Torbreck Woodcutter's Semillon 2024 (Barossa) - Wine Review

Happy New Year! To start off 2026, tonight's white wine review is an excellent Semillon from the Barossa Valley in Australia. It arrived at the LCBO - along with its companion Shiraz - late last year in the November 22nd LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, and both are readily available for purchase today.

It is produced by Torbreck Vintners, a wine producer that was established in the Barossa Valley by David Powell in 1994. The winery is named after a forest in Scotland where David worked as a lumberjack. Mr. Powell gained his winemaking experience at various Barossa wineries and was inspired to create his own label. He began to share-farm vineyards in order to obtain fruit from some of the Barossa Valley's very best vineyards. Torbreck takes its inspiration from France's Rhône Valley, while championing the rich viticultural heritage of the Barossa.

In 2008, Pete and Terri Kight entered into a partnership with Torbreck and eventually took over the business in 2013. Today, proprietors Pete and Terri are dedicated to establishing Torbreck among the world's leading wine producers. They remain focused on this journey by staying true to their core vision, rather than following trends or fashions. With provenance at its heart, the Barossa and its Mediterranean climate and 175 years of winemaking heritage provide an extraordinary foundation for Torbreck wines. While they have achieved much over the first three decades, their journey is far from complete as they continue to look forward.

Torbreck sources fruit from some of the finest vineyards in the Barossa, and they constantly seek to understand the difference between all of these special places. Moreover, they seek to understand how the fruit reacts to the seasons and how this combination of soil and climate and farming experience is reflected in unique grape flavours. This requires patience, as well as a gentle hand in the winemaking process. Torbreck respects the vineyard and the wine, as they are simply custodians. Led by General Manager and Chief Winemaker Ian Hongell, the team of experienced winemakers and viticulturists bring a deep understanding of the region's terroir and expertise to ensure that every bottle of wine reflects the artistry, intensity, and elegance for which Torbreck is renowned.

Semillon has always found a natural home in the Barossa, going back to when it was first planted by settlers around 160 years ago. It has succeeded in this area due to the Mediterranean climate and careful farming, to create a heritage of old, low-yielding Semillon vineyards. The Semillon for this wine is exclusively the age-old, robust, and pink-skinned Madeira clone, which is found mainly in the Barossa.

This white wine is crafted with 100% Semillon that was grown in the sub-regions of Rowland Flat, Ebenezer, and Lyndoch, within the Barossa Valley. The grapes were harvested throughout the month of February and traditionally vinified. The wine was matured for 3 months, with 60% in stainless steel tank and the remainder in seasoned French barrique. The resulting wine is reminiscent of the savoury white wines found in the central and southern regions of France.

The 2024 vintage in Barossa saw timely spring rainfall and calm conditions for flowering and fruit set. An idyllic summer featured mild to warm temperatures, which propelled even growth and fruit development. While yields were variable and below average, the quality is exceptional across the board. Let's see how this 2024 Semillon from the Barossa Valley is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

TORBRECK WOODCUTTER'S SEMILLON 2024 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#927541) (XD) - $29.95
Screw cap enclosure. The restrained, medium+ intensity nose delivers attractive lemon citrus, white floral, and garden herb aromas accented with leesy minerals and a touch of spice. On the dry, medium+ bodied palate it is well-structured and ripe with lovely lemon citrus, grapefruit, white floral flavours joined by straw, paraffin, waxy, earthy mineral, and spice accents adding complexity. It has clean, crisp, and refreshing acidity, while the well-structured mid-palate is crisp with a slightly chalky textured mouthfeel. Spice and lemon citrus notes taper to savoury minerals on the crisp, and very long finish. Very youthful at this stage, this will gain further complexity and interest as it ages over the next dozen years. Highly recommended buy! Score: 92 pts

Quite a few wines by Torbreck are available on the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Alpha Estate Turtles Single Vineyard Malagouzia 2024 and Hedgehog Single Vineyard Xinomavro 2022 (Greece) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wine reviews are a pair of excellent, vegan-friendly wines from Greece that arrived at the LCBO last month. The Xinomavro arrived in the November 8 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, while the Malagouzia arrived in the November 22 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, and both wines are readily available across Ontario.

Both of these wines are produced by Alpha Estate, a highly-regarded winery situated in the Amyndeon region of Florina, in Northwestern Macedonia of Greece. It was established in 1997 by experienced viticulturist Makis Mavridis, and chemist-oenologist Angelos Iatridis. They gained many years of experience and had passion in their respective fields before becoming business partners and creating their own wines from vineyards planted in Amyndeon.

The modern winery of Alpha Estate is now run by the next generation of the families, Angeliki Iatridou and Emorfili Mavridou, daughters of Angelos and Makis. Together, they carry on the knowledge and passion for winemaking, while respecting tradition and evolving to participate in Alpha Estate's common vision. With a 220-hectare privately-owned vineyard with a unique ecosystem situated in Amyndeon, they respect nature and use the most recent international standards in eco-friendly and sustainable farming practices and winemaking. The soul of their work is the team of people that contribute every day to the dream, to craft wines with professional know-how and experience throughout each stage, from vineyard to production to promotion.

Alpha Estate's winemaking facility is located at the heart of the vineyard, thereby allowing the grapes to arrive at the winery upon harvesting in the shortest amount of time. Furthermore, the grapes are harvested during the coolest hours of the day and transported to the winery in special refrigerators, which allows the grapes' organoleptic characteristics to be protected and shows the great respect that Alpha Estate has for grapes. The modern winemaking facility was designed to allow the grapes to move throughout the winery by using gravity, which allows for minimum possible stress on the raw material. The winery was constructed in the mid-2000s using highly inactive and neutral materials in order to create a completely neutral atmospheric condition inside the winery, which helps protect the quality of the grape, must, and wine.

This Malagouzia was grown in their Turtles vineyard, on the Amyndeon plateau of Northwestern Macedonia, and named "Turtles" because freshwater turtles are commonly found in the nearby lakes and wetlands. The privately-owned 220-hectare vineyard is situated at 620–710 metres above sea level, which is among the highest vineyards in Greece, and planted on sandy – sandy clay soil over limestone, with excellent drainage. To craft this wine, the grapes were hand-harvested on September 14th, destemmed, and optically sorted. After undergoing light crushing, the grapes underwent a temperature-controlled alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks, with skin contact. The wine remained in contact with its fine lees for 2 months, with regular stirring.

The Xinomavro was grown by Alpha Estate's founder, Makis Mavridis, and crafted by winemaker Angelos Iatridis. The grapes were grown at Mavridis' privately-owned Hedgehog vineyard on the Amyndeon plateau of Northwestern Macedonia. The vineyard is named "Hedgehog" because of the hedgehogs that are commonly found in the area, and is planted between 620–710 metres above sea level, with northern exposure to the sun and facing Lake Petron and Mount Voras. The grapes were brought to the winery and destemmed. Without crushing, the grapes were cold-soaked with skin contact, and underwent alcoholic fermentation at gradually increasing temperatures while maintaining contact sue lie for 8 months, with regular stirring. It was aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, followed by maturation in bottle for 12 months.

Let's see how these two fantastic wines from Northwestern Macedonia in Greece are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

ALPHA ESTATE TURTLES SINGLE VINEYARD MALAGOUZIA 2024 - Vegan, PGI Florina, Greece (#32161) (XD) - $19.95
This 100% Malagouzia has a lifted, medium-high to highly aromatic nose that offers an elegant mix of leesy, limestone mineral, lemon citrus, and grapefruit aromas flecked with spring flowers, herbs, peach, and tropical fruit. On the dry, medium+ bodied palate it is dense and impressively structured with crunchy lemon citrus, stony mineral, spice, grapefruit, and herbal flavours nuanced with peach and floral notes. It has crisp, lively, and well-structured acidity, along with a fine, gently chalky textured mouthfeel. Juicy with lemon citrus notes tapering to stony and leesy minerals on the finish, with excellent length. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

ALPHA ESTATE HEDGEHOG SINGLE VINEYARD XINOMAVRO 2022 - Vegan, PDO Amyndeon, Greece (#259762) (XD) - $29.95
Clean and open, this has a medium-high intensity nose of tomato leaf mingling red cherry, dried rose floral, savoury earth, mineral, licorice, and sandalwood aromas that pleasantly evolve in the glass. The mid-weighted palate is dry and gently spicy with ripe red fruited notes of plum, cherry, tomato leaf, licorice, dried rose floral layered over savoury earth and oak spice flavours. It has fresh, juicy, and lemony acidity, while the supple, textured tannins are mildly grippy, with good structure. The tomato and red fruit notes give way to savoury and earthy minerals on the long finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

Many other lovely wines by Alpha Estate are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - KOLONAKI Group of Companies.

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Inniskillin 50th Anniversary Single Vineyard Wines (Niagara) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wine reviews are a trio of exceptional wines that were launched this past summer by Inniskillin Wines to celebrate their 50th anniversary. As they celebrated their first 50 years of excellence with great pride, they are also looking forward to the next 50 years, which promises to be even more exciting. This excitement is fuelled by Canadian innovation and the launch of a series of new, premium wines to elevate your table.

The first 50 years at Inniskillin began when it was granted the first winery licence since prohibition in 1975 to become Canada's first estate winery. It was established by Donald Ziraldo and Karl Kaiser, two friends and business partners who became instant pioneers in Canadian winemaking after taking big risks and earning many firsts in the Canadian wine history. Karl was the Head Winemaker and helped develop Inniskillin's reputation for over 30 years before eventually stepping away from the project in 2006.

In 2007, Bruce Nicholson assumed the role of senior winemaker at Inniskillin in Niagara. Bruce had previously spent approximately 20 years working in the Okanagan Valley before returning to Niagara to provide leadership and ensuring that Inniskillin continued to excel.

In 2013, Nicholas Gizuk joined Inniskillin and rose up through the ranks within the company to become Head Winemaker at Inniskillin's Niagara Estate in 2001. Nicholas is part of a new generation of winemakers that stand on the shoulders of Donald and Karl. This new generation of winemakers are using the success of the last 50 years as the foundation for what’s next and believe that the next chapter will be even more exciting.

Nicholas Gizuk says that "With a renewed focus on single vineyard expressions, we're showcasing the incredible diversity of Canadian terroir through wines that are unmistakably Inniskillin, Our intimate history and experience with this land and these grapes puts us in a position to develop one-of-a-kind wines that simply can't be re-created anywhere else."

Today, as Canada's oldest winery, Inniskillin Wines is synonymous with Canadiana and part of a family of wineries owned by Arterra Wines Canada. Inniskillin is looking to the future and is ready to redefine what premium Canadian wine can be once again with innovative techniques and over 50 years of experience that focus on every aspect of from terroir to winemaking, to deliver high-quality wines that can only be made in Canada.

In addition to this Single Vineyard Riesling and a pair of Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc wines, the other two wines in the series are the 2022 Inniskillin Illuvia Cabernet Franc, which I enjoyed a couple of months ago, and the 2024 Inniskillin Zabek Single Vineyard Riesling Icewine. All five wines in the series are available at Inniskillin and online at Great Estates Niagara, while the Icewine is also available in very limited quantities at the LCBO. Inniskillin's 50th Anniversary Series wines are ideal companions to elevate your next hosting engagement or gifting needs.

Tasting Notes:

INNISKILLIN SINGLE VINEYARD MONTAGUE RIESLING 2024 - VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $29.22
Stelvin screw cap enclosure. The medium-high intensity nose has lovely, focused aromas of orange zest, white peach, honeyed melon, and lemon/lime citrus, plus whiffs of petrol and limestone minerality adding savoury complexity. It's medium+ bodied with impressive concentration and structure on the dry palate with delicious beeswax, honey, white peach, orange, and melon replays, plus white grapefruit, spice and leesy mineral flavours. It has crisp, succulent, and structured acidity, along with a finely textured mouthfeel. Nicely balanced throughout, and tapering to leesy minerals and limestone on the savoury finish, with excellent length. Score: 92 pts

Pairs with: Light, textured fish, poached and fried white meats, shellfish, sushi, mild Asian cuisine, and citrus-based sauces.

INNISKILLIN SINGLE VINEYARD HERON POND CABERNET FRANC 2023 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $37.18
The medium-high intensity nose is clean and fresh, with herbaceous aromas mingling with ripe red & black fruits, currant, black cherry, and tobacco, plus touches of cedary oak spice and reductive notes. It's medium+ to medium-full bodied on the dry, elegant, and complex palate with ripe red fruits, red currant, black cherry, red licorice, and red plum nuanced with dried herbs, gentle oak spice, tobacco flavours. It is well-balanced throughout with refreshing acidity, and smooth, elegant, and fine-grained tannins. Tobacco, spice, and savoury earth notes linger on long, well-structured, and balanced finish. Score: 91+ pts

Pairs with: Rare red meats, roasted red meats, game meats, cured and salted meats, tomato-based sauces, vegetable dishes, full-flavoured sauces, tart red fruit sauces and firm cheeses.

INNISKILLIN SINGLE VINEYARD LAMENT FARMS CABERNET FRANC 2023 - VQA St. David's Bench, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $37.18
The medium-high intensity nose has savoury dark fruited aromas rising out of the glass, with layers of black currant, dark cherry, cedar, savoury oak spice, and earthy mineral, plus flecks of white pepper and Damson plum adding further interest and complexity. The medium-full bodied palate is dry and well-structured with more dark fruited replays of currant, cassis, black cherry, oak spice, pipe tobacco, savoury earth, and dried herb flavours. Acids are crisp and juicy, while the firm, somewhat youthful tannins are well-structured. Touch grippy and slightly tangy with dark berry, savoury earth, and dried herbal notes on the long-lasting finish. Enjoyable now, but should improve with time in the cellar and drink well over the next 6-8 years. Score: 92 pts

Pairs with: Rare red meats, roasted red meats, game meats, cured and salted meats, tomato-based sauces, vegetable dishes, full-flavoured sauces, bitter chocolate, tart red fruit sauces, and firm cheeses.

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Tiraki Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (New Zealand) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely, sustainable, and vegan Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough. It is brand-new to the LCBO and landed on shelves (and online) in last month's November 8 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Tiraki Wines, a family-owned winery situated at Longfield Farm in the Southern Valleys of Marlborough, New Zealand. The farm was established in 1870 and has been family-owned and farmed for 5 generations. However, their journey into winegrowing only began after they planted their first grapes on the site in 1999.

The Hammond family didn't plan to start a wine company, but perhaps it was inevitable. Tiraki is run by three siblings - Josh, Tyler, and Ellarose Hammond - who grew up on the Marlborough farm, and a long-time friend - Chris. Together, they built forts out of bay hales, worked the vineyard by day, and by night they skied down the Wairau River - the same river that is depicted on the labels of Tiraki wines. Each sibling followed their own career path, which turned out to be complementary to each other as Josh became a winemaker, Tyler an MBA grad, and Ellarose a marketing grad, while Chris was a brilliant salesperson. The company was quietly growing before it even had a name.

As each child was growing up, one by one, they left Marlborough to pursue their own dreams in new cities and countries. However, in 2020, they all came home as Covid hit - much to the delight of their parents, and it was in 2020 that Tiraki was born, around the kitchen table, during vineyard walks, and over a few family dinners with Chris at the table.

Tiraki means 'the clearing of the sky' and is exactly what the brand has been for the family - a return to what matters the most - the land, their roots, and each other. Tiraki was created to reflect the life they've lived and the values they were raised with: to care for the land, support your community, and stay connected to what's real. Their values are rooted in Tikanga Māori and shape everything they do: Kaitiakitanga (Guardianship of the Land), Whanaungatanga (The Value of Connection and Kinship), Kotahitanga (Unity and Collective Action), and Manaakitanga (The Spirit of Hospitality, Kindness, and Generosity). Tiraki is proud to be New Zealand's first B Corp Certified wine company. Today, the Longfield farm spans 650 acres, with the majority planted to Sauvignon Blanc that is farmed with care and a commitment to best practices.

This white wine is crafted with 100% Sauvignon Blanc that was grown in their Oddstone Vineyard nestled in the Southern Valleys. The vines are 12 to 30 years old and planted on free-draining alluvial soils, and delivers concentrated fruit and lively acidity. The grapes to craft this wine were harvested in the cool, early morning, which allows for retaining aromatic flavour precursors, then gently pressed into tank to cold settle. The clear juice was fermented in stainless steel tanks at low temperatures with selected yeast strains designed to enhance aromatic intensity. Additionally, 18% of the wine was wild fermented in a mix of oak puncheons and stainless steel tanks. The two portions were then blended and aged on light lees for 5 months in tank.

During the 2023 growing season on the South Island of New Zealand, the vintage felt wet because it rained quite evenly from January to April, although total rainfall was slightly lower than average. Furthermore, variable and protracted flowering of early ripening varieties resulted in average yields for Sauvignon Blanc due to poor fruit set. Critical to the success of the vintage were the resulting loose bunches, which meant less disease vulnerability, particularly in Sauvignon Blanc, which is one of the most disease-prone varieties due to its naturally tight bunches. Cold nights held botrytis at bay and maintained acidity. From a La Niña year with disease pressure, the 2023 vintage is considered to be a resounding success, ranking among the top five vintages of all time. Moreover, it is possible to hypothesize that Sauvignon Blanc's optimal potential is realized in these benign La Niña conditions. Let's see how this 2023 Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

TIRAKI SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#41802) (XD) - $24.95
Enclosed by screw cap, the restrained, medium-high to highly aromatic nose offers a lovely mix of ripe tropical fruits, guava, kiwi, passion fruit, lime citrus, leesy mineral, and grapefruit aromas, plus whiffs of white floral. The dry, medium-full bodied palate is impressively concentrated with lovely lime citrus, passion fruit, guava, and grapefruit flavours. It seems a bit tightly wound with its crisp and juicy acidity, and slightly grippy textured mouthfeel. Nicely balanced flavours throughout with lime and passion fruit notes tapering to leesy minerals on the long, crisp finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Other lovely wines by Tiraki Wines can be ordered through their Agent - Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.

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Miles From Nowhere Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a delicious Sauvignon Blanc from Margaret River in Western Australia that made its debut at the LCBO in last month's LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on October 11th.

It is produced by Miles From Nowhere, a wine brand established in 2007 by Franklin & Heather Tate. Franklin began working in wine when he planted his parents' first vines in 1973, while the couple have been working in the wine industry together since 1986. Miles From Nowhere is a dedication to the Tate family's patriarch that arrived in Australia from Ukraine over 100 years ago, and felt every bit 'miles from nowhere'. The brand's name also alludes to the geographic remoteness of the vineyards situated in the beautifully isolated Margaret River wine region of Western Australia.

The Tate family's goal with Miles From Nowhere is for every glass to express their love and passion for the Margaret River region. Frederique Perrin is the Director of Winemaking at Miles From Nowhere, and her philosophy is based on the belief that most wines are made to be shared and drunk. Additionally, no great wine is made in the cellar, as it all begins with viticulture, and then focusing on crafting wines that capture the soul of the terroir.

Miles From Nowhere has three ranges of wines - the icon wine range titled "Origin of Now", the middle-tier Best Blocks range, and the entry-level Estate Range. This particular white wine is from their Estate Range and is crafted using 100% Sauvignon Blanc that was grown in their vineyards in Margaret River.

For this particular vintage, they selected their best blocks of the year, with about 70% coming from their Wilyabrup property and the remaining from their Karridale property. The Sauvignon Blanc in Wilyabrup is planted in an east-west orientation, by the property dam, and cane pruned. It ripens slowly due to the cool nights and foggy mornings, and produces moderate yields. The Sauvignon Blanc in Karridale is oriented north-south, on a slightly south-facing slope; therefore, the fruit is exposed to the sun by several leaf plucking passes throughout the season to ensure even ripening, while the very cool nights preserve the crisp acidity all the way to the harvest. To craft this wine, the grapes were harvested at night and rushed to the winery for pressing while cold. After pressing, the juice was racked off the majority of its solids, leaving some fine lees to bring to the ferment, which was long and cool (about 12°C), to preserve the fine fruit aromas. The wine was aged sur lees for about 3 months, then filtered and bottled in early winter.

The growing season in Margaret River was mild, with harvest starting a bit later than normal, and in great weather conditions. All the white varieties were allowed to optimally ripen and could be harvested at their peak flavour profile. For this wine, the Sauvignon Blanc from both sites was picked on the 3rd of March, with the Wilyabrup fruit displaying intense tropical fruit characters, while the Karridale fruit was added to the blend to provide refined focus and length. From a fantastic vintage, let's see how this 2023 Sauvignon Blanc from Margaret River is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MILES FROM NOWHERE MARGARET RIVER SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 - Western Australia (#41794) (XD) - $18.95
Enclosed by screw cap, this has a fragrant, highly aromatic nose that delivers a fine mix of lime/lemon citrus, leesy mineral, and garden herb aromas flecked with ripe tropical fruits (guava, kiwi), jalapeño, and spice. The dry, medium+ weighted palate has good density and concentration that supports the delicious lime/lemon citrus, guava, kiwi, garden herb, leesy mineral, and spice replays. It's well-balanced throughout with clean, fresh, and vibrant acidity. More lime citrus and guava with touches of leesy minerals linger on the long, crisp finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Miles From Nowhere can be ordered through their Agent - Dionysus Wines & Spirits.

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Fleuron de La Rebourgère Sur Lie Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine 2023 (Loire) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is the latest vintage of a terrific Melon de Bourgogne from the Loire Valley that arrived at the LCBO in last month's October 11th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Domaine Girard, a family estate winery that was established in the 1940s by the husband and wife team of Marcel and Gabrielle Girard in Rebourgère, a hamlet of Maisdon-sur-Sèvre, in the heart of the region of Nantes, Loire Valley. Gaston Girard, the only son of Marcel and Gabrielle, began working on the family farm at an early age and helped his mother, who had lost her husband after he returned from the war with an illness. Like most farms of the period, the Girard family practiced mixed farming with some cattle, cereal crops, and vines.

In 1961, Gaston married Georgette, a young woman from the nearby village of La Haie-Fouassière, and together they grew the farm by giving up on mixed farming and focusing on grapevines. As pioneers in the 1970s, the Girard family focused on direct-selling of their wines. With the entire family involved in the business, Gaston focused on winemaking, while his son, Patrick, helped bottle, label, and wrap the product. At the end of the week, the whole family would travel to other regions in France to hand-deliver their wines to cafés, restaurants, and private clients.

Patrick Girard, the third generation of his family to farm these lands, followed his father's footsteps and began to work in the vineyard and help with winemaking in the late 1980s, after completing his studies in winemaking. In 1991, after Gaston retired, Patrick took over the family estate. In the spring of 1991, the vines froze, and the crop was completely annihilated. In May 1991, Gaston married Martine, and together with bravery and amibition, they rebuilt the family vineyard over the years, while also making numerous improvements using modern techniques both in the vineyard and cellar.

Today, Domaine Girard's philosophy is based on the quality of the work, precision, and the flawless quality of the wines. They have 93 acres of vines in reasoned culture, and use 40% of the crop to create a diverse range of wines. As winemaker, Patrick also works in the vineyard and takes care of the commercial aspects of the business, while Martine works in the cellar, prepares orders, administrative, and accounting activities. The fourth generation of the family, Guillaume Girard, son of Patrick and Martine, joined the family estate in 2013, after completing his studies in winemaking and marketing, and like his father, combines tradition with modernity to craft their lovely Loire Valley wines.

Like the 2022 Domaine Girard Le Fleuron de La Rebourgère Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine Sur Lie I enjoyed in Spring of last year, this white wine is crafted with 100% Melon de Bourgogne that was grown on silty, clayey, and shallow soils (less than 30 cm), with a sub-soil made of schist and gneiss. The vines are more than 40 years old and planted on weak-to-moderate slopes. The grapes were mechanically harvested, then direct-pressed into underground, thermo-regulated vats for fermentation. The wine was left on its lees for 9–10 months, with one or two bâtonnages (lees stirring) in order to increase richness and texture.

In 2023, the Loire Valley had a challenging vintage due to variable weather conditions which encompassed both rain and heatwaves, with producers fighting against mildew and acid rot. However, one of the most successful areas of the Loire in this vintage was in the western area of Pays Nantais, which encompasses the Muscadet appellations. Because the Melon de Bourgogne varietal is an early ripening grape, producers were able to the Melon grape during the heatwave at the beginning of September, and prior to the heavy rains that fell mid-month. The result was Muscadet with perfectly ripe grapes, very good concentration, and slightly higher alcohol levels. Let's see how this 2023 Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine from the Loire Valley is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

FLEURON DE LA REBOURGÈRE SUR LIE MUSCADET SÈVRE-ET-MAINE 2023 - AOC, Loire, France (#557207) (XD) - $16.95
This 100% Melon de Bourgogne has a medium+ to medium-high intensity nose that is clean and refined with elegant lemon citrus, stone fruit, and ripe apple aromas, plus touches of leesy minerals and a whiff of honey adding nuance and interest. The dry, medium-full bodied palate is rich and densely concentrated with ripe apple, lemon citrus, and leesy mineral flavours, plus stone fruit, melon, and spice characters adding complexity. It has crisp and finely detailed acidity, along with a richly textured mouthfeel. Apple notes give way to leesy and oyster shell minerals with touches of spice on the long, succulent, and juicy finish. Highly recommended buy to enjoy with seafood. Score: 89 pts

Other terrific wines by Domaine Girard can be ordered through their Agent - DBINO David Beauroy Selections.

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Featherstone Canadian Oak Chardonnay 2023 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a delicious, sustainable, and vegan-friendly Chardonnay that screams local as it was barrel-fermented and aged in Canadian oak barrels. This white wine returned to the LCBO as part of last month's October 11th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and is widely available across Ontario, including at the winery in Niagara.

It is produced by Featherstone Estate Winery, an eco-friendly winery situated on 23 acres of rolling hills in the prestigious Twenty Mile Bench sub-appellation of the Niagara Escarpment. The winery was founded in 1999 by Louise Engel and her winemaker husband, Dave Johnson, and prides itself on their use of eco-friendly practices in the vineyard and cellar since the beginning. In 2024, after 25 successful years, Featherstone changed hands and began a new chapter under the ownership of philanthropist Rayla Myhal and businessman George Myhal.

The vision at Featherstone is to build on the successes of the past and continue to produce distinctive, small-batch Niagara wines that are cultivated in soils that reflect the biodiversity of the Niagara Escarpment. The philosophy at Featherstone has always been based on respect for the land which is at the heart of making wine that is true to its soil and site. Through biodiversity and reduced chemical intervention, Featherstone encourages an environment that is healthy and unique, as they believe that this individuality translates into their wines. As nutrients and minerals are exchanged and transformed in a give-and-take relationship between living soil organisms and plants, there is a mutually beneficial circle where the soil nourishes the vine, while farming practices nurture the soil. Since its founding, Featherstone has always prided itself on farming without the use of insecticides, and in 2023 they achieved their Sustainable Winegrowing Ontario (SWO) certification.

This white wine is crafted with 100% Chardonnay that was harvested on October 26, 2023. The grapes were machine harvested, crushed, de-stemmed, and then pressed into barrels made from Canadian oak that was grown nearby. It underwent alcoholic fermentation in barrels using wild, indigenous yeast, followed by 100% complete malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged for 10 months in 100% Canadian oak barrels, with lees stirring taking place on a monthly basis.

In 2023, rhe growing season was wet, dreary, and featured a smoke-filled summer, but was remarkably saved by a dry and warm fall. While the harvest was pushed back by as much as three weeks, most varieties that were harvested were in good shape, with a bountiful crop. Chardonnay was one of the star varieties of the vintage as it benefited from warm days and cool nights prior to harvest and developed vibrant fruit and juicy acidity. From a very good vintage, let's see how this 2023 Chardonnay from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

FEATHERSTONE CANADIAN OAK CHARDONNAY 2023 - Sustainable, Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#149302) (XD) - $24.95
Enclosed by Stelvin screw cap, the fragrant, medium-high intensity nose offers caramel, banana, and vanilla aromas surrounding a core of ripe tropical fruits, yellow apples, and creamed peaches. On the dry, full-ish bodied palate it has caramel, vanilla, buttery, yellow apple, and peach flavours joined by some toasty oak spice notes. It's well-structured with crisp and juicy acidity, while the spice notes give way to leesy minerals on the long, juicy finish. Recommended buy. Score: 89 pts

Many other delicious wines by Featherstone are available at the LCBO, while the entire portfolio can be ordered direct from the winery in Niagara.

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Casal di Serra Vecchie Vigne Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore 2022 (Marche) - Wine Review

After taking some time away to deal with a personal family matter, tonight's white wine review is an exceptional Old Vines Verdicchio from the Castelli di Jesi DOC in Marche that arrived at the LCBO last month in the September 13 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Umani Ronchi, a family winery that was established by Gino Umani Ronchi in 1957 after he set up a small farm within the comune of Cupramontana, in the heart of Verdicchio Classico country in Le Marche. The history of Umani Ronchi is one of people, vineyards, terroirs, and values. In 1968, the property was acquired by Roberto Bianchi and his son-in-law Massimo Bernetti, and it was reconstituted as a wine estate. Massimo oversaw the winery and focused his efforts on expanding market share abroad, increasing production through the addition of Rosso Conero wines, and increasing the area under vines. Over time, Umani Ronchi would extend to over 200 hectares of vines between Le Marche and Abruzzo.

In the early 1990s, Massimo Bernetti was joined by his son Michele, who had recently graduated in economics and business, and completed an internship in London where he worked in the sales department of Umani Ronchi's UK distributor. It was at this time that Massimo decided to further probe advanced cultivation and winemaking techniques, thanks in part to collaborations with experts from major university study centres.

Michele joined Umani Ronchi with his sights set beyond regional borders and decided to partner with Giacomo Tachis, the skilled winemaker known for celebrated wines such as Solaia and Sassicaia. This collaboration resulted in the study of international varieties and how to integrate them into the local territory, and eventually led to an award-winning wine that brought Umani Ronchi into the national and international spotlight. Michele and the technical team are constantly fine-tuning their wines with the goal of crafting wines of uncompromising quality and the ability to stand out. In 2009, this Vecchie Vigne Verdicchio won Gambero Rosso's award for White of the Year. For 20 years, Umani Ronchi has also been a member of the Istituto del Vino di Qualità – Grandi Marchi, an organization that brings together 18 of Italy's most important wine families.

Today, Umani Ronchi is a true international brand and a symbol of Italian excellence. The people behind Umani Ronchi — the human capital — are an asset whose value is inestimable and without which businesses couldn't build their present and future. They promote human well-being and protecting the environment, while innovation, improving production processes, training and skill development are distinctive features of their work culture and identity.

Umani Ronchi's philosophy for sustainability is based on green viticulture. They have a strong ethical approach with deep respect for the environment and its biodiversity, and is manifested through precision viticulture, vineyard management and the use of organic fertilizers. Umani Ronchi embraces sustainability in their choice of materials by using low-impact packaging and light glass bottles to reduce Carbon Dioxide emissions, as well as synthetic corks produced from sugar cane, which are 100% recyclable. They also use photovoltaic energy for about half of the winery's annual needs to conserve energy, and reuse the water from the cellar for irrigation. Their thinking and actions are based on ecological and sustainable values.

It is crafted with 100% Verdicchio, from 4 hectares of vines that were planted in the early 1970s in the heart of Verdicchio country, on the left bank of the Esino river. The vineyard is situated at about 250–300 metres above sea level, on an east-facing hillside, where the soil is very deep and fairly fresh, with clay loam composition, conditions which are ideal for Verdicchio vines. The vines were trained using the Double Guyot (arched canes) system. The grapes were hand-harvested and collected in boxes from the end of September to the first ten days of October. After lightly pressing the grapes, the prime must was rapidly cooled and then goes through static decantation. It was fermented in steel tanks over 10–15 days at a controlled temperature between 16°C and 18°C, and did not undergo malolactic fermentation in order to preserve freshness and acidity. The wine was aged for about 10 months in contact with its lees in concrete tanks, followed by a further 6 months in bottle prior to release.

The 2022 growing season in Marche was marked by drought and extreme heat in the vineyards. However, it was the above average rainfall in September that brought the drought index back to normal levels and turned the season into an almost cool one. From a good vintage that was beyond all expectations, let's see how this 2023 Vecchie Vigne Verdicchio from Marche is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CASAL DI SERRA VECCHIE VIGNE VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2022 - DOC, Marche, Italy (#98111) (XD) - $27.95
Elegant and refined, the medium-high intensity nose offers a lovely mix of white citrus, lime, stony mineral, pear-apple, and almond aromas with herbally accents. It's medium+ bodied and dry with lovely structure and clean acidity that supports the strony mineral driven palate. Citrus, lime, pear-apple flavours are joined by touches of chamomile and spice to add further complexity and intrigue. Juicy, well-structured, and finely textured on the mid-palate. Citrus, lime, and chamomile notes give way to an exceptionally long, stony mineral finish. Ideal with seafood, but will also pair well with poultry, pasta, and vegetarian fare. Highly recommended buy! Score: 93 pts

Many other lovely wines by Umani Ronchi can be found at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Boutari The Authentic Assyrtiko 2023 (Greece) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely Assyrtiko from Macedonia in Northern Greece. It is a brand new arrival at the LCBO, landing in Ontario as part of the recent August 30 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by renowned, highly-respected, and historic Boutari wine company that was established in 1879 by Ioannis Boutaris in Naoussa, Macedonia, in Northern Greece. As one of Greece's most influential wineries, Ioannis built Naoussa's first privately-owned winery and retail cellar in 1906, while also launching the production of the first Greek red wine that was bottled under the now-renowned "Naoussa Boutari" label.

The Boutari family wine business has been passed down along family lines since its founding, with Stelios Boutaris, son of Ioannis, taking over the reins in the mid-1930s and laying down the foundation for years to come. In 1968, the two sons of Stelios - Giannis and Konstantinos Boutaris - took over the winery and ventured into vine growing by purchasing a vineyard in Imathia. Together, the brothers propelled the family business to new heights and shaping it into what it is today. In 1978, Boutari inaugurated their new, state-of-the-art winery in Stenimachos, Naoussa, a facility which would go on to become their flagship winery as the centre of production, bottling, and ageing.

Boutari continued to grow and expand during the 1980s, while also highlighting Greece's various unique wine regions and vine-growing qualities. During this period, Boutari also experimented with the cultivation of Greek and international varieties to create a series of experimental wines, some of which are mainstays in the current portfolio. Boutari has garnered many accolades over the years, including being named European Winery of the Year in 2008 by Wine Enthusiast. In 2022, a new chapter began in the story of Boutari wineries as Elias and Thomas Georgiadis became key investors with a promise to preserve the heritage and further develop the Boutari name, while also continuing the long tradition of Boutari wineries.

This particular white wine is from their Varieties range - wines which are crafted with passion and love from the main wine producing regions of Greece. This white wine is crafted with 100% Assyrtiko that was grown in the mountainous areas of Florina and Pieria, in Macedonia of Northern Greece. The fruit was cultivated with a particular focus on low yields, and the timing of harvest in each vineyard was determined using a combination of both berry testing and analytical data. The grapes were harvested at the time of the day when temperatures were the lowest possible, and underwent strict manual sorting upon arriving at the winery. Completely vinified in tanks, the grapes underwent alcoholic fermentation at controlled temperatures using selected yeast strains, followed by stirring the fine lees post-fermentation until the wine was bottled.

The growing season in Northern Greece in 2023 began very dry, with an almost warm winter, followed by a nice, cold spring. There were some challenges due to a very wet June, along with heatwaves that stressed the vines in July. However, warm days and cool nights during harvest saved the vintage. Let's see how this 2023 Assyrtiko from Greece is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

BOUTARI THE AUTHENTIC ASSYRTIKO 2023 - PGI Macedonia, Greece (#44246) (XD) - $21.95
Fresh and lifted, the medium-high intensity nose wafts of lemon, grapefruit, citrus, herbs, floral blossom, and apple aromas with leesy mineral accents adding further complexity. The medium+ to medium-full bodied palate is dry, ripe, and gently honeyed with lemon, grapefruit, apple, blossom, leesy mineral, and spice flavours. It has fine, well-balanced acidity and a pleasing, textural mouthfeel on the mid-palate. Leesy mineral notes are more prominent on the back palate and carry through to the long, savoury mineral finish. A highly recommended buy that is ideal with seafood. Score: 90+ pts

A few lovely wines by Boutari are available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.

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Monte Schiavo Ruviano Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico 2023 (Marche) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely, organic and vegan Verdicchio from the DOC of Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi in its native home of Marche. It is brand new to the LCBO, arriving on shelves and online as part of the recent August 30th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Monte Schiavo wines are produced by Tenute Pieralisi, a family wine business that was established in the 1960s in the Marche wine region of Italy. The Pieralisi family are one of the most famous families of entrepreneurs and winemakers in the region of Marche. Innovation is in the family's DNA, as well as their attachment to the land and to the region. As innovators, Adeodato Pieralisi founded in 1888 the first workshop for the maintenance of agricultural machinery, and the passion for innovation has guided the family's path since that time.

The Pieralisi family is thankful for the land which is particularly suited to agriculture, and along with a cutting-edge process aimed at guaranteeing taste and quality, they are able to boast of excellence in wine production that is guided by the passion and experience of first-class oenologists and master winemakers. Moreover, their belief is that genuineness is key to a quality product. The Pieralisi family and the team are guided by a deep respect for the land and its natural processes, as well as by the conviction that authenticity at the origin is key to creating quality wines. All Pieralisi Estates are certified as Organic Farming and fully comply with the policy for the production of Vegan wines.

The story of the Monte Schiavo winery begins in 1978 as the Monte Schiavo Farmers' Co-operative. The winery is located in the commune of Maiolati Spontini, in the province of Ancona, in the heart of the traditional Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi region. Monte Schiavo's 115 hectares of vineyards are planted on bright, sun-drenched, south-to-southwest slopes of the gentle hilly spurs. In 1995, Monte Schiavo joined the Pieralisi group and is now a modern and dynamic wine company that produces a range of high-quality wines.

This white wine is crafted using 100% Verdicchio that was grown in private vineyards situated in the communes of Maiolati Spontini, Montecarotto, Poggio S. Marcello, and Rosora, within the Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC of Marche. The vines were trained using the Guyot system and manually harvested in September, and underwent a traditional, temperature-controlled white wine vinification in stainless steel tanks to preserve the purity of the fruit and allow the varietal character to shine. Let's see how this 2023 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico from Marche is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MONTE SCHIAVO RUVIANO VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO 2023 - Vegan, DOC, Marche, Italy (#44279) (XD) - $16.95
Enclosed by screw crap, this organic Verdicchio has a fresh, medium-high intensity nose of lovely, zesty lemon citrus, apple, wild herbs, white floral, and spice aromas nuanced with touches of almond and mineral. The dry palate is medium+ weighted with fresh and lively acidity. Delicious, ripe and gently honeyed flavours of zesty lemon citrus, apple, white flowers, wild herbs, and almond. Some mineral notes appear on the textured mid-palate. More savoury on the lengthy finish with mineral and white floral notes joined by touches of spice. This recommended buy is ideal with seafood, poultry, salads, and vegetarian fare. Score: 89 pts

Other Monte Schiavo wines can be ordered through their Agent - Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.

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Atlantis White 2024 (Santorini) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely white wine from Santorini that is primarily crafted with Assyrtiko. It arrived at the LCBO in last month's August 16th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Estate Argyros, the premier and largest private vineyard owner on the island of Santorini, Greece. While Estate Argyros was formally established in 1903 by Georgios Argyros, the Argyros family had been involved in wine production for decades prior to that.

Since the beginning, the Argyros family has focused on both vine growing and winemaking based on a deep understanding that great grapes are always a prerequisite for great wines. Each generation has contributed to the development of Estate Argyros wines on both fronts. In 1974, Yiannis Argyros, the third generation of the family, took hold of Estate Argyros and propelled it to one of the world's wine-producing elite. Yiannis worked tirelessly for more than three decades to prove that his Vinsantos are some of the finest, rarest sweet wines in the world, and was also instrumental in proving that the dry Assyrtikos of Santorini can be sublime and age worthy.

Today, Estate Argyros is led by Matthaios Argyros, son of Yiannis, and a fourth generation wine grower. Matthaios took over the estate in 2004 and was the driving force behind the establishment of a new winery and further acquisitions of vineyard land. Matthaios travels abroad often to not only promote the wines of Estate Argyrosling, but also to see the great vineyards and taste the finest wines from around the globe. Matthaios is very detail-oriented and his depth of knowledge of the Santorini vineyard guarantees that the future of the Estate is in safe hands.

The new Estate Argyros Winery was inaugurated in 2015 in Episkopi, in south-central Santorini. With modern, cutting-edge technology, the 3,000 m² winery is one of the most impressive on the island. There was great emphasis placed on the production facilities to ensure that every stage of the winemaking process could be handled with both maximum control and minimum intervention. The winery was designed with true respect to the Santorini landscape, while also being environmentally friendly and energy efficient.

At Estate Argyros, the philosophy is based on working with almost exclusively old vines because only these vineyards can provide the depth, the definition, and the concentration needed to produce the desired style of wine. They undertake meticulous work in the vineyard, while the timing of harvest is carefully determined, plot-by-plot, in order to pick at optimum ripeness. In the cellar, as an artisan producer, Estate Argyros crafts small quantities of top-quality wines. Each plot is harvested, vinified, and aged separately, then blended only at the very late stages of production. The vines of Estate Argyros are farmed organically, without any pesticides. Vineyard work is done manually, except for plowing, which is carried out by mules, and the vines are not irrigated.

This white wine is a blend of 90% Assyrtiko, 5% Athiri, and 5% Aidani that was grown on the volcanic island of Santorini. The grapes were harvested in the first ten days of August from vines averaging 10 to 30 years old. After bringing the grapes to the winery, they were fermented in stainless steel vats at a controlled temperature of 16–18°C for almost three weeks, and then matured for six months (on its lees?) in stainless steel vats.

The 2024 growing season in Santorini began with a mild winter with 153 mm of rainfall, followed by a spring that featured higher-than-average temperatures and 55 mm of rainfall. Summer continued with drought and "meltemia" (strong, dry, and northerly winds) conditions, and the result was a harvest that began on the 2nd of August. Yields were slightly below average, while grape quality was very good. Let's see how this 2024 white wine from Santorini is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ATLANTIS WHITE 2024 - Santorini, Greece (#371658) (XD) - $27.95
Enclosed by Stelvin screw cap, this blend of 90% Assyrtiko, 5% Athiri, and 5% Aidani has a lifted nose of medium-high intensity that is crisp and tangy with lovely lemon citrus, flinty mineral, white floral, ripe apple, and pear aromas, plus touches of spice. The dry, medium+ bodied palate has good weight and concentration, with ripe flavours of lemon citrus, apple, spice, flinty mineral, and white floral supported by fresh, vibrant, and zesty acidity. It has a finely textured mouthfeel on the mid-palate, while lemon citrus, apple, spice, and mineral notes linger through to the long and well-balanced finish. This recommended buy is ideal with seafood or vegetarian fare. Score: 90+ pts

A couple of really fine wines by Estate Argyros are available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.

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Alléno & Chapoutier Croix de Chabot Saint-Joseph Blanc 2023 (Rhône) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is an excellent Marsanne from the AOC Saint-Joseph Cru des Côtes du Rhône of the Northern Rhône Valley. It is brand new to the LCBO, arriving in last month's August 16th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection as an Online & Flagship Exclusive, with quite a few bottles still available for purchase both online and in-store.

This white wine was borne out of a collaboration between two passionate créateurs and strong characters who are on a quest for refinement: Yannick Alléno & Michel Chapoutier. Yannick is a gifted, Michelin three-star chef, and true perfectionist. Yannick's cuisine reinvents tradition, while blending classicism with modernity. The world-renowned Michel is a pioneering and deeply committed Rhône Valley winemaker with very strong values. Michel is also an ambassador and campaigner for winemaking in general, and his wines reflect their terroir and reveal their truth. Both have a shared passion for the Rhône Valley.

Alléno & Chapoutier collaborated on their first wine in October 2010 — a Saint-Joseph Syrah from Tournon, a hillside vineyard which the two men had selected together, worked traditionally, and converted to biodynamic viticulture. The two men are lovers of the land and its produce, as well as creative and innovative trailblazers. They are driven by a love and respect for terroir, and when they met, a strong bond was instantly and naturally forged. The story has continued since that time as the passion for the Rhône Valley and its terroirs grows ever stronger.

The wines of Alléno & Chapoutier come from both Saint-Joseph and Crozes-Hermitage, in the northern Rhône. The vines in Saint-Joseph are grown in the Chabot area, north of Tournon, between 240–310 metres elevation. The unique part of this land area is the rare type of soil found here: granite with low ferrous mineral content, and interspersed with layers of gneiss. The unique geological features in this area of Chabot produce unique red and white wines with elegance and powerful characteristics.

While the AOC Cru of Saint-Joseph is mostly known for its Syrah, the appellation also grows small amounts of Roussanne and Marsanne, with demanding producers seeking to produce only the best wines. This particular white wine is crafted with 100% Marsanne that was grown in a single vineyard on granite, southeast-facing slopes with excellent exposure to wind, in the southern part of the Saint-Joseph appellation, within the Chabot area. The soil type in this vineyard is made up of granite and granitic sand. The vines are 30 years old and were Gobelet pruned and trained on stakes in a traditional fashion. After hand-harvesting the grapes, they underwent fermentation using indigenous yeasts for 3 weeks in a 50/50 mix of 600 L barrels and stainless steel tanks, followed by bâtonnage (lees stirring) for 4 weeks. The wine was aged for 7 months on its fine lees in 600 L barrels. Final blending and maturing of the two portions took place in stainless steel tanks in order to preserve the wine's mineral expression.

The 2023 growing season in the Northern Rhône tested the resilience of wine producers. The season began on a dry note, followed by slightly warmer than usual temperatures. Rainfall arrived in mid-May, with moderate amounts of rain continuing to the end of June. Rain combined with slightly warmer temperatures led to persistent humidity and created the ideal conditions for mildew to develop. Signs of drought also appeared by mid-July. The vintage was also marked by a significant 16-day heatwave in early August, followed by a torrential downpour during peak harvest in September. Overall, the Saint-Joseph AOC generally delivered good results, with wines exhibiting elegance and restraint. Let's see how this 2023 Marsanne from Saint-Joseph in the Northern Rhône is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ALLÉNO & CHAPOUTIER CROIX DE CHABOT SAINT-JOSEPH BLANC 2023 - AC, Rhône, France (#43784) (XD) - $39.95
Rare to see 100% Marsanne such as this. Lovely, elegant, medium-high intensity, and complex aromas of doughy, lemon oil, citrus, and baked pear, plus accents of vanillin oak spice and minerals. The dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate is rich and well-structured with lovely spice, lemon oil, citrus, pear, and vanilla flavours supported by fine, well-delineated, and juicy acidity. Exudes elegance with spice notes tapering to savoury, earthy, and stony minerals on the long, crisp finish, with excellent length. Highly recommended buy! Score: 93 pts

There are only seven wines in the Alléno & Chapoutier collaboration, and they can all be ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Skouras Wild Ferment Assyrtiko 2024 (Greece) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is the latest vintage of a consistently excellent, and now vegan-certified, Assyrtiko that landed at the LCBO in the August 16th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. It is featured as a wine to 'Arrive in Style', as well as part of the fantastic mini-feature on wines from Greece.

It is produced by Domaine Skouras, a well-respected and highly-regarded winery situated in the highlands of Argolida, within the village of Malandreni in Nemea, in northeastern Peloponnese, just a few kilometres from Argos. Founder George Skouras was born and raised in Argos, studied oenology in Dijon (Burgundy), and had a long-standing vision to create a winery in his homeland. The original Skouras winery was founded in 1986 within the small village of Pyrgela, on the outskirts of Argos, and the goal from the beginning was clear - to produce high-quality wines.

The ultra-modern winery of Domaine Skouras was built in 2004 and resides in the Nemea winegrowing zone, Greece's largest and possibly the most exciting Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) for red wines in Greece. The winery is situated among vineyards in an area that is blessed with ideal conditions for viticulture, especially for the indigenous Agiorgitiko. George and his wife, Ourania, energetically continue their passion and vision for the Domaine, and are now also joined at the winery by their two children. Dimitris, their son, studied Viticulture and Oenology in France, while Stella, their daughter, is a graduate of Economics and Marketing studies in Scotland.

The Skouras team uses technology as a tool only for precision and control, as their belief is that true winemaking happens with minimal intervention by always respecting the grape, the land, and the passage of time. At Skouras, every wine is expressed with a clear and consistent philosophy that is based on purity, varietal clarity, expression of the mesoclimate, and true reflection of the terroir. With this philosophy in mind, the vineyard team at Skouras works with an unwavering dedication and constant observation that is driven by a single, uncompromising goal: to produce exceptional grapes. It is the belief, truthfully, that only from outstanding fruit can a truly great wine be made. Each bottle of Skouras wine carries the signature of its creator — wines that are intense, energetic, and complex, and always expressed with elegance, grace, and finesse.

Like the 2023 Skouras Wild Ferment Assyrtiko I enjoyed last year, this is also 100% Assyrtiko. The grapes were grown in Nemea, in northeastern Peloponnese, at 620 metres above sea level, on mainly red clay soil, with vines averaging 11 years old. After harvesting the grapes in September, they were whole-bunch pressed, then underwent wild yeast fermentation in stainless steel vats at a controlled temperature of 15°C. The wine was aged sur lie for 4 months, and did not undergo malolactic fermentation.

The 2024 growing season in the Peloponnese peninsula was warm with reduced yields. However, grape quality is high. Let's see how this 2024 Assyrtiko from the Peloponnese is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

SKOURAS WILD FERMENT ASSYRTIKO 2024 - Vegan, PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#32387) (XD) - $19.95
Screw cap. Lovely, ripe, medium-high intensity nose has impressive depth and complexity with a fine mix of flinty minerality, lemon citrus, ripe apple, quince, pear, leesy, and yellow fruits, plus accents of white melon and floral blossom. The dry, medium-full bodied palate has very good structure and ripe flavours of lemon peel, citrus, apple, pear, flinty mineral, white melon, and blossom flavours in a slightly honeyed profile. It has fresh, well-balanced acidity, along with impressive structure on the mid-palate. Flinty minerals, lemon citrus, and apple notes with a touch of spice on the long, savoury, and slightly textured finish. Must buy! Score: 91 pts

Quite a few wines my Domaine Skouras are available the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.

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Tedeschi Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie 2024 (Italy) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a delicious Pinot Grigio from the Delle Venezie DOC in northeastern Italy. It arrived at the LCBO last month as part of the July 19 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Tedeschi Wines, a winemaking family with a long history and deep bond in the Valpolicella territory of Veneto in northeastern Italy. Since 1630, the Tedeschi family has always sought the path of quality in their terroir wines, which are produced exclusively from grapes grown on hillsides. The family has always believed in the extraordinary potential of local wine production, while enhancing its value with modern and innovative production techniques, as well as practicing environmental management methods.

The modern history of Tedeschi Wines arrived in the 1960s when Lorenzo Tedeschi, the fourth generation of the family, recognized the diverse potential of the grapes grown in the iconic Monte Olmi vineyard, which was acquired by the family in 1918. Lorenzo decided to vinify each varietal separately, and the result was the creation of Amarone Capitel Monte Olmi, a wine that symbolized Tedeschi and became emblematic of the region.

Today, the winery is led by Lorenzo's children - Antonietta, Sabrina, and Riccardo Tedeschi - as they carry forward their father's vision for the winery. They continue to focus on growing grapes on hillside vineyards with poor soils, which results in wines with greater complexity and structure. By combining their extensive experience with scientific vigour, the family has adopted an approach that guarantees the future of the territory. Quality is the priority, while also using a sustainable approach in order to preserve the beauty of their unique lands for future generations.

From a region known for its Pinot Grigio, let's see how this 2024 Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio from Italy is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

TEDESCHI PINOT GRIGIO DELLE VENEZIE 2024 - DOC, Italy (#562058) (XD) - $19.95
Vinified in stainless steel and enclosed by screw cap, this has a clean, medium+ intensity nose that is fresh with zesty lemon citrus, garden herbs, and savoury earth aromas. The medium+ weighted palate has good concentration in a dry and slightly honeyed flavour profile of lemon peel, citrus, herbs, apple, and savoury earthy mineral notes. It has clean, refreshing acidity, plus a dusty textured mouthfeel. Leesy and earthy mineral notes linger on the savoury finish, with good length. Score: 87+ pts

Several other wines by Tedeschi are available at the LCBO, and can also be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Mega Spileo Assyrtiko 2023 (Greece) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is the latest vintage of a perennially lovely Assyrtiko from Greece. It arrived at the LCBO last month as part of the feature on BBQ Wines in the July 19, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by the historic and significant winery and monastery - Mega Spileo Estate. The roots of Mega Spileo go back to 362 A.D., when it was established by brothers who were also monks. Mega Spileo is situated near the town of Kalavryta, in the Achaea region of northern Peloponnese, and holds a special place in Greek orthodox tradition and history.

Vine cultivation was added to the lands surrounding the monastery in approximately the mid-15th century, and the grapes were used by the monks to produce wine for both the Holy Communion and as a nutritious dietary supplement. A massive barrel called "Angelis" was acquired during this period and was used to store 12 tonnes of wine - a barrel which still survives to this day.

Today, the long and storied history of Mega Spileo Estate lies in the hands of brothers Giannis and Theodoros Anastasiou, who received a long-term lease on the Estate from the Monastery in 1999. Their vision was to revitalize the historical vineyard using a team of experienced oenologists and wine producers in order to create a completely new and unique estate. The team at Mega Spileo re-planted the vines and implemented best practices in the vineyard and winery. Among their practices include protecting the environment and using sustainable agricultural techniques.

The modern winery of Mega Spileo Estate resides a few minutes away from the historic monastery, within the UNESCO Chelmos-Vouraikos Global Geopark that covers an area of 647 sq. km. The area surrounding the Estate has tall mountains, plateaus, sheer gorges, ancient trees, wild herbs, flowers, and cool breezes, all of which come together to create a unique micro-climate that is ideal for the cultivation of grape vines. By cultivating high-quality grapes, which in turn results in high-quality wines, Mega Spileo has become a significant point of reference in Greek wine production.

Like the 2022 Mega Spileo Assyrtiko I enjoyed last year, this white wine is 100% Assyrtiko that was grown at a relatively high elevation of more than 700 metres above sea level in the mountain vineyards of Aigialeia and Kalavryta. It is classified as PGI Achaia, a winegrowing area that lies on a strip of land between the Ionian Sea to the west and the Patraic and Corinthian Gulfs to the north, on the northwest coast of the Peloponnese. After harvesting the grapes in late-September, it underwent static racking of the grape must after 48 hours. The grapes were fermented with selected yeasts at low temperatures and stayed in contact with its fine lees for 3 months in stainless steel tanks. It was aged mostly in tanks, with a third of the wine matured in oak barrels for an additional 3 months.

Although the 2023 growing season reduced yields, the warm vintage produced grapes of high quality. Let's see how this 2023 Assyrtiko from Greece is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MEGA SPILEO ASSYRTIKO 2023 - PGI Achaia, Greece (#31680) (XD) - $19.95
Elegant, medium-high intensity aromatics deliver lovely ripe lemon citrus and stony-leesy mineral aromas nuanced with melon, stone fruits, apple, and touches of mealy notes. The mid-weighted palate is dry, ripe, and lightly honeyed with delicious lemon citrus, spice, apple, and mineral flavours buoyed fresh and lively acidity. It has good structure on the mid-palate, while citrusy, spice, and savoury mineral notes carry you through to the long, crisp finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Many other fine wines by Mega Spileo are available in various quantities at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.

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Evans & Tate Wild Cape Sauvignon Blanc 2022 (Margaret River) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a refreshingly delicious Sauvignon Blanc from Margaret River. It made its debut at the LCBO earlier this month in the July 5 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Like the 2018 Evans & Tate Hullabaloo Cabernet Sauvignon I enjoyed earlier this year, this white wine is produced by Evans & Tate, a winery whose roots were established in 1971 by two friends - John Evans & John Tate. In 1974, the friends and business partners purchased land and planted a vineyard in Wilyabrup, the heart of Margaret River, Western Australia, and named the vineyard Redbrook. Evans & Tate played pioneering roles in establishing Margaret River as a world-class wine region.

In 2012, Evans & Tate joined the Fogarty Wine Group portfolio of wine brands. The winemaking philosophy at Evans & Tate begins with accessing high-quality fruit and oak, as well as using state-of-the-art winemaking equipment. Senior Winemaker Matt Byrne, who has been at the helm of winemaking at Evans & Tate since 2001, continues to lead the team at Fogarty as they continuously strive to craft elegant wines which exhibit distinct regional characteristics and intense purity of fruit.

The Margaret River wine region is situated adjacent to the Indian Ocean and boasts optimal conditions for viticulture due to its proximity to the ocean, soil consistency, and generally perfect seasonal temperatures. Situated at an elevation of 295 feet above sea level, the Margaret River wine region features a high mean January (peak summer) temperature of 20.2°C, and a low mean annual temperature of 7.6°C, which translates to a pleasant year-around Mediterranean climate that is warm and dry during summer with cooling afternoon breezes, and a mild winter. The soil in the area is loamy sand and gravel, which was formed directly from underlying granite and gneissic rock.

Evans & Tate has been crafting Margaret River wines for over 50 years. Today, they have eight lines of wines ranging from fun-and-friendly to award-winning and sophisticated. This particular white wine is from their mid-range Wild Cape line. The Wild Cape range of three wines is a celebration of the raw beauty of Western Australia's southwest region and is inspired by the spectacular coastline and distinct regional characteristics of Margaret River wine. Adorning each label of Wild Cape wine is a dramatic photo by Andrew Semark that embodies the essence of the region where dramatic waves crash into the cape and world-class wines are produced in this remote, pristine part of the world. The photo that represents the Wild Cape Sauvignon Blanc is called ‘Void’ and captures the wave succinctly as "force, rare and relentless", terms which can also describe Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc as it offers a relentless wave of flavour with purity and energy, while showcasing the unique varietal characteristics of the region.

Crafted with 100% Sauvignon Blanc, the grapes for this white wine were picked at various times from small parcels in two vineyards in order to capture the myriad of aromas and flavours that Sauvignon Blanc vines produce at various ripeness levels. The grapes from the Karridale Vineyard were pressed upon arriving at the winery to soften acidity and to impart aromatic and textural complexity. The grapes from the Wilyabrup Vineyard were allowed to cold-soak on the skins for 24 hours before pressing and fermenting the clear juice. A small portion (13%) was allowed to undergo wild fermentation in used 500 L French oak puncheons to impart texture.

The growing season of the 2022 vintage began with a very wet winter, which led to good and healthy vine growth. The dry summer featured intense heat, which resulted in decreased yields. However, the dry, sunny days also provided a natural barrier to disease, while the extensive marri blossom kept bird pressure at bay. While some bunches suffered from sunburn, there were minimal challenges in the vineyard. Yields were lower than average, but the quality was the fruit resulted in outstanding wines. From a cracker of a vintage, let's see how this 2022 Sauvignon Blanc from Margaret River is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

EVANS & TATE WILD CAPE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 - Margaret River, Western Australia (#41435) (XD) - $19.95
Screw cap. Fresh and fragrant, the medium-high to highly aromatic nose delivers tropical fruit (passion fruit, guava), lime/lemon zest, citrus, and green herbal aromas with underlying savoury mineral and a touch of white floral. The medium+ weighted palate is dry and ripe with lime/lemon zest, passion fruit, guava, and herbs joined by mild spice notes. It has fresh and vibrant acidity, alongside a textured mouthfeel with good structure on the mid-palate. Lime zest, herbs, spice, and touches of mineral linger on the long, crisp finish. Chill well and enjoy this recommended buy on a hot summer day! Score: 89 pts

Other delicious wines by Evans & Tate are available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.

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