Providing a Unique & Affordable Selection of High Quality Red Wines and White Wines for Your Enjoyment. Also featured: Rosé, Port, Icewine, Champagne and Sparkling Wine for Special Occasions. Cheers!
red wine review is a delicious Old Vines Zinfandel from Lodi that arrived at the LCBO last summer as part of the "American Idyll" theme in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, with a few bottles at select LCBO outlets still available for purchase today.
It is produced by Four Vines, a highly-regarded California Zinfandel and Chardonnay wine producer that was originally established in 1994 by Christian Tietje. Four Vines grew out of, as Christian called it, a garage and surf shack, to eventually produce 120,000 cases as its wines became popular. In 2010, Four Vines was acquired by a company now known as Purple Brands.
Four Vines was founded on California's Central Coast, a vast and rugged landscape that stretches from Santa Barbara and north to Monterey Bay. It is a wild country with a gorgeous coastline and few towns, and is thus wide open with fertile farming soil and abundant ranch land. This area also attracted more than just farmers and cowboys, it attracted artists, rebels, seekers, and bon vivants from the Bay Area and Los Angeles, and the confluence of their unique personalities put a stamp on the burgeoning wine region. Today, rule-breaking and non-conformity are celebrated values, with Four Vines honouring the anti-establishment views of the Central Coast's eccentric personalities. Four Vines makes interesting wine for interesting people.
This red wine is crafted with fruit from their own vineyards in California's Lodi wine region, which is part of the larger Central Valley and situated directly east of San Francisco Bay between the cities of Sacramento and Stockton. It is made using 90% Zinfandel, 9% Petite Sirah, and 1% Rubired, from vineyards that are 30 to 50 years old. These old, head-trained vines yield only a few grape clusters, and produce small, intensely flavoured berries. The grapes were harvested during the cool night and early morning hours to retain freshness, then delivered immediately to the winery and gently crushed and destemmed. It was fermented in tanks for 10 to 14 days on its skins, then gently racked into a combination of French, Hungarian, and American oak, 25% new, for 10 months of ageing.
The 2019 growing season for Zinfandel in California was excellent as it was a warm year that produced supple, juicy, fruit-filled wines for short-term drinking. Let's see how this 2019 Zinfandel from California is tasting tonight...
Tasting Note:
FOUR VINES OLD VINE ZINFANDEL 2019 - Lodi, California, USA (#17157) (D) - $19.95 This blend of 90% Zinfandel, 9% Petite Sirah, and 1% Rubired has a fragrant, lifted nose of medium-high intensity that offers wild berry, brambly, black cherry, and blackberry aromas with a touch of jamminess and joined by hints of leafy green herbs, pepper, and sweet oak spices. It's medium-full bodied on the palate, with some ripe fruited sweetness that is tempered by very good acidity. It has delicious wild berry, brambly, black cherry, blackberry aroma replays joined by savoury, smoky oak, and mineral flavours. It has smooth, fine-grained tannins that are well-integrated, while black cherry vanilla, smoky oak, and mineral notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Surprisingly good and a recommended buy! Score: 88+ pts
Other delicious wines by Four Vines can be ordered through their Agent - Churchill Cellars.
red wine review is a delicious, crowd-pleasing, and certified sustainable Cabernet Sauvignon (with a splash of Petite Sirah) that arrived at the LCBO last month as part of the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.
It is produced by Imagery Estate Winery, a sister of Benziger Family Winery. Imagery was forged from a thirst for experimentation and is dedicated to crafting rare wines from uncommon varietals and character-rich vineyards. Imagery aims to shine the spotlight on interesting varietals that are all too often swallowed up in big blends, including international star varietals such as Malbec, Tempranillo, and Lagrein that would broaden the horizon for all wine lovers.
At Imagery, wine is art, and for over twenty years they have been pairing unconventional wines with original artwork at their Sonoma Estate. This artistic spirit is brought forward in their new generation of wines that offer a unique twist on tradition.
The winemaker at Imagery is Jamie Benziger. She grew up between her family's two Sonoma wineries and knew from a young age that she wanted to be part of the family business and work in wine. Initially, she completed her marketing degree and added wine business to her studies, but after her first harvest working in the lab at Benziger, she realized that her heart was really in winemaking. Jamie worked at other wineries in California and New Zealand, learning the chemistry of fine wine and working harvest, eventually returning home in 2015 to work alongside the most incredible winemaker she knew - her Dad, Joe Benziger. Jamie was mentored by her father and just as adventurous, and after Joe retired in 2017, she took over the reins to become the 2nd generation of the Benziger family to become a Winemaker. Jamie has gained notoriety since that time and continues to blaze her own trail in the wine industry.
This red wine is an introduction to the Imagery portfolio. It is crafted with 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petite Sirah that was grown in California's benchland and valley floor vineyards. The vines in these areas search deep for water and nutrients, resulting in grapes that are bursting with concentrated flavours. Furthermore, the skin-to-juice ratio is relatively small, resulting in velvety tannins in the final wine. It was aged in French oak, which contributed toasty vanilla characters to the wine, while also helping soften the tannins to create an approachable, easy-to-drink Cabernet.
The growing season in 2020 started warmer and drier than usual at all the vineyards, while also experiencing below average rainfall throughout the year. Conditions were ideal during flowering in spring, and made for a strong fruit set on the vines, while heat in August and September sped up maturity, leading to an early start on harvest. Let's see how this 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon from California is tasting tonight...
Tasting Note:
IMAGERY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Sustainable, California, USA (#14369) (D) - $23.95 This blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petite Sirah has a medium+ to medium-high intensity nose offering luscious, ripe dark currant, blackberry, cassis, sweet vanillin, clove, and oak spice aromas. It's medium+ bodied with some sweetness on the palate with ripe, dark currant, cassis, blackberry, clove, vanilla, and oak spice flavours that are supported by fresh, juicy acidity. Smooth, refined tannins are rounded and easy going. It shows nice balance throughout with dark berries notes giving way to a savoury, earthy-smoky finish, with good length. Crowd-pleaser. Score: 87 pts
Other delicious wines by Imagery Estate Winery can be ordered through their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.
It is produced by Michael David Winery, a well-known and respected family-run winery that was founded by brothers Michael and David Phillips. The Phillips brothers come from a family that has long and deep roots in Lodi as the family has been farming the lands in the region since the 1860s and winegrowing since the early 20th century. Lodi is located east of San Francisco Bay and west of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Today, the brothers are joined by Michael's son and daughter, Kevin and Melissa, as the 6th generation of the family to farm the lands of Lodi. Together, with a family legacy focused on sustainability, they have a drive to leave the land in a better condition for future generations. Although the wines by Michael David can be unconventional, all of the grapes are grown responsibly and in a sustainable manner - environmental, social, and economic - according to appellation rules, of which there are more than 100 standards that account for all aspects of making quality wine.
With a few ranges of wines in the Michael David Winery portfolio, including some that are packaged in cans, there is something for everyone. Michael David wines are known for their bold, rich, and ripe fruit flavours. The brothers are known for their quirky personalities, while their distinctive and eye-catching wine labels are known for standing apart from the crowd.
Building off the wild success of Freakshow Cab - the first wine in the Freakshow lineup - Michael and David searched near and far to find the next main attraction. As they were known for taking the road less travelled, they decided that the undeniable brut of Lodi Syrah was the ticket for this offering. The Freakshow Red is a mash-up of man meets wild - Syrah's untamed and mysterious allure is refined and polished with the addition of Petite Sirah. The 202 vintage of this red wine is composed of 54% Syrah, 42% Petite Sirah, and 4% Souzao. It was aged for 12 months in 88% French oak (13% new) and 12% American oak (49% new). As I prepare my eyes and taste buds for a Freak like no other, let's see how this red wine from Lodi is tasting tonight...
Tasting Note:
MICHAEL DAVID FREAKSHOW RED 2020 - Lodi, California, USA (#633545) (D) - $28.95 Crafted with 54% Syrah, 42% Petite Sirah, and 4% Souzao, this has a fragrant, medium-high intensity nose that is ripe and dark fruited with black plum, blackberry jam, and black raspberry aromas plus gentle oak spice and sweet vanillin notes. It's medium-full bodied with very ripe, sweet dark fruit, blackberry jam, black plum, and grapey flavours accented with black pepper spice, gentle oak, and touches of savoury earth. Fresh acidity tempers the slightly sweet flavour profile, while the broad, creamy tannins are smooth and refined. The dark berry and jammy flavours continue through to the long, gently woody finish. Score: 89 pts
Other lovely wines by Michael David can be found not only at the LCBO, but also through their Agent - Churchill Cellars.
For , red wine reviews are a pair of delicious red wines from California that are arriving at the LCBO in next weekend's LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.
These wines are produced by Francis Ford Coppola Winery. Famous for their name in cinema, the Coppola family purchased the historic Chateau Souverain property in Sonoma County in 2006 so they could create a resort, a wine wonderland, and a place to celebrate the love of life. After two years of renovations, the winery had its grand opening in 2010 with a tasting room, museum, and restaurant, and encompasses all that Francis loves most - cinema, wine, food, resorts and adventure. The backbone of each of these endeavours is the deep commitment to quality, authenticity, and pleasure.
With more than 20 years of experience in the wine industry, Corey Beck is the Executive Vice President Production & Chief Winemaker at Coppola. He began his career in viticulture by tagging alongside his grandfather who was the vineyard manager for Napa Valley's renowned Chateau Montelena. Corey has a degree in Fermentation Science from U.C. Davis in California and joined the Coppola family wine business in 1998 as an assistant winemaker, eventually becoming CEO and Chief Winemaker in 2018. Corey and his team have created a strong grower relations program with more than 150 growers, and are regarded as leaders in the wine industry for their innovative and engaging approach.
Following along these lines, Francis and Eleanor Coppola have long supported sustainability throughout their lives and many business endeavours in an effort to preserve the land for generations to come. The have constantly searched for innovative ways to implement environmentally responsible practices into the vineyards and winemaking techniques to improve efficiency, minimize environmental impacts, and create a nurturing habitat for wildlife, on-site staff, and visiting guests. Some of these initiatives include reducing energy use, while currently 36% of the energy sourced from renewable sources. In the vineyard, Coppola has implemented leading water conservation practices which includes aerial imagery, weather stations, soil monitoring probes, smart scheduling, and drip irrigation, while reducing water usage and recycling water in every aspect of their operations. The winery was certified sustainable through the California Sustainable Wine-growing Alliance in 2012, while the whole business was 100% certified sustainable in 2019. Sustainability efforts are also extended throughout their network of growers.
Like the 2018 Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Red Blend that I enjoyed last year, both of these wines are from Coppola's Diamond Collection range and inspired by the oldest bottle in the portfolio - the Claret. The Diamond Collection represents quality, consistency, and authenticity. The range has expanded to more than 15 wines, showcasing grapes sourced from high quality vineyards situated along the coast and inland valleys across California. By combining carefully selected fruit with precise winemaking techniques, the Diamond Collections aims to capture the pure expression of each varietal.
Although both wines reviewed below are labelled as a varietal wine because each is composed of at least 75% of the variety mentioned on the label, each wine is in fact a blend. It is interesting that Petite Sirah is common between both wines. Let's see how these red wines from California are tasting tonight...
Tasting Notes:
FRANCIS COPPOLA DIAMOND COLLECTION BLUE LABEL MERLOT 2018 - California, USA (#595686) (XD) - $24.95 A blend of 75% Merlot, 15% Petite Sirah, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon from grapes grown across California and aged for 13 months in French and American oak. The intriguing, medium+ intensity nose is savoury with cocoa, nutty, earthy woodspice, and dried herb aromas which surround a core of black fruit. On the lush, dry, medium-bodied palate it is dry with fresh dark berry fruit, blackberry, plum, oak spice, and chocolate flavours supported by fresh acidity and smooth, supple tannins. Very good length on the fresh, savoury and dried herb finish. Recommended buy. Score: 88+ pts
FRANCIS COPPOLA DIAMOND COLLECTION RED LABEL ZINFANDEL 2019 - California, USA (#708289) (D) - $24.95 This blend of 87% Zinfandel and 13% Petite Sirah was sourced from old vines in Amador County and cooler sites in Paso Robles and Sonoma, and aged for 10 months in French oak. The medium+ intensity nose is ripe and somewhat jammy and raisiny with brambly berry, sweet spices and vanilla aromas. It's medium-full bodied with just a kiss of sweetness on the spicy palate with ripe, brambly dark berry, and savoury woodspice flavours. Tangy on the mid-palate with fresh, juicy acidity, and dusty textured, fine-grained tannins. Savoury and earthy with brambly dark berry tones lingering on the finish, with very good length. A widely appealing, recommended buy. Score: 88 pts
Other delicious wines by Francis Ford Coppola can be purchased at the LCBO or through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.
red wine review is an excellent Petite Sirah, a distinct variety not to be confused with Syrah, from Napa Valley that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release.
Established in 1893, Stags' Leap Winery is one of California's oldest wine estates. Their 240-acre property is situated on the watershed of the Stags Leap Palisades, nine miles north of the city of Napa, and is planted to 90 acres of vineyards. Situated in an intimate valley within the greater Napa Valley, they have a unique terroir and ideal microclimate which supports a classical standard of viticulture, land use, and winemaking. Their goal is to convey the essence of their world-class terroir from grape to glass, and to create handcrafted wines that tell an authentic story of the land on which they are grown.
The Stags' Leap name originated in the late 1880s with the founding Chase family, and is attributed to a native Wappo legend of a stag leaping to escape hunters. The mountains behind the property on the eastern side came to be known as the Stags Leap Palisades.
The Stags Leap Palisades are a rock outcropping that forms the eastern boundary of the estate and sheds debris in the form of volcanic rhyolite and tuff, which is carried to the valley floor where it mingles with the deeper subsoil made up of Bale loam formed from ancient river sediment. Topographically, the slope of the palisades and its small valley are oriented to block early morning sun, retain afternoon heat, and funnel cooler marine air coming from the San Pablo Bay to the south. The sheer volume of rock has a direct impact on the local climate of the estate as the rock face of the palisades gives off stored warmth after sunset, radiating down over the entire ranch. Moreover, the high incidence of rock in the soil holds the heat of the sun into the early twilight hours, and then loses it rapidly, effectively slowing and prolonging the ripening process. With Napa Valley's long growing season combined with the accentuated warmth and cooling of the Stags Leap District, the result is an ideal balance of acid and sugar in the fruit that also gives the grapes more time to mature and develop.
This Petite Sirah is actually a blend that includes small amounts of Syrah, Grenache, and other Rhône varieties. The grapes that make up the backbone of this wine come from the estate's vineyards which have deep, rocky soils, while other carefully selected fruit also comes from Calistoga and St. Helena in the north, and Oakville, Oak Knoll and Coombsville in the south, as well as from their own Stags Leap District. Petite Sirah is a varietal that is enhanced by the deliberate diversity of their vineyard sites.
It was vinified by Winemaker Christophe Paubert using the same, time-honoured techniques - simple and traditional - that have made Petite Sirah one of the winery's staples, thereby showing the uniqueness of the Petite Sirah fruit. It underwent a relatively short maceration and fermentation, and was aged for approximately 15 months in mostly used American oak barrels.
The 2018 growing season in Napa Valley was stunning and near-perfect with good winter rains, mild spring weather, and steady temperatures throughout that allowed for even flowering and bud break. These ideal growing conditions were followed by a cool, even, and slow-paced harvest, which allowed Stags' Leap to vinify wines at a gentle pace. The result is that the wines of 2018 are of very high quality with lower alcohol, concentrated flavours, colour, and excellent acidity. Let's see how this 2018 Petite Sirah from Napa Valley is tasting tonight...
Tasting Note:
STAGS' LEAP WINERY PETITE SIRAH 2018 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#590356) (XD) - $60.95 Primarily Petite Sirah with a small amount of Syrah, Grenache, and other Rhône varieties completing the blend. Elegantly perfumed aromas of black and blue berry, dark plum, peppery spice, and cocoa, with some wood spice and reductive notes rise out of the glass. It's full-bodied and well-structured on the palate with juicy, ripe black and blue fruit, pepper, spices, and cocoa flavours with touches of smoky mineral and black raspberry adding further complexity. Acids are fresh, vibrant, and juicy, while the firm tannins are structured and grainy. Nicely balanced throughout with savoury, smoky mineral, and cocoa notes lingering on the very long finish. Enjoyable now, but will be better in a few years. Drink over the next 15 years. Highly recommended buy! Score: 93 pts
Other excellent wines by Stags' Leap Winery are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.
Last month was California Wine Month and I had the pleasure of attending a virtual zoom Master Class on "Emerging California". This master class was put on by California Wines and led by leading wine critic, journalist, and educator Elaine Chukan Brown.
Winegrowing activities in California began in the mid-1800's. Since that time, California has emerged as one of the world's great wine producing regions most notable for its Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay from Napa Valley and Sonoma County. In this master class, which included 9 wine samples for us to taste along with Elaine, we learned about some of California's lesser-known wine regions, focusing mainly on areas in the Central Coast.
The wines were, for the most part, made with grape varieties one wouldn't normally associate with California - Grenache, Cabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc, and Sauvignon Blanc were just some of the varietals we touched upon. Overall, I found the master class to be quite informative as a wealth of information was presented by Elaine. I was also very pleased with the quality of the wines. In the end, the Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon were my definitive favourites, but there were also many other lovely wines. To purchase any of these wines, please contact each wine's Agent for availability and pricing as only a very small amount of the rosé is currently available at the LCBO.
Tasting Notes:
BONNY DOON VINEYARD LE CIGARE VOLANT 2020 - Central Coast, California, USA (#18516) (XD) - $20 CAD Primarily from Monterey, this blend of 42% Grenache, 31% Cinsault, 24% Syrah, 2% Petit Verdot, and 1% Counoise has a medium-high to highly aromatic nose that is fresh, ripe, plummy, red fruited with a subtle smokiness. It’s medium-full bodied with smooth, nicely textured tannins. Flavours are dry and nicely balanced with red fruits, currant, red cherry, and subtle wood. Fresh, balanced acids. Long, red fruited, cherry, and smoky finish. Agent: FWM Canada. Score: 90 pts
SCHUG CABERNET FRANC 2017 - Sonoma County, California, USA (XD) - $47 USD Blend of 78% Cabernet Franc, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot. The lovely, medium-high to highly aromatic nose offers aromas of currant, cassis, red pepper, pretty florals, and herbaceous touches. It’s medium-full bodied and dry with lovely aroma replays with noted red pepper and smoky touches, along with tangy, juicy acidity. Structured and smooth with fine tannins. Red pepper, currant, and chocolate notes linger on the long, juicy finish. Agent: Lifford Wine and Spirits. Score: 91 pts
RIDGE ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - Monte Bello Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains, Central Coast, California, USA (#89284) (XD) - $112 CAD Composed of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot, it has a lovely, highly aromatic nose featuring aromas of sweet cassis, floral, currant, red berry fruit, cherry, and sweet spices. It’s full-bodied, dry, and structured with elegant, slightly chalky tannins along with lovely aroma replays and fresh, tangy acidity lifting the palate. Red cherry, floral, and earthy with some stony mineral notes lingering on the very long, juicy finish. Agent: Rogers & Company. Score: 93 pts
CLINE ANCIENT VINES CARIGNANE 2019 - Contra Costa County, Central Coast, California, USA (#32177) (XD) - $33 CAD From old vines, some more than 100 years old, grown in sandy soils in northwest Oakley near the San Joaquin River, the medium-high to highly aromatic nose offers lovely purple and black fruit, dark plum, and minty herbal aromas. It’s full-bodied with structured, slightly chalky tannins with lovely aroma replays on the flavour profile. Juicy acids with minty, dark berry notes, plus touches of smoke linger on the long finish. Agent: Vinexx. Score: 91 pts
OAK RIDGE MAGGIO PETITE SIRAH 2020 - Lodi, California, USA (D) - $12 USD A blend of 90% Petite Sirah and 10% Zinfandel, the medium-high nose is very ripe, plummy, and fruit forward with dark berry and sweet oak aromas. The fleshy, full-bodied palate is juicy and fruit forward, dark berry, plum, tea leaf, and purple fruit flavours joined by subtle sweet spices and vanilla. Structured tannins have some grip. Juicy acids and ripe plum and berry notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Agent: Profile Wine Group. Score: 87 pts
DAOU DISCOVERY ROSÉ 2020 - Paso Robles, Central Coast, California, USA (#19527) (XD) - $29.95 CAD This blend of 95% Grenache grown on limestone soils, plus 5% Sauvignon Blanc was barrel-aged on its lees. Aromas are fresh and bright with notions of grapefruit, citrus, and red berries, with herbally touches. It’s medium-bodied and dry with a pleasingly chalky textured mouthfeel to go along with very nice aroma replays on the palate, joined by touches of grassy notes. Somewhat fleshy on the mid-palate. Very good length on the slightly leesy finish. Only 10 bottles remain at LCBO, and at a big discount. Agent: Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits of Canada. Score: 90 pts
INGLENOOK SAUVIGNON BLANC 2019 - Rutherford, Napa Valley, California, USA (#17090) (XD) - $38 USD A blend of 76% Sauvignon Blanc and 24% Semillon that was aged for 8 months sur lie with 70% in stainless steel tanks, 19% in new French oak, and the rest in neutral French oak. The elegant, medium-high intensity nose is earthy-leesy in profile with pear, stone fruit, white peach, citrus, lemongrass, and herbs. On the medium+ bodied palate it is very textural and rich with pear, citrus, lemongrass, and white peach replays supported by juicy, balanced acidity. Citrus, pear, and subtle spices linger on the long, crisp, and tight finish. Agent: Noble Estates Wine & Spirits. Score: 91+ pts
BOGLE CHENIN BLANC 2020 - Clarksburg, California, USA (#704049) (D) - $21.95 CAD Chenin Blanc is the most widely planted variety in the Clarksburg AVA, which has mostly alluvial soils mixed with clay and some sand. This Chenin has muted aromas of tropical fruit, honeyed, beeswax, floral, and honeysuckle. It’s medium-full bodied with appealing, off-dry aroma replays joined by spice notes. It has a viscous mouthfeel with lively acids, subtly spicy and tapering to a dry-ish, crisp finish, with very good length. Agent: Abcon Wine Merchants. Score: 88 pts
CALERA MT. HARLAN CHARDONNAY 2018 - Certified Organic Farmed Vineyards, Central Coast, California, USA (#16406) (XD) - $55 USD Grown in limestone soils in the Gavilan Mountains at a high elevation of 2,200 feet and cooled by ocean breezes. The gorgeous, highly aromatic nose is rich and buttery with apple, pear, stone fruits, lemon citrus, and subtle smokiness aromas. It’s medium-full to full bodied with a lovely, rich, creamy mouthfeel and very nice, flavourful aroma replays, plus elegant oak spice and vanilla notes, all framed by lovely, racy acidity. Excellent length on the long, dry, leesy mineral finish. Agent: Rogers & Company. Score: 94 pts
After enjoying the 2018 Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Red Blend last month, wine review is another California red wine blend from the same producer. While this bottle is the 2018 vintage, it is the 2019 vintage that is coming to the LCBO this weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release as a new arrival.
Following many years of success in the world of cinema, the Coppola family established Francis Ford Coppola Winery in 2006 after the purchase of a historic winery in Sonoma County, California. Their desire was to create a resort, a wine wonderland, and a place to celebrate the love of life, and after two years of renovations the winery opened in 2010 with a brand new tasting room, museum, and restaurant. And just like in many of their other business endeavours, the Coppola family is firmly committed to preserving the land for future generations, while also practising sustainability and promoting biodiversity in the vineyard.
This red wine is from Coppola's Rosso & Bianco collection that consists of three wines. Francis Ford Coppola grew up with wine on the family table. Rosso & Bianco wines are very special to the family as they pay tribute to their family's Italian heritage. As the story goes, Francis Ford Coppola used to hear stories from his father about how Grandpa Agostino Coppola made wine in the tenement in New York City during Prohibition. Grandpa Coppola's wines weren't fancy, but pleasurable, everyday wines that reflected the comfort of home. This Cabernet Sauvignon (blend) is crafted in the same spirit - a wine for everyday life. Let's see how this California Cabernet Sauvignon is tasting on this Tuesday night...
Tasting Note:
COPPOLA ROSSO & BIANCO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 - California, USA (#23646) (D) - $19.95 This blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 5% Petite Sirah, and 4% Segalin was aged for 12 months in French oak. The medium+ intensity nose has oak driven aromas of wood spice, caramel, and clove surrounding a core of ripe currant, cassis, and blueberry. It's medium+ bodied and ripe with sweet oak vanillin, currant, cassis, clove spice, milk chocolate, cold cream, and blueberry flavours on the verge of being jammy. Juicy acids are fresh and well-balanced, while the polished tannins are smooth and rounded. Coffee, milk chocolate, and clove notes linger on the finish, with good length. Easy drinking crowd pleaser. Score: 87 pts
Other delicious wines Francis Ford Coppola are available at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.
red wine review is this delicious blend from California that is featured on the cover of the LCBO VINTAGES Release and arrives on shelves across Ontario for the first time this Saturday.
It is produced by Francis Ford Coppola Winery, a name famous in the world of cinema, but also quite popular in the world of wine. In 2006, the Coppola family purchased a historic property in Sonoma County and wanted to create a resort, a wine wonderland, and a place to celebrate the love of life. After two years of renovations, the winery opened in 2010 with a tasting room, museum, and restaurant.
The Coppola family also has a firm commitment to sustainability as they have long supported sustainability throughout their lives and many business endeavours in an effort to preserve the land for generations to come. In 2020, the winery became certified sustainable through the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. Some of Coppola winery's sustainability activities include using energy produced from renewable sources, conserving and reducing water usage, as well as farming sustainably and promoting biodiversity in the vineyard.
This red wine is from Coppola's Diamond Collection, a range of wines that are crafted with grapes grown across California (and Oregon), and are carefully combined to create wines for all occasions. This particular wine is created exclusively by taste each vintage with no particular roadmap in mind. The 2018 vintage it is a blend of 43% Petit Verdot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Alicante Bouschet, 12% Zinfandel, 9% Petite Sirah, and 7% Syrah using grapes from various appellations across California and aged for 12 months in French oak barrels.
Tasting Note:
FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA DIAMOND COLLECTION RED BLEND 2018 - California, USA (#22593) (XD) - $28.95 This blend of 43% Petit Verdot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Alicante Bouschet, 12% Zinfandel, 9% Petite Sirah, and 7% Syrah has a fragrant nose that offers a lush array of ripe black, dark red, and purple fruit aromas mingling with vanillin oak, and spices. It's full-bodied with slightly jammy black and red fruits such as blackberry and cherry, along with spice, and vanillin oak flavours in a pleasingly dry flavour profile. Although there is a touch of warmth, it's still well-balanced with good acidity, and smooth, dusty textured, and moderately grippy tannins. Woody, earthy, and milk chocolate notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Score: 89 pts
Other delicious wines Francis Ford Coppola are available at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.
wine review is a delicious California Cabernet Sauvignon from the Lodi Appellation. The Freakshow is a frequent visitor to the LCBO and the latest vintage arrived in Ontario today as part of the March 6, 2021 LCBO VINTAGES Release.
It is produced by Michael David Winery, a family-run producer that has long and deep roots in Lodi - a wine region that sits east of San Francisco Bay and the west of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Founded by brothers Michael and David Phillips, they are the 5th generation of the Phillips family that have been farming the soils of Lodi since the 1860's and winegrowing since the early 20th century. Michael's son, Kevin, and daughter, Melissa, are now the 6th generation of the family to join the team.
With a drive to leave the land in a better condition for future generations, it is a family legacy to focus on sustainability. Although Michael David wines can be unconventional, they are all responsibly grown in a sustainable manner - environmental, social, and economic - according to appellation rules, of which there are more than 100 standards that account for all aspects to making quality wine.
There are a few ranges of wines in the Michael David portfolio, including some that are packaged in cans. Thus, there is something for everyone. Michael and David are also known for their quirky personalities, while their wines are known for standing apart from the crowd, as the label of this wine illustrates. This particular red wine is from their Freakshow range, with the Cabernet Sauvignon coming from "Super Freak" himself, Michael Phillips' own Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard.
Tasting Note:
MICHAEL DAVID FREAKSHOW CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 - Lodi, California, USA (#405175) (D) - $29.95 A blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Petite Sirah, and 2% Syrah that was raised in French oak (40% new), it has an inviting and somewhat exotic medium+ intensity aromas of Bing cherry, red berry, cinnamon, strawberry preserve, baking spice, and touches of milk chocolate wafting out of the glass. On the nicely balanced, full-bodied palate it has flavours of ripe cassis, cherry, red berry, clove, and baking spice notes that are supported by smooth, refined tannins and juicy acidity. Closes with savoury, earthy, clove spice, and chocolate notes on the juicy finish, with very good length. Freakishly delicious! Score: 89 pts
Other delicious wines from Michael David Winery can be found at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Churchill Cellars.
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 Jake Beckett combined their winemaking skills with their wit and humour to turn an idea into reality using two tons of the best – or 'chronic' – grapes to make killer wine.
The Beckett brothers grew up in a wine family in Paso Robles and helped by washing barrels, punching down fermenting grapes, and working the bottling line. It was only natural that one day they would make their own wine.
Chronic Cellars' philosophy is to use the best, or 'chronic', grapes to make seriously good wine for people who don’t take themselves too seriously. They have partnered with neighbours and friends in Paso Robles to build an network of growers, allowing Josh to select the grapes he wants for all of his custom, intriguing blends, including this Purple Paradise. The labels are created by Joe Kalionzes, a childhood friend and artist whose style and graphic linocuts perfectly capture their double-take vision for the brand.
While the label of this wine and it's well-timed arrival in Ontario evokes images of Halloween, the vision for Purple Paradise actually appeared when they were in their own paradise - Mexico. Purple represents the juice, while Paradise represents how you feel when drinking it. Sit back, relax, and float away to your own paradise.
Tasting Note:
CHRONIC CELLARS PURPLE PARADISE 2017 - Paso Robles, California, USA (#012011) (D) - $21.95
This blend of 78% Zinfandel, 9% Petite Sirah, 7% Syrah, and 6% Grenache has a fresh, aromatic nose of cherries, spice, strawberry, and a touch brambly, surrounded by vanilla and cocoa notes. The full-bodied palate is confected with sweet spice and vanilla, followed by blueberry, cherry, and strawberry flavours. Acids are fresh and balanced, while tannins are supple with a touch of textural grip. Good length on the finish with sweet vanillin oak and some earthy characters. Crafted for mass appeal. Score: 85 pts
On , I visited Napa Valley for the second time in the last 2 years. After visiting quite a few wineries along the Silverado Trail during my first visit, I decided that I wanted to visit more wineries off the trail this time around.
The first stop on this hot and sunny Monday was The Hess Collection Winery, located within the Mount Veeder sub-appellation within Napa Valley. I had tasted Hess Collection wines last year at the Napa Valley tasting in Toronto and felt the wines they offered that day represented relatively good value and figured I would see more good value at the winery - and I was not disappointed.
The site on which The Hess Collection sits was established as a winery in the 1860's. Fast forward to 1978, where Donald Hess established his first Mount Veeder vineyard. Hess Collection now owns 1,034 acres of prime California vineyards, including 704 acres in Napa Valley. The tasting room and art museum are located on Redwood Road, west of St. Helena Highway and the famous Silverado Trail. It is reachable after driving approximately 10-15 minutes on a narrow, long and winding, uphill road.
Since its inception, The Hess Collection has tried to use sustainable and environmentally-sound practices for growing grapes. In 2008, The Hess Collection was among the first 10 wineries to receive certification for the Napa Green Winery program and one of only six wineries to have both Land and Winery certifications. Two years later, they were among the first wineries to be certified through the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance by third-party verification.
Due to arriving a bit later than expected because of late-morning traffic, I didn't have time to do a very in-depth tasting, but did get a chance to taste some wonderful wines nonetheless. My favourite was the 2010 Mount Veeder 19 Block Cuvée. This special wine comes from 19 blocks from their highest altitude estate vineyard (Veeder Summit Vineyard), with altitudes ranging from 1,300 to 2,000 feet above sea level and features steep slopes and volcanic soils. Overall, this red wine is intensely flavoured, complex and ageable for at least 4 years, although you will be tempted to enjoy it now.
Full wine reviews of many of the wines I tasted on this day are available at the bottom of this post.
For our second stop of the afternoon, we ventured back east along the aforementioned Redwood Road, passed St. Helena Hwy and the Silverado Trail, towards the eastern side of Napa Valley
Upon arriving at the front gate at Palmaz Vineyards, I realized that we were going to be in for something special. After being let in through the gate, driving by a former gatehouse, and up 4 levels along a steep and twisty road on Mount George, we arrived at the main entrance and were promptly greeted by Diana Lasso, National Estate Ambassador at Palmaz Vineyards and our guide on this visit.
We began the tour outside the main entrance on level 4, overlooking the vineyards and the said gatehouse, while having an expansive view of the Napa landscape. Diana began by telling us about the rich history surrounding the property that began its story as Cedar Knoll Vineyard and Winery by Henry Hagen in 1881. Henry was one of the Napa Valley's pioneer winemakers, and his wines garnered many awards. Unfortunately, Prohibition forced the winery to close and the site laid dormant for nearly 80 years.
In 1997, soon after Julio and Amalia Palmaz purchased the property, they began to restore it and accomplish a shared dream. Those in the medical profession may recognize the name "Julio Palmaz" - he invented the now widely used coronary heart stent.
We were also informed that the former gatehouse we saw upon entering the estate was restored and is now the home of Christian Gaston Palmaz, Director of Operations, and son of Julio and Amalia. He lives there with his wife Jessica Louise Palmaz.
Dr. Julio Palmaz had great interest in mechanics and engineering and played an integral role in designing Palmaz Vineyards' gravity-flow winery. Inside, we got to see the grape sorter that he helped design - it was quite versatile as it was able to sort different sizes of grapes with relative ease. Being a gravity-fed winery, the grapes arrive at the top to be sorted and de-stemmed and then proceed on an ever downward path and eventually bottled. The height of the cave is equivalent to an 18-storey building. We got a glimpse of this depth in the stairwell, looking down the centre of the staircase.
Once the grapes are sorted, they go down one level and into fermentation tanks. The dome in which these tanks are housed is 72 feet in diameter and 54 feet high and is the world's largest underground reinforced structure. One can truly appreciate the design and beauty of the dome when looking up from Level 3, where the fermentation tanks are held. The cave also houses its own water treatment plant, resulting in reuse of all waste water and in compliance with strict conservation guidelines.
Next, we went down another level to Level 2 and visited the barrel ageing room, as well as the racking area. During the whole tour, I couldn't help but notice that everything was SO clean - the level of cleanliness appeared to be medical-grade and seemed cleaner than some hospitals I've been to.
By now, I think we were all salivating at the thought of finally tasting the wines after being awestruck by the facility. We entered the classically-styled dining room and sat down at a long, very grandiose, dining table. Diane took us through the tasting menu as we paired four wines with bite-sized treats.
The pairings were all very well done, but my favourite was the Muscat Canelli with the Almond and Apricot biscotti. This wine also paired well with the Dark Chocolate Cabernet Truffle, while the two Cabernets also fared very well with the chocolate truffle. My favourite wine was the '09 Cabernet Sauvignon with it's classic aromas and flavours, smooth, velvety tannins, mouth-watering acids all nicely balanced into one cohesive wine. It paired really well with the Piave Vecchio (hard, cow's milk cheese).
If you are ever in Napa, I would highly recommend adding Palmaz Vineyards to your itinerary as it is truly an amazing winery. Note that tours and tastings are available by appointment only.
The third stop of the day was Miner Family Winery, located on the scenic Silverado Trail. Most of our group appeared to arrive at Miner breathless due to the amazing experience at Palmaz. This resulted in only a few of us partaking in the tasting on Miner's lovely upper deck patio with a sweeping view of vineyards located in the Oakville AVA.
The Miner Family Winery brand was born in 1996, three years after Dave Miner got his start in wine as President of Oakville Ranch Vineyards - a winery owned by his late uncle, Robert Miner. In 1999, Dave and his wife Emily purchased the winery building from his family and released the first Miner Family wines. That same year, a 15-month project to build caves concluded, resulting in over 20,000+ square feet of space they could now use for wine ageing. Impressively, since 2008, Miner has been running exclusively on solar power. Next time, I think a tour will be in order to see first-hand some of these impressive accomplishments.
In all, we tasted 5 wines (+1 one more that only I tasted inside at the bar) from what appeared to be a specially crafted menu just for us. All 5 wines were very good to outstanding in quality, with the favourite being aptly named "The Oracle". This Bordeaux-blend is their flagship wine that was first made in 2004. The 2008 version of this fabulous red wine was most recently in Vintages last October, and I expect the 2009 will be available at some point later this year.
Our final stop of the afternoon was a quick and unplanned visit to Priest Ranch Wines. This winery had a rustic, Western charm and was conveniently located just off St. Helena Hwy in the town of Yountville, en route back to home base.
Priest Ranch was originally part of the 8,500-acre Rancho Catacula Mexican land grant that took place in 1844 and remained in the Priest family for over a century until it was sold in 1963. In 2006, Priest Ranch became part of the Somerston Estate.
Tasting through a flight of wines and meeting Jack Edwards, Vice President of Sales, my favourite wines were the Syrah and the Bordeaux-blend Coachgun. Ironically, neither of these wines are currently available at the LCBO, but perhaps may make an appearance in the future, while the others I tasted have made their way onto LCBO shelves. On my next visit, I think I will make a point to visit Somerston Estate to experience their all-terrain vineyard tour and taste some of their limited production wines.
Given the quality of the small sampling of just 2 Syrahs I tasted on this trip, I will definitely be seeking out more Syrah from Napa. Currently the 6th most planted grape in California, I would love to see Syrah move up a couple of places and become more widely planted.
And finally, a big thank you to Megan Basten at Profile Wine Group, who helped arrange the visits to Palmaz Vineyards and Miner Family Winery, while also introducing me to Somerston Estate.
Tasting Notes: HESS SMALL BLOCK VIOGNIER 2012 - Mount Veeder, Napa Valley (#) (XD) - $28
Aromas are of medium+ intensity and show fresh notes of clean lime, citrus and nectarine. Medium+ bodied with a very oily and slightly chalky texture on the palate. 14.5% alcohol by volume (abv). Good acids and a long finish. Tingly mouth sensation is numbing. Serve well-chilled. Score: 89 pts
HESS MOUNT VEEDER CHARDONNAY 2012 - Mount Veeder, Napa Valley (#) (XD) - $40
Did not undergo malolactic fermentation and was aged in neutral French oak. Medium-intensity aromas which show orchard fruits, pear and white peach notes. Medium-bodied on the palate with nicely balanced aroma replays and mineral notes. Good acids. Elegant spice on the long finish. Score: 90 pts
HESS ALLOMI VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 - Napa Valley (#906420) (XD) - $30 USD / $37.95 CAD
Aged in American oak and contains 10% Petite Sirah and 2% Petit Verdot. Medium+ aroma intensity with ripe fruits, plum, cherry notes. Medium+ bodied with integrated tannins on palate with flavours of cassis, plum, pepper, and spice. Good acids and a long, warm finish. Score: 89 pts
HESS MOUNT VEEDER 19 BLOCK CUVÉE 2010 - Mount Veeder, Napa Valley (#018879) (D) - $38 USD / $47.95 CAD
Blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Malbec, 11% Syrah, 6% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot. Medium-high intensity aromas that show complex bretty, red fruits, black currant, and tobacco. The palate is medium-bodied with flavours consisting of blackberry, black cherry, vanilla, green pepper and oak spice. Mouth-watering acids and finishing long with tobacco and slight earthy notes. Dry tannins are nicely integrated. Enjoyable over the next 4 years. Score: 91 pts
PALMAZ CHARDONNAY "AMALIA" 2012 - Napa Valley (#) (XD) - $55
Highly aromatic with elegant apple, pear and butter aromas. Nice and creamy on the medium-bodied palate with very nice aroma replays. Well-balanced overall with a long, long finish that is slightly warm and has some subtle spice notes. Score: 91 pts
PALMAZ ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009 - Napa Valley (#) (XD) - $145
Contains 1% Petit Verdot. Aromas are very expressive, showing currant, cassis, blackberry and slight brettiness. It's medium-full bodied with nicely balanced aroma replays. Mouth-watering acids to go along with smooth, velvety tannins on the palate. Long, smooth finish. Balanced wine overall. A delight. Score: 93 pts
PALMAZ ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010 - Napa Valley (#) (XD) - $120
Include 3% Petit Verdot. Highly aromatic with elegant barnyard, cassis and currant aromas. Palate is full-bodied with black currants, earthiness and black cherry flavours. Mouth-watering acids and tannins that are smooth and integrating nicely. Lengthy finish. Nicely balanced. Would give this another in bottle for everything to come together. Score: 92 pts
PALMAZ MUSCAT CANELLI "FLORENCIA" 2012 - Napa Valley (#) (MS) - $55
Medium+ aromas with elegant peach, tropical fruit, and melon aromas. Fresh, clean, orange citrus and peach flavour profile that is medium-dry. Has crisp acids and a long finish that is slightly oily in texture. Score: 90 pts
MINER THE ILIAD 2012 - Napa Valley (#) (XD) - $30
Blend of 54% Marsanne, 40% Roussanne, and 6% Viognier. Medium-high intensity aromas featuring clean herbal, pear, and florals. On the mineral-driven palate, there are aroma replays and crisp acids. Finish is long with herbal notes in play. Score: 89 pts
MINER WILD YEAST CHARDONNAY 2010 - Napa Valley (#) (XD) - $50
Highly aromatic with apple, butter, and pear notes with hints of butterscotch. Medium+ bodied on the palate with crisp acids and nice aroma replays along with hints of crème brûlée. Texture is creamy with a finish that's long and smooth. A little high in alcohol at 14.3%. Score: 90 pts
MINER ROSELLA'S VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2011 - Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey (#) (XD) - $60
Aromas are of medium+ intensity and show strawberry, cherry and citrus on the nose. It's low-to-medium weighted with crisp acids. Warm red berries, hint of earth on the palate. Slightly astringent. Very fruit-driven and finishing long. Score: 89 pts
MINER LA DILIGENCE SYRAH 2009 - Stagecoach Vineyard, Napa Valley (#) (XD) - $40
Medium+ aromas with nose consisting of blueberry preserve, purple fruits, and bacon. Medium-full bodied with warm, black fruits, meaty, peppercorn and subtle smoke on the palate. Mouth-watering acids and finishing long, and smooth. Tannins are nicely integrated. Made in a northern Rhône style, this very nice wine is drinkable now or can be enjoyed over the next 2-3 years. Score: 90+ pts
MINER CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011 - Napa Valley (#) (XD) - $50
Contains 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Merlot. Grilled green pepper and currants show on the highly aromatic nose. Full-bodied with finely-grained tannins, aromas replay on the palate joined by herbal notes and some oak. Mouth-watering acids and a very long finish. Score: 89 pts
MINER THE ORACLE 2009 - Napa Valley (#046367) (XD) - $90 USD / $99.95 CAD
Barrel aged in 55% new French Oak blend consisting of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot, 5% Malbec, and 5% Petit Verdot. Elegant oak, currant, cassis, vanillan and red berry notes make up the medium+ intensity bouquet. It's full-bodied with red currant, leather and sweet tobacco flavours and a spicy mid-palate. Has good acids, drying tannins and a lengthy finish. Drinking well now, could be enjoyed until 2019. Score: 91 pts
PRIEST RANCH SYRAH 2009 - Somerston Vineyard, Napa Valley (#) (XD) - $38
Aromas are of medium intensity with nose consisting of peppercorn, oak and dark fruits. It's full-bodied with very good acids and flavours of peppercorn, blueberry and vanillan oak. Slightly chalky tannins. Long and spicy finish. Very much Old World style. Enjoyable now, but will reward in 2-3 years. Score: 89-90 pts
PRIEST RANCH CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011 - Somerston Vineyard, Napa Valley (#361097) (XD) - $48 USD / $52 CAD
Contains 5% Petit Sirah. Highly aromatic with green pepper and red currant nose. Medium-full bodied with aroma replays on the palate joined by cassis and minty complexity. Dry, chalky tannins and long, slightly warm finish. Could use 2-3 years in cellar. Score: 89 pts
PRIEST RANCH PETITE SIRAH 2010 - Somerston Vineyard, Napa Valley (#361105) (XD) - $40 USD / $52 CAD
Medium+ intensity nose with mulberry, currants, dried fruit and mint aromas. Medium-bodied with eucalyptus, spice, blackberry and sweet vanillan flavours on the palate. Tannins are crunchy, big, and smooth. Very good acids and slightly warm finish. Score: 89 pts
PRIEST RANCH COACHGUN 2008 - Somerston Vineyard, Napa Valley (#) (XD) - $75
Blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, and 10% Petit Verdot. This mature red has medium-high intensity aromas that has a nose consisting of dried fruits, mint, and raisined notes. Full-bodied on the palate with nice aroma replays along with dark fruits, sweet cassis, and eucalyptus flavour profile. Finish is long and warm. Score: 90+ pts
Note: All prices are in USD, unless otherwise stated.
Thursday, January 11, 2024
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