June 21, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Summery White Wines

Here are my top wine picks from the June 21, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (flipbook here), where the feature story of the release focuses on Summery White Wines. Also included in this release is a mini-feature of three wines from Campania, as well as a new batch of Online & Flagship Exclusives (OFE). Overall, this release is on the bigger side with 106 offerings, with red and white wines having nearly equal representation. It is also worth mentioning, perhaps due to U.S. wines still off the shelves, that the LCBO seems to have done away with the reduced release schedule during the summer months - where in a given month there was only one in-store release and one small OFE release. We shall see if it returns later this summer, or next year.

We'll begin with the feature story of this release, where the seemingly timely "Summery White Wines" arrive just in time as the summer heat has finally arrived upon us. Of the eighteen wines included as part of the theme, five white wines are included among my top wine recommendations. First up is a lovely white Bordeaux that is crafted with 40% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Sauvignon Gris, 20% Sémillon, and 20% Muscadelle, while the Côtes du Rhône Blanc is composed of 38% Viognier, 33% Grenache Blanc, 12% Marsanne, 10% Roussanne, and 7% Clairette. There's also a Sauvignon Blanc from Chile, and a Pinot Grigio from Niagara. The last white wine is definitely going off the beaten path with a white wine from Portugal that is crafted with the indigenous Siria varietal.

Among my top red wine picks in this release, we'll start in Italy with a Bolgheri Rosso that is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah. Moving westerly across Europe, the Côtes du Rhône is primarily Grenache with Syrah and Mourvèdre in support, while the Rioja is 85% Tempranillo and 15% Garnacha Tinta / Graciano / Mazuelo. The rest of my red wine recommendations are all mono-varietal wines, including the Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia, the Cabernet Franc from Niagara, the Grenache from Australia, the Saperavi from Georgia, and the Gamay from the Cru of Régnié in Beaujolais.

White wine recommendations from the main release are centred around Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Both Chardonnays are locally crafted, with one from Prince Edward County, and the other from the Beamsville Bench in Niagara. For Sauvignon Blanc, one is from South Africa, while the other Sauv Blanc is a barrel fermented and aged style from New Zealand. Mono-varietal white wines include a fine Pecorino from Prince Edward County, as well as a barely off-dry Riesling from the Twenty Mile Bench sub-appellation of Niagara.

Among my rosé wine picks, both are single varietal wines, with the rose from Niagara crafted with 100% estate-grown Pinot Noir, while the rose from Australia is 100% Grenache.

Enjoy my top wine picks from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA CARMENÈRE 2022 - Sustainable, Vegan, DO Valle del Maipo, Chile (#57513) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• XAVIER VIGNON CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2020 - AP, France (#297317) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• IL POGGIO SANNIO AGLIANICO 2020 - DOP, Campania, Italy (#575225) (XD) - $19.95
• AGAMY RÉGNIÉ 2022 - AP, Cru du Beaujolais, France (#42227) (XD) - $22.95
• SEPPELTSFIELD GRENACHE 2023 - Barossa, South Australia (#41439) (XD) - $24.95  review coming soon...
• BEDOBA SAPERAVI 2021 - Georgia (#41298) (XD) - $26.95  review coming soon...
• CUNE RESERVA 2019 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#417659) (XD) - $26.95
• SANTA RITA FLORESTA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 - Alto Jahuel, Valle del Maipo, Chile (#41878) (XD) - $29.95  OFE  90 pts  wine review
• FEATHERSTONE RESERVE CABERNET FRANC 2021 - Sustainable, Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#38301) (XD) - $29.95  91+ pts  wine review
• WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE BLACK LABEL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 - 67th vintage, Coonawarra, South Australia (#84996) (XD) - $44.95  93 pts  wine review
• LE MACCHIOLE BOLGHERI ROSSO 2022 - DOC, Tuscany, Italy (#483412) (XD) - $46.95  OFE

White Wine:

• QUINTA DO CARDO 2023 - DOC Beira Interior, Portugal (#42071) (XD) - $16.95
• SANTA RITA MEDALLA REAL GRAN RESERVA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 - Valle de Leyda, Chile (#42097) (XD) - $18.95
• PAUL JABOULET AÎNÉ PARALLÈLE 45 CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2023 - AC, France (#42031) (XD) - $18.95  90 pts  wine review
• 13TH STREET EXPRESSION SERIES PINOT GRIGIO 2023 - Sustainable, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#20311) (XD) - $19.95  88+ pts  wine review
• WESTCOTT BUTLERS' GRANT OLD VINES RIESLING 2023 - Sustainable, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#22460) (D) - $19.95
• CHÂTEAU DE FONTENILLE BLANC 2023 - Sustainable, AC Entre-deux-Mers, Bordeaux, France (#140046) (XD) - $23.95  90+ pts  wine review
• ORGANIZED CRIME LIMESTONE BLOCK CHARDONNAY 2022 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#11951) (XD) - $24.95
• TE PA OKE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2020 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#30159) (XD) - $24.95
• SOUTHERN RIGHT SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 - Sustainable, WO Cape Coast, South Africa (#512277) (XD) - $24.95  OFE  review coming soon...
• CASA-DEA PECORINO 2023 - VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (#45183) (XD) - $34.95  91 pts  wine review
• CLOSSON CHASE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2021 - Vegan, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (#148866) (XD) - $35.00  91 pts  wine review

Rosé Wine:

• DANDELION FAIRYTALE OF THE BAROSSA ROSÉ 2024 - South Australia (#43354) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• WESTCOTT PINOT NOIR ROSÉ 2024 - Sustainable, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#38227) (D) - $21.95  90 pts  wine review

Sparkling Wine:

• CANTINE POVERO CAMPO DEL PALIO MOSCATO D'ASTI 2023 - Sustainable, Vegan, DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#477869) (S) - $16.95  review coming soon...

Dessert Wine:

• INNISKILLIN NIAGARA ESTATE CABERNET FRANC ICEWINE 2023 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#149963, 200 mL) (S) - $59.95  OFE  92+ pts  wine review
• INNISKILLIN NIAGARA ESTATE GOLD VIDAL ICEWINE 2022 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#19083, 375 mL) (S) - $99.95  OFE

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Ca' di Rajo Extra Dry Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore 2023 and Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 (Veneto) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wine reviews are a pair of lovely wines from northeastern Italy that are featured in LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collections. The Cabernet Sauvignon from Venezia made its debut at the end of March, while the Prosecco DOCG is featured in this weekend's Release. Both wines are available for purchase today!

Like the lovely 2023 Aganis Di Flabe Ribolla Gialla I enjoyed last month, these wines are produced by the Cecchetto brothers at their family winery of Ca' di Rajo in San Polo di Piave, Treviso, in Italy's Veneto wine region. Founded in 1931, Simone, Alessio, and Fabio Cecchetto are now the third generation of the family to run the business. Ca' di Rajo is situated at the pinnacle of the Prosecco area, in a special place where the Venice Lagoon meets the Dolomites.

Ca' di Rajo means 'House of Rai', and is named after the nearby and historic remains of the Rai Tower, which stands at the top of a small hill, a short distance from a historic village church, and surrounded by centuries-old trees. Along with Rai Tower, there is also Chiesetta del Carmine and neighbouring Casa Convento, three symbols of great historical and artistic interest, as well as importance to the history of Rai and the Treviso countryside that stretches from Conegliano to Oderzo, in the territory where Ca' di Rajo stands. The church and the convent were built in the 14th century, and were part of the courtyard of a large castle. The Rai tower was built for strategic-military reasons in the 10th century on Roman foundations. All of these structures are part of Ca' di Rajo and can be visited through guided tours and wine tastings.

The family combines tradition and innovation, enhances native training systems, and produces native grapes with an international vision. In order to preserve the best quality grapes to craft their wines, they use the most innovative technologies during the winemaking process. In the last few years, Ca' di Rajo has invested in and modernized their facility such that they have meticulous control of all production processes, while also being able to guarantee safety with ISO 22000 certified production standards.

Today, Ca' di Rajo has fifteen hectares of vineyards that are being trained using the ancient Bellussera (a.k.a. ray) system, a highly sustainable cultivation method which preserves the history of their roots. They have planted local varieties such as Raboso and Marzemina Bianca, as well as international varieties. Additionally, they also have Manzoni Bianco 6.0.13 - a native variety that was born around 1930 out of a crossing of Pinot Bianco and Riesling Renano by Professor Manzoni. This variety has found the Piave basin a suitable terrain for development and is more resistant to illnesses and has unique characteristics.

From the relatively cool-climate regions of northeastern Italy, let's see how these wines from the 2023 vintage are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

CA' DI RAJO EXTRA DRY PROSECCO DI VALDOBBIADENE SUPERIORE 2023 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#369447) (D) - $20.95
100% Glera that was grown in the Guia di Valdobbiadene area between 300–400 metrea above sea level on clayey soil. After hand-harvesting the grapes in mid-September, they were very softly pressed and underwent a long Charmat method fermentation of 70–90 days. The intense nose is fragrant and attractive with aromas of Acacia flowers, white pear, apple, and white peach, along with accents of ripe lemon, and whiffs of violet. The mid-weighted palate is gently sweet with delicious citrus, ripe pear, lemon, orange, Flintstones vitamins, apple, Acacia flowers, and melon flavours. It has fairly crisp bubbles and juicy acidity, alongside a textured mouthfeel. It's nicely balanced throughout with leesy and floral notes lingering on the long, dry finish. Featured in the April 12 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and a highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

CA' DI RAJO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 - DOC Venezia, Italy (#39484) (XD) - $17.95
100% Cabernet Sauvignon that was grown in the provinces of Treviso and Venice, at 30 metres above sea level on soil that is clayey, sandy, and rich in organic substance. It was harvested at the end of September and vinified with a maceration of 20–25 days in thermo-controlled steel tanks. Mostly aged in steel, a portion of this wine was aged for at least 4 months in tonneaux. The cool, medium+ intensity nose seems a bit shy as it reveals earthy, raspberry, strawberry, red & black fruit, and savoury spice aromas flecked with currant and cassis notes. The medium+ bodied palate is dry and ripe with delicious raspberry, strawberry, red plum, and dried spice flavours in a fruit forward style. Savoury graphite and earth notes add complexity and interest on the slightly chewy mid-palate. Crisp acids are fresh and lively, while the fairly grippy and grainy tannins are quite firm at the moment, with good structure. Gently tangy with raspberry, strawberry, savoury spice, and graphite notes lingering on the well-balanced, crisp, and long-lasting finish. New arrival in LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on March 29th and a recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Ca' di Rajo can be ordered through their Agent - Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.

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Planeta La Segreta Grillo 2023 and Controdanza 2020 (Sicily) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wine reviews are a pair of lovely, sustainably crafted wines from Sicily that arrived in LCBO VINTAGES last month, with the Grillo making its debut in mid-March, while the red wine arrived last weekend. Both are readily available for purchase today!

The lovely wines are produced by Planeta, one of Sicily's most respected and renowned wine producers. The Planeta family have long and deep roots on the volcanic island of Sicily that spans 17 generations and over 500 years. They have been involved in the agricultural evolution of these complex lands with an approach that leans towards openness and innovation.

Planeta's more recent history begins in the early 1900s, when Grandfather Vito transformed the small, family winery in Menfi, in western Sicily, into a large co-operative in a short period of time, paving the way for new solutions and prospects. In the mid-1980s, the family planted their first vines around Ulmo, a 16th-century farmhouse which the family had always owned near the village of Sambuca di Sicilia. They wanted to provide this beautiful place full of memories with a new future and built their first winery at the site in 1995, on the banks of Lake Arancio and its nearby woods. Success at the Ulmo winery led to further expansion on the island, with the idea of producing each wine in its own territory.

Today, Planeta has wine estates across Sicily, in the territories of Vittoria, Noto, Etna, and Capo Milazzo. Planeta is still family-owned and operated, with primarily two generations of the family working on the estate, including brothers and sisters, children, nieces and nephews. Together, they have a vision of unity, love for the land, and a desire to protect it by using sustainable and environmentally-friendly approaches to viticulture and winemaking. As a pioneer in modern Sicilian winemaking, Planeta is focused on crafting high-quality wines using both indigenous and international varieties that reflect the unique terroirs of each territory in Sicily, while embracing innovation and modernity, and respecting tradition. With a passionate focus on the environment, all of Planeta's cultivated areas (vineyards, olive groves, almond orchards, and cereals) are certified organic.

This Grillo is from Planeta's Menfi territory range of wines. Menfi is located on the southern coast of western Sicily. The Menfi area, from the sea to the hills, and up to an altitude of 400 metres, is home to Planeta's largest extension of vineyards. Along with three estates in Menfi - Ulmo, Dispensa, and Monte Cirami - they have 250 hectares of vines where they make precise choices that are specific to both native and international varieties, as well as individual terroirs. The historic Dispensa estate has been in existence since 1755 and is hidden in the heart of the hills among the vineyards. The Dispensa estate is the heart of Planeta's activities, with production, administrative, and logistical headquarters developed around the estate. They also have two wineries on the property, with the small winery holding the family's collection of favourite wines from around the world, as well as certain vintages of Planeta wines. Furthermore, the family's library houses hundreds of Italian and foreign volumes dedicated to the history of vines and wines from the 18th century to the present day.

Bearing the name 'La Segreta', this Grillo is named after the woods that surround their Ulmo vineyards. It is cultivated with passion in accordance with sustainable and organic agricultural criteria. First crafted in the 2016 vintage, the first label was graphically related to a detail of an ancient 18th-century map of the area to underline the family's deep roots and presence on the site since ancient times. Today, the label takes inspiration from nature and depicts Sicilian flora with great precision and poetry.

The Controdanza, which translates to 'country dance', is named after the rural dance where dancers move elegantly in a pattern of opposition and agreement. This is what Planeta thought of when they combined Nero d’Avola with a small amount of Merlot, with this particular vintage composed of 85% Nero d’Avola and 15% Merlot that was cultivated in the white lands of Noto, as an unconventional blend based on contrast rather than similarity. Created as the second wine of their top-end Santa Cecilia, the grapes for this wine come from the lowest areas of the valleys where the fruit wins over the typical balsamicity of Nero d’Avola on Noto's lime soils.

With both of these wines coming from excellent vintages, let's see how these two wines from Sicily are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

PLANETA LA SEGRETA GRILLO 2023 - Sustainable, DOC Sicilia, Italy (#39442) (XD) - $19.95
100% Grillo organically grown on moderately deep, scarce -to-almost-non-existent structure, moderately limey, and average fertility soil at the Dispensa vineyard in Menfi. Raised entirely in stainless steel and enclosed by Stelvin screw cap. The lovely, medium-high intensity nose has depth with an attractive mix of ripe lemon citrus, flinty mineral, yellow flowers, and herbal aromas surrounding a core of apple and pear notes. On the fleshy, medium-full bodied palate it is dry and spicy with lovely aroma replays of lemon citrus, apple, pear, herbs, and mineral notes on the flavour profile. It has crisp and juicy acidity, along with a fine, mineral texture on the mid-palate. Spice and minerals are nuanced with lemon citrus on the long, succulent, and juicy finish. Arrived in LCBO VINTAGES on March 15th and is a highly recommended buy. Score: 90+ pts

PLANETA CONTRODANZA 2020 - Sustainable, DOC Sicilia Noto, Italy (#477190) (XD) - $24.95
This blend of 85% Nero d'Avola and 15% Merlot was grown at their Buonivini vineyard in Noto on soils composed of lime marl, with abundant structure of small size, along with a finely textured soil featuring small amounts of light-coloured chalk. Matured for 12 months in fourth- and fifth-use Allier oak barrels. The lifted, medium-high intensity nose offers a lovely, slightly perfumed bouquet of dried roses, floral, fresh & dried cherry, sweet spice, and leather aromas with undertones of savoury earth and minerals. The medium-full bodied palate is dry and chewy with a fairly firm structure and delicious balsamic flavours joining the black cherry, floral, leather, and spices. Some dried berry and floral characters add further interest. Lemony acids are fresh and juicy, while the refined, slightly drying tannins have good grip and structure. Minerally and gently spicy on the long, savoury finish. Arrived in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on March 29th and is a highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

A selection of fine wines by Planeta (some in limited quantities) are available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Aganis Di Flabe Ribolla Gialla 2023 (Friuli) - Wine Review

With the first day of Spring arriving a couple of days ago, tonight's white wine review is a lovely Ribolla Gialla, a brand-new wine that arrived at LCBO outlets last weekend in the March 15 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Aganis Wine Company, a new winery project formed in 2022 by three brothers - Simone, Fabio, and Alessio Cecchetto. The Cecchetto brothers and their family are not new to the wine industry, as they also own the Treviso-based Ca' di Rajo family farm. Situated within the commune of Treppo Grande, Udine, in the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, the name 'Aganis' is a tribute to the territory and is a dialect term for 'agane', female figures from Alpine mythology that are particularly well-known in Carnia, Friuli. Aganis is located at the foot of the Carnia peaks, near San Daniele. It is here that the brothers want to create an entrance to the Carnic Valleys where passersby can stop and contemplate nature and offer a sensory escape to those visiting Cormor botanical park, riding the Alpe Adria Cycle Route, or the nearby horse trail.

The essence of Aganis are the Friulian wines of Collio Orientale. While they seek to be pragmatic, they also want to speak from the heart and convey emotions, sensations, and memories that evoke the nuances and scents of Collio Friulano. The company's philosophy places the enhancement of the Friulian territory and culture at the centre of its business, with a modern and sustainable approach. Their aim is to convey the authenticity of Friuli, while also speaking through their wines, so wine drinkers can experience Friuli's perpetual spring, when the sun warms the skin, and life is eager to begin a new season.

Aganis' focus for the future is the environment and sustainability. The area surrounding the winery represents a treasure that must be protected by implementing integrated pest management protocols. Furthermore, the exploitation of soil and the reckless use of chemicals threaten the ecological balance of the ecosystem of the hills that Aganis is a part of. Some of Aganis' sustainable initiatives include the reduction in pesticides, innovation in the management of cellar operations, recovering and re-using waste water, and increasing energy efficiency through the installation of a photovoltaic system.

This white wine is crafted using Ribolla Gialla, an indigenous white grape variety that represents Friuli. It is named 'Di Flabe', which means 'fairytale-like' in Friulian, and fully reflects the world of Aganis, magic, and legend, while also enhancing freshness and immediacy. The grapes were grown in the slim Friuli Colli Orientali DOC in the northeastern corner of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, between 200–250 metres above sea level. The soil in this area is called Ponca, and consists of alternating layers of marl (calcareous clays), which absorbs water and is texturally soft, and sandstone (calcified sands), which is hard and impervious. The vines were trained using a double overturned and Guyot system. After harvesting the grapes in September, they were softly pressed and fermented at 15–17°C with selected yeasts. For maturation, 20% of the wine was aged in barriques for 4 months.

The 2023 growing season in Italy was the warmest year ever recorded in Italy. In Friuli, it began with a very warm March that was warmer than average, followed by a chill in April. May was wet throughout, which led to a step-up in the fight against downy and mildew. In July, temperatures continued to be high, while rains did not let up, and included two bouts of hail. From a complicated vintage where the lessons on the importance of prevention were paramount, let's see how this 2023 Ribolla Gialla from Friuli is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

AGANIS DI FLABE RIBOLLA GIALLA 2023 - DOC Colli Orientali del Friuli, Italy (#39744) (XD) - $22.95
The fresh, medium-high intensity nose is very pretty, evoking spring flowers layered over ripe lemon citrus, orchard fruit, apple, pear, white peach, and honeysuckle aromas, plus touches of ripe tropical fruit. It's medium+ bodied with good weight and concentration. Dry and slightly honeyed with lovely floral, lemon citrus, ripe apple-pear, and white peach flavours nuanced with mild spice and leesy notes adding savoury complexities. Fleshy and almost rich mouthfeel, acids are well-balanced and juicy. Gently spicy with citrus, orchard fruit, floral flavours tapering to leesy notes on the long finish. Ideal with fish, enjoy this highly recommended buy on any fine Spring day! Score: 90+ pts

Other fine wines by Aganis can be ordered through their Agent - Rare Earth Wines.

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March 15, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Sustainable Italian Wines

Here are my top wine picks from the March 15, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, which features Sustainable Italian Wines as the main theme of the release, while the mini-theme looks at Stellar Stellenbosch. The release as a whole is very good with ninety-four products on offer at various price points, with all but ten coming in at $40 or less. Also included in this release are nearly a dozen Online & Flagship Exclusives (OFE) wines. All the wines should be available for purchase by Saturday, if not already on shelves (and online) today.

We'll begin with the feature story of the release - Sustainable Italian Wines - where a dozen wines are included as part of the theme and five are among my top wine picks. The two sustainably crafted white wines are a Verdicchio from Marche, and a Grillo from Sicily. The mono-varietal sustainable red wines are the Nero d'Avola from Sicily, and the Chianti Classico, which is made with 100% Sangiovese. The Rosso di Montepulciano from Tuscany is a blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Merlot.

The "mini-theme" is a very, very brief look at wines from Stellenbosch, South Africa. There are only(!) three wines included in the thematic, and my only pick from this group is the Syrah. Why limit the mini-theme to a very slim count of just three wines? I would recommend that mini-thematics should include anywhere from 6 to 8 wines.

Among my top red wine recommendations from the main release, we'll begin with the blends from Iberia, with the Bierzo from Spain consisting of 85% Mencía, 10% white grapes, and 5% other red varieties, while the Alentejano from Portugal is crafted with Trincadeira, Aragonez, Touriga Nacional, and Syrah. The only other red blend is from Roussillon, and it is composed of Grenache, Carignan, and Syrah. Among the single varietal wines, there is an excellent Brunello di Montalcino that is crafted with Sangiovese, while the wine from Castilla y León is 100% Tempranillo. The lovely wine from Greece is Xinomavro, and the Chilean red is Carmenère. On the local front, there are a couple of fine Pinot Noirs from the Bench in the Niagara Escarpment, as well as a Gamay from the Niagara Peninsula.

All of my white wine picks from the rest of the release are mono-varietal wines, with a trio of Chardonnays leading the pack. There are two Chardonnays from Niagara, as well as one from South Africa. For other dry whites, you can go slightly off the beaten path with a fine Ribolla Gialla from Friuli, or the elevated Alvarinho from Vinho Verde. There's also a fine Sauvignon Blanc from Niagara, along with a dry Pinot Gris from New Zealand. If you want a wine with a little sweetness, check out the lovely Niagara Riesling.

Lastly, there is a lovely, fortified wine from Portugal that is very sweet, but balanced, and crafted using the Setubal Moscatel variety, which is also known as Alexandria.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cincin!

Red Wine:

• FLOR DE MAIO MAYFLOWER 2021 - Vegan, Vinho Regional Alentejano, Portugal (#427195) (XD) - $15.95  89 pts  wine review
• GORGHI TONDI COSTE A PREOLA NERO D'AVOLA 2022 - DOC Sicilia, Italy (#39219) (XD) - $17.95  90 pts  wine review
• FEATHERSTONE GAMAY NOIR 2021 - Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#39275) (XD) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review
• GLENELLY GLASS COLLECTION SYRAH 2021 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#493841) (XD) - $19.95
• CHÂTEAU SAINT-ROCH CHIMÈRES GRENACHE / CARIGNAN / SYRAH CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON-VILLAGES 2022 - AP, Midi, France (#119354) (XD) - $19.95
• SAN PEDRO 1865 SELECTED VINEYARDS CARMENÈRE 2022 - Las Lagunas, DO Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#249201) (XD) - $20.95  90 pts  wine review
• BOUTARI NAOUSSA XINOMAVRO 2021 - PDO Naoussa, Macedonia, Greece (#23218) (XD) - $20.95  90 pts  wine review

 

• ALEJANDRO FERNÁNDEZ DEHESA LA GRANJA 2018 - Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León, Spain (#192476) (XD) - $22.95  91+ pts  wine review
• POLIZIANO ROSSO DI MONTEPULCIANO 2022 - DOC, Tuscany, Italy (#22795) (XD) - $24.95
• RICASOLI BROLIO BETTINO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 - Sustainable, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#630939) (XD) - $27.95
• DESCENDIENTES DE J. PALACIOS PÉTALOS 2022 - DO Bierzo, Spain (#446484) (XD) - $29.95
• THIRTY BENCH SMALL LOT PINOT NOIR 2021 - Sustainable, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#44041) (XD) - $40.00  92 pts  wine review
• BACHELDER WISMER-PARKE SINGLE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2022 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#520379) (XD) - $54.95  OFE
• IL POGGIONE BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2019 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#551176) (XD) - $76.95  93 pts  wine review

White Wine:

• CASAL DI SERRA VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2023 - Sustainable, DOC, Marche, Italy (#268169) (XD) - $18.95  88+ pts  wine review
• TE PA PA ROAD MARLBOROUGH PINOT GRIS 2024 - Sustainable, Vegan, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#41804) (XD) - $18.95
• PLANETA LA SEGRETA GRILLO 2023 - Sustainable, DOC Sicilia, Italy (#39442) (XD) - $19.95  90+ pts  wine review
• TRIUS DISTINCTION SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#19379) (XD) - $19.95
• AGANIS DI FLABE RIBOLLA GIALLA 2023 - DOC Colli Orientali del Friuli, Italy (#39744) (XD) - $22.95  90+ pts  wine review
• AVELEDA SOLOS DE GRANITO ALVARINHO 2022 - Vegan, DOC Vinho Verde, Portugal (#17514) (XD) - $24.95  91 pts  wine review
• HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE RIESLING 2020 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#183491) (D) - $24.95
• LE CLOS JORDANNE JORDAN VILLAGE CHARDONNAY 2021 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#20455) (XD) - $30.00  90+ pts  wine review
• BACHELDER LES VILLAGES BENCH CHARDONNAY 2022 - VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#16059) (XD) - $34.95  OFE  91+ pts  wine review
• TESSELAARSDAL CHARDONNAY 2023 - Vegan, WO Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, South Africa (#32933) (XD) - $49.95  OFE

Fortified Wine:

• VENÂNCIO COSTA LIMA MOSCATEL DE SETÚBAL 2021 - DOC, Portugal (#42991) (S) - $18.95  91 pts  wine review

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San Felice Il Grigio Riserva Chianti Classico 2021 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Riserva Chianti Classico from Tuscany. A relatively frequent visitor to Ontario, this latest vintage arrived at the LCBO on Saturday as part of the February 15 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by San Felice, an estate whose origins date back to Etruscan times, but whose modern winemaking activities go back to the 1960s after it was acquired and developed into the iconic winery (and resort) it is today. Findings unearthed on the estate show that the Etruscans shaped the territorial landscape of the Chianti landscape, including the introduction of the cultivation of vines. The Borgo of San Felice, as it's known today, was established in the Middle Ages, with its first mention dating back to the year 714, when it was originally known as San Felice in Avana.

Today, San Felice is an emblem of authentic Tuscany with vineyards in the region's three-most prestigious winemaking territories - 150 hectares in Chianti Classico, 23 hectares in Montalcino, and 15 hectares in Bolgheri, and producing wine from only estate-owned grapes.

San Felice Estate and its historic Borgo Cellars are situated in Castelnuovo Berardenga, in the south of Chianti Classico, just minutes north of Siena. With deep respect for its historic estate, the philosophy at San Felice starts with sustainability. The estate covers 150 hectares at approximately 400 metres above sea level, and features an ideal combination of soil and microclimate to produce highly acclaimed wines and oils. The winemaker at San Felice, Leonardo Bellaccini, has pioneered many unique practices at the estate, including identifying the distinctive characteristics in each of San Felice's undulating slopes and treating each vine within the vineyard individually. Leonardo has also identified five macro-areas, allowing San Felice to plant the appropriate grape varieties in a specific geography and soil type, which allows the grapes to thrive and express the terroir. The 18th century cellar of San Felice is carved out of rugged limestone and is where tradition is combined with advanced technology. The cellar contains rows of oak barrels, as well as halls of steel tanks, where wines undergo temperature-controlled fermentation and ageing.

This red wine is crafted with 100% Sangiovese that was grown at the San Felice Estate in Castelnuovo Berardenga, Siena, in the south of Chianti Classico. The vines were trained using the spur-pruned cordon system and grown on medium-textured, predominantly calcareous marl consisting of Alberese and Galestro limestones, with abundant gravel-pebble mixture. After harvesting the grapes in the second week of September and the first week of October, they were vinified by fermentation on the skins at 28–30° C for 18–20 days, followed by malolactic fermentation in steel. It was matured in oak for 24 months, with 80% of the wine being aged in 60/90 hl Slavonian oak casks, and the remaining 20% aged in 225 L French barriques, followed by further ageing in bottle for approximately 6 months.

It is difficult to generalize the vintage growing conditions in Chianti Classico because each UGA tends to have its own geographical uniqueness. Overall, however, the 2021 vintage featured a hot summer with a later harvest that yielded vibrant and focused red grapes with ripe tannins, albeit with slightly reduced yields at lower elevations. At the estate in Castelnuovo Berardenga, the 2021 growing season had a regular seasonal pattern with spring rains favouring vegetative growth and ensuring water reserves for the summer. While bud growth was slightly delayed due to cooler temperatures after the beginning of April, there was no negative impact on plant health. The summer was dry, with moderate temperatures and no excessive heatwaves, and also featured occasional sporadic rains. Plant stress was prevented because of water reserves that accumulated during spring. From late-August, nighttime temperatures dropped significantly and helped aid ripening. From an excellent vintage that produced healthy and high-quality grapes, let's see how this 2021 Riserva Chianti Classico from Tuscany is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

SAN FELICE IL GRIGIO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 - Sustainable, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#716266) (XD) - $29.95
This Sangiovese has a medium+ to medium-high intensity nose with a slightly reductive character that yields to a lovely, complex mix of dark red cherry, floral, clove, and sweet wood spice aromas in a slightly dried cherry/floral profile. On the dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate it has lovely dark red cherry, wood spice, cocoa, clove, cinnamon, and sweet spice flavours nuanced with dried cherry, floral, and orange peel notes. It has crisp, juicy acidity, along with creamy, well-structured, and slightly youthful tannins. Savoury spice, cocoa, and earthy notes with touches of dried herb notes lingering on the long, crisp, and juicy finish. Decant and enjoy this recommended buy, or hold at least 5+ years for a more mature expression. Score: 91 pts

While their Chianti Classico Annata is readily available at the LCBO, other wines by San Felice can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Valentine's Day Wine Picks (2025)

Celebrating Valentine's Day, Galentine's Day, or cozying up for a quiet evening alone at home on February 14th? Here are a few wine recommendations to treat yourself or that special someone in your life. All three wines are versatile enough that they can be enjoyed on their own, or paired with food at the dinner table, and will provide immense pleasure.

Sparkling wine is always a safe bet, not only to start off your evening as an apéritif on its own or with a light, salty snack, but sparkling wines are also very versatile at the dinner table. Prosecco goes really well with seafood - grilled, seared, or fried & salty, but can also be paired with a wide range of foods, such as pizza, white meat entrées, and vegetarian cuisine.

LA MARCA PROSECCO - DOC Veneto, Italy (#487694) (D) - $19.40
Glera grapes selected from small vineyards were gently crushed and pressed. The juice was cold-settled and underwent initial fermentation in stainless steel tanks, then aged on its lees prior to undergoing secondary fermentation in the classic Charmat method. Fresh, medium+ intensity nose delivers attractive honeysuckle, pear, acacia floral, and lemon citrus aromas flecked with white peach notes. The mid-weighted palate is off-dry (i.e. slightly sweet) with delicious honeyed pear and acacia floral flavours accented with lemon peel and white peach notes. There's good structure on the mid-palate, and it's supported by crisp and lively acidity and bubbles. Balanced flavours of honeysuckle, pear, floral, and lemon citrus taper to minerals on the finish, with very good length.

White wines are perfect for any setting, such as an apéritif before dinner or sipping while cooking. With a lighter and more casual feel, white wines such as this Pinot Grigio are ideal for intimate or laid back celebrations, while also complementing a wide range of dishes such as seafood, creamy pasta, salad, and cheese, due to the wine's food-friendly acidity.

ATTEMS PINOT GRIGIO 2023 - DOC Friuli, Italy (#707950) (XD) - $17.20
Fresh, fragrant, and intense aromas of lemon citrus, grapefruit, ripe Golden apple, pear, and yellow floral aromas accented with honeysuckle and grassy notes. It was impressive weight and concentration on the dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate with lovely spice notes complementing the ripe lemon citrus, grapefruit, yellow floral, apple, and pear, and grassy flavours. It has crisp, juicy, and zesty acidity, along with a fine mineral texture. Lemon citrus, grapefruit, apple, and grassy notes taper to leesy minerals on the slightly chalky textured and lengthy finish.

Red wines tend to complete a great meal, and for Valentine's Day celebrations you can splurge on a special bottle of wine, such as this Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley in Sonoma County. If you're serving this wine with dinner, it is best paired with proteins such as red meat, but is versatile enough to be enjoyed with poultry, pork, pasta, and even a rich whitefish such as bass.

RODNEY STRONG ALEXANDER VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Sonoma County, California, USA (#350454) (XD) - $30.95
100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The medium+ to medium-high intensity nose is fresh, ripe, and mostly red fruited with red currant, cassis, dark red cherry, red plum, and fine wood spice aromas, plus touches of milk chocolate. On the dry, full-bodied palate it has ripe red currant, red plum, dark red cherry, cassis, wood spice, and milk chocolate flavours, along with some savoury and dried herb characters arriving on the mid-palate. It has very good, juicy acidity, along with chewy, structured tannins. More savoury with smoky, graphite mineral, and milk chocolate notes lingering on the long, juicy, and well-structured finish. Enjoyable now, and can also be cellared to the end of the decade.

Other fine wines by these producers can be found at the LCBO, or through their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.

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San Marzano Talò Primitivo di Manduria 2022 (Puglia) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious Primitivo from Manduria in Puglia that returned to the LCBO last weekend as part of the January 18 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Cantine San Marzano, a co-operative winery that was established in 1962 by winegrowers chasing a dream. Named after the small town where it resides, San Marzano is located at the centre of the Primitivo di Manduria DOP on a strip of land between the seas that wash over the Puglia region.

In 1982, Francesco Cavallo was appointed Chair of the Board of Directors. Francesco is a volcanic and visionary personality, as well as helmsman of their reality. In 1996, with the commitment and dedication of its members, San Marzano purchased a modern bottling plant, which allowed them to move from a bulk commodity to a wine producer and establish a brand with a direct relationship to the end consumer. In 2000, San Marzano produced their first vintage of Sessantanni Primitivo di Manduria DOP. Produced from old vines, this wine is an expression of a thousand-year-old relationship between the people of Marzano and the Primitivo grape. The iconic label encapsulates the company's philosophy and essence to produce distinctive and high-quality wines by combining traditional winemaking methods with innovative techniques. With Francesco at the helm while overseeing the winery's present and planning the future, San Marzano has grown to become one of Puglia's most recognized producers and is highly regarded internationally.

San Marzano has several lines of wines, while this red wine is from their "Talò" range, which was created so that the producer could thank the farmers and their families who look after each vineyard as if it were their own garden. Talò is a surname, and the range is made up of a collection of varieties and is a symbol of community.

This particular red wine is crafted with 100% Primitivo that was grown in its spiritual home - the appellation of Primitivo di Manduria DOP in southern Puglia. More specifically, the grapes were grown in the town and commune of San Marzano, within the Province of Taranto, in the region of Salento. The vineyard is situated close to the sea, at about 100 metres above sea level and experiences high average temperatures and medium-low rainfall. The vines were trained using the Espalier training system, and grown on clayey and thin soil that is full of rocks. After harvesting the grapes in mid-September, they underwent a thermo-controlled maceration and alcoholic fermentation for about 10 days with selected yeasts, followed by ageing for 6 months in French and American oak barrels.

In 2022, the growing season in Puglia was generally warmer and dry, with the grapes in the region that are used to the heat basking in the sun in June and July. Some heavy rain events in August helped revive some of the vines, leading to average yields and good quality fruit. Let's see how this 2022 Primitivo di Manduria from Puglia is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

SAN MARZANO TALÒ PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA 2022 - DOP, Puglia, Italy (#455220) (D) - $19.95
The medium+ to medium-high intensity nose is richly spiced with lush and ripe black fruit, blackberry, clove, sweet spices, black plum, and black cherry aromas, plus whiffs of milk chocolate. It's fairly dry on the mid-weighted palate with delicious and impressively complex milk chocolate, cocoa, vanilla, savoury oak spice, black-red berry fruit, clove, and plum flavours. Acids are crisp and well-balanced, while the mildly grippy tannins are smooth and refined. There's a touch of sweetness on the mid-palate, which tapers to cocoa, chocolate, and savoury earth notes flecked with ripe black fruit on the long, savoury, stony mineral finish. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

One other Primitivo by San Marzano is available at the LCBO, while the entire range can be ordered through their Agent - Dionysus Wines & Spirits.

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