May 21, 2022 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Rosé

With warmer weather arriving, that usually means the return of many refreshing rosé wines at the LCBO. As such, the theme of the long weekend's May 21, 2022 LCBO VINTAGES Release is rosé wines. Also included in the magazine is a sneak preview of the June Online Exclusives. Wines from the May 21st release should be on shelves across Ontario by this Saturday, if not a day or two earlier.

We begin with the theme on rosé wines, which are not only ideal for summer drinking, but can also be enjoyed year-round. Of the fourteen wines listed as part of the theme, four are included among my top rosé wine picks and all are dry rosés from France. We start in the east in Provence with the Whispering Angel that is made with Grenache, Cinsault, and Rolle (Vermentino), while the AIX is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault. Moving westward into Rhône is the Tavel (which is one of the Wines of the Month) that consists of mainly Grenache, Clairette, and Syrah, but typically also includes other red and white varieties. Lastly, moving southwest is the rosé from Languedoc that consists of roughly 60% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, and 10% Syrah.

My red wine recommendations includes the other Wine of the Month - a delicious Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon. French red wine blends include a fine red from Bordeaux that is made with 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the Rhône red that is primarily Grenache with Syrah and Mourvèdre in support. Staying in France, the wine from Roussillon is a blend of 40% Grenache, 40% Syrah, and 20% Mourvèdre, while the Beaujolais is crafted with 100% Gamay. From Italy, the Valpolicella consists of 35% Corvina, 35% Corvinone, 20% Rondinella, and 10% Rossignola / Oseleta / Negrara / Dindarella, while the Riserva Chianti Classico is 100% Sangiovese. And lastly, the red wine from Argentina is a blend of 55% Malbec, 19% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah, 2% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc.

Among my white wine picks, the only blend is the Côtes du Rhône Blanc that consists of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier. Single varietal wines include a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, as well as the Fumé Blanc from Niagara that is a barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc. There's also a fine, dry Riesling from Niagara, a concentrated Pinot Grigio from Friuli, an Arneis from Piedmont, and a Chablis which is, of course, made with Chardonnay. The only wine with any kind of sweetness is the off-dry Gewurztraminer from Alsace.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• TEDESCHI CAPITEL NICALÒ VALPOLICELLA SUPERIORE 2019 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#984997) (XD) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
• XAVIER VIGNON CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2020 - AP, France (#297317) (XD) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
• SAN PEDRO 1865 SELECTED VINEYARDS CARMENÈRE 2020 - DO Valle de Maule, Chile (#249201) (XD) - $19.95
• WAKEFIELD ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - Clare Valley/Limestone Coast, South Australia (#744235) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• BLEASDALE MULBERRY TREE LANGHORNE CREEK CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - South Australia (#661892) (XD) - $19.95
• ARBOLEDA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - DO Valle del Aconcagua, Chile (#606764) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review

• TESSELLAE OLD VINES GRENACHE / SYRAH / MOURVÈDRE 2019 - AP Côtes du Roussillon, Midi, France (#343517) (XD) - $19.95
• PASCAL AUFRANC VIGNES DE 1939 CHÉNAS 2018 - AC, Beaujolais, France (#329987) (XD) - $20.95
• CLOS DE LOS SIETE 2018 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#622571) (XD) - $25.95  90+ pts  wine review
• HEWITSON NED & HENRY'S SHIRAZ 2019 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#54221) (XD) - $29.95
• L'ORME DE RAUZAN-GASSIES 2016 - AC Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France (#24211) (XD) - $35.95
• CASTELLO DI BOSSI BERARDO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2016 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#113316) (XD) - $38.95  93 pts  wine review

White Wine:

• FAMILLE PERRIN RÉSERVE CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2020 - AC, France (#499509) (XD) - $15.95
• FONTANAFREDDA PRADALUPO ROERO ARNEIS 2020 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#577700) (XD) $18.95  90 pts  wine review
• PIERRE SPARR GRANDE RÉSERVE GEWURZTRAMINER 2020 - AC Alsace, France (#747600) (D) - $19.95
• VILLA MARIA CELLAR SELECTION SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#974527) (XD) - $21.95
• DOMAINE LE VERGER CHABLIS 2019 - AC, Burgundy, France (#181289) (XD) - $26.95
• HIDDEN BENCH FUMÉ BLANC 2019 - Rosomel Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#68825) (XD) - $29.95
• CAVE SPRING CSV RIESLING 2019 - Cave Spring Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#566026) (XD) - $29.95  93 pts  wine review
• JERMANN PINOT GRIGIO 2020 - DOC Friuli, Italy (#12812) (XD) - $36.95  92 pts  wine review

Rosé Wine:

• GÉRARD BERTRAND CÔTE DES ROSES ROSÉ 2021 - AP Languedoc, France (#373985) (XD) - $18.95
• SAINT AIX ROSÉ 2021 - AP Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence, France (#451906) (XD) - $24.95
• CHÂTEAU D'AQUÉRIA TAVEL 2021 - AC, Rhône, France (#319368) (XD) - $24.95  91+ pts  wine review
• CAVES D'ESCLANS WHISPERING ANGEL ROSÉ 2021 - AC Côtes de Provence, France (#325076) (XD) - $28.95

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Xavier Vignon Côtes du Rhône 2020 (France) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is this lovely, organic Côtes du Rhône that I've had the pleasure of enjoying on a couple of occasions over the last few years. The latest edition of this Rhône red will arrive in stores at the LCBO this weekend as part of the May 21st LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Xavier Vignon, a man who started out as an consultant oenologist in 1996 in a laboratory in Vaucluse for 30+ cellars. Originally of Picardie in the North of France, he followed his passions of music and natural sciences and landed in Champagne to study in the faculty of pharmacy in Reims. A chance encounter with an oenologist while studying and Xavier caught the wine bug. He applied to the French National Diploma of Oenology and gained valuable experience working at several Champagne houses. Xavier worked several harvests across the globe, found mentors, and eventually settled in the southern Rhône Valley in 1996. He was amazed by the variety of terroirs and cultivars across the southern Rhône Valley and gained a reputation as a slightly mad consultant with innovative techniques.

In 1999, Xavier began producing artisanal cuvees from his garage for his friends. One of his friends secretly took his wines and submitted them to Guide Hachette where they received critical acclaim. In 2002, he started creating his own wines under the Xavier Vins label. Today, Xavier Vignon's two fundamental values are the love for a job well done and the capacity to transmit knowledge. He bottles wines under his own name and is known as a Terroir Hunter and Master Blender. With respect for the environment, Xavier's wines are the result of a scientific background, a great deal of experience, confidence in others, total involvement, exchange of knowledge, and shared pleasure.

My last full review of this wine was the 2017 Xavier Vignon Côtes du Rhône that I enjoyed three summers ago. This organic red wine continues to be a blend of primarily Grenache, with Syrah and Mourvèdre in support. The Grenache comes from 80-year-old vines, the Syrah from 45-year-old vines, and the Mourvèdre is from 60-year-old vines. The grapes were grown on Galets roulés (rolled pebbles), sands, clay, and limestone soils located mostly in the northern part of the Vaucluse and altitude parcels. Manually harvested, the grapes were fermented at moderate temperatures to favour soft diffusion of flavour compounds, and aged in concrete tanks for a short period of time. With a generally dry, sunny growing season, the 2020 vintage promises to be a very good year. Let's see how this 2020 Côtes du Rhône is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

XAVIER VIGNON CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2020 - AP, France (#297317) (XD) - $17.95
This organic wine is primarily Grenache with Syrah and Mourvèdre in support, aged in concrete tanks, and has a clean, fragrant, mineral-inflected nose layered with ripe black, blueberry, and violet aromas with meaty and dried herbal touches. On the medium-full bodied palate it is ripe and slightly warming, yet balanced, with black-blue-purple fruits, violet, stony mineral, and meaty flavours. Acids are crisp and juicy, while the ripe, supple tannins have some structure and chalky grip. Very good length on the long, savoury, minerally finish. I really like this. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Xavier Vignon are available at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Château d'Aquéria Tavel 2021 (Rhône) - Wine Review

Tonight's rosé wine review is this refreshingly lovely wine from the Tavel Cru in the southern Rhône Valley that is coming to LCBO VINTAGES on May 21 as the Wine of the Month and featured as part of the theme on rosé wines.

The long and fascinating history of Château d'Aquéria began in 1595 when Louis Joseph d'Aqueria purchased this prime vine-growing area of Tavel known as "Puy Sablonneux" from the monks at the Abbey in Villeneuve les Avignon. His son, Robert d'Aqueria, hereditary Count Palatine, built a home which was transformed in the 18th century into the Château as it stands today. Many families have since owned the Château, cherishing the lands as they honed the art of crafting wine with knowledge of their terroir, the vines, and the fruit of those vines. Today, Aquéria is owned and operated by brothers Bruno and Vincent de Bez. Aquéria has been applying environmentally-friendly winegrowing techniques for over 20 years while also preserving and protecting local floral and fauna. Sustainable agriculture and respect for the environment is part of Aquéria's identity.

The 2021 edition of this lovely Tavel Rosé is a blend of mainly Grenache, Clairette, and Syrah, and typically also includes small amounts of other varietals. The grapes were grown around the Château on sandy-clayey soils which are ideal for producing great rosé wines that are both fruity and complex. The grapes were hand-harvested and de-stemmed, then macerated to extract colour and structure. The varieties were then blended two-by-two to enhance aromatic complexity, then underwent temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel vats. A second blending took place in December before bottling this unoaked rosé.

At Château d'Aquéria, the climate is quintessentially Mediterranean with low rainfall, strong sunshine, and exposure to the Mistral winds. The growing season in 2021 was marked by capricious weather and seasons. Although Château d'Aquéria was spared freeze damage, they did have to be extremely vigilant throughout the season and their efforts were rewarded with a superb vintage in terms of both quality and quantity.

Having enjoyed previous vintages of this rosé, including most recently the 2020 Château d'Aquéria Tavel last May, I would expect this dry rosé to also be quite lovely. Let's see how this 2021 Tavel Rosé is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU D'AQUÉRIA TAVEL 2021 - AC, Rhône, France (#319368) (XD) - $24.95
Blend of mainly Grenache, Clairette, and Syrah, the lovely, medium-high intensity aromatics offer fresh, red fruited aromas of raspberry, strawberry, cherry, and fine mineral notes with hints of citrus and peach. On the dry, medium-full bodied palate it is very nicely balanced with raspberry, cherry, strawberry, currant, mineral, and citrus flavours, plus lightly peppery and herbal notes, all lifted by fresh acidity. Minerally, red fruited, and citrus notes linger on the long, juicy, and crisp finish. I think even better than last year's edition. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

Other lovely wines by Château d'Aquéria are available through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Domaine Drouhin Roserock Pinot Noir 2019 (Oregon) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is this beautiful Pinot Noir from the Eola-Amity Hills AVA in Oregon that arrived at the LCBO recently as part of the April 30th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Domaine Drouhin Oregon, a winemaking family whose roots were planted in Burgundy in 1880 when Joseph Drouhin moved from Chablis to Beaune and purchased a wine house that was founded in 1756. Oregon entered the picture when Robert Drouhin, grandson of Joseph, was invited to visit Oregon while on a trip to America's west coast in 1961. Although there were no vineyards in Willamette Valley at the time, Robert was impressed by the natural beauty of the region.

In 1979, a Pinot Noir from Oregon finished in the top 10 in the Gault-Millau Wine Olympiad in Paris. Intrigued by the results, Robert re-staged this tasting at the Drouhin cellars in Beaune, including many of his own Burgundies, in order to better understand the competition from the new world. Amazingly, the same Oregon wine placed 2nd, and only by a very narrow margin.

In 1986, Robert's daughter Véronique came to Oregon after achieving her master's diploma in enology. She worked that first harvest with three Oregon families who were some of the state's founding families of Oregon wine, and her profound first impression help form the bond between the Drouhins and these families. A year later, Robert purchased an exceptional piece of land in Dundee Hills and asked Véronique to be the winemaker, even though there was no vineyard, winery, or equipment. Robert also later asked his son Philippe to be in charge of viticulture. In 1988, Domaine Drouhin Oregon was born with Véronique making wine in a rented space.

Fast forward to 2013 and Roserock continues the Drouhin family's commitment to Oregon as the newest chapter of their story. The extraordinary Roserock vineyard was purchased in 2013 because of its exceptional terroir marked by ancient volcanic soils, cooler temperatures due to the Van Duzer corridor, and an ideal elevation range. The 279 acre site is located at the southern tip of the Eola-Amity Hills in Oregon's Willamette Valley, and is planted to 122 acres of vines. This vineyard produces classic cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir - both of which I've had the opportunity to taste in past and both were lovely.

This Pinot Noir is a cuvée selection from the estate's 35 Pinot Noir blocks at the Roserock vineyard. The grapes were hand-picked, sorted, and individually fermented. Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir wines are typically known for their structure and power, however, winemaker Véronique Boss-Drouhin has crafted this Pinot to emphasize elegance and refinement, yet also age-worthy. Let's see how this 2019 Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir from Oregon is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

DOMAINE DROUHIN ROSEROCK PINOT NOIR 2019 - Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA (#529107) (XD) - $42.95
The fragrant, medium-high to highly aromatic nose offers lovely aromas of sweet, ripe red cherry, raspberry, and currant joined by strawberry, subtle wood spice, and touches of smoky minerality laying underneath. It's medium+ bodied and crunchy with an elegant, lightly structured mouthfeel and lovely ripe, red cherry, raspberry, strawberry, and currant flavours flecked with savoury, smoky minerals in a harmonious profile. Acids are fresh and juicy, while the tannins are smooth, refined, and lightly structured. Savoury and minerally with touches of smoke lingering on the finish, with excellent length. Highly recommended buy! Score: 92+ pts

Other fine wines by Domaine Drouhin are available at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Dandurand.

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May 12, 2022 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Online Exclusives

The first full Online Exclusives Release is on May 12, 2022. All of these wines can be purchased online only on lcbo.com starting on Thursday. There is no theme to this collection of 41 wines, of which a dozen are included among my top wine picks, but there is a strong contingent of New Zealand wines with almost half of my recommendations coming from the South Pacific island nation.

From New Zealand, the only North Island wine is a Syrah from Hawke's Bay. From the South Island in Waipara, there are two wines from the same producer - Pinot Noit and a Chardonnay. There is also an intriguing 2015 Grüner Veltliner from Marlborough, and a Sauvignon Blanc from Lake Wanaka in Central Otago.

Red wines from the rest of the release include Pinot Noir wines from Niagara and Chile, a Malbec from Cahors, a 2015 Montepulciano from Abruzzo, and lastly, a Nebbiolo from Piedmont. White wines include a lovely blend of 72% Semillon and 28% Sauvignon Blanc from Niagara, while the Rhone-white blend from California consists of 44% Viognier, 29% Marsanne, 19% Grenache Blanc, and 8% Roussanne.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• CHÂTEAU VINCENS ORIGINE MALBEC 2017 - AC Cahors, Southwest, France (#343400) (XD) - $19.95
• MIRAFIORE NEBBIOLO 2019 - DOC Langhe, Piedmont, Italy (#25524) (XD) - $24.95  90 pts  wine review
• FANTINI COLLINE TERAMANE MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2015 - DOCG, Abruzzo, Italy (#26195) (XD) - $27.95
• ELEPHANT HILL SYRAH 2018 - Hawke's Bay, North Island, New Zealand (#408633) (XD) - $29.95
• BAETTIG VINO DE VIÑEDO LOS PARIENTES PINOT NOIR 2020 - DO Traiguén, Valle del Malleco, Chile (#23083) (XD) - $33.95
• MUDDY WATER PINOT NOIR 2018 - Waipara, South Island, New Zealand (#19622) (XD) - $39.95
• BACHELDER WISMER-PARKE PINOT NOIR 2019 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#520379) (XD) - $44.95

White Wine:

• CREEKSIDE ICONOCLAST SEMILLON / SAUVIGNON BLANC 2018 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#520627) (XD) - $23.00  91 pts  wine review
• BLANK CANVAS GRÜNER VELTLINER 2015 - Sustainable, Berakah Vineyard, Rapaura, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#22874) (XD) - $31.95
• RIPPON SAUVIGNON BLANC 2020 - Lake Wanaka, Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand (#17588) (XD) - $32.95
• TABLAS CREEK CÔTES DE TABLAS BLANC 2019 - Adelaida District, Paso Robles, California, USA (#36616) (XD) - $36.95
• MUDDY WATER CHARDONNAY 2018 - Waipara, South Island, New Zealand (#19618) (XD) - $39.95

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3Q Umbria Rosso 2018 (Italy) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a delicious red wine from Italy that comes in eco-friendly packaging. The world's first paper wine bottle was launched at the LCBO in March and is widely available across Ontario.

The wine is produced by Cantina Goccia. It was founded 15 years ago and borne out of the pure love of Umbria and its unrecognized potential as a superb wine producing area deep in the heart of Italy when they transformed an unloved vineyard into an award-winning producer of outstanding wines. With a focus on tradition, quality, and innovation, Cantina Goccia is proud to be the very first vineyard to use the Frugal Bottle, the world's first paper wine bottle.

Packaged by Frugalpac, the outer shell of this "bottle" is made with 94% recycled cardboard, which is 5 times lighter than a glass bottle, making it easier to carry and transport. I can attest that this bottle is quite light, and helps reduce its carbon footprint, which is already 84% less than glass and 1/3 less than 100% plastic. To keep the wine inside safe, it uses a food-grade liner. To recycle, simply split the bottle, remove the liner, and recycle the paper shell.

Tasting Note:

3Q UMBRIA ROSSO 2018 - IGT Umbria, Italy (#22878) (XD) - $16.95
Screw cap. This unoaked blend of 60% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Merlot has a medium-high intensity nose that is spicy and perfumed with red and black fruit, blackberry, currant, cassis, plum, and herbs with chocolate and wet earth tones. It's medium-full bodied on the ripe, dry, and fruity palate with plummy, red and black cherry, currant, herbs, and savoury earth flavours. Fresh acids and supple, grainy textured tannins offer a pleasing mouthfeel, while earthy and chocolate notes with a slight tang linger on the finish, with very good length. Recommended buy for the juice and commendable packaging! Score: 88 pts

Other wines by Cantina Goccia can be ordered through their Agent - DB Wine & Spirits.

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M. Chapoutier Bila-Haut Occultum Lapidem 2018 (Roussillon) - Wine Review

After enjoying the excellent 2017 M. Chapoutier Bila-Haut Occultum Lapidem around this time last year, tonight's red wine review is the latest vintage of this perennially lovely wine from Roussillon that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release on April 30th.

It is produced by Maison M. Chapoutier, one of the iconic names in northern Rhône Valley winemaking whose roots go back to the year 1808 in Rue de l'Hermitage in Tain. Marius Chapoutier joined the company in 1897 and had complete control of the winery by the 1920's. Passed down through the generations, M. Chapoutier is led today by the highly acclaimed winemaker Michel Chapoutier who took control of operations in 1990. Michel has a passion for the environment, thirst for knowledge, and drive for innovation, and began applying biodynamic cultivation techniques in the year 2000, the same year Chapoutier expanded into Roussillon.

Domaine de Bila-Haut was Michel's first domain in Roussillon. It is located in Latour de France on a bend in the Agly river. The had an intense, forceful, and sometimes violent past, but also has contoured terraces with stony soils and rich geology. The climate is climate is Mediterranean with long, hot summers, and relatively mild winters, while experiencing more sunshine over the course of a year than any other part of France. This Occultum Lapidem wine was the first expression of this terroir and is a blend of mainly Syrah and Grenache, plus some Carignan, all grown in a vineyard with gneiss and schistous soils from the Devonian Period (approx. 400 million ago) and limestone from Kimmeridgian Period (approx. 150 million years ago). The grapes were hand-harvested, non-pressed, and de-stemmed prior to fermentation. It was aged entirely in concrete tanks.

In 2018, Chapoutier reports that they (finally!) had perfect water balance for an outstanding vintage. Rainfall had been scarce in Roussillon since 2014, but in 2018 the exceptional rainfall arrived at opportune times. September was also noteworthy with average daytime temperatures reaching 30°C, along with cool nights, and no tramontane wind but a light sea breeze. This allowed the grapes to gradually ripen and reach phenolic maturity, resulting in wines with freshness, aromatic complexity, and lower alcohol content, all characters worthy of a great year in Roussillon. In this particular wine, the schist soils provided suppleness, while the Syrah offered sophisticated spiciness, and Grenache grown in limestone soils gave the wine exceptional structure. Let's see how this 2018 wine from Roussillon is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

M. CHAPOUTIER BILA-HAUT OCCULTUM LAPIDEM 2018 - AP Côtes du Roussillon-Villages
Latour-de-France, France (#643239) (XD) - $26.95
Matured in concrete tanks, this blend of mainly Syrah and Grenache, plus Carignan has a medium-high to highly aromatic nose with lovely, ripe wild berry aromas in the shades of black-red-blue, joined by plum, peppery spice, and dried herb, and underlying meaty and minerally notes. It's medium-full bodied with lovely raspberry, blackberry, pepper, and mineral flavours with hints of violet. It's got fresh acidity and smooth, supple, and lightly structured tannins. Raspberry, wild berry, and meaty flavoured, tapering to a long, minerally, and very satisfying finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 92 pts

Other lovely wines by M. Chapoutier are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Dandurand.

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Errázuriz Aconcagua Alto Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (Chile) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is the latest vintage of this consistently delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as the Wine of the Month in the April 30th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Viña Errázuriz was founded in 1870 by Don Maximiano Errázuriz. a visionary who planted the first French grape varieties in Chile's Aconcagua Valley. By 1873, the winery had over 300 hectares of vineyards and launched their first wine. Rafael Errázuriz, the son of Don Maximiano, took over the property by 1890 and established 700 hectares of vines to become the largest vineyard in the world in the hands of a single owner. Today, Viña Errázuriz continues to thrive with global accolades under Eduardo Chadwick Claro, the fifth generation of the family. Francisco Baettig, Viña Errázuriz's Technical Director, is considered to be one of the top 5 trend-setting winemakers of South America.

Errázuriz has quite a large portfolio of wines, and this red wine is from their "Specialties" range that reflects their exploration of the Aconcagua Valley for the best and purest expression of each variety through wines that show their true sense of origin. The Specialties range is divided into wines which are near the Pacific Ocean, or Aconcagua Costa, and Aconcagua Alto (Mount Aconcagua) which is the highest peak in the western hemisphere.

Like the 2018 Errázuriz Aconcagua Alto Cabernet Sauvignon I enjoyed in August of last year, the 2019 edition of this Cabernet Sauvignon is also sourced primarily from Errazuriz's Max vineyards which are located in the interior of the Aconcagua Valley at 600 metres elevation. The soils in the vineyard are of colluvial origin and predominantly silty textured, but also quite diverse in its unique nutrition and drainage conditions which help control plant vigour and produce balanced fruit loads with small bunches and berries. The grapes were hand-picked early in the morning to retain freshness and inspected on a double selection table, crushed, and finally deposited into stainless steel tanks for fermentation. After maceration and fermentation, the wine was aged in French oak barrels (35% new) for 14 months.

The growing season in 2019 was dry and warm with the absence of rains ensuring splendid conditions for the grapes. Harvest was earlier, while the vineyards' quality once again demonstrated its excellence given the climatic fluctuations, droughts and high temperatures to deliver grapes of superb concentration while preserving the aromas and acidity in the wines. From a very good vintage, let's see how this 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ERRAZURIZ ACONCAGUA ALTO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - DO Valle del Aconcagua, Chile (#203364) (XD) - $21.95
The fresh, medium-high intensity nose delivers well-balanced aromas of evergreen, leafy, and herbs mingling with both red black fruits, cassis, and currant, and touches of sandalwood in a cool-climate profile. It's medium+ bodied with ripe, grainy textured tannins and lovely aroma replays on the palate. Acids are fresh and saliva-inducing. Oak, plus touches of woodsmoke and mineral join the currant, cassis, and evergreen notes on the long, satisfying finish. Enjoyable now, but will be even better in 1-2 years. Recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Other fine wines from Viña Errázuriz are available not only at the LCBO, but also through their Agent - Dandurand. There is also An Evening with Errázuriz reception & dinner Vintages event being held on May 11.

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Pierre Amadieu Romane Machotte Gigondas 2019 (Rhône) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is this beautiful organic and biodynamic Gigondas from Rhône that arrived at the LCBO last weekend in the April 30th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Pierre Amadieu has been winegrowing in the hills of Gigondas since 1929. At the time, he had a 7 hectare vineyard that had been passed down through the generations. Pierre Amadieu was one of the first producers to print the name of the appellation on its labels and played an instrumental role in developing and promoting Gigondas wines. Near the village in 1945, Pierre Amadieu built a winemaking facility and a subterranean ageing cellar that was dug two levels underground to ensure constant temperature and hygrometry.

In 1950, Pierre Amadieu, who was a pioneer in several domains in Gigondas, purchased two properties that were historically linked - Romane and La Machotte. With this purchase, Pierre Amadieu became the largest estate in Gigondas with 137 hectares of vines that were surrounded by 200 hectares of garrigue and holm oaks, assuring natural protection of the vineyard. In 1955, he purchased an old railway tunnel near Pierrelongue (Drôme) to allow for exceptional ageing of his wines. The property at La Machotte is equipped with oak casks still in use today, as well as takes advantage of natural air conditioning, and also has 13th century ceramic vats which are still visible. Well before environmental awareness grew across the globe, 1,200 sheep were pasturing in the vineyards in the off-season and providing natural manure and controlled ground cover planting to obtain a natural and healthy vineyard.

The next generation took up the reins in the vineyard and cellar when Pierre Amadieu's sons Jean-Pierre and Claude joined the family business in 1965 and 1975. In 1989, Pierre Amadieu Jr. (Jean-Pierre's son) became the head of the company and represented the third generation of the family. Soon thereafter, Pierre was joined by his three cousins Henri-Claude, Jean-Marie, and Marie, and all three play important roles in the company. In 2019, Pierre Amadieu celebrated its 90th vintage and with a commitment to continuously improving their knowledge and infrastructure, they inaugurated their new ageing cellar that was built in natural stone. Their goal is to produce well-balanced, fine wines that reveal the elegance and richness of their protected terroirs located in the heights of the Gigondas appellation.

This particular red wine is a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah that was grown in the southern Rhone Valley Cru of Gigondas on vines that are deeply rooted on the hillsides of the family estate, where the scent of "garrigue" that grew there for centuries still perfumes the vines that replaced it. The vineyard is located at 300 metres altitude, faces northwest, and has soils composed of alternating Cretaceous limestone and marl. The grapes for this bottling were grown on vines averaging 45 years. After hand-picking the grapes, it was fermented in concrete tanks and aged for 12 months in foudres and barrels.

Tasting Note:

PIERRE AMADIEU ROMANE MACHOTTE GIGONDAS 2019 - AC, Rhône, France (#17400) (XD) - $27.95
Composed of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, the fragrant nose is intense and spicy with beautiful aromas of garrigue, peppery spice, raspberry, dark cherry, floral, and dried herb flecked with smoky minerals. It's medium-full bodied, structured, and ripe with plummy, black cherry, raspberry, smoky flavours. It has fresh, well-balanced acidity, while the tannins are supple, structured, and a bit tight. Smoky raspberry notes linger on the long, juicy, and crisp finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

Other excellent wines by Pierre Amadieu can be ordered through their Agent - Trilogy Wine Group.

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Mike Weir Meritage 2010 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is this lovely 2010 Meritage that I first enjoyed at the winery back in January 2016 during the annual Niagara Icewine Festival.

Unfortunately, as I mentioned when I enjoyed the 2013 Mike Weir Cabernet Franc Icewine a few months ago, Mike Weir Winery closed its doors for good sometime in Spring 2018. This is also my last bottle of any Mike Weir wine. On the bright side, the property was sold and reopened as Locust Lane Estate Winery in Spring/Summer 2020.

When I first tasted this red crafted with Bordeaux varieties from the exceptional 2010 Niagara vintage, I mentioned that it could be enjoyed up to 2023. Let's see how this red wine from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MIKE WEIR MERITAGE 2010 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $19.95
Composed of Bordeaux varieties Cabernet Sauvignon (40%), Cabernet Franc (34%), and Merlot (26%). It pours a mature deep tawny colour and has a lovely, medium-high intensity nose offering complex aromas of dried dark berry, stewed plums and berries, sweet spice, and touches of evergreen and red pepper. It's medium-full bodied with mature, very smooth tannins with a slight grip. Dried berry, plum, sweet spice, chocolate, and some floral notes on the flavour profile. It has very good structure and acids are still well-balanced. Chocolate, savoury, and earthy notes linger on the long finish. Only 12% abv. It has aged well and is a joy to sip. Score: 91 pts

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Wakefield Estate Chardonnay 2020 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is the latest edition of the lovely Estate Label Chardonnay by Wakefield Wines that arrives at the LCBO this weekend as part of the April 30th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Wakefield Wines, a family-owned and -operated winery that was founded by Bill Taylor Sr. and his two sons near the Wakefield River in South Australia's Clare Valley in 1969. Today, the third generation of the family - Mitchell, Justin and Clinton - continue the family tradition of making delicious wines that stand the test of time. The Taylor family is firmly committed to sustainability and producing wines in a responsible manner that respects the fruit and the land where it came from. The Taylor family also has an innovative spirit, and one of these innovations includes an Optimum Drinking Sensor that is on the back label of many of their wines.

Like the 2019 Wakefield Estate Chardonnay that I enjoyed just over a year ago, this vintage is also crafted with Chardonnay from Padthaway and Clare Valley. Although the percentage from each region was unspecified last time, this vintage is composed of 57% Padthaway and 43% Clare Valley Chardonnay. A small portion of this wine was barrel-fermented and stirred on its lees for 4 months. After 6-8 months of ageing in French oak, the wine was blended and bottled. Let's see how this 2020 Chardonnay is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

WAKEFIELD ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2020 - Padthaway & Clare Valley, South Australia (#711556) (XD) - $16.95
Screw cap. The medium-high intensity nose is fresh with ripe apple, citrus, pear, and butter aromas nuanced with vanilla, lactic, and yoghurt notes. On the dry, medium+ bodied, and creamy palate it is lightly honeyed with citrusy, apple, pear, butter, and vanilla flavours supported by crisp, fresh acidity. Leesy mineral, apple, citrus, butter, with touches of sweet vanillin oak and saline linger on the long finish. Might be my favourite vintage so far. Highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Wakefield are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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April 30, 2022 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Signature Europe

The theme of the upcoming, and relatively large, April 30, 2022 LCBO VINTAGES Release features Signature wines from Europe. Also previewed in the magazine are the next batch of Online Exclusives that will be available for purchase starting May 12. As well, this release is the last in-store release until the May long weekend as the LCBO shifts to one in-store and one online-only release per month for the summer. Wines from this release should be on shelves across Ontario by this Saturday.

We begin with the theme titled "Signature Europe" that looks at nine classic European wine regions, with fifteen wines represented and five included among my top wine picks. Among the white wines is a Chardonnay from the Montagny appellation in Burgundy, and a Sauvignon Blanc from the Pouilly-Fumé appellation in Loire. Red wines from Europe's signature wine regions include a Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Rhône that is a blend of 75% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, 5% Cinsault, while the Rioja red consists of Tempranillo and Graciano. Lastly, the Barolo from Piedmont is crafted with Nebbiolo.

Red wine picks from the rest of the release begin with both Wines of the Month - a Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon and the wine from Languedoc that is a blend of 50% Syrah, 30% Grenache, and 20% Mourvèdre. Blends from Rhône include the Gigondas which is a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, while the Lirac is made with 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 10% Cinsault. Also from France, the wine from Roussillon consists of approximately 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, and 10% Carignan, while the Malbec from Uco Valley is actually a blend of 96% Malbec and 4% Merlot.

Among my white wine recommendations, the only blend is from Roussillon which consists of Grenache Blanc and Roussanne. Single varietal white wines include a pair of lovely Sauvignon Blanc wines from New Zealand and a trio of Chardonnays - one each from Niagara, Argentina, and Australia. If you enjoy wines with some sweetness, the off-dry Riesling from New Zealand should be on your shopping list, and if you enjoy more sweeter, try the semi-dry (i.e. quite sweet) Gewurztraminer from Alsace.

Both of my rosé wine picks are dry rosé wines crafted with a single varietal. The rosé from Rioja is made with Garnacha (i.e. Grenache), while the Californian rosé with crafted with Petite Sirah.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• LA POSTA ESTELA ARMANDO BONARDA 2020 - Mendoza, Argentina (#261586) (XD) - $15.95  89 pts  wine review
• RIOJA VEGA CRIANZA 2018 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#471854) (XD) - $16.95
• ANGOVE FAMILY CREST SHIRAZ 2018 - Vegan, McLaren Vale, South Australia (#12842) (XD) - $19.95
• SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE MALBEC 2019 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#79798) (XD) - $20.95  89 pts  wine review
• CAVE DE ROQUEBRUN LA GRANGE DES COMBES SAINT-CHINIAN-ROQUEBRUN 2019 - AC, Languedoc, France (#155804) (XD) - $20.95

• FEATHERSTONE CABERNET FRANC 2019 - Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#64618) (XD) - $21.95  89 pts  wine review
  
• ERRAZURIZ ACONCAGUA ALTO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - DO Valle del Aconcagua, Chile (#203364) (XD) - $21.95  90 pts  wine review
• MATETIC CORRALILLO SYRAH 2017 - Estate bottled, DO Valle de San Antonio, Chile (#146407) (XD) - $21.95
• CATENA APPELLATION AGRELO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - Agrelo, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#484303) (XD) - $21.95
• CHÂTEAU DE MONTFAUCON 2019 - AP Lirac, Rhône, France (#15447) (XD) - $24.95

• M. CHAPOUTIER BILA-HAUT OCCULTUM LAPIDEM 2018 - AP Côtes du Roussillon-Villages Latour-de-France, France (#643239) (XD) - $26.95  92 pts  wine review
• PIERRE AMADIEU ROMANE MACHOTTE GIGONDAS 2019 - AC, Rhône, France (#17400) (XD) - $27.95  91 pts  wine review
• DOMAINE DROUHIN ROSEROCK PINOT NOIR 2019 - Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA (#529107) (XD) - $42.95  92+ pts  wine review
• TENUTA ROCCA COMUNE DI SERRALUNGA D'ALBA BAROLO 2016 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#154591) (XD) - $56.95
• LE VIEUX DONJON CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2019 - AC, Rhône, France (#700922) (XD) - $68.95

White Wine:

• WAKEFIELD ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2020 - Padthaway & Clare Valley, South Australia (#711556) (XD) - $16.95  89 pts  wine review
• SAINT-ROCH VIEILLES VIGNES CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON GRENACHE BLANC / ROUSSANNE 2020 - AP, France (#175232) (XD) - $16.95
• JOSEPH CATTIN GEWURZTRAMINER 2019 - Sustainable, AC Alsace, France (#224626) (M) - $17.95
• PADDY BORTHWICK SAUVIGNON BLANC 2020 - Wairarapa, North Island, New Zealand (#361220) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• VIGNERONS DE BUXY BUISSONNIER MONTAGNY 2019 - AC, Burgundy, France (#382879) (XD) - $20.95
• KAHURANGI MOUNT ARTHUR RESERVE RIESLING 2017 - Vegan, sustainable, single vineyard, Nelson, South Island, New Zealand (#14559) (D) - $22.95  89 pts  wine review
• EL ENEMIGO CHARDONNAY 2019 - Mendoza, Argentina (#482984) (XD) - $24.95
• HENRI BOURGEOIS EN TRAVERTIN POUILLY-FUMÉ 2019 - AC, Loire, France (#12097) (XD) - $29.95
• VILLA MARIA TAYLORS PASS SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2020 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#13901) (XD) - $29.95
• LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS CHARDONNAY 2019 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#184549) (XD) - $44.95

Rosé Wine:

• IZADI LARROSA GARNACHA ROSÉ 2021 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#490961) (XD) - $16.95
• GRANDEUR ROSÉ 2021 - Vegan, estate grown, White Flower Vineyard, Monterey County, California, USA (#25115) (XD) - $24.95

Sparkling Wine:

• WOLFBERGER BRUT CRÉMANT D'ALSACE - Traditional method, AC, Alsace, France (#460832) (XD) - $19.95
• MEDICI ERMETE & FIGLI ARTE E CONCERTO LAMBRUSCO 2020 - DOC Reggiano Lambrusco, Emilia-Romagna, Italy (#208967) (D) - $20.95

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La Posta Estela Armando Bonarda 2020 (Argentina) - Wine Review

After enjoying the 2018 La Posta Estela Armando Bonarda back in August 2020, tonight's red wine review is the latest vintage of this lovely Bonarda from Argentina that arrives at the LCBO this weekend in the April 30th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Produced by La Posta Vineyards, a range of entry-level wines which are part of the Catena family and formed in the year 2000 after Dr. Laura Catena discovered a handful of growers who consistently showed impressive results with specific varietals year-after-year. La Posta wines salute these hard-working growers who strive for superior flavours from grapes they grow on their own estate, and produce wines that are often single vineyard bottles. Each La Posta label illustrates a story of these individual families and are inspired by Art Nouveau and Art Déco designs of the 1920s and 1930s.

The grapes for this Bonarda were grown by Estela Armando. Her family has been growing grapes in Mendoza since 1887, one year after they arrived from the Piedmont region of Northern Italy. Estela's great-grandfather started the family wine business by growing grapes, making wine, and then taking the wine by mule train in leather wine bags to sell to the workers building the Trans-Andean railroad. The grapes used in this Bonarda were planted by Estela's grandfather and father in 1963 in the vineyard that she still tends to. The combination of a unique place, old vines, and very little irrigation helps create grapes of high quality. With this Bonarda, Estela invites you to venture into the Andes as Summer gives way to Fall and the snow-capped mountains grow whiter, while the water of the Desaguadero River gets bluer with each day.

This red wine is crafted with 100% Bonarda, Argentina's second-most widely planted red varietal. It was grown in a single vineyard planted in 1963 and located in Guaymallén in eastern Mendoza at an elevation of 700 metres (2,300 feet). The soils at this vineyard are shallow loamy clay with gravel subsoils. During vinification, 30% of this Bonarda was aged for 10 months in 2nd and 3rd use French oak barrels. The exceptional 2020 harvest is noted as one of the earliest and warmest vintages in Mendoza, with reduced yields, but also produced extraordinarily high quality grapes under the otherwise terrible circumstances. Let's see how this 2020 Bonarda is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

LA POSTA ESTELA ARMANDO BONARDA 2020 - Mendoza, Argentina (#261586) (XD) - $15.95
The fresh, lifted nose offers generous aromas of black cherry, blackberry, raspberry, and plum with whiffs of stony minerals and violet. On the ripe, medium-full bodied palate it has pleasing black cherry, raspberry, blackberry, mineral, and plum replays on the flavour profile. Acids are juicy, while the supple, dusty textured tannins have a nice mouthfeel. Fine mineral notes with dark berries linger on the long finish. Even better than the 2018, this is a highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other delicious wines by La Posta are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (Australia) - Wine Review (Apr. 2022)

Tonight's red wine review is this lovely Australian Cabernet Sauvignon that returned to the LCBO in the April 16th VINTAGES Release last weekend.

Wakefield Wines was founded by the Taylor family in the Clare Valley of South Australia, in 1969. After many years of making wines for others, Bill Taylor Sr. and his two sons wanted to create their own estate wines inspired by Bordeaux producers and settled by the Wakefield River in Clare Valley. Upon excavating the site to secure a water source, Bill discovered tiny seahorses in the limestone bedrock and served as a reminder that these lands were under water more than 600 million years ago. Today, three seahorses grace the labels of Wakefield Wines and represent three generations of Taylor family winemakers. Wakefield is one of the most respected names and consistently reliable producers in the industry. As a family-owned wine company operating for more than 50 years, Wakefield is committed to sustainability and has a desire to leave a legacy for future generations.

I first enjoyed the 2018 Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon last September and am curious to see if it has evolved much over the past 7 months. Crafted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the grapes are actually from two regions - Clare Valley in the northern part of South Australia, and Coonawarra with its rich terra rossa soils located in the south. In 2018, Clare Valley experienced a warm and dry growing season that was also relatively and controlled, while avoiding major heatwaves. Coonawarra delivered excellent fruit quality at harvest due to the winter and spring rainfall providing good conditions for fruit set, followed by slow and cool ripening producing fruit with fine tannins and strong varietal characters.

Let's see how this 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

WAKEFIELD JARAMAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 - Clare Valley & Coonawarra, South Australia (#142398) (XD) - $24.95
Matured in French oak barrels (50% 1 year old, and the rest 2 and 3 year old) for 10-12 months before being bottled and enclosed by screw cap. The fresh, medium-high intensity nose leads with cool minty herbs, red & blackcurrant, cassis, and raspberry aromas layered over savoury earthy and wood spice notes. It's full-bodied and rich with pleasing minty herbs, currant, and earthy wood spice replays on the flavour profile and fresh, vibrant acidity. Ripe, structured tannins are smooth and refined with a very subtle chalky grip. Minty, currant, and mocha chocolate notes linger on the long, succulent finish. Give it a light chill and enjoy this recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

Other lovely wines by Wakefield are available at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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J. Laurens Le Moulin Brut Blanquette de Limoux (Midi) - Wine Review (Apr. 2022)

I've enjoyed this lovely Limoux sparkling wine on a couple of occasions now, including most recently in May 2021 when it showed up in VINTAGES that month. For tonight's sparkling wine review, I bring you the latest batch of this delicious sparkling wine that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the April 16th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Limoux wine is produced around the city of Limoux in Languedoc, in southwestern France, with sparkling wines dominating the production. The main grape of the region is Mauzac, known locally as Blanquette because of a fine white coating that forms on its leaves, followed by Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc. Historically, it is widely believed that the world's first sparkling wines were produced in the region of Limoux in 1531 by the monks of the abbey in Saint-Hilaire. Fast forward to 1929 and the Limoux production area was the first delimited area in France, followed by the first Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) in Languedoc (and one of the very first in France) in 1938.

This Limoux sparkling wine is produced by Domaine J. Laurens. Established in the 1980s by Michel Dervin of Champagne, J. Laurens is located in the south of France in the small village of La Digne d'Aval, 5 kilometres from Limoux, a stone’s throw away from the famous old city of Carcassonne, one hour from Toulouse, and two hours from Montpellier. A native of Limoux, Jacques Calvel took over the domaine in 2002 and with the help of Michel and cellar master Henri Albrus, the domaine was expanded and modernized in order to guarantee high quality wines every year.

Today, J. Laurens produces a fine range of AOC Limoux sparkling wines in the traditional method. Among the many rules of the AOC, yields are limited to 50 hl/hectare, hand-harvested and uncrushed grapes only, and the wines must rest on their lees for a minimum of 9 months. J. Laurens is aware of the importance of protecting the environment and respecting biological diversity, and applies the principles of sustainable agriculture with the help of a qualified technician.

Tasting Note:

J. LAURENS LE MOULIN BRUT BLANQUETTE DE LIMOUX - Traditional method, AP, Midi, France (#180323) (XD) - $19.95
This non-vintage traditional method sparkling wine is a blend of 90% Mauzac and 10% Chardonnay and has fresh golden apple and lemon citrus aromas mingling with yeasty and biscuit notes of generous intensity rising out of the glass. On the crisp, light-to-mid weighted palate it has lightly frothy mousse and more ripe apple, lemon citrus, and yeasty notes joined by lightly honeyed and grapefruit flavours in a dry profile with fresh, zesty acidity. Citrus, apple, and yeasty notes linger on the dry, clean, and crisp finish, with very good length. Lot L21344.1. Always a recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other fine wines by J. Laurens can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.

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Feudo Maccari Noto Neré Nero d'Avola 2018 (Sicily) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is this lovely Nero d'Avola from Sicily that arrived at the LCBO over the weekend as part of the April 16th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Although the story of Feudo Maccari begins only in the late 1990's, the history of the vineyards go back much further in time. Founder Antonio Moretti Cuseri (of Tenuta Sette Ponti that crafted the lovely 2018 Crognolo I enjoyed last week) wanted a new oenological challenge and was fascinated by Val di Noto in southeastern Sicily after visiting the area in the late 90's. Starting in 2000, Antonio began acquiring land by units of "tumulo", an ancient Sicilian unit of measurement equal to 1,744 square metres, and acquired more than fifty properties.

Today, the Maccari estate covers 50 hectares of vines, with some more than 30 years old and located on mostly calcareous soils and different elevations to achieve overall balance in the wines. At the heart of the Maccari label is Nero d'Avola, a grape varietal that best expresses itself in this territory. Nero d'Avola is a varietal with ancient traditions and one of the most interesting of the Sicilian varieties. Among its expressive characteristics is its structure, richness, and roundness of its fruit, as well as its capability for lengthy cellaring. This particular Nero d'Avola underwent a controlled-temperature fermentation and maceration for about 15 days and was aged completely in stainless steel tanks. It was also aged for 4 months in bottle prior to release. Let's see how this unoaked Nero d'Avola from Sicily is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

FEUDO MACCARI NOTO NERÉ NERO D'AVOLA 2018 - DOP, Sicily, Italy (#339101) (XD) - $17.95
Aged in stainless steel tanks, followed by 4 months in bottle, this unoaked Nero d'Avola has a medium-high intensity nose that is quite attractive with aromas of sweet & ripe red berries, strawberry, baking spices, and sandalwood with touches of red plum. It's ripe and fruit forward on the dry, medium+ bodied palate with dried red berry, cherry, strawberry, sweet spice, sandalwood, and dried floral flavours, all supported by fresh, succulent acidity and soft, supple, lightly grippy tannins. Slightly tangy on the mid-palate with earthy, dried red berries & florals, and mineral notes lingering on the finish, with very good length. Highly recommended buy. Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Feudo Maccari are available at the LCBO and can also be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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