Vietti Perbacco Nebbiolo 2020 (Piedmont) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is an excellent, vegan-friendly Nebbiolo from Piedmont that arrived at the LCBO last month in the September 21 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by the prestigious and historic Vietti winery, which was established at the end of the 1800s by Carlo Vietti in the heart of the Langhe wine region, on the highest point of the medieval village of Castiglione Falletto, where it continues to be located today.

In 1917, Mario Vietti, son of Carlo, returned after spending several years in the U.S. and took over the family farm and transformed it into a winemaking facility dedicated to the production of high quality wines. In the late-1950s, Luciana Vietti, daughter of Mario, and her husband and winemaker Alfredo Currado, who were both great admirers of art, brought the Vietti family to newer heights by intertwining winemaking knowledge, art, and culture.

With the ambition and foresight of Alfredo, one of the first Barolo Cru - Rocche di Castiglione - was born in 1961, and six years later the first Roero Arneis was born. In 1974, as Vietti wines were matched with artist labels, the Vietti brand became an icon and a standard-bearer of one of the most important revolutions of that time.

In the 1980s, the legacy of Luciana and Alfredo was taken over by their son-in-law, Mario Cordero, followed in the 1990s by their son Luca Currado Vietti, and accompanied by his wife, Elena. Under the leadership of the 4th generation of the Vietti family, the brand has grown today to be universally recognized among the best Italian labels with the core values of commitment, vision, culture, and enthusiasm. Vietti's road to quality combines respect for tradition and careful experimentation, where man and earth have always been able to dialogue.

In 2016, the Krause family purchased the winery and expanded the estate with new and renowned Crus in the denomination of both Barolo and Barbaresco. The Krause family is committed to safeguarding the identity and values that have characterized the Vietti brand since its origins, while also looking towards the future. Today, Vietti holds some of the most valuable and representative vineyards in the Barolo and Barbaresco areas. In total, they have 75 hectares of vineyards across Langhe, Roero, Asti, and Colli Tortonesi. The territory they inhabit, cultivate, take care of, and practice sustainability, has been recognized since 2014 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site - a home for them and the vines.

Vietti has an Agronomic Manifesto with sustainability at its core. Since 2007, Vietti has been practicing sustainable vineyard management techniques. They resort to weeding, promoting biodiversity of the agricultural ecosystem, and minimizing the use of agricultural vehicles. Furthermore, they monitor the impact on the environment around them and act flexibly and adaptively.

With several ranges in the Vietti portfolio, this red wine is from their Classic range and is crafted with 100% Nebbiolo that was grown in selected vineyard sites mostly situated in the areas of Barolo and Barbaresco. To vinify this wine, the grapes underwent temperature-controlled (28°-32°C) alcoholic fermentation for 3-4 weeks, followed by malolactic fermentation in steel tanks and/or barriques. Each parcel is vinified and aged separately, followed by a selection of lots that will be used for this Langhe Nebbiolo, and those that will continue to be aged for Barolo Castiglione. After malolactic fermentation, further maturation takes place in barriques and large barrels for about 18-20 months, followed by blending in steel, and finally bottled.

The 2020 growing season in Piedmont was an earlier ripening vintage that began with a mild winter, a very wet spring, and followed by a warm summer. Crop size was slightly lower than average, while acidity levels were bright and demonstrated impressive complexity. Overall, the quality in Piedmont in 2020 is excellent, with Langhe Nebbiolo wines showcasing their elegance with rounded tannins. With a vintage that's believed to be even better than the powerful 2019 vintage for Nebbiolo, let's see how this 2020 Nebbiolo from Piedmont is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

VIETTI PERBACCO NEBBIOLO 2020 - Vegan, DOC Langhe, Piedmont, Italy (#15087) (XD) - $36.95
Clean, fragrant, and perfumed, the very attractive, highly aromatic nose is complex with red & black cherry, floral, underbrush, cinnamon, and fine sweet spice aromas, plus touches of tobacco and savoury earth. The medium-full bodied palate is impressively structured with ripe red berry, cherry, cranberry, savoury earth, and underbrush flavours with hints of oak spice and herbs. Acids are crisp, fresh, and juicy, while the dusty, structured tannins are approachable, yet age worthy. Some orange notes add further complexity to the red cherry, floral, and oak spice finish, with excellent length. Should drink nicely for at least a decade, probably more. Highly recommended buy! Score: 92+ pts

Small quantities of other fine wines by Vietti are available at the LCBO, while the entire range can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

Read More

Michele Chiarlo Tortoniano Barolo 2017 (Piedmont) - Wine Review

After enjoying the beautiful 2018 Michele Chiarlo Reyna Barbaresco back in November, tonight's red wine review is a lovely Barolo that landed at the LCBO a couple of weekends ago as part of the January 7 VINTAGES Release.

Even though Michele Chiarlo was only established in the 1950s, its story begins in 1898 with the birth of Pietro Chiarlo who was born into a farming family in Bubbio. Pietro worked as a farmhand and then at the winery in Canelli during his adolescent years, and in the 1930s, after working for a period in Abyssinia, he returned to Calamandrana determined to invest in the estate and production of wine. Peitro, along with his brother Felice, tilled the lands, breaking the soil by hand to replant the vineyards, and had a sense that wine was the future of the Piedmont hills.

Michele Chiarlo, Pietro's first son, was born in 1935, and he attended a winemaking school in Alba and his classmates were the future protagonists of Italian winemaking: Renato Ratti, Ezio Rivella, Franco Ziliani, Giuliano Noè, and Giacomo Tachis. In 1956, Michele Chiarlo started his adventure as a producer of wine and understood that quality wine in the Piedmont hills began with the choice of vineyards in the most suitable areas. The first cru of Barolo bottled under his name dates back to 1958.

Through the 1960s, Michele expanded the market boundaries for wine, and was among the first producers in Piedmont to believe in the success of Italian wines abroad. He consolidated his success by building a larger, more functional winery in Calamandrana, and began purchasing select vineyards in important positions in Langhe, Monferrato, and the area of Gavi. As a founding member across a number of organizations, including Istituto Grandi Marchi and Accademia del Barolo, the family wine business of Michele Chiarlo is now run by Michele and his two sons Stefano and Alberto Chiarlo. Together, they have an international outlook with great attention to the details at home, including the maniacal care of the vineyards, vinification while respecting the terroirs and vines, and artisanship of the processes. Situated in Calamandrana, Michele Chiarlo is one of the most important oenological realities in Piedmont.

This Barolo is crafted with 100% Nebbiolo grown on calcareous marl clay soils of sedimentary marine origin from the Tortonian period of 9 million years ago. The soil is also composed of 12% active limestone and a basic pH, with a significant presence of micro-elements, specifically magnesium and manganese. The vineyards have southeast and southwest exposure to the sun. After manually harvesting the grapes, it was vinified in steel tanks and underwent 17 to 18 days of skin maceration, with a soft "shower" system of wetting the cap at a temperature between 32°C and 27°C. It was aged for a minimum of 3 years, with the first 24 months spent in average-sized oak casks, followed by refinement in bottle.

According to winemaker Stefano Chiarlo, the 2017 was characterized by a long summer with very little rainfall. In the vineyard, they adopted agronomic practices that allowed them to keep the soil moist and preserve the freshness of the grapes. Some of these practices include doing extraordinary work on the soil to oxygenate the roots, not eliminating excess leaves to prevent sunlight from directly hitting the bunches and avoiding sunburn, while also delaying leaf thinning operations in order not to risk damaging the fruit. To maintain elegance, freshness, and avoid excessive alcohol content, harvest was brought forward by about ten days compared to normal. Chiarlo thinks that 2017 can be compared to vintages such as 2007 or 2011 in terms of climate and organoleptic characteristics. Let's see how this 2017 Barolo is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MICHELE CHIARLO TORTONIANO BAROLO 2017 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#586388) (XD) - $44.95
100% Nebbiolo. Intensely fragrant with lovely, complex aromas of new leather, earth, red cherry-berry, fine wood spices, juniper berry, and cedar, with touches of rose floral, orange, and barnyard. On the medium-full to full-bodied, structured, slightly creamy palate it is quite approachable right now with red cherry, wild berry, forest floor, wet earth, and savoury wood spice flavours with a touch of orange. Acids are juicy and well-balanced. The structured tannins have some chalky grip, but are accessible now. Forest floor, cherry, and wild berry notes linger on the very long, savoury finish. Enjoyable now and should drink well to the end of the decade. Highly recommended buy! Score: 92 pts

Many other lovely wines by Michele Chiarlo are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Univins & Spiritueux.

Read More

Michele Chiarlo Reyna Barbaresco 2018 (Piedmont) - Wine Review

I got my first taste of this beautiful Barbaresco when a previous vintage made its debut in LCBO VINTAGES a few years ago. Tonight's red wine review is the latest vintage that arrived in LCBO VINTAGES on November 5 and is featured as part of the theme on "fine holiday wines that would make a perfect gift".

It is produced by Michele Chiarlo, one of Italy's top wine producers and one of only eighteen members of Istituto Grandi Marchi. The story of Michele Chiarlo begins in 1898 with the birth of Pietro Chiarlo who was born into a farming family in Bubbio. As an adolescent, he worked as a farmhand and then at the winery in Canelli. In the 1930s, after working for a period in Abyssinia, Pietro returned to Calamandrana determined to invest in the estate and production of wine. With his brother Felice, he tilled the lands, breaking the soil by hand to replant the vineyards, and had a sense that wine was the future of the Piedmont hills. In 1935, Pietro's first son, Michele Chiarlo was born. After completing middle school, Michele enrolled in the winemaking school in Alba and his classmates were the future protagonists of Italian winemaking: Renato Ratti, Ezio Rivella, Franco Ziliani, Giuliano Noè, and Giacomo Tachis.

In the 1950s, with a passion for the land and viticultural experience, Pietro Chiarlo would take leadership of Cooperative Winery of Calamandrana as president and played a vital role that contributed to the development of viticulture and oenology in Piedmont and Italy. In 1956, Michele Chiarlo started his adventure as a producer of wine and understood that quality wine in the Piedmont hills began with the choice of vineyards in the most suitable areas. The first cru of Barolo bottled under the name of Michele Chiarlo dates back to 1958.

In the 1960s, Michele expanded the boundaries of the market for wine and was among the first Piedmont producers to believe in the success of Italian wine abroad. In 1972, Michele consolidated his success by constructing a larger, more functional winery in Calamandrana. He also selected and purchased some of the best parcels of land in Langhe, Monferrato, and the area of Gavi, including some of the most prestigious crus in Piedmont. In the 1990s, Michele's two sons join the winery with Stefano taking care of the agricultural and oenological side, and Alberto in sales and marketing.

Today, Michele, Stefano, and Alberto Chiarlo continue to work and following the tradition of a family business with an international outlook. They pay great attention to details, maniacal care of the vineyards, and vinification while respecting the terroirs, vines, and artisanship of the processes. Based in Calamandrana, they are one of the most important oenological realities in Piedmont. The Chiarlo family firmly believes in the exclusivity and continued investment in indigenous grape varieties.

This 100% Nebbiolo was grown in the Piedmont region in an area of the Langhe within the communes of Barbaresco and Neive on bluish-grey calcareous clay marl soils with good presence of micro-elements, with the Barbaresco vineyard containing more sand than the vineyard in Neive. The vineyards have southeast / southwest exposure to the sun and were trained using the Guyot system. The grapes were manually harvested and vinified in steel tanks, followed by aging for a minimum of 2 years with 18 months in large casks before further refinement in bottle.

The 2018 vintage was characterized by a late winter and spring with abundant snow and then rain which helped restore the precious water reserve after a dry 2017. The months of May and June put the winegrower sternly to the test, requiring prompt interventions with anti-mildew treatments and suitable agronomic operations aimed at maintaining the grapes’ perfect health. Summer was hot and dry, but the abundant quality of fruit required the elimination of excess bunches and allowed the grapes to continue it's balanced maturation. The ideal climate in the last weeks of summer, along with mild days and cool nights in September allowed for gradual maturation and the development of strong and elegant aromas. According to winemaker Stefano Chiarlo, the wine expresses a fine bouquet, revealing strong
characteristics of the terroir of origin. Let's see how this 2018 Barbaresco is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MICHELE CHIARLO REYNA BARBARESCO 2018 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#583260) (XD) - $36.95
100% Nebbiolo. Fine, intense aromas of cedar wood and spices layered over perfumed dark red cherry, rose floral, dried herbs, forest floor, and a whiff of orange. It's full-bodied and structured with lovely tangy dark red cherry, fine cedary wood, spices, herbs, and rose florals with touches of dried cherry-floral notes. It juicy, well-balanced acids and smooth, structured, and fine tannins that are somewhat youthful. Juicy and minerally on the long, very satisfying finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the next 10+ years. Score: 93 pts

Other lovely wines by Michele Chiarlo are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Univins & Spiritueux.

Read More

Great Italian Wines - Understanding Indigenous Grape Varieties - Nebbiolo & Valpolicella

On Thursday, I had the pleasure of attending a masterclass titled "Great Italian Wines" that focused on understanding the indigenous varietals of Italy. This class was the first in a series being held by the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Ontario Canada (ICCO Canada) and focused on Nebbiolo and the varieties of Valpolicella.

Italy is the world's largest producer of wine by volume, representing 20% of the global production of wine. Approximately 40% of Italy's wine is exported to other countries, with Canada among the top 5 export destinations. With approximately 2000 indigenous varietals, Italy has the greatest number of varietals of any country. Approximately 300 to 400 of these varietals are actively used throughout Italy's 20 wine regions, with each region having it's own distinct varietals and styles.

Nebbiolo is almost exclusively grown in Italy, at the foothills of the Alps in Langhe, Piedmont, in northwestern Italy. It has been cultivated since the middle of the Roman Age and used to be known as 'Nubiola' (Latin for fog) because of the deep, intense fog that sets in the area of Langhe. The grape also develops a fog-like veil as it reaches maturity, and became known as a Nebbiolo in the 1200s. Nebbiolo is medium-sized and blue-black in colour. It is one of the earliest to bud, while also being the latest to harvest in late-October or early November. It needs ample sun exposure and a dry climate, while also preferring calcareous marl soils and higher altitudes in the range of 200 to 550 metres above sea level. Nebbiolo is the most terroir-expressive red grape in Italy and produces wines known for their high acidity and strong tannins, and can be aged for decades. The highly acclaimed wines of Barolo DOCG and Barbaresco DOCG are made with Nebbiolo.

Valpolicella translates to "The Valley of Many Cellars" and is not a grape. It is, in fact, a 25 km area in western Veneto, within the province of Verona, near Venice, at the foothills of the Alps and bordered by the Lessini Mountains to the north and east, and Lake Garda to the west. The cultivation of vines in this area can be traced back to prehistoric and Roman times. The soils are a mix of ancient volcanic tufa, calcareous, limestone and clay rich soils.

Valpolicella wines are blends with the indigenous Corvina the most important varietal. Corvinone and Rondinella grapes also play important roles, while other varietals such as Molinara, Oseleta, and Croatia can also be included as part of the blend. Corvina, meaning "Little Raven", has been in use since at least the 18th century and is mainly grown only in Veneto. Corvina is a thick-skinned grape that is good for drying, and produces light coloured wines with low tannins and high acidity. Corvinone means "big Corvina" and is a distinct grape that produces large clusters of grapes on the vine. Corvinone is a source of tannins, adding structure to the wines, making it a fine companion for blending with Corvina. Rondinella, meaning "Little Swallow", is a versatile grape that has a high sugar content and is good for drying, adding perfume and fruitiness to the wine.

Besides Valpolicella DOC and Valpolicella Superiore DOC wines, there are Valpolicella Ripasso DOC wines which are young Valpolicella wines that undergo a second fermentation - a "re-pass" or "go over again" - using the grape skins left from Amarone and Recioto wines. Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG wines use the Appassimento technique and significant ageing to create concentrated, structured wines that are age-worthy. The last style of Valpolicella wines are the Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG wines - a sweet, dessert wine made from dried grapes.

Both of the wines tasted as part of the masterclass are represented by Cavinona, an Ontario-based wine agency that specializes in Italian wine. They represent more than 70 Italian producers to offer a great selection of Italy's vast array of indigenous varietals. These producers are small, mostly family-run businesses that have been passed down over generations and have a commitment to craft quality and authentic wines that best express the native grapes and soils of their region.

These delicious wines are available for purchase by the case through Cavinona's online web store, as well as by the bottle at Terroni restaurants and wine shops. Additionally, the food items such as DOP Grana Padano (similar to Parmigiano-Reggiano) and DOP Piave cheeses are also available at Terroni restaurants.

With two more masterclasses on other Italian indigenous varietals to come, you can also attend by registering for the free class here. These classes are more enjoyable with the wines being tasted. As such, you will be able to purchase the wines for these classes from La Bottega di Terroni. To participate on social media, follow @trueitaliantaste and these hashtags on Instagram: #ExtraordinaryItalianTaste #TrueItalianTaste #iffoodcouldtalk.

Tasting Notes:

ODDERO LANGHE NEBBIOLO 2018 - DOC, Piedmont, Italy (XD) - $45.06
100% Nebbiolo from La Morra. The medium-high intensity aromatics offer red berry, cherry, floral, spice, and earthy tones with a hint of balsamic and orange rind. The palate is light-bodied with flavours of dark red sour cherry, spice, floral, and earth. Acids are fresh and juicy, along with a touch of warmth on the mid-palate, but still well-balanced. Tannins are fine-grained and textured with a supple grip. Savoury, earthy notes flecked with cherry and floral linger on the long, juicy finish, with excellent length. Enjoy over the next 5-6 years. Score: 91 pts

PICCOLI 'ROCOLO' VALPOLICELLA SUPERIORE 2016 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (XD) - $42.80
Blend of 40% Corvina, 30% Rondinella, 25% Corvinone, and 5% Oseleta, Molinara, and Croatina. The lovely, elegant, fragrant and complex nose has perfumed aromas of floral, red berry, dried herb, sweet wood spice, meaty, and barnyard notes with touches of olive that continually evolve in the glass. It is light-to-medium bodied on the dry palate with more floral, sweet wood spice, berry, and vanilla flavours supported by fresh, lively acidity and smooth, refined, and well-knit tannins. Floral and savoury notes linger on the long, succulent finish. Score: 91+ pts

Read More

Boasso Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d'Alba 2015 (Piedmont) - Wine Review

Italy has been hit very hard by COVID-19, so for tonight's wine review, I opened this lovely Barolo from Piedmont.

It is produced by the Azienda Agricola Boasso Franco, a family-run winery that started producing it's own wines from its family-owned vineyards in the early 1970's. It is located in Gabutti, a first-class sub-zone within the commune of Serralunga d'Alba and managed by Franco Boasso and his sons, Ezio and Claudio. The wines are produced from their 4.5 hectares of vineyards that are located in the sub-zones of Meriame and Margheria, as well as Gabutti, with special attention, dedication, and conviction to produce great wines (like this Barolo) from prime quality grapes.

The age-worthy wines are produced at Boasso are thanks to green harvesting, taking great care in the vineyard, and selecting the optimal time for harvest. Nebbiolo grapes for this Barolo are hand-harvested, fermented in stainless steel tanks, then aged for 36 months in new oak casks, followed by 6 months in bottle before release.

You can show your support for Italy by picking up this excellent Italian wine when it arrives at the LCBO as part of the upcoming April 4 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Tasting Note:

BOASSO BAROLO DEL COMUNE DI SERRALUNGA D'ALBA 2015 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#109116) (XD) - $39.95
Fragrant nose of nutmeg, wood spice, and ripe red cherries surrounded by earthy, forest floor notes. Hints of orange and floral also appear out of the glass. On the full-bodied palate, it has lovely, balanced aroma replays of ripe red cherry, earth, forest floor, rose floral, and nutmeg flavours. Acids are juicy and mouth-watering, while the smooth, structured tannins have some grip, but are very approachable right now. Orange, rose floral, earthy, and cedar oak spice notes linger on the long, structured, mouth-watering finish. Enjoy over the next 10+ years. Score: 91 pts

Read More

Mauro Molino Barolo (Piedmont) Wine Tasting

At the beginning of October, I was invited to a special tasting of some very fine Barolo wines from Piedmont's highly acclaimed Mauro Molino. The tasting was held at the Fine Wine Reserve on King St. W. in downtown Toronto.

Mauro Molino was born in Piemonte and graduated from Alba Winemaking School in 1973. After a few years of making wine in Emilia-Romagna, he returned to start his own winery in the Langhe following the passing of his father in 1979. His father left him some vineyards, which Mauro then envisioned as an opportunity to embark on a new winemaking career in his beloved homeland. After spending a few years improving his vineyards and cellar, which is built in Annunziata of La Morra, he began producing wines such as the top-end Conca in 1982, one of the Barolo area's smallest and unique single vineyards.

In 2003, Mauro's son, Matteo, joined the company as winemaker, and in 2009 his daughter Martina began working with the commercial aspect of the company. Both graduated from Alba Winemaking School and are an integral part of the winery today.

The family winery continues to produce wines in Annunziata of La Morra, with the utmost respect for traditions. In total, they have 14 hectares of vineyards, 50% of which is planted to Nebbiolo destined for Barolo.

Representing the winery at this tasting was Export Manager, Fernando Burani. He graciously poured the first few of the 10 wines that were available for tasting.

Wine reviews of my top 5 wines are provided below. All of the wines available at the tasting can be ordered online via lcbo.com. Thank you Le Sommelier for the invite and the opportunity to taste these fabulous wines.

Tasting Notes:

MAURO MOLINO ROERO ARNEIS 2017 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#588755) (XD) - $27.95
Medium-high intensity nose offers appealing notes of papaya, white peach, orange citrus and hints of Flintstone vitamins. It's medium-full bodied on the structured palate with lovely mineral and savoury character joining the ripe fruits. Clean acids and excellent length with a nice minerally finish. Score: 90+ pts

MAURO MOLINO DOLCETTO LANGHE 2017 - DOC, Piedmont, Italy (#588763) (XD) - $21.95
Nice dark berry, floral, mint and tobacco aromas and flavours, with a touch raisiny character on the medium intensity nose. It's medium-full bodied on the palate with supple tannins offering nice structure and texture. Very good fruit concentration and a long, balanced finish. Score: 89 pts

MAURO MOLINO BAROLO BRICCO LUCIANI 2014 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#588714) (XD) - $82.95
From vines located 270 metres above sea level on compact clay and limestone soils, this has a gorgeous, highly aromatic and pretty nose featuring rose florals, dried cherry, clove, and sweet vanilla oak. It is full bodied with softened tannins that have presence. Very nice aroma replays and well-balanced overall. Classy, elegant, long-lasting finish. My favourite of the tasting. Score: 93 pts

MAURO MOLINO BAROLO LA SERRA 2014 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#604065) (XD) - $96.95
From vines located in the highest part of the municipality of La Morra, at 370 to 400 metres above sea level, on calcareous/clayey soils, this has a generous nose of dark berry, blackberry, and oak spice aromas with leafy hints. It's medium-full bodied on the crunchy palate and balanced acids. Nicely balanced tannins gain presence with time. Curranty flavours add complexity on the mid-palate. Excellent finish length. Still youthful, will be better in 3-4 years. Score: 92 pts

MAURO MOLINO BAROLO CONCA 2014 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#604073) (XD) - $125.95
The nose seems shy at the moment, offering glimpses of oak spice, dark cherry, cassis and berry aromas. The palate is structured with firm tannins and flavours of mocha, chocolate and red berry notes wrapped around fresh acidity. A big wine that needs 3-4 years to integrate. Score: 92+ pts

Read More

VINTAGES Release October 15: 3 Top California Vintages + Nebbiolo

The upcoming LCBO VINTAGES Release on October 15th continues the onslaught of blockbuster wines leading up to holidays (I can only imagine what other goodies are coming down the pipeline over the next 6 weeks). This release focuses on the golden vintages of 2012, 2013 and 2014 in California, while the mini-focus highlights the noble Nebbiolo grape from Piedmont, Italy.

From the California focus, just 2 of the 18 wines are included among my wine picks. There is a fine 2013 Napa Chardonnay, while the 2014 vintage brings us a mostly Zinfandel blend that also contains 24% Carignane, 12% Petite Sirah, and 4% Mataro (Mourvèdre) using some vines that are more than 130 years old.

The small selection of Nebbiolo wines is very good, with half of the wines included among my wine recommendations. From the Langhe DOC in Piedmont, the Sottimano is 100% Nebbiolo, while the Rocche dei Manzoni is from the excellent 2010 vintage and consists of 80% Nebbiolo and 20% Barbera. No talk about Nebbiolo is complete without mentioning Barolo, and the wine from Gianni Gagliardo is a stunner to be cellared for at least a couple of years.

Among other red wines, both Portuguese reds are blends, while the Fitou is a blend of Carignan, Grenache and Syrah. The Bordeaux red is a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon and 37% Merlot, while the Bolgheri is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. Lastly, the latest Beaucastel CdP is a blend of mostly Grenache and Mourvèdre.

In white wines, the Saint-Roch is a blend of 80% Grenache Blanc and 20% Roussanne. For sweet wine lovers, in order from least sweet to most sweet Riesling, there are wines from Ontario's neighbours Mike Weir and Fielding, and from Germany the Paul Anheuser and Dr. Loosen Riesling Kabinetts.

After having tasted some amazingly sweet PX (Pedro Ximenez) at the recent Spain Is Wine tasting, I am in absolute awe of this fortified style of wine. As luck would have it, a quality PX from Osborne will be available as part of this release.

Enjoy my wine picks from this release. Cheers!

Red Wine:

• LUA CHEIA OLD VINES RED 2014 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#266882) (XD) - $13.95
• DOMAINE GALAMAN FITOU 2013 - AP, Midi, France (#395467) (XD) - $14.95  reviewed here
• 3C PREMIUM SELECTION CARIÑENA 2013 - DO Cariñena, Spain (#461350) (XD) - $14.95
• HERDADE DO ROCIM 2012 - Vinho Regional Alentejano, Portugal (#423574) (D) - $17.95
• DE BORTOLI G.S. PINOT NOIR 2015 - Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia (#015511) (XD) - $19.95
• SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE CABERNET FRANC 2013 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#275958) (D) - $21.95  reviewed here
• SOTTIMANO LANGHE NEBBIOLO 2013 - DOC, Piedmont, Italy (#454017) (XD) - $29.95

• SOLÉNA HYLAND PINOT NOIR 2012 - Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA (#462986) (XD) - $35.95
• ROCCHE DEI MANZONI BRICCO MANZONI LANGHE ROSSO 2010 - DOC, Piedmont, Italy (#459651) (XD) - $38.95
• GIANNI GAGLIARDO BAROLO 2011 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#713602) (XD) - $54.95
• RIDGE GEYSERVILLE 2014 - Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA (#723072) (XD) - $63.95
• SÉGLA 2010 - Second wine of Château Rauzan-Ségla, AC Margaux, Bordeaux, France (#359810) (XD) - $64.95
• MASI SEREGO ALIGHIERI VAIO ARMARON AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2011 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#462812) (D) - $84.95
• CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE CHÂTEAU DE BEAUCASTEL 2014 - AC, Rhône, France (#711317) (XD) - $89.95
• ANTINORI GUADO AL TASSO 2013 - DOC Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy (#986380) (XD) - $104.95

White Wine:

• SAINT-ROCH VIEILLES VIGNES CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON 2015 - AP, Midi, France (#175232) (XD) - $15.95
• PAUL ANHEUSER SCHLOSSBÖCKELHEIMER KÖNIGSFELS RIESLING KABINETT 2015 - Estate Bottled, Prädikatswein, Nahe, Germany (#161828) (MS) - $17.95
• MOUNT BROWN ESTATES PINOT GRIS 2015 - Waipara Valley, South Island, New Zealand (#466037) (XD) - $18.95
• MIKE WEIR LIMITED EDITION RIESLING 2014 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#229286) (D) - $19.95  reviewed here
• FIELDING ESTATE BOTTLED RIESLING 2015 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#251439) (M) - $19.95
• DR. LOOSEN BLUE SLATE RIESLING KABINETT 2015 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#160846) (MS) - $22.95
• SPERLING CHARDONNAY 2014 - BC VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#378570) (XD) - $29.95  FSE
• HAMILTON RUSSELL CHARDONNAY 2015 - WO Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, South Africa (#931006) (XD) - $42.95
• JEAN-MARC BROCARD BUTTEAUX CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2014 - AC, Burgundy, France (#294165) (XD) - $46.95  FSE
• NEWTON UNFILTERED CHARDONNAY 2013 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#001537) (XD) - $68.95

Fortifieds:

• OSBORNE PEDRO XIMENEZ 1827 - DOP, Spain (#047944) (S) - $17.95

Dessert Wine:

• DE BORTOLI NOBLE ONE BOTRYTIS SEMILLON 2013 - Riverina, New South Wales, Australia (#917252) (S) (375 mL) - $29.95  reviewed here

Read More