Deux Roches Les Pommards Saint-Véran 2021 (Burgundy) - Wine Review

After enjoying the lovely 2021 Deux Roches Vieilles Vignes Pouilly-Fuissé a couple of months ago, for tonight's white wine review we go up a notch with this excellent, single vineyard Chardonnay from Burgundy that was a brand-new arrival at the LCBO last month as an Online & Flagship Exclusive in the November 16 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection - with plenty still available for purchase today!

Like the Pouilly-Fuissé, this white wine is produced by Deux Roches, the Burgundy estate winery that is run by two long-time friends, Christian Collovray and Jean-Luc Terrier, who are behind Collovray et Terrier. The Domaine of Deux Roches is situated in the heart of the picturesque Mâconnais landscape, in the village of Davayé to the north of the Saint-Véran AOC, and specializes in the production of Chardonnay wines in the Mâconnais style. Deux Roches, which translates to "Two Rocks", gets its name from the two limestone rocks of Vergisson and Solutré that are situated in the area.

Deux Roches' story begins in 1928, when Joanny Collovray settled in the small village of Davayé to farm the land with various crops, including grapevines, and produce goat's cheese. Joanny was a simple tenant farmer and produced some wine on the property, while letting merchants take care of selling the wine. In 1940, Collovray's wines were mentioned in the press for their quality. In 1956, Henri Collovray, son of Joanny, took over the property and extended the family's vineyard holdings by purchasing a few parcels in the Mâcon-Davayé appellation. At the young age of 16, Christian Collovray, son of Henri, began working the vines and, eventually, gave up animal farming to solely focus on winegrowing.

The Terrier family had no history of cultivating vines, but Léon Terrier was the village blacksmith and worked alongside local winegrowers. His son, Jean-Luc Terrier, chose to go to an agricultural college and specialize in viticulture, and crossed paths with his childhood friend and neighbour, Christian Collovray. Together, Christian and Jean-Luc shared a love for vines and wines, a bond which grew even closer when they married sisters Brigitte and Florence, who were from a family of winegrowers.

Today, with the next generation joining the family business, Deux Roches is recognized for producing great wines that respect terroir and tradition, at relatively accessible prices. With agricultural roots, they know that everything begins in the vineyard as they work the soil and have respect for the vegetation. Perfection is the objective, while also recognizing that adapting to the year's weather conditions is also necessary. Sustainability is also a core value of Collovray et Terrier as they minimize inputs and use natural processes to stimulate the plants’ own natural defences to control pests and disease. The families also protect and encourage biodiversity, with one of these projects revolving around having beehives on the property in Davayé. Other initiatives in reducing their environmental impact include minimizing the use of water in the cellar and controlling waste disposal, and limiting the use of energy from non-renewable sources.

This white wine is from Deux Roches' top-tier Parcel Selections range - single vineyard wines that are the expression of a specific place with a unique character. Since the beginning, Collovray & Terrier have sought to produce wines that express the individual characteristics of each of their parcels, with their extraordinary organoleptic potential. For the Parcel Selections range, they employ all the techniques and skills available to them, such as hand harvesting and lengthy barrel ageing, to allow the terroir to speak of the superb complexity conferred by the wines' origins.

Crafted with 100% Chardonnay, the grapes for this wine were grown on a 0.81 hectare plot located in the town of Davayé, on the hillside of the Roche de Solutré. The vines are north-facing, on a 30% slope, and planted between 1975 and 1983 on marly soil that is moderately deep, and is made up of chalk on the surface. The grapes were manually harvested and gently loaded into the pneumatic presses by gravity, followed by long pressing cycles in order to preserve the aromatic finesse. The must was cold-stabilized, then decanted and placed into barrels for fermentation. The wine was aged for 19 months, of which 11 months were in barrels, followed by 8 months in vats.

In 2021, the growing season in Burgundy was challenging due to the season beginning with a hard winter frost, followed by pests and disease which wreaked havoc in the vineyards and reduced yields. Summer was cool-ish, while the wine quality was determined by hard work in the vineyard and at the winery. In challenging vintages, the best vignerons can still produce delicious and harmonious wines exhibiting freshness, energy, elegance, and finesse. Let's see how this 2021 single vineyard Chardonnay from Burgundy is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

DEUX ROCHES LES POMMARDS SAINT-VÉRAN 2021 - AP, Burgundy, France (#37919) (XD) - $50.95
This single vineyard Chardonnay has richly elegant, medium-high intensity, and developing aromas of stone and orchard fruits, nectarine, honeysuckle, apple, and pear, plus floral, vanilla, oak spice, and flinty mineral, and hints of mushroom add intrigue and great complexity. It is impressively concentrated on the dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate with rich and lovely honeyed, nutty, vanilla oak spice flavours surrounding a core of ripe orchard fruit, apple, pear, nectarine, and floral. It's nicely textured with very good structure and juicy, mouth-watering acidity. Still somewhat youthful on the structured and textured finish with tangy stone fruit and flinty mineral notes lingering on the finish, with excellent length. Should drink beautifully into the early 2030s and is a highly recommended buy! Score: 93 pts

Other fine wines by Collovray et Terrier's Deux Roches label and can be found at the LCBO, or ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Skouras Wild Ferment Assyrtiko 2023 (Greece) - Wine Review

After enjoying the excellent 2022 Skouras Wild Ferment Assyrtiko last year, tonight's white wine review is the latest vintage of this terrific wine that arrived at the LCBO recently in last month's October 19 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

This white wine is produced by Domaine Skouras, a well-known winery that was founded by George Skouras. Born in Argos, a city within the Peloponnese peninsula of southern Greece, George studied oenology in Dijon (Burgundy) and realized his long-held vision to establish his own winery in his homeland in 1986.

Initially, Domaine Skouras was located in Pyrgela, a small village on the outskirts of Argos, followed by the creation of a boutique winery within the Nemea Appellation of northeastern Peloponnese, in the village of Gymno. In Nemea, George performed countless hours of manual work on a minuscule scale while learning about the Agiorgitiko variety and the Nemea denomination - lessons which became invaluable. The Nemea zone is the largest - and quite possibly the most exciting - Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) for red wines in Greece, while the nearby PDO of Mantinia and other surrounding areas which do not have PDO status have excellent terroirs for viticulture. Domaine Skouras owns a number of vineyards across all these areas.

Today, Domaine Skouras is located in the highlands of Argolida, within the village of Malandreni in Nemea, in northeastern Peloponnese, just a few kilometres from Argos. The ultra-modern winemaking facility of Domaine Skouras was established in 2004 and is situated among vineyards in an area that is blessed with ideal winegrowing conditions, particularly for the Agiorgitiko variety. The two children of George and his wife, Ourania, are also energetically continuing the vision of the Domaine. Their son, Dimitris, studied Viticulture and Oenology in France, while their daughter, Stella, is a graduate of Economics and Marketing studies in Scotland.

The philosophy permeating each Skouras wine is reflected by the words: purity, varietal clarity, tracing of the region's mesoclimate, and the imprint of the terroir. The entire viticultural team works, observes, supervises, acts and reacts, advises and consults with only one aim - to achieve optimum ripeness and obtain the best possible grape - as the focus is on delivering better fruit, which in turn delivers better wine. The thrilling Skouras wines display the hallmarks of their creator: intensity, vibrancy, and complexity, characteristics which are expressed with elegance, grace, and nobility. Domaine Skouras wines are engraved with the character of their terroir.

Like the previous vintage, this white wine is crafted with 100% Assyrtiko that was grown in the village of Gymno, Nemea, at 600 metres above sea level, on red clay soil. The vines average 10 years of age, while harvest took place in September. To vinify this wine, the grapes were whole-bunch pressed and underwent alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel at 15°C, followed by ageing sur lie for 4 months, and without undergoing malolactic fermentation.

The 2023 growing season was a warm vintage that had a prevalence of downy mildew, which resulted in reduced yields. However, quality is high. Let's see how this 2023 Assyrtiko from Greece is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

SKOURAS WILD FERMENT ASSYRTIKO 2023 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#32387) (XD) - $19.95
Screw cap. The medium-high to highly aromatic nose is elegantly fragrant and enticing with savoury and minerally aromas flecked with lemon peel, citrus, white floral, garden herb, and grapefruit, with touches of leesy and doughy notes adding further complexity. It has impressive concentration on the medium-full bodied and dry with palate with ripe and slightly honeyed flavours of lemon peel, citrus, grapefruit, floral, and leesy mineral. There's a fine, chalky textured mouthfeel, along with clean and refreshing acidity. It's well-structured and nicely balanced throughout, with lovely mineral notes lingering on the long, finely textured finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

Other lovely wines by Domaine Skouras can be found at the LCBO, or ordered through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.

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Heaphy Pinot Gris 2023 (New Zealand) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely, vegan-friendly Pinot Gris from New Zealand that made its debut at the LCBO as a brand new arrival in last month's October 5 LCBO New Release Collection.

It is produced by Heaphy Vineyard, a wine brand that was only established in 2019, but has long roots deep into the soil of the cooler Nelson winegrowing region on the South Island of New Zealand. The brand was established, mainly for international markets, by one of Nelson's wine pioneers, Greg Day, and his wife, Amanda.

Heaphy Vineyard is situated in the northwest corner of New Zealand's South Island, in a region named Nelson Tasman. The small winery is located high above Tasman Bay, in the Moutere Hills, where they have 10 hectares of long-established vineyards planted on Moutere's signature clay soils. Some of the vines in these vineyards were first planted in 1973, and are among the oldest productive vineyards in New Zealand.

In 2022, Heaphy Vineyard was acquired by Boutinot Wines, an international producer and distributor based in Manchester, UK. Greg had a long-standing relationship with Boutinot and offered them the opportunity to buy the brand as Greg and Amanda were planning on retiring. With the acquisition, Boutinot planned to make Heaphy the largest Nelson wine brand and one of the largest New Zealand wine brands in the UK. To help achieve this goal, Boutinot purchased new equipment in order to handle the additional capacity.

Today, Heaphy Vineyard is committed to sustainability and quality winemaking, with a particular focus on crafting wines that express the unique Nelson landscape. Heaphy Vineyard has two ranges of wines - the entry-level, which is the line this Pinot Gris is from, and the premium Moutere Range. Heaphy Vineyard is certified by Sustainable Wine Growing New Zealand (SWNZ), which means that their wines are crafted using grapes grown in 100% SWNZ-certified vineyards and produced in 100% SWNZ-certified winemaking facilities. Some of the SWNZ certification commitments include completing annual submissions, as well as undergoing regular on-site audits, which are conducted by an independent verification company.

This white wine is crafted using 100% Pinot Gris that was grown in a single vineyard on Moutere's clay loam soils. The grapes were hand-picked at full ripeness, then gently pressed and cold settled in stainless steel tanks. The pressing juices were separated into free run and (direct) pressings, which allows for better integration for when they eventually come together again. The two juices were then racked together for fermentation at 14°C (on average) in stainless steel tanks, which delivered a natural residual sugar (RS) level of 4.5 g/L.

From an excellent vintage, albeit with slightly lower yields, let's see how this 2023 Pinot Gris from Nelson is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

HEAPHY PINOT GRIS 2023 - Sustainable, Nelson, South Island, New Zealand (#36901) (D) - $19.95
Screw cap. This single vineyard Pinot Gris has a fragrant, medium-high intensity nose that is attractive with freshly squeezed lemon citrus and lemon peel aromas joined by grapefruit, pear, and touches of floral, pithy and mineral notes adding complexity and interest. It has good weight on the dry, fleshy, medium-full bodied palate with delicious, honeyed flavours of pear, apple, lemon citrus, and grapefruit flavours. There's a kiss of sweetness, along with spice notes on the mid-palate. Clean acids are well-balanced and juicy. It's gently spicy with flor and leesy mineral notes lingering on the long, dry, and finely textured finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the next 2 years. Score: 90 pts

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

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Deux Roches Vieilles Vignes Pouilly-Fuissé 2021 (Burgundy) - Wine Review

Happy Thanksgiving! Tonight's white wine review is a lovely white wine that I first tasted just over a year ago and am delighted to see it arrive at the LCBO as part of the September 21st LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection as an Online & Flagship Exclusive and available at 17 stores in Ontario right now.

Deux Roches is the Burgundy winery of Collovray et Terrier. The Domaine is situated in the heart of the picturesque Mâconnais landscape, in the village of Davayé, and focuses mainly on white wines made with Chardonnay in the Mâconnais style.

The story of Deux Roches, which means "Two Rocks", begins in 1928 when Joanny Collovray settled in the small village of Davayé, a few kilometres west of Mâcon, in the south of Burgundy. He farmed the land, made goat cheese, and grew various crops, including vines. As a simple tenant farmer, he made some wine on the property and the merchants took care of selling it, and in 1940, Collovray was mentioned in the press for the quality of his work. In 1956, his son, Henri Collovray, took over the property and extended the family's vine holdings by purchasing a few parcels in the Mâcon-Davayé appellation. At the young age of 16, Henri's son, Christian, began working the vines and later gave up animal farming to focus solely on winegrowing.

The Terrier family had no history of cultivating vines. Léon Terrier was the village blacksmith and always worked alongside local winegrowers. Growing up in this environment, Léon's son, Jean-Luc Terrier, chose to go to an agricultural college and specialize in viticulture. Jean-Luc crossed paths along the way with Christian, his neighbour and childhood friend, and together they shared a love of the vines and wines.

Christian and Jean-Luc's bond grew even closer when they married two sisters, Brigitte and Florence, who were also from a family of winegrowers. The two couples had a dream to create an estate together to make wines from Christian and his father's vines, and in 1986 the dream became a reality. The vines were grouped around the two rocks of Vergisson and Solutré, which led to the name "Deux Roches". From the beginning, each member of the two families played a role, with Christian tending the vines, Jean-Luc responsible for the cellar and sales, and both Brigitte and Florence first worked the vines, then looked after bottling, and finally devoting themselves to administrative and commercial matters as the business grew.

In 2009, Julien Collovray, son of Christian and Brigitte, joined the family business following his studies in viticulture, oenology, law, and economics, and various experiences at other wine estates. In 2012, Caroline Collovray, Julien's wife, also joined the estate as an oenologist with experience in several estates. In 2019, Pierre-Alexis Terrier, son of Jean-Luc and Florence, returned to the Domaine after completing his studies abroad and working in the vines and the cellar at both Davayé and Antugnac in Languedoc.

The philosophy at Deux Roches is to craft wines that express the unique terroirs of the Mâconnais, while working the soil and respecting the vegetation. Their goal is to have perfection, which means mastering each step from the vineyard to bottle, and includes adapting to the year's weather conditions by evolving and experimenting with each parcel. Since 2017, Deux Roches has earned High Environmental Certification for their commitment to the environment, where they use natural processes and minimize inputs to anticipate disease and manage the vineyard, while also promoting and encouraging biodiversity. Collovray et Terrier also work to have the least possible environmental impact in the cellar, including minimizing the use of water and limiting energy use from non-renewable sources.

Domaine des Deux Roches has two lines of wines within their portfolio - the Timeless Collection and the single vineyard Parcel Selections. The Timeless Collection of wines are exemplary, accessible, and made for drinking and sharing with enjoyment for immediate pleasure. The Timeless Collection wines are blended from several vineyards and aged in stainless steel or oak. The aim of the Timeless Collection is to give true expression of the appellations, while also corresponding to their vision of the Mâconnais style - great classics that never cease to please!

This white wine is from Deux Roches' Timeless Collection. It is 100% Chardonnay from 60 to 100-year-old vines grown on the estate and from selected parcels grown by long-standing partner winegrowers who are friends and family. The vines are planted on mainly limestone clay hillsides near the Rocks of Solutré and Vergisson, and also at Chaintré and Fuissé. The selection of grapes from these sites allows Collovray et Terrier to produce a delicate, mineral wine, with bright and refined aromas, as well as a rich, solid structure. To vinify this wine, the grapes were harvested and gravity-fed into pneumatic presses. Pressing is long and slow to ensure that the juice is delicately extracted and to preserve aromatic finesse. The resulting must is cooled and decanted, followed by alcoholic fermentation in barrel, with 20% in 600 L demi-muids, and less than 10% is new wood, followed by ageing on its fine lees until spring. Inputs are restricted during the entire process, including the use of sulphur dioxide.

The 2021 vintage was a challenging one in Burgundy that began with a hard winter frost, along with pests and disease that wreaked havoc in the vineyards and reduced yields. It was a cool-ish summer, with wine quality determined by hard work in the vineyard and winery. Let's see how this 2021 Chardonnay from Pouilly-Fuissé in Burgundy is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

DEUX ROCHES VIEILLES VIGNES POUILLY-FUISSÉ 2021 - AP, Burgundy, France (#488825) (XD) - $49.95
100% Chardonnay. The medium+ to medium-high intensity nose takes a while to reveal the maturing, earthy, stony mineral aromas mingling with baked apple, lemon peel, and whiffs of mushroom and nut. On the dry, medium-full bodied palate it is deliciously flavoured, structured, and complex with lovely orchard fruit, apple, pear, lemon citrus, white peach and spice flavours backed by nutty notes and a stony mineral core. It has zesty, well-structured acidity, while stony-leesy mineral, orchard fruit, citrus, and mushroom notes with touches of spice lingering on the long, crisp, and very juicy finish. An intriguing wine to enjoy on its own or with poultry and seafood over the next 3-4 years. Recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

One other wine from Collovray et Terrier's Deux Roches label can be found at the LCBO, while the entire portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Kew Vineyards Marsanne 2020 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is an excellent Marsanne from the Beamsville Bench appellation in Niagara that arrived at the LCBO earlier this month as part of the feature on Ontario Wines in the September 7th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Kew Vineyards, a boutique winery focused on small-batch production that is located in the heart of Niagara on the Beamsville Bench, an area known for its limestone-rich soils. Situated on a 160-year-old estate, Kew Vineyards epitomizes country style and grace. The winery stands in the Kew homestead, a house which was built by William Kew. The Kew family lived in the home and operated a successful carriage making company from the house. Historically, the Kew homestead was known for mixing business with pleasure, and where the Kew family's chapter ends is when the story of Kew Vineyards begins.

In 1975, Mr. Hermann Weis brought his own clones from the Mosel Valley in Germany and planted some of Niagara's first Riesling vines on the estate at Kew Vineyards. Unknowingly, Mr. Weis became a true pioneer of Ontario's wine region, even while he was relentlessly met with skepticism as the community said he could never do it. Today, most of Niagara's Rieslings are based on the Weis Clone.

Kew Vineyards' prides itself on its unique vineyard, which includes some of Ontario's oldest vines, along with a few varietals that are rare for the region. The Marsanne vines at Kew Vineyards are special, unique, and continue to thrive in the cool-climate of Niagara and the challenges it presents. This white wine is one of the few, and perhaps only, Marsanne from Niagara, and almost always contains small amounts of other varieties. For the 2020 vintage, this is a blend of 95.2% Marsanne, 2.4% Viognier, and 2.4% Pinot Gris. To craft this wine, it was fermented for 10 months in larger French oak.

The 2020 growing season in Niagara delivered near-perfect conditions which benefited a wide spectrum of grape varieties. The growing season got off to a slow start, while the summer was hot and dry, resulting in clean and intense fruit. The grapes exhibited brightness, character, acidity, and energy due to cool weather early in the season, but they also displayed the depth of a warm vintage. Overall, it is a great vintage with many great wines across the board. Let's see how this 2020 Marsanne from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

KEW VINEYARDS MARSANNE 2020 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#485334) (XD) - $19.95
Enclosed by Stelvin screw cap, this is mainly Marsanne with a splash of (2.4%) Viognier and (2.4%) Pinot Gris. Fragrant, open, and slightly perfumed, the medium-high intensity nose offers lovely and complex lemon citrus, ripe apple, herbs, and stony-leesy mineral aromas with touches of white floral. It is impressively weighted on the well-structured, medium+ bodied, textured, and dry palate with touches of vanilla oak and spice notes joining the lemon citrus, ripe apple, stony-leesy mineral flavours. It's very nicely balanced throughout with crisp, refreshing acidity, while the length is excellent with persistent leesy-stony mineral notes lingering on the savoury, long, and crisp finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

Limited quantities of other fine wines by Kew Vineyards are available at the LCBO, while the entire portfolio can be purchased directly from winery online or by visiting them in Beamsville, Ontario, or through their Agent - Arterra Wines Canada.

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Omrah Crossing Chardonnay 2023 (Western Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely Chardonnay from Great Southern, Western Australia, that arrived at the LCBO in the recent LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on September 7th.

Located in the Great Southern wine region of Western Australia, Omrah Wines are produced by Plantagenet Wines, a wine producer that was established in 1968 by Tony Smith. Plantagenet produced its first vintage in 1974 and purchased an apple packing shed in Mount Barker and converted it to the region's first winery cellar.

The Omrah Wines label was established in 1996 and focuses on producing fresh, fruit-driven wines with minimal oak influence. The story of Omrah wines begins with the best parcels of grapes from Western Australia's wine regions, where the rich and diverse terroir provides the perfect canvas for crafting exceptional wines. The vineyards in Western Australia benefit from an idyllic climate with warm days and cool nights, which ensure that the grapes develop a perfect balance of acidity and flavour. In this unique environment, Omrah wines are produced in a fresh, contemporary style that is as vibrant as the land from which they come. Omrah wines are produced for those who appreciate the art of casual elegance, such as a relaxed beach picnic, a lively backyard barbecue, or an intimate dinner with friends.

The name "Omrah" is believed to be inspired by a maritime exploration and travel ship that sailed between Australia and England during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with Omrah chosen to reflect the spirit of exploration and discovery to uncover and express the cool-climate varietals of Western Australia's Great Southern region. The grapes for Omrah wines are responsibly sourced from some of the best vineyards in Western Australia and crafted by the winemaking team at Plantagenet Wines. Embracing freshness, vibrancy, and balance, Omrah wines are designed to be enjoyed now. With seven wines in the portfolio, Omrah has a wine for every occasion.

This white wine is crafted with 100% Chardonnay that was grown in the Great Southern wine region of Western Australia. The Great Southern is the largest region in Australia and one of the nine regions of Western Australia. It is situated southeast of Perth and contains five distinct sub-regions. As the second-largest producer of grapes in Western Australia, the Great Southern has a landscape of forested cliffs and resplendent mountain ranges, grazing pastures and towns steeped in history. The climate in Great Southern is cool-temperate and strongly influenced by its proximity to the Southern Ocean. There is plenty of rainfall, even during the hottest Australian summer, while daytime temperatures are moderated by the cool, evening sea breeze. The high diurnal temperature range between warm days and cool nights in Great Southern allows for the maximum retention of acidity and varietal expression to create complex wines. Details are light on the vinification methods used to craft this wine, but after undergoing alcoholic fermentation, it also underwent minimal malolactic fermentation and spent minimal time in oak.

The 2023 growing season in Great Southern was characterized by a warmer than average March, which aided ripening just prior to harvest. At the beginning of the growing season, Mount Barker had a cool and wet winter, which ensured ample moisture for budburst and early season growth. Early spring rains delayed flowering and fruit set, while healthy vine canopies were well-balanced and healthy. Growing conditions were perfect from December to February, with clear blue skies, warmer temperatures, and cool, clear nights. By the time harvest season arrived in March, phenological ripening stages of the vineyards were back to normal and helped deliver great aromatic intensity in white grape varieties. From an overall successful vintage, let's see how this 2023 Chardonnay from Great Southern is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

OMRAH CROSSING CHARDONNAY 2023 - Great Southern, Western Australia (#17644) (XD) - $21.95
Screw cap. The fragrant, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose delivers white peaches & cream, ripe stone & orchard fruit, and apple aromas accented with vanilla and touches of cashew nut and earthy mineral. On the medium+ to medium-full bodied palate it is dry and lightly honeyed with delicious ripe apple, stone & orchard fruit, white peach, vanilla, and oak spice flavours. It has bright and lively acidity, while the stone & orchard fruit notes taper to cashew and earthy mineral flavours on the crisp, juicy, and long-lasting finish. Enjoyable now, but will reward with 1-2 years in the cellar. Enjoy this recommended buy over next 4-5 years. Score: 90+ pts

Other lovely Omrah Wines can be ordered through their Agent - Airen Imports.

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Catena Appellation Tupungato Chardonnay 2022 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely, high-altitude Chardonnay from Tupungato in Argentina that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the September 7th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Catena Zapata, one of Argentina's most prestigious and renowned winemaking families. A pioneer in Argentine winemaking, the Catena family also has a long history of viticulture and winemaking that goes back over a century.

Bodega Catena Zapata was established in 1902 by Nicola Catena when he planted his first Malbec vineyard in Mendoza. At the time, Malbec was used primarily as a blending grape, but Nicola suspected that it would find its hidden splendour in the Argentine Andes. His eldest son, Domingo, inherited his father's dream and took the family business to another level, becoming one of Mendoza's largest vineyard holders.

In the 1960s, Nicolás Catena Zapata, Domingo's son and a recent PhD graduate, took over the family winery after years of turmoil due to a downturn in the Argentine economy and soaring inflation rates. The name Zapata comes from Nicolás' paternal grandmother's ancestors, who were a traditional landowning family dating back to colonial times, and by Argentine custom, Zapata follows Catena in Nicolás's full name. In the early 1980s, Nicolás got the opportunity to become a visiting scholar of economics at the University of California, on the world-renowned campus at Berkeley. During this period, California decided to challenge France by creating Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines that could rival the best French wines. This provided Nicolás and his wife, Elena, with inspiration, so that when he returned to Mendoza, he sold his bulk wine table-wine producing company and focused on producing fine wine. In 1992, the Catena family settled in Gualtallary Alto - the highest and westernmost spot in Tupungato, at 5,000 feet above sea level, an area that is cool, but well-protected from frost by the nearby mountains. The vineyard, which is named after his youngest daughter - Adrianna - has a slight slope and a small hill.

Today, Bodega Catena Zapata is led by Dr. Laura Catena, daughter of Nicolás, and the 4th generation of the family, along with talented Winemaker Alejandro Vigil. Catena Zapata is known for being one of the first Argentine wineries to introduce modern viticultural and winemaking techniques to the country, as well as for its commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability. Catena wines are produced from six historic family estate vineyards and each of these vineyards is divided into parcels according to their soil composition, with each parcel farmed individually. Nearly all of Catena's vineyards are farmed sustainably and organically, focusing on lower yields and biodiversity.

Like the 2019 Catena Appellation Tupungato Chardonnay I enjoyed just over three years ago, this white wine is crafted using Chardonnay that was grown in the high-altitude Tupungato sub-region of northern Uco Valley. Over two decades ago, Nicolás Catena Zapata selected the Tupungato appellation to plant the family's Chardonnay vineyards. Situated between 4,000 and 5,000 feet above sea level in the foothills of the Andes mountains, the Tupungato appellation has pebble-covered soils and extreme cool nights. Catena's Tupungato Vineyard is located at about 1,450 metres (4,750 feet) above sea level and has soil of alluvial origin, with gravel and limestone, rounded rocks at the bottom, and sandy loam. To vinify this wine, the grapes undergo cold settling for 8-24 hours at 5ºC (41ºF), followed by a 25 to 45 day fermentation. After fermentation, the wine spends 4 to 10 months in contact with its fine lees in 100% French oak, 35% new.

The 2022 growing season at Catena Zapata was exceptional, producing wines with optimal acidity, great concentration and ripeness of polyphenols, and just-right alcohol levels. While the growing season was like a roller-coaster year with two big frosts, a shorter harvest period, and unpredictable weather patterns, the team at Catena persevered with great dedication and endurance while using their deep knowledge of every region and vineyard. Winter was milder than usual, while glacial water played an important role because spring and summer were especially dry with rain 15-40% less than usual in most areas. Spring frosts were remedied by lighting anti-frost cans. Yields were down 10-20% by harvest time, while cooler than usual autumn temperatures allowed the grapes to ripen slowly and fully. From a challenging vintage, let's see how this 2022 Chardonnay from Argentina is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CATENA APPELLATION TUPUNGATO CHARDONNAY 2022 - Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#10964) (XD) - $19.95
The medium+ to medium-high intensity nose offers bright lemon citrus and ripe apple-pear aromas nuanced with vanilla, earthy mineral, and hints of butterscotch and tropical fruit notes. On the rich, dry, medium-full bodied palate it has delicious lemon citrus, apple-pear, vanilla, and mineral replays, plus some spice flavours. It's well-structured with tight and juicy acidity. Citrus and apple notes taper to savoury minerals on the long, crisp finish. Has room to develop further and should drink well over the next 5 years. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Many other fine wines by Catena Zapata can be found at the LCBO, or ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Ormarine Carte Noire Picpoul de Pinet 2023 (Southwest) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a delicious Picpoul that is brand-new to the LCBO, arriving as part of last weekend's September 7 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Cave de l'Ormarine, a well-known co-operative winery located in the Languedoc of southern France. Its story begins in 1922, when a group of winegrowers in the town of Pinet gathered together in the spirit of solidarity and formed a winegrowers' association. However, the story of Pinet goes back much further - 2000 years.

It all started in the year 118 B.C., when a Roman General Domitius Aheobarbus built a military road across Gaul to link the Italian Peninsula to the Iberic Peninsula. The famous via Domitia went across the vineyards of Pinet and opened the path for the wine trade and promoted the expansion of the vineyards. The historical grape variety Picpoul, also known as Piquepoul, was first quoted in 1618 by the famous botanist J.B. Magnol in his book and called it one of the six best-known grape varieties of Languedoc.

Fast-forward to 1922, and the 53 winegrowers of Pinet came together officially to enhance the white wine produced from the terroirs of Pinet. Ets Noilly Prat of Marseillan bought all the wines produced at the cellar and was responsible for the marketing and sales of the wines. In 1985, after several long years of investment to improve the quality of their wines and create brand awareness at both the national and international level, the producers of Cellar Ormarine were able to get Picpoul de Pinet classified as an AOC and joined the large family of AOC Côteaux du Languedoc. Even though the Languedoc region is mostly known for its blends, the appellation of AOC Picpoul de Pinet is dedicated solely to dry white production and permits the use of only one single grape variety - Picpoul.

In 1992, the co-operative cellar celebrated its 70th anniversary and re-introduced itself to the market as Ormarine. In 2008, the cellar merged with the Cooperative Cellar of Villeveyrac, allowing them to produce more wine, and gave birth to its new and current name - SCA Cave de l'Ormarine. In 2013, the Cooperative Cellar of Cournonterral joined Ormarine, which allows Ormarine to produce wines from a wide variety of appellations and grape varieties. In 2017, two more mergers occurred, bringing together 470 united coopérators operating more than 2,500 hectares of vines.

With "Terroir Discovery" their slogan, Ormarine benefits with access to grapes from a wide area extending from the Cévennes to the Mediterranean to produce high-quality wines. These grapes benefit from the maritime influence of the Etang de Thau, as well as the limestone clay and red sandstone soils. In Pinet, which is situated just north of Etang de Thau, the terroir is mainly composed of limestone clay soils, while its proximity to the Lagoon and the Mediterranean Sea plays a role in regulating and reducing temperature variations. The Marin, Tramontane, and Mistral winds also help keep the vines healthy and reduce disease pressure. Omarine is also committed to nature and the environment, as they embarked on a path to organic viticulture in 2011. Furthermore, in 2018, Ormarine obtained Terra Vitis certification, which highlights sustainable and integrated winegrowing.

This white wine is crafted using the Picpoul grape varietal that was grown in the AOP Picpoul de Pinet appellation, within the Languedoc region of southern France. This 100% Picpoul de Pinet was grown on homogeneous limestone clay soils that open out to the sea. After undergoing plot selection in the vineyard, the grapes were harvested at night, then underwent another round of selection upon arriving at the winery. The grapes underwent a cold, pre-fermentary maceration, followed fermentation at low temperature, and then matured in thermo-regulated vats. The wine was then filtered and bottled at the estate. From a challenging year of extremes, let's see how this 2023 Picpoul de Pinet is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ORMARINE CARTE NOIRE PICPOUL DE PINET 2023 - AP, Southwest, France (#38396) (XD) - $14.95
Screw cap enclosure. This Picpoul de Pinet has an attractive, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose that offers ripe apple, lemon citrus, white floral, and orchard fruit aromas with hints of limestone minerality and white spice. It's light-to-medium bodied on the dry palate with slightly honeyed flavours of apple, white-fleshed orchard fruit, lemon citrus, and white pepper spice notes which are supported by refreshing, saliva-inducing, and food-friendly acidity. It's nicely textured, a touch creamy, with stony mineral and spice notes appearing on the mid-palate. Stony mineral notes linger on the long-lasting, savoury finish. Ideal with seafood and a recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

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

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Wine Art Estate Idisma Drios Assyrtiko 2022 (Greece) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is an excellent Assyrtiko from PGI Drama in northeastern Greece. It is a brand-new arrival at the LCBO, coming to shelves as part of last month's August 24th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and is readily available across Ontario right now.

Founded by Yiannis Papadopoulos in 1993, Wine Art Estate is a project of love and passion for wine. Yiannis, who is a civil engineer by profession, wanted to explore the vinification procedure and settled on planting a small, family vineyard on the outskirts of Drama, on the northeastern end of Macedonia in northern Greece.

The Drama wine region is made up of quiet valleys, exceptional microclimates, and rich soil that shapes the character of the wines. Wine Art Estate's vineyards are planted on carefully chosen slopes situated between two parallel mountains - Mount Falakro and Mount Menikion - which create a unique winegrowing environment that offers amazing potential for the production of distinctive, high-quality, aromatic, flavourful, and balanced wines. Highly suitable for the cultivation of Greek and international varieties, the soil in these vineyards is mainly composed of sandy-clay over limestone layers. Moreover, the blocks in the Kali Vrisi area have been known since ancient times for the cultivation of vines and production of wines, as indicated at the ruins of the Sanctuary of Dionysus. Kali Vrisi was chosen for its rich soil and is known as a premium wine growing area.

In 2009, Akis Papadopoulos, son of Yiannis, returned from his studies in Bordeaux and took over from his father as Chief Oenologist. Iralklis Topalidis joined the team as viticulturist and, after seeing and assessing the vines, began focusing on the importance of the vineyard as a precursor to quality winemaking. After years of research and experimentation, as well as an enthusiastic response from consumers, trade and press in many countries around the world, Wine Art Estate continues its dedication to quality with a winemaking philosophy that respects harmony and balance. Additionally, the philosophy at Wine Art Estate is that great wines begin in the vineyard and are grown by those who adapt, listen to nature, and are respectful of the land's energy. With winemaking experience spanning three decades, Wine Art Estate is committed to sustainable winegrowing, while producing high quality wines without compromise, and preserving nature for future generations.

While I recall enjoying the 2019 Wine Art Techni Alipias Red Blend last November, with this wine we go up a notch to Wine Art Estate's Idisma Drios premium range of wines that showcases their commitment to quality and tradition. The name "Idisma Drios" translates to "sweetly oaked" in Greek, and reflects the careful use of oak barrels in the winemaking process for each of the four Idisma Drios wines.

This particular wine is crafted with 100% Assyrtiko that was grown in the villages of Kali Vrisi and Mikrochori, from vineyards that are under conversion to organic viticulture. The Kali Vrisi vineyard has sandy-clay soil over limestone layers, while the Mikrochori vineyard has sandy-clay soil. The climate in these vineyards is continental with intense diurnal temperature changes between day and night, along with cool, northern winds during summer. To craft this white wine, the skins were cold-soaked prior to fermentation in order to transfer aromas from the grapes to the must. After fermentation for 7 days in stainless steel tanks, the wine is transferred with its fine lees into 225 L French oak barrels where it completes fermentation. Manual bâtonnage (stirring of fine lees) is applied for about 6 months to give the wine volume, density, and creaminess.

The 2022 growing season in northern Greece can be characterized as a late year that was very demanding for viticulturists. Winter was normal, but spring had low temperatures, which delayed the start of the vegetative cycle. Normal temperatures combined with rainfall during June and July led to smooth maturation of grapes, but winegrowers did need to stay alert to protect the health of the vineyards and ensure leaf surface and yield were balanced. While August had favourable temperatures, there was also plentiful rainfall, which led to temporary interruption of harvest in some places, as well as disease-related issues. September was smooth, and the harvest was completed without any further complications. Overall, the white wines from this vintage show rich varietal aromas and good acidity. Let's see how this 2022 Assyrtiko from Greece is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

WINE ART ESTATE IDISMA DRIOS ASSYRTIKO 2022 - PGI Drama, Greece (#36834) (XD) - $28.95
Richly fragrant, the medium-high to highly aromatic nose offers elegant and enticing aromas of buttery and vanillin oak layered over ripe lemon citrus, apple, orchard fruit, mineral, and floral. On the dry, medium-full to full-bodied palate it is richly structured, creamy, and complex with delicious vanilla, toasty oak spice, citrus, apple, orchard fruit, and nut flavours. Touch spicy on the mid-palate, while leesy mineral notes appear on the back palate. It has tangy and juicy acidity, while vanilla, citrus, orchard fruit, and mineral notes with touches of spice lingering on the very long, succulent finish. Should drink nicely to the end of the decade and is a highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

Other fine wines by Wine Art Estate can be ordered at the LCBO or through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.

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LAVAU Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2022 (France) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a delicious blend of Grenache Blanc and Viognier from the Rhône wine region of France. It made its debut at the LCBO in the recent August 24th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and is widely available across Ontario right now.

It is produced by Maison LAVAU, a winery that was founded by the Lavau family in 1965. The Lavau family had already been involved in winemaking for several generations when Jean-Guy Lavau, the third generation of the family, and his wife, Anne-Marie, returned to France from Tunisia in the mid-20th century. By 1964, the couple decided to take over a small winemaking cellar in the southern Rhône Valley village of Sablet. Together, the Lavau's built a reputation as one of the region's top winemakers thanks to their dedication to high-quality standards, attention to detail, and thirst for excellence.

Today, Maison LAVAU is a major player locally in the Rhône Valley as it has developed close ties with other winegrowers in the region. Maison LAVAU is led by brothers Frédéric and Benoît Lavau, the sons of Jean-Guy and Anne-Marie. The brothers completed their studies in Canada and joined the family business - Frédéric in 1995, followed by Benoît two years later, and by 2000, the Lavau brothers had taken over the family business because their parents opted to retire. Frédéric and Benoît's youthful energy and adventurous spirit allowed them to further structure, develop, and improve the Maison, including building a new cellar in Violès and investing in modern, high-performance cellar facilities. Maison LAVAU has long-running partnerships with more than 250 winegrowers who have over 140 hectares of vines across the appellations of Rhône Valley. Moreover, the Lavau brothers are also talented winemakers and wine traders, and invested in vineyards so they could produce their wine using their own grapes. As one of the last family-run and independent wine estates in the Rhône Valley, Maison LAVAU's main objective is to offer the very best of the Rhône Valley by producing quality wines that are fine, generous, and affordable, while also expressing the unique characteristics of the Rhône Valley's terroirs.

This white wine is a blend of 60% Grenache Blanc and 40% Viognier that was grown in selected vineyards in the Vaucluse and Gard departments of the Rhône wine region, from vines planted in clay-limestone soil on plains and hillsides. Upon arriving at the winery, the grapes underwent a light skin maceration, then pressed and placed into temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. Fermentation was carried out at a low temperature to preserve the fruit. The wine was aged in stainless steel vats, on its fine lees, without malolactic fermentation, in order to preserve the crisp and crunchy character of the wine.

The 2022 growing season was the hottest and driest vintage in the Rhône since 1950! The season was marked by extremes, beginning with a dry winter that saw very little precipitation, while spring rapidly warmed up, although there was a fleeting cold snap in April. Budburst and flowering were a success, even though temperatures continued to rise. May was abnormally hot, while June brought some relief with rain. Summer was marked by heat and drought, with rot and disease mostly kept at bay, while August brought some humidity which helped revive some of the vines. Faced with the increasing regularity of these growing conditions, it would appear as though the vines have learned to adapt by slowing down their growth rates and maturity cycles. From a vintage that favours white grape varieties, let's see how this 2022 Côtes du Rhône Blanc is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

LAVAU CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2022 - AC, France (#36914) (XD) - $16.95
This 60/40 blend of Grenache Blanc and Viognier has a fresh, medium+ intensity nose offering attractive aromas of fresh and ripe pear, apple, lemon citrus, Mediterranean herbs, and grapefruit with accents of white floral and white peach. Intriguing leesy and mealy aromas emerge with time in the glass. On the weighty, medium-full bodied, and dry palate it has very good concentration with a fleshy mouthfeel and delicious ripe pear, apple, white floral, yellow fruit, lemon citrus, grapefruit, and spice flavours with some honeyed overtones. It has very good acidity, while pear, apple, floral, and spice notes linger on the long-lasting and juicy finish. With the alcohol starting to peak through, you'll want to chill well and enjoy this recommended buy over the coming year. Score: 88+ pts

Other lovely wines by Maison LAVAU can be found at the LCBO, or ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Alpha Estate Turtles Single Vineyard Malagouzia 2023 (Greece) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is an excellent Malagouzia from Greece. It arrived at the LCBO over the weekend and is featured as a Hand-Picked Gift in the August 24 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Alpha Estate, a winery that was established in 1997 by Makis Mavridis, an experienced viticulturist, and Angelos Iatridis, a chemist-oenologist. After gaining years of experience in their fields in Greece and abroad, they decided to create their own wines and settled in the Amyndeon region of Florina, Macedonia, in northwestern Greece.

Today, Angeliki Iatridou and Emorfili Mavridou, the daughters of the founders, carry on the knowledge and love for winemaking with passion, while respecting traditions and evolving to participate in Alpha Estate's common vision. They have a privately-owned 220 hectare vineyard with a unique ecosystem, but the soul of their work are the people that contribute every day to the dream, while respecting nature and using the most recent international standards in eco-friendly growing practices of sustainable viticulture and winemaking. All wines bearing the Alpha Estate label are crafted with professional know-how, experience, and with a team effort throughout all the stages from production to promotion.

The winery is located in the heart of the vineyard, thereby allowing the grapes to arrive at the winery in the shortest amount of time as possible in order to protect the grape's organoleptic characteristics. Moreover, the winery was designed to exploit gravity, which minimizes the stress experienced by the grape and wine, as well as constructed using materials that allowed for completely neutral atmospheric conditions inside the winery. Alpha Estate has also implemented an integrated Building Management System, which allows for remote monitoring of all machinery and mechanical functions. The cellar is located underground where wine is aged in casks at ideal and optimum conditions throughout the year.

This white wine is crafted with 100% Malagouzia that was grown in PGI Florina, one of the coolest and most mountainous PGI zones in Greece. The privately owned vineyard is planted on the Amyndeon plateau in northwestern Macedonia, within the "Turtles" sub-region that is situated at an average 670 metres above sea level, facing Mount Voras, and with northwestern exposure to the sun. The soil in this vineyard is sandy, with a sandy clay soil over limestone that has excellent drainage qualities. The climate in this area is semi-continental, with important rain and snowfall, while summers are generally fresh and dry, with a high diurnal temperature range and cool nights. Furthermore, the two neighbouring lakes, along with the prevalence of northwesterly winds, help regulate weather extremes and allow vine cultivation to thrive. After the grapes were harvested by hand in small picking baskets, they were destemmed, optically sorted, and then lightly crushed. With skin contact, it underwent a temperature-controlled alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks, and spent two months "sur lie" with regular stirring.

The 2023 growing season began very dry, without the usual snowfall, and an almost warm winter, followed by a nice, cold spring. June was very wet and presented some challenges, while heatwaves arrived in July and stressed the vines. What saved and made the vintage were the warm days and cool nights during harvest. Let's see how this 2023 Malagouzia from Greece is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ALPHA ESTATE TURTLES SINGLE VINEYARD MALAGOUZIA 2023 - Vegan, PGI Florina, Greece (#32161) (XD) - $18.95
100% Malagouzia. Intensely fragrant and highly aromatic, this has a lovely, attractive, complex, and perfumed nose of ripe grapefruit, lemon citrus, spring flowers, apple, tropical fruits, lychee, and fennel aromas with underlying minerals. On the dry, medium+ bodied, well-structured palate, it is lightly spicy with citrusy, grapefruit, apple, mineral, spring flowers, and lychee flavours supported by juicy, structured acidity. It has a fine, textured mouthfeel, plus some spice notes on the mid-palate. Nicely balanced with tangy citrus and mineral notes lingering on the exceptionally long finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

Other fine wines by Alpha Estate can be found at the LCBO or through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.

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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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Trius Showcase Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2020 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is an excellent, single vineyard Chardonnay from Niagara that was featured in the piece on Local Talent in the recent July 6 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. It will be available at the LCBO once the strike ends, but can be ordered directly today from the winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake or via The Wine Shop.

It is produced by Trius Winery, a Canadian wine industry game changer that was established by Hillebrand Estates in 1979. Initially, the Trius brand at Hillebrand only consisted of one wine - the Trius Red - a wine that received international acclaim after it was recognized as the Best Red Wine in the World in 1991. This recognition marked an important step in the Canadian wine industry as it meant that Canadian wines could stand on their own against wines from other top wine-producing regions.

While the Trius Red continues to be recognized as one of Canada's most iconic wines, the portfolio has grown to include several other ranges and many top wines, including sparkling wines, white wines, and Icewine. In 2007, Hillebrand was acquired by Andrew Peller Limited, and in 2012, the Hillebrand Winery property was renovated and born as Trius Winery to become one of Niagara-on-the-Lake's top wine destinations.

With renowned Winemaker Craig MacDonald leading the winemaking team, Trius has evolved to become a world-class winery with roots, while also noting that the heart and soul of all Trius wines come from the one-of-a-kind vineyards where they grow their grapes. Major factors that lead to high-quality grapes include the sun-soaked shale that the vines sink their roots into, as well as convection currents from Lake Ontario that cool down the hot, summer nights. At Trius, they celebrate the connection between the land and their wines, and it is at the heart of everything in creating iconic Canadian wines for everyone to enjoy.

This particular white wine is from Trius' Showcase range of wines which are crafted using the best hand-selected fruit from the best vineyards, and often from a single vineyard and a single barrel. Showcase wines showcase the character of the soil and the distinct personality of the individual vineyard. These collectible, age-worthy wines are crafted in an unrushed approach with innovative winemaking techniques in very limited quantities, which show Trius' exemplary passion for making great wines that is on full display in every Trius Showcase bottle of wine.

This beautiful white wine is crafted with 100% Chardonnay that was grown in the Watching Tree Vineyard situated in the VQA Lincoln Lakeshore sub-appellation of Niagara. Lincoln Lakeshore has long, gentle slopes which are highly influenced by Lake Ontario, a long temperate growing season, and numerous seasonal streams. The lake effect makes Lincoln Lakeshore ideal for growing white wine varieties that can fully mature on the vine over a long period, producing wines with great intensity, complexity, structure, and elegance. The Watching Tree Vineyard is named after the lone tree that stands tall alongside the vineyard, like a protector watching over the vines. This vineyard was once an ancient riverbed and was planted in 1989 with clone 95 and 96 Chardonnay vines on stony, pebbly soil. To craft this Chardonnay, the grapes were hand-picked and whole-bunch pressed. The juice was cold settled in tank, then sent directly to barrel for wild yeast fermentation. The wine was aged "sur lie" for 10 months in 225L French oak barriques, 20% new.

The 2020 growing season delivered near-perfect growing conditions, one of the best ever by all accounts, with white wine varieties having surprisingly great acidity. From this exceptional vintage, let's see how this 2020 Chardonnay from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

TRIUS SHOWCASE WILD FERMENT CHARDONNAY 2020 - VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#199273) (XD) - $38.00
Lovely, perfumed, and highly aromatic nose of ripe apple, lemon citrus, tropical fruit, smoky oak, and buttery aromas with touches of spice, coffee, roasted nuts, and flinty mineral adding further complexity. On the dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate it is gently spicy with lemon citrus, ripe apple, toasty oak spice, butter, and nutty oak flavours. It's supported by crisp and juicy acidity, along with lovely textured mouthfeel on the mid-palate. Refined and elegant with flinty mineral and toasty notes lingering on the dry finish, with excellent length. Highly recommended buy! Score: 92+ pts

Other lovely wines by Trius Winery can be purchased directly from the winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, at The Wine Shop locations across Ontario, or LCBO outlets once they re-open.

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Zacharias Moschofilero 2022 (Greece) - Wine Review

After enjoying the excellent 2022 Zacharias Assyrtiko last month, tonight's white wine review is another lovely wine from the same producer that arrived at the LCBO today as part of the July 6 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. While stores may be closed due to the strike, this can be ordered online from lcbo.com.

Like the Assyrtiko, this white wine is produced by Zacharias Winery, a notable family-owned winery that was established over 30 years ago in the Nemea region of northeastern Peloponnese, Greece. The family has forty hectares of blessed land located on slopes that embrace the village of Leontio, Nemea. These vineyards are spread out and produce some of Greece's finest fruit, which leads to high-quality wines.

Since its founding in 1974 and as one of the region's most historic wineries, the art of winemaking for the Zacharias family has been more than a passion. Zacharias has continuously offered a vision, mood, and work ethic to qualitatively improve the wines made with Agiorgitiko. In addition to Agiorgitiko, the family also plants twelve other grape varieties, including top indigenous varieties such as Assyrtiko, Moschofilero, Roditis, and Mavrodaphne, as well as some international varieties. The vineyards are managed to produce small yields, while using an integrated environmental management system which respects both nature and man, which results in concentrated grapes to produce quality wines. The aim of Zacharias Winery is to offer approachable wines with a unique identity, while preserving the tradition and dissemination of grape varieties of the PDO Nemea and PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) Peloponnese appellations, which are an integral part of the cultural heritage of the place.

The PGI Peloponnese appellation was established in 1989 and consists of seven regional units. While not the same quality as PDO wines, PGI wines largely demonstrate authenticity and formality with respect to varieties and regions. The PGI wines crafted by Zacharias Winery use grapes grown in the administrative boundaries of the Municipality of Nemea, in Corinthia of the Peloponnese, and Mantinia of Arcadia. The climate in the Peloponnese varies depending on the region and altitude, but in general, it has a privileged Mediterranean climate where it is mild and warm on the coast, and cold in the interior lands.

This 100% Moschofilero was organically farmed in the PGI Peloponnese appellation and hand-harvested from late-September to early-October. To vinify this wine, the grapes underwent a cold maceration for 3 hours for 20% of the final blend, and fermentation at a low, controlled temperature in stainless tanks. Let's see how this 2022 Moschofilero from Greece is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ZACHARIAS MOSCHOFILERO 2022 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#548222) (XD) - $15.95
The attractive, medium-high intensity nose offers pretty aromas of Mandarin orange, honeysuckle, floral, grapefruit, lychee, and citrus. The medium+ to medium-full bodied palate is dry, ripe, and slightly honeyed with delicious citrus, grapefruit, honeysuckle, orange blossom, and floral flavours with touches of spice, wild herbs, and lychee adding further complexity. Acids are fresh, juicy, and mouth-watering. There's a touch of zesty spice on the mid-palate, while savoury, leesy notes come through on the juicy finish, with very good length. Perfect thirst quencher for summer drinking and a highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Zacharias Winery can be found at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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July 6, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: White Wine for Summer Sunshine

Here are my top wine picks from the July 6, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, which is titled Fine White Wine for Summer Sunshine as the theme of the release. All the wines are already on shelves. However, since stores are closed during the strike, the LCBO is currently offering free home delivery with no minimum spend required. With nearly 140 products offered, this is a very big release, similar to what we see during the holidays.

We'll begin with the theme on Fine White Wine for Summer Sunshine. It's a large theme with twenty-four wines included as part of the feature and six wines included among my top wine picks. Somewhat surprisingly, all of my white wine picks from the theme are single varietal wines. From Italy, there is a Verdicchio from Marche, and a Pinot Grigio from Friuli. There's also a fine Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, as well as a Chardonnay from Stellenbosch. Lastly, in the uncommon category, there is a delicious, skin contact Pinot Grigio from Niagara, as well as White Malbec from Argentina.

White wine picks from the rest of the release starts with Chardonnay - a pair of local wines from Niagara/Ontario, followed by one from Argentina, and one from the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley in South Africa. There's also a pair of wines from Greece - a Moschofilero from Peloponnese, and an 85/15 blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Assyrtiko from Drama. The last wine is a Sauvignon Blanc from Loire Valley.

Most of my red wine recommendations are single varietal wines. The blends include the Pekin Red from South Africa that is crafted using Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, while the Rhône red is a blend of mainly Grenache and Syrah. The Rioja from Spain is also a blend, and it consists of mainly Tempranillo, plus a small amount of Graciano.

Among my rosé wine picks, the Greek rosé is a lovely 70/30 blend of Agiorgitiko and Moscofilero, while the Niagara rosé is composed of Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, Gamay, and Cabernet Franc, and lastly, the rosé from the Rhône Valley is a made with 70% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, and 10% Syrah. The lone bubbly among my wine picks is a Champagne that is crafted using 45% Pinot Meunier, 45% Pinot Noir, and 10% Chardonnay.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• ORAPIENA MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO RISERVA 2019 - DOC, Abruzzo, Italy (#36526) (XD) - $17.95  90 pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU D'AIGUEVILLE CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2019 - AC, France (#544031) (XD) - $18.95  88+ pts  wine review
• AVONDALE JONTY'S DUCKS PEKIN RED 2018 - WO Paarl, South Africa (#383547) (XD) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review
• GLENELLY GLASS COLLECTION CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#13316) (XD) - $18.95  90+ pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU HAUCHAT 2020 - AC Fronsac, Bordeaux, France (#123489) (XD) - $18.95
• D'ANGELO AGLIANICO DEL VULTURE 2019 - DOC, Campania, Italy (#971689) (XD) - $19.95
• TAWSE GROWER'S BLEND GAMAY 2021 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#32824) (XD) - $23.15  90+ pts  wine review
• DEEP WOODS HILLSIDE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Margaret River, Western Australia (#33418) (XD) - $24.95  90+ pts  wine review
• HENRY OF PELHAM ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2020 - VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#268391) (XD) - $27.95  90 pts  wine review
• BARÓN DE LEY GRAN RESERVA 2017 - Vegan, DOCa Rioja, Spain (#642496) (XD) - $33.95

White Wine:

• ARTESANO DE ARGENTO AGRELO VINEYARD ORGANIC WHITE MALBEC 2023 - Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina (#37223) (XD) - $14.95
• ZACHARIAS MOSCHOFILERO 2022 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#548222) (XD) - $15.95  89 pts  wine review
• FEATHERSTONE PINOT GRIGIO 2023 - Sustainable, Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#20599) (D) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
• VINUM CHARDONNAY 2022 - Vegan, WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#37412) (XD) - $18.95  90+ pts  wine review
• ATTEMS PINOT GRIGIO 2023 - DOC Friuli, Italy (#707950) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• AUNTSFIELD SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 - Sustainable, Southern Val.leys, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#663286) (XD) - $22.95

• DOMAINE COSTA LAZARIDI AMETHYSTOS BLANC 2022 - Vegan, PGI Drama, Greece (#984864) (XD) - $23.95  89 pts  wine review
• LEANING POST THE FIFTY CHARDONNAY 2021 - VQA Ontario, Canada (#578864) (XD) - $24.95  90+ pts  wine review
• TENUTE PIERALISI VILLAIA CLASSICO SUPERIORE VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI 2021 - Vegan, DOC, Marche, Italy (#36551) (XD) - $24.95  90+ pts  wine review
• JEAN-MAX ROGER MENETOU-SALON CUVÉE LE CHARNAY 2020 - AC, Loire, France (#35895) (XD) - $27.95
• EL ENEMIGO CHARDONNAY 2022 - Mendoza, Argentina (#482984) (XD) - $27.95  92 pts  wine review
• TRIUS SHOWCASE WILD FERMENT CHARDONNAY 2020 - VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#199273) (XD) - $38.00  92+ pts  wine review
• HAMILTON RUSSELL CHARDONNAY 2023 - Vegan, WO Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, South Africa (#931006) (XD) - $64.95

Rosé Wine:

• SKOURAS CUVÉE PRESTIGE AGIORGITIKO / MOSCOFILERO ROSÉ 2023 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#25745) (XD) - $15.95  90 pts  wine review
• IZADI LARROSA GARNACHA ROSÉ 2023 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#490961) (XD) - $17.95
• TAWSE SKETCHES OF NIAGARA ROSÉ 2022 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#172643) (D) - $18.95  88+ pts  wine review
• E. GUIGAL CÔTES DU RHÔNE ROSÉ 2023 - AC, France (#225003) (XD) - $21.95
• LA CREMA PINOT NOIR ROSÉ 2023 - Sustainable, Monterey County, California, USA (#668376) (XD) - $29.95

Sparkling Wine:

• FRESNE DUCRET LES NOUVEAUX EXPLORATEURS BRUT 1ER CRU CHAMPAGNE - AC, France (#36189) (XD) - $58.95

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