November 8, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Festive Wines + Burgundy

Here are my top wine picks from the November 8, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here), where "Wines for Every Festive Moment" is the feature story of the release, while The Bounties of Burgundy is the mini-feature. Also included in this release are a new batch of Online & Flagship Exclusives. While this is a large and fairly expensive release with 145 products offered and the average price per bottle just north of $38, it is a very good release with many fine options for festive occasions - and your cellar. All the wines should be readily available for purchase online and in-stores across Ontario.

We'll begin with the feature story titled "Wines for Every Festive Moment", which could be translated to "Premium Wines for Festive Moments" as each wine is priced at a minimum of $34.95. Of the thirteen wines included in the feature story, five are among my top wine picks. At the top of the list is the Oreno that is crafted with 45% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot, followed by a Gran Selezione Chianti Classico that is 100% Sangiovese, and a Pinot Noir from South Africa. On the local front, there is a lovely Syrah from Niagara, as well as a dry white wine blend from Lincoln Lakeshore that is crafted with 68% Pinot Gris and 32% Gewürztraminer.

My top red wine recommendations from the main release also begin in Tuscany with the Tignanello that is a blend of 78% Sangiovese, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 4% Cabernet Franc. Australia has a quartet of fine offerings, starting with the 2022 Barossa red that is a blend of 45% Grenache, 36% Mataro, 17% Carignan, and 2% Counoise, followed by the 2019 Barossa red that is composed of 57% Shiraz and 43% Cabernet Sauvignon; there are also a couple of straight Shiraz wines - one from Clare Valley and one from Victoria. The only other blend is from Roussillon, and it consists of Syrah, Grenache, and Carignan. From Greece, there are a couple of lovely wines crafted with Xinomavro and Agioritiko, respectively, while Chile delivers another fine Carmenere. On the local front, there is an exceptional Pinot Noir from St. David's Bench in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Among my top white wine picks from the main release, the only blend is the Côtes du Rhône Blanc, which is a blend of 32% Viognier, 28% Grenache Blanc, 24% Roussanne, and 16% Marsanne. Among the mono-varietal whites, Sauvignon Blanc leads the pack with a Sancerre from Loire, and a pair from Marlborough in New Zealand, followed by a pair of Canadian Chardonnays - one from the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia and one from the Niagara Peninsula in Ontario. And lastly, the lone bubbly is the 2016 vintage Champagne, which is a blend of 48% Chardonnay, 34% Pinot Noir, and 18% Meunier.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• TERRA NOBLE AZARA CARIGNAN 2022 - Sustainable, Vegan, DO Valle del Maule, Chile (#44587) (XD) - $18.95
• KILIKANOON GOLDEN HILLSIDE SHIRAZ 2020 - Clare Valley, South Australia (#45346) (XD) - $18.95  90 pts  wine review
• DON'T TELL GARY SHIRAZ 2022 - Victoria, Australia (#632620) (XD) - $19.95
• YALUMBA SAMUEL'S COLLECTION BAROSSA SHIRAZ / CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - Vegan, Barossa, South Australia (#12999) (XD) - $21.95  90 pts  wine review
• M. CHAPOUTIER BILA-HAUT OCCULTUM LAPIDEM 2020 - AOP Côtes-du-Roussillon-Villages Latour-de-France (#643239) (XD) - $23.95

 

• SANTA RITA FLORESTA CARMENÈRE 2023 - DO Apalta, Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#34733) (XD) - $27.95  OFE
• TORBRECK CUVÉE JUVENILES 2022 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#723940) (XD) - $29.95
• ALPHA ESTATE HEDGEHOG SINGLE VINEYARD XINOMAVRO 2022 - PDO Amyndeon, Greece (#259762) (XD) - $29.95  review coming soon...
• KACABA TERRACED VINEYARD SYRAH 2021 - Vegan, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#394171) (XD) - $35.15  review coming soon...
• DOMAINE SKOURAS GRANDE CUVÉE AGIORGITIKO 2022 - PDO Neméa, Greece (#94706) (XD) - $42.95  OFE  review coming soon...

 

• BACHELDER LOWREY VINEYARD OLD VINES PINOT NOIR 2021 - VQA St. David's Bench, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#361816) (XD) - $55.00  OFE  93+ pts  wine review
• HAMILTON RUSSELL PINOT NOIR 2024 - WO Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, South Africa (#999516) (XD) - $70.95
• ANTINORI BADIA A PASSIGNANO GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2022 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#384552) (XD) - $80.95
• ORENO 2022 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#735597) (XD) - $99.95  94 pts  wine review
• TIGNANELLO 2022 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#986786) (XD) - $192.95

White Wine:

• IDI DI MARZO SETTE VIZI TREBBIANO 2024 - Sustainable, Vegan, IGT Terre d'Abruzzo, Italy (#45808) (XD) - $14.95  88+ pts  wine review
• PETER ZEMMER PINOT GRIGIO 2024 - DOC Alto Adige, Italy (#95802) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• LITORALE VAL DELLE ROSE VERMENTINO 2023 - DOC Maremma Toscana, Italy (#17703) (XD) - $19.95
• TIRAKI SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#41802) (XD) - $24.95  review coming soon...
• ANGOVE FAMILY CREST PINOT GRIS 2023 - Adelaide Hills / McLaren Vale, South Australia (#41786) (XD) - $24.95  OFE  90+ pts  wine review
• BROKENWOOD SEMILLON 2024 - Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia (#657726) (XD) - $24.95

 

• LEANING POST THE FIFTY CHARDONNAY 2022 - Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#578864) (XD) - $25.95  90+ pts  wine review
• VILLA MARIA TAYLORS PASS SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#13901) (XD) - $29.95
• CHÂTEAU LA NERTHE LES CASSAGNES DE LA NERTHE CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2023 - AOC, Rhône, France (#31174) (XD) - $29.95  91+ pts  wine review
• BLACK BANK HILL FRATERNITÉ 2023 - VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#47889) (XD) - $34.95
• JEAN-MAX ROGER CUVÉE LES CAILLOTTES SANCERRE 2023 - AOC, Loire, France (#65573) (XD) - $41.95
• QUAILS' GATE STEWART FAMILY RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2022 - BC VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#639641) (XD) - $47.95  OFE
• GOBELSBURG RIED RENNER 1ÖTW ERSTE LAGE GRÜNER VELTLINER 2022 - DAC Kamptal, Austria (#45353) (XD) - $69.95  OFE

Sparkling Wine:

• MOËT & CHANDON GRAND VINTAGE EXTRA BRUT CHAMPAGNE 2016 - AOC, France (#69773) (XD) - $124.95

Dessert Wine:

• FEATHERSTONE FROSTBITE SELECT LATE HARVEST GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2024 - Sustainable, Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#39276, 375 mL) (S) - $29.95
• GRAND TOKAJ 6 PUTTONYOS TOKAJI ASZÚ 2013 - Tokaj, Hungary (#46596, 500 mL) (S) - $82.95  OFE

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October 25, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: France

Here are my top wine picks from the October 25, 2025, LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here), where Fine French Wines are the feature story of the release. With the holidays creeping up, this is a big release with nearly 155 SKUs offered — nearly 40 of which are Gift and Sampler Packs. There are many fine wines in this release that are worthy gift-giving options or adding to your cellar, and everything should be available for purchase in-store and online.

We'll begin with the feature on Fine French Wines, and of the twenty-two wines included as part of the thematic, nine are included among my top wine picks. Champagne is synonymous with fine French wines, and there are a couple of fine bubblies from Champagne in this release - with the 2016 Champagne composed of 43% Pinot Noir (13% red wine), 42% Chardonnay, and 15% Meunier, while the non-vintage Champagne is crafted with Pinot Noir. The lone French white recommendation is the Muscadet from Loire that is crafted with Melon de Bourgogne, while the lone rosé is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Caladoc, and Syrah. From the Rhône Valley, the Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blend of 40% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre, and 5% Cinsault, while the Crozes-Hermitage is 100% Syrah. The red wine from Saint-Chinian in Languedoc is crafted with 60% Syrah, 20% Grenache, and 20% Mourvèdre, while the Bordeaux red is 80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The last wine from France is the Madiran, which is primarily Tannat with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon in support.

Red wine recommendations from the main release begins in Italy with a Bolgheri from Tuscany that is crafted with 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Cabernet Franc, and 25% Merlot, followed by the Sicilian red that is a blend of 50% Nero d'Avola, 25% Merlot, 20% Syrah, and 5% Cabernet Franc. From Chile, the Cabernet Sauvignon is actually blended with 10% Syrah and 5% Carmenere, while the Central Valley red from Chile is composed of 45% Grenache, 40% Petite Sirah, and 15% Mourvèdre. From Spain, the Rioja is made with 80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacho, and the rest is Mazuelo and Graciano., while the Priorat is a blend of 55% Cariñena and 45% Garnacha. Among the single varietal wines, there are a couple of fine Pinot Noirs - one each from Niagara and New Zealand, as well as a pair of Malbecs from Argentina. There's also a lovely Pinotage from South Africa, and a Garnacha from Spain.

All of my top white wine picks are mono-varietal wines. There are a trio of Chardonnays worth your attention, with versions from New Zealand, Argentina, and an unoaked Chardonnay from Niagara. Also recommended buys are the Chenin Blanc from South Africa, and the Grüner Veltliner from Austria. If you enjoy off-dry (i.e. mildly sweet) Riesling, there are a pair of fine Rieslings from the Niagara Escarpment appellation. Lastly, and staying on the local front, there is a delicious, dry Gewürztraminer from Niagara-on-the-Lake, followed by a lovely Gewürztraminer Icewine.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Salud!

Red Wine:

• FORTANT GRANDS TERROIRS SAINT-CHINIAN 2022 - AOC, Languedoc, France (#43564) (XD) - $19.95
• PLANETA LA SEGRETA ROSSO SICILIA 2022 - Sustainable, DOC, Sicily, Italy (#477950) (XD) - $19.95
• SALENTEIN RESERVE MALBEC 2023 - Vegan, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#640854) (XD) - $19.95  90 pts  wine review
• RADFORD DALE VINUM PINOTAGE 2022 - Vegan, WO Coastal Region, South Africa (#45165) (XD) - $19.95  90+ pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU BOUSCASSÉ 2019 - AOP Madiran, Southwest, France (#743385) (XD) - $23.95  90+ pts  wine review

• VOLCANES DE CHILE TECTONIA GRENACHE/ PETITE SIRAH/ MOURVÈDRE 2021 - Valle Central, Chile (#44597) (XD) - $24.95  90+ pts  wine review
• CLOS BALTASAR GARNACHA 2021 - Vegan, DO Calatayud, Spain (#22444) (XD) - $24.95  90+ pts  wine review
• MONTES ALPHA SPECIAL CUVÉE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - DO Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#649160) (XD) - $24.95  90+ pts  wine review
• ERADUS PINOT NOIR 2023 - Awatere Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#41809) (XD) - $24.95  review coming soon...
• VERSADO CENTENARY VINES MALBEC 2019 - Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina (#46352) (XD) - $29.95
• DOMAINE DU GRAND ORMEAU 2020 - Sustainable, AOC Lalande de Pomerol, Bordeaux, France (#33040) (XD) - $33.95

• CLOUDSLEY TWENTY MILE BENCH PINOT NOIR 2020 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#11665) (XD) - $36.95  92 pts  wine review
• TORRES SALMOS 2021 - DOCa Priorat, Spain (#450734) (XD) - $39.95  92 pts  wine review
• XAVIER VIGNON CROZES-HERMITAGE 2021 - AOP, Rhône, France (#43809) (XD) - $48.95  91+ pts  wine review
• R. LÓPEZ DE HEREDIA VIÑA BOSCONIA RESERVA 2014 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#529586) (XD) - $59.95
• CHÂTEAU LA NERTHE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2022 - AOC, Rhône, France (#735407) (XD) - $74.95
• ANTINORI GUADO AL TASSO 2022 - DOC Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy (#986380) (XD) - $203.95

White Wine:

• BOYA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 - Sustainable, Coast Zone, DO Valle de Leyda, Chile (#389726) (XD) - $15.95  88 pts  wine review
• 2027 CELLARS WISMER VINEYARD FOXCROFT BLOCK RIESLING 2023 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#47642) (D) - $18.95
• REIF RESERVE GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2023 - Sustainable, VQA Niagara River, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#360255) (XD) - $19.95
• RADFORD DALE VINUM CHENIN BLANC 2023 - Vegan, WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#13338) (XD) - $19.95
• CATENA HIGH MOUNTAIN VINES CHARDONNAY 2023 - Sustainable, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#918805) (XD) - $20.95
• LAURENZ V. FRIENDLY GRÜNER VELTLINER 2023 - DAC Kamptal, Austria (#66225) (XD) - $22.95  89 pts  wine review
• HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE RIESLING 2021 - Sustainable, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#183491) (D) - $24.95
• DOMAINE POIRON DABIN CHÂTEAU-THÉBAUD MUSCADET SÈVRE ET MAINE 2019 - AOP, Loire, France (#42743) (XD) - $28.95
• AUNTSFIELD SINGLE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2023 - Sustainable, Southern Valleys, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#12623) (XD) - $32.95
• TWO SISTERS UNOAKED CHARDONNAY 2021 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#423103) (XD) - $39.00

Rosé Wine:

• LE BIJOU DE SOPHIE VALROSE ROSÉ 2024 - IGP Coteaux de Béziers, Languedoc, France (#20012) (XD) - $17.95

Sparkling Wine:

• DRAPPIER ZERO DOSAGE BRUT NATURE PINOT NOIR CHAMPAGNE - AOC, France (#179275) (XD) - $74.95
• MOËT & CHANDON GRAND VINTAGE EXTRA BRUT ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE 2016 - AOC, France (#69831) (XD) - $131.95

Dessert Wine:

• LAKEVIEW GEWÜRZTRAMINER ICEWINE 2019 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#547703, 200 mL) (S) - $34.95  92+ pts  wine review

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October 11, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Italy

Here are my top wine picks from the October 11, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here), with "Inimitable Italy" the feature story of the release, while Chile gets the mini-spotlight. Also included in this release is a large selection of Online & Flagship Exclusive (OFE) wines. As we get closer to the holiday and gift-giving season, the releases tend to get larger and more expensive, and this release is no exception, with 137 products offered and the average price per bottle coming in at just under $33. Overall, this is a very good release with many fine wines at various price points, and all the wines should be readily available for purchase.

We'll begin with the feature story that focuses on wines from Italy, and of the twenty wines featured in the theme, five are included among my top wine recommendations. Starting in Tuscany and at the top of the list is the Cepparello Super Tuscan that is crafted with 100% Sangiovese, followed by the Chianti Classico that is also Sangiovese. The last wine from Tuscany is a Bolgheri crafted with 44% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, and 8% Petit Verdot. From Campania, there is a fine Falanghina, and the last wine is a Prosecco made with Glera.

Staying in Italy for red wine picks from the main release, there is the Brunello di Montalcino that is made with 100% Sangiovese, as well as the wine from Sicily that is a blend of 80% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Merlot. From Portugal, the Douro red is a blend of 55% Touriga Nacional, 40% Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), and 5% Sezão, while the Alentejo red is composed of 42.5% Alicante Bouschet, 27.5% Alfrocheiro, 15% Syrah, and 15% Touriga Nacional. The only other blend is from Bordeaux, and it is composed of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot. My remaining red wine picks are single varietal wines, including the Rioja that is Tempranillo, and the wine from Bulgaria that is crafted with Gamza (aka Kadarka).

Most of my top white wine recommendations in this release are mono-varietal wines, with the only blends being the McLaren Vale white that is composed of 55% Viognier and 45% Marsanne, and the Marsanne from Niagara that actually includes 2.4% Viognier and 2.4% Pinot Gris. Chardonnay wine lovers will find joy in this release with a quartet of wines — two from South Africa, and singletons from Margaret River (Australia) and Niagara. There's also a fine Melon de Bourgogne from the Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine appellation. And lastly, for Riesling fans, there is the dry Riesling by Cave Spring, and a medium-sweet Riesling by Tawse.

Among my rosé wine picks, the Tavel is a blend of 50% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Clairette, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Cinsault, and 5% Bourboulenc, while the slightly off-dry rose from Niagara is a blend of 46.7% Gamay, 42.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 11.1% Cabernet Franc.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cin cin!

Red Wine:

• LOVICO GAMZA 2021 - AOC Suhindol, Bulgaria (#10877) (XD) - $17.95
• JOURNEY'S END THE BLUEGUM MERLOT 2021 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#45381) (XD) - $18.95
• HUGH HAMILTON JIM JIM CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 - Vegan, McLaren Vale, South Australia (#45334) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• FAMILLE LAFAGE CUVÉE NICOLAS VIEILLES VIGNES GRENACHE NOIR 2022 - IGP Côtes Catalanes, Roussillon, France (#354191) (XD) - $19.95
• BEST'S BIN NO. 1 GREAT WESTERN SHIRAZ 2022 - Victoria, Australia (#222323) (XD) - $19.95

• LORNANO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#211599) (XD) - $22.95  90+ pts  wine review
• VOLCANES DE CHILE TECTONIA SYRAH 2020 - DO Valle del Limarí, Chile (#41903) (XD) - $24.95  91 pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU TOUR DU HAUT-MOULIN 2015 - AOC Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France (#26295) (XD) - $27.95  90+ pts  wine review
• HIDDEN BENCH GAMAY 2023 - Sustainable, Unfiltered, VQA West Niagara, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#20422) (XD) - $29.95  90+ pts  wine review
• QUINTA DA FONTE SOUTO RED 2019 - DOC Alentejo - Portalegre, Portugal (#45163) (XD) - $29.95  OFE  91 pts  wine review
• OLABARRI GRAN RESERVA 2015 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#329102) (XD) - $29.95  91 pts  wine review

• SOLICCHIATA SECONDO DI CASTELLO 2012 - IGP Sicily, Italy (#46776) (XD) - $34.95  OFE  review coming soon...
• QUADRUS RESERVA 2017 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#534271) (XD) - $35.95
• LEEU PASSANT CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#24601) (XD) - $49.95  OFE
• LE SERRE NUOVE DELL'ORNELLAIA 2023 - Second Wine of Ornellaia, DOC Bolgheri Rosso, Tuscany, Italy (#606194) (XD) - $84.95
• CASANOVA DI NERI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2020 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#85498) (XD) - $99.95  OFE
• ISOLE E OLENA CEPPARELLO 2021 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#28768) (XD) - $198.95  96 pts  wine review

White Wine:

• FLEURON DE LA REBOURGÈRE SUR LIE MUSCADET SÈVRE-ET-MAINE 2023 - AOC, Loire, France (#557207) (XD) - $16.95  89 pts  wine review
• D'ARENBERG THE HERMIT CRAB VIOGNIER/ MARSANNE 2024 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#662775) (XD) - $17.95
• ZUCCARDI SERIE A TORRONTÉS 2024 - Sustainable, Salta, Argentina (#389262) (XD) - $17.95
• MILES FROM NOWHERE MARGARET RIVER SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 - Western Australia (#41794) (XD) - $18.95  review coming soon...
• IL POGGIO FALANGHINA DEL SANNIO 2023 - DOP, Campania, Italy (#17695) (XD) - $18.95  90 pts  wine review
• BLAAUWKLIPPEN CHARDONNAY 2023 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#45188) (XD) - $19.95

 

• TAWSE LIMESTONE RIDGE-NORTH RIESLING 2021 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#431593) (M) - $21.95
• KEW MARSANNE 2020 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#485334) (XD) - $21.95  91+ pts  wine review
• VASSE FELIX FILIUS CHARDONNAY 2023 - Margaret River, Western Australia (#416511) (XD) - $23.95  OFE
• FEATHERSTONE CANADIAN OAK CHARDONNAY 2023 - Sustainable, Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#149302) (XD) - $24.95  89 pts  wine review
• CAVE SPRING CSV CAVE SPRING VINEYARD ESTATE GROWN RIESLING 2022 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#566026) (XD) - $34.95  91+ pts  wine review
• HAMILTON RUSSELL CHARDONNAY 2024 - Vegan, WO Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, South Africa (#931006) (XD) - $65.95

Rosé Wine:

• FEATHERSTONE ROSÉ 2024 - Sustainable, Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#117861) (D) - $16.95  88+ pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU D'AQUERIA TAVEL ROSÉ 2024 - AOP, Cru des Côtes du Rhône, France (#319368) (XD) - $26.95  91+ pts  wine review

Sparkling Wine:

• CARPENÈ MALVOLTI 1868 BRUT CONEGLIANO VALDOBBIADENE PROSECCO SUPERIORE - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#727438) (D) - $19.95  90 pts  wine review
• KEN FORRESTER SPARKLEHORSE CAP CLASSIQUE BRUT SPARKLING CHENIN BLANC 2022 - Traditional Method, WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#32030) (D) - $29.95  91+ pts  wine review

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September 27, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Mature Wines

Here's my top wine picks from the September 27, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here), where the feature story of the release focuses on Mature Wines, while the mini-spotlight looks at Kosher Wines. This is a good-sized release with nearly 100 products offered, and all the wines should be readily available for purchase across Ontario.

We'll begin with the feature story about Mature Wines, and of the thirteen wines included as part of the thematic, three are included among my top wine recommendations. Since a few of the bottles in this thematic are back vintage wines, some have surely shown up in VINTAGES in prior years, so, you may even have a bottle or two on-hand and could compare with a "fresh" bottle off the shelf that was aged at the winery. From the thematic, there are a couple of finely aged white wines from Niagara — a 2016 Riesling, and the 2007 Stratus White, which is composed of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Sémillon, Gewürztraminer, and Riesling. My lone red wine pick from the theme is a 2016 Super Tuscan that is a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 30% Petit Verdot.

Red wine picks from the main release begin in Spain with a 2013 Rioja that is a blend of 75% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacho, and the rest is Graciano and Mazuelo, followed by a 2020 Cariñena that is composed of Garnacha, Tempranillo, Cariñena, and Cabernet Sauvignon. There are also three wines from Tuscany, all blends — the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a blend of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet, the 2020 Super Tuscan is primarily Sangiovese with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot, and the Chianti Classico is a crafted with 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot. For blends of Bordeaux varieties, there is the wine from South Africa that is composed of 44% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Petit Verdot, as well as the Meritage from Niagara that is a blend of 55% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Other blends include a GSM from Australia that is crafted with 48% Grenache, 31% Shiraz, and 21% Mataro, while the red from Portugal that is a blend of 50% Castelão, 20% Camarate, and 15% Tinta Miuda.

There are two white wine blends of note. The first is the Rhône white that is composed of 30% Grenache Blanc, 25% Roussanne, 18% Viognier, 17% Marsanne, 5% Bourboulenc, and 5% Clairette, while the white from Hungary is a 60/40 blend of Királyleányka and Pinot Gris. The other white wines are mono-varietals, including a top-notch Vernaccia from Tuscany, and a medium-sweet Riesling from Niagara.

My lone rosé wine pick in this release is a dry rosé from Bordeaux that is a blend of traditional local varieties, with Merlot supported by Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Among the bubbly's, the Champagne is a blend of 55% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir, and 15% Meunier, while the Crémant de Loire is composed of 70% Chenin, 15% Chardonnay, and 15% Cabernet Franc.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• QUINTA DAS SETENCOSTAS ALENQUER RED 2020 - DOC, Portugal (#50930) (XD) - $13.95  89 pts  wine review
• MONASTERIO DE LAS VIÑAS RESERVA GARNACHA / TEMPRANILLO / CARIÑENA / CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - DO Cariñena, Spain (#166579) (XD) - $16.95  89 pts  wine review
• ARBOLEDA CARMENÈRE 2022 - DO Valle del Aconcagua, Chile (#46284) (XD) - $18.95  88 pts  wine review
• SHANAHANS THE BARKING DOG GSM 2023 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#20880) (XD) - $19.95
• KEN FORRESTER PAT'S GARDEN RESERVE 2020 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#45169) (XD) - $19.95  91 pts  wine review
• CASAS DEL BOSQUE BOTANIC SERIES LAS DICHAS SINGLE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2023 - Valle de Casablanca, Chile (#44595) (XD) - $21.95

• CASTELLI DEL GREVEPESA CASTELGREVE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 - Sustainable, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#573485) (XD) - $22.95  90 pts  wine review
• WAKEFIELD JARAMAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 - South Australia (#142398) (XD) - $24.95  89 pts  wine review
• JACKSON-TRIGGS GRAND RESERVE MERITAGE 2022 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#594002) (XD) - $29.95  91 pts  wine review
• CANNETO VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO 2018 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#12126) (XD) - $34.95
• TERRABIANCA CAMPACCIO 2020 - Sustainable, IGT Toscana, Italy (#905265) (XD) - $39.95  91+ pts  wine review
• TERRENO MOMENTO MASSIMO 2016 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#44854) (XD) - $49.95
• R. LÓPEZ DE HEREDIA TONDONIA RESERVA 2013 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#356337) (XD) - $77.95

White Wine:

• ALVI'S DRIFT PRIVATE CELLAR VIOGNIER 2024 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#18687) (XD) - $14.95
• ETYEKI KÚRIA WHITE 2024 - PGI Transdanubian, Hungary (#45358) (XD) - $17.95
• TE PA MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#43360) (XD) - $18.95
• MEGALOMANIAC NARCISSIST RIESLING 2024 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#67587) (M) - $19.95
• SUTHERLAND CHARDONNAY 2021 - WO Elgin, South Africa (#146423) (XD) - $19.95
• GABRIEL MEFFRE LAURUS CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2023 - AOP, France (#376574) (XD) - $20.95  89 pts  wine review
• VILLA MARIA CLIFFORD BAY RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 - Sustainable, Awatere Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#12631) (XD) - $23.95
• PANIZZI VERNACCIA DI SAN GIMIGNANO 2023 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#36446) (XD) - $24.95  91+ pts  wine review
• FLAT ROCK NADJA'S VINEYARD RIESLING 2016 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#578625) (M) - $45.00  92 pts  wine review
• STRATUS WHITE 2007 - VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#47592) (D) - $59.20

Rosé Wine:

• RAYMOND LES HAUTS DE LAGARDE BORDEAUX ROSÉ 2024 - Vegan, AOC, France (#43531) (XD) - $18.95

Sparkling Wine:

• ACKERMAN BULLE ROYALE CRÉMANT DE LOIRE BRUT SPARKLING - Traditional Method, AOP, Loire, France (#42057) (D) - $20.95  89 pts  wine review
• AYALA MAJEUR BRUT CHAMPAGNE - AOC, France (#4143) (XD) - $84.95

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