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  • Date publishedFriday, January 13, 2023

Stags' Leap Winery Petite Sirah 2018 (Napa Valley) - Wine Review

red wine review is an excellent Petite Sirah, a distinct variety not to be confused with Syrah, from Napa Valley that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Established in 1893, Stags' Leap Winery is one of California's oldest wine estates. Their 240-acre property is situated on the watershed of the Stags Leap Palisades, nine miles north of the city of Napa, and is planted to 90 acres of vineyards. Situated in an intimate valley within the greater Napa Valley, they have a unique terroir and ideal microclimate which supports a classical standard of viticulture, land use, and winemaking. Their goal is to convey the essence of their world-class terroir from grape to glass, and to create handcrafted wines that tell an authentic story of the land on which they are grown.

The Stags' Leap name originated in the late 1880s with the founding Chase family, and is attributed to a native Wappo legend of a stag leaping to escape hunters. The mountains behind the property on the eastern side came to be known as the Stags Leap Palisades.

The Stags Leap Palisades are a rock outcropping that forms the eastern boundary of the estate and sheds debris in the form of volcanic rhyolite and tuff, which is carried to the valley floor where it mingles with the deeper subsoil made up of Bale loam formed from ancient river sediment. Topographically, the slope of the palisades and its small valley are oriented to block early morning sun, retain afternoon heat, and funnel cooler marine air coming from the San Pablo Bay to the south. The sheer volume of rock has a direct impact on the local climate of the estate as the rock face of the palisades gives off stored warmth after sunset, radiating down over the entire ranch. Moreover, the high incidence of rock in the soil holds the heat of the sun into the early twilight hours, and then loses it rapidly, effectively slowing and prolonging the ripening process. With Napa Valley's long growing season combined with the accentuated warmth and cooling of the Stags Leap District, the result is an ideal balance of acid and sugar in the fruit that also gives the grapes more time to mature and develop.

This Petite Sirah is actually a blend that includes small amounts of Syrah, Grenache, and other Rhône varieties. The grapes that make up the backbone of this wine come from the estate's vineyards which have deep, rocky soils, while other carefully selected fruit also comes from Calistoga and St. Helena in the north, and Oakville, Oak Knoll and Coombsville in the south, as well as from their own Stags Leap District. Petite Sirah is a varietal that is enhanced by the deliberate diversity of their vineyard sites.

It was vinified by Winemaker Christophe Paubert using the same, time-honoured techniques - simple and traditional - that have made Petite Sirah one of the winery's staples, thereby showing the uniqueness of the Petite Sirah fruit. It underwent a relatively short maceration and fermentation, and was aged for approximately 15 months in mostly used American oak barrels.

The 2018 growing season in Napa Valley was stunning and near-perfect with good winter rains, mild spring weather, and steady temperatures throughout that allowed for even flowering and bud break. These ideal growing conditions were followed by a cool, even, and slow-paced harvest, which allowed Stags' Leap to vinify wines at a gentle pace. The result is that the wines of 2018 are of very high quality with lower alcohol, concentrated flavours, colour, and excellent acidity. Let's see how this 2018 Petite Sirah from Napa Valley is tasting tonight...

Stags' Leap Winery Petite Sirah 2018 (93 pts)

Tasting Note:

STAGS' LEAP WINERY PETITE SIRAH 2018 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#590356) (XD) - $60.95
Primarily Petite Sirah with a small amount of Syrah, Grenache, and other Rhône varieties completing the blend. Elegantly perfumed aromas of black and blue berry, dark plum, peppery spice, and cocoa, with some wood spice and reductive notes rise out of the glass. It's full-bodied and well-structured on the palate with juicy, ripe black and blue fruit, pepper, spices, and cocoa flavours with touches of smoky mineral and black raspberry adding further complexity. Acids are fresh, vibrant, and juicy, while the firm tannins are structured and grainy. Nicely balanced throughout with savoury, smoky mineral, and cocoa notes lingering on the very long finish. Enjoyable now, but will be better in a few years. Drink over the next 15 years. Highly recommended buy! Score: 93 pts

Other excellent wines by Stags' Leap Winery are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedWednesday, January 11, 2023

Trapiche Medalla Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (Argentina) - Wine Review

I enjoyed the lovely 2018 Trapiche Medalla Malbec last year, and for wine review I uncorked it's companion wine - a Cabernet Sauvignon - that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Trapiche Winery, Argentina's largest producer of wine. Established in 1883, Trapiche has grown to become one of Argentina's most internationally recognized brands. With a long history in exploration, Trapiche is also one of the wine industry's leading innovators while pioneering new sites, partnering with premium grape growers, and developing a new generation of talented winemakers. Some of Trapiche's pioneering efforts include being among the first in Argentina to work with Bordeaux varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, using French oak barrels, exploring micro-terroirs, and developing modern winemaking techniques.

Today, Trapiche owns more than 1,000 hectares of vineyards across Mendoza's Primera Zone and Uco Valley, as well as having longstanding partnerships with some of the province's revered grape growers. With a relentless determination to achieve the highest standards in the world of winemaking, Trapiche has received global recognition from publications such as Wine Enthusiast and Drinks International and won awards such as "The New World Winery of the Year" and "50 Most Admired Wine Brands".

Like the Malbec, this wine is part of Trapiche's Medalla collection of wines that was created in 1983 to celebrate the company's 100th anniversary. Each wine in the Medalla range is crafted using grapes from Mendoza's Primera Zona, the province's premium winemaking area, and predominantly old vineyards that have for decades produced the most prestigious Argentine wines. Medalla wines are 100% single varietal wines crafted with a nod to Old World style and sophistication. This particular wine is crafted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that was sourced from their vineyards in Luján de Cuyo. It was aged for 18 months in new French oak barrels.

The 2019 vintage in Argentina was excellent, with some winemakers calling it their best vintage of the decade. The hot, dry summer, particularly in Mendoza, was bookended by a cold winter, and cool spring and autumn, which slowed down ripening times (and moderating alcohol levels along with it), and brought harvest times in line with the average. Because of the cooler climate, yields were slightly lower than normal, but also resulted in highly concentrated wines with great colour and acidity. Let's see how this Cabernet Sauvignon from Argentina is tasting tonight...

Trapiche Medalla Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (90 pts)

Tasting Note:

TRAPICHE MEDALLA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - Mendoza, Argentina (#568865) (XD) - $19.95
100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Luján de Cuyo, this has fragrant, open, and intense aromatics offering lovely notes of ripe dark black-blue berry, dark currant, black cherry, cassis, plum, fine wood spices, and a touch of herb. It's full-bodied with ripe, chewy tannins and ripe black-blue fruit, currant, plum, and black cherry flavours balanced with savoury wood spice and earthy mineral. It has fresh, juicy acidity, while the dusty, fine-grained tannins provide a pleasing, lightly textured mouthfeel. Lovely earthy mineral notes linger on the long, savoury, and well-balanced finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

You can find many other lovely wines by Trapiche at the LCBO or through their Agent - Dandurand.


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  • Date publishedMonday, January 9, 2023

Viña del Pedregal Kidia Reserve Carmenère 2018 (Chile) - Wine Review

red wine review is a lovely, single vineyard Carmenère from Chile that is new to the LCBO, arriving on shelves across Ontario on the weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Viña del Pedregal, a family with a long history in wine that dates back to the mid-19th century when Carlos Adolfo del Pedregal Neumann was one of the first to introduce French Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cot to the Chilean market. The passion for the wine trade and the land they developed and worked on was passed along from one generation to the next, eventually reaching Alberto del Pedregal Aldunate, the 6th generation of the family. In the middle of the 19th century, Alberto, who is now President, was the person responsible for materializing years of experience into what is known today as Viña del Pedregal.

Alberto left behind artisan production to develop wines for export, raising industry standards, and positioning the winery as one of the most renowned in Chile. José Manuel del Pedregal Labbé is the 7th generation of the family and the driving force behind the company's internationalization process, reaching over 40 countries. José Manuel del Pedregal Mujica and Matías Gutiérrez del Pedregal are the 8th generation of the family and they currently focus on innovation while promoting their premium wines and the development of the new look. Today, with time and commitment, Viña del Pedregal has grown to become one of the oldest and most recognized vineyards in Chile.

Viña del Pedregal's vineyards are located in the Loncomilla Valley, in the Maule Region in central Chile. The Maule Valley is a transverse valley with an east-west orientation, encompassing an area from the Andes Mountains in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west. Their vineyards start at the foothills, extending along the banks of the Loncomilla River until they reach the vicinity of the Chilean Coastal Range, a setup which provides soil and climate variability among the vineyards, which in turn contributes to the diversity and complexity of their wines.

This particular wine is from Viña del Pedregal's Kidia range of wines. Kidia is another name for the orchid, a flower with approximately 35,000 different species. The orchid represents both delicacy and strength - it is a flower that blossoms in innumerable forms and colours. For Viña del Pedregal, Kidia is a wine that symbolizes femininity and, therefore, this line of wines was designed and inspired by, and for, women. The Kidia range has 18 wines designated as either Gran Reserva, Reserva and Varietal, with each wine assigned a specific species of this delicate flower. Each wine seeks to transmit this flower's elegance, colour, and complexity.

Depicted on the label of this Carmenère is the Vanda Kultana species of orchid. Crafted with 100% Carmenère, the grapes were grown in the D.O. Valle Pencahue, in the Loncomilla Valley. It was grown on loamy clay soils and harvested at the beginning of May. It was cold-soaked for 5 days, fermented with selected yeasts and remained in contact with skins for 25 days. The wine was aged for 8 months in mostly used French oak - 20% new, 50% second-use, and 30% third-use, and bottled without any filtration.

From an excellent harvest in terms of both quantity and quality with no extreme events, let's see how this 2018 Carmenère from Chile is tasting tonight...

Viña del Pedregal Kidia Reserve Carmenère 2018 (90 pts)

Tasting Note:

VIÑA DEL PEDREGAL KIDIA RESERVE CARMENÈRE 2018 - Sustainable, Single Vineyard, DO Valle Pencahue, Valle de Loncomilla, Valle del Maule, Chile (#24766) (XD) - $18.95
Sustainably crafted and vegan-certified, this 100% Carmenère has clean, refined, well-balanced, and generous aromas of resinous herbs layered over dark berry, black cherry, plus savoury touches of wood spice and minerals. It's medium-full bodied on the smooth, refined palate with lovely herbal, dark berry, black cherry, peppery spice, and earthy mineral flavours with a hint of plum. Acids are fresh and well-balanced, while the tannins are smooth, supple, and well-structured. Impeccably well-balanced throughout with smoky mineral notes lingering on the long, very satisfying finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the next 5+ years. Score: 90 pts

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


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  • Date publishedSunday, January 8, 2023

Lakeview Cellars Riesling Icewine 2019 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Continuing the recent trend of enjoying fine Icewines, which included the 2017 Lakeview Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine last month, Icewine review is a lovely, vegan Riesling Icewine from Niagara that returned to the LCBO this weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Lakeview Cellars, a brand that was established in 1991 by Eddy Gurinskas in Vineland, Ontario, within the Niagara Region. Having built a worldwide reputation over the years for creating premium Niagara wines that are both high quality and affordable, Lakeview Cellars is now owned by Diamond Estates and is one of their oldest wine brands. Lakeview Cellars wines are crafted and sold at Lakeview Wine Co. on Niagara Stone Road in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Leading the team at Lakeview is Thomas Green, VP of Winemaking and Winery Operations. The Lakeview Cellars brand is nostalgic for Thomas as he began his career at the company in the late 1990s as an apprentice to winemaking under Eddy. After graduating as part of the first graduating class of the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture program at Brock University in 2000, he remained with Lakeview Cellars. Following Eddy's retirement, Thomas took over head winemaking duties for Lakeview Cellars in January 2003, and Diamond Estates in 2005.

Although the Vidal grape is the main variety used to craft Icewine in Niagara, Riesling comes a close second due to its ability to retain freshness and acidity, which helps balance the sweetness in the wine. The grapes for this Riesling Icewine were sourced from their best vineyards in the Niagara region, kissed by Lake Ontario's offshore breeze. The grapes were harvested in late-December, when they were frozen and temperatures were between -10°C and -13°C. Like the other Lakeview Cellars Icewines I tasted recently, the juice was settled in stainless steel tanks, followed by a cool-fermentation, and then placed outside to complete a natural cold stabilization. Let's see how this Riesling Icewine from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Lakeview Cellars Riesling Icewine 2019 (92 pts)

Tasting Note:

LAKEVIEW CELLARS RIESLING ICEWINE 2019 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#471839) (S) (200 mL) - $34.95
The fragrant nose offers gorgeous aromas of honeyed apricot and peach mingling with candied lemon, ginger, orange peel, and apple. On the medium to medium-full bodied palate it is lightly spicy and has lusciously sweet aroma replays of honey, apricot, peach, lemon, and orange peel with a slightly viscous mouthfeel. Bracing acidity provides just enough freshness to balance the sweetness, while caramel and faintly mineral notes emerge on the lingering finish. Delicious and a highly recommended buy! Score: 92 pts

Other lovely Icewines (and table wines) from Lakeview Cellars are available not only at the LCBO, but also direct from the winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake.


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  • Date publishedSaturday, January 7, 2023

Casale del Giglio Satrico 2020 (Lazio) - Wine Review

white wine review is a lovely, eclectic white wine blend of three varietals that arrived at the LCBO as a Smart Buy in the LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Casale del Giglio, whose story begins in 1914 when three brothers - Emidio, Isidoro and Antonio Santarelli - established "Berardino Santarelli & Figli", a company named after the founding father, Berardino, Wine Merchant. The company moved to Rome and grew over the years, selling wines, liquors, and olive oils, and had several outlets across the city. In 1955, Emidio's son, Dino, founded the company "Santarelli S.p.A." to bottle Lazio's classic wines. These wines were sold primarily in Rome, but were also quite popular in Canada.

Casale del Giglio was established in 1967 by Dino Santarelli. He was fascinated by the Agro Pontino valley and founded Casale del Giglio at Le Ferriere, a hamlet close to the ancient city of Satricum in the province of Latina, some 50 kilometres south of Rome. A virgin territory, quite unlike other parts of Lazio or any other Italian region, the area was ripe for viticultural exploration.

In the early 1990s, Antonio Santarelli joined his father, Dino, and in partnership with the young enologist Paolo Tiefenthaler from the northern Italian Trentino region, they achieved remarkable results stemming from an intense programme of research and experimentation. They were joined by famous ampelographers and university researchers and planted close to 60 different experimental vines in Casale del Giglio's soil. With a scheme that was bold and daring in a very scientific way, they were rewarded and achieved their first significant results from the red grape varieties Syrah and Petit Verdot and from whites such as Sauvignon, Viognier, and Petit Manseng.

Today, Casale del Giglio continues to subscribe to the philosophy that "the future of Italian viticulture relies not only on consolidating the image of its traditional wine producing zones, but on its ability to produce top quality wines at favourable prices in areas whose potential is still relatively unexplored." As a result of Casale del Giglio's research, the the European Community authorized the cultivation of "new recommended varieties" such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Syrah, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Sauvignon in the province of Latina (from 1990), while other varieties were authorized later. Casale del Giglio has since elected to plant those grape varieties which adapt well to the territory and produce quality wines.

The Satrico is a white wine blend consisting of 40% Chardonnay, 40% Sauvignon Blanc, and 20% Trebbiano Giallo. Satrico gets its name from the ancient pre-Roman city of Satricum. Traces of the earliest huts, which formed a village around a central place of worship on high ground near the river Astura, date from the 9th century B.C. This hillside settlement, later to become the acropolis of the city, was the site of a temple dedicated to the goddess Mater Matuta. Remains of her temple can still be seen today, close to Casale del Giglio’s vineyards in the hamlet of Le Ferriere, near the town of Latina.

The grapes for this white wine were harvested just as they begin to ripen and vinified separately to ensure that the fresh, distinctive aromas and flavours of each variety come through in the final blend. The bunches were carefully selected, with only the very best bunches included in this wine, and after careful soft-pressing, the free-run juice was separated from the skins. It underwent a temperature-controlled, slow fermentation over 7-8 days, matured in stainless steel tanks, and bottled at the beginning of the following year. Let's see how this white wine blend from Lazio is tasting tonight...

Casale del Giglio Satrico 2020 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

CASALE DEL GIGLIO SATRICO 2020 - IGT Lazio Bianco, Italy (#569806) (D) - $18.95
This eclectic blend of 40% Chardonnay, 40% Sauvignon Blanc, and 20% Trebbiano Giallo has a soft, medium+ intensity nose that is dusty and earthy with floral, lemon citrus, melon, and ripe apple aromas with a whiff of mango adding interest. It's impressively concentrated on the medium+ bodied palate with slightly spicy flavours of ripe melon, mango, lemon citrus, floral flavours in a dry flavour profile. Slightly viscous mouthfeel, along with juicy, well-balanced acidity, while savoury, leesy, and mineral notes linger on the long finish. Chill well and enjoy this recommended buy now! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Casale del Giglio can be ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.


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  • Date publishedFriday, January 6, 2023

Portugal: A Region to Dream About

red wine reviews are a trio of wines from some of Portugal's best red wine growing appellations - Douro (& Porto), Dão, and Alentejo.

Portugal: A Region to Dream About

Given the time of year when the days are cold and the leaves have long fallen, many wine lovers gravitate to sipping a warming glass of red wine and daydream about warmer climes. If you combine the two on a vinous reverie - you will reach sunny Portugal!

With a mainly hot, dry Mediterranean climate, Portugal offers a wealth of elegant, structured wines. For lighter reds, you can head further north on the Atlantic coast. Portugal boasts an impressive diversity of vineyard terroirs, from rugged mountains to verdant river valleys. There are more than 250 native grape varieties grown in Portugal, and they are often crafted into highly distinctive wines in a variety of styles. Portuguese wines are the ideal choice for adventurous wine lovers looking for wines off-the-beaten track. To get started, let's look at some of Portugal's best red wine appellations.

Situated in northern Portugal, the Douro region is made up of mainly granite and schist slopes, and the steep, terraced vineyards follow the sinuous path of the Douro River from the Spanish border, gradually flattening as they near Porto. I visited Porto many years ago and the slopes along the Douro River are quite the sight and a must visit for every wine enthusiast. The rugged beauty and long-standing quality reputation of Douro wines have garnered the region UNESCO World Heritage status.

In the hot, dry climate of the Douro, which is protected from wet coastal weather by the Serra do Marão mountains, red grape varieties such as Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, and Tinto Cão thrive. These are the favoured varieties to craft the Douro's famous fortified dessert Port wines, as well as the region's ageworthy, structured, and dark fruited dry red wines.

Travelling southwest from Douro, we arrive in the mountainous region of Dão. The Dão appellation is sheltered from the extremes of both continental and maritime weather patterns, giving it a temperate climate. Like the Douro, the Dão winegrowing region takes its name from the river of the same name that traverses its vineyards. The reigning red grape in Dão is Touriga Nacional and it is often blended with Tinta Roriz, while the granite soils in Dão offer a a slightly fresher, more mineral-laced quality to these red blends compared to Douro wines. Excellent red wines are also being made from the region's Alfrocheiro and Jaen varieties.

The third wine region covered in this post is Alentejo. Located in the southwestern part of Portugal, the hot, dry region of Alentejo represents one-third of Portugal's total surface area. Due to it's size, the appellation is divided into eight distinct sub-regions because of the multitude of different soil types and varied topography, from steep mountainous terrain in the north to vast, gently undulating vineyards further south. Alentejo is known as the heartland of Portugal's red wine production and the major grapes grown here include Alfrocheiro, Alicante Bouschet, Aragonez, Castelão, and Trincadeira. Although difficult to generalize given the region's wide diversity, red wines are commonly rich, velvety, and ripe-fruited.

Portugal has a proud tradition for fine winemaking dating back thousands of years. Each Portuguese wine is unique and tells us a story that, if you let it, can transport you into the heart of its vineyards.

The Alentejo red in this post is part of the VINTAGES Essentials Collection and is available year-round, while the Dão and Douro red wines arrived at the LCBO as part of a VINTAGES Release earlier this year and are still available for purchase. To explore more Portuguese wines from these producers, you can look on lcbo.com or contact each producer's Agent, while other wines from Portugal can be found at the LCBO, including their Portugal Destination Collection store located at 2151 St Clair Ave. West in Toronto.

Tasting Notes:

JOSÉ MARIA DA FONSECA DOMINI 2019 - DOP Douro, Portugal (#452730) (XD) - $17.95 $15.25
Blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) and Touriga Francesa grown on schist soils and aged for 3 months in new French and American oak. Ripe and fruity medium+ intensity nose is dark fruited with blackberry, black plum, peppery spice, and mineral undertones. On the dry, medium+ bodied palate it has ripe plummy and blackberry flavours along with some peppery spice, herbs, and minerals adding a pleasant savoury component. Acids are fresh, juicy, and well-balanced, while the supple tannins have a nice, textural mouthfeel. Savoury minerals linger on the long, juicy finish. Agent: Dandurand. Score: 88+ pts 

José Maria da Fonseca Domini 2019 (88+ pts)

CABRIZ COLHEITA SELECIONADA 2019 - DOC Dão, Portugal (#247973) (D) - $14.95
Blend of 40% Alfrocheiro Preto, 30% Aragonez (Tempranillo), and 30% Touriga Nacional. The medium-high intensity nose offers intriguing aromas of red berry, cherry, raspberry, and spices and touches of plummy. Savoury mineral notes add further interest. On the medium-bodied palate it is ripe with red berry, plum, cran-cherry-raspberry, and subtle spice flavours. Acids are fresh and juicy, while the tannins are smooth and supple. Nicely balanced with minerally and smoky notes on the finish, with very good length. In a nice place right now compared to when first tasted earlier this year. Agent: Noble Estates Wines & Spirits. Score: 88+ pts

Cabriz Colheita Selecionada 2019 (88+ pts)

ESPORÃO RESERVA RED 2019 - DOC Alentejo, Portugal (#606590) (XD) - $26.95
Blend of Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional, Aragonez, Syrah, Trincadeira, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Touriga Franca that was grown organically on granite/schist soils with clay/loam structure. It was aged for 12 months in 60% American and 40% French oak barrels. The medium+ intensity nose seems a bit shy, offering aromas of sweet wood spice, sandalwood, and ripe dark berries, blackberry, and hints of licorice. It is also very ripe on the medium-full bodied palate with youthful, gritty tannins and fresh acidity. Dark berry, blackberry, sweet wood spice, sandalwood, and licorice flavours on the palate, turning savoury and smoky on the finish, with very good length. Interesting fact: Each vintage of this wine features a new label graced with works from some of Portugal's finest artists. Agent: FWP Trading Inc. Score: 89 pts

Esporão Reserva Red 2019 (89 pts)


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  • Date publishedWednesday, January 4, 2023

January 7, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Smart Buys

LCBO Wine Picks: January 7, 2023 VINTAGES Release
Happy New Year! Here are my top wine picks from the January 7, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES Release, the first release of the year which is always the "Smart Buys" release that focuses mostly on wallet-friendly wines. It's also a small release with 75 wines and fully three-quarters of the wines are coloured red. All of the wines should be in stores across Ontario by this Saturday.

From the feature on Smart Buys, there are twenty-one wines listed and four are included among my top wine picks. We start with one of the few white wines in this release - a white wine from Lazio that is a blend of 40% Chardonnay, 40% Sauvignon Blanc, and 20% Trebbiano Giallo, and a medium sweet Riesling from Germany. Red wines that are smart buys include an unoaked red from Portugal that is a field blend of 27 grapes, as well as a Syrah from Chile, and the Rosso di Montalcino that is crafted with 100% Sangiovese.

La Mannella Rosso di Montalcino 2019Casale del Giglio Satrico 2020 (89 pts)

Gunderloch Fritz's Riesling 2021 (89 pts)

Red wines from the rest of the release are mostly single varietal wines. Blends include the wine from California which consists of 42% Grenache, 31% Cinsault, 24% Syrah, 2% Petit Verdot, and 1% Counoise, and the Carmenère from Maipo that is actually a blend of 91% Carmenere, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 4% Mourvedre, while the Chianti Classico is also a blend of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot, and 5% Colorino. The Petite Sirah is also a blend that consists of small amounts of Syrah, Grenache, and other Rhône varieties. Single varietal wines include the Gran Selezione Chianti Classico which is made with Sangiovese, while the Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano is crafted with Sangiovese Grosso, locally known as Prugnolo Gentile. Lastly, the wine from Beaujolais is made with Gamay, while the Barolo is made with Nebbiolo, and the Calabrian wine is made with Gaglioppo.

Stags' Leap Winery Petite Sirah 2018 (93 pts)Michele Chiarlo Tortoniano Barolo 2017 (92 pts)

Bonny Doon Le Cigare Volant 2020 (90 pts)Pérez Cruz Limited Edition Carmenère 2020 (89 pts)

Borgo Scopeto Chianti Classico 2019 (88+ pts)Tenuta Iuzzolini Cirò Rosso Classico 2021 (88 pts)

The rest of my recommendations of consist of just four wines - a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, a rosé from Provence that is crafted with 70% Grenache and 30% Cinsault, and a Champagne that is made with 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay. Lastly, there is a lovely, sweet Icewine from Niagara that is made with Riesling.

Lakeview Cellars Riesling Icewine 2019 (92 pts)

May you drink even better in 2023! Cheers!

Red Wine:

  • LUA CHEIA OLD VINES RED 2020 - Vegan, DOC Douro, Portugal (#266882) (XD) - $15.95
  • VIÑA PEDROSA AVES DEL SUR RESERVA SYRAH 2018 - DO Valle del Loncomilla, Valle del Maule, Chile (#27196) (XD) - $16.95
  • VIÑA DEL PEDREGAL KIDIA RESERVE CARMENÈRE 2018 - Sustainable, Single Vineyard, DO Valle Pencahue, Valle de Loncomilla, Valle del Maule, Chile (#24766) (XD) - $18.95  90 pts  wine review
  • TENUTA IUZZOLINI CIRÒ ROSSO CLASSICO 2021 - DOC, Calabria, Italy (#13034) (XD) - $19.95  88 pts  wine review
  • BORGO SCOPETO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#23325) (XD) - $19.95  88+ pts  wine review
  • PÉREZ CRUZ LIMITED EDITION CARMENÈRE 2020 - Sustainable, Fundo Liguai de Huelquen Vineyard, DO Valle del Maipo Andes, Chile (#670539) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
  • TRAPICHE MEDALLA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - Mendoza, Argentina (#568865) (XD) - $19.95  90 pts  wine review
  • BONNY DOON LE CIGARE VOLANT 2020 - Red Wine of the Earth, Central Coast, California, USA (#18516) (XD) - $19.95  90 pts  wine review
 
  • ALTUS/RISE WILDLIGHT SHIRAZ 2020 - Margaret River, Western Australia (#18411) (XD) - $19.95
  • STÉPHANE AVIRON VIEILLES VIGNES MOULIN-À-VENT 2020 - AC, Beaujolais, France (#368134) (XD) - $23.95
  • GATTAVECCHI VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO 2018 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#672642) (XD) - $24.95
  • LA MANNELLA ROSSO DI MONTALCINO 2019 - DOC, Tuscany, Italy (#372524) (XD) - $27.95
  • CLEMENTE VII GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2016 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#573493) (XD) - $32.95
  • MICHELE CHIARLO TORTONIANO BAROLO 2017 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#586388) (XD) - $44.95  92 pts  wine review
  • STAGS' LEAP WINERY PETITE SIRAH 2018 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#590356) (XD) - $60.95  93 pts  wine review
Viña del Pedregal Kidia Reserve Carmenère 2018 (90 pts)Trapiche Medalla Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (90 pts)

White Wine:

  • GUNDERLOCH FRITZ'S RIESLING 2021 - Qualitätswein, Rheinhessen, Germany (#216366) (M) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
  • CASALE DEL GIGLIO SATRICO 2020 - IGT Lazio Bianco, Italy (#569806) (D) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review
  • SOHO WHITE COLLECTION PEGGY SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021 - Vegan, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#144386) (XD) - $19.95

Rosé Wine:

  • LA RIVIERA CÔTES DE PROVENCE ROSÉ 2021 - AP, Provence, France (#494120) (XD) - $21.95

Sparkling Wine:

  • ANDRÉ CHEMIN CUVÉE SÉLECTIONNÉE BRUT 1ER CRU CHAMPAGNE - AC, France (#20245) (XD) - $58.95

Dessert Wine:

  • LAKEVIEW CELLARS RIESLING ICEWINE 2019 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#471839) (S) (200 mL) - $34.95  92 pts  wine review


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