Artemivske Victory White Brut Sparkling and Red Semi-Sweet Sparkling (Ukraine) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's sparkling wine reviews are a pair of brand-new arrivals that landed at the LCBO a couple of weeks ago in the November 30 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Both of these wines are produced by Artwinery, a sparkling wine producer in Ukraine that was established in 1950, but whose history goes back to the 19th century.

Ukranian history in the production of traditional method sparkling wines begins with Prince Lev Golitsyn, who bought an estate in Novyi Svit, on the southern shores of Crimea, that was completely destroyed during the Crimean War. By 1882, the Prince's factory was able to revive Crimean winemaking by producing traditional method sparkling wines. During this period, in the town of Bakhmut, in the eastern part of the country, engineer Edmund Farke signed a contract with the government for the construction of alabaster factories, which became a thriving enterprise. The extraction of gypsum for the factories resulted in a large underground mine, 70 metres below ground, which had a micro-climate that allowed for fermentation to take place, and was the beginning of unique wine production in Ukraine.

The celebration of victory following World War II required a special drink, and in the 1940s they started working on creating "Soviet sparkling wine", which had to be of at least equal quality to Champagne. They used the underground galleries of Bakhmut, which was known as Artemivsk back then, for the production of classical sparkling wines, and by 1950, the wine factory was officially established. These wines were tasty, high-quality, and the most hard-to-find in the U.S.S.R., as they were distributed mostly in stores for those that worked for the party, while off-limits to ordinary citizens.

As Ukraine gained its independence in 1991, the wine factory began creating sparkling wines under its own brands - Artemivske and Krim. In 2007, the winery began upgrading the plant with more modern and powerful units, while the laboratory was completely renovated. Furthermore, some processes that were manually performed are also now automated. These upgrades allowed the winery to produce 25 million bottles per year. In 2016, the company got its new name - Artwinery. By 2020, Artwinery's sparkling wines were gaining global recognition and winning prizes at international industry competitions and exhibitions.

Today, Artwinery is the largest in Eastern Europe and the only one in Ukraine to produce sparkling wines in the classic Champenoise method where re-fermentation of the wine and its saturation with bubbles is carried out naturally in bottle. As we know - place matters, and as such, Bakhmut is situated at the same latitude and climatic zone as Champagne. The grapes used to create Artwinery's sparkling wines are grown in the fertile soils of southern Ukraine, in the sunny climates of Odesa, Kherson, and Mykolaiv. With the war in Ukraine ongoing, the workers continue producing wine in secret locations to not let the Russians stop their work.

These particular sparkling wines are from Artwinery's Artemivske range. The Artemivske brand is only 10 years old, but has become the #1 sparkling wine in Ukraine and is a favourite among several generations as it evokes the warmth of your family memories and the brightest everyday emotions. Today, the Artemivske brand retains its impeccable quality and enjoys constant popularity. Each bottle in the Artemivske range is fermented using their special in-house yeast and aged in bottle for at least 9 months and offers a delicate bouquet and taste. Let's see how these sparkling wines from Ukraine are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

ARTEMIVSKE VICTORY RED SEMI-SWEET SPARKLING - Ukraine (#40768) (MS) - $18.95
Crafted in the Charmat method, this blend of Cabernet, Merlot, and Saperavi has a medium intensity nose that is gently spicy, followed by macerated black cherry, dark berry, milk chocolate, cocoa, dark plum, cassis, and currant aromas. It's mid-weighted and gently sweet with black cherry, plummy, dark berry, savoury spices, and chocolate flavours supported by gently frothy mousse and bright acidity that tempers the sweetness. Quite harmonious and balanced throughout, even some sense of elegance, while savoury cocoa and milk chocolate notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Recommended buy. Score: 88+ pts

ARTEMIVSKE VICTORY WHITE BRUT SPARKLING - Ukraine (#40769) (D) - $18.95
Blend of Chardonnay, Riesling, and Aligoté crafted in the Charmat method. The fresh, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose offers ripe peach, nectarine, honeysuckle, and freshly sliced apple aromas accented with orange and citrus notes. There's a touch of sweetness alongside bitterness on the crisp, refreshing, and slightly frothy light-to-mid-weighted palate with lively acidity and bubbles. Gently sweet flavours of apple, pear, orchard fruit, and white floral, plus notes of peach and citrus. Juicy and succulent on the mid-palate, while leesy notes linger on the essentially dry finish, with very good length. Appealing crowd-pleaser. Recommended buy. Score: 88 pts

Other delicious sparkling wines by Artwinery can be purchased through their Agent - Dionysus Wines & Spirits.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tasting Notes:

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

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

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

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Undurraga Terroir Hunter Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (Chile) - Wine Review

After enjoying the excellent 2019 Undurraga Terroir Hunter Cauquenes Cabernet Sauvignon last year, tonight's red wine review is another fine (and even better!) Chilean Cab from the same producer. It arrived at the LCBO as part of the theme in the September 21st LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, with bottles still available for purchase today.

Founded in 1885 by Francisco Undurraga Vicuña, this red wine is produced by Viña Undurraga, one of Chile's oldest wineries. It all began in 1870 when Francisco Undurraga brought plants from France and Germany in lead capsules so they wouldn't wilt during their journey through the tropics. The winery was initially named "Fundo Santa Ana", in honour of Francisco's wife, Mrs. Ana Fernández de Íñiguez, and they had their first harvest in 1891.

Today, Viña Undurraga is headquartered and surrounded by vineyards in the Maipo Valley, while also having six estates and vineyards across five regions in Chile. Each of these locations was carefully selected by the company's viticulture teams based on its suitability for specific varieties, along with the unique qualities of the terroir, which is continuously studied using precise farming techniques. Each estate and vineyard is dedicated to the cultivation and production of the finest wine grapes. The philosophy at Undurraga is to create characterful, authentic, and consistent wines, while also expressing the identity and quality of their vineyards through each one of their lines of wines. In order to achieve this goal, the vines are meticulously managed, while outstanding care is taken in the production of the wine. In addition to faithfully representing the character of the grape variety it is made from and its place of origin, the winemaking team at Undurraga prioritizes good balance, fruit expression, and fine quality. Committed to tradition, innovation, and sustainability, Undurraga has been certified under the Wines of Chile Sustainability Code since 2016.

Like the Cab I tasted last year, this wine is also from Undurraga's Premium "T.H. Terroir Hunter" range of wines - the most awarded wine project in Chile. Led by Oenologist Rafael Urrejola, the head winemaker at Viña Undurraga, T.H. wines are the result of a constant search across the diverse Chilean topography for micro-terroirs - small plots of land in areas with character that are carefully managed to obtain genuine wines of unique origin.

Crafted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the grapes were grown in a small, 6.85 hectare, low-yielding vineyard that is situated at 685 metres above sea-level. The vineyard is located on the slopes of the Andes Mountains on a small terrace along the River Clarillo, a tributary of the River Maipo that starts high up in the Andes. Moreover, the vineyard is situated within the municipality of Pirque, in the part of the Maipo Valley that is referred to as Maipo Alto - a region renowned for its ideal climate to produce high-quality red wines. The climate in Maipo Alto is cooler than other areas of Maipo, which lends a unique character and delicacy to Cabernet Sauvignon. This area also experiences significant thermal range during the growing season, ranging from 29-31°C during the day to 9-10°C at night, ensuring grapes with high acidity and perfect phenolic ripeness. The soils in this area are of alluvial origin, dating back to the Holocene period, around 10,000 years ago, and are a mixture of sand and clay, and very stony, which results in excellent drainage that helps to optimize vigour and yields. These soils also enable the vines to prosper at high temperatures, retain moisture, and favour greater metabolic development, which in turn translates into polyphenols of optimal ripeness and complexity, and results in wines of great structure and character.

To vinify this red wine, the grapes were hand-harvested and carefully transported to the winery in 12 kilo bins. Upon arriving at the winery, the grapes underwent a strict selection process, with healthy clusters gravity-fed into tank. After crushing, it underwent a pre-fermentative maceration under anaerobic conditions, followed by a two-week alcoholic fermentation, with three daily pump-overs. The wine was left on its lees and skins for an additional 15 days to add structure to the wine. It was aged for 12 months in French oak barrels (25% new), then it aged in bottle for 10 months prior to release.

The 2021 growing season was a mild year, with significant rainfall in January, which was followed by an unusually cool and lengthy ripening period. It was a very well-balanced vintage with fresh, yet concentrated wines with lower alcohol and great acidity. From a very good-to-excellent vintage, let's see how this 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon from Maipo Alto in Chile is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

UNDURRAGA TERROIR HUNTER CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Alto Maipo, Valle del Maipo, Chile (#630350) (XD) - $27.95
Fresh, intense, and highly aromatic, the nose has a gorgeous array of red & black fruits, cassis, currant, black cherry, dried leafy herbs, and blackberry aromas surrounding a core of savoury, earthy minerals, plus fine oak spices and a touch of reductive character. On the dry, medium-full bodied, and elegant palate it has dried leafy herbs, oak spice, cassis, currant, tobacco, and savoury earth flavours with salty overtones permeating throughout. It has refreshing, saliva-inducing acidity and refined, slightly grippy, and well-structured tannins. More cedary on the mid-palate, while savoury earth, oak, and tobacco notes linger on the long, juicy, and mouth-watering finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy(!) into the mid-to-late 2030s. Score: 93 pts

Small quantities of other fine wines by Undurraga can be found at the LCBO, while the entire range can be ordered through their Agent - Dionysus Wines & Spirits.

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Calcu Tiny Blocks Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (Chile) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely, sustainable and vegan Cabernet Sauvignon (blend) that made its debut at the LCBO last month as part of the October 5th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Calcu Vineyards, a winery that began its life in 2003 as the unique project of the Hurtado family who have over a century's worth of winemaking experience making quality wines in the Colchagua Valley. The Hurtado family found a unique place in Marchigüe, in western Colchagua Valley, that is marked by granite stone hills which are the inspiration for the name of the winery - "CAL: Hill" and "CUrá: Stone".

The vineyards in Marchigüe have granite hills with clay seams, and are situated at altitude just 26 kilometres from the Pacific Ocean. The blend of differing orientations of the slopes makes the perfect blend which reflects the personality of the vineyard, and enables each variety to showcase the characteristic freshness, structure, verve, and depth in each Calcu wine.

With the core values of excellence, perseverance, honesty, and sustainability, Calcu is seeking to redefine Colchagua through the architecture of its vineyards. Excellence is reflected in the crafting of world-class wines by using high standards throughout each process and precision winemaking. With perseverance and determination, Calcu is continuously searching to improve their wine by taking action to achieve their proposed objectives. Honesty is the intention of their wines to naturally reflect their origin, and by scarcely intervening in the vineyards, the environment, and winery management. By adopting sustainable practices, Calcu is constantly implementing new measures and technologies to be more energy efficient, reducing waste and water consumption, while also becoming more environmentally-friendly. One of Calcu's sustainable initiatives was to design their vineyards in small blocks with short rows that minimize soil erosion, while the sloping rows are intended to reduce the risk of accidents for farmworkers.

Today, the passion for the pursuit of excellence is one of the fundamental pillars of the Hurtado family business and is reflected in each of their wines. This pursuit of excellence is implemented through precision viticulture and winemaking to accurately reflect the character of Calcu Vineyards in Marchigüe. Calcu Vineyards shares a winery with its sister company, Viña Maquis, in Palmilla in the Colchagua Valley, where they make and age their wines. This winery was built in 2002 under a sustainable concept and uses gravity technology to gently move the grapes, must, and wine throughout the winery in order to preserve the aromas and flavours of each of its wines. The winery is also innovative in that it is the only winery in Chile with a geothermal plant to generate energy, which is then used for wine production, thereby reducing its consumption of gas by 90%, and electricity by 40% per litre of wine produced.

Like the 2020 Calcu Tiny Blocks Gran Reserva Cabernet Franc, which I enjoyed earlier this year and included small amounts of other grape varieties to complete the blend, this Cabernet Sauvignon includes 7% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. The grapes were grown at their vineyard in Marchigüe, 25 km from the Pacific Ocean, in the gentle hills of the coastal mountains where the soft breezes coming from the ocean moderate temperatures and allow the grapes to obtain freshness, aromatics, and excellent concentration. The vineyard is planted on granitic soils with important clay content that helps develop persistent aromas and increases concentration in the wine. The tiny blocks selected for this Cabernet Sauvignon have a high clay content, but are poor in organic matter, which helps to obtain lower yields, while also allowing the wines to have fantastic power, structure, and elegance.

To craft this red wine, the grapes were hand-picked, followed by hand-sorting of clusters and berries. It underwent alcoholic fermentation between 20-24°C, maceration for 18 days, and then malolactic fermentation, all in stainless steel tanks. The wine was aged for 12 months in French oak barrels.

The 2020 growing season experienced by Calcu in the Colchagua Valley was marked by a dry and warm climate, which challenged the team to be on high alert in order to identify the right moment of harvest for each block. The time of harvest is very important because this is what allows winemakers to maintain elegance and balance, characteristics which have embodied the wines of Calcu from this terroir. From a good vintage that produced high quality wines with excellent colour intensity and high concentration, which resulted in excellent complexity and very good ageing capability, let's see how this 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CALCU TINY BLOCKS GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Sustainable, Vegan, Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#37867) (XD) - $17.95
This blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot has a whiff of reduction off the top, giving way to reveal fresh layers of ripe red and some black fruits, currant, cassis, and fine wood spice aromas of medium-high intensity, along with touches of dried herbs. On the dry, medium-full bodied palate it offers delicious red and some black fruit, currant, cassis, and dried herb flavour replays with smoky oak spice accents. Touch spicy on the mid-palate. Acids are fresh and juicy, while the ripe tannins are smooth and well-structured, with some grip on the back-palate. Minerally and savoury on the long, slightly chalky textured, and youthful finish. Should drink nicely to the end of the decade and is a highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

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

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Thalia Wines (Greece) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wine reviews are a trio of wines from Greece that I've had in my possession for nearly a couple of years now. While these particular vintages are long sold out, the latest vintage of each wine is widely available at LCBO outlets across Ontario at a about $1+ more than the price noted below.

All three wines are produced by Thalia Wines, a wine brand from Greece that was established by Steve Kriaris of Kolonaki Group of Companies. In addition to importing many boutique Greek wines into Canada, he also began producing and importing Thalia Wines - a range of three, diverse wines that are rooted in the rich tradition and craftsmanship of Greek winemaking.

The brand is inspired by Thalia, the eighth of nine Greek muses which inspired artists to create. She was born to Zeus, king of the gods, and Mnemosyne, the personification of thought, intellect, and memory, and the Mother of the arts. Thalia is the goddess of comedy, poetry, and festivity, and the one who inspired laughter to emanate from Greek theatres. To the ancient Greek philosophers, Thalia was the inspiration for their symposiums where they drank wine, listened and danced to music, debated, recited poetry, and revelled the night away.

Thalia is this wine brand's muse as she embodies their wines borne of ancient Greek lands and carries the fermentations of inspired generations in its genes. Thalia wines are best enjoyed amongst friends and loved ones, where we subconsciously desire to recreate the ancient Greek gatherings and enjoy each other's company, thoughts, and laughter.

The entire range of Thalia wines consists of 3 wines - a red, white, and rosé. All three wines are two-varietal blends that combine a native variety with an international variety. The 2021 vintage wines reviewed below are all from a good vintage, so let's see how these Greek wines are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

THALIA ROSÉ (2021) - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#27148) (XD) - $10.95
A blend of 80% Agiorgitiko, Greece's noblest red grape variety, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. After hand-harvesting the grapes, each variety spent 2 to 3 hours on its skins. The free-run wine must was then blended and fermented together at low temperatures using selected yeast. Enclosed by screw cap and pours a medium orange-pink salmon hue. The medium+ to medium-high intensity nose delivers dried herb, white pepper spice, grapefruit, citrus, and blood orange aromas with hints of stony minerality. It's nicely textured on the medium+ to medium-full bodied and dry palate with delicious dried herb, peppery spice, grapefruit, citrus, and red apple flavours supported by very good, crisp acidity. It has a nicely textured mouthfeel, while red currant and berry notes join the herbal and grapefruit characters on the juicy, dry finish, with very good length. Recommended buy! Score: 88+ pts

THALIA WHITE (2021) - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#273490) (XD) - $11.50
This blend of 70% Assyrtiko, one of Greece's highest quality grapes and comes from the high altitudes of the Achaia region, and 30% Sauvignon Blanc, each variety was hand-harvested and fermented separately at low temperatures using selected yeast, followed by ageing on its fine lees for 2 months. Fresh and fragrant with ripe aromas of lemon citrus, hay, orange, and grapefruit, plus some intriguing yeasty, doughy, autolytic characters adding complexity. The medium+ bodied palate is dry and ripe with slightly honeyed notes of lemon citrus, grapefruit, apple, and wild herbs, with touches of leesy minerality. Acids are juicy and well-balanced. Subtle spice on the mid-palate, while citrus and leesy mineral notes linger on the lengthy, crisp finish. Well-made and a highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

THALIA RED (2021) - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#15285) (XD) - $11.60
This blend of 80% Agiorgitiko and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon was hand-harvested and had gentle skin contact for one week. After undergoing alcoholic and malolactic fermentation, the two varieties were blended and aged. It has a fragrant, medium+ intensity nose of ripe black cherry, red plum, vanilla oak spice, and sweet cinnamon aromas with savoury earth accents. On the medium+ bodied palate it is dry with good structure that supports the black cherry, currant, plum, cassis, savoury earth, coffee, and gently oak spice flavours. It has very good, juicy acidity and smooth, supple tannins with a lightly grippy texture. There's some pleasant bitterness on the mid-palate, while earthy, dark cherry, coffee, and spice notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Should continue to age gracefully over the next 2-3 years. Score: 88+ pts

The latest edition of all three wines are widely available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.

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Grand Vin de Glenelly Red 2009 (South Africa) - Wine Review

After enjoying the lovely 2020 Glenelly Glass Collection Cabernet Sauvignon on Friday night to start the long weekend, I am ending the Civic Holiday long weekend with a beautiful Shiraz-Cabernet blend from the same producer for tonight's wine review. I purchased this red wine from an LCBO VINTAGES Release in November 2015 and thought it would be appropriate to open this wine tonight, considering that my notes initial notes suggested that I should have opened it by 2021, and also because I met Nicolas Bureau, the grandson of Glenelly's founder, May de Lencquesaing, at the recent PIWOSA tasting and he suggested that I should probably open this bottle soon.

While no longer produced, this red wine used to be Glenelly Estate's signature red blend. Composed of 42% Shiraz, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot, all the grapes were picked and sorted by hand, and then lightly crushed into stainless steel tanks. It underwent a natural fermentation and remained in contact with its skin for two to three weeks post-fermentation. The wine was then gently pressed and run into equally new, second fill, and third fill French oak barrels for malolactic fermentation and aging in barrels for 18 months.

This red wine hails from the legendary 2009 vintage that was excellent across the board and considered one of South Africa's best vintages. Let's see how this 2009 Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon blend from South Africa is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

GRAND VIN DE GLENELLY RED 2009 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#360339) (D) - $19.95
This blend of 42% Shiraz, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot pours a deep tawny colour. Earthy, cigar box, and mushroomy with perfumed sandalwood, stewed plum, dark berry, and black cherry aromas rising out of the glass with medium+ to medium-high intensity. On the dry, medium-full bodied palate it has very good structure with a lovely savoury flavour profile of wet earth, sandalwood, cigar box, and oak spice flavours, plus some stewed and fresh blackberry, black cherry, plum notes adding complexity and interest. Acids are still quite fresh and juicy, while the well-structured, fine-grained tannins are integrating nicely. Somewhat chalky textured on the mid-palate, while the finish is long, savoury, and earthy. Still quite well-balanced, with the alcohol just starting to peak through, while the fruit has not shifted into the dried spectrum yet. Could be aged another year or two. Great buy! Score: 91 pts

Other lovely wines by Glenelly Estate can be purchased at the LCBO, or through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Glenelly Glass Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (South Africa) - Wine Review

To begin my long weekend, tonight's red wine review is a lovely Cabernet Sauvignon from Stellenbosch in South Africa that arrived at the LCBO last month in the July 6th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Glenelly Estate, an estate winery with a rich heritage that dates back to its establishment in 1682 when Simon van der Stel ceded the land to a French Huguenot, François Villion. However, it was only after the estate was purchased by May de Lencquesaing in 2003 that Glenelly Estate became a wine estate of note.

May de Lencquesaing's family has a centuries-long legacy in the wine industry. Since May's childhood in the heart of Bordeaux's vineyards, she had travelled the world and discovered the amazing diversity of terroirs, and on her first visit to Stellenbosch, she knew she wanted to realize her dream and start a new adventure outside of France. After visiting many vineyards, May de Lencquesaing, at the age of 78, recognized the exciting potential of Glenelly Estate, which was situated on the lower slopes of Simonsberg Mountain, and decided to acquire it in 2003. With the purchase of Glenelly Estate, May wanted to create quality wines by combining French heritage and South Africa's soil and microclimate. Her vision was to establish Glenelly Estate as a world-class estate that produces award-winning wines with power, elegance, and balance.

With a nod to French settlers 300 years prior, Lady May replaced the existing fruit trees and planted vines as a way to establish her vision that best utilizes the soils and microclimate of the valley, while also supporting local economic development and the community. While always endeavouring to positively contribute to every community where she is associated with, in South Africa, May de Lencquesaing is paying special attention within the Glenelly community by focusing on housing, training, and education for her employees' children.

Sustainability is also an important focus for the family. At Glenelly Estate, they do their utmost to ensure a minimal carbon footprint both in the vineyards and at the winery. Some of the steps they have taken towards a more sustainable future include promoting biodiversity and improving the soil life in the vineyards, while also avoiding herbicides or pesticides, as well as planting cover crops between the rows of vines. In 2018, Glenelly began experimenting with organic viticulture, and by 2025 they intend to be fully certified organic. Water resources are carefully managed by using a virtually closed system, with minimal irrigation. The state-of-the-art winery facility was built with environmentally friendly practices in mind. Some of the items built include the use of a 4-level gravity-fed cellar that is only exposed to the gentle morning sun, and a glass facade which allows for natural light and reduces electricity usage. Concrete with 15 km of pipes snaking through the walls and ceilings was used to construct the cellar - concrete because it is thermally very stable and needs very little energy to maintain, while the pipes have cool water running through them, which reduces energy usage by 70%. On the roof, there are cylindrical tubes (void formers) which lock air inside the structure, as well as solar panels which provide the winery with all the electricity it needs.

The label of every bottle of Glenelly wine has a 1783 stamp, which signifies the family's 250 years of involvement in the continues into the 21st century at Glenelly Estate in South Africa. The family's ancestor, Elie Miailhe, was granted the title of "Royal Wine Broker" in 1783, with May de Lencquesaing (neé Miailhe) continuing this tradition together with her grandchildren, Nicolas and Maxime Bureau.

This red wine is from Glenelly's Glass Collection range, which celebrates May's lifelong passion for the art of glassmaking. It is crafted using 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that was selected from various parcels grown on the slopes of Glenelly. The grapes were harvested and brought into the winery where they were lightly crushed into stainless steel tanks. It was wild fermented using natural ambient yeast with a mixture of rack-and-returns and open pump-overs, followed by post-fermentation skin contact which lasted for 2 to 3 weeks, and then undergoing a gentle press. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels and was racked, on average, every 4 months, and then matured in oak for 12 months.

The growing season began with an exceptionally warm and dry spring, which resulted in good and even bud burst, while temperatures were in-line with historical averages during flowering and berry set period, with significantly fewer fluctuations. Good rainfall towards the end of October replenished the dry soil profile, which resulted in stress-free flowering and berry set. Moderate climatic conditions during the growing season, as well as seasonal rainfall just before harvest, laid the foundation for a good harvest that produced grapes of excellent quality. Effective canopy management and helped promote ripening, and good levels of acidity and sugar. The sustained, moderate temperatures until the end of March led to effective plant functioning and full maturity, which resulted in great concentration, structure, and desired alcohol levels. From an excellent vintage, let's see how this 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon from South Africa is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

GLENELLY GLASS COLLECTION CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#13316) (XD) - $18.95
Enclosed by screw cap, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon has a lovely, medium-high intensity nose that is fresh, balanced, and complex with red & black fruits, currant, cassis, blackberry, grilled herbs, mint, toasty oak spice, and savoury earth aromas. On the dry, medium-full bodied palate it has delicious aroma replays joined by some ripe plummy notes and smoke adding further complexity on the flavour profile. Acids are fresh and juicy, while the supple, well-structured tannins have a slightly chalky textured grip that will soften with time. Nicely balanced throughout with blackberry, savoury earth, and smoky notes lingering on the long, crisp finish. A highly recommended buy to enjoy to the end of the decade. Score: 90+ pts

A few bottles of Glenelly's flagship Lady May is available at the LCBO, while the rest of their portfolio can be ordered (while also collecting Air Miles) through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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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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Château Beau-Site 2018 (Bordeaux) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a beautiful Left Bank Bordeaux red wine from the Saint-Estèphe appellation that arrived at the LCBO as part of the recent May 11 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Borie-Manoux, a wine merchant whose origins started as a wine trading company that was established in 1870 by the Borie family. Today, Borie-Manoux is a significant wine merchant in the Bordeaux wine industry with a rich history and a diverse portfolio of estates. Borie-Manoux is currently owned and managed by the Castéja family, with Philippe Castéja as President.

Château Beau-Site is one of Borie-Manoux's Bordeaux wine estates. Situated in Saint-Estèphe, it was founded in the 18th century and is one of the oldest estates in the commune. At the time of its founding, it was part of Château Morin. Its name - Beau-Site - reflects its scenic location as it overlooks the entire vineyard and has magnificent panoramic views extending towards the Gironde river. Château Beau-Site's first owner was M. de Camiran, while in the 1860s it became the property of M. Grazilhon, at which point in time the name was changed to Château Beau-Site-Grazilhon.

The term "Cru Bourgeois" is used to describe wines of great quality and value, and graced the bottles of Château Beau-Site wines for the first time, starting in 1868. A few years later, the château was upgraded to Cru Bourgeois Supérieur, and continued until the 1990s. A change in ownership in the 1920s led to the château reverting to its original name, with Mme Faugeras managing the property for several decades before selling it in the 1940s to M. Legendre.

In 1955, Château Beau-Site joined the Borie family after it was acquired by Marcel Borie. Marcel worked hard to restore the château to its former glory, and as part of this restoration, all the wines were now made and aged on-site, with the vat room filled with wooden vats. Towards the end of the 1950s, Marcel took over Château Haut-Vignoble Seguin, a 5-hectare vineyard that now produces Château Beau-Site's second wine.

After Marcel Borie died in 1961, his son-in-law, Émile Castéja, took over the reins and over the ensuing decade Émile replaced the wooden vats with epoxy-coated metal vats. By the end of the 1980s, he had replaced some of the metal vats with stainless steel vats.

In 2001, Émile Castéja retired and was succeeded by his son, Philippe Castéja. Upon taking over, Philippe quickly began work on the Château by making a number of improvements, such as digging an underground passageway between the barrel cellar and the vat room to make it easier for visitors to get around. In 2005, the tasting room was set up at the entrance to the barrel cellar and offered a view over the estuary. In 2006, the vat room's interior was completely refurbished, while the Château was completely refurbished and refurnished so that it could accommodate the family of Chantal Preben-Hansen, Philippe Castéja's sister, as well as visitors.

Sustainable winemaking practices were initiated by Philippe when he took over, and developed them further from 2014 as he was able to convince the family and team that the environment was an integral part of the wines and important for consumers. Since that time, the Casteja family has continuously sought ways to increase their commitment to sustainable winemaking. With sustainability at the top of mind, traditional vineyard work is still carried out with precision to ensure the highest quality grapes. The old vines have been carefully preserved to produce distinguished and elegant wines comparable to those of its illustrious neighbour, Château Calon-Ségur. At the winery, precision winemaking is terroir-focused.

As Saint-Estèphe is part of the Médoc region and situated at the northern tip of the Haut-Médoc, on the Left Bank of the Gironde River in Bordeaux, the area has been planted with vines since Roman times, and further developed by English merchants from the Middle Ages onwards. The drainage of marshland in the 17th century led to further increases in surface land area and vineyards. The Saint-Estèphe AOC was officially recognized in 1936 thanks to its diverse climate and geology. The oceanic climate is temperate, but warm enough for the vines to thrive, while the soils are composed of gravelly alluvium, limestone, and oyster marl.

As the flagship of the estate, the 2018 vintage of this elegant wine is a blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot. The grapes were traditionally picked by hand and sorted on tables in the vineyard, then transferred into tipping buckets which carry the grapes back to the winery. Each plot was vinified separately, fermentation occurring over four weeks in small-capacity, temperature-controlled vats, at fairly low temperatures. Gentle extractions help preserve the fruit, while allowing the terroir to express itself. Each plot was aged in French oak barrels (approx. 40% new) for 6 months, then blended and aged a further 12 months prior to bottling on-site.

From the excellent 2018 vintage, let's see how this 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend from Bordeaux is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU BEAU-SITE 2018 - AC Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux, France (#647933) (XD) - $48.95
This blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot has a rich, ripe, and brooding nose with medium-high to high intensity aromatics of dark red and black fruits, currant, cassis, and black cherry notes joined by spicy, fine wood spices, and sandalwood surrounding a core of savoury forest floor. On the dry, full-bodied bodied palate it is rich, spicy, and a touch warm with savoury earth, fine wood spice, blackcurrant, blackberry, black cherry, and graphite mineral flavours accented with dried herbs. Some licorice and clove spice notes appear on the mid-palate to add further interest. Acids are juicy and mouth-watering, while the refined, well-structured tannins have a gently chalky textured mouthfeel and are quite approachable at this stage. Savoury, graphite, and dried herb notes linger on the exceptionally long finish. Will improve further with age and enjoy into the mid-2030s. Highly recommended buy! Score: 93 pts

Other fine wines by Borie-Manoux can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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The Tragically Hip Fully Completely Reserve Red 2021 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a fully and completely delicious Bordeaux-varietal red blend from Niagara that returned to the LCBO last month in the April 27 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Stoney Ridge Estate Winery, a producer that was established in December 1986 as Stoney Ridge Cellars and was the 14th licensed winery in Canada. The name of the winery comes from its inauspicious beginnings at the Weylie farm on Ridge Road in Stoney Creek. Stoney Ridge's legacy is that it is one of Canada's fledgling wineries that helped usher in the national wine industry and its rise to world-class wine production.

With a pioneering spirit, Winemaker Jim Warren and his two business partners produced their first vintage of 500 cases of 11 different wines entirely by hand and were committed to making small amounts of the very best wine possible from Ontario grapes.

Over the next few decades, Stoney Ridge grew and expanded, and moved to its new home at the base of the Niagara Escarpment in Vineland. In 2013, Stoney Ridge was purchased by famed Canadian sports broadcaster Bob McCown and continued to evolve, eventually launching the popular Tragically Hip line of wines in partnership with the iconic Canadian rock music band - The Tragically Hip.

Today, Stoney Ridge operates in partnership with the Niagara Custom Crush Studio, Canada's only Custom Crush Winemaking Facility. Still located at the newly renovated facility in Vineland, the Studio has taken over the production of all of Stoney Ridge's wines, including the celebrity wines. Stoney Ridge remains committed to producing 100% locally-sourced, VQA wines, just as it did in 1986.

Stoney Ridge has a few lines of wines, including celebrity wines. This particular wine is from their Tragically Hip range, which consists of 4 premium wines - a rosé, a white wine, and a pair of red wines. Named after their hit album and song - Fully Completely - this red wine is composed of 54% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc, and 22% Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes were grown at select vineyards across the Niagara Peninsula and mechanically harvested in late-October. The fruit arrived clean at Stoney Ridge with good flavour concentration and aromatics, with an average Brix (sugar content) of 21.5°. Upon arriving at the winery, the grapes were crushed and fermented in stainless steel tanks and one tonne fermenter bins, with each lot kept separate. After completing both alcoholic and malolactic fermentation, the wine was racked into new and seasoned French and American oak barrels for 18 months prior to blending.

The growing season in 2021 was impacted by chilly conditions, as well as a drastically wet fall during harvest. It is a vintage where picking decisions will play an important role and also tests the winemakers' skills in both the vineyard and the winery. Let's see how this 2021 Bordeaux-blend from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

THE TRAGICALLY HIP FULLY COMPLETELY RESERVE RED 2021 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#411595) (XD) - $24.95
Enclosed by screw cap, this blend of 54% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc, and 22% Cabernet Sauvignon has a medium-high intensity nose that offers enticing aromas of brambly red and dark berries, black raspberry, black cherry, and white pepper spice, plus hints of tea leaf, underbrush, and cedar wood adding further intrigue and complexity. On the dry, medium+ bodied palate, it has delicious ripe and spicy red and black berries, dark red cherry, blackberry, and red plum flavours accented with white pepper spice, tea leaf, and underbrush notes. It has juicy, well-balanced acidity, along with smooth, refined, and well-integrated tannins. Savoury and gently spicy with touches of smoke linger on the long-lasting finish. Enjoy this highly recommended with your favourite Hip song over the next 3-4 years. Score: 90+ pts

All Tragically Hip wines are currently available at the LCBO, as well as direct from the Stoney Ridge in Niagara, and through their Agent - Perigon Beverage Group.

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Herdade do Sobroso Red 2021 (Portugal) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious Portuguese red blend crafted with 4 grape varietals that arrived at the LCBO as part of the recent April 13th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Herdade do Sobroso, an estate winery situated near the pretty little town of Vidigueira in the Alentejo region of Portugal. It is bordered by the Mendro mountain range to the north, the Guadiana River to the east, and to the south is a vast plain that stretches as far as the eye can see. Set among the vast golden plains, cork trees, olive trees, and vineyards of the early 16th century, Vidigueira has a long and rich history and is noted for being the place where Vasco da Gama lived happily with his family for some years after discovering the sea route to India. The landscape around Herdade do Sobroso has many historical references, and today it is strongly influenced by its proximity to the Alqueva Dam - Europe's largest artificial lake.

Today, Herdade do Sobroso is a distinctive property of 1,600 hectares that is heavily populated with cork trees. In recent years, over 600,000 cork trees were planted on the banks of the Guadiana River next to the Alqueva Dam, in the DOC Vidigueira Region, where the Upper and Lower Alentejo converge. The property was acquired by architect António Ginestal Machado, and then handed down to his daughter, Sofia, and her husband, Filipe Teixeira Pinto. The couple developed the project as a wine and country house that bonded wine production with architectural quality to become a dynamic presence in the region. Herdade do Sobroso arose from the love of Alentejo, a deeply-rooted connection to the land, a passion for wine, and a strong desire to create something that can be handed down to future generations.

This red wine is a blend of 30% Aragonez (Tempranillo), 30% Alicante Bouschet, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Syrah that was grown on loam-clay soil at their Sobroso Vineyard along the banks of the Guadiana River, in the Alentejo wine region of southern Portugal. The grapes were hand-harvested and transported to the winery, upon which they were fermented at a controlled temperature in stainless steel, followed by a post-fermentation maceration for approximately 20 days. The wine was then aged in 500 Litre French oak barrels for 6 months.

The growing season in 2021 provided cooler conditions and resulted in a later harvest throughout Portugal, while yields were up compared to the prior year. In Alentejo, it is described as an almost brilliant year that began with winter rains replenishing water reserves in the soil, followed by cooler than usual conditions, which resulted in less irrigation. Spring was warm and dry - the perfect conditions for flowering and fruit setting. Summer was much milder than usual, and when combined with the cool nights, this allowed the grapes to ripen slowly and steadily. A heatwave at the beginning of August caused the vines to temporarily shutdown and halted ripening, but this was relieved once temperatures dropped by mid-August. Overall, the quality of the grapes is very good and resulted in some exceptional wines. Let's see how this 2021 Alentejo red from Portugal is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

HERDADE DO SOBROSO RED 2021 - DOC Alentejo, Portugal (#306563) (XD) - $19.95
This blend of 30% Aragonez (Tempranillo), 30% Alicante Bouschet, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Syrah has a fragrant, medium-high intensity nose that is enticing with ripe dark red/black cherry, blackberry, plummy, currant, cassis, and peppery spice aromas with accents of savoury, earthy oak, and meaty notes. It's medium+ bodied and dry with delicious dark fruits, blackberry, black cherry, plum, and spice flavours surrounding a core of savoury earth. It has fresh, juicy, and lively acidity, along with ripe, smooth, and fine-grained tannins. Dark berry and plummy notes taper to savoury earth, oak, and cocoa on the long and juicy finish. Enjoy this recommended buy over the next few years. Score: 89 pts

Other delicious wines by Herdade do Sobroso can be ordered through their Agent - Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.

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Mega Spileo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 (Greece) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is an excellent, single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Greece that landed at the LCBO on the weekend as part of the March 30 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Mega Spileo Estate, an historic and significant monastery and winery situated near the town of Kalavryta, within the Achaea region of the Peloponnese in Southern Greece. Mega Spileo is intrinsically bound to one of the most significant religious monuments and reference points in Greek history, as it is the oldest continuously occupied institution in Greece and the 2nd oldest in the world. The estate is built inside a large cave overlooking the Vouraikos Gorge and provides stunning, natural surroundings.

The Monastery was established in 362 A.D. by brothers and monks Symeon and Theodore, after they discovered a Holy icon of the Virgin Mary made of mastic and wax deep within the cliffside cave. The monastery has functioned continuously ever since and is a beacon of Greek Orthodoxy despite the major destruction it suffered from several fires, the last of which was lit by German occupation forces in 1934. Miraculously, the Holy Icon has survived through all these disasters untouched.

Mega Spileo Estate owns 4 vineyards, but the first was The Great Vineyard, which was also a dependency of the monastery. From the mid-15th century onwards, the monks grew grapes on the Great Vineyard and produced wine for the Holy Communion and as a nutritious dietary supplement. The monks built a wine press, sleeping quarters, and chapel on the estate, and produced wine for themselves, visitors to the monastery, and for inhabitants of the wider region. The grapes were harvested and pressed in the vineyard, then the juice was transported by mule to the monastery where it would be stored in barrels in the cellar. It was during this time that the Monastery acquired two massive barrels and named them "Angelis" and "Stamatis", in honour of the coopers who made them. Each of these barrels could store 12 tonnes of wine. Unfortunately, Stamatis was destroyed in one of the great fires, while Angelis survives to the present day, along with some other smaller barrels.

During the period of Turkish rule, the Monastery was protected because Sultan Mehmed had promulgated a decree to protect it. When the Greek War of Independence broke out in 1821, resistance fighters sought refuge at the Monastery, where they could find money, bread, cheese and wine. The Mega Spileo Monastery played a crucial role throughout the war as it bolstered the faith and heroic efforts of the Greeks. Up until 1870, the monk population exceeded 200 people, while demand for foodstuffs and wine increased dramatically. Around 1930, the number of monks decreased dramatically, which meant that there were fewer hands to cultivate grapes, which led to reduced production of wine. By the mid-1950s, the Estate was completely abandoned because there were so few monks to tend to the grapes.

Today, Mega Spileo is guided by brothers Giannis & Theodoros Anastasiou. This new chapter began in 1999, when the Anastasiou brothers received a long-term lease on the Estate from the Monastery. The Anastasiou brothers are guided by their vision to revitalize the historical vineyard using a team of experienced wine producers and oenologists who re-planted vines and implemented best practices, including sustainable agriculture and environmental protection, for the cultivation and production of high-quality wine to create a completely new and unique Estate - The Mega Spileo Estate. Cultivating both local and international varieties, Mega Spileo produces top-quality products that have become a significant point of reference for Greek wine production.

This red wine is crafted using 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that was organically cultivated at their Mega Spileo Estate. It is from 3 hectares of vines at their Great Vineyard, situated at 820 metres above sea level and planted on clay, sand and pebble soil. After harvesting the grapes in mid-October, the grapes were pressed and remained in tanks until fermentation was completed. The wine was then transferred into French oak barrels to undergo malolactic fermentation, followed by maturation in barrels for at least 2 years. It was then bottled and spent 2 years in bottle for further maturation. To preserve its natural character, the wine did not undergo stabilization and filtering. Let's see how this 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon from Greece is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MEGA SPILEO ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2015 - PGI Achaia, Greece (#539924) (XD) - $36.95
The medium-high to highly aromatic nose is intense and a touch funky brett off the top, revealing complex and maturing dark berry, black currant, dried herbs, and Asian spice aromas with hints of cassis, dried berry, savoury earth, and oak spice. On the dry, full-bodied palate it offers spicy and maturing dark berry, black currant, cassis, dried herbs, and spice flavours which are supported by fresh acidity. It's firmly structured with dusty textured and drying tannins. Dark berry notes give way to savoury earth flavours on the long, dry finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 92 pts

Limited availability of other lovely wines by Mega Spileo Estate can be found at the LCBO, while the entire range can be ordered through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.

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March 30, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Cabernet Sauvignon

Here's my top wine picks from the March 30, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, which focuses on Cabernet Sauvignon Around the World as the theme of the release. It also includes a new batch of Online & Flagship Exclusive (FE) wines. In all, there are 101 wines on offer, and all should be available for purchase across Ontario by this Saturday.

We'll begin with the theme of Cabernet Sauvignon wines from around the world. There are fourteen wines included as part of the theme (and many more from the main release), and only two are among my top Cabernet Sauvignon wine picks. First up is a perennially lovely 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia, while the other wine is from the Aconcagua Valley in Chile and actually consists of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, and 5% Cabernet Franc.

Among my top red wine picks from the main release, there are a pair of Cabernet Sauvignon wines - one from Greece and one from Chile. There is also a Cabernet/Shiraz that is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Shiraz. Moving on to other varietals, there is a Gigondas, which is composed of roughly 50% Grenache Noir, 40% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre, while the Barolo is 100% Nebbiolo. Staying in Italy, the Chianti Classico is crafted with 95% Sangiovese and 5% Canaiolo, while the Valpolicella is a blend of 90% Corvina/Corvinone and 10% Rondinella.

The only blend among my top white wine picks is the excellent Soave from Veneto, which consists of 70% Garganega and 30% Trebbiano di Soave. There are a variety of dry white wines, including a pair of Sauvignon Blancs - one each from Niagara and Marlborough, as well as a trio of white wines from Italy - Falanghina from Campania, Pinot Grigio from Friuli, and a Gavi from Piedmont. For those that prefer some sweetness in their wines, there is a brilliant off-dry Riesling from Niagara, while the Riesling Kabinett from Mosel is sweeter.

Other wines in this release include a dry rosé from Provence that is a majority of Grenache, with Cinsault, Syrah, and Mourvèdre completing the blend. There is also a rosé sparkling wine that is crafted with 51% Chardonnay and 49% Pinot Noir. For fans of very sweet wines, you'll want to try the fortified wine from Spain that is made using the Pedro Ximénez varietal.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• VISTAMAR GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Sustainable, La Moralina Vineyard, Valle del Cachapoal, Chile (#27204) (XD) - $17.95
• TINAZZI COLLEZIONE DI FAMIGLIA VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO SUPERIORE 2019 - DOP, Veneto, Italy (#32711) (D) - $19.95
• HUGH HAMILTON THE LARRIKIN CABERNET/SHIRAZ 2020 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#33559) (XD) - $20.95
• ERRÁZURIZ ACONCAGUA ALTO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Sustainable, DO Valle del Aconcagua, Chile (#203364) (XD) - $22.95
• CASTELLO DI RADDA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#16448) (XD) - $22.95  review coming soon...
• WAKEFIELD JARAMAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Clare Valley and Coonawarra, South Australia (#142398) (XD) - $24.95  90 pts  wine review
• BABICH BLACK LABEL PINOT NOIR 2021 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#465963) (XD) - $26.95  FE
• MEGA SPILEO ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2015 - PGI Achaia, Greece (#539924) (XD) - $36.95  92 pts  wine review
• LAVAU GIGONDAS 2019 - AC, Rhône, France (#234955) (XD) - $37.95
• ROCCHE COSTAMAGNA ROCCHE DELL'ANNUNZIATA BAROLO 2019 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#413484) (XD) - $64.95

White Wine:

• VESEVO BENEVENTANO FALANGHINA 2022 - IGP, Campania, Italy (#289538) (XD) - $17.95
• VIENI SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021 - VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#37971) (XD) - $19.95
• VILLA MARIA WAIRAU VALLEY RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#536201) (XD) - $20.95  90 pts  wine review
• ENRICO SERAFINO GRIFO DEL QUARTARO GAVI DEL COMMUNE DI GAVI 2022 - Sustainable, estate bottled, DOC, Piedmont, Italy (#22138) (XD) - $24.95
• MAX FERD. RICHTER BRAUNEBERGER JUFFER RIESLING KABINETT 2022 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#36929) (S) - $31.95
• THIRTY BENCH STEEL POST VINEYARD SMALL LOT RIESLING 2020 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#319640) (D) - $33.95  FE  92+ pts  wine review
• PIEROPAN CALVARINO SOAVE CLASSICO 2021 - Single vineyard, DOC, Veneto, Italy (#19010) (XD) - $33.95  FE  93 pts  wine review
• JERMANN PINOT GRIGIO 2022 - DOC Friuli, Italy (#12812) (XD) - $39.95

Rosé Wine:

• DOMAINES OTT CHÂTEAU DE SELLE CRU CLASSÉ ROSÉ 2022 - Sustainable, AP Côtes de Provence, France (#74617) (XD) - $57.95  FE

Sparkling Wine:

• PONGRÁCZ CAP CLASSIQUE ROSÉ - Traditional method, WO Western Cape, South Africa (#646968) (D) - $22.95

Fortified Wine:

• ALVEAR SOLERA 1927 PEDRO XIMÉNEZ - DO Montilla-Moriles, Spain (#463034, 375 mL) (S) - $30.95

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