May 11, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Classic Euro Regions

Here's my top wine picks from the May 11, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. It's a big release with 111 wines on offer, with the theme of the release focusing on the Classic Euro Regions. If you can get your hands on the magazine, also included in this release is a sneak preview of the wines in the May 25 release (more on this in a couple of weeks). All wines from this release should be available for purchase online and in-stores across Ontario by Saturday.

We'll begin with the theme titled "The Wine Pantheon - Classic Euro Regions" and it consists of eighteen wines from the six major wine producing regions of Europe - Greece, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Portugal. Five wines from the theme are included among my top wine picks, starting in Greece with a lovely Malagousia. My lone recommendation from France is the Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which is crafted with 39% Grenache, 33% Mourvèdre, 25% Syrah, and 3% Cinsault. There are a pair of wines from Italy - the Vino Nobile is Montepulciano made with 70% Sangiovese and 30% Canaiolo, while the white wine from Sicily is certified organic and crafted with 100% Grillo. The last wine from the theme is a Portuguese red that is featured on the cover and is a 50/50 blend of Tinta Roriz and Castelão.

Red wine recommendations from the main release starts with the Rioja that is composed of Tempranillo, Grenache, Mazuelo (Carignan), and Graciano, followed by the Riserva Chianti Classico that is a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot. From France, the Bordeaux red is a composed of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot, while the red from Roussillon is made with 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache. The rest of the reds are all mono-varietal wines, including the lovely Cabernet Franc from Niagara.

There are a couple of white wine blend recommendations from the main release, with the Calabrian white a blend of Greco Bianco and Chardonnay, while the Roussillon white is composed of 80% Grenache Blanc and 20% Roussanne. Local wines also showed well with a pair of lovely wines by Featherstone - a Sauvignon Blanc and an off-dry Riesling, as well as the Westcott Chardonnay, all from Niagara. You can also pick up a fine Torrontés from Argentina, or go off the beaten path and try an Albariño from Languedoc.

Among my pink wine recommendations, on the local front, we have a Niagara rosé that is a blend of 41% Cabernet Franc, 31% Merlot, 28% Gewürztraminer, while the Prince Edward County rosé is crafted using Gamay. Lastly, the Tavel rosé is a blend of 50% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Clairette, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Bourboulenc, and 5% Cinsault. Both sparkling wines are also blends, with the South African sparkling composed of 50% Pinot Noir, 49% Chardonnay, and 1% Meunier, while the Cava is a blend of 75% Macabeo and 25% Chardonnay.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• QUINTA DO ESPÍRITO SANTO 2020 - Vegan, Vinho Regional Lisboa, Portugal (#488015) (XD) - $14.95  88+ pts  wine review
• TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA CARMENÈRE 2022 - Vegan, sustainable, DO Valle del Maipo, Chile (#57513) (XD) - $17.95
• FABRE MONTMAYOU RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Vegan, Perdriel, Mendoza, Argentina (#261891) (XD) - $18.95
• FABRE MONTMAYOU RESERVA MALBEC 2022 - Vegan, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina (#261867) (XD) - $18.95
• BASTIDE MIRAFLORS SYRAH / VIEILLES VIGNES GRENACHE 2021 - AP Côtes du Roussillon, France (#320499) (XD) - $19.95
• MAZZEI SER LAPO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#288530) (XD) - $24.95
• FEATHERSTONE RESERVE CABERNET FRANC 2021 - Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#38301) (XD) - $29.95  91+ pts  wine review
• CARPINETO RISERVA VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO 2018 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#368910) (XD) - $33.95  91+ pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU BEAU-SITE 2018 - AC Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux, France (#647933) (XD) - $48.95  review coming soon...
• CHÂTEAU LA NERTHE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2021 - AC, Rhône, France (#735407) (XD) - $64.95
• MUGA PRADO ENEA GRAN RESERVA 2015 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#743310) (XD) - $78.95

White Wine:

• LAURENT MIQUEL SOLAS ALBARIÑO 2022 - IGP Aude, Languedoc, France (#36005) (XD) - $16.95
• FEATHERSTONE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 - Vegan, sustainable, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#89011) (XD) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
• SAINT-ROCH CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON CORBAROL 2022 - AP Côtes du Roussillon, France (#175232) (XD) - $17.95
• ZUCCARDI SERIE A TORRONTÉS 2023 - Argentina (#389262) (XD) - $17.95
• FEATHERSTONE BLACK SHEEP RIESLING 2021 - Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#80234) (M) - $17.95  90 pts  wine review
• GORGHI TONDI COSTE A PREOLA GRILLO 2022 - DOC Sicilia, Italy (#11670) (XD) - $18.95  90 pts  wine review
• MEGA SPILEO MALAGOUSIA 2022 - PGI Achaia, Greece (#36837) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• TENUTA IUZZOLINI MADRE GOCCIA 2022 - IGT Calabria, Italy (#36512) (D) - $22.95  90 pts  wine review
  
• WESTCOTT ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2021 - VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#424507) (XD) - $29.95  90+ pts  wine review

Rosé Wine:

• FEATHERSTONE ROSÉ 2023 - Vegan, sustainable, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#117861) (D) - $16.95  89 pts  wine review
• CASA-DEA ROSÉ 2021 - VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (#38296) (XD) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review
  
• CHÂTEAU D'AQUÉRIA TAVEL ROSÉ 2023 - Cru des Côtes du Rhône, AP, France (#319368) (XD) - $24.95

Sparkling Wine:

• MURVIEDRO ARTS DE LUNA BRUT NATURE ORGANIC SPARKLING - Vegan, DOP Cava, Spain (#25073) (XD) - $14.95
• GRAHAM BECK MÉTHODE CAP CLASSIQUE BRUT PINOT NOIR / CHARDONNAY ROSÉ SPARKLING - Traditional method, WO Western Cape, South Africa (#175588) (XD) - $22.95

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April 27, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Paso Robles + Bordeaux's Right Bank

Here's my top wine picks from the April 27, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. The main feature of this release focuses on wines from Paso Robles, and for the first time in a very long time, there is a mini-theme, and it takes a brief look at Bordeaux's Right Bank. Also in this release is a fine selection of Online & Flagship Exclusive (FE) wines. All 93 wines will be available for purchase by Saturday, if not a couple of days earlier.

We'll begin with the theme on wines from Paso Robles - A Region to Watch. While I agree that Paso Robles is a region to watch, especially after tasting many fine wines from the region at the recent California wine tasting, only one of the wines from the theme is included among my top wine picks - the wine by Austin Hope that is crafted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Not from the theme, but also in this release is a fine Paso Robles Cab by DAOU that is actually a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon and 23% Petit Verdot.

I am delighted to see the return of the mini-theme. However, four wines are not enough to turn it into any kind of theme. Of the four wines from the mini-theme on Bordeaux's Right Bank in this release, the lone wine recommendation is from the AC Puisseguin-Saint-Émilion appellation and is a Merlot-based blend.

Red wine recommendations from the main release begin in Italy with a Chianti Classico that is composed of approximately 80% Sangiovese, 15% Canaiolo, and 5% Syrah, followed by the Super Tuscan, which is a blend of Merlot and Sangiovese. Other blends include a red from Languedoc that consists of 50% Syrah, 30% Grenache, and 20% Mourvèdre, as well as The Tragically Hip red from Niagara that is a blend of 54% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc, and 22% Cabernet Sauvignon. Pinot wine lovers can sip local with a fine Pinot Noir from Niagara, or look abroad for an excellent Pinot Noir from Martinborough in New Zealand.

Among my white wine picks, the only blend is from Spain, and it is equal parts Chardonnay and Macabeo. Mono-varietal white wines include a fantastic, vegan-friendly Assyrtiko from Greece, a Chardonnay from California, and a Melon de Bourgogne from the Muscadet-Sèvre et Maine appellation in Loire. From Italy, there is a wine made with Fiano from Campania, and a Pecorino from Abruzzo. On the local front, there is a Chardonnay and a perennially excellent dry Riesling, both from Niagara.

Other wines from the main release include a pair of lovely rosé wines - a Pinot Noir rosé from Niagara, while the rosé from Provence is composed of 58% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, 10% Syrah, and 2% Mourvèdre. The last wine is a fortified wine from Spain - a Vermouth - that is a sweet blend of 50% Palomino and 50% Pedro Ximenez.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• PIATTELLI LUJÁN DE CUYO RESERVE MALBEC 2021 - Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina (#452029) (XD) - $17.95
• CHÂTEAU LE CONTE MARQUEY 2018 - AC Puisseguin-Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France (#35375) (XD) - $18.95
• DOMAINE LAFAGE CAYROL VIEILLES VIGNES CARIGNAN 2021 - IGP Côtes Catalanes, Roussillon, France (#494039) (XD) - $19.95
• CAVE DE ROQUEBRUN LA GRANGE DES COMBES SAINT-CHINIAN-ROQUEBRUN 2021 - AC, Languedoc, France (#155804) (XD) - $21.95  review coming soon...
• MIGUEL TORRES CORDILLERA DE LOS ANDES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Valle del Maipo, Chile (#541169) (XD) - $22.95
• THE TRAGICALLY HIP FULLY COMPLETELY RESERVE RED 2021 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#411595) (XD) - $24.95  90+ pts  wine review
  
• LUNA ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2021 - Sustainable, Martinborough, North Island, New Zealand (#17544) (XD) - $26.95  92 pts  wine review
• LE CLOS JORDANNE JORDAN VILLAGE PINOT NOIR 2021 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#33894) (XD) - $29.95  90 pts  wine review
• LA VITE LUCENTE 2021 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#747030) (XD) - $33.95  91 pts  wine review
• ISOLE E OLENA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#704346) (XD) - $43.95
• AUSTIN HOPE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Paso Robles, California, USA (#578005) (D) - $74.95  92 pts  wine review
• DAOU RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Paso Robles, California, USA (#20715) (XD) - $98.95  FE  93+ pts  wine review

White Wine:

• BORSAO SELECCIÓN BLANCO 2022 - DO Campo de Borja, Spain (#25533) (XD) - $12.95
• DOMAINE GIRARD LE FLEURON DE LA REBOURGÈRE MUSCADET-SÈVRE ET MAINE SUR LIE 2022 - AC, Loire, France (#557207) (XD) - $16.95  90 pts  wine review
• KIR-YIANNI LE NORD ASSYRTIKO 2023 - Vegan, IGP Florina, Greece (#25707) (XD) - $18.00  91+ pts  wine review
• IL POGGIO SANNIO FIANO 2022 - DOP, Campania, Italy (#36344) (XD) - $18.95
• STEL + MAR CHARDONNAY 2021 - California, USA (#36758) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• UMANI RONCHI CENTOVIE PECORINO 2020 - IGT Colli Aprutini, Abruzzo, Italy (#11108) (XD) - $26.95  92 pts  wine review
• BACHELDER LES VILLAGES-BENCH CHARDONNAY 2021 - VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#16059) (XD) - $34.95
• CAVE SPRING CSV ESTATE GROWN RIESLING 2022 - Sustainable, Cave Spring Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#566026) (XD) - $34.95

Rosé Wine:

• MALIVOIRE VIVANT ROSÉ 2023 - Sustainable, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#498535) (XD) - $19.95  91+ pts  wine review
• OTT BY.OTT ROSÉ 2022 - AC Côtes de Provence, France (#490896) (XD) - $33.95

Fortified Wine:

• GONZÁLEZ BYASS LA COPA VERMOUTH ROJO - Jerez, Spain (#491712) (S) - $25.95

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April 13, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Spring Celebrations

Here's my top wine picks from the April 13, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, in which the theme focuses on "Perfect Pairings for Spring Celebrations". It is a good-sized release with 95 products on offer, all of which should be available at LCBO outlets across Ontario by this Saturday.

We'll begin with the theme of the release, which is titled "Perfect Pairings for Spring Celebrations" and includes twenty-three wines, nine of which are included among my top wine picks. For brunch, try the Chenin Blanc from South Africa. For garden gatherings, try the Gamay from Beaujolais or the Cave Spring Chardonnay from Niagara. For backyard BBQs, the red wine from Languedoc is the recommended buy, and it is a blend of 65% Syrah, 20% Grenache, and 10% Mourvèdre. For romantic dining, you'll want to get your hands on the Bordeaux red that consists of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, or the Champagne that is composed of 50% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir, and 25% Pinot Meunier. For choice cuts of meat such as steak, the top wines such as Second wine of Ornellaia (50% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, and 11% Petit Verdot) or the Purple Angel (92% Carmenère and 8% Petit Verdot) are your best bets. And lastly, a wine for takeout is a red wine from Spain that is crafted with Garnacha.

The only blend among my top red wine picks from the rest of the release is a Portuguese red made with 30% Aragonez (Tempranillo), 30% Alicante Bouschet, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Syrah. Mono-varietal red wines from the main release include the Chianti Classico that is crafted with 100% Sangiovese from Panzano in Chianti, a fine Xinomavro from Greece, and a lovely organic Gamay from Ontario.

Among my top white wine recommendations, all are mono-varietal wines. You can sip local with a fine Beamsville Bench Chardonnay (Niagara), as well as a pair of medium-sweet Riesling wines, also from Niagara. White wines from elsewhere around the world include a lovely Moscofilero from Greece, an Albariño from Uruguay, and a Falanghina from Campania in Italy. The last white wine is from Portugal, and it is crafted with the Encruzado.varietal. My lone rosé wine recommendation is made with 100% Pinot Noir from Uruguay.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• SAN ALEJANDRO EVODIA 2021 - Vegan, DO Calatayud, Spain (#23914) (XD) - $16.95
• CAVE DE ROQUEBRUN SOLEIL DE SCHISTE 2022 - AP, Languedoc, France (#35995) (XD) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review
• H J. FABRE BARREL SELECTION MALBEC 2021 - Vegan, Patagonia, Argentina (#114983) (XD) - $18.95
• BOUTARI NAOUSSA XINOMAVRO 2020 - PDO Naoussa, Macedonia, Greece (#23218) (XD) - $18.95  91 pts  wine review
• HERDADE DO SOBROSO RED 2021 - DOC Alentejo, Portugal (#306563) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• LAURENT GAUTHIER GRAND CRAS VIEILLES VIGNES MORGON 2021 - AC, Beaujolais, France (#279059) (XD) - $22.95
• HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE ORGANIC GAMAY 2021 - Unfiltered, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#20422) (XD) - $29.95  90+ pts  wine review
• LES HAUTS DE GRANGET 2018 - AC Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France (#35372) (XD) - $37.95
• FONTODI CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#933317) (XD) - $44.95
• LE SERRE NUOVE DELL'ORNELLAIA 2021 - Second wine of Ornellaia, DOC Bolgheri Rosso, Tuscany, Italy (#606194) (XD) - $78.95  93 pts  wine review
• MONTES PURPLE ANGEL 2020 - DO Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#62364) (XD) - $96.95  94 pts  wine review

White Wine:

• FREIRE LOBO VIGNO BRANCO 2021 - DOC Dão, Portugal (#37848) (XD) - $17.95
• SKOURAS MOSCOFILERO 2022 - PGI Arcadia, Greece (#27154) (XD) - $19.95  90+ pts  wine review
• RADFORD DALE VINUM CHENIN BLANC 2022 - Vegan, WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#13338) (XD) - $19.95
• CAVE SPRING ESTATE GROWN CHARDONNAY 2020 - Sustainable, Cave Spring Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#256552) (XD) - $21.95
• TAWSE LIMESTONE RIDGE-NORTH RIESLING 2021 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#431593) (M) - $21.95
• MASTROBERARDINO FALANGHINA DEL SANNIO 2022 - DOC, Campania, Italy (#562173) (XD) - $23.95
• BODEGA GARZÓN RESERVA ALBARIÑO 2023 - Maldonado, Uruguay (#646802) (XD) - $23.95  90+ pts  wine review
• HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE ORGANIC RIESLING 2019 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#183491) (M) - $24.95
• HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE ORGANIC CHARDONNAY 2021 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#68817) (XD) - $31.95 $29.95  91+ pts  wine review

Rosé Wine:

• BODEGA GARZÓN RESERVA PINOT NOIR ROSÉ 2023 - Garzón, Uruguay (#15265) (XD) - $19.95  91 pts  wine review

Sparkling Wine:

• FRESNE DUCRET LA GRANDE HERMINE EXTRA BRUT 1ER CRU CHAMPAGNE 2012 - AC, France (#14636) (XD) - $86.95

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March 30, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Cabernet Sauvignon

Here's my top wine picks from the March 30, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, which focuses on Cabernet Sauvignon Around the World as the theme of the release. It also includes a new batch of Online & Flagship Exclusive (FE) wines. In all, there are 101 wines on offer, and all should be available for purchase across Ontario by this Saturday.

We'll begin with the theme of Cabernet Sauvignon wines from around the world. There are fourteen wines included as part of the theme (and many more from the main release), and only two are among my top Cabernet Sauvignon wine picks. First up is a perennially lovely 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia, while the other wine is from the Aconcagua Valley in Chile and actually consists of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, and 5% Cabernet Franc.

Among my top red wine picks from the main release, there are a pair of Cabernet Sauvignon wines - one from Greece and one from Chile. There is also a Cabernet/Shiraz that is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Shiraz. Moving on to other varietals, there is a Gigondas, which is composed of roughly 50% Grenache Noir, 40% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre, while the Barolo is 100% Nebbiolo. Staying in Italy, the Chianti Classico is crafted with 95% Sangiovese and 5% Canaiolo, while the Valpolicella is a blend of 90% Corvina/Corvinone and 10% Rondinella.

The only blend among my top white wine picks is the excellent Soave from Veneto, which consists of 70% Garganega and 30% Trebbiano di Soave. There are a variety of dry white wines, including a pair of Sauvignon Blancs - one each from Niagara and Marlborough, as well as a trio of white wines from Italy - Falanghina from Campania, Pinot Grigio from Friuli, and a Gavi from Piedmont. For those that prefer some sweetness in their wines, there is a brilliant off-dry Riesling from Niagara, while the Riesling Kabinett from Mosel is sweeter.

Other wines in this release include a dry rosé from Provence that is a majority of Grenache, with Cinsault, Syrah, and Mourvèdre completing the blend. There is also a rosé sparkling wine that is crafted with 51% Chardonnay and 49% Pinot Noir. For fans of very sweet wines, you'll want to try the fortified wine from Spain that is made using the Pedro Ximénez varietal.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• VISTAMAR GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Sustainable, La Moralina Vineyard, Valle del Cachapoal, Chile (#27204) (XD) - $17.95
• TINAZZI COLLEZIONE DI FAMIGLIA VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO SUPERIORE 2019 - DOP, Veneto, Italy (#32711) (D) - $19.95
• HUGH HAMILTON THE LARRIKIN CABERNET/SHIRAZ 2020 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#33559) (XD) - $20.95
• ERRÁZURIZ ACONCAGUA ALTO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Sustainable, DO Valle del Aconcagua, Chile (#203364) (XD) - $22.95
• CASTELLO DI RADDA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#16448) (XD) - $22.95  review coming soon...
• WAKEFIELD JARAMAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Clare Valley and Coonawarra, South Australia (#142398) (XD) - $24.95  90 pts  wine review
• BABICH BLACK LABEL PINOT NOIR 2021 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#465963) (XD) - $26.95  FE
• MEGA SPILEO ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2015 - PGI Achaia, Greece (#539924) (XD) - $36.95  92 pts  wine review
• LAVAU GIGONDAS 2019 - AC, Rhône, France (#234955) (XD) - $37.95
• ROCCHE COSTAMAGNA ROCCHE DELL'ANNUNZIATA BAROLO 2019 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#413484) (XD) - $64.95

White Wine:

• VESEVO BENEVENTANO FALANGHINA 2022 - IGP, Campania, Italy (#289538) (XD) - $17.95
• VIENI SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021 - VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#37971) (XD) - $19.95
• VILLA MARIA WAIRAU VALLEY RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#536201) (XD) - $20.95  90 pts  wine review
• ENRICO SERAFINO GRIFO DEL QUARTARO GAVI DEL COMMUNE DI GAVI 2022 - Sustainable, estate bottled, DOC, Piedmont, Italy (#22138) (XD) - $24.95
• MAX FERD. RICHTER BRAUNEBERGER JUFFER RIESLING KABINETT 2022 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#36929) (S) - $31.95
• THIRTY BENCH STEEL POST VINEYARD SMALL LOT RIESLING 2020 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#319640) (D) - $33.95  FE  92+ pts  wine review
• PIEROPAN CALVARINO SOAVE CLASSICO 2021 - Single vineyard, DOC, Veneto, Italy (#19010) (XD) - $33.95  FE  93 pts  wine review
• JERMANN PINOT GRIGIO 2022 - DOC Friuli, Italy (#12812) (XD) - $39.95

Rosé Wine:

• DOMAINES OTT CHÂTEAU DE SELLE CRU CLASSÉ ROSÉ 2022 - Sustainable, AP Côtes de Provence, France (#74617) (XD) - $57.95  FE

Sparkling Wine:

• PONGRÁCZ CAP CLASSIQUE ROSÉ - Traditional method, WO Western Cape, South Africa (#646968) (D) - $22.95

Fortified Wine:

• ALVEAR SOLERA 1927 PEDRO XIMÉNEZ - DO Montilla-Moriles, Spain (#463034, 375 mL) (S) - $30.95

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March 16, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Family Feasts

Here's my top wine picks from the March 16, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. With Easter long weekend on the horizon, the feature of this release is titled "Perfect Pairings for Family Feasts". Overall, it is a very good release, albeit on the small-ish side that is on-trend for the year, with 85 products on offer.

We'll begin with the feature on wines that are Perfect Pairings for Family Feasts. Of the seventeen wines that are included as part of the theme, six are included among my top wine picks. First up on the list is an excellent vintage Champagne that is crafted with 52% Pinot Noir and 48% Chardonnay that will be ideal for pairing with appetizers. For pairing wines with cheese, try the Sauvignon Blanc from Niagara, or the wine from Bierzo that is made with 93% Mencía and 3% Alicante Bouschet. The LCBO suggests serving the Gamay Noir from Niagara with veggies, although it is big enough to serve with richer dishes such as poultry, braises, or roasts. From Margaret River in Western Australia, the white wine crafted with 51% Sauvignon Blanc and 49% Sémillon can be paired with weighty and textured dishes such as those with rich sauces. The last wine from the feature is a Carmenère from Chile, which can be paired with well-seasoned, full-flavoured meals.

Red wine recommendations from the main release start in Italy with a Barolo that is, of course, crafted with 100% Nebbiolo, followed by the Gran Selezione Chianti Classico that is made with 100% Sangiovese. There's also a Rioja red that is composed of 86% Tempranillo, 8% Graciano, 4% Mazuelo, and 2% Garnacha, while the Rhône red is equal parts Grenache and Syrah. For Australian Shiraz wine lovers, the Clare Valley wine is made with 100% Shiraz, while the Frankland River Shiraz is blended with 4% Touriga Nacional, 4% Mourvedre, and 1% Viognier. And lastly, there is a fine Pinot Noir from Chile.

The only blend among my top white wine picks from the main release is the Soave from Veneto, which is composed of 85% Garganega and 15% Trebbiano di Soave. Among the mono-varietal wines, the Torrontés from Argentina, Chardonnay from Australia, and Sauvignon Blanc from Chile all underwent barrel fermentation. Other white wine picks include an organic, old vine Verdicchio from Marche, as well as an off-dry (i.e. lightly sweet) Riesling from Niagara. There's also the lusciously sweet Gewürztraminer Icewine from Niagara that would be ideal for post-dinner sips.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• LAVAU CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2019 - AC, France (#421024) (XD) - $16.95
• SAN PEDRO 1865 SELECTED VINEYARDS CARMENÈRE 2022 - Las Lagunas, DO Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#249201) (XD) - $19.95
• ERRÁZURIZ ACONCAGUA COSTA PINOT NOIR 2021 - Sustainable, DO Aconcagua Costa, Chile (#541151) (XD) - $22.95  91+ pts  wine review
• JIM BARRY THE LODGE HILL SHIRAZ 2021 - Clare Valley, South Australia (#998476) (XD) - $23.95
• FRANKLAND ESTATE SHIRAZ 2020 - Frankland River, Western Australia (#15998) (XD) - $25.95
• BACHELDER LES VILLAGES GAMAY NOIR 2021 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#17239) (XD) - $26.95  92+ pts  wine review
• DESCENDIENTES DE J. PALACIOS PÉTALOS 2021 - Old vines, DO Bierzo, Spain (#446484) (XD) - $28.95
• CLEMENTE VII GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019 - Sustainable, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#573493) (XD) - $35.95  91+ pts  wine review
• MARQUÉS DE MURRIETA FINCA YGAY RESERVA 2018 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#209148) (XD) - $37.95
• CASA E. DI MIRAFIORE BAROLO 2018 - Vegan, DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#26908) (XD) - $56.95  93 pts  wine review

White Wine:

• SKUTTLEBUTT SAUVIGNON BLANC / SEMILLON 2022 - Margaret River, Western Australia (#47621) (XD) - $19.95
• HENRY OF PELHAM THE DRY RIVER RIESLING 2022 - Sustainable, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#557165) (D) - $19.95
• TRIUS DISTINCTION SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#19379) (XD) - $19.95
• PIEROPAN SOAVE CLASSICO 2022 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#946848) (XD) - $20.95
• SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE BARREL FERMENTED TORRONTÉS 2022 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#384339) (XD) - $22.95
• FORTES SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 - WO Napier, South Africa (#33297) (XD) - $23.95  89 pts  wine review
  
• ELDERTON EDEN VALLEY CHARDONNAY 2022 - Single vineyard, Eden Valley, South Australia (#15054) (XD) - $23.95  90+ pts  wine review
• LEYDA LOT 4 SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021 - Valle de Leyda, Chile (#18997) (XD) - $25.95
• CASAL DI SERRA VECCHIE VIGNE VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2021 - DOC, Marche, Italy (#98111) (XD) - $26.95

Sparkling Wine:

• LANSON LE VINTAGE BRUT CHAMPAGNE 2012 - AC, France (#29949) (XD) - $99.95  94 pts  wine review

Dessert Wine:

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

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