August 24, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: West Coast

This is the first release since the end of the LCBO strike, and features wines that were originally supposed to be released on Aug. 10th, but are now part of the August 24, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. It's a big release with more than 140 wines offered, while the theme of the release is titled West Coast Wine Country. All the wines should be on LCBO VINTAGES shelves across Ontario already.

We'll begin with the theme, which is titled "A Trip Through West Coast Wine Country" and features fourteen wines, all from the states of California, Washington, and Oregon, as British Columbia was left out of the picture. Only two of these wines are among my top wine picks, and both are from Sonoma County, with an Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon which is a blend that includes 5% Merlot and 5% Malbec, and a rosé which consists of 90% Grenache, plus Syrah and Carignan completing the blend.

Somewhat surprisingly, all my top red wine picks outside the theme come in at under $25. Among the blends there is the Chianti Classico that is composed of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot, as well as the Rhône red which is 50/50 Grenache and Syrah. The only other blend is the Valpolicella, which is a blend of Corvina and Rondinella. Other lovely mono-varietal red wines include a Frappato from Sicily, a Merlot from Bordeaux, and a Tempranillo from Rioja.

Among my top white wine recommendations, we start in Greece with a top Assyrtiko from Santorini, followed by another Assyrtiko which is from Drama. Staying in Greece, there is also a fine Malagouzia. On the local front, there is a fine Fumé Blanc, which is a barrel fermented and aged Sauvignon Blanc, as well as the off-dry Phoenix, which is made with 100% Gewürztraminer, and a medium-sweet Riesling from Niagara. Other white wines include a Grillo from Sicily, a skin-contact Pinot Grigio from Italy, and the Rhône white, which is a blend of 60/40 Grenache Blanc and Viognier.

Both of my rosé wine picks from France are blends, with the Tavel a blend of Grenache, Clairette, Cinsault, Bourboulenc, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. From the Languedoc, the Béziers rosé is a blend of 45% Cinsault, 40% Grenache, 10% Caladoc, and 5% Syrah, while the Midi rosé is made with 70% Grenache, 15% Syrah, and 15% Marselan. From Niagara, the Malivoire Rosé is crafted with 100% Pinot Noir. Lastly, the bubbly from South Africa is 100% Chardonnay.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• TAPIZ MALBEC 2021 - Sustainable, Mendoza, Argentina (#36315) (XD) - $14.95
• DOMAINE LA DÉCELLE RÉSERVE CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES VALRÉAS 2020 - AC, France (#14391) (XD) - $15.95
• CHÂTEAU CLOU DU PIN 2021 - AC Bordeaux Supérieur, France (#28727) (XD) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review
• CASTELLI DEL GREVEPESA CASTELGREVE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 - Sustainable, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#573485) (XD) - $18.95  90 pts  wine review
• CREMASCHI FURLOTTI GRAN RESERVA CARMENÈRE 2019 - Sustainable, Vegan, DO Valle del Loncomilla, Valle del Maule, Chile (#549741) (XD) - $19.95
• LEALTANZA ÚNICO 12 MESES ROBLE FRANCÉS 2018 - Vegan, DOCa Rioja, Spain (#37475) (XD) - $22.95
• TEZZA VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO VALPANTENA SUPERIORE 2020 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#25823) (D) - $24.95  90+ pts  wine review
• VITE COLTE SOGNI AL CAMPO NEBBIOLO 2021 - DOC Langhe, Piedmont, Italy (#17572) (XD) - $24.95  90+ pts  wine review
• PLANETA FRAPPATO 2022 - Sustainable, DOC Sicilia Vittoria, Italy (#508655) (XD) - $24.95
• RODNEY STRONG ALEXANDER VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Sustainable, Sonoma County, California, USA (#350454) (XD) - $34.95  91 pts  wine review

White Wine:

• LAVAU CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2022 - AC, France (#36914) (XD) - $16.95  88+ pts  wine review
• FEATHERSTONE PHOENIX 2023 - Sustainable, Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#519025) (D) - $18.95  90+ pts  wine review
• ALPHA ESTATE TURTLES SINGLE VINEYARD MALAGOUZIA 2023 - Vegan, PGI Florina, Greece (#32161) (XD) - $18.95  91 pts  wine review
• ATTEMS RAMATO PINOT GRIGIO 2023 - DOC Friuli, Italy (#111732) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• HIEDLER PHENOMENON GRÜNER VELTLINER 2023 - Qualitätswein, Niederösterreich, Austria (#39119) (XD) - $19.95
• MEGALOMANIAC NARCISSIST RIESLING 2021 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#67587) (M) - $19.95
• REGALEALI CAVALLO DELLE FATE GRILLO 2022 - Sustainable, DOC Sicilia, Italy (#36662) (XD) - $23.95
• WINE ART ESTATE IDISMA DRIOS ASSYRTIKO 2022 - PGI Drama, Greece (#36834) (XD) - $28.95  91+ pts  wine review
• HIDDEN BENCH ROSOMEL VINEYARD FUMÉ BLANC 2021 - Sustainable, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#68825) (XD) - $29.95
• ARGYROS ASSYRTIKO 2022 - PDO Santorini, Greece (#387365) (XD) - $45.95  94+ pts  wine review

Rosé Wine:

• LE BIJOU DE SOPHIE VALROSE ROSÉ 2023 - Vegan, IGP Coteaux de Béziers, Languedoc, France (#20012) (XD) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
• DOMAINE D'ESPEYRAN ELÉGANCE ROSÉ 2021 - IGP Terres du Midi, Languedoc, France (#37825) (XD) - $17.95
• 13TH STREET EXPRESSION SERIES CABERNET FRANC ROSÉ 2023 - Sustainable, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#20359) (XD) - $17.95
• DOMAINE TERRE DAVAU TAVEL ROSÉ 2023 - AC, Rhône, France (#37680) (XD) - $19.95  90 pts  wine review
• MALIVOIRE VIVANT ROSÉ 2023 - Sustainable, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#498535) (XD) - $21.95  91+ pts  wine review
• ANGELS & COWBOYS ROSÉ 2023 - Sonoma County, California, USA (#493155) (XD) - $25.95  89 pts  wine review

Sparkling Wine:

• L'ORMARINS CAP CLASSIQUE BLANC DE BLANCS 2018 - Traditional method, WO Western Cape, South Africa (#15681) (XD) - $28.95

Dessert Wine:

• FEATHERSTONE FROSTBITE SELECT LATE HARVEST GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2022 - Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#39276) (S) (375mL) - $29.95  92 pts  wine review

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Four Vines Old Vine Zinfandel 2019 (Lodi) - Wine Review

Tonight's 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 July 22nd 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.

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Imagery Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (California) - Wine Review

Tonight's 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 December 16 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.

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Michael David Freakshow Red 2020 (Lodi) - Wine Review

A couple of years ago I had the pleasure of tasting the 2018 Michael David Freakshow Cabernet Sauvignon, while tonight's red wine review is another wine from the Freakshow lineup that arrived at the LCBO earlier this summer in the June 24 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

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.

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Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cépages 2017 (Sonoma) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine reviews is an excellent Cabernet Sauvignon blend from Sonoma County that arrived at the LCBO as part of the August LCBO VINTAGES Cellar Collection Release and is now available at several stores across Ontario. It will make a fine gift for the holidays or a nice addition to your cellar.

It is produced by Chateau St. Jean, an iconic Chateau that dates back to the 1920's, but whose story as a top wine producer began in 1973 when the three founders of the estate purchased the northern Sonoma Valley property. Their vision for the property was to create wines that captured the nuance, character, and quality of Sonoma's distinct vineyards and growing regions. The founders, Robert and Edward Merzoian, and Kenneth Sheffield, who were San Joaquin Valley table grape growers and shippers, named the winery after the only woman who was "saintly" enough to keep the three of them in line, Jean Sheffield Merzoian, sister-in-law, wife, and sister to the owners.

The Chateau was built by the Goff family, who had established their family fortune in the iron ore mines of Michigan's Upper Peninsula and Pacific Northwest lumber. They came to California in 1916 and purchased 300 acres of land in the Valley of the Moon area of Sonoma County, California. Construction of the Goff family summer home - now the Chateau - began in 1920, and white wine grapes were grown on the property. The living room of the home is now the Reserve Tasting Room in the Chateau.

After founding the winery in 1973, they had their first vintage a year later, and produced wines on the property for the first time in 1975 with Dick Arrowood as Chateau St. Jean's first winemaker. In 1980, the founders built a brand new winery in Kenwood, California, that was designed from the ground up to accommodate the numerous grape parcels and keep them separate throughout the winemaking process, ensuring that vineyard designation stayed pure. In 1999, Chateau St. Jean was acquired by Treasury Wine Estates, and a year later they opened a new Visitor Centre and Gardens, which features a statue of Jean in the main courtyard garden by the pool.

In 2021, Foley Family Wines acquired Chateau St. Jean from the Americas division of Treasury Wine Estates. A year later, they welcomed Winemaker Niki Williams, the company's fifth winemaker, while also undergoing renovations that included rebuilding the destemmer, crush pad, and presses, as well as upgrading the gardens and surrounding facilities to improve the visitor experience.

With a proud history and having set the standard for excellence in Sonoma County winemaking, Chateau St. Jean celebrates 50 years in 2023. Some of these achievements for excellence in wine include the 1996 Cinq Cépages being awarded the wine of the year in Wine Spectator's Top 100 list, while the 1999 vintage was awarded second place. In 2008, Winemaker Margo Van Staaveren was also awarded Winemaker of the Year by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

This Cinq Cépages, which translates to "Five Grape Varieties", is the flagship wine of Chateau St. Jean. First introduced in 1990, it is crafted in a Bordeaux-style blend with Cabernet Sauvignon the main variety. To craft this wine, Winemaker Margo Van Staaveren, who joined Chateau St. Jean in 1980 and became Winemaker in 2003, selected the best fruit from outstanding and proven Bordeaux varietal vineyards that showcase the very best of Sonoma County. In this vintage, it is a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec, and 1% Petit Verdot, with 46% of the fruit coming from Knights Valley, an area which highlights boysenberry flavours and elegant tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon from the Monte Rosso and Mountain Terraces Vineyards on Moon Mountain add structure, while Merlot from the Louvau Vineyard in Dry Creek adds lush juiciness and texture. The Malbec comes from Chateau St. Jean's Estate Vineyard in Sonoma Valley, while some fruit is also from Stuhlmuller Vineyard in Alexander Valley, which brings savoury, dried herb, and bright berry notes. After vinification, the wine was aged for 20 months in French oak (68% new). It was bottled in January 2020 and released in October.

The 2017 growing season began with abundant rainfall, followed by a mild spring that resulted in extended flowering. Warm late-summer temperatures moved harvest along quickly, while yields for the 2017 vintage were slightly lower than the previous couple of vintages. While the 2017 vintage was challenging, the wines that were produced are of excellent quality with complex flavours, concentrated colour, and finesse. Let's see how this 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon blend from Sonoma is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CHATEAU ST. JEAN CINQ CÉPAGES 2017 - Sonoma County, California, USA (#710913) (XD) - $130
Blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec, and 1% Petit Verdot. Rich and elegant, the fragrant, medium-high intensity nose delivers lush, complex, ripe, dark fruited, blackberry, black and red currant, fine oak spices, grilled herb, and earth aromas with touches of boysenberry and floral. It's full-bodied with ripe black and red currant, cassis, blackberry, savoury oak spice, earth, peppery spice, grilled herb flavours surrounding a savoury core. It's framed by fresh, juicy acidity and elegant, yet firmly structured, fine-grained tannins. It's a touch palate warming, but still balanced. Savoury and earthy with graphite notes linger on the exceptionally long finish. Provides immense pleasure now, but will reward cellaring. Enjoy to 2035+. Highly recommended buy! Score: 94 pts

Other fine wines from Chateau St. Jean's large portfolio can be found at the LCBO, or ordered through their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.

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October 21, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: California

Here are my top wine picks from the October 21, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, which is titled "Golden State". As is the norm for this time of the year, the releases get bigger and pricier, with 157 products offered in this release, including many Gift and Sampler packs. The most expensive gift pack is over $2,000 and the person receiving it would be a very lucky duck. All of the wines in this release will be available in stores or online by this Saturday.

We begin with the shining wines from the Golden State of California, which include 12 premium-priced wines for your holiday shopping list - and three of which are among my top wine picks. The lone white wine is an always impeccable Chardonnay from Sonoma Mountain. Unsurprisingly, the other two wines are top California Cabernet Sauvignons, with the Cliff Lede version composed of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot, while the Grgich Hills is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 6.5% Merlot, and 6.5% Petit Verdot.

Even though California is the theme of the release, Italy could have made the case for being the mini-theme with many fine offerings from the boot-shaped peninsula. Leading off is the Gran Selezione Chianti Classico, which is a blend of 80% Sangiovese, 13% Merlot, and 7% Malvasia Nera, followed by a pair of Riserva Chianti Classico wines - the 2016 is 100% Sangiovese, while the 2018 Riserva Chianti Classico is a blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot. The last red wine from Italy is the Modus Super Tuscan, which is composed of 44% Sangiovese, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 19% Merlot. Moving westwards to France, the Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blend of 38% Syrah, 35% Grenache Noir, 25% Mourvèdre, 1% Cinsault, and 1% other permitted varieties, while the Côtes du Rhône Villages is made with 40% Grenache, 40% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah, and 10% Counoise. The last wine from France is from Languedoc and it is a blend of 70% Syrah, 20% Grenache, and 10% Mourvèdre. The last blend is a Malbec from Argentina that actually consists of 90% Malbec, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot.

The only blend among my white picks from the rest of the release is the Marsanne from Niagara, which is actually a blend of 93% Marsanne and 7% Viognier. The other wines include a pair of Sauvignon Blanc wines from New Zealand, a Chardonnay from Chablis, a Chenin Blanc from South Africa, and a Pecorino from Italy. If you prefer an off-dry style of wine (i.e. slightly sweet), you should take a look at the Gewurztraminer from Alsace.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release!

Red Wine:

• S. DELAFONT MOSAÏQUE 2020 - AP Languedoc, France (#31697) (XD) - $19.95
• MONTERRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Vegan, McLaren Vale, South Australia (#12835) (XD) - $21.95
• LA ROSELIÈRE CÔTES DU RHÔNE VILLAGES LAUDUN 2020 - AP, France (#31694) (XD) - $21.95
• ZONTE'S FOOTSTEP NATURE'S CRUX SHIRAZ 2020 - Vegan, Fleurieu, South Australia (#33367) (XD) - $21.95
• CAVALIERE D'ORO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2018 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#216309) (XD) - $24.95  91 pts  wine review
• TEHO ZAHA TOKO VINEYARD MALBEC 2019 - Vegan, Paraje Altamira, Mendoza, Argentina (#441691) (XD) - $25.95

 

• RUFFINO MODUS 2019 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#912956) (XD) - $32.95  91+ pts  wine review
• BACHELDER LES VILLAGES BENCH PINOT NOIR 2021 - VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#11582) (XD) - $34.95
• CASTELLO DI RADDA CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2016 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#31409) (XD) - $43.95
• CHÂTEAU LA NERTHE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2020 - AC, Rhône, France (#735407) (XD) - $64.95
• CASTELLO DI AMA SAN LORENZO GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2018 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#12751) (XD) - $64.95  94 pts  wine review
• GRGICH HILLS ESTATE GROWN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#71407) (XD) - $109.95
• CLIFF LEDE STAGS LEAP DISTRICT CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California, USA (#14217) (XD) - $124.95  94 pts  wine review

White Wine:

• PFAFF TRADITION GEWURZTRAMINER 2020 - AC Alsace, France (#29822) (D) - $16.95  89 pts  wine review
• UMANI RONCHI VELLODORO PECORINO 2022 - IGT Terre di Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy (#289553) (XD) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
• KEW VINEYARDS MARSANNE 2019 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#485334) (XD) - $19.95
• RADFORD DALE VINUM CHENIN BLANC 2022 - Vegan, WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#13338) (XD) - $19.95
• WHITEHAVEN GREG SINGLE VINEYARD RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 - Awatere Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#325944) (XD) - $25.95
• THE CRATER RIM SAUVIGNON BLANC 2020 - Single vineyard, Waipara, South Island, New Zealand (#26359) (XD) - $29.95
  
• JEAN-MARC BROCARD SAINTE CLAIRE CHABLIS 2021 - AC, Burgundy, France (#356634) (XD) - $34.95
• KISTLER SONOMA MOUNTAIN CHARDONNAY 2021 - Sonoma County, California, USA (#183921) (XD) - $121.95

Fortified Wine:

• TAYLOR FLADGATE HISTORIC LIMITED EDITION RESERVE TAWNY PORT - DOP, Portugal (#581561) (S) - $53.95

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Ranch 32 Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (California) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely California Cabernet Sauvignon that arrived at the LCBO last month as part of the August 19 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Ranch 32 Wines, a winery known for producing premium wines from Monterey County. They planted their first vines in 1972, when winegrowing in Monterey County was in its infancy, and are situated on the west side of the Salinas Valley, directly in the path of Monterey's relentless afternoon winds. Although the region was known to have special, unique qualities, it would take a few decades for the vineyards to reach their full potential.

At Ranch 32, their goal is to highlight the natural characteristics of their terroir to convey a sense of place by producing small lots of wines from their sustainable farmed estate vineyards located in Arroyo Seco, San Lucas, and Hames Valley AVAs. Their winemaking approach is very targeted, exerting the highest level of control over details such as vineyard design, pruning, tying, and picking decisions. Clone-specific blocks are harvested and fermented separately in small lots, with oak ageing applied to support the fruit and not overwhelm it. The final blend is composed just before bottling to express the nuances of each terroir and variety.

Sustainability plays a major role at Ranch 32 with a wind turbine that sits at the heart of their property. This turbine became operational in 2017 and powers the entire winery, plus an additional 125 homes with renewable energy. Using wind as a power source is ideal in this location due to the inexhaustible winds of the Salinas Valley. They also use integrated pest management strategies by allowing beneficial insects and birds to control pest populations, as well as herbal-based preparations that are applied in the vineyards to promote soil vitality through increased micro-biologic activity. Water usage is minimized by using 100% drip irrigation in all of their vineyards. Ranch 32's vineyards were certified sustainable by California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance in 2014, while their winery operation was certified in 2018.

This red wine is crafted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that was grown - most likely from their vineyards in San Lucas and Hames Valley - in the Monterey County AVA, which is within the much larger Central Coast AVA in California. The grapes were grown on diatomaceous shale, Lockwood and Chamise shaly loams, and in a warm climate with dramatic diurnal temperature shifts. The fruit was picked during the night, at optimum ripeness, and brought to the winery in the very early morning hours. Upon arriving at the winery, select lots of the grapes were carefully sorted, de-stemmed, crushed, and fermented dry for 10 days in open-top stainless steel tanks. It was aged in French and American oak for 12 months.

From a traumatic 2020 vintage that had to battle wildfires and the pandemic, the quality of the wines that were bottled were good to excellent. Let's see how this 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon from California is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

RANCH 32 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Monterey County, California, USA (#480269) (XD) - $25.95
Crafted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the medium-high intensity nose has attractive currant, cassis, black cherry, and chocolate aromas with hints of earth and dried herbs. It's full-bodied and dry with delicious currant, black cherry, cassis, chocolate, gentle vanillin oak spice, and earthy flavours that are supported by very good, well-balanced acidity and smooth, refined, and well-structured tannins. It's nicely balanced throughout, with currant, black cherry, savoury cocoa, and vanilla notes lingering on the finish, with very good length. Honest Cab and a recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Other lovely Ranch 32 Wines can be ordered through their Agent - Churchill Cellars.

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Rodney Strong Symmetry 2017 (Sonoma) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is an excellent red blend from Sonoma County that I was first introduced to back in 2017 during a very interesting Rodney Strong Blending Seminar with Winemaker Rick Sayre. The latest vintage of Symmetry arrived at the LCBO last month, as part of the August 19 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by the pioneering and well-respected Rodney Strong Vineyards, the 13th winery that was established in Sonoma County in 1959. It was founded by Rodney D. Strong and has become one of Sonoma's leading wine producers.

Rodney Strong was an accomplished dancer, but transitioned to winemaking after acquiring a 159-acre vineyard in Healdsburg, Sonoma County, because he saw great potential for growing high-quality wine grapes. In 1979, as Mr. Strong stepped back from daily activities, Rick Sayre came on board as the new winemaker for Rodney Strong Vineyards. It was around this time that Tom Klein was introduced to Rodney Strong Vineyards and in 1989 he purchased the vineyards and winery because he truly loved being in the wine business.

Today, under the leadership of the Klein family, who are also 4th generation farmers in California, Rodney Strong Vineyards is flourishing with a commitment and passion to crafting premium wines. They are also committed to sustainable farming practices and environmental stewardship, and have received certifications such as certifications such as Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing and Sonoma County Sustainable. Rodney Strong produces several ranges of wines, with Symmetry part of their Reserve collection. All wines from their Reserve collection are crafted at their state-of-the-art Artisan Winery.

The philosophy behind Symmetry is that at its heart, it is an artfully blended wine that is carefully crafted using fruit from the very best hillside vineyards in Sonoma County. Part of the goal when crafting Symmetry is to capture the essence of each varietal in the blend, while striking the perfect balance between the classic Bordeaux varieties. Only the best is selected for the final blend, which makes Symmetry a unique expression for each vintage. The name Symmetry means balance, and it is their winemakers' ultimate goal to craft a rich blend that is harmonious, elegant, and intensely flavoured.

Like the wine during the blend seminar and other vintages prior and since, this red wine is typically a blend based on at least 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, with this particular vintage composed of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec, 12% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. The fruit was grown in the Cooley (45%), Brothers (30%), and Rockway (25%) vineyards. It was crafted by Winemakers Justin Seidenfeld and Greg Morthole, using their small lot winemaking facility which they call the Artisan Cellar. They employed artisan techniques such as cluster pre-sorting, berry sorting, and extended maceration, while also using small tanks and equipment sized for the most discriminating vineyard selection process. The wine was aged in French oak barrels, 75% new, for 24 months. The facility is truly state-of-the-art and represents the Klein family's commitment to producing the finest wines.

The 2017 growing season was a complicated one and will be remembered for many years as the all-time precipitation record was set by mid-April, followed by six different heat waves as high as 43°C. The fruit was harvested between September 16th and October 13th. Let's see how this 2017 red wine from Sonoma is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

RODNEY STRONG SYMMETRY 2017 - Sonoma County, California, USA (#641142) (XD) - $74.95
Blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec, 12% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. Richly fragrant, fresh, and spicy on the highly aromatic nose with a lovely mélange of red and black fruits, currant, cassis, grilled herbs, and savoury earth aromas with a touch of barnyard and anise adding further complexity. It's full-bodied and dry with ripe, chewy, elegant, and well-structured tannins. Lovely, rich flavours of red and black fruits, black cherry, currant, cassis, grilled herbs, oak spice, and earth flavours. A touch palate warming on the mid-palate, but still balanced, while the acids are fresh and juicy. Grilled herbs, dark fruits, and smoky earth notes linger on the long, elegant finish. Enjoy to at least the end of the decade, and perhaps a bit longer. Highly recommended buy! Score: 93 pts

Many other fine wines by Rodney Strong are available at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.

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Davis Bynum Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2018 (California) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a beautiful Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley that arrived at the LCBO as a Summer Smart Buy in the August 19th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Davis Bynum Winery - the original Russian River Valley Pinot Noir wine producer. The story begins in 1973, when Davis Bynum released his first small lot single vineyard Pinot Noir from the famed Rochioli vineyard in Sonoma County's Russian River Valley. At the time, Pinot Noir was a relative stranger to the region, but this fickle grape thrived in the unique terroir of the Russian River Valley. As Davis Bynum was the first to produce a single vineyard, Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, his efforts paved the way for the Russian River Valley winegrowing region to become one of California's finest for growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

In 2007, Davis Bynum Winery was sold to proprietor Tom Klein and his family, 4th generation California farmers who shared the same values and principles that he built his own reputation on. Today, it remains in the capable hands of Tom Klein and winemaker Greg Morthole, as they honour the expertise and innovative winemaking spirit of founder, friend, and mentor Davis Bynum. Together, they are humbled and proud to carry on the Davis Bynum legacy while staying true to Bynum's philosophy.

The philosophy at Davis Bynum is based on intuitive winemaking - the techniques and technicalities of winemaking should be mastered to the extent that they take a backseat to instinct and intuition. With four decades of understanding the unique terroir of the Russian River Valley, this knowledge allows Davis Bynum to craft wines with emotion and soil at the forefront, but anchored by the innate understanding of this terroir's complexity. In the vineyard, they use certified sustainable vineyard practices, while opting for minimalist viticulture and handling the fruit with the utmost care. The grapes are also handpicked at night, before sunrise, which ensures that the grapes have stable sugar levels and, since they are already cool, the grapes require less chilling prior to crushing, thus saving energy. In keeping with their "hands off" approach, the grapes are naturally fermented in barrel using wild yeasts and bottled unfiltered. Each wine bearing the Bynum name is estate grown, bottled, and produced.

All of their wines are crafted with fruit exclusively from the Russian River Valley, a winegrowing region that has cool, maritime conditions that are ideal for early ripening varieties such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The climate in this region is influenced by the consistent creep of cooling fog from the Pacific Ocean a few miles to the west. This fog ebbs and flows through the Petaluma Wind Gap and the channel cut by the Russian River across the coastal hills, typically arriving in the evening and dropping temperatures, and retreating to the ocean the following morning. This naturally cool climate allows wine grapes to develop full flavour maturity over an extended growing season, while retaining their natural acidity.

While Davis Bynum is distinguished as the first winery to produce a single vineyard Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley, with their 1973 Pinot Noir from the Joe Rochioli vineyard, this particular Pinot is hand-crafted with grapes from four vineyards which reside on Goldridge sandy loam soils: Jane's, Dutton Lorenzo, Dutton Gregori, and Dutton Barron. This particular vintage blends the characteristics of two separate neighbourhoods - the warmer Santa Rosa Plains that provide darker fruit tones and velvety tannins, and the much cooler Green Valley that adds brightness and vibrant acidity. By blending warmer climate fruit with cooler climate fruit, Davis Bynum is able to craft a wine with tension between the rich fruit and lush mouthfeel of a centrally located Russian River vineyards in Santa Rosa against the bright fruit and racy acidity of the westernmost vineyards in the Green Valley. The final blend of this Pinot Noir was created after each different vineyard block was fermented and aged separately for 13 months in French and Hungarian oak barrels, 22% new.

The 2018 growing season was mild with low precipitation at just under 2 feet of rain, while summer saw only a handful of days warmer than 32°C, but none over 38°C, at their Jane's Vineyard, located in the warmer Santa Rosa Plains. The grapes were harvested into early September on cool and overcast mornings. From near-perfect growing conditions, let's see how this 2018 Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

DAVIS BYNUM RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY PINOT NOIR 2018 - Sustainable, Sonoma County, California, USA (#458893) (XD) - $34.95
Elegant, medium-high to highly aromatic nose offers lovely bright red cherry aromas that mingle with musky, strawberry, gentle oak spice, and earth, plus hints of tea leaf, beetroot, and plum adding further complexity. It has good weight and concentration on the medium to medium-full bodied, dry palate with ripe red cherry, dark berry, strawberry, gentle oak spice, tea leaf, earth, and beetroot flavours in a nicely balanced profile. Acids are crisp, fresh, and juicy, while the refined tannins are lightly grippy, offering a pleasing mouthfeel. Tangy dark red berries with earthy mineral notes linger on the long, crisp finish. Should drink nicely over the next 5+ years. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

Other fine wines by Davis Bynum are available through their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.

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Stags' Leap Winery Chardonnay 2020 (Napa Valley) - Wine Review

After enjoying the excellent 2018 Stags' Leap Winery Petite Sirah earlier this year, tonight's white wine review is an excellent Chardonnay from the same producer that arrived at the LCBO last month as part of the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on July 22nd, with plenty of bottles still available for purchase across Ontario.

It is produced by the historic and well-regarded Stags' Leap Winery, which is located in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley, California. The wine estate was established in 1893 by Horace Blanchard Chase and his wife, Mary, when they planted their first vineyards on the unique terroir of the Stags Leap District which is known for its volcanic soils, warm days, and cool nights, characteristics that provide the ideal microclimate for growing premium wine grapes. As one of California's oldest wine estates, the name Stags Leap is attributed to the native Wappo legend of a stag leaping to escape hunters, and the mountains behind the property on the eastern side came to be known as the Stags Leap Palisades.

The estate went through a series of ownership changes in the early part of the 20th century and gained significant recognition during the 1970s because its wine won first place in the 1976 Judgment of Paris tasting. Today, Stags' Leap Winery is renowned for producing high quality wines throughout their portfolio. 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.

Crafted with 100% Chardonnay, the grapes for this white wine were sourced from the cooler southern appellations within Napa Valley, where the fog from San Pablo Bay helps cool the vineyards throughout the growing season and preserves the ideal freshness and acidity in the grapes. The majority of the fruit is from the Carneros AVA, which provides citrus, mineral, and crisp apple notes, while a smaller percentage is from the Oak Knoll AVA, which provides more tropical and stone fruit characters. Both of these vineyards produce Chardonnay that is ideal for Stags' Leap's style of winemaking - to craft wines with fresh fruit flavours, and bright acidity with vibrancy.

To craft this Napa Valley Chardonnay, Stags' Leap Winery gently whole-cluster pressed the grapes in order to preserve the naturally fresh aromatics. Twenty-five percent of the wine was fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks, while the remainder was fermented and aged in French oak barrels, with 25% in new oak and 50% in seasoned French oak. By using this specific method of barrel treatment, this helps preserve the essential purity of the fruit, while adding subtle notes of oak complexity. As is the style of Stags' Leap, the wine did not undergo malolactic fermentation, which further helps maintain the fruit's natural acidity, terroir expression, and aromatic freshness. The yeast lees were put in suspension during 7 months of maturation with weekly batonnage, then the three batches of wines were blended and bottled.

The 2020 growing season will be remembered for factors beyond the typical harvest season. Winter was warm and dry, with rain and cooler weather not arriving until the end of March. The mild spring offered a great, early start, while summer brought very cool mornings and very warm days. Stags' Leap Winery was very fortunate in that none of their vineyards were in the areas of active fires and they were able to harvest their grapes as planned. White wine grapes showed excellent development in the cellar, reflecting the fine vintage. The resulting wines of 2020 are of very high quality with concentrated flavours and excellent acidity, especially for varieties like Chardonnay. Let's see how this 2020 Napa Valley Chardonnay is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

STAGS' LEAP WINERY CHARDONNAY 2020 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#655381) (XD) - $44.95
The medium-high to highly aromatic nose is rich with impressive depth, featuring lovely aromas of lemon citrus, stone fruit, green apple, pear, and white peach with touches of vanillin oak spice, butter, and a hint of mineral. It has a concentrated, medium-full bodied, dry and spicy palate with delicious, ripe lemon citrus, green apple, pear, white peach, and gentle oak spice flavours, plus hints of vanilla, butter, and flinty mineral. It's nicely textured with fresh and vibrant acidity, while flinty mineral and oak spice notes linger on the long, juicy finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 92+ pts

While the Cabernet Sauvignon and small amounts of the Petite Sirah are available at the LCBO, the whole range can be ordered through their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.

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July 22, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: American Idyll

Here's my top wine picks from the July 22, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection which is titled "American Idyll" and focuses on wines from the U.S.A. It's a big release with 151 wines that will be available at LCBO stores across Ontario by this Saturday. Also included in the printed catalogue is a sneak preview of next month's Online & Flagship Store Exclusive Release.

We begin with the feature on wines from the United States of America. There are fourteen wines as part of the theme, spread out across the four states that are leaders in fine wine production in the U.S. - California, Washington, Oregon, and New York, with three wines included among my top wine picks. At the top of the list is the California Chardonnay by Kistler. There are also a pair of wines from New York - a dry-ish Riesling and an unoaked Chardonnay, as well as a Zinfandel from Lodi.

Among my top red wine picks from the main release, we start in Tuscany with 2021 Chianti Classico that is made with 96% Sangiovese and 4% Merlot, while the 2018 Chianti Classico is straight Sangiovese. Spain is well-represented among my top wine picks with the 2011 Rioja composed with approximately 75% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacho, and 10% Graciano / Mazuelo, while both the 2016 and 2020 Rioja wines are crafted with 100% Tempranillo. The red wine from Spain's DO Almansa is a blend of approximately 50% Monastrell, 25% Garnacha Tintorera, and 25% Tempranillo. From Rhône, the Sablet is a blend based on Grenache and Syrah, while the red wine from Sicily is crafted with the Frappato grape, a varietal that is largely-unknown, but gaining in popularity. And lastly, the wine from Fleurieu in Australia is a blend of 65% Tempranillo and 35% Grenache.

There are a couple of blends among my white wine picks from the rest of the release, with the wine from McLaren Vale in Australia made with 66% Viognier and 34% Marsanne, while the white wine from Santorini is composed of 85% Assyrtiko and 15% Athiri. Chardonnay is well-represented among my picks with a pair of versions from Niagara, as well as singletons from Australia, Sonoma Coast, Napa Valley, and South Africa. Other white wines include an Assyrtiko from the high slopes of Aigialeia in Greece, and a Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough in New Zealand.

A couple of other brilliant wines are also worth your attention. The 2012 vintage Champagne is crafted with approximately 60% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, and 10% Meunier, with the 2013 Sauternes dessert wine is a blend of 93% Sémillon and 7% Sauvignon Blanc. In pink wines, the rosé from Provence is a blend of 60% Grenache, 35% Cinsault, and 5% Syrah, while the rosé from Portugal is composed of equal parts Touriga Nacional and Alfrocheiro.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• MONTEBUENA CUVÉE KPF 2020 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#211029) (XD) - $17.95  88+ pts  wine review
• MARIUS FINCA LOS TIMONARES RESERVA 2018 - DO Almansa, Spain (#30232) (XD) - $17.95
• LE GRAVILLAS SABLET CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2020 - AC, France (#78790) (XD) - $18.95
• FOUR VINES OLD VINE ZINFANDEL 2019 - Lodi, California, USA (#17157) (D) - $19.95  88+ pts  wine review
• WAKEFIELD ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Limestone Coast / Clare Valley, South Australia (#744235) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• ARBOLEDA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Vegan, DO Valle del Aconcagua, Chile (#606764) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• ZONTE'S FOOTSTEP SPLITTING HARES TEMPRANILLO / GRENACHE 2021 - Vegan, Fleurieu, South Australia (#30847) (XD) - $21.95  89 pts  wine review

• ALTANZA RESERVA 2016 - Vegan, DOCa Rioja, Spain (#208223) (XD) - $23.95  89 pts  wine review
• PLANETA FRAPPATO 2021 - Sustainable, DOC Sicilia Vittoria, Italy (#508655) (XD) - $24.95  91+ pts  wine review
• TAWSE GROWERS BLEND CABERNET FRANC 2020 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#284570) (XD) - $29.95  90 pts  wine review
• VECCHIE TERRE DI MONTEFILI CHIANTI CLASSICO 2018 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#28723) (XD) - $40.95
• CASTELLO DI AMA AMA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#515759) (XD) - $42.95
• R. LÓPEZ DE HEREDIA VIÑA TONDONIA RESERVA 2011 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#356337) (XD) - $72.95

White Wine:

• ALVI'S DRIFT SIGNATURE CHARDONNAY 2021 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#21151) (XD) - $14.95  88+ pts  wine review
• WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL CHARDONNAY 2021 - Padthaway / Clare Valley, South Australia (#711556) (XD) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
• D'ARENBERG THE HERMIT CRAB VIOGNIER / MARSANNE 2022 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#662775) (XD) - $19.95
• LAMOREAUX LANDING UNOAKED CHARDONNAY 2021 - Estate bottled, Finger Lakes, New York, USA (#32669) (XD) - $24.95  89 pts  wine review
• ROUVALIS ASSYRTIKO 2021 - PGI Slopes of Aigialeia, Greece (#33207) (XD) - $24.95
• LEANING POST THE FIFTY CHARDONNAY 2020 - Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#578864) (XD) - $24.95
• TWO RIVERS CONVERGENCE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 - Vegan, sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#277707) (XD) - $26.95
• DR. KONSTANTIN FRANK DRY RIESLING 2021 - Finger Lakes, New York, USA (#70631) (D) - $29.95  90 pts  wine review
• STRATUS CHARDONNAY 2021 - Vegan, sustainable, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#267856) (XD) - $35.00
• SIGALAS AA 2021 - PDO Santorini, Greece (#33162) (XD) - $36.95  91 pts  wine review
• STAGS' LEAP WINERY CHARDONNAY 2020 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#655381) (XD) - $44.95  92+ pts  wine review
• FLOWERS CHARDONNAY 2021 - Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, USA (#215210) (XD) - $59.95
• KISTLER LES NOISETIERS CHARDONNAY 2021 - Unfiltered, unfined, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, USA (#251223) (XD) - $114.95

Rosé Wine:

• CABRIZ ROSÉ 2022 - DOC Dão, Portugal (#30445) (D) - $14.95  88+ pts  wine review
• LA POSTA MALBEC ROSÉ 2022 - Sustainable, Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#24747) (XD) - $16.95
• 13TH STREET EXPRESSION SERIES CABERNET FRANC ROSÉ 2022 - Vegan, sustainable, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#20359) (XD) - $17.95
• VILLA AIX EN PROVENCE ROSÉ 2022 - AP Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence, France (#668426) (XD) - $21.95

Sparkling Wine:

• HENRIOT BRUT ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE 2012 - AC, France (#14846) (XD) - $152.95

Dessert Wine:

• CHÂTEAU SUDUIRAUT SAUTERNES 2013 - AC Sauternes 1er Grand Cru Classé, Bordeaux, France (#29516) (S) (375 mL) - $63.00

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