraz, while summer was hot with an extreme heat wave and a record high temperature of 46.6°C. Yields were down on most varieties. However, the quality was excellent, with the grapes exhibiting very typical varietal characteristics. From what is classified as a good vintage, let's see how this 2019 McLaren Vale GSM is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

D'ARENBERG THE STUMP JUMP GRENACHE / SHIRAZ / MOURVÈDRE 2019 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#173294) (XD) - $17.95
Enclosed by screw cap, this GSM blend has a fresh, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose that offers lovely black pepper, spice, raspberry and blackberry aromas layered over earthy and meaty notes. It's full-ish bodied, dry, and sweetly fruited with ripe dark red berry, blackberry, black raspberry, black pepper, oak spice, earth, and meaty flavours which are supported by fresh, well-balanced acidity and smooth, firm, and somewhat grippy tannins that are youthful. Some minty herbal notes on the mid-palate. Savoury with cedary wood spice and earth notes linger on the finish, with very good length. A solid, highly recommended buy to enjoy over the next few years. Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by d'Arenberg can be found at the LCBO (with some in very limited quantities), while the whole portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Churchill Cellars.

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