Rémy Ferbras Plan de Dieu Côtes du Rhône-Villages 2022 (France) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Côtes du Rhône-Villages from the Plan de Dieu appellation that arrived at the LCBO last month in the October 19th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Like the 2018 Rémy Ferbras Terre de Mistral Plan de Dieu Côtes du Rhône-Villages I enjoyed a couple of years ago, this red wine is produced by Rémy Ferbras, a winery with deep roots in the Southern Rhone Valley, at the heart of the prestigious Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyards. Owned by Grandes Serres winery, they pay tribute to Rémy Ferbras, its very first cellar master. Rémy Ferbras was an iconic figure of the winery and a tireless advocate of the Rhône terroir and its grape varieties. He succeeded in expressing the full potential of Rhône Valley wines and, through his work and tenacity, contributed greatly to the development and public recognition of Grandes Serres. The Rémy Ferbras range of wines are the result of strict selections, precise vinification, and ageing, methodologies he would've used, to produce wines that are rich, elegant, complex, and flavourful.

This red wine is a blend of four grapes that were grown in the Plan de Dieu appellation, in the heart of the Southern Rhône Valley. Plan de Dieu is spread across four villages and extends to the foothills of the Dentelles de Montmirail. In the Middle Ages, the sisters of Prébayon Abbey tended to these lands, which were covered with a vast garrigue forest rife with brigands and other robbers who ambushed travellers. Thus, when travelling in the region, it is best to put yourself in God's hands! Vine cultivation had been practiced in the region since at least 1326, but was abandoned for many years until it was revived during the 1920s. The terroir of this plateau is stony and arid, with soils composed of mainly limestone chippings and brown clay, conditions loved by Grenache.

A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, and Mourvèdre, the grapes for this red wine were picked at optimum harvest maturity. Each grape was vinified separately using traditional techniques for each grape variety. It underwent alcoholic fermentation between 26-28°C, with two weeks of maceration. After undergoing malolactic fermentation, the individual wines were blended and bottled.

The 2022 growing season in the Southern Rhône Valley was marked by intense heat and drought. The year began with a dry winter and very little rain, followed by a spring that rapidly warmed up, although there was a fleeting cold snap in April. Temperatures continued to rise throughout spring, leading to a successful budburst and flowering. May was abnormally hot, while June rains brought some relief. Summer brought intense heat and drought, with some vines struggling, while rot and disease were mostly kept at bay. Some humidity in August helped revive some of the vines. From a very good vintage that was more suitable for red wines, particularly Grenache and Syrah, let's see how this 2022 Plan de Dieu Côtes du Rhône-Villages red wine is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

RÉMY FERBRAS PLAN DE DIEU CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2022 - AP, France (#538009) (XD) - $17.95
This blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, and Mourvèdre has a fragrant, open, and medium-high intensity nose that offers ripe, lush, and complex aromas of black raspberry, scorched earth, smoky mineral, red plum, black cherry, blackberry, and spice notes. On the crisp, dry, medium+ bodied palate, it has lovely, ripe black raspberry, red plum, cherry, peppery spice, red licorice, and mineral flavours. It has juicy, succulent acidity, and supple, lightly chalky tannins with good structure. Gently tangy on the mid-palate, while lovely smoky mineral and touches of spice notes linger on the long, savoury finish. Absolutely delicious and a highly recommended buy to enjoy over the next 3-4 years. Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Rémy Ferbras can be ordered through their Agent - DBINO David Beauroy Selections.

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La Chevalière Rasteau 2022 (Rhône) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is an excellent Grenache-based blend from Rasteau that arrived at the LCBO earlier this month as part of the October 5 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

The La Chevalière label is a joint product between Les Grandes Serres and Rémy Ferbras. Both producers are based in the Rhône Valley and known for their expertise in crafting high-quality wines from the prestigious Southern Rhône Valley appellations. They use traditional winemaking techniques combined with modern practices to express the unique terroirs of the Rhône Valley. With sustainable vineyard practices, hand-harvesting, and meticulous sorting of grapes, both producers work with growers to ensure high-quality grapes are grown.

Like the 2017 La Chevalière Rasteau I enjoyed a few years ago, this red wine is a blend of four grapes led by Grenache. The 2022 vintage is, in fact, a blend of 70% Grenache, 10% Carignan, 10% Mourvèdre, and 10% Syrah. The grapes were grown in the Rasteau Cru, a village located just north of Vaucluse county, between the valleys of Aigues and Ouvèze, in the Southern Rhône Valley. The area of Rasteau has a variety of terroirs, including red marl and sandstone, clay and limestone soils, and is covered with worn pebbles on the surface. After accumulating heat throughout the day, these pebbles are known for their ability to release all that heat at night, which in turn cools down the vines. The Mediterranean climate and diversity of terroirs in Rasteau offers an ideal environment for the wines to fully express their structured, generous, and powerful nature.

To vinify this Rhône red, the grapes were destemmed, softly crushed, and placed in temperature-controlled vats to undergo a three-week maceration with regular pumping-over and délestage (rack and return). After ageing, the different terroirs were blended together to achieve optimum balance for the very differentiated character of this Rasteau.

The 2022 growing season in the Southern Rhône was marked by intense heat and drought, with the year beginning as a dry winter that saw very little rain. It was followed by a spring that rapidly warmed up, although April did experience a fleeting cold snap. Even though temperatures continued to rise, budburst and flowering were a success. May was abnormally hot, while rain in June brought some relief. Heat and drought during the summer months kept rot and disease at bay, while humidity arrived in August, which revived the vines and benefited the red grape varieties Grenache and Syrah. Overall, grape quality is high in 2022. Let's see how this 2022 Rasteau from the Southern Rhône is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

LA CHEVALIÈRE RASTEAU 2022 - AC, Rhône, France (#18502) (XD) - $23.95
This blend of 70% Grenache, 10% Carignan, 10% Mourvèdre, and 10% Syrah has a ripe, bright, and lifted nose of medium-high to high intensity that delivers lovely red & black raspberry, blackberry, black cherry, and spice aromas surrounding a meaty, savoury, and mineral core. Some olive and Mediterranean herb aromas appear with time in the glass, adding further complexity. On the dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate it has spicy, black and red berry fruited raspberry, cassis, savoury mineral, and earthy flavours with some plummy notes. Acids are fresh and tangy, while structured, grainy tannins have some chalky grip. Peppery spice with savoury earth and stony mineral notes linger on the long, grippy, and structured finish. Enjoyable now, and should drink well over the next 6-8 years. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

Other lovely wines from the producers of La Chevalière can be ordered through their Agent - DBINO David Beauroy Selections.

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Xavier Vignon Lirac 2020 (Rhône) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is the follow-up to the excellent 2019 Xavier Vignon Lirac that I enjoyed nearly three years ago. This latest vintage arrived at the LCBO as part of last month's September 21 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Xavier Vins, a wine label that was established towards the end of the 20th century by celebrated French winemaker Xavier Vignon. The story begins while Xavier was studying in the faculty of pharmacy in the Champagne capital of Reims when he caught the wine bug thanks to a chance encounter with an oenologist. This encounter led to Xavier gaining valuable experience at several Champagne houses and was the beginning of his journey into the world of winegrowing and producing wine.

Today, Xavier Vignon is known for using his expertise in blending and deep understanding of terroir to produce high-quality wines from the Rhône Valley. The philosophy at Xavier Vignon is to use an unusual, original, and creative approach that combines daring with inspiration. His time in Champagne and Bordeaux left a lasting impression on him, with strong values in the freedom of blending and the notion of beginning with an idea before embarking on the creation of the wine. Furthermore, each year is different and a source of surprise. The art of blending different grape varieties imparts complexity to the wine, while also enhancing the terroir. As a means to achieve this philosophy, Xavier Vignon has a wide range of ingredients at his disposal, such as grapes, terroirs, parcels, exposures, altitudes, stainless steel, concrete, and wooden receptacles.

With Xavier's deep knowledge of each and every part of the Rhône Valley, he is able to start by selecting a soil, a parcel, and a varietal with the aim of creating the most loyal and harmonious composition possible. Wines are always the result of contrary or complementary unions, and by bringing together these different entities, it provides the opportunity for the best possible result. Therefore, each cuvée is a unique experience that is an expression of vintage, varietal or terroir. It is also a source of emotion that is guided by the pleasure of sharing, and an invitation to not only dream, but also to better understand those landscapes which Xavier holds close to his heart. Xavier Vignon strives to capture this little part of the southern Rhône in the bottle, to encapsulate all of its aromas, colours, and textures, with the ultimate goal of making people happy.

While the previous vintage was predominantly Grenache, the 2020 vintage is a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah. This cuvée was crafted using grapes from the heart of the Lirac appellation, one of the most southern Crus of the Rhône Valley and covers the best soils of four communes in the Gard. The grapes come from a selection of 15 parcels within the appellation that are mainly made up of rolled pebbles and clay soils. In the vineyard, the grapes were pruned using the goblet pruning method, which helps limit the sugar content and preserves freshness. In a sunny vintage such as 2020, goblet pruning allows natural acidity to be maintained. Upon determining the harvest dates by daily measurement of polyphenols in the berries, the grapes were manually harvested. It was fermented at a moderate temperature to favour soft diffusion of flavour compounds using 100% free-run juice, with extraction by gravity. All the Grenache was vinified and matured in concrete tanks. Meanwhile, 30% of the Syrah was matured in unheated Allier and Vosges barrels for 12 months, with the remainder matured in concrete tanks.

From an excellent growing season that delivered wines of finesse and elegance, let's see how this 2020 Lirac red from the southern Rhône Valley is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

XAVIER VIGNON LIRAC 2020 - AP, Rhône, France (#636183) (XD) - $23.95
Mostly aged in concrete tanks, this blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah has a ripe and spicy medium-high intensity nose that offers lovely black & red cherry, peppery spice, blackberry, and stony mineral aromas with touches of floral and oak spice. The dry, medium-full bodied palate shows elegance and finesse with delicious black raspberry, red & black cherry, peppery spice, and mineral flavours, joined by meaty and floral touches that add complexity. It's well-supported by juicy, well-balanced acidity and smooth, fine-grained, and well-structured tannins. It's nicely balanced throughout with savoury mineral notes lingering on the long, gently chalky finish, with excellent length. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the next 5+ years. Score: 90+ pts

Several lovely wines by Xavier Vignon are available at the LCBO, while the entire range can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Tom de Baton dos Heredias 2021 (Portugal) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious, vegan-friendly red blend from Portugal that returned to the LCBO as part of the recent September 7th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Magnum Wines, a winery that was born from the dream of Winemaker Carlos Lucas. He created this company in the Dão region in 2011 with the dedication to producing high quality wines, surrounding himself with a team that brings experience and youth that has a continuous interest in innovation and dynamism, while respecting tradition and history.

Carlos is a man of the land and a modern farmer. He has over 25 years of winemaking experience and has worked in various wine regions, including Montpellier, Piemonte, Priorat, and Vale de S. Francisco. Carlos was also one of the first to bring a spotlight to the Dão region.

Since the beginning, Carlos has been concerned about the environment and respectful of the land, and his practices led to Magnum Vinhos being awarded "The Best Farmer of the Year" in 2014 by the Ministry of Agriculture of Portugal. Today, Magnum Wines is pursuing a sustainable growth strategy that respects the land and wines, while aiming to show the authentic character of every region where it has vineyards.

Magnum Wines produces several ranges of wines from across Portugal, with this red wine under the "Tom de Baton" label and being produced at the Quinta das Herédias property in Douro. The name "Tom de Baton" refers to the traditional winemaking tool called "bâton", which is used for stirring the wine during fermentation, a process which is known as "bâtonnage". Tom de Baton wines are crafted to be easy to drink, while also maintaining quality and structure, and often have a complexity that reflects the terroir.

This red wine is a blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, and Tinta Barroca that was grown in the Douro on schist soil with slight granitic outcrops. The vineyards are between 15 and 50 years old and planted at an altitude between 100 and 500 metres above sea level. These vineyards experience hot summers, low annual precipitation, and are protected by the Serra do Marão and Serra do Montemuro mountains. To craft this blend, the grapes were manually harvested and de-stemmed. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks at a temperature of about 22°C, with gentle stirring to extract colour and aromas. It underwent natural decanting and filtration prior to bottling.

The 2021 growing season is characterized by early budbreak, a dry and cooler year with healthy yields (just a bit below average), and slow ripening. The nights were cool during harvest, with some rain that interrupted picking. The resulting wines are slightly less concentrated when compared to the year prior, with lower alcohol levels. From a cool and somewhat challenging vintage for red wines, let's see how this 2021 Douro red from Portugal is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

TOM DE BATON DOS HEREDIAS 2021 - Tabuaço, DOC Douro, Portugal (#363168) (XD) - $17.95
This vegan-friendly blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, and Tinta Barroca has a fragrant, open, medium-high intensity nose that is slightly spicy with ripe plum, red & black fruits, blackberry, and black cherry aromas with underlying stony minerality. It's medium-bodied on the dry palate with ripe plummy flavours, plus red & black fruits, black cherry, blackberry, and gentle oak spice notes. Well-balanced with crisp and fresh acidity, as well as slightly grippy, youthful tannins with good structure. Smoky mineral notes linger on the crisp, juicy, and savoury finish, with very good length. Enjoyable now, but will be even better in 1-2 years. Recommended buy. Score: 88+ pts

Other delicious Magnum Wines can be purchased at the LCBO, or through their Agent - Rare Earth Wines.

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Tezza Valpolicella Ripasso Valpantena Superiore 2020 (Veneto) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely organic Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore from the Valpantena Valley in Veneto that arrived at the LCBO today in the August 24th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Azienda Agricola Tezza, a winery that was established by the Tezza family in 1960. Since the beginning, the family has been immersed in the winemaking traditions of the Valpantena and Valpolicella areas. The Tezza family has been producing wines in the region for three generations, and since 1988 it has been run by three cousins - Flavio, Vanio, and Federico.

Today, the short production chain at Tezza allows the family to apply their fundamental principles, which ensures authenticity, transparency, and excellence, with each and every step of the winemaking process traceable. Each step of the wine production cycle is carried out at the winery, from vine planting in the family vineyards to tending the vines and grapes, harvesting, vinification, and bottling. They have over 28 hectares of vineyards in Valpantena, spanning the townlands of Poiano, Nesente and Sezano, and adhere to the strictest organic farming protocols. As Tezza wines are exported and enjoyed around the world, they express the dedication, care, and energy displayed by the three cousins in their role as winemakers from lands steeped in winemaking history.

To craft their Valpolicella wines, the grapes are dried out (to reduce the amount of water and increase the sugar content) in their new drying hall that boasts modern technology which ensures that every aspect of the drying process, including temperature and humidity, is controlled and the results assured. After vinification, the wines are aged in the barrel hall, the heart of the winery, while the "old cellar" is the inner sanctum of the winery and contains Tezza's most precious wines from the best years.

As guardians of the land and biodiversity in the Valpantena Valley, the Tezza family had been practicing organic and sustainable farming for over 20 years prior to obtaining official organic certification in 2020. With the whole production chain compliant with the stringent protocols laid down by EU Organic and USA NOP, Tezza wines was also awarded Equalitas sustainability certification in 2023.

This red wine is a blend of Corvina and Rondinella that was grown in the Valpantena viticultural subzone, in central Valpolicella, of the Valpolicella DOC. The soil in these vineyards is calcareous with high organic substances, while also being rich in potassium, calcium, and magnesium. The vines were trained using Guyot and Sloped Pergola Veronese training techniques. After harvest in September and October, the grapes were destemmed and crushed. It was fermented using selected yeasts with maceration in temperature-controlled steel vats, with daily racking and délestage (returning), followed by refermentation on Amarone marc, and then aged for 24 months prior to bottling.

The 2020 growing season was a warmer vintage that produced bright fruit and acidity, along with excellent concentration and elegant tannins. From a very good to excellent vintage, let's see how this 2020 Valpolicella Superiore is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

TEZZA VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO VALPANTENA SUPERIORE 2020 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#25823) (D) - $24.95
This organic red wine is a blend of Corvina and Rondinella. The elegant, medium-high intensity nose has lovely aromas of macerated black & red cherry, blackberry compote, red plum, and sweet wood spices with touches of floral, vanilla, and dried herbs. The medium to medium-full bodied palate is sweet fruited, yet dry, and offers cran-cherry and cassis flavours layered over sandalwood, spice, currant, earth, and dried herb flavours. Acids are crisp and juicy, while the tannins are well-structured and somewhat youthful. Cran-cherry and cassis notes give way to savoury earth and smoky oak on the long lasting finish. Highly recommended buy to enjoy over the next 6-8 years. Score: 90+ pts

Limited quantities of Tezza's Amarone is available at the LCBO, while the entire range can be ordered through their Agent - Rare Earth Wines.

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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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Thalia Wines (Greece) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wine reviews are a trio of wines from Greece that I've had in my possession for nearly a couple of years now. While these particular vintages are long sold out, the latest vintage of each wine is widely available at LCBO outlets across Ontario at a about $1+ more than the price noted below.

All three wines are produced by Thalia Wines, a wine brand from Greece that was established by Steve Kriaris of Kolonaki Group of Companies. In addition to importing many boutique Greek wines into Canada, he also began producing and importing Thalia Wines - a range of three, diverse wines that are rooted in the rich tradition and craftsmanship of Greek winemaking.

The brand is inspired by Thalia, the eighth of nine Greek muses which inspired artists to create. She was born to Zeus, king of the gods, and Mnemosyne, the personification of thought, intellect, and memory, and the Mother of the arts. Thalia is the goddess of comedy, poetry, and festivity, and the one who inspired laughter to emanate from Greek theatres. To the ancient Greek philosophers, Thalia was the inspiration for their symposiums where they drank wine, listened and danced to music, debated, recited poetry, and revelled the night away.

Thalia is this wine brand's muse as she embodies their wines borne of ancient Greek lands and carries the fermentations of inspired generations in its genes. Thalia wines are best enjoyed amongst friends and loved ones, where we subconsciously desire to recreate the ancient Greek gatherings and enjoy each other's company, thoughts, and laughter.

The entire range of Thalia wines consists of 3 wines - a red, white, and rosé. All three wines are two-varietal blends that combine a native variety with an international variety. The 2021 vintage wines reviewed below are all from a good vintage, so let's see how these Greek wines are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

THALIA ROSÉ (2021) - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#27148) (XD) - $10.95
A blend of 80% Agiorgitiko, Greece's noblest red grape variety, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. After hand-harvesting the grapes, each variety spent 2 to 3 hours on its skins. The free-run wine must was then blended and fermented together at low temperatures using selected yeast. Enclosed by screw cap and pours a medium orange-pink salmon hue. The medium+ to medium-high intensity nose delivers dried herb, white pepper spice, grapefruit, citrus, and blood orange aromas with hints of stony minerality. It's nicely textured on the medium+ to medium-full bodied and dry palate with delicious dried herb, peppery spice, grapefruit, citrus, and red apple flavours supported by very good, crisp acidity. It has a nicely textured mouthfeel, while red currant and berry notes join the herbal and grapefruit characters on the juicy, dry finish, with very good length. Recommended buy! Score: 88+ pts

THALIA WHITE (2021) - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#273490) (XD) - $11.50
This blend of 70% Assyrtiko, one of Greece's highest quality grapes and comes from the high altitudes of the Achaia region, and 30% Sauvignon Blanc, each variety was hand-harvested and fermented separately at low temperatures using selected yeast, followed by ageing on its fine lees for 2 months. Fresh and fragrant with ripe aromas of lemon citrus, hay, orange, and grapefruit, plus some intriguing yeasty, doughy, autolytic characters adding complexity. The medium+ bodied palate is dry and ripe with slightly honeyed notes of lemon citrus, grapefruit, apple, and wild herbs, with touches of leesy minerality. Acids are juicy and well-balanced. Subtle spice on the mid-palate, while citrus and leesy mineral notes linger on the lengthy, crisp finish. Well-made and a highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

THALIA RED (2021) - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#15285) (XD) - $11.60
This blend of 80% Agiorgitiko and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon was hand-harvested and had gentle skin contact for one week. After undergoing alcoholic and malolactic fermentation, the two varieties were blended and aged. It has a fragrant, medium+ intensity nose of ripe black cherry, red plum, vanilla oak spice, and sweet cinnamon aromas with savoury earth accents. On the medium+ bodied palate it is dry with good structure that supports the black cherry, currant, plum, cassis, savoury earth, coffee, and gently oak spice flavours. It has very good, juicy acidity and smooth, supple tannins with a lightly grippy texture. There's some pleasant bitterness on the mid-palate, while earthy, dark cherry, coffee, and spice notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Should continue to age gracefully over the next 2-3 years. Score: 88+ pts

The latest edition of all three wines are widely available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine 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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La Ferme du Mont Le Ponnant Côtes du Rhône-Villages 2022 (France) - Wine Review

To celebrate Father's Day, tonight's red wine review is an excellent GSM-blend Côtes du Rhône-Villages that is a frequent visitor to the LCBO, with the latest vintage arriving on shelves across Ontario last weekend in the June 8 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by La Ferme du Mont, a notable winery situated in the Southern Rhône Valley of France. La Ferme du Mont is a relatively new project in the context of French winemaking, led by winemaker Stéphane Vedeau, and has gained notoriety for its high-quality wines and attention to detail.

With more than two decades of experience as a viticulturist and winemaker, Stéphane Vedeau is a 3rd generation winemaker who continues the traditions from his mother's side of the family. Stéphane has a deep understanding of the Rhône Valley's terroir and winemaking traditions. With La Ferme du Mont, the aim is to create wines that express the unique characteristics of the terroir, emphasizing minimal intervention in the winemaking process to allow the terroir to shine through.

In the vineyard, the goal is harmony. The plants live in a permanent equilibrium in the middle of a biotope rich in different species. The goal is to have the healthiest grapes, which take up most of the time and effort, as well as grapes that are balanced and in harmony with the plant and the natural environment, as well as be in harmony of fruit, juices, and breeding.

Having tasted several vintages of this red wine in the past, this is generally a Grenache-led blend, with this 2022 vintage composed of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre. The grapes were grown in the Southern Rhône Valley in a region dominated by a rocky peak and rounded stones in the vineyards, while the climate is warm, dry, and influenced by the powerful Mistral winds. The combination of these factors allows Stéphane to use an environmentally-friendly approach to viticulture, with minimal intervention. To vinify this wine, the grapes were lightly pressed and then underwent a long fermentation of 5 to 6 weeks, with soft extractions. To fully express the terroir, two-thirds of the wine was matured in concrete tubs for at least 8 months, out of contact with air, while the remaining was aged 225 L and 500 L barrels to increase complexity. The wine is bottled without filtration.

The 2022 growing season was marked by intense heat and drought. The year began with a dry winter that saw very little rain, followed by a spring that rapidly warmed up, although April did experience a fleeting cold snap. Budburst and flowering were a success, even though temperatures continued to rise. May was abnormally hot, while rain in June brought some relief. The summer months were marked by heat and drought, conditions which keep rot and disease at bay. The vines were revived in August thanks to some humidity, and benefited the red grape varieties Grenache and Syrah. Overall, grape quality is high, which will produce some sophisticated, age-worthy wines. Let's see how this 2022 Côtes du Rhône-Villages red wine from the Southern Rhône Valley is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

LA FERME DU MONT LE PONNANT CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2022 - AP, unfiltered, France (#171371) (XD) - $26.95
This lovely GSM blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre has a lifted, medium-high to highly aromatic, and complex nose of black cherry, raspberry, kirsch liqueur, black peppercorn, and spice with hints of stony minerality. On the medium-full bodied palate it is chewy, ripe, dry, slightly warming and spicy with delicious dark berry-cherry, black raspberry, black peppercorn, stony mineral, and earthy flavours. Acids are crisp and refreshing, while the smooth tannins have some structural and textured grip. Lovely stony mineral notes linger on the long, grippy finish. Should drink nicely to the end of the decade. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

One other lovely wine by La Ferme du Mont is available at the LCBO, while the entire range can be ordered through their Agent - Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.

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Rhonéa Tradition Rasteau 2021 (Rhône) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious Southern Rhône Valley red from the Cru Rasteau appellation that is arriving at the LCBO this weekend as part of the June 8th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection - and is available in many stores already.

It is produced by Cave de Rasteau - Rhonéa (formerly Ortas), a co-operative winery that was formed after the merger of two historic co-operatives who had deep roots in the Rhône Valley going back to the year 1925. As a co-operative, Rhonéa is today a collective of 400 families of Artisan Winegrowers who have over a combined 2,900 hectares of vineyards that have been cultivated in Rhône's terroirs for 3 to 4 generations.

The initial project at the beginning of the 20th century consisted of only a handful of passionate and visionary families who laid the first stones of the village wineries. Their aim was to create a shared asset which put everyone's talents to use in order to provide the best conditions for producing, ageing and selling wines.

Rhonéa is the innovative, new generation co-operative model made up of 400 families who are winegrowers with small vineyards averaging 10 hectares each. They are united with a common passion, but with know-how that has been passed on from one generation to the next to create their own, unique stories. With perfect knowledge of their terroirs, plots, and grape varieties, they aim to reveal the very best of them. All Rhonéa winegrowers are committed to ethical and sustainable winegrowing, vintage after vintage. The main mission of Rhonéa is to craft wines that are accessible, without compromising on quality, while also innovating with sustainability commitments, which includes social responsibility and environmental protection, at the top of mind.

I enjoyed a previous incarnation of this wine, the 2017 Ortas Tradition Rasteau, nearly five years ago, and like that wine, this edition is also mainly Grenache. In fact, this edition is a blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre, and 5% Carignan. The grapes were grown on terraces of clay, limestone, and pebbles on the plain, and blue marls on the hills situated between 200 and 250 metres altitude, facing the Dentelles de Montmirail. After manually harvesting, sorting, and destemming the grapes, they underwent a traditional vinification with long maceration and partial punching down.

The 2021 growing season for red grape varieties presented many difficulties with frost, hail, and rain. With poor weather, disease, pests, and low yields, the vintage will be remembered for being atypical, but also resulting in qualitative, fresh, lush, and tasty wines. Let's see how this 2021 Southern Rhône red from Rasteau is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

RHONÉA TRADITION RASTEAU 2021 - AP, Rhône, France (#998716) (XD) - $19.95
This blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre, and 5% Carignan has a medium+ to medium-high intensity nose that is musky and woodsy, giving way to a core of ripe raspberry, black cherry, black pepper spice, stony minerals, and black olive aromas, with touches of savoury earth. On dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied, and slightly warming palate it has savoury stony minerals, black raspberry, black cherry, woodsy oak spice flavours. Acids are crisp, fresh, and juicy, while the supple, fine-grained tannins have with some textural grip. Savoury stony mineral and spice notes linger on the well-structured finish, with very good length. Recommended buy! Score: 88+ pts

Other lovely wines by Rhonéa can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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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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Cave de Roquebrun La Grange des Combes Saint-Chinian-Roquebrun 2021 (Languedoc) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is the latest vintage of one of my perennial favourites that arrived at the LCBO as part of the recent LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on April 27th.

It is produced by Le Vins de Roquebrun, a co-operative winery that was founded in 1967. It is located in Haut-Languedoc Natural Regional Park, approximately 30 km north of Béziers, between Montpellier and Toulouse. Le Vins de Roquebrun is the largest producer in the Saint-Chinian appellation of Languedoc, consisting of 70 winegrowers that cultivate over 700 hectares of vines, plus 30 members in the cellar. Together, their philosophy is to create wines of originality, balance, and power.

Le Vins de Roquebrun is particularly noted because of its terroir - the mild and relatively arid climate, and in combination of schist soils, which allows for particular development of grapes within the Saint-Chinian Appellation. The resulting wines are typical of the region and of recognized quality. The soils in the Saint-Chinian Appellation are more than 450 million years old and among the oldest in France. The schist soil is commonly a brown or green rock, sometimes red, with a flaky appearance. As a fine-grained rock, it is composed mostly of clay flakes and tiny fragments of other minerals, all of which are laminated by the compression of clay in the heart of the earth's crust. The laminated and fractured rocks allow the roots of the vines to infiltrate deep into the ground in the search for natural groundwater, picking up minerals along the way. The minerals in the hills and valleys of Roquebrun retain water and store heat. This heat is released slowly at night, and it is said that the grapes still grow during the night. The main objective of the winegrowers of Roquebrun is to highlight the typicality of the terroir, and thanks to their efforts, the communal appellation of AOP Saint-Chinian-Roquebrun was created in 2005.

In the vineyard, Le Vins de Roquebrun only uses a set of qualitative grape varieties, while being respectful of culture. They also have rigorous specifications to regulate pruning methods, trellising, phytosanitary treatments, and yields, with a large part of the vineyard using drip irrigation to supply the vines with water. At the winery, Roquebrun uses strict specifications depending on the grape type and quality. All the grapes are manually harvested, which allows for sorting in the vineyard. Red wines, such as this wine, are often vinified using carbonic maceration, a technique that converts the sugar into alcohol without the use of yeast. The wine cellar is situated in an air-conditioned, semi-buried storehouse, and contains 900 French oak barrels and 56 stainless steel vats, all of which are used for ageing wines, depending on the wine and vintage. As of 1998, Le Vins de Roquebrun added a bottling line and a Bag-in-Box machine to its facility.

I've enjoyed this unoaked red many times over the years, with the most recent vintage being the 2018 Cave de Roquebrun La Grange des Combes Saint-Chinian-Roquebrun a few years ago. The 2021 vintage of this lovely red wine is a blend of 50% Syrah, 30% Grenache, and 20% Mourvèdre, from selected plots that were grown on schistous soils. The grapes were manually harvested, then brought to the winery and vinified in whole bunches using carbonic maceration in vats for 25 to 30 days. It was aged in stainless steel vats in an insulated and air-conditioned cellar, and bottled at the property.

The 2021 growing season in Languedoc had severe frosts in April, which drastically cut yields. Summer conditions were hot and dry, and put the vines under drought stress, while heavy September rains arrived too late to offer much help. Overall, it is a small crop and quality is variable throughout the region. However, I am optimistic about this consistently well-made red from Saint-Chinian-Roquebrun. Let's see how this 2021 red wine from Languedoc is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CAVE DE ROQUEBRUN LA GRANGE DES COMBES SAINT-CHINIAN-ROQUEBRUN 2021 - AC, Languedoc, France (#155804) (XD) - $21.95
This unoaked blend of 50% Syrah, 30% Grenache, and 20% Mourvèdre has a fresh, lifted nose of medium-high to high intensity that is ripe and spicy with lovely red & black fruits, blackberry, raspberry, cherry, peppery spice, stony mineral, and dried herb aromas with touches of meaty and savoury notes. It is notably mid-weighted on the dry palate with complex ripe blackberry, black cherry, black raspberry, savoury meaty, stony mineral, black pepper spice, and dried herb flavours supported by tangy, juicy acidity. The smooth, refined tannins have some chalky textured and youthful grip. Stony mineral with touches of spice linger on the slightly tangy, crisp finish, with excellent length. Well-balanced and ready to drink now, but will provide pleasure over the next 5 years. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

The delicious 2022 Cave de Roquebrun Soleil de Schiste is currently available at the LCBO, while the rest of the portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.

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Seppeltsfield EC405 Barossa Shiraz/Mataro 2020 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is an excellent blend of Shiraz and Mataro from the Barossa Valley in Australia. It arrived as a brand-new wine at the LCBO last month in the March 2nd LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection as an Online & Flagship Exclusive, with many bottles now available both in-store and online.

It is produced by Seppeltsfield Wines, an iconic winery located on the Western Ridge of the Barossa Valley. With a rich history, Seppeltsfield combines over 420 acres of ancient vineyards, gardens, and heritage-listed architecture to handcraft quality wines and unique offerings. The Seppeltsfield estate is surrounded by a small settlement, also named Seppeltsfield, and is among the most western townships in the Barossa Valley. The picturesque region is a patchwork of vineyards on gently rolling hills, contrasted by open fields of cereal crops. The estate is a landmark of South Australia where travellers of all origins were warmly welcomed throughout the 19th and 20th centuries due to the generous hospitality of the Seppelt family. Today, Seppeltsfield proudly continues the Seppelt family vision of the "village", ensuring that the history, heritage, and provenance of this remarkable estate is shared with many.

Seppeltsfield was established in the Barossa Valley by Joseph and Johanna Seppelt, just 15 years after the European settlement of South Australia. In 1851, Joseph Seppelt, an emigrant from Silesia, purchased 158 acres of land with the original intention of farming tobacco, with later generations of the Seppelt family concentrating their efforts on grape growing and winemaking. Seppeltsfield flourished into the 20th century, along with the Seppelt family's expanding interest in the liquor industry. The Seppelt family is regarded as one of Australia's most successful wine dynasties as it remained within the family until 1985.

In 2007, Seppeltsfield returned to private ownership, and is now under the custodianship of proprietor Warren Randall. Mr. Randall is a qualified viticulturist and winemaker who had previously worked for the Seppelt family in the 1980s, and is supported by proud investors. The estate is viewed by Warren as a custodianship of the Seppelt family legacy. In 2010, the 1888 Gravity Cellar was recommissioned and has revitalized the estate's prowess with still wines as all super premium red Barossa varietals are once again passing though the Gravity Cellar. Originally completed in 1888, the visionary design of the Gravity Cellar was borne out of engineering logic by Oscar Benno Seppelt, son of Joseph and Johanna. The Gravity Cellar uses a gravity-fed, minimal handling approach to winemaking, which is now a coveted modern-day winemaking principle, and results in wines with heightened aromatics and purity of fruit, aided by the gentle extraction of colour, flavour, and tannin. As part of Randall Wine Group, Seppeltsfield is also committed and compliant with Freshcare Australian Wine Industry Standard of Sustainable Practice – Winery Standard and the Sustainable Winegrowing Australia programs.

This red wine is a handcrafted blend of Shiraz (aka Syrah) and Mataro (aka Mourvèdre or Monastrell), a wine that celebrates the winemaking art of assemblage (bench blending) to achieve a final blended wine that is greater than the sum of its parts. The "EC" (East Cellar) part of the name of this wine goes back to the earliest red varietal blends that were first released by Seppeltsfield's founding family in the 1960s. While the composition of each wine varied with each vintage, the East Cellar code was a unique reference to where the wines were rested and matured in oak barrels prior to release.

The EC405 borrows the legacy of earlier EC bottlings, and brings together the traditional blend of Shiraz and Mataro. This 2020 vintage of the EC405 is a blend of 66% Shiraz and 34% Mataro. The Shiraz is made up of a parcel grown on Seppeltsfield's "V-Block" Vineyard in the western part of the valley and a parcel grown on Seppeltsfield's "Chooks Block" in the southern part of the valley, while the Mataro was sourced from a grower vineyard on the western ridge. The grapes used to craft the EC405 were fermented at their 1888 Gravity Cellar, which is built into the hillside on a series of terraces. Gravity guides the flow of the fruit through the winery, delivering gentle extraction of colour, flavour, and tannins. Each vineyard parcel was kept separate throughout the entire process, including maturation in seasoned French oak hogsheads. Bench blend trials were then conducted by the Seppeltsfield winemaking team, prior to assemblage and bottling.

While the 2020 growing season proved to be yet another challenging vintage, which led to reduced yields, and in turn, reducing supply, the quality of what was produced is high. Let's see how this 2020 Barossa Shiraz/Mataro is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

SEPPELTSFIELD EC405 BAROSSA SHIRAZ/MATARO 2020 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#33561) (XD) - $33.95
Enclosed by screw cap, this blend of 66% Shiraz and 34% Mataro has an elegant, fragrant, medium-high to highly aromatic nose of ripe, sweet black and purple fruits, blackberry, black cherry, and potpourri aromas with accents of savoury earth, iron, and minty herbs. It's medium-full to full-bodied with well-structured, rustic tannins and black-purple fruited and savoury flavours of blackberry, black cherry, sweet cassis, peppery spice, and graphite with persistent savoury mineral and cocoa characters. Acids are crisp and juicy. Some spice notes on the mid-palate taper to savoury graphite and mineral flavours on the long, grippy finish, with excellent length. Enjoy now to 2040. Highly recommended buy! Score: 93 pts

Small quantities of other Seppeltsfield Wines are available at the LCBO, while the entire range can be ordered through their Agent - Dionysus Wines & Spirits.

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Herdade do Sobroso Red 2021 (Portugal) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious Portuguese red blend crafted with 4 grape varietals that arrived at the LCBO as part of the recent April 13th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Herdade do Sobroso, an estate winery situated near the pretty little town of Vidigueira in the Alentejo region of Portugal. It is bordered by the Mendro mountain range to the north, the Guadiana River to the east, and to the south is a vast plain that stretches as far as the eye can see. Set among the vast golden plains, cork trees, olive trees, and vineyards of the early 16th century, Vidigueira has a long and rich history and is noted for being the place where Vasco da Gama lived happily with his family for some years after discovering the sea route to India. The landscape around Herdade do Sobroso has many historical references, and today it is strongly influenced by its proximity to the Alqueva Dam - Europe's largest artificial lake.

Today, Herdade do Sobroso is a distinctive property of 1,600 hectares that is heavily populated with cork trees. In recent years, over 600,000 cork trees were planted on the banks of the Guadiana River next to the Alqueva Dam, in the DOC Vidigueira Region, where the Upper and Lower Alentejo converge. The property was acquired by architect António Ginestal Machado, and then handed down to his daughter, Sofia, and her husband, Filipe Teixeira Pinto. The couple developed the project as a wine and country house that bonded wine production with architectural quality to become a dynamic presence in the region. Herdade do Sobroso arose from the love of Alentejo, a deeply-rooted connection to the land, a passion for wine, and a strong desire to create something that can be handed down to future generations.

This red wine is a blend of 30% Aragonez (Tempranillo), 30% Alicante Bouschet, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Syrah that was grown on loam-clay soil at their Sobroso Vineyard along the banks of the Guadiana River, in the Alentejo wine region of southern Portugal. The grapes were hand-harvested and transported to the winery, upon which they were fermented at a controlled temperature in stainless steel, followed by a post-fermentation maceration for approximately 20 days. The wine was then aged in 500 Litre French oak barrels for 6 months.

The growing season in 2021 provided cooler conditions and resulted in a later harvest throughout Portugal, while yields were up compared to the prior year. In Alentejo, it is described as an almost brilliant year that began with winter rains replenishing water reserves in the soil, followed by cooler than usual conditions, which resulted in less irrigation. Spring was warm and dry - the perfect conditions for flowering and fruit setting. Summer was much milder than usual, and when combined with the cool nights, this allowed the grapes to ripen slowly and steadily. A heatwave at the beginning of August caused the vines to temporarily shutdown and halted ripening, but this was relieved once temperatures dropped by mid-August. Overall, the quality of the grapes is very good and resulted in some exceptional wines. Let's see how this 2021 Alentejo red from Portugal is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

HERDADE DO SOBROSO RED 2021 - DOC Alentejo, Portugal (#306563) (XD) - $19.95
This blend of 30% Aragonez (Tempranillo), 30% Alicante Bouschet, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Syrah has a fragrant, medium-high intensity nose that is enticing with ripe dark red/black cherry, blackberry, plummy, currant, cassis, and peppery spice aromas with accents of savoury, earthy oak, and meaty notes. It's medium+ bodied and dry with delicious dark fruits, blackberry, black cherry, plum, and spice flavours surrounding a core of savoury earth. It has fresh, juicy, and lively acidity, along with ripe, smooth, and fine-grained tannins. Dark berry and plummy notes taper to savoury earth, oak, and cocoa on the long and juicy finish. Enjoy this recommended buy over the next few years. Score: 89 pts

Other delicious wines by Herdade do Sobroso can be ordered through their Agent - Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.

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Cave de Roquebrun Soleil de Schiste 2022 (Languedoc) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Syrah-based blend from Languedoc that newly arrived at the LCBO last weekend in the April 13th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. It is included as part of the release's theme on Perfect Pairings for Spring Celebrations and will be a fine match for backyard BBQs.

It is produced by Cave de Roquebrun, a co-operative winery located in the Languedoc wine region of France. It was founded in 1967 in Haut-Languedoc Natural Regional Park, approximately 30 km north of Béziers, between Montpellier and Toulouse. More specifically, it is situated in the picturesque village of Roquebrun, which lies within the Saint-Chinian appellation of the Languedoc-Roussillon wine region, and offers an exceptional, sunny microclimate for Mediterranean vegetation and the cultivation of fruit. Moreover, Cave de Roquebrun is located on schist terroir, which is typical of Languedoc, and allows Roquebrun to produce original and high-quality wines.

Today, Cave de Roquebrun is the largest wine producer within the Saint-Chinian appellation, consisting of 70 winegrowers who cultivate over 700 hectares of vines. With a team of professionals motivated by high standards, their philosophy is to create wines of originality, balance, and wealth.

In order to realize their philosophy, their schist terroir plays a very important role. The climate in Roquebrun is very mild and relatively arid, and when combined with schist soils, the development of the different grape varieties is very special and unique. The soils where the vines are planted are among the oldest in France, dating back to the Devonian, Ordovician, and Visean eras, which are more than 330 million years old. Schists are a brown, green, or sometimes red rock, with a flaky appearance that is fine-grained and includes tiny fragments of other minerals. These rocks are laminated and fragmented, allowing the roots of the vine to go deep into the ground in the search for naturally circulating rainwater. This mineral has two main virtues: it retains water, while also storing heat which is released slowly at night and, according to local winegrowers, allows the grapes to still grow at night.

This red wine is a blend of 65% Syrah, 20% Grenache, and 10% Mourvèdre that was grown on the clay-limestone slopes on the banks of the Orb River. The grapes were manually harvested at night to retain freshness, and upon arriving at the winery they were direct-pressed, cold settled, and underwent a long fermentation at a low temperature. To retain the full expression of the fruit, the wine was matured in stainless steel vats for at least a year in an insulated and air-conditioned cellar.

Despite spring frosts and summer hail which created uncertainty among growers, the 2022 vintage in Languedoc is said to be the best since 2011. While extreme weather patterns have become commonplace in the Languedoc region of France, summer brought sunshine and wind, reducing the risk of disease, while some grape varieties progressed rapidly. Timely rains in mid-August and at the beginning of September helped polish the tannins and polyphenols. From then on, the weather was idyllic, allowing producers to pick grapes at peak ripeness without any concern. Let's see how this 2022 Languedoc red is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CAVE DE ROQUEBRUN SOLEIL DE SCHISTE 2022 - AP, Languedoc, France (#35995) (XD) - $18.95
This unoaked blend of 65% Syrah, 20% Grenache, and 10% Mourvèdre has a fresh, lifted nose of medium-high intensity that offers generous and attractive aromas of ripe red & black fruits, blackberry, black cherry, raspberry, and black plum that mingles with earthy and stony minerality, plus touches of wild herbs. It's mid-weighted on the dry and very ripe palate with delicious flavours of wild berry, garrigue, blackberry, raspberry, peppery spice, stony mineral, and savoury earth. It has fresh acidity and supple, chalky textured, gently grippy, and well-structured tannins. Smoky mineral notes linger on the long, crisp, and well-structured finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

A wine by Cave de Roquebrun will be available at the LCBO in a couple of weeks, while the entire can be ordered today through their Agent - Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.

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Kacaba Cabernet/Syrah 2020 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Cabernet Franc and Syrah blend that was locally and sustainably grown and crafted in Niagara and arrived at the LCBO as part of the recent March 2nd LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Like the 2019 Kacaba Cabernet Franc that I enjoyed last year, this red wine is also produced by Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, a premium, small-batch winery located on prime, winegrowing land on the Niagara Escarpment in Vineland, Ontario. The history of the winery begins in 1997 after the land was purchased by Michael Kacaba, a Bay St. lawyer in Toronto of Ukrainian descent and a Saskatchewan background. Although the land was slated for a subdivision, Mr. Kacaba had other visions and began the work to establish a vineyard and winery. Only two years later, in 1999, Kacaba had their first vintage and consistent success followed thereafter.

The choice of establishing the vineyard and winery on the Niagara Escarpment - the slope leading to the lake bed of the prehistoric lake that covered southern Ontario - has greatly contributed to Kacaba's success. This unique geographical area sets up a circulating air flow whereby cold air naturally moves down the Escarpment and over Lake Ontario, where it warms, rises, and returns to heat the Escarpment. This process helps extend the frost-free season through spring and fall, thereby extending the growing season, which allows grapes such as Syrah and Bordeaux varieties, such as Cabernet Franc, to develop phenolic maturity.

Today, while no longer owned by Michael Kacaba, the wines of Kacaba Vineyards & Winery are produced using only the finest grapes on the estate or from partner growers in surrounding vineyards. The philosophy at Kacaba is dependent on producing small quantities of wines by limiting the quantities they can handle such that they are able to manage all aspects of the winemaking process mainly by hand. By focusing on small-batch winemaking, Kacaba is able to produce wines of merit that are deep in colour, rich in aromas and character. Kacaba also strives to encourage sustainable agriculture on their land, as well as their partner growers.

This red wine is a blend of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Syrah, and due to the stellar growing season in the Niagara region, the Cabernet Franc was harvested in early November, while the Syrah was harvested in mid-October. Each varietal was picked separately at slightly different times and kept separate throughout the vinification process. The grapes were gently destemmed and fermented in stainless steel containers. After pressing, the wines were aged in a combination of French and American oak barrels for 17 months. In the spring of 2022, Winemaker Vadim Chelekhov tasted the various barrels of wine and selected the unique tasting casks that showed elegant tannins and overall balance. The chosen barrels were then blended, filtered, and bottled on May 17, 2022.

The 2020 growing season started off warmer than average and was mostly dry with only a few snow storms in January and February. The warm trend continued into March, but then slowed in April, which included a cold snap in the latter part of the month, and kept the vines dormant. The great growing season took off once spring arrived in May, followed by a dry and warm summer, which was followed by a cool, dry, and long fall season. With extensive crop thinning, leaf pulling, and constant vineyard monitoring, the Cabernet Franc grapes hung on to the vines into October and early November. From a vintage that has been deemed the vintage of the century in Niagara, let's see how this 2020 Cabernet Franc - Syrah blend from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

KACABA CABERNET / SYRAH 2020 - Sustainable, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#26424) (XD) - $24.95
A blend of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Syrah, this has a rich, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose that offers pleasing, ripe red & black fruit, currant, raspberry, oak spice, chocolate, and savoury earth aromas, plus hints of plum, meaty, and mineral notes. It's medium-bodied on the dry palate with delicious, tangy red & black fruits, currant, raspberry, savoury earth flavours, plus subtle oak spice, black pepper, and meaty notes add further character. It has fresh, lemony acidity, while the smooth, supple, and refined tannins are well-managed. There's a touch of chalky grip on the back palate. Tangy with savoury earth and mineral notes linger on the long, fresh finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the next 5+ years. Score: 90 pts

Some of the fine wines by Kacaba Vineyards are available at the LCBO, while the full range is available direct from winery in Niagara.

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