Solicchiata Secondo di Castello 2012 (Sicily) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Cabernet Franc-based blend from the volcanic soils of Sicily. It is brand-new to the LCBO, arriving in last month's October 11 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection as an Online & Flagship Exclusive, with some quantities still available, mostly in the Ottawa area (with store transfers likely possible).

It is produced by Feudi Barone Spitaleri, an historic château and winery that was established in 1852 by Felice Spitaleri, Marquis of Sant'Elia and Baron of Solicchiata, after he returned to Sicily from his own "grand tour" in France. However, the history of the Spitaleri family goes back much further, as they were named in 1102 after the Order of the Hospitallers Knights. Moreover, the Spitaleri family have been making wine on the volcanic island of Sicily since the 14th century and were creators of the oldest branded wine in the world.

Baron Felice was a pioneer in the art of oenology and used the knowledge he acquired in France to create the first ever Bordeaux varietal blend in Italy. In 1890, he was the first to be recognized with the Royal Warrant of Appointment by HM the King of Italy. In 1907, Antonino, a descendant of Felice, stopped the commercial production of wine, but saved a few vines for family use.

Today, Feudi Barone Spitaleri continues to be proudly owned by the Spitaleri family with brothers Baron Arnaldo and Felice the latest generation of the family to run the estate. Arnaldo revived the production of premium wines in 1997 and heads up the estate, while Felice is the master winemaker of the family wine company. Following the vision of its founder, only French vines are grown on the fertile, volcanic soils of Feudi Barone Spitaleri. The vines are grown on slopes which were formed during the lava flow in 1607 and on these slopes, Felice chose two plots close to each other and created terraces, roads, over 100 km of stone walls, and built an efficient Château solely dedicated to wine production. Feudi Barone Spitaleri grows only highly-selected and sophisticated varieties, instead of the indigenous, yet more productive, varieties. Along with a number of other properties across eastern Sicily, the Spitaleri family also grows some of the most celebrated oranges.

There are two lines of wines produced by Feudi Spitaleri, with this wine coming from their Castello di Solicchiata Vineyard range. As the name suggests, this is the "Second Wine" of the estate, and is inspired by the historic Bordeaux blends using varietals that have been present on their estate in Sicily for more than 150 years. It was Baron Felice Spitaleri who first experimented and planted these varieties by following his passion for Bordelaise vines, a passion which was developed during his prolonged stay in France.

This red wine is composed of 80% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Merlot that was grown on 80 hectares of terraced vineyards with alberello (bush) training. The vineyard is situated on the southwestern slopes of Mount Etna, on volcanic soils, at 800 metres above sea level. After hand-harvesting the grapes, they were macerated (and fermented) in conical oak tanks. The wine was matured for over two years in French Allier and Tronçais oak barriques, followed by further refinement in bottle for three years.

In 2012, the growing season in the Mount Etna area was hot and very dry, with no rain from May to October. As temperatures were well above average during summer, it was one of the warmest ever recorded in Etna, and irrigation was necessary for most growers because the vines were highly stressed. Many growers picked early, however, those who waited for the October rains were rewarded with grapes that offered a better balance between sugar and acidity. From a very good to outstanding vintage, let's see how this 2012 Etna red wine from Sicily is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

SOLICCHIATA SECONDO DI CASTELLO 2012 - IGP Sicily, Italy (#46776) (XD) - $34.95
This blend of 80% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Merlot has a medium+ to medium-high intensity nose that is immediately appealing, while revealing somewhat maturing aromas of dried cherry, rose floral, savoury earth, exotic spices, and cedar wood, plus volcanic ash minerals emerging with time in the glass. The dry, medium-full bodied palate is quite astringent with drying, mouth puckering tannins. Flavours are savoury with wet earth, cedar wood, cocoa, dark minerals, and oak spice nuanced with dried cherry and rose floral. Mouthwatering acids are juicy and succulent. The long finish is dry with savoury earth, and cedar notes, plus touches of exotic and sweet spices. This recommended buy is a wine for the table to pair with big red meats. Score: 91 pts

Other fine wines by Feudi Barone Spitaleri can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Château Tour du Haut-Moulin 2015 (Bordeaux) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine is a lovely Cabernet-Merlot from the Haut-Médoc wine region of Bordeaux that was featured on the back cover of last month's October 11 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Château Tour du Haut-Moulin, an historic wine estate situated in Cussac-Fort-Médoc, at the heart of Haut-Médoc, on the Left Bank of Bordeaux. The commune of Cussac-Fort-Médoc lies between Saint-Julien to the north, and Margaux to the south. The estate was established in 1870 and was managed by the Cazaux-Poitou family for 6 generations. As the 6th generation of the family, the current proprietor, Lionel Poitou, has been a part of the property since he was born and has been managing the family estate for nearly four decades. Lionel's philosophy is based on careful observation, attention to nature, and respect for tradition.

In 2024, Château Tour du Haut-Moulin was acquired by Tzora Vineyards, a wine company owned by the Hevrony and Flam families, two leading producers of the Judaean Hills region of Israel. The team at Château Tour du Haut-Moulin is now led by four individuals: Eran Pick MW, Golan Flam, Dan Sheinman, and Lionel Poitou. Eran holds a B.Sc. degree in Viticulture and Enology with Highest Honours from University of California, Davis. Golan has been making wine for over 25 years, while also having a B.Sc. from the Faculty of Agriculture and a Masters in Enology. Dan has a B.Sc. degree in plant sciences, and then began his journey in winemaking by focusing on both vineyard and cellar approaches and practices in Burgundy. Together, they have a shared vision to maximize the potential of the estate, while maintaining its long-standing history and tradition.

The 10-hectare vineyard at Château Tour du Haut-Moulin is planted to mainly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with a small amount of Petit Verdot, all of which is grown on the gravelly soils of the Médoc. The wines of Lionel Poitou are crafted in a style that emphasizes finesse and elegance over brute power.

The 2015 growing season with a combination of warm days and cool nights during March and early April, while the rest of April through May featured very warm and dry conditions, leading to a rapid and precocious flowering. June and July were exceptionally hot and without any rain, which eventually caused some drought stress on the vines. However, four separate rainstorms in August brought some relief to the vines. Heavy rains came in mid-September, prior to the red wine harvest, followed by sunshine with cool nights. There was more rain during the first weekend of October, but both Merlot and Cabernets were picked in unhurried conditions. From a very good to outstanding vintage for wines from the southern Médoc, let's see how this 2015 Haut-Médoc from Bordeaux is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU TOUR DU HAUT-MOULIN 2015 - AOC Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France (#26295) (XD) - $27.95
Blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot that was matured in French oak, only 30% new. The medium-high intensity nose is rich with ripe black fruits, black cherry, currant, and blackberry aromas that mingle with oak spice, graphite minerality, and savoury earth, plus touches of dark plum. The elegant, well-structured, medium+ bodied palate is dry with lovely black fruited, black cherry, currant, blackberry, graphite, savoury minerals, and earth flavours. Acids are succulent and juicy, while the tannins are youthfully grippy and chalky textured, yet approachable. Graphite mineral notes linger on the long, savoury, and slightly grippy finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

Any other wines by this Château can be ordered through their Agent - Rare Earth Wines.

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Ken Forrester Sparklehorse Cap Classique Brut Sparkling Chenin Blanc 2022 and Pat's Garden Reserve 2020 (South Africa) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wine reviews are a pair of excellent wines from one of my favourite South African wine producers - Ken Forrester Wines. Both of these terrific wines arrived at the LCBO recently, with the red wine making its debut at the LCBO in the September 27th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, while the sparkling wine landed in the October 11th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Ken Forrester Wines was established in 1993 by Ken Forrester and his wife, Teresa, after they acquired at a public auction a vacant and derelict farm and homestead that was situated on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain, in the heart of Stellenbosch, South Africa's premier wine growing region. The site is one of the oldest farms in the Cape, with a long history that dates back to 1689, and the first vines were planted in 1694. The farm changed hands a number of times over the years, eventually falling on hard times in the early 1990s and finding itself up for auction.

The vision at Ken Forrester Wines is for sustainable farming - to improve the lot of their employees by growing their own business, and thereby providing maximum job opportunities in a market that is desperate for support. In the vineyard, Ken Forrester farms sustainably without the use of herbicides and pesticides. They also till the soil, prune, thin bunches and leaves, and harvest by hand. With this additional employment, they hope that it goes some way to improving the quality of life in their community, and they know that if every community looked after their own, no one would go wanting. This is their proposal, and consequently, each bottle is a victory and represents a small change – for the better – in someone's life. Additionally, Ken Forrester Wines are certified for Integrity & Sustainability by the South African Wine and Spirit Board.

At Ken Forrester Wines, the winemaking philosophy is based on managing their vineyards in a sustainable manner, along with a workplace environment and work ethic that should be a shining light in the industry. They have several ranges of wines that are handcrafted and individually made to complement a wide variety of cuisines and provide excellent value. The Pat's Garden is part of their Reserve Wine Range, where the team at Ken Forrester is solely responsible for the cultivation of the vines and selection of the fruit, most of which come from their family property in Stellenbosch, just 5 kilometres from the cool Atlantic and in the sheltered lee of the majestic Helderberg Mountain. The sparkling wine is part of Ken Forrester's Cellar Exclusives Range - a collection of special and limited parcels of wines.

An interesting note about the red wine is that while it used to be known as "Pat's Garden Merlot", it was always blended with 8–12% Cabernet Franc. The wine laws in South Africa allow for wines to be labelled as a single varietal wine so long as the blend does not exceed 15% of other varieties. The team at Ken Forrester began doing some experimentation by blending the 4 traditional Bordeaux varieties and with the 2018 vintage they launched the Pat's Garden Reserve wine.

The 2020 growing season in South Africa featured moderate to warm growing conditions, which continued into late autumn, while the 2022 vintage was one of the wettest and coldest in recent memory. There was a sudden heat spike just before harvest in 2022, but fall was generally cool and moderate. Both vintages were rated excellent, so let's see how this 2020 red and 2022 sparkling wine from South Africa is tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

KEN FORRESTER SPARKLEHORSE CAP CLASSIQUE BRUT SPARKLING CHENIN BLANC 2022 - Traditional Method, WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#32030) (D) - $29.95
Aged on its lees for 20 months, the elegantly fragrant, medium-high intensity nose delivers lovely aromas of autolytic, toasty, leesy, biscuit, and honey characters surrounding a core of lemon citrus and golden apple. It has a finely beaded mousse and racy, gently tangy acidity on the medium+ bodied palate with delicious autolytic, biscuit, toasty, lemon citrus, and apple flavours, plus touches of honey in a fairly dry profile. Juicy on the mid-palate, while the long finish is savoury with leesy mineral notes. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

KEN FORRESTER PAT'S GARDEN RESERVE 2020 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#45169) (XD) - $19.95
Enclosed by screw cap, this blend of 44% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Petit Verdot has a fragrant, medium-high intensity nose that is well-balanced with complex aromas of ripe red & black fruits, currant, raspberry, blackberry, cassis, oak spice, cocoa, savoury wet earth, and dried herbs with touches of leafy green herb notes. The medium-full bodied palate is dry and slightly chewy with more ripe red & black fruits, currant, cassis, raspberry, blackberry, oak spice, savoury wet earth, cocoa, and dried herb flavours. Acids are juicy and succulent, while the elegant tannins are smooth, refined, and gently grippy on the back palate. Impeccably balanced throughout with red & black fruits mingling with savoury wet earth, oak spice, and smoky minerals on the long finish. Has the stuffing to age gracefully for at least another 5 years. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

One other wine by Ken Forrester is widely available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Featherstone Gemstone 2023 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious, certified sustainable, and vegan-friendly blend of Cab Franc and Merlot from Niagara that made its debut at the LCBO last month in the July 19th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by the eco-friendly Featherstone Estate Winery that is situated in the Twenty Mile Bench sub-appellation of the Niagara Escarpment. It was founded in 1999 by Louise Engel and her winemaker husband, Dave Johnson.

In 2024, amidst their 25th anniversary, Featherstone changed hands and is now under the ownership of philanthropist Rayla Myhal and businessman George Myhal. Even though Featherstone is under new ownership, Rayla and George aim to build on the successes of the past and continue to produce distinctive, small-batch Niagara wines that are cultivated in soils that reflect the biodiversity of the Niagara Escarpment.

Since the beginning, Featherstone has prided itself on its eco-friendly practices in the vineyard and cellar. In addition to farming insecticide-free since its founding, the philosophy at Featherstone has always been based on respect for the land, which is at the heart of making wine that is true to its soil and site. Furthermore, as nutrients and minerals are exchanged and transformed in a give-and-take relationship between living soil organisms and plants, there is a mutually beneficial circle where the soil nourishes the vine, while farming practices nurture the soil. In 2023, Featherstone Estate Winery received their Sustainable Winegrowing Ontario (SWO) certification.

This red wine is a blend of 57.1% Cabernet Franc and 42.9% Merlot. The various parcels of grapes were harvested over a couple of weeks from Oct. 26 to Nov 10, 2023. Each component of the blend was individually vinified in their climate-controlled cellar. After undergoing alcoholic fermentation, the wine underwent 100% complete malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks to ensure freshness and bright fruit flavours. It was minimally oaked by spending only 2 months in oak barrels.

The growing season in 2023 featured a wet, dreary, and smoke-filled summer, which delayed harvest. It also featured an extended growing season that allowed for the development of ripe, concentrated primary fruit flavours and complexity, alongside firm tannins and finesse. Furthermore, the vintage produced bountiful fruit with a dry and warm fall that resulted in very good to excellent fruit quality, with impressive results for structured reds such as Cabernet Franc and Merlot - the two grapes comprising this red wine. Let's see how this 2023 Cabernet Franc and Merlot blend from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

FEATHERSTONE GEMSTONE 2023 - Sustainable, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#46055) (XD) - $17.95
This vegan-friendly blend of 57.1% Cabernet Franc and 42.9% Merlot is enclosed by Stelvin screw cap. The medium-high intensity nose is ripe and plummy with dark berry, currant, and peppery spice aromas, plus accents of cassis, black cherry, and subtle oak spice. The mid-weighted palate is dry and ripe with some jammy notes joining the plummy, black fruit, dark cherry, currant, cassis, and subtle oak spice characters. It has fresh and juicy acidity, along with ripe, lightly structured, and grainy tannins. Earthy and subtle oak spice notes with touches of dark cherry and herbs on the dry and savoury finish, with good length. Enjoy this recommended buy over next 2-3 years. Score: 88 pts

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

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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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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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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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Château Guillou 2022 (Bordeaux) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is the latest vintage of a terrific wine that I've had the pleasure of enjoying several times over the years, including most recently the 2020 Château Guillou a couple of years ago. This Merlot-Cabernet Franc blend arrived at the LCBO as part of the recent March 1 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and is widely available across Ontario.

It is produced by Domaine Familly Saby, a winegrowing family of oenologists with a long history of viticulture and winemaking in Bordeaux that goes back nine generations, with knowledge passed down from father to son since the 18th century. Today, the family business is led by Jean-Bernard Saby, the eighth generation of the family, and his two sons - Jean-Christophe and Jean-Philippe. Considered specialists in Bordeaux's Right Bank, the Saby family owns and operates several estates in this historic region of France, one of which is Château Guillou. The Saby family has successfully combined tradition with modernity to craft exemplary wines, while also focusing on sustainable viticulture.

The estate and vineyard of Château Guillou has existed in its current form since 1870. Situated in the highly-esteemed Montagne-Saint-Émilion AOC, just north of neighbouring Émilion and east of Pomerol, on Bordeaux's Right Bank, the estate has 62 hectares of vines. Most of the vines are planted on a plateau featuring clay-limestone soils, and hillsides with clayey-silty soils. Wines in this region are typically Merlot-based blends, with Château Guillou following tradition. This particular red wine is composed of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. The grapes were traditionally hand-picked and sorted on tables. To vinify this red, the grapes underwent a cold soak pre-fermentation and foulage, a temperature-controlled fermentation, and malolactic fermentation. It was aged in a combination of second- and third-use French and American oak barrels.

The 2022 growing season began with higher than average rainfall in December, followed by two months of unusually warm and dry weather. March was slightly warmer, with a little more rain than average. Budbreak was slightly delayed due to a cool and wet March, and occurred after a couple of severe frost episodes that appeared at the beginning of April. Vine development was slowed during this period, but sped back up in the latter half of April. Mid-flowering and mid-véraison were both occurring earlier than usual due to intense heat episodes, with June being one of the hottest Junes since 1947! July was hot and dry and featured the second heatwave, which stressed the vines on free-draining soils, followed by a third heatwave in mid-August. From this period onwards, the weather was warm to very hot, and mostly dry. These conditions resulted in the earliest harvest ever for the region. From a surprisingly good vintage, let's see how this 2022 Montagne-Saint-Émilion red wine from the Right Bank of Bordeaux is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU GUILLOU 2022 - AC Montagne-Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France (#140483) (XD) - $23.95
This blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc is fragrant and open, with a medium-high intensity nose that has a whisper of reductiveness followed by lovely ripe, plummy, black & red fruit, cherry, blackberry, and currant aromas nuanced with savoury earth, oak, and touches of mineral. Floral notes emerge with time in the glass. The medium+ to medium-full bodied palate is deliciously ripe with plummy, black & red fruits, cherry, blackberry, currant, cocoa, and savoury earthy oak flavours. It has crisp and juicy acidity, while the ripe tannins have a supple, slightly chalky textured grip. Touch of florality and spice on the mid-palate, while the berry notes taper to cocoa, savoury earth, and minerals on the long, succulent finish. Should drink nicely over the next 5-6 years. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

One other wine by Domaine Famille Saby is available at the LCBO, while the full portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Xanadu Vinework Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon 2023 and Circa 77 Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 (Margaret River) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wine reviews are a pair of delightful wines from Margaret River in Western Australia. Both of these wines arrived at the LCBO as part of the recent February 15 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, which featured wines from Australia.

These wines are produced by Xanadu Wines, a winery that was founded in 1977 by Dr. John Lagan, an Irish immigrant who arrived in Australia in 1969, who was drawn to the emerging wine region of Margaret River. Dr. Lagan recognized the viticultural potential of Margaret River because the cool, maritime climate was similar to Bordeaux. Situated in an idyllic setting, only a few kilometres from the coast, in a place radiating with promise and potential, Xanadu was named for an ancient, otherworldly paradise described in the poem "Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and symbolizes a winemaking utopia.

Dr. Lagan and his wife, Eithne, were the first to establish vineyards on the property, and one of the first in Margaret River, and focused on Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Over the next couple of decades, they developed Xanadu Wines into one of Australia's highly-acclaimed wineries.

In 2005, Xanadu Wines was acquired by Rathbone Wine Group. The Rathbone family invested its resources to continue to enhance vineyard management and winemaking techniques, while also focusing on sustainable viticulture and modernizing the winery. Margaret River is a place filled with life and energy, and the philosophy is to bottle the vibrancy of this place. At Xanadu, there's harmony between the place and the people, and features a dynamic balance that brings out the best of both, and helps create wines filled with energy.

The process at Xanadu is driven by a deep respect for the land, while also ensuring that they protect the integrity and potential of the region. With sustainable practices and nurturing the land, they ensure that the land will continue to thrive for future generations. Xanadu Wines have been certified sustainable since 2011 by Sustainable Winegrowing Australia. They have over 65 hectares of vines on the estate, which flourish on the rich, free-draining soils of the Margaret River region. Xanadu uses a minimalist approach to winemaking, which allows the region's richness and vibrancy to shine through. With a goal to make sure that the spirit of the region is unmistakable in every bottle, an energy that you can feel, and genuine characters that you can taste, Xanadu Wines is considered today to be one of Margaret River's top wineries.

Both the 2022 and 2023 vintages in Margaret River were excellent, with the 2022 wines exhibiting vibrant, fine, and elegant characteristics, while the wines from 2023 have a little more density. Let's see how the 2023 Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon and 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon from Margaret River are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

XANADU VINEWORK SAUVIGNON BLANC / SEMILLON 2023 - Sustainable, Margaret River, Western Australia (#41315) (XD) - $22.95
This 75/25 blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon was fermented in both stainless steel and (wild fermented) in French barriques, while also aged on its lees for 3 months. A touch nose tingling, the fragrant, medium-high intensity nose offers enticing aromas of kiwi, guava, and passion fruit wrapped around a core of lemon/lime citrus accented with grapefruit, leesy minerals, and whiffs of jalapeño. The medium+ to medium-full bodied palate is concentrated, ripe, and slightly honeyed with delicious kiwi, guava, passion fruit, lemon/lime citrus, and grapefruit flavours supported by crisp and zesty acidity. Lemon/lime citrus, grapefruit, and leesy mineral notes linger on the long, crisp finish. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

XANADU CIRCA 77 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 - Margaret River, Western Australia (#18344) (XD) - $18.95
Enclosed by screw cap, this blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 4% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc has a medium+ to medium-high intensity that nose offers fresh evergreen and minty herb aromas wrapped around a core of mocha chocolate, savoury earth, black currant, blackberry, and cassis, plus oak spice. The mid-weighted palate is dry and ripe with a delicious mix of minty herb, evergreen, oak spice, blackcurrant, cassis, and savoury earth flavours. Acids are crisp and juicy, while the smooth, ripe, and fairly round tannins have good structure. Savoury earth, oak, minty herb, and blackcurrant notes linger on the long, well-balanced finish. Recommended buy. Score: 88+ pts

There's a high-end Chardonnay that is available at one LCBO outlet, while the full range of Xanadu Wines can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tasting Notes:

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

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

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

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Castelli del Grevepesa Castelgreve Chianti Classico 2021 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Chianti Classico that is mainly Sangiovese. It is featured on the back cover of the August 24th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection printed magazine (which is unavailable) and being released in stores and online this weekend due to the implications of the strike, and can be purchased now.

Like the excellent 2019 Clemente VII Gran Selezione Chianti Classico and other wines I've enjoyed in the past, this red wine is produced by Castelli del Grevepesa. Situated in the Chianti Classico region of Tuscany, Italy, Castelli del Grevepesa is a modern, co-operative winery that has a history which is deeply intertwined with the rich winemaking heritage of the Chianti Classico wine region.

Castelli del Grevepesa was established with a mission to safeguard and promote the traditional viticulture of Tuscany in 1965 by visionary Sir Armando Nunzi and an initial group of seventeen winegrowers as one of Italy's first co-operative wineries. As small-scale growers, they realized the potential of pooling their resources and generations of know-how to produce wine collectively. In the co-operative model of winemaking, individual vineyard growers maintain their own autonomy in the vineyard, while benefiting from shared facilities, including equipment, and sharing knowledge.

The co-operative has experienced steady growth over the years, growing to more than 120 associate growers to become Chianti Classico's largest family today. Castelli del Grevepesa combines modern and innovative winemaking techniques and technologies with tradition to craft high-quality wines representative of the Chianti Classico wine region, while also upholding the principles of sustainability and environmental stewardship to preserve the land for future generations. Today, Castelli del Grevepesa has great passion and love for their land with a goal to produce wines of high quality at affordable prices.

From their Castelgreve range of wines, which reflect the winery's dedication to crafting high-quality wines that represent the essence of the Chianti Classico region, this red wine is composed of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot primarily from the San Casciano area where the vineyards are planted on ancient alluvial deposits. The grapes were hand-harvested with individual bunch selection and upon arriving at the winery, they were fermented at a controlled temperature of 28°C, with 10 days of skin maceration. The wine underwent ageing for 12 months in Slavonian oak barrels, followed by bottle refining for at least 1 month prior to release.

While vintages in Chianti Classico are difficult to generalize, by all accounts, the 2021 vintage is a magnificent one with consistently high quality wines across the board. The growing season began with a fast start as February was especially warmer than usual, while the warm temperatures returned to normal in March. There were some severe frosts at the beginning of April, but the summer months from June to August experienced elevated temperatures with very little rain. Overall, it was a warm vintage with large diurnal temperature shifts (i.e. daytime highs and nighttime lows) during the last month of ripening helped build colour, tannins, and retain acidity. Let's see how this 2021 Chianti Classico Annata is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CASTELLI DEL GREVEPESA CASTELGREVE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 - Sustainable, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#573485) (XD) - $18.95
This blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot has a fragrant, medium-high intensity nose that is elegantly composed with a fine mix of wood spices, black & red cherry, savoury wet earth, clove, and underbrush aromas, plus hints of cinnamon and blood orange. On the medium-full+ bodied palate it has very good concentration with lovely red & black cherries, red plum, clove, sweet wood spices, cinnamon, earthy oak, and dried herb flavours, all of which is supported by very good, juicy acidity. The fine, creamy tannins are smooth, well-structured, and integrating very nicely. Savoury earth, cocoa, and dried herb notes with a touch of mineral lingers on the long and very satisfying finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the next 3-5 years! Score: 90 pts

While some of the lovely wines by Castelli del Grevepesa wines are available at the LCBO, the entire range can be ordered while collecting AirMiles through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Château Clou du Pin 2021 (Bordeaux) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely follow-up to the lovely 2020 Château Clou du Pin Premium that I enjoyed just over a year ago. This red wine is coming to the LCBO next weekend as part of the August 10, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES Release Collection (which was merged with the Aug. 24th Release due to the strike) and is already available for purchase in-stores and online right now.

It is produced by Domaines Fontana, a family winery that was founded in 1950 by Huguette and Angelo Fontana. The young couple, who were in their mid-twenties, had a dream in mind and settled in the small town of Gensac in Gironde, about 15 km southeast of Saint-Émilion and 60 km east of Bordeaux. They chose Gensac because of the wealth of the land in the area where they could plant vineyards and build a cellar.

As the vineyard grew over the years, so did the Fontana family, as Huguette and Angelo had 5 children who grew up in the heart of the Estate and picked up their parent's passion for viticulture and wine. As adults, the boys of the second generation of the Fontana family joined the business and helped it grow by acquiring plots of neighbouring vines and investing in various trades that were present at the Estate. Huguette and Angelo's grandchildren, the third generation of the Fontana family, have also joined the family Estate and bring with them their modernity, a fresh gaze, dynamism, and youth, as well as a common desire to share their passion for the vine and wine.

Today, Domaines Fontana has over 300 hectares of land, most of which is situated within the commune of Gensac, but also extending over neighbouring and bordering communes. The family has worked hard to make their wines known across the globe, to try and reach as many consumers as possible. Domaines Fontana is certified HVE3 (High Environmental Value), a certificate which recognizes good environmental and health practices in the vineyard. Their main objective is to achieve the highest level of quality by combining tradition with innovative techniques to produce wines which they are proud of, as well as praised by those who taste them.

Like the previous vintage, this red wine is crafted using 100% Merlot that was grown on clay-limestone soils, on hillsides which are situated up to 120 metres above sea level. The vines have south-southwest exposure to the sun, which is ideal for ripening grapes to full maturity. Domaines Fontana practices both traditional and reasoned viticulture from pruning to vinification. The soil is enriched with only organic manure. To craft a structured and concentrated wine, only grapes from low-yielding plots are selected during harvest. Upon arriving at the winery, the grapes are destemmed and macerated for 30 days, followed by fermentation in stainless steel vats which are equipped with a thermoregulation system with micro-oxygenation that is monitored. It was aged for a minimum of 12 months in barrel.

The 2021 growing season in Bordeaux posed several challenges, including frosts, millerandage, and mildew, but with careful viticulture and hard work, some very good wines were made. Winter was mild and wetter than usual, which resulted in early budbreak. However, this meant that vulnerable buds were exposed to the damaging frosts of early April. This resulted in poor fruit set, which affected yields. May brought cool weather, which slowed vine growth, while heavy rainstorms fell from June to early-July, keeping vignerons on their toes as they tried to guard against mildew development. Fortunately, conditions were much improved in August and September with the arrival of warm and dry weather, which stopped the rot and promoted ripening. From a cooler-than-average growing season, let's see how this 2021 Bordeaux Supérieur red wine is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU CLOU DU PIN 2021 - AC Bordeaux Supérieur, France (#28727) (XD) - $18.95
This 100% Merlot has a fresh, medium-high intensity nose that delivers currant, cassis, black cherry, wood spice, black plum, sweet spices, and earthy aromas with touches of mineral adding further complexity. On the dry, medium-full bodied palate it has lovely, balanced aroma replays on the flavour profile. It's supported by fresh, gently tangy acidity and smooth, supple tannins with good structure. Earthy, savoury, and minerally on the long, juicy finish. Enjoyable now and over the next 5+ years. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Domaines Fontana can be ordered through their Agent - Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.

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

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

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

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

Tasting Note:

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

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

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Château Beau-Site 2018 (Bordeaux) - Wine Review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tasting Note:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tasting Note:

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

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

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