Lakeview Cellars Serenity Sauvignon Blanc 2018 (Niagara) - Wine Review

It's been a crazy couple of weeks, plus today's tragic news of Kobe Bryant, so for tonight's wine review I feel like having some serenity now with this Sauvignon Blanc from Niagara.

Serenity is that feeling created by quiet conversations, easy smiles, magical moments with friends or simply your personal oasis - and is exactly what this delicious white wine was created to be part of.

The Serenity collection of wines, which also includes the Serenity Baco Noir, is a new addition to the Lakeview Cellars brand. These wines are produced by Lakeview Wine Co., a division of Diamond Estates Wine & Spirits Ltd. in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Winemaker Scott McGregor says that he enjoys crafting these premium and approachable Serenity Wines. He also mentions that this Sauvignon Blanc would be a great patio wine.

Given that it is January in Toronto, I have no doubt that this will be a hit on patios come Spring, but I will pass on the patio for now and move indoors to my serene spot on the couch, bundled up with warm slippers.

This white wine is widely available at LCBO outlets across Ontario, as well as at the winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake or by shopping online.

Tasting Note:

LAKEVIEW CELLARS SERENITY SAUVIGNON BLANC 2018 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#688549) (D) - $16.95
Screw cap. Fragrant nose of gooseberry, green, grassy, and lime zest aromas. It's medium+ bodied with good fruit concentration and gooseberry, kiwi, tropical fruit, and lime citrus flavours supported by bracing acidity. Good length on the finish. Serve well-chilled. Score: 87 pts

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Rupert & Rothschild Classique 2016 (South Africa) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely Bordeaux blend from South Africa that is arriving at the LCBO this weekend as part of the January 25, 2020 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Established in 1997, the partnership of Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons was founded under the leadership of Dr. Anton Rupert and Baron Edmond de Rothschild. Both men later relinquished the reigns to their respective sons- Anthonij Rupert and Baron Benjamin de Rothschild. After Anthonij passed away in 2001,  his older brother Johann Rupert and sister Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg assumed his position.

The late Dr. Anton Rupert was an internationally respected industrialist who established a global business empire. He was held in high regard as a committed conservationist, and together with his art-devoted wife, Huberte, played an immense role in the preservation of art. The Rupert family has a passion for producing world-class wines and own three other wine estates in the picturesque Franschhoek Valley, located just east of Stellenbosch in South Africa's Western Cape.

One of the most well-known names in wine, the Rothschild family’s passion for wine began when James de Rothschild purchased Château Lafite in 1868. His great-grandson, Baron Edmond de Rothschild embraced his vision and expanded their wine portfolio by acquiring two estates in Listrac and Moulis-en-Médoc in 1973. Eventually, this became Edmond de Rothschild Heritage and today it is run by his son and his wife, Baron Benjamin and Baroness Ariane de Rothschild. Over time, Edmond de Rothschild Heritage continued to grow and now includes vineyards in France, Spain, Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa.

At Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons, meticulous attention is given to the vineyard and cellar practices in order to produce the finest quality wines. The pay special attention preserve the grapes in their optimal state prior to initiating the winemaking process as it is an important aspect in producing exceptional wine. Bunches are carefully hand-harvested and intervention during the winemaking process is kept to a minimum. Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons produces only three wines - a Chardonnay, a flagship Bordeaux blend, this Classique Bordeaux blend which is one of the most sought after South African red wines in its category. Let's see how this red wine is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

RUPERT & ROTHSCHILD CLASSIQUE 2016 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#717991) (XD) - $24.95
This blend of 50% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15% Cabernet Franc was hand-harvested and fermented in stainless steel tanks with extended skin contact, followed by ageing in small French oak barrels for 16 months. The medium+ intensity nose is complex with enticing herbally notes mingling with dark fruited, dark berry, blackberry, currant, black plum aromas followed by savoury, earthy and wood spice notes. The palate is medium bodied with juicy acids and tight, textured tannins. It has nice herbally, dark berry, and oak spice flavours with some warmth on the mid-palate. Finishes with very good length and more herbally, wood spice, and some bitter chocolate notes. Enjoy over the next 3-4 years. Score: 89 pts

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January 25, 2020 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Perfect Pairings

The overarching theme of the January 25, 2020 LCBO VINTAGES Release focuses on food & wine pairings and branches off into two categories - wines for comfort food and wines for takeout. All of the wines from the themes and the main release will arrive on shelves across Ontario by this Saturday.

We begin with the first food and wine pairing theme on wine companions for comfort foods. Of the twelve wines featured, five are include among my top wine picks. For pairing with shellfish in a herb butter sauce, try the Chablis (an unoaked Chardonnay) or Pouilly-Fumé (i.e. Sauvignon Blanc). For a hearty, big red meat stew, try a robust wine such as the Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which consists of 70% Grenache, 17% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, and 3% Cinsault, or the Carignan that comes from 60 year-old vines. Lastly, pasta is the consummate comfort food and could be paired with the Riserva Chianti Classico from Antinori that is a blend of mostly Sangiovese.

There are ten wines from the second theme on food and wine pairings that focuses on wines for takeout food and four are included among my wine recommendations. First up is a Pecorino (a white wine, not the cheese) from Italy that would be a fine match for pizza. For Thai curries, try off-dry wines or wines with bright red fruits such as the Morgon from Beaujolais which is made with Gamay. For beef, pork, or chicken tacos, try a Tempranillo, or with fish tacos try the Momo Sauvignon Blanc.

From the rest of the Release, among my red wine picks there is a very nice Cabernet-Merlot from South Africa that consists of 50% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15% Cabernet Franc, while the Valpolicella from Veneto is a blend of 35% Corvina, 35% Corvinone, 20% Rondinella, and 10% Rossignola / Oseleta / Negrara / Dindarella. Single varietal wines include a lovely Brunello di Montalcino that is made with Sangiovese, while the Bourgueil is made with Cabernet Franc.

Only one of my white wine recommendations is a blend - the Hugel Gentil from Alsace consists of Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Blanc, and Sylvaner. The Hermitage Blanc is made with 100% Marsanne, while the Pouilly-Fuissé is a barrel-fermented Chardonnay from Burgundy. For sweet wine lovers, the Riesling from Niagara is your best bet.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this Release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• CANTINA SAN PAOLO AGLIANICO 2017 - IGP Campania, Italy (#473132) (XD) - $14.95  88 pts  wine review
• ALVIDES TINTO ROBLE TEMPRANILLO 2016 - DO Ribera del Duero, Spain (#010699) (XD) - $16.95  88 pts  wine review
• TEDESCHI VALPOLICELLA SUPERIORE 2017 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#012726) (XD) - $17.95  88+ pts  wine review
• DOMAINE LES PINS CUVÉE LES ROCHETTES BOURGUEIL 2017 - AP, Loire, France (#478263) (XD) - $17.95
• LAFAGE CAYROL VIEILLES VIGNES CARIGNAN 2016 - IGP Côtes Catalanes, Roussillon, France (#494039) (XD) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review
• FRANÇOIS VILLARD L'APPEL DES SEREINES SYRAH 2016 - France (#012978) (D) - $19.95  88 pts  wine review
• GÉRARD BRISSON LES CHARMES LA LOUVE MORGON 2018 - AC, Beaujolais, France (#012028) (XD) - $20.95  90 pts  wine review
• RUPERT & ROTHSCHILD CLASSIQUE 2016 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#717991) (XD) - $24.95  89 pts  wine review
• VILLA ANTINORI RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2015 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#540971) (XD) - $29.95
• LAZZERETTI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2013 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#318352) (XD) - $46.95  91+ pts  wine review
• LES CAILLOUX CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2016 - AC, Rhône, France (#012982) (D) - $65.95  92+ pts  wine review

White Wine:

• DE ANGELIS OFFIDA PECORINO 2018 - DOCG, Marche, Italy (#577734) (XD) - $13.95  88 pts  wine review
• ROCKWAY FERGIE JENKINS LIMITED EDITION RIESLING 2017 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#485326) (M) - $16.95
• HUGEL GENTIL 2017 - AC Alsace, France (#367284) (XD) - $17.95
• STADT KREMS GRÜNER VELTLINER 2018 - Certified sustainable, DAC Kremstal, Austria (#295626) (XD) - $18.95
• MOMO ORGANIC SAUVIGNON BLANC 2018 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#009167) (XD) - $19.95  88 pts  wine review
• AUNTSFIELD SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2019 - Certified sustainable, Southern Valleys, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#663286) (XD) - $21.95  90 pts  wine review
• CHATELAIN LES CHARMES POUILLY-FUMÉ 2017 - AC, Loire, France (#727990) (XD) - $27.95  90+ pts  wine review
• DOMAINE SÉGUINOT-BORDET CHABLIS 2018 - AC, Burgundy, France (#289371) (XD) - $28.95  91 pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU VITALLIS VIEILLES VIGNES POUILLY-FUISSÉ 2017 - AC, Burgundy, France (#360495) (XD) - $31.95  91 pts  wine review
• J.L. CHAVE SÉLECTION BLANCHE HERMITAGE BLANC 2015 - AC, Rhône, France (#387357) (XD) - $75.95  FE

Sparkling Wine:

• LA MASCOTA EXTRA BRUT ROSÉ SPARKLING - Traditional method, Argentina (#011806) (XD) - $19.95  88+ pts  wine review

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Hecht & Bannier Côtes du Roussillon-Villages 2010 (France) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is this lovely 2010 Roussillon-Villages red wine that I purchased back in 2013 when it came through LCBO VINTAGES on February 2nd. I had the pleasure of tasting this wine with co-founder Gregory Hecht at the Halpern Enterprises portfolio tasting later that same year, and was pleasantly surprised to see it return to LCBO VINTAGES on March 1, 2014.

Although this wine is no longer available at the LCBO, you should be able to get your hands on the latest vintage through Halpern Enterprises.

Tasting Note:

HECHT & BANNIER CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON-VILLAGES 2010 - AC, Midi, France (#142802) (XD) - $23.95
A blend of Grenache from the Catalan Hills, Mourvèdre, high-altitude Syrah, and small amounts of Carignan and Lledoner Pelut that was raised in a combination of tanks, demi muids, and large oak casks. Mature deep garnet colour. Aromas of dried herb and dark berries mingle with wet schisty mineral, smoke, and hints of wet forest floor. It is medium+ bodied with more dried herbal, dark berry, schisty mineral, and smoke flavours. Acids are still quite juicy and mouth-watering. There's some warmth on the mid-palate, but it doesn't intrude on enjoyment. Fine, velvety tannins have fully integrated, offering a smooth mouthfeel, developing a nice, slightly chalky grip with each passing sip. Savoury mineral with dried dark berry and earthy notes linger on the very long finish. Drinking beautifully at 10 years from vintage. I wouldn't hold on to this much longer. Score: 91 pts

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Olarra Clásico Reserva 2009 (Spain) - Wine Review

After enjoying the recent string of lovely wines from Bodegas Olarra Group, for tonight's wine review I dive into my cellar and open a 2009 Rioja that I purchased nearly 5 years ago from the September 5, 2015 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

This delicious red wine only appeared to show up at the LCBO once, but the latest vintage should be available via Charles Jewett at Trilogy Wine Merchants.

Tasting Note:

OLARRA CLÁSICO RESERVA 2009 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#423541) (XD) - $18.95
A blend of mostly Tempranillo with Grenache and Mazuelo (a.k.a. Carignan) in support, this has a generous bouquet of complex spices, fig, dried dark berry, floral pastille, sweet tobacco, and wood spice aromas rising out of the glass. It's medium-full bodied, mouthwatering and juicy on the palate with savoury, earthy, fig, dried berry, and tobacco flavours. A touch of alcoholic heat on the mid-palate, but otherwise quite balanced. Tannins are well-integrated with a nice chalky textured mouthfeel. Excellent finish length that is earthy and savoury with wood spice and tobacco notes. Should continue to drink well over the next 2-3 years. Score: 90 pts

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January 11, 2020 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Smart Buys

Happy New Year! The January 11, 2020 LCBO VINTAGES Release is the first release of the new year (and decade) and it is the annual "Smart Buys" Release - a theme that is perennially featured in the first release of the year. All of the wines from the thematic, as well as the rest of the release will appear on shelves by this Saturday.

We'll begin with the "Smart Buys" theme that focuses on great-value wines. After the many expensive releases leading up to the holidays. This release is very much wallet-friendly, but at the same time does offer some quality wines to add to your collection. Nearly all of the 27 wines featured in the "Smart Buys" section are under $20, with six included among my top wine picks. Smart Buys in white wines include a Chenin Blanc from South Africa and a Falanghina from Italy. Red wines that are Smart Buys include a pair of relatively mature wines - a Tempranillo from Rioja and a Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley. Lastly, red wine blends from the Smart Buys section include a 50% Syrah, 30% Grenache, and 20% Mourvèdre blend from Costières de Nîmes, and a 60/40 Shiraz/Grenache blend from McLaren Vale.

Among my red wine picks from the rest of the Release, there are a pair of lovely Rhône reds. The Cairanne is a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 20% Carignan, while the Lirac is a blend of 55% Grenache, 15% Cinsault, 15% Syrah, 10% Carignan, and 5% Mourvèdre. Lastly, the Corbières is a blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache.

There are no blends among the rest of my white wine recommendations. But there are some lovely dry wines include a pair of Chardonnays, a Pinot Gris, a Sauvignon Blanc, and a Muscadet which is made with the Melon de Bourgogne varietal. For sweet wine lovers, there are quite a few lovely offerings - an off-dry Riesling from Alsace, a medium dry Riesling from New Zealand, and finally, a mature Riesling Kabinett from Germany.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this Release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• CHÂTEAU SAINT-LOUIS LA PERDRIX L'ENVOL 2018 - AP Costières de Nîmes, Rhône, France (#10514) (XD) - $12.95  88 pts  wine review
• PIATTELLI RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2016 - Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina (#10968) (XD) - $16.95  89 pts  wine review
• BRELLA PINOT NOIR 2014 - Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA (#514786) (XD) - $16.95  90 pts  wine review
• FINCA LOS MAZA RESERVA MALBEC 2016 - Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#10772) (XD) - $17.00  89 pts  wine review
• CAMILLE CAYRAN CAVE DE CAIRANNE LE CHÊNE NOIR 2017 - AP Côtes du Rhône-Villages, France (#10006) (XD) - $17.00  89 pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU DE TRÉVIAC CORBIÈRES 2017 - AP, Midi, France (#670505) (D) - $17.95

• MARQUES DE LA CONCORDIA VIÑA ALARDE RESERVA 2013 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#10548) (XD) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
• PAXTON AAA SHIRAZ/GRENACHE 2017 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#149898) (XD) - $19.95  90 pts  wine review
• FLAT ROCK PINOT NOIR 2018 - VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#1545) (XD) - $21.95  90+ pts  wine review
• UNDURRAGA TERROIR HUNTER CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2016 - Cauquenes, Maule Valley, Chile (#630350) (XD) - $24.95  FE
• AMAYNA SYRAH 2016 - Leyda Valley, Chile (#143529) (XD) - $28.95  FE
• CHÂTEAU DE MONTFAUCON BARON LOUIS LIRAC 2015 - AP, Rhône, France (#13438) (XD) - $29.95  91 pts  wine review

White Wine:

• TUSSOCK JUMPER CHENIN BLANC 2019 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#480764) (XD) - $12.95  88 pts  wine review
• LACHETEAU MUSCADET 2018 - AP, Loire, France (#10697) (XD) - $13.95  87 pts  wine review
• RIOLITE IL POGGIO GUERRIERO FALANGHINA BENEVENTANO 2017 - IGP, Campania, Italy (#10950) (D) - $15.95  87 pts  wine review
• PIERRE SPARR SOL CALCAIRE RIESLING 2015 - AC Alsace, France (#10683) (D) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review
• DR. SIEMENS SERRIGER WÜRZBURG FEINHERB RIESLING KABINETT 2010 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#524827) (M) - $18.95  FE
• BABICH BLACK LABEL PINOT GRIS 2017 - Estate grown and bottled, certified sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#447417) (XD) - $19.95  88+ pts  wine review
• TWO RIVERS CONVERGENCE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2018 - Certified sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#277707) (XD) - $19.95
• THE DOCTORS' RIESLING 2018 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#12321) (M) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• BACHELDER MINERALITÉ DE L'OREGON CHARDONNAY 2015 - Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA (#273334) (XD) - $24.95
• BACHELDER WISMER-FOXCROFT N. 2 CHARDONNAY 2015 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#547299) (XD) - $44.95

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Maycas del Limarí Reserva Especial Syrah 2008 (Chile) - Wine Review

For my first wine review of the year (and decade), I take you back more than a decade to this lovely 2008 Syrah from Chile that I opened tonight. It was purchased from the June 9, 2012 VINTAGES Release, when it was billed as the benchmark for Chilean Syrah.

Viña Maycas del Limarí is part of the Concha y Toro portfolio of wine brands. Maycas, meaning "ariable lands" in Quechua, were the foundation of South America's most powerful civilization, the Inca Empire. Formerly Inca lands in northern Chile, the Limarí Valley opens into a wide river basin of mineral-rich soils that receive a constant, fresh breeze off the Pacific Ocean.

Of course, this bottle is long sold out. However, the latest vintage may be available through their Agent in Ontario, Escalade Wines & Spirits.

Tasting Note:

MAYCAS DEL LIMARÍ RESERVA ESPECIAL SYRAH 2008 - Limarí Valley, Chile (#269423) (XD) - $19.95
Gorgeous, open, and mature aromas are savoury and earthy at its core, mingling with stewed blackberry and plum, layered over peppery spice, meaty, and whiffs of floral. It's full-bodied and still quite dense and chewy on the palate, supported by juicy acidity. Earthy and savoury flavours, plus black pepper spice, clove, cocoa, dark berry, and hints of mint and dried herb. Smooth, finely-grained tannins have integrated very nicely with a slightly chalky textured character. A touch warming on the mid-palate, but still impeccably balanced. Interesting medicinal, minty, dark berry, spice, cocoa, and savoury mineral notes linger on the long-lasting, juicy finish. Should continue to drink well over the next 2-3 years. Score: 90+ pts

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Nemeion Estate Réserve 2008 (Greece) - Wine Review

For tonight's wine review, I opened this lovely Agiorgitiko from Greece. I discovered this red wine at a Greek wine tasting event in May 2017 and found out that it was available for purchase at the Greece Destination Collection Store located on Danforth Avenue (in Toronto). On top of that, I found out that it was currently on promotion for under $17. On the first weekend after that tasting, I rushed over to The Danforth and picked up a bottle.

I would think this bottle would be long gone from shelves, however, I do see it listed on the LCBO website for $22. If you're in Greektown, you might want to pop-in to see if they have any bottles. Alternatively, you can reach out to the agent Intra Vino as they also have this delicious red wine from Greece listed on their website.

Tasting Note:

NEMEION ESTATE RÉSERVE 2008 - Nemea, Greece (#234624) (XD) - $16.90
Hand-harvested 100% Agiorgitiko grown on limestone soils with high copper content. It was aged for two years in French oak barrels, followed by another year in bottle prior to release. Fresh, medium-high intensity, dark fruited scented aromas of dark cherry, blackberry, and black currant mingle with limestone mineral, earth, and woody notes. It is medium-full bodied on the palate with stewed and slightly dried berry flavours plus fig, red cherry, smoke, savoury, earthy, and spice notes with a hint of florality. It's supported by succulent acids and refined, slightly chalky tannins that are still quite well structured. Earthy, mineral, dried cherry, and fig notes linger on the long finish, with excellent length. Should continue to drink well over the next 4-5 years. Score: 90 pts

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Valdebarón Reserva 2015 (Spain) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine arrived in LCBO VINTAGES back in October in conjunction with the Rioja Revelation wine tasting event that took place in downtown Toronto. After enjoying a pair of wines from Bodegas Olarra recently, I am expecting this bottle to also be delicious.

It is produced by Bodegas Ondarre. which is part of Bodegas Olarra Group. Founded in 1985 in the town of Viana, located in the province of Navarre in northern Spain, Bodegas Ondarre was created with the aim of making wines that clearly reflect the personality of the town. The identity of Viana is defined by the diversity of soils and the distribution of the small, old vineyards located on the slopes which climb up towards the mountains. With low-yielding vines and careful selection of the grapes, Bodegas Ondarre produces wines that are a reflection of the terroir, which expresses itself through the climate, soil and the handiwork of man.

Bodegas Ondarre produces classic Rioja wines, as well as specific vineyard wines under the "Valdebarón" label from their estate in Viana. The Valdebarón Reserva Tinto is made with grapes from northwest Viana, where the complex and shallow soils are a mix of limestone, clay, loam, and chalk. There are twelve south-facing vineyards which are planted between 450 to 695 metres elevation on cliffs and slopes at the northern end of the Rioja valley. The average age of the vines is over 35 years. All of this helps produce their best quality Tempranillo and Mazuelo. The label of this red wine is rather interesting as it represents an aerial view of the two streams in the Valdebarón area of Viana, along with the location of the twelve vineyards that make up this wine.

While this bottle appears to be sold out at the LCBO, you can reach out to Charles Jewett at Trilogy Wine Merchants for availability.

Tasting Note:

VALDEBARÓN RESERVA 2015 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#011784) (XD) - $22.95
A blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Mazuelo from specific vineyards that was raised in Allier (French) and Missouri (American) casks for 18 months. Medium-high intensity aromatics are elegant and complex with notes of dark red berry, spice, licorice, and black plum accented by herbs, savoury, earthy, and mineral notes. It's medium-full bodied on the palate with ripe red berry, spice, and earthy flavours supported by fresh acidity and fine-grained tannins that have just a touch of grippy texture. Earthy and mineral notes linger on the long finish. Enjoy over the next 5-6 years. Score: 89 pts

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Château Bel Orme Winemaker's Dinner (2019)

On a fine Thursday evening in September, I had the pleasure of attending a winemaker's dinner at The National Club in downtown Toronto. We enjoyed the wines from Bordeaux's Château Bel Orme with Winemaker/Vigneron Anne Françoise Quié in attendance.

After enjoying a glass of Louis Pommery Brut from California during the reception, which is made by French producer Champagne Pommery, we headed to the dining area to begin the evening's program that included a five-wine vertical of Château Bel Orme Tronquoy de Lalande and ended with a Sauternes.

The story of Château Bel Orme begins in 1936 when Anne's parents, Paul and Lucienne Quié, purchased the Château which overlooked the Gironde Estuary. Château Bel Orme covers an area of 30 hectares on Bordeaux's left bank, 6 miles north of Pauillac, with vineyards extending over the hills of the village. The name of the winery dates back to the 18th century, referring to the wooded park named "Bel Orme" that surrounds the Château. In 1946, Paul and Lucienne Quié acquired Château Rauzan-Gassies, a Margaux super second growth. Today, all of the Quié family's wine brands fall under the Domaines Quié umbrella.

We tasted five red wines from Château Bel Orme on this night, a vertical ranging from 2016 going back to 2000, including one wine that was poured out of an Imperial bottle. And if you didn't know, an Imperial bottle contains 6 L of wine - the equivalent of 8 standard 750 mL bottles of wine.

Wines from the left bank are traditionally Cabernet Sauvignon dominant. However, at Château Bel Orme they have planted more Merlot than Cabernet Sauvignon due to the Château's terroirs which consist of deep, sandy gravels. Moreover, because of their knowledge of the terroirs in the village of Saint Seurin de Cadourne and the results they've achieved over the years, they continue to plant more Merlot. This is reflected in the wines themselves as each of the five wines we tasted were Merlot dominant by varying degrees. It's also interesting to note that fermentation at the winery takes place in concrete vats - a growing trend in Bordeaux - and is followed by 12 months of ageing in French oak barrels.

The evening closed with Château d'Armajan des Ormes Sauternes (89 pts) dessert wine that paired beautifully with a cheese plate.

Thank you to Eurovintage for the invitation and the opportunity to try these fine wines from Bordeaux, as well as the California bubbly from Louis Pommery. All of these wines can be purchased by contacting Eurovintage Fine Wines & Spirits.

Tasting Notes:

CHÂTEAU BEL ORME TRONQUOY DE LALANDE 2016 - AC Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France (XD) - $38
A blend of 58% Merlot and 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, this has a ripe, medium-high intensity nose that offers elegant dark berry/cherry, currant, wet forest floor, complex wood spice, and touches of savoury notes. It's full-bodied with astringent, grippy tannins, fresh acids and ripe fruited aroma replays joined by herbally flavours. Very good finish length. Still very young, needs 3-4 years of cellar time. Score: 88 pts

CHÂTEAU BEL ORME TRONQUOY DE LALANDE 2011 - AC Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France (XD) - $37
Assembled with 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, this has a medium-high intensity nose that is clean, elegant, and refined with currant, cassis, and sweet oak spice with savoury notes laying underneath. It is full-bodied with refined tannins that are nicely maturing and lovely aroma replays with some herbally, forest floor, and mature fruit characters adding complexity. Acids are nicely balanced, while the long, balanced finish is earthy and savoury. In a fine place right now, and should continue to develop over the next 7-8 years. Score: 90 pts

CHÂTEAU BEL ORME TRONQUOY DE LALANDE 2006 - AC Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France (XD) - Sold Out
This blend of 63% Merlot and 37% Cabernet Sauvignon has a lovely, fragrant nose that is savoury with wet forest floor, earth, dried cherry/berry, and floral aromas. The medium-full bodied palate is mature with refined tannins that are soft, rounded and elegant. Flavours are nicely mature, showing finesses with balanced acidity. Savoury and dried berry notes on the linger on the long, finish. Could age another 6-7 years. Score: 92 pts

CHÂTEAU BEL ORME TRONQUOY DE LALANDE 2000 - AC Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France (XD) - $68
A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon that has a fragrant and mature nose with savoury, earthy, forest floor, olive, and barnyard aromas, all of which comes through nicely on the medium+ bodied palate with savoury and barnyard flavours more prominent. It has good acidity while the fine tannins are mature, smooth and well-integrated. There is just a touch of heat on the mid-palate, while the long finish continues with more savoury and barnyard notes. Drink soon. Score: 90 pts

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Olarra Erudito Reserva Especial 2015 (Spain) - Wine Review

After enjoying the 2010 Olarra Cerro Añon Gran Reserva over the weekend, tonight's wine review is another delicious offering from Bodegas Olarra Group. It arrived in LCBO VINTAGES on September 14th as a Flagship Store Exclusive, and small quantities are still available for purchase throughout Ontario.

The Erudito Reserva Especial, along with the Summa Reserva, are the top-tier, vineyard specific wines from Bodegas Olarra and are only made during exceptional vintages. The grapes for the Erudito come from a specially selected 12 hectare vineyard and are hand-harvested only when the grapes reach full maturity. It was vinified in small vats and fermented and aged on the lees. Further ageing occurred in new barrels for at least 18 months. Prior to bottling, in order to preserve the wine's unique character, it was left to settle without the use of any fining agents. Lastly, it spent a minimum of 18 months in the bottle cellar prior to release.

Tasting Note:

OLARRA ERUDITO RESERVA ESPECIAL 2015 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#378885) (XD) - $39.95
A single-vineyard blend of 90% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo that delivers an elegant, fragrant and intense nose of blackberry, black cherry, red berry, spice, licorice and smoky mineral aromas. It is medium-full bodied with fresh, juicy acidity that coats the palate. Lovely aroma replays on the flavour profile are joined by tobacco notes that add further complexity. Dusty, fine-grained tannins gain grip on the mid-palate. Excellent length with mineral notes on the long, balanced, and succulent finish. Enjoy over the next 6-7 years. Score: 92 pts

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Olarra Cerro Añon Gran Reserva 2010 (Spain) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a delicious red wine that arrived in LCBO VINTAGES as part of the Rioja Revelation wine tasting event that took place in downtown Toronto back in October.

It is produced by Bodegas Olarra Group, a winery with 40 years of experience that is also at the forefront of vinegrowing and winemaking in Spain. Bodegas Olarra was founded in 1970 and started by producing classically-styled Rioja wines which are only possible when proper and timely care is taken in the vineyards all throughout the year.

There have been many architectural feats in Rioja over the last 40 years. One of which is the building of Bodegas Olarra. It was designed by Juan Antonio Ridruejo in 1973 and inspired by and for wine. The most prominent feature of this building is the roof that crowns the underground barrel cellar (which holds 27,000 oak barrels) and is made up of 111 hexagonal domes that help prevent sharp changes in temperature.

The Cerro Añón range of wines are Bodegas Olarra's top range and are crafted based on Rioja’s long-standing tradition of combining grapes from different terroirs to create classically-styled wines of perfect assemblage. The grapes for this Gran Reserva primarily come from their vineyards in Rioja Alta, with a smaller portion coming from Rioja Alavesa. The average age of the vines is 30 years, and they sit on clay-rich soil in Rioja Alta, and on limestone-clay soils in Rioja Alavesa.

While this red wine quickly sold out soon after the Rioja Revelation tasting, a small number of cases may still be available through the agent, Trilogy Wine Merchants.

Tasting Note:

OLARRA CERRO AÑON GRAN RESERVA 2010 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#190827) (XD) - $23
A blend of approximately 80% Tempranillo, 10% Mazuelo, 5% Garnacha, and 5% Graciano that was aged in Allier and Missouri oak barrels for 27 months in a mix of new and used oak, and spent another 45 months in bottle prior to release. Fairly intense aromatics lift out of the glass with savoury, wood spice and dried berry/cherry notes mingling with leather and raisin characters. The aromas come through on the firm, full-bodied palate with juicy, saliva-inducing acids. Well-knit tannins have a slightly chalky texture. Earthy, wood spice, and coffee notes linger on the long, dry finish. Approachable now, but will benefit from ageing and drink well over the next 6-7 years. Score: 90+ pts

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