April 27, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Paso Robles + Bordeaux's Right Bank

Here's my top wine picks from the April 27, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. The main feature of this release focuses on wines from Paso Robles, and for the first time in a very long time, there is a mini-theme, and it takes a brief look at Bordeaux's Right Bank. Also in this release is a fine selection of Online & Flagship Exclusive (FE) wines. All 93 wines...

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Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (Paso Robles) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles in California that I picked up a couple of weeks ago at the LCBO on Queens Quay (Toronto) and had signed on the spot at the bottle signing by its creator - Austin Hope. It was an honour to have this bottle signed, shake his hand, and exchange pleasantries before heading on to my next engagement. This...

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Treana Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (Paso Robles) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is this delicious, crowd-pleasing Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles that arrived at the LCBO some weeks ago as part of the September 24th LCBO VINTAGES Release.It is produced by Hope Family Wines, a family that has been farming the land in Paso Robles for more than 30 years. When the family arrived in this barely-discovered region, they planted apples...

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J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 (California) - Wine Review

To follow the popular J. Lohr Riverstone Chardonnay that I opened last week, tonight's wine review is a California Cabernet Sauvignon that is the most popular red in the VINTAGES Essentials Collection. Like the Chardonnay, this Cali Cab is widely available in the VINTAGES section at LCBO outlets across Ontario, and is also available online for pick-up or delivery. After an...

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Chronic Cellars Purple Paradise 2017 (California) - Wine Review

Want something for your Halloween party? You might want to look at tonight's red wine review that is sure to please your guests with it's Halloween-themed label. It just arrived at the LCBO and is widely available across Ontario, just in time for Halloween festivities. It is produced by Chronic Cellars, a California winery that came together in 2004 when brothers Josh and...

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Hope Family Wines - Portfolio Tasting

Last month I had the pleasure of tasting some new wines from the Hope Family Wines portfolio. The Hope family arrived in Paso Robles (California) in 1978 and current President Austin Hope, at the age of 8 years, began learning in the vineyards alongside his father, Chuck Hope. In the late 1980's, the Hope Family began selling their grapes to Chuck Wagner of the famous...

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