October 25, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: France

Here are my top wine picks from the October 25, 2025, LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here), where Fine French Wines are the feature story of the release. With the holidays creeping up, this is a big release with nearly 155 SKUs offered — nearly 40 of which are Gift and Sampler Packs. There are many fine wines in this release that are worthy gift-giving options or adding to your cellar, and everything should be available for purchase in-store and online.

We'll begin with the feature on Fine French Wines, and of the twenty-two wines included as part of the thematic, nine are included among my top wine picks. Champagne is synonymous with fine French wines, and there are a couple of fine bubblies from Champagne in this release - with the 2016 Champagne composed of 43% Pinot Noir (13% red wine), 42% Chardonnay, and 15% Meunier, while the non-vintage Champagne is crafted with Pinot Noir. The lone French white recommendation is the Muscadet from Loire that is crafted with Melon de Bourgogne, while the lone rosé is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Caladoc, and Syrah. From the Rhône Valley, the Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blend of 40% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre, and 5% Cinsault, while the Crozes-Hermitage is 100% Syrah. The red wine from Saint-Chinian in Languedoc is crafted with 60% Syrah, 20% Grenache, and 20% Mourvèdre, while the Bordeaux red is 80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The last wine from France is the Madiran, which is primarily Tannat with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon in support.

Red wine recommendations from the main release begins in Italy with a Bolgheri from Tuscany that is crafted with 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Cabernet Franc, and 25% Merlot, followed by the Sicilian red that is a blend of 50% Nero d'Avola, 25% Merlot, 20% Syrah, and 5% Cabernet Franc. From Chile, the Cabernet Sauvignon is actually blended with 10% Syrah and 5% Carmenere, while the Central Valley red from Chile is composed of 45% Grenache, 40% Petite Sirah, and 15% Mourvèdre. From Spain, the Rioja is made with 80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacho, and the rest is Mazuelo and Graciano., while the Priorat is a blend of 55% Cariñena and 45% Garnacha. Among the single varietal wines, there are a couple of fine Pinot Noirs - one each from Niagara and New Zealand, as well as a pair of Malbecs from Argentina. There's also a lovely Pinotage from South Africa, and a Garnacha from Spain.

All of my top white wine picks are mono-varietal wines. There are a trio of Chardonnays worth your attention, with versions from New Zealand, Argentina, and an unoaked Chardonnay from Niagara. Also recommended buys are the Chenin Blanc from South Africa, and the Grüner Veltliner from Austria. If you enjoy off-dry (i.e. mildly sweet) Riesling, there are a pair of fine Rieslings from the Niagara Escarpment appellation. Lastly, and staying on the local front, there is a delicious, dry Gewürztraminer from Niagara-on-the-Lake, followed by a lovely Gewürztraminer Icewine.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Salud!

Red Wine:

• FORTANT GRANDS TERROIRS SAINT-CHINIAN 2022 - AOC, Languedoc, France (#43564) (XD) - $19.95
• PLANETA LA SEGRETA ROSSO SICILIA 2022 - Sustainable, DOC, Sicily, Italy (#477950) (XD) - $19.95
• SALENTEIN RESERVE MALBEC 2023 - Vegan, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#640854) (XD) - $19.95  90 pts  wine review
• RADFORD DALE VINUM PINOTAGE 2022 - Vegan, WO Coastal Region, South Africa (#45165) (XD) - $19.95  90+ pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU BOUSCASSÉ 2019 - AOP Madiran, Southwest, France (#743385) (XD) - $23.95  90+ pts  wine review

• VOLCANES DE CHILE TECTONIA GRENACHE/ PETITE SIRAH/ MOURVÈDRE 2021 - Valle Central, Chile (#44597) (XD) - $24.95  90+ pts  wine review
• CLOS BALTASAR GARNACHA 2021 - Vegan, DO Calatayud, Spain (#22444) (XD) - $24.95  90+ pts  wine review
• MONTES ALPHA SPECIAL CUVÉE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - DO Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#649160) (XD) - $24.95  90+ pts  wine review
• ERADUS PINOT NOIR 2023 - Awatere Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#41809) (XD) - $24.95  review coming soon...
• VERSADO CENTENARY VINES MALBEC 2019 - Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina (#46352) (XD) - $29.95
• DOMAINE DU GRAND ORMEAU 2020 - Sustainable, AOC Lalande de Pomerol, Bordeaux, France (#33040) (XD) - $33.95

• CLOUDSLEY TWENTY MILE BENCH PINOT NOIR 2020 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#11665) (XD) - $36.95  92 pts  wine review
• TORRES SALMOS 2021 - DOCa Priorat, Spain (#450734) (XD) - $39.95  92 pts  wine review
• XAVIER VIGNON CROZES-HERMITAGE 2021 - AOP, Rhône, France (#43809) (XD) - $48.95  91+ pts  wine review
• R. LÓPEZ DE HEREDIA VIÑA BOSCONIA RESERVA 2014 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#529586) (XD) - $59.95
• CHÂTEAU LA NERTHE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2022 - AOC, Rhône, France (#735407) (XD) - $74.95
• ANTINORI GUADO AL TASSO 2022 - DOC Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy (#986380) (XD) - $203.95

White Wine:

• BOYA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 - Sustainable, Coast Zone, DO Valle de Leyda, Chile (#389726) (XD) - $15.95  88 pts  wine review
• 2027 CELLARS WISMER VINEYARD FOXCROFT BLOCK RIESLING 2023 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#47642) (D) - $18.95
• REIF RESERVE GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2023 - Sustainable, VQA Niagara River, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#360255) (XD) - $19.95
• RADFORD DALE VINUM CHENIN BLANC 2023 - Vegan, WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#13338) (XD) - $19.95
• CATENA HIGH MOUNTAIN VINES CHARDONNAY 2023 - Sustainable, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#918805) (XD) - $20.95
• LAURENZ V. FRIENDLY GRÜNER VELTLINER 2023 - DAC Kamptal, Austria (#66225) (XD) - $22.95  89 pts  wine review
• HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE RIESLING 2021 - Sustainable, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#183491) (D) - $24.95
• DOMAINE POIRON DABIN CHÂTEAU-THÉBAUD MUSCADET SÈVRE ET MAINE 2019 - AOP, Loire, France (#42743) (XD) - $28.95
• AUNTSFIELD SINGLE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2023 - Sustainable, Southern Valleys, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#12623) (XD) - $32.95
• TWO SISTERS UNOAKED CHARDONNAY 2021 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#423103) (XD) - $39.00

Rosé Wine:

• LE BIJOU DE SOPHIE VALROSE ROSÉ 2024 - IGP Coteaux de Béziers, Languedoc, France (#20012) (XD) - $17.95

Sparkling Wine:

• DRAPPIER ZERO DOSAGE BRUT NATURE PINOT NOIR CHAMPAGNE - AOC, France (#179275) (XD) - $74.95
• MOËT & CHANDON GRAND VINTAGE EXTRA BRUT ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE 2016 - AOC, France (#69831) (XD) - $131.95

Dessert Wine:

• LAKEVIEW GEWÜRZTRAMINER ICEWINE 2019 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#547703, 200 mL) (S) - $34.95  92+ pts  wine review

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Ackerman Bulle Royale Crémant de Loire Brut Sparkling (France) - Wine Review

Tonight's sparkling wine review is a delicious traditional method sparkling wine from Loire that made its debut at the LCBO in last month's September 27 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Maison Ackerman, a winery whose roots began as a skilled grain and wine merchant in 1811. The initial business was established by Jean‑Baptiste Ackerman, of Belgian origin, and Jean Pierre Apollinaire Laurance-Olivier, in Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Florent, near Saumur in the Loire Valley. In the 1830s, Jean‑Baptiste began experimenting with méthode traditionnelle (i.e., traditional method sparkling wine) and eventually became one of Loire's sparkling wine pioneers.

The troglodyte limestone cellars in Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Florent, on the banks of the Thouet, where the small river meets the Loire, were optimal for storing and crafting his sparkling wines because they have a cool and constant temperature, low light, and a large storage capacity. From the middle of the 19th century onwards, the number of sparkling wine houses multiplied and settled on either side of the Ackerman-Laurance cellars. These cellars were a source of new economic activity in Saumur, as the resulting sparkling wines were exported all over the world.

Today, these cellars are a key element of the natural and industrial landscape of the Saumur region of the Loire, which is a World Heritage Site. While these cellars are no longer the place where their wines are produced, they remain the soul of the company. Ackerman is an historic wine house with a rich heritage, and its longevity and prosperity are based on its winegrowers, its employees, and its customers.

With core values focused on elegance, diversity, and audacity, Ackerman is highly involved in the vineyard from pruning through to harvesting, while a research & development centre is at the very heart of the vineyard. They also have a spirit of innovation and employ the latest in winemaking and bottling technologies. Ackerman is also committed to limiting their impact on the environment and sustainable development. Their vineyards are HVE (High Environmental Value) certified, while also making their winegrowers and partners aware of alternative and eco-responsible practices, as well as protecting biodiversity.

This particular sparkling wine is from Maison Ackerman's Bulle Royale range, which is inspired by the "Cuvée de l'Aiglon" that was created by Maurice Rémy in 1956 to revive the trade of fine sparkling wines from Saumur. This Crémant de Loire was crafted in the traditional method using 70% Chenin, 15% Chardonnay, and 15% Cabernet Franc grapes that were grown in Saumurois soils and terroirs. The region is primarily known for its chalky and porous soil, which allows the roots of the vines to go deep into the soil in search of water, while the climate is Oceanic with low rainfall. After hand-harvesting the grapes at optimal maturity, the grapes were brought to their cellars in Vaudelnay. Each grape variety was vinified separately, gently whole-cluster pressed, then blended at the end of winter. It was aged on its lees for 18 to 25 months. For this cuvée, they assembled the most fruity and expressive Chenin Blanc from clayey terroirs with very ripe and concentrated Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc from limestone plots. Let's see how this Crémant de Loire Brut sparkling wine is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ACKERMAN BULLE ROYALE CRÉMANT DE LOIRE BRUT SPARKLING - Traditional Method, AOP, Loire, France (#42057) (D) - $20.95
Blend of 70% Chenin, 15% Chardonnay, and 15% Cabernet Franc. The delicate, medium+ intensity nose delivers lemon citrus, acacia floral, and green apple aromas nuanced with white peach, melon, toasty and biscuit notes. The light-to-mid-weighted palate is crisp and lively with energetic acidity. Dry on the flavour profile with toasty, leesy, biscuit, lemon peel, citrus, green apple, and acacia floral flavours, plus touches of melon and white peach, with a kiss of underlying sweetness. The juicy mid-palate leads to savoury, leesy minerals, and touches of stone fruits on the long, crisp finish. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other delicious wines by Maison Ackerman can be ordered through their Agent - Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.

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Alléno & Chapoutier Croix de Chabot Saint-Joseph Blanc 2023 (Rhône) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is an excellent Marsanne from the AOC Saint-Joseph Cru des Côtes du Rhône of the Northern Rhône Valley. It is brand new to the LCBO, arriving in last month's August 16th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection as an Online & Flagship Exclusive, with quite a few bottles still available for purchase both online and in-store.

This white wine was borne out of a collaboration between two passionate créateurs and strong characters who are on a quest for refinement: Yannick Alléno & Michel Chapoutier. Yannick is a gifted, Michelin three-star chef, and true perfectionist. Yannick's cuisine reinvents tradition, while blending classicism with modernity. The world-renowned Michel is a pioneering and deeply committed Rhône Valley winemaker with very strong values. Michel is also an ambassador and campaigner for winemaking in general, and his wines reflect their terroir and reveal their truth. Both have a shared passion for the Rhône Valley.

Alléno & Chapoutier collaborated on their first wine in October 2010 — a Saint-Joseph Syrah from Tournon, a hillside vineyard which the two men had selected together, worked traditionally, and converted to biodynamic viticulture. The two men are lovers of the land and its produce, as well as creative and innovative trailblazers. They are driven by a love and respect for terroir, and when they met, a strong bond was instantly and naturally forged. The story has continued since that time as the passion for the Rhône Valley and its terroirs grows ever stronger.

The wines of Alléno & Chapoutier come from both Saint-Joseph and Crozes-Hermitage, in the northern Rhône. The vines in Saint-Joseph are grown in the Chabot area, north of Tournon, between 240–310 metres elevation. The unique part of this land area is the rare type of soil found here: granite with low ferrous mineral content, and interspersed with layers of gneiss. The unique geological features in this area of Chabot produce unique red and white wines with elegance and powerful characteristics.

While the AOC Cru of Saint-Joseph is mostly known for its Syrah, the appellation also grows small amounts of Roussanne and Marsanne, with demanding producers seeking to produce only the best wines. This particular white wine is crafted with 100% Marsanne that was grown in a single vineyard on granite, southeast-facing slopes with excellent exposure to wind, in the southern part of the Saint-Joseph appellation, within the Chabot area. The soil type in this vineyard is made up of granite and granitic sand. The vines are 30 years old and were Gobelet pruned and trained on stakes in a traditional fashion. After hand-harvesting the grapes, they underwent fermentation using indigenous yeasts for 3 weeks in a 50/50 mix of 600 L barrels and stainless steel tanks, followed by bâtonnage (lees stirring) for 4 weeks. The wine was aged for 7 months on its fine lees in 600 L barrels. Final blending and maturing of the two portions took place in stainless steel tanks in order to preserve the wine's mineral expression.

The 2023 growing season in the Northern Rhône tested the resilience of wine producers. The season began on a dry note, followed by slightly warmer than usual temperatures. Rainfall arrived in mid-May, with moderate amounts of rain continuing to the end of June. Rain combined with slightly warmer temperatures led to persistent humidity and created the ideal conditions for mildew to develop. Signs of drought also appeared by mid-July. The vintage was also marked by a significant 16-day heatwave in early August, followed by a torrential downpour during peak harvest in September. Overall, the Saint-Joseph AOC generally delivered good results, with wines exhibiting elegance and restraint. Let's see how this 2023 Marsanne from Saint-Joseph in the Northern Rhône is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ALLÉNO & CHAPOUTIER CROIX DE CHABOT SAINT-JOSEPH BLANC 2023 - AC, Rhône, France (#43784) (XD) - $39.95
Rare to see 100% Marsanne such as this. Lovely, elegant, medium-high intensity, and complex aromas of doughy, lemon oil, citrus, and baked pear, plus accents of vanillin oak spice and minerals. The dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate is rich and well-structured with lovely spice, lemon oil, citrus, pear, and vanilla flavours supported by fine, well-delineated, and juicy acidity. Exudes elegance with spice notes tapering to savoury, earthy, and stony minerals on the long, crisp finish, with excellent length. Highly recommended buy! Score: 93 pts

There are only seven wines in the Alléno & Chapoutier collaboration, and they can all be ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Rhonéa Tradition Rasteau 2021 and Les Confluences Vinsobres 2022 (Rhône) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's red wine reviews are a pair of lovely cru wines from the Southern Rhône Valley that arrived in LCBO VINTAGES recently. The Rasteau returned to VINTAGES on July 19th, while the Vinsobres made its debut as the Wine of the Month in the August 2nd LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, and both are widely available at LCBO outlets across Ontario.

These red wines are produced by Rhonéa, a co-operative winery with deep roots in the Rhône Valley. It all began in the Provençal village of Rasteau in 1925, where singing cicadas and the scent of garrigue filled the air. During this time of economic certainty, a group of visionary and historic winegrowers joined forces to form a co-operative in order to showcase their land and wines. Despite the challenges, the co-operative adapted, grew, and thrived under the guidance of various presidents and directors, while also embracing innovation. The quality and dedication of the village eventually led to Rasteau being officially recognized as a Cru of the Rhône Valley in 2010.

Today, Rhonéa is made up of over 400 families of Artisan Winegrowers who have over a combined 2,900 hectares of vineyards stretching from the southeast of the Rhône to the north of the Vaucluse department. Situated across a diverse range of Rhône terroirs, these vineyards have been cultivated by winegrowing families for 3 or more generations.

In 2025, Rhonéa is celebrating 100 years of history, tradition, and shared dreams. To mark this special occasion, Rhonéa's oenologist carefully crafted the exclusive Centenary Cuvée, a blend of predominantly Grenache that is a testament to the co-operative's century-old expertise and unwavering passion for its terroir. The 2025 centenary is more than just a milestone; it is a celebration of the co-operative's core values - solidarity, heritage, and a shared passion for the vine. As a true symbol of the village, the co-operative tells a collective story, where each winegrower is a vital part of a century-long legacy of success. The co-operative is also focused on a sustainable future with their growth of local and sustainable winegrowing, as well as putting social responsibility and environmental protection at the heart of their project.

Both 2021 and 2022 were challenging vintages in the Southern Rhône Valley. In 2021 there was frost, hail, and rain, which reduced yields and created an uneven vintage. While 2021 will be remembered for being atypical, it will also be remembered for producing quality wines that are fresh, lush, and tasty. The 2022 growing season will be known for its heat and drought conditions. However, with the remarkable resilience of the vines and the dedication of the winegrowers and technical staff, the vintage promises wines of outstanding quality. Let's see how these two Southern Rhône Valley wines from the crus of Rasteau and Vinsobres are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

RHONÉA TRADITION RASTEAU 2021 - AP, Rhône, France (#998716) (XD) - $19.95
Blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre, and 5% Carignan that was grown on terraces of clay, limestone, and pebbles in the plains of Rasteau, as well as on hills facing the Dentelles de Montmirail at 200–250 metres above sea level that featured layers of blue marls. The grapes were manually harvested, sorted, and destemmed, and followed by traditional vinification with long maceration and partial punching down. Tasting now for the third time, the medium+ to medium-high intensity has a slightly perfumed nose wafting of savoury, earthy mineral aromas nuanced with black cherry, dark red cherry, raspberry, garrigue, and spice. On the dry, medium+ bodied palate it has delicious black cherry, raspberry, savoury earthy-stony minerals, garrigue, and spice flavours, plus hints of plum. It has fresh acidity, along with supple, refined, and gently textured tannins with good structure. Savoury and earthy minerals with touches of spice linger on the long, elegant, and juicy finish. In LCBO VINTAGES July 19th and a highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

RHONÉA LES CONFLUENCES VINSOBRES 2022 - AC, Rhône, France (#43748) (XD) - $24.95
This blend of 49% Grenache, 44% Syrah, and 7% Mourvèdre was grown on red marls soil on the "Eygues" plain, between 200–300 metres above sea level. The grapes were harvested at optimum maturity, fermented at a controlled temperature, vinified using traditional methods, and aged for 12 months in oak barrels. The medium-high intensity nose offers lovely spicy, savoury earth, and garrigue layers, alongside blackberry, black raspberry, ripe plum, and black pepper notes. On the dry, medium+ bodied palate it has delicious ripe black cherry, black raspberry, peppery spice, garrigue, red plum, and savoury, earthy mineral flavours supported by juicy, well-balanced acidity, and smooth, refined tannins with good structure and a touch of tannic grip. Black cherry, raspberry, and peppery spice notes give way to savoury and earthy minerals on the long, satisfying finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

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

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Rémy Ferbras Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2021 (Rhône) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is an excellent Châteauneuf-du-Pape from the Southern Rhône Valley that arrived at the LCBO earlier this month in the August 2nd LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Rémy Ferbras at Les Grandes Serres. Rémy Ferbras is anchored in the Southern Rhône Valley, in the heart of a prestigious Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyard. The brand is owned by Maison Grandes Serres and pays tribute to the winery's first cellar master - Rémy Ferbras - who is the emblematic character of the house. Rémy was a fervent defender of the Rhône Valley terroir and its grape varieties, and was able to express the full potential of the grapes and terroir from this renowned wine region. Rémy Ferbras contributed with his work and tenacity to expand the house and his notoriety, while his signature is synonymous with rigorous and precise selection, vinification, and ageing. The wines of Rémy Ferbras are consistently rich, elegant, complex, and flavourful.

This red wine is crafted with 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre that was grown in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, in a famous vineyard dominated by its papal ruin and exceptional terroir. A rising vineyard teeming with creativity, the soils in this vineyard are mainly sandy and limestone, and covered with rolled pebbles. After manually harvesting the grapes with strict sorting, each varietal was vinified separately using traditional methods. The grapes underwent alcoholic fermentation at a controlled temperature between 26–28°C, with 2–3 weeks of maceration. The wine was partially aged in French oak barrels for up to 18 months.

The 2021 growing season in the Southern Rhône was a very challenging vintage where frosts reduced yields; Châteauneuf, however, was spared the worst of the frosts. There were also unpredictable temperatures throughout the season, and random thunderstorms in July, but thankfully without any heat spikes. Furthermore, there were untimely rains in mid-September, which affected early-budding grapes such as Syrah. While the quality of Grenache was mixed, it was mostly very good with thin skins, resulting in fresher, lower-alcohol wines with elegant tannins. Let's see how this 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

RÉMY FERBRAS CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2021 - AP, Rhône, France (#15184) (XD) - $50.95
This blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre has a medium+ to medium-high intensity nose that seems a bit shy, offering pleasing ripe red plum, red berry, and spice aromas nuanced with garrigue, savoury earth, and stony mineral notes. The dry, medium-full bodied is youthfully structured with very good concentration and lovely ripe red berry, spice, cassis, black cherry, garrigue, savoury earthy, stony mineral, and gentle smoky oak flavours. It has crisp and lively acidity, while the mouth coating, well-structured tannins have some youthful grip. Red berry, garrigue, and red plum notes give way to earthy and stony minerals on the long, crisp finish. Enjoyable now, but will reward with a few years in the cellar, and should be enjoyable into the mid-2030s. Highly recommended buy! Score: 93 pts

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

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Les Dauphins Réserve Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2023 (France) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely, certified sustainable, and vegan-friendly white wine blend that is predominantly Grenache Blanc and Viognier that arrived at the LCBO a couple of weeks ago in the July 5th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Les Dauphins is one of several wine brands produced by Union des Vignerons des Côtes du Rhône (UVCDR), a co-operative winery that was founded in the southeastern French region of Drôme Provençale in 1965 by a group of local grower co-operatives. Together, they specialize in the production of an extensive range of AOC Côtes du Rhône, Villages, and Cru wines, thanks to the wealth of terroirs and grape varieties cultivated by their growers. The wines of UVCDR are crafted with the aim of encapsulating the beauty of their landscapes and the fabulous diversity of their Rhône Valley vineyards.

With its colourful, retro-style label, the Les Dauphins brand captures the "Joie de Vivre" of Paris in the Roaring 1920s, at a time when Paris was the festive capital of culture, and creativity was at its peak. The brand's origins go back to the 1920s, when family winegrowers in the region of Dauphiné joined forces in a co-operative style. The wines quickly became very popular because of their fruit-forward and palate-pleasing style.

The name "Les Dauphins" pays tribute to the terroir of the former Dauphiné province in southeastern France, where these wines originate from. The area, which has some of the Southern Rhône's best plots of vineyards, is bordered by the French Alps to the east, the Rhône River to the west and Provence to the south. The climate in this area is typically warm and sunny with little rainfall, while the soils range from stony clay-limestone to sandy soil.

Today, Les Dauphins wines are crafted by the new generations of winegrowers in the southern Rhône Valley as they work together with care and dedication to their terroir and by practicing environmentally-friendly viticulture. To obtain the unique style of Les Dauphins wines, the winemakers of Les Dauphins wines first select the plots among their vineyards, guide the vinification at their facilities, then select, blend, and age the best wines that will adorn the Les Dauphins label.

This white wine is a blend of 50% Grenache Blanc, 40% Viognier, and 10% Marsanne. The grapes were grown in a vineyard situated in the southeast of France, around the village of Tulette, within the old historic region of Dauphiné, on two different soil types: clay-limestone soil formed of sedimentary rock and pebbles, and stony soil with a sandy subsoil. With careful attention throughout the winemaking process, the grapes were grown in carefully selected plots and picked at dawn in order to preserve a pale colour, crunchy aromas, and freshness. It was aged for 4 months to increase drinking pleasure and soften the wine.

The 2023 growing season in the southern Rhône was very good for white wine varieties. The season began with a very dry start from January to March. Bud burst was relatively late (early April), while the Mistral winds were often influential from early April to flowering in mid-May. Following some welcoming late-spring rains in May and June, the summer months were warm and arid, reaching a climax of 43°C on August 22nd, and the fierce heat remained until the end of the month. White varieties were picked from mid-to-late-August. It was a season well-suited for vines planted in clay soils, rather than sandy soils. Let's see how this 2023 Côtes du Rhône Blanc is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

LES DAUPHINS RÉSERVE CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2023 - Sustainable, Vegan, AC, France (#18600) (XD) - $14.95
Screw cap. Blend of 50% Grenache Blanc, 40% Viognier, and 10% Marsanne. The medium+ to medium-high intensity nose is open and ripe with lovely yellow apple, pear, and lemon citrus aromas nuanced with white peach, melon, mealy, leesy, and vanilla. The dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied has good weight with delicious, ripe yellow fruit, apple, pear, citrus, leesy, spice, white peach, and vanilla flavours. Gently spicy on the mid-palate along with fresh and juicy acidity. Yellow orchard fruit and leesy notes with touches of vanilla linger on the long, very satisfying finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other delicious Les Dauphins wines are available at the LCBO, and can also be ordered through their Agent - Churchill Cellars Ltd.

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Château de Fontenille Blanc 2023 (Bordeaux) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely, sustainable Sauvignon Blanc-based blend from Bordeaux that was included as part of the feature story on "Summery White Wines" in the recent June 21 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection a couple of weeks ago.

It is produced by the historic Château de Fontenille, a winery whose roots can be traced back to the 4th century, when the poet Ausone praised the wines of the area within the Entre-deux-Mers wine region of Bordeaux. In the 4th century, this site was a Roman villa, of which there are only scattered remains today, and featured grape vines. The history of the property is traced back to the 15th century, when it was mentioned in the archives of the neighbouring Benedictine monastery - Abbey of La Sauve Majeure. This monks of the monastery tended to the vines on this site for hundreds of years. In 1923, the property was known for its use of high-quality wine barrels.

A property as old as Château de Fontenille has changed hands many times over the years, and in 1989 the property marked its rebirth as its 16 hectares of vineyards were acquired by a young Belgian, Stéphane Defraine. Château de Fontenille has since grown to 63 hectares of vines, and in 2020, Stéphane was joined by his daughter Macha. Together, with a dream and ambition, they imagine, probe, prepare, wait, adjust, and improve as they seek to improve their wines with each passing vintage. As part of this process, they master each row of plots, micro-vinify, and delicately mature their wines with meticulous precision.

With the proper choice of varietal origin, reproduction of the vines, caring for their longevity, the intra-parcel selections, micro-vinifications, and ageing techniques, including the selection of wood, the family aims to take Château de Fontenille one step further to produce high-quality wines. They have divided their 63 hectares of vineyards across the appellations of Entre-deux-Mers and Cadillac, which are spread over 5 islets, into 67 plots, and have great diversity in soil, grape varieties, and vineyard management techniques. Among their vine plantings are century-old Sémillon, as well as the re-discovery of Sauvignon Gris from the Loire, and young plantings of Petit Verdot and Malbec.

Since 2005, Château de Fontenille began working their soils without the use of chemical weedkillers, and are actively trying to limit their interventions to control pests and disease. After receiving their HVE environmental approach certification, they began their conversion to organic in 2020. Their approach to sustainability includes social and economic improvements. Among their sustainability initiatives include reducing energy consumption, preserving water resources, the maintenance of a singular plant heritage, the sorting and recycling of waste, and protecting the health and well-being of their employees, local residents, and consumers.

This white wine is from the Entre-deux-Mers appellation of the Bodeaux. Entre-deux-Mers, whose name originates from the Latin term "Inter duo maria”, which means between two tides, is situated between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers. Indeed, the name is related to the two tides that go up the course of the Garonne and Dordogne rivers via the Gironde estuary. While it is often referred to as "Bordeaux Tuscany", the Entre-deux-Mers appellation is renowned for its exemplary white wines.

This white wine is crafted with 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Sauvignon Gris, 20% Muscadelle, and 10% Sémillon that was grown on soil composed of siliceous clay and gravel, at an elevation of 380 feet above sea level. The wine was vinified completely in stainless steel tanks, with skin maceration for 10 to 24 hours, and was aged on its fine lees for 4 months.

The 2023 growing season in Bordeaux began as a dry and warm vintage, with flowering and fruit set looking textbook perfect from late-May to the first week of June. However, the weather turned tropical with three weeks of heat and relentless rain, which led to downy mildew outbreaks. July was also hotter and drier than average, however, it was also unusually cloudy. There were also a couple of pre-harvest heatwaves in August and September. From a great vintage that delivered freshness for white wines, let's see how this 2023 Bordeaux Blanc is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU DE FONTENILLE BLANC 2023 - Sustainable, AC Entre-deux-Mers, Bordeaux, France (#140046) (XD) - $23.95
Blend of 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Sauvignon Gris, 20% Muscadelle, and 10% Sémillon. The medium+ to medium-high intensity nose seems a bit reserved, offering attractive and ripe aromas of lemon citrus and white peach nuanced with leesy mineral, spice, and grapefruit with touches of earthiness and guava adding further complexity and interest. On the dry, medium-full to full-bodied palate it is richly structured and faintly honeyed with delicious yellow citrus, grapefruit, lemon, spice, and green fruit flavours. Nicely textured with succulent and juicy acidity. More savoury with leesy mineral, spice, earthy, and grapefruit citrus notes on the long, well-structured, and juicy finish. Should continue to drink well over the next 2-3 years. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

Other fine wines by Château de Fontenille can be ordered through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.

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Blason de Bourgogne Aligoté 2023 (Burgundy) - Wine Review

For Father's Day, tonight's white wine review is a lovely Aligoté from Burgundy that arrives in Ontario about every three years, with the most recent vintage landing on shelves last weekend in the June 7th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Blason de Bourgogne, a collective of more than 200 families of winegrowers who are deeply rooted in the vineyards of Burgundy that stretch from Côte d’Or to Mâconnais. It was established in the 1980s by several co-operatives with the aim of promoting accessible, high-quality wines from Burgundy under a single label. The diversity of terroirs that each family brings gives richness and aromatic complexity to the wines. Furthermore, the fruit of traditions and viticultural know-how has been passed down from one generation to the next. As winegrowers for several generations in Burgundy, the producer families of Blason de Bourgogne are proud to unveil their values of solidarity and unique know-how to produce wines of authenticity and quality.

Driven by the love of their profession and respect for nature, the winegrowing families of Blason de Bourgogne do not cease to ensure the preservation of their territories. Committed to a unique continuous improvement process, they practice sustainable winegrowing, which covers the entire production cycle from vineyard to bottle, while also taking into account the environmental, economic, and social impacts of each action. Among their many initiatives include producing their own energy, protecting their soil and terroirs, reducing their carbon footprint, encouraging biodiversity in the vineyard, and sponsoring young growers.

This white wine is crafted by Blason de Bourgogne's Cellar Master with 100% Aligoté that was grown on clay-limestone soils, typical of Burgundy, between the plains of the Saône and the hills of the Mâconnais, with West-to-East exposure to the sun, allowing the vines to flourish beautifully. After harvesting the grapes, they underwent direct pressing, followed by alcoholic fermentation at a temperature-controlled 18°C in stainless steel tanks.

The 2023 vintage in Burgundy had generous yields and ripeness. It was an engaging vintage for white varieties in Burgundy and highly determined by the heatwave in early September that escalated ripeness levels into the aromatics and flavours. This heatwave also affected alcohol levels, body, richness, and acidity. I tasted the 2017 vintage of this Aligoté, and some say the 2023 vintage in Burgundy is comparable to 2017, but with more alcohol and body, but less acidity. Let's see how this 2023 Aligoté from Burgundy is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

BLASON DE BOURGOGNE ALIGOTÉ 2023 - AC Bourgogne Aligoté, France (#648436) (XD) - $19.95
The generous, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose is ripe with stone fruits, peach, pear, lemon citrus, and apple aromas mingling with flinty minerals. It is impressively weighted on the dry palate with delicious, gently honeyed and spice flavours joining the ripe apple, pear, lemon citrus, and peach notes. It has crisp, well-balanced acidity, along with a slightly textured mouthfeel. Stone and orchard fruits give way to flinty minerals on the juicy and gently spicy finish, with very good length. Ideal with seafood and salads, and a highly recommended buy. Score: 89 pts

Other delicious wines by Blason de Bourgogne can be ordered through their Agent - Churchill Cellars.

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Jean Perrier & Fils Cuvée Gastronomie Chignin 2023 (Savoie) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely white made with the Jacquère varietal that was grown in the Savoie Cru of Chignin. It is a brand-new arrival at the LCBO, landing on shelves across Ontario in last weekend's May 10 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Jean Perrier & Fils, an historic, winegrowing family that has been cultivating vines and making wine in Savoie and the French Alps since 1853. The Perrier family is linked to the history of wines in Savoie. Famous around the world, the wines of Savoie represent a quaint and wild way of life, and is a unique tradition in French winegrowing.

The Perrier family's story begins in 1853, when Catherin Perrier, who was born in 1820 in the commune of Barberaz (Savoie), bought a cellar in St André les Marches and started growing vines next to the mountain Mont Granier. In 1911, Catherin's son, Claude Emile Perrier, acquired a second cellar, but had to start from the beginning due to phylloxéra. As a winegrower and trader, Claude Emile delivered products to café owners on the backs of donkeys. In 1920, Jean Perrier, son of Claude Emile, extended both the vineyard and cellar.

In 1947, Jean Victor Perrier, son of Jean, extended the lands further and was the first in Savoie to bottle the wine. By 1953, Jean Perrier had purchased a wine trading licence, sold 150,000 litres/year, and farmed over 2 hectares of vines with two employees.

Today, Vins Perrier is led by President Gilbert Perrier, son of Jean Victor, who joined the family business in 1964. In 1973, under the direction of Gilbert, the family wine company established their first bottling line, extended their cellars further, while also building a new winery. Further expansion took place in the 1980s, while Gilbert's two elder sons also joined the family business. In 1993, Gilbert's third son joined the company. The three brothers - Philippe, Christophe, and Gilles - share the tasks of vinification, trade, administration and marketing.

The company continues to grow, expand, and modernize throughout the years, including expanding their farming areas into other towns of Savoie. With the 2023 vintage of this wine, the family wine company celebrates 70 years of Perrier wines.

This white wine is crafted using the Jacquère grape, a varietal grown primarily in the Savoie wine region of eastern France. The grapes themselves are mid-sized with very tight bunches, have thick skins and juicy pulp. The grapes for this wine were grown on clay-limestone soil in one of the more important Crus of the Vin de Savoie appellation - Chignin. The village and commune of Chignin is situated in the French Alps on the southeastern edge of France, near the Swiss border and Lake Geneva. More specifically, Chignin lies on the southwestern side of the Bauges mountains in the Combe de Savoie - a deep valley that runs for 40km between the winter resort town of Albertville in the northeast and Montmélian in the southwest - while the Cru of Chignin is essentially one steeply-sloped vineyard that sits atop soils rich in clay and limestone.

The Savoie wine region is primarily known for its white wines, and almost all of it is enjoyed locally as only 5% is exported, so having a high-quality wine from this region, especially the tiny Cru of Chignin, is a real treat! To craft this wine, the grapes were manually harvested, then pressed using a pneumatic press. It was fermented over three weeks at 20°C in temperature-controlled tanks.

In 2023, the growing season in Savoie featured a late frost, hail, and a heatwave. However, plenty of sunshine in August and re-hydrating rains in September resulted in a healthy harvest and helped save the vintage. From a providential growing season, let's see how this 2023 Jacquère from Chignin in Savoie is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

JEAN PERRIER & FILS CUVÉE GASTRONOMIE CHIGNIN 2023 - AP, Savoie, France (#41428) (XD) - $19.95
100% Jacquère. The fresh, medium-high intensity nose has attractive aromas of pear, quince, yellow stone fruit, and lemon citrus nuanced with white floral and honeysuckle. The light-to-mid-weighted palate is dry, ripe and lightly honeyed with delicious pear, lemon citrus, honeysuckle, and floral flavours accented with touches of peppery spice. It's got clean, vibrant, and well-balanced acidity, while citrus, pear, and spice notes are joined by leesy minerals on the long, succulent, juicy, and well-balanced finish. For summer sipping, or at the table with salad or seafood. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Other lovely wines by Jean Perrier & Fils can be ordered through their Agent - Buyers+Cellars.

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Château Tanesse 2020 (Bordeaux) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is an excellent Bordeaux red from the Right Bank that arrived at the LCBO as the Wine of the Month in the April 26th LCBO VINTAGES Release Collection.

It is produced by Vignobles Gonfrier, a prominent, family-owned wine producer whose journey began when Paul Gonfrier and his wife, Marie-José, left their native land of Algeria in 1962 to start a wine business in Lestiac-sur-Garonne, Gironde, in the great wine region of Bordeaux. Paul bought Château de Marsan, which was in ruins at the time, but was surrounded by promising terroirs. He began the adventure with three hectares of grapes, then developed the property's arboricultural activity with the help of the entire family.

Paul's three sons became actively involved in the estate and in local life, with his eldest son, Pierre, becoming mayor of the local municipality, while Philippe became involved in running the property at a very early age, and the youngest son, Eric, carrying out his first vinification in 1985. The Gonfrier family continued to grow the estate with each passing year, with the objective of excellence: ensuring that each variety of grape is carefully selected to best express each plot's special characteristics, while also employing vinification techniques among the vines and in the cellar that seek to allow the terroir to express its finest qualities.

Today, Vignobles Gonfrier is led by brothers Eric and Philippe Gonfrier. Their recognition of exceptional quality wines has allowed them to acquire additional vineyards to further refine their blends. With over 1,000 hectares of vines, state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, the Gonfrier family goes out of its way to craft top-quality wines with sensitivity and respect for the concept of terroir. The third-generation of the family is also now involved in the family business, with Thibault, Philippe’s son, joining the company and expending great effort on taking care of the well-maintained vineyards in an environmentally respectful manner. In 2018, Thibault's sister, Audrey, also joined the company following her successful time spent at a Bordeaux wine merchant. Eric's three children are currently finishing up their studies and are eager to integrate into the family business by implementing new modern skills and knowledge. Their deep-rooted values are: passion for their work, respect for their clients, respect for their commitments, respect for the environment, and defence of their independence and freedom of action.

Château Tanesse is located in the Langoiran district of the AC Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux appellation, a sub-appellation of the within the Entre-Deux-Mers wine region on the Right Bank of Bordeaux. Built in the second half of the 18th century by the Tanesse family, the Bordeaux charterhouse is located on a high hillock among Langoiran's sloping vineyards, and overlooks the commune's medieval 13th-century castle and offers a magnificent, panoramic view that stretches from the edge of the Sauternais to the outskirts of Bordeaux, while following the meanders of the Garonne River. The property is surrounded by a 30-hectare vineyard that sits atop very old foundations and has exceptional terroir.

This red wine is a blend of 55% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc that was grown on gravelly and clayey-gravelly slopes atop a calcareous subsoil in the vineyard surrounding the Château. The vineyard is managed using sustainable viticulture (certified HVE3), while the Gonfrier family is also committed to a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) approach certified by Ecovadis. The vines average 25 years old and were trained in the traditional Bordeaux-style, with two canes and a flat arch, along with controlled grassing-down of the vine rows or mechanical working of the soil in order to improve the soils' vitality and biodiversity. The grapes were manually green harvested, to allow for homogeneous distribution and proper aeration of the grape bunches, while also mechanically harvested. After destemming, crushing, and vatting, the grapes were fermented in temperature-controlled, stainless-steel tanks, with a prolonged maceration to extract tannins and showcase the terroir. And finally, the wine was aged for 12 months in French oak barrels.

Despite the pandemic, the 2020 growing season produced a legendary vintage. The growing season began with a balmy but frequently wet spring, which ensured both an early and successful budburst and flowering, while also putting the vineyards in good shape for the arrival of a hot and dry summer. Conditions were mostly arid throughout summer, with intermittent thunderstorms providing just enough water relief. The Right Bank had fewer deluges than the Left, but producers still had to be extremely vigilant at managing disease. Harvest took place during the chaos of COVID, but the weather in fall brought warm days and chilly nights, allowing the Bordeaux varieties to reach phenolic ripeness. While yields were slightly smaller than average, the fruit was healthy and of high quality. Let's see how this 2020 Bordeaux red wine is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU TANESSE 2020 - Sustainable, AC Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux, France (#666628) (XD) - $19.95
This blend of 55% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc is richly fragrant and inviting, with a medium-high to highly aromatic nose of lovely ripe dark fruits, black cherry, currant, cassis, and wood spice aromas surrounding a core of savoury earth and accented with graphite, mineral, and whiffs of rose floral. It's medium+ bodied and dry with ripe black cherry, currant, cassis, earthy, and graphite flavours in a well-balanced profile with crisp and juicy acidity. Accessible, medium-level tannins are well-structured and provide a nicely textured mouthfeel. Savoury with earthy and graphite notes linger on the long, gently grippy finish. Should drink nicely into the early 2030s. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

Other fine wines by Vignobles Gonfrier can be ordered through their Agent - Sylvestre Wines & Spirits.

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Prosper Maufoux Domaine Vigne au Roy Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits 2023 (Burgundy) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is an excellent Pinot Noir from Burgundy that made its debut at the LCBO in last weekend's April 26th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Maison Prosper Maufoux, an historic wine producer based in Burgundy. It was founded in 1860 by a notary who left his job to create the eponymous wine house, with success following soon thereafter, and then a move into a private mansion located in the main square in Santenay. The family winery continued to grow over the years, becoming a world-renowned name. In 1947, Prosper Maufoux formed a partnership with The House of Burgundy, an importer based in New York. In 1994, Robert Fairchild, then president of this leading American partner, bought the House of Prosper Maufoux.

Today, Maison Prosper Maufoux is owned by the Piffaut family as they acquired the property in 2010. The Piffaut family has wine-growing roots in Burgundy that go back over two hundred years. In 2015, the family acquired Château de Saint-Aubin, a building with a 300-year history, and its exceptional vineyards, and the building is now the new wine house for Prosper Maufoux. Situated in the heart of Côte de Beaune, on the road to the Grands Crus, the estate has 9 hectares of mythical terroirs on the property and overlooks Clos du Château. The exceptional Prosper Maufoux winery was built from scratch fairly recently and resides under the main courtyard of the Château.

Prosper Maufoux is committed to a sustainable approach in the vineyard and at the winery, and is certified to High Environmental Value (HEV) level 3. Among their many sustainable initiatives include biodiversity of species through a strategy of controlled protection and economical management of resources. Their viticultural philosophy is based on experience and observation: learning from the past and their predecessors, understanding their soils and the long-term impact of their cultivation practices. With environmental research, they implement some of the most advanced techniques in sustainable viticulture, which allows Prosper Maufoux to imagine the future in the most respectful way possible for their terroirs.

This red wine is crafted with 100% Pinot Noir that was grown at Domaine Vigne au Roy, which cultivates 36 hectares of vines in the commune of Bevy, within the regional appellation of Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits. More specifically, the vineyard is situated on the slopes of the valleys incising the Jurassic limestone plateaux to the west of the Côte-de-Nuits, at an altitude of between 300 and 400 metres. The composition of the soil in the vineyard is identical to that of the Côte-de-Nuits, but the surface formations are very thin, or even non-existent, and result in clay-limestone soils that are formed based on the substratum of limestone and marl.

To craft this wine, the grapes were manually harvested, sorted, de-stemmed, and then carefully transferred to the vat by conveyor belt, followed by a cold maceration at 10°C for 4 to 5 days. Fermentation lasts for 18 to 20 days, with regular punch-downs or pump-over skins, and is monitored by daily tastings. The pressed juice and free-run juice were then blended into stainless steel vats and lightly settled, then matured in both vats and barrels to undergo full malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged for 10 months in both stainless steel vats and French oak barrels, with the barrels having a light blond toast, and 20% new.

The 2023 growing season in Burgundy produced a good vintage with expectations running high. It began with a relatively benign winter, followed by a spring that oscillated between both unseasonably warm and chilly days, including spring frosts, which led to an inconsistency that delayed budbreak. Flowering was successful, despite some thunderstorms, while summer brought more storms, along with high temperatures that created humid conditions - forcing producers to be vigilant in monitoring disease. Conditions were balmy in the lead-up to harvest, followed by very good weather during harvest as pickers harvested the grapes in the morning to avoid the heat during the day, while also ensuring that the grapes retained their freshness. Quantity and quality are both abundant in this vintage, while Pinot Noir looks to be promising, even though conditions were slightly warmer than which the grape typically excels in. From a good vintage with high expectations, let's see how this 2023 Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits Pinot Noir from Burgundy is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

PROSPER MAUFOUX DOMAINE VIGNE AU ROY BOURGOGNE HAUTES-CÔTES DE NUITS 2023 - AP, Burgundy, France (#43436) (XD) - $31.95
The medium+ to medium-high intensity nose takes some coaxing to reveal attractive aromas of black cherry, currant, and rose petals flecked with strawberry, while surrounding a core of savoury earth and mushroom. The medium+ bodied palate has good weight and concentration that supports the spiced, ripe black cherry, mushroom, savoury earth, currant, and strawberry flavours. Crisp acids are juicy and succulent. Impressively structured with textured tannins, plus some herbal notes on the mid-palate add further complexity. Black cherry and currants give way to savoury earth and mushroom notes on the long, crisp, and well-structured finish. Immensely enjoyable now, but will improve with a couple of years in the cellar. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

Other lovely wines by Prosper Maufoux can be ordered through their Agent - Sylvestre Wines & Spirits.

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Château Plantey 2018 (Bordeaux) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is an excellent Cru Bourgeois Cab-Merlot from the Pauillac appellation on the Left Bank of Bordeaux. It made its debut at the LCBO and was featured as part of the theme exploring France's top wine regions in the February 1st LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Château Plantey is situated in the winegrowing commune and appellation of Pauillac, within Haut-Médoc in Bordeaux. The small village of Pauillac is located on the west bank of the Gironde, while Château Plantey is only a couple of kilometres west of the village centre. Château Plantey is an old property which used to be owned by the De Gerès family from Loupes, Seigneurs of Camarsac.

In 1958, the vineyard was purchased by Gabriel Meffre. A former print media journalist for twelve years, Claude Meffre, son of Gabriel, now owns Château Plantey. Claude decided to join the family business in 1996 and first managed Château La Commanderie in Saint-Estèphe. From 2000, Claude has managed Château Plantey.

With most red wines from the Left Bank being Cabernet Sauvignon-based blends, this red wine from Pauillac is also a blend that consists of 50/50 Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that was grown on the exceptional terroir around the château, which is located in the commune of Pauillac, just north of the hamlet of Artigues, about 2 km inland from the shores of the Gironde. The 27 hectares of vines, which sit about 30 metres higher than the area surrounding them, average 30 years old and are planted on chalky clay and gravel soil. The grapes were harvested by hand and mechanically, then traditionally vinified with thermoregulation in vats for three weeks. The wine was aged for 12 months in a combination of both vats and barrels, with 25% of the barrels new. In the 2018 vintage, Château Plantey was the only Cru Bourgeois listed from Pauillac.

The 2018 vintage in Pauillac began with a relatively mild winter, followed by very complex weather at the beginning of the season, with a deluge of rain and permanently high humidity until mid-July. From the rest of July through September, conditions were incredible, including searing heat, and perfect for achieving great maturity. While the 2018 vintage in Pauillac is considered to be excellent, some of the wines showed a slightly overcooked character, as well as some inconsistencies across the region in quality. Let's see how this 2018 Bordeaux red wine from Pauillac is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU PLANTEY 2018 - AC Pauillac, Bordeaux, France (#38192) (XD) - $44.95
This Cru Bourgeois is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot and has a lovely, elegant, and medium-high to highly aromatic nose of ripe red & black fruits, currant, and cassis aromas layered over earthy-smoky minerality, graphite, and accents of red cherry notes. The weighty, medium-full to full-bodied is dry with medium-firm, well-structured, ripe and slightly chewy tannins that are smooth and fine grained. Ripe flavours of red & black fruits, currant, cassis, black cherry surround a savoury core of earthy minerality and graphite. Touch chalky and grippy textured on the mid-palate, along with some warmth, but still well-balanced. Quite elegant throughout with savoury, graphite mineral notes lingering on the exceptionally long finish. Lovely! Enjoy this highly recommended buy into the early 2030s. Score: 92+ pts

While this wine appears to be sold out at the LCBO, you may be able to get your hands on it through their Agent - Churchill Cellars.

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Antech Réserve M Le Mauzac Extra Brut Blanquette de Limoux 2022 (Languedoc) - Wine Review

Tonight's sparkling wine review is a lovely Blanquette de Limoux crafted in the traditional method using the Mauzac varietal. This bubbly was featured as part of the theme on Women in Wine in the recent March 1st LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and is widely available at LCBO outlets across Ontario.

It is produced by Maison Antech, a family-owned winery that has been passionately producing traditional method sparkling wines for seven generations on the hillsides of the Limoux wine region of Languedoc. Each generation has contributed their energy and passed down their exceptional know-how from one generation to the next, with women playing a central role and demonstrating a strength of character each step of the way.

The estate winery was initially established by the Tisseyre-Limouzy family in the late-19th century. Early in the 20th century, the estate was run by Eugénie Limouzy, a dynamic, courageous, and modern woman who lived through wars unbowed to ensure the winery's long-term survival. Eugénie was one of the first women in Languedoc to manage a vineyard. In 1930, Eugénie's niece, Marguerite, married fellow vintner Edmond Antech, merging two winemaking families and giving birth to the Antech name that still stands today.

In 1965, brothers Georges and Roger, the sons of Edmond and Marguerite, took over the reins of the estate. By the 1970s, the brothers had decided to focus on producing only sparkling wines. Joining the estate in 1996 was Françoise, Georges' daughter and the sixth generation of the family. Françoise carried on the family tradition and has played an instrumental role in elevating Maison Antech into one of the region's top sparkling wine producers.

The family has cultivated the land in Limoux since 1860, a land with a unique terroir where the freshness of the Pyrenees mountain range mixes with the Mediterranean climate. Maison Antech is situated at an altitude of 400 metres above sea level, where the vines enjoy ideal growing conditions such as natural drainage, high diurnal temperature ranges between day and night, and the cool breezes coming off the snowy Pyrenees slopes until May. These growing conditions promote the vivacity and tension necessary to produce wines with great effervescence.

With the seventh generation of the family, Françoise's son, Baptiste, also now working at the winery, Maison Antech has been actively engaged in using a sustainable approach to viticulture and winemaking that respects the environment and takes advantage of the omnipresent winds coming off the hillsides. Their efforts are directed towards the development of the Mauzac grape varietal, which is perfectly suited to this microclimate in Limoux. Antech crafts their wines using a minimalist approach, allowing the place to reflect itself without. All the grapes are carefully hand-harvested in order to respect the quality of the grape and preserve freshness. To vinify their wines, the grapes are slowly and delicately pressed, and fermented at low temperatures. The wines spend the winter on their lees, then age for a prolonged period to reveal their complexity. Depending on the wine, dosage is added.

From a very good vintage in Limoux, let's see how this 2022 Blanquette de Limoux sparkling wine is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ANTECH RÉSERVE M LE MAUZAC EXTRA BRUT BLANQUETTE DE LIMOUX 2022 - Traditional method, AP, Languedoc, France (#656470) (D) - $21.95
The fragrant, medium-high intensity nose offers a fresh, fine, and elegant mix of ripe lemon citrus, yellow & white floral toasty, autolytic, brioche, and leesy mineral aromas, plus touches of stone fruit, apple, and pear. It's light-to-mid-weighted, dry, and gently honeyed with lovely lemon citrus, brioche, toasty, floral, leesy, and stone fruit flavours supported by crisp acidity and bubbles. Leesy, stony mineral, and toasty notes linger on the crisp, dry, and lengthy finish. Versatile for pairing with food and a highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

Other lovely sparkling wines by Maison Antech can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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