Wine Picks - October 17, 2015 VINTAGES Release: Napa + Barolo

The October 17, 2015 VINTAGES Release will be in LCBO outlets this coming Saturday and features wines that are especially known for its high-quality and are usually out-of-budget for the majority of wine drinkers. The major feature of this release is on wines from Napa Valley, while the mini-feature is about Barolo from the great 2010 vintage.

Unfortunately, none of the Barolo wines made my list of wine picks, while only one of the sixteen Napa wines are among my wine recommendations below. From Napa is the 2010 Heitz Cellar Cab, a special wine that is 100% Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. There are also a pair of Napa wines worth consideration that are found at the back of the VINTAGES magazine as part of that Flagship Store Exclusives (FSE) collection. The first is the Howell Mountain vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Dunn Vineyads, while the second wine is a (surprising!) Sauvignon Blanc from Joseph Phelps.

The quality of Riesling in this release intrigued me the most, with styles ranging from bone-dry all the way to nearly Icewine-sweet levels. In order from dry (i.e. not sweet) to most sweet are Riesling wines from Kilikanoon, Hiestand, Tawse, Bischöfliche and Wegeler. If you enjoy sweet wines, you should also check out the Vouvray (Chenin Blanc). Chardonnay fans should check out the pair of wines from Burgundy.

Among my red wine picks, you'll be hard pressed to find a nice, mature red from 2006 for $15, as is the Monasterio de las Viñas blend (Garnacha, Tempranillo and Cariñena) from Spain. Also a blend is the wine from CVNE that is 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo, while the single vineyard wine from Argentina is actually a blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot. And lastly, the 2009 Bordeaux wine is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.

Enjoy my wine recommendations for this week. Cheers!

Red Wine:

• MONASTERIO DE LAS VIÑAS RESERVA 2006 - DO Cariñena, Spain (#166579) (XD) - $14.95
• CATHEDRAL CELLAR PETIT VERDOT 2013 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#427559) (XD) - $15.95
• 3 RINGS SHIRAZ 2013 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#015495) (XD) - $18.95
• SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013 - Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#260919) (XD) - $19.95
• ALTA VISTA ATEMPORAL 2011 - Single Vineyard, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#144352) (XD) - $19.95
• CHÂTEAU RENARD MONDESIR 2009 - AC Fronsac, Bordeaux, France (#420299) (XD) - $26.95  reviewed here
• DOMINIO DE TARES CEPAS VIEJAS MENCIA 2011 - DO Bierzo, Spain (#379891) (XD) - $29.95  reviewed here
• CVNE IMPERIAL RESERVA 2009 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#424390) (XD) - $38.95
• CASTELLO DI AMA SAN LORENZO CHIANTI CLASSICO GRAN SELEZIONE 2010 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#418897) (XD) - $45.95  reviewed here
• HEITZ CELLAR CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#642124) (XD) - $89.95  reviewed here
• DUNN VINEYARDS HOWELL MOUNTAIN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#193763) (D) - $149.95  FSE

White Wine:

• ALKOOMI WHITE LABEL SEMILLON/SAUVIGNON BLANC 2014 - Frankland River, Western Australia (#428383) (XD) - $16.95
• TRÉSORS DE LOIRE VOUVRAY 2014 - AC, Loire, France (#427427) (M) - $17.95
• TAWSE SKETCHES OF NIAGARA RIESLING 2014 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#089029) (M) - $17.95
• HIESTAND RIESLING TROCKEN 2013 - Qualitätswein, Rheinhessen, Germany (#424515) (D) - $19.95
• KILIKANOON MORT’S BLOCK RIESLING 2014 - Clare Valley, South Australia (#428342) (XD) - $19.95
• BISCHÖFLICHE WEINGÜTER TRIER SCHARZHOFBERGER RIESLING KABINETT 2012 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#670752) (MS) - $22.95
• LOUIS MOREAU VAULIGNOT CHABLIS 1 ER CRU 2013 - AC, Burgundy, France (#525386) (XD) - $34.95
• WEGELER WEHLENER SONNENUHR RIESLING AUSLESE 2010 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#391128) (S) (375 mL) - $36.00
• JOSEPH PHELPS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2013 - St. Helena, Napa Valley, California, USA (#965277) (XD) - $59.95  FSE
• PATRICK JAVILLIER LES TILLETS MEURSAULT 2013 - AC, Burgundy, France (#714899) (XD) - $75.95  FSE

Sparkling Wine:

• JANÉ VENTURA RESERVA DE LA MUSICA BRUT NATURE 2010 - DO Cava, Spain (#420364) (XD) - $17.95
• DUVAL-LEROY RESERVE BRUT CHAMPAGNE - AC, France (#661264) (XD) - $55.95

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Le Cimate Montefalco Rosso 2011 (Umbria) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine is from Cantina Le Cimate, a fairly new winery in Montefalco that was started up by Francesca Bartoloni in 2011 to continue his family's tradition in agriculture that dates back to the 1800's.

The name of the family-owned winery "Le Cimate" was inspired from the hilly area where the winery is located, and is only 1 km southwest from Perticaia - a beautiful wine I tasted in August. Le Cimate is located at the peak of a hill, where one can get a very nice view of the Martani mountains and the town of Montefalco.

Vines for this wine were planted in 2001 and sit on a silt-clay soil that is moderately calcareous, fresh and deep and faces southeast. The wine is fermented in steel tanks and macerated for 15 days. Ageing occurs for 24 months, 12 of which are in Slovenian oak barrels, and 6 months in bottle.

In Ontario, this red wine is available via private order from Cottonwood Agency.

Tasting Note:

LE CIMATE MONTEFALCO ROSSO 2011 - DOC, Umbria, Italy (XD) - $30.50
Blend of 60% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino, 15% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Raspberry and blackberry aromas from the cork. Perfumed nose of black plum, cherry, and hints of apple wood from the glass. The palate is medium-to-full bodied with black licorice, herbal, blackberry and mild cedar oak notes. Some minty flavours mid-palate. Bright acids. Finish is long with earthy and woody notes. Sweet tannins still a bit tight, but has good structure to improve over the next 2 years. Drink over the next 6-7 years. Will be enjoyed with homemade Chicken Lasagne by Chez Megz and could pair with red meats. Score: 89 pts

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Senhora Do Convento Wine Tasting

Last month, I had the pleasure of tasting the wines of Senhora Do Convento with Donald Ziraldo and his Victoria. Included in this tasting were 3 red table wines, followed by a Ruby Port and Tawny Port (both of which are readily available at the LCBO). We ended the casual walk-around tasting with a pair of aged Tawny Ports, followed by a pair of Vintage Ports.

Fine Port wines have been produced at the Senhora Do Convento property in Tavora, Portugal, within the heart of the Douro Valley, for the past 9 centuries and continues to this day. The impressive 12th Century Monastery still stands on the 150 hectare property that overlooks a 27 hectare vineyard where the grapes for fine wine were originally grown by Cistercian monks.

Besides growing grapes, the large property also has numerous almond, quince, cherry, peach, orange and fig trees along with the woods of chestnut, cork, wild cherry, oak and pine trees, many of which were planted by the Cistercian monks ages ago.

In 2006, a state-of-the-art gravity flow winery was built adjacent to the monastery to produce fine Port and table wines.

If you're new to port wine, you should find out your Port Personality on SDC's website where you can learn more about their entry-level Ruby and Tawny Ports. You will also find interesting cocktail recipes using these two port wines.

One of the most interesting things that Victoria spoke to me about was the romantic legend of Ardinia at the monastery. The love story begins with Ardinia attempting to flee to the monastery to be with her love and also convert to Christianity. Unfortunately for Ardinia, her dream was not realized as her father followed her to the monastery one day and in his rage beheaded his daughter. There have been rumours of a lady dressed in white lace known to make an appearance to the men who arrive on site. Strange sounds and objects being shifted have also been reported over the years.

The next time I visit Portugal, I am definitely making a point to visit Senhora Do Convento, and if courage allows, spend a night on the property.

Thank you to Eurovintage, Donald and Victoria for the opportunity to taste these wines. Full wine reviews of all the wines tasted are provided below. A couple of these wines are available at the LCBO, while the remainder can be purchased through Eurovintage.

Tasting Notes:

SENHORA DO CONVENTO DOURO RED 2012 - Douro, Portugal (XD) - $18.95
Medium+ intensity aromas of oak spice, red fruits, spices, herbs and a hint of lavender. Soft, integrated tannins on the medium+ bodied palate with nice aroma replays. Good acids. Bitter on the medium-to-long finish. Blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Roriz. Score: 88 pts

SENHORA DO CONVENTO AGUIAS 2012 - Douro, Portugal (XD) - $39.95
All estate fruit. Nose somewhat closed but showed black cherry, blackberry and vanillan oak aromas which echoed on the soft, rounded palate. It has balanced acids and a lengthy finish. Score: 87 pts

QUINTA DO CONVENTO 2009 - DOC Douro, Portugal (XD) - $24.95
A blend of 25-year-old Touriga Nacional and 22-year-old Tinta Roriz, both from schist soils, and Touriga Franca from granitic soils. Pleasing, elegant nose showing good savoury/fruit balance with notes of tilled earth, forest floor, dark berry, cherry and spice aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with nice aroma replays and a mineral component. It is well-balanced with tannins nicely integrated, good structure and balanced acidity. The smooth finish is very long. Score: 90+ pts

SDC RUBY PORT - Portugal (#398230) (S) - $16.95
Pleasing aromas of ripe berries, blackberry jam, and some herbal complexity that follow through on the sweet palate. Soft mouthfeel, smooth with some alcohol heat on the long finish. Score: 87 pts

SDC TAWNY PORT - Portugal (#398248) (S) - $16.95
Highly aromatic and perfumed nose with dried fig, raisin, caramel, brown sugar, vanilla and cherry notes with nice, sweet flavour replays. The medium-bodied palate become a touch hot mid-palate. The finish length is very good with spice and hazelnut flavours. Score: 86 pts

SENHORA DO CONVENTO 10 YEAR TAWNY PORT - Douro, Portugal (#298554) (MS) - $19.95
Golden amber colour. Medium-to-high aromatics of butter caramel, dried cherry, brown sugar, fig and woody notes. On the palate, it's medium-bodied and quite sweet with wood, mineral, butter caramel and vanilla flavours. It has good acidity and a very good length on the finish. Score: 88 pts

SENHORA DO CONVENTO 20 YEAR TAWNY PORT - Douro, Portugal (S) - $29.95
Golden amber colour. Highly aromatic nose featuring burnt caramel, brown sugar, and vanilla. The palate is medium+ bodied with hints of Meyer lemon and spice to go along with echoes from the aroma profile. Good, crisp finish. Score: 89 pts

SENHORA DO CONVENTO VINTAGE PORT 2009 - Douro, Portugal (S) - $28.95
Deep, dark red, almost black colour. Medium+ intensity aromas of cherry, red berry compote, subtle oak spice and some tartness on the nose. It's full-bodied with lovely cherry liquer and black cherry flavours. Smooth with balanced acids and a finish that goes on and on. Score: 91 pts

SENHORA DO CONVENTO VINTAGE PORT 2011 - Douro, Portugal (S) - $89.95
Dark red colour. Medium+ intensity nose of blackberry liquer, dark cherry and some white pepper spice. On the palate, it's full-bodied with very nice, balanced aroma replays and subtle oak spice. Excellent alcohol, fruit, oak, acid and tannin balance. Smooth, lingering finish. Very good structure will allow this port to age for 20 years. Score: 92 pts

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Dominio de Tares Cepas Viejas Mencía 2011 (Spain) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is a sneak preview of a wine that will be in the LCBO in a couple of weeks as part of the October 17 VINTAGES Release.

Dominio de Tares is located in El Bierzo, within the province of León in the northwestern part of Spain, just north of Portugal. The estate is surrounded by top quality vineyards with plantings of indigenous varietals, the majority being Mencia and Godello. The goal of this winery is to produce to produce wines that express the true terroir of the DO Bierzo and its long tradition of winemaking.

This red wine is made from the Mencía grape, from bush-vines that are 60+ years old on lime and calcareous slate soils with high ferric content. It was hand harvested bunch-by-bunch and fermented using natural yeasts over 12 days, followed by malolactic fermentation, and aged for 9 months in French and American oak, plus another 6 months in bottle.

Tasting Note:

DOMINIO DE TARES CEPAS VIEJAS MENCÍA 2011 - DO Bierzo, Spain (#379891) (XD) - $29.95

Curranty red fruit, flower and woody aromas from the cork. Medium+ intensity nose that goes back and forth between savoury and fruity with freshly tilled earth, blackberry, dark currant with hints of herb and spice. The palate is medium+ bodied with appealing eucalypt, black licorice, dark currant, earth flavours. Quite complex. It's well-balanced with mouth-watering acids, and in a good place right now. Hints of violet on the long finish. Dusty tannins with good structure will drink well for the next 5-7 years. The braille on the label is an interesting touch that reads "Cepas Viejas" and translates to "Old Vines". Perfect for pairing with lamb. Score: 90 pts

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VINTAGES Release October 3: Bordeaux + Spain + Thanksgiving

The main theme from the October 3, 2015 VINTAGES Release is on wines from Bordeaux, while mini-themes feature premium-priced wines from Spain, and wines for Thanksgiving Day celebrations. All of these wines will be on LCBO shelves across Ontario this coming Saturday.

Generally speaking, the wines from the Bordeaux feature were all quite good, however, it was difficult to find really good values. Having said that, the Château Guiraud Sauternes (65% Sémillon / 35% Sauvignon Blanc) dessert wine is an excellent buy. The other Bordeaux wine is a fruit-forward red blend consisting of Merlot and Cabernet Franc and a very good value from the excellent 2010 vintage.

The Spanish feature with 7 wines revealed an exemplary white wine blend from Rías Baixas DO that consists of 70% Albariño, 18% Loureiro and 12% Caíño Blanco. This was the only white wine among the featured Spanish wines. While many of the red wines were also good, they were priced a little bit too high in my opinion.

For Thanksgiving, the Alsatian Riesling is a food-friendly, off-dry (i.e. slightly sweet) that will surely delight with your turkey or served with appetizers. Having said that, many of the white wines recommended below will pair nicely with turkey, such as the wine from Gorgo that is new to our market and consists of Cortese, Tocai, Trebbiano Toscano, and Garganega, and the 100% Fiano; both of these wines are from Italy.

Among red wines, from Greece is a 100% Agiorgitiko, while the red wine from Argentina is a Malbec-led blend. There is also a trifecta of Chianti Classico's available: the Fonterutoli is 90% Sangiovese and 10% Malvasia Nera / Colorino / Merlot, the Riserva (aged 2 years in oak) is 100% Sangiovese, and the Gran Selezione is a blend of 85% Sangiovese and 15% Merlot. Another wine from Italy is made with 100% Grignolino, a single varietal wine from a grape we don't see too often.

Enjoy my wine picks from this VINTAGES Release and Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Red Wine:

• CHÂTEAU LES TOURELLES 2010 - AC Bordeaux, France (#426247) (XD) - $14.95
• TABALI RESERVA SYRAH 2012 - Limarí Valley, Chile (#662692) (D) - $14.95
• CAVINO GRANDE RESERVE 2008 - PDO Nemea, Greece (#295618) (D) - $17.95  reviewed here
• FINCA FLICHMAN PAISAJE DE TUPUNGATO 2012 - Mendoza, Argentina (#415034) (XD) - $17.95
• ACCORNERO BRICCO DEL BOSCO GRIGNOLINO DEL MONFERRATO CASALESE 2013 - DOC, Piedmont, Italy (#426635) (XD) - $19.95
• ROSEWOOD ORIGIN CABERNET FRANC 2013 - VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#427534) (XD) - $25.95  reviewed here
• FONTERUTOLI CHIANTI CLASSICO 2012 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#977629) (XD) - $25.95
• PENFOLDS BIN 128 SHIRAZ 2013 - Coonawarra, South Australia (#509919) (D) - $34.95
• CASTELLO DI VOLPAIA RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2012 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#705335) (XD) - $41.95  FSE
• TENUTA SAN VINCENTI GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2011 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#414417) (XD) - $54.95
• LE VIEUX DONJON CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2013 - AC, Rhône, France (#700922) (XD) - $58.95

White Wine:

• GORGO SAN MICHELIN CUSTOZA 2014 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#428045) (XD) - $14.95
• PIERRE SPARR LIEU DIT ALTENBOURG RIESLING 2013 - AC Alsace. France (#906016) (D) - $16.95  reviewed here
• DONNACHIARA MONTEFALCIONE FIANO DI AVELLINO 2013 - DOCG, Campania, Italy (#372482) (XD) - $17.95
• SANTA ALICIA GRAN RESERVA DE LOS ANDES CHARDONNAY 2013 - Maipo Valley, Chile (#406991) (XD) - $18.95
• JULES TAYLOR SAUVIGNON BLANC 2014 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#224428) (XD) - $19.95
• SERESIN CHARDONNAY 2012 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#019190) (XD) - $24.95
• TERRAS GAUDA O ROSAL BLANCO 2013 - DO Rías Baixas, Spain (#040238) (XD) - $24.95
• JOH. JOS. CHRISTOFFEL ERBEN ÜRZIGER WÜRZGARTEN RIESLING SPÄTLESE 2013 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#336396) (S) - $28.95  FSE
• HENRI BOURGEOIS LA CHAPELLE DES AUGUSTINS SANCERRE 2012 - AC, Loire, France (#322628) (XD) - $29.95  FSE
• 2027 WISMER VINEYARD FOX CROFT BLOCK CHARDONNAY 2012 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#421362) (XD) - $30.00

Dessert Wine:

• CHÂTEAU GUIRAUD 2011 - 1er Grand Cru Classé en 1855, AC Sauternes, Bordeaux, France (#298943) (S) (375 mL) - $39.85

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San Raffaele Monte Tabor Pinot Grigio 2014 (Veneto) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is an organic wine that will be in stores as part of the October 17th LCBO VINTAGES release.

Monte Tabor has been cultivating vines organically since 1970. In 2006, Monte Tabor began managing another 50 hectares of Soave vineyards in Illasi. Today, viticulturalists and oenologists collaborate on the production of organic wines from these vineyards with the Fasoli family - a family that has been organic producers in the area for over 25 years.


SAN RAFFAELE MONTE TABOR PINOT GRIGIO 2014 - IGT Veronese, Veneto, Italy (#204768) (XD) - $13.95

Tasting Note:

Organic Pinot Grigio. Lemon peel and citrus scents from the cork. Subtle nose of lemon, citrus, white grapefruit with a slightly oxidized character. The palate is medium-bodied and dry with lime peel and grapefruit flavours. It has crisp, balanced acidity and some bitterness on the lingering finish. Score: 86 pts

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LCBO VINTAGES Release September 19: Ontario Wine

The September 19 VINTAGES Release will be on LCBO shelves this coming Saturday. This release coincides with the Ontario wine harvest season and, as such, the major theme of this release is Ontario wine.

There is a mini-theme in this release, but it is a rather poor collection of wines from "The Oher Side of Europe". Countries featured include Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Republic of Macedonia, and Romania and are historically significant in the wine world, but are not widely known wine regions.

Back to the main theme of Ontario wines, there are 21 wines featured and 8 are included in my wine picks below. Ontario makes very nice Pinot Noir. Included among my wine picks are two Pinots - one from Niagara and one from Prince Edward County (PEC); both are lovely, but the version from PEC is a world-class wine. Ontario is also making a name for itself with the Gamay Noir grape and one of the versions from 13th Street will be available this Saturday. The other Gamay I have selected is from one of the pioneers of Gamay in Ontario - Château des Charmes. However, this is made using a clone of Gamay that was born in their vineyard in the early 1980's on St. David's Bench and is known as Gamay Noir Droit.

Among Ontario white wines, there are a pair of Rieslings that have a just a kiss of sweetness to them. And of course, no talk about Ontario wine would be complete without a mention of Icewine. Included in this release is a delicious Vidal Icewine from Reif, and a Late Harvest Riesling from Cave Spring.

It's interesting to note that none of the 21 Ontario wines selected was a pure Cabernet Franc. I was also disappointed with the Ontario Chardonnay selection in this release. It seems like a missed opportunity to showcase these two wonderful grapes. Do you enjoy Ontario Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay? Post a comment and let me know.

From the rest of the release, the La Rosa is a blend of Touriga Nacional (30%), Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz (a.k.a. Tempranillo), while the Rompesedas is a mature Tempranillo that is also one of the Wines of the Month in this release. Lastly, the Taurasi from Italy is made with 100% Aglianico.

In white wines, there are three Viogniers from three different continents to choose from - two at the lower end of the price spectrum, while the third is a Flagship Store Exclusive (FSE) and will be available in small quantities at VINTAGES Flagship Stores. The Atlantis Dry White is a blend of local varietals Assyrtiko (90%), Aidani (5%), and Athiri (5%) from Greece.

For sweet wine lovers, there are the two aforementioned dessert wines from Ontario, and also a German Riesling Spätlese that is an FSE.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES ST. DAVID’S BENCH VINEYARD GAMAY NOIR DROIT 2012 - VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#346742) (XD) - $16.95  reviewed here
• KEINT-HE VOYAGEUR PINOT NOIR 2013 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#373407) (D) - $19.00  reviewed here
• LA ROSA TINTO 2011 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#933101) (XD) - $19.95
• 13TH STREET GAMAY NOIR 2013 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#177824) (D) - $19.95  reviewed here
• ROMPESEDAS 2006 - DO Toro, Spain (#425868) (XD) - $19.95
• TRINITY HILL SYRAH 2013 - Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand (#194274) (XD) - $22.95
• NORMAN HARDIE COUNTY UNFILTERED PINOT NOIR 2013 - VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (#125310) (XD) - $39.00  reviewed here
• TRAPICHE TERROIR SERIES ORELLANA DE ESCOBAR SINGLE VINEYARD MALBEC 2010 - La Consulta, Mendoza, Argentina (#178145) (D) - $39.95
• CANTINE LONARDO TAURASI RED 2008 - DOCG, Campania, Italy (#418707) (XD) - $44.95  FSE
• AURELIO SETTIMO ROCCHE DELL’ANNUNZIATA BAROLO 2010 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#293761) (XD) - $57.95  reviewed here

White Wine:

• TABALÍ RESERVA VIOGNIER 2013 - Limarí Valley, Chile (#406967) (XD) - $13.95
• DOMINIO DE PUNCTUM VIENTO ALISEO VIOGNIER 2014 - DO La Mancha, Spain (#424713) (XD) - $15.95
• ARGYROS ATLANTIS DRY WHITE 2014 - PGI Cyclades, Santorini, Greece (#371658) (XD) - $17.95
• KEW VINEYARDS ORGANIC RIESLING 2013 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#426460) (D) - $18.95
• THIRTY BENCH RIESLING 2013 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#024133) (D) - $18.95
• AUNTSFIELD SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2014 - Southern Valleys, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#663286) (XD) - $20.95  reviewed here
• BISCHÖFLICHE WEINGÜTER TRIER SCHARZHOFBERGER RIESLING SPÄTLESE 2012 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#424721) (S) - $31.95  FSE
• SCHIOPETTO PINOT GRIGIO 2013 - DOC Collio, Friuli, Italy (#234757) (XD) - $32.95  FSE
• STAGS’ LEAP WINERY VIOGNIER 2013 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#597369) (D) - $34.95  FSE

Sparkling Wine:

• ANTECH RÉSERVE BRUT BLANQUETTE DE LIMOUX 2012 - AC, Midi, France (#656470) (D) - $16.95
• RENE GEOFFROY EXPRESSION BRUT 1 ER CRU - AC, Champagne, France (#421008) (D) - $49.95

Dessert Wine:

• CAVE SPRING INDIAN SUMMER SELECT LATE HARVEST RIESLING 2013 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#415901) (S) (375 mL) - $24.95
• REIF VIDAL ICEWINE 2013 - VQA Niagara River, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#544791) (S) (200 mL) - $24.95  reviewed here

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La Ferme Du Mont 2015 Tasting with Stéphane Vedeau

On a fine day in July, I had the pleasure of tasting the wines of La Ferme Du Mont with the talented Stéphane Vedeau. This was my second tasting with Mr. Vedeau, as I had previously tasted his wines at a similar event in 2013. I was curious to learn about and taste his latest wines and see how they differed (if at all) compared to the wines tasted a couple of years ago.

Many of the wines available at this tasting were newer vintages of the same wines tasted in 2013. However, there were also some new, previously-untasted wines such the Rosé and a pair of surprise wines from his other estate - Clos Bellane, one of which was excellent!

Stéphane has an endless passion for Grenache grapes, as evidenced by the 50 hectares of old vines that are cultivated on the estate in a completely natural environment, using only organic fertilisers. He continues the traditions passed down from his mother's side of the family as a 3rd generation winemaker to create beautiful handcrafted wines.

Some of these wines are available in the VINTAGES section at the LCBO, while others can be ordered privately via the agent Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.

Tasting Notes:

LA FERME DU MONT ROSÉ 2014 - AC Côtes du Rhône, France (XD) - $16.95
100% Grenache using intentionally under-ripe grapes. Low-to-medium intensity nose of white peach, strawberry and grapefruit. The palate is medium-bodied with dry flavours of strawberry, floral and is herbaceous. It has fresh acidity and a crisp, lengthy finish with some chalky minerality. Score: 87-88 pts

LA FERME DU MONT LA TRUFFIÈRE 2014 - AC Côtes du Rhône, France (#234716) (XD) - $16.95
Blend of 50% Grenache white, 40% Viognier (3% of which is botrytis-affected), 10% Clairette and a small amount of Marsanne (yes, that is more than 100%). Medium+ intensity nose with herbaceous, floral and some saline aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp, fresh acidity and floral. herbal, and mineral flavours. It's nicely balanced with hints of tropical fruit on the long finish. Score: 88+ pts

CLOS BELLANE LES ECHALAS 2012 - AC Côtes du Rhône Villages Valréas, France (XD) - $35
This white wine is made from 3 clones of Roussanne, 1 of which is harvested in November. Elegant, fragrant aromas of beeswax, flowers, lime and citrus. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp, balanced acids with a kiss of sweetness and white truffle notes. It has a very nice texture and a long, clean finish. Very nice! One of my favourites of this tasting. Score: 91 pts

LA FERME DU MONT PREMIÈRE CÔTE 2012 - AC Côtes du Rhône, France (#251645) (XD) - $14.95
Blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. Medium+ intensity aromas of plum, bretty, ripe black cherry herbs and a hint of mushroom. It's medium-bodied on the palate with sweet vanillan oak, spice, black cherry, and hints of strawberry. It has fresh acids, light tannins and finishes long. Score: 88 pts

LA FERME DU MONT LE PONNANT CÔTES DU RHÔNE VILLAGES 2012 - Unfiltered, AC, Rhône, France (#171371) (XD) - $18.95
60% Grenache and 40% Syrah. Complex aromas of crème de cassis, licorice, blueberry, oak spice, blackberry, and acacia flowers of medium intensity which replay very nicely on the peppery palate. It's medium-bodied with bright acids and a spicy mid-palate. Medium level tannins. The finish length is medium-to-long with oak, dark berry, and spice notes. Score: 89 pts

LA FERME DU MONT GIGONDAS CÔTES JUGUNDA 2013 - AC, Rhône, France (#354118) (XD) - $29.95
This red wine is a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, showing medium+ intensity aromas of purple fruit, pepper, plum and hint of meatiness. On the palate, it's medium-to-full bodied with balanced acids and pepper, spice and licorice notes. It has medium-to-firm chalky tannins that would benefit from 2-3 years bottle ageing, but drinking well now. Good structure. Finishes long with violet notes. Score: 90 pts

LA FERME DU MONT CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE CÔTES CAPELAN 2011 - AC, Rhône, France (#078857) (XD) - $80.00
80% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. Aromas of medium-to-high intensity featuring meaty, smoky, black cherry, raspberry and hints of graphite. The palate is medium+ bodied with very nice aroma replays and spicebox notes. It's well-balanced with mouth-watering acids and tannins that are somewhat chalky, and integrating very nicely. Excellent length on the finish. Will age gracefully up to 2026. Score: 92 pts

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Colio Méthode Cuve Close Lily Sparkling (Ontario) - Wine Review

After spending the whole day outdoors under a beaming sun at The Ex, it was nice to come home in the evening and open this chilled bubbly. Tonight's wine is a nice sparkling wine that you will enjoy if you prefer your bubbly with some sweetness.

This wine has been continuously produced by Colio Estate Wines since 1996, with the initial bottling having a Calla Lily printed directly on the bottle using a ceramic technique. It has since undergone a few label updates and was recently refreshed to feature an intertwined white Calla Lily in an art nouveau style.

When first introduced nearly 20 years ago, this sparkler was a blend consisting of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Today, it is 100% Riesling. It has continued to be made using the Charmat Method, where secondary fermentation is done in stainless steel tanks/vessels.

The story of Colio Estate Wines is of patience, determination and perseverance. Located along Lake Erie North Shore, this is the southernmost and warmest wine appellation in Ontario. Colio was started by three Italian bricklayers named Alfredo, Enzo and Tiberio who had a dream of building a world-class winery, and opened its doors in 1980.


COLIO MÉTHODE CUVE CLOSE LILY SPARKLING - VQA Ontario, Canada (#418657) (MD) - $16.95

Tasting Note:

Non-vintage 100% Riesling using the Charmat Method. Medium intensity nose consisting of green apple, lily flower, and mineral, along with hints of citrus and brioche. The palate is medium-bodied with fresh, balanced acids and citrus, lemon, and green apple flavours. Fine bubbles, subtly sweet, and hints of apricot and stone fruit on the lingering finish. Will delight as an apertif. Readily available at the LCBO. Score: 87 pts

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Patrick Lesec Galets Blonds Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2012 (Rhône) - Wine Review

This amazing red wine was opened Sunday night and will be on LCBO VINTAGES shelves this coming Saturday, September 5th. It ranks as one of the best wines I've tasted this year and is highly recommended. Save this for a special occasion.

Patrick Lesec works with some of the most important villages in Southern Rhône and bottles wines under his own label, Patrick Lesec Selections. Including this Châteauneuf-du-Pape, all wines are estate-bottled on the properties Patrick has contracted to work with. Often, Patrick works with growers who own parcels of some of the best terroirs, soils and oldest vineyards but do not wish to bottle wine under their own label.

Once Patrick has located and made agreements with these growers, he works closely with growers to produce the highest quality grapes using non-interventionist winemaking techniques. He will taste through barrels and tanks to determine which grapes will make it into the final cuvée. Different variables include grape varieties, vineyard sites, and even different lots of the same wines (since each tank/barrel has its own unique character).

After the lots have been selected, Patrick will specify élevage - some will be kept in tank to preserve fruit freshness, while others will be aged in barrels to add richness, texture and complexity. Cuvées are usually treated with as little sulphur as possible.


PATRICK LESEC GALETS BLONDS CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2012 - AC, Rhône, France (#078089) (XD) - $56.95

Tasting Note:

Mostly Grenache, with Syrah and Mourvèdre in support. Plum and garrigue aromas from the cork. Inviting aromas of blackcherry, blackberry, garrigue, licorice, and forest floor of high intensity. The palate is full-bodied with mulberry, raspberry, sweet red berries, incense, and lavender flavours. Subtle wood notes. Very good, balanced acids. Graceful with lots of finesse, velvety tannins and good structure. Exquisitely balanced. Should develop further over the next 4 years. Drink up to 2025. Highly recommended. Score: 93 pts

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LCBO VINTAGES Release September 5: Uncork Something Great!

The newest batch of wines from the September 5, 2015 LCBO VINTAGES Release will be on shelves this coming Saturday. Once again, it is a mono-thematic release with this one titled "Uncork something great!" and attempts to tell the VINTAGES story.

Of the 20 wines featured as part of the VINTAGES story, 6 wines made my list of wine picks. First up is a 2005 vintage Dom Perignon Champagne that is a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Also included is a Syrah from Chile, a Malbec from Argentina, and an old vines GSM blend (40% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre) that was all aged in concrete tank from Midi. The dry white wine from d'Arenberg is a blend of 55% Viognier and 45% Marsanne. For fans of sweeter wines, there is Flat Rock's Riesling.

Other sweet wines in this release include an off-dry (i.e. slightly sweet) Chenin Blanc from South Africa and a medium sweet Grand Cru Pinot Gris from Alsace. Also available are a pair of very sweet Rieslings from Germany - one is a Riesling Kabinett (available as Flagship Store Exclusive), while the other is a Riesling Spätlese.

In red wine, the Olarra is mostly Tempranillo with Grenache and Mazuelo (a.k.a. Carignan) in support, while the Hacienda Valvarés is 100% Tempranillo. The Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blend of mostly Grenache, with Syrah and Mourvèdre added, while the Tenuta Degli Dei is a blend of (60%) Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Lastly, the Ridge Monte Bello comes in 2 bottle sizes, each of which is composed of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Petit Verdot.

Enjoy my LCBO wine picks for this week! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• MONTGRAS ANTU SYRAH 2012 - Colchagua Valley, Chile (#425900) (XD) - $17.00
• TESSELLAE CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON OLD VINES GRENACHE / SYRAH / MOURVÈDRE 2013 - AP, Midi, France (#343517) (XD) - $17.00
• OLARRA CLÁSICO RESERVA 2009 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#423541) (XD) - $18.95
• KAIKEN ULTRA MALBEC 2012 - Mendoza, Argentina (#50849) (XD) - $19.95  reviewed here
• HACIENDA VALVARÉS 2011 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#423509) (D) - $19.95
• MAS DEL PÉRIÉ LA ROQUE MALBEC 2012 - AC Cahors, Southwest, France (#414524) (XD) - $21.95
• MORAINE SYRAH 2013 - BC VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#424580) (XD) - $23.95  reviewed here
• HIDDEN BENCH PINOT NOIR 2012 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#274753) (XD) - $29.95  reviewed here
• VERBENA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2009 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#165126) (XD) - $39.95
• TENUTA DEGLI DEI CAVALLI 2010 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#350405) (XD) - $49.95
• PATRICK LESEC GALETS BLONDS CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2012 - AC, Rhône, France (#78089) (XD) - $56.95  reviewed here
• RIDGE MONTE BELLO 2012 - Santa Cruz Mountains, California, USA (#209999 / #711085) (XD) (375 mL / 750 mL) $101.95 / $190.95

White Wine:

• DOMAINE LA HAUTE FÉVRIE SUR LIE MUSCADET SÈVRE & MAINE 2014 - AC, Loire, France (#390625) (XD) - $13.95  reviewed here
• FLAT ROCK RIESLING 2014 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#43281) (M) - $16.95
• HENRY OF PELHAM ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2013 - VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#268342) (XD) - $19.95
• BAILLY LAPIERRE SAINT BRIS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2014 - AC, Burgundy, France (#424655) (XD) - $19.95
• D’ARENBERG THE HERMIT CRAB VIOGNIER/MARSANNE 2013 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#662775) (XD) - $19.95
• STUDERT-PRÜM GRAACHER HIMMELREICH RIESLING SPÄTLESE 2009 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#409680) (S) - $21.95
• PIERRE SPARR MAMBOURG PINOT GRIS 2011 - AC Alsace Grand Cru, France (#686451) (M) - $24.95
• CLEMENS BUSCH MARIENBURG RIESLING KABINETT 2013 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#424234) (S) - $28.95  FSE
• KWV THE MENTORS CHENIN BLANC 2014 - WO Paarl, South Africa (#419580) (D) - $29.95  FSE
• DOMAINE LOUIS MICHEL & FILS FORÊTS CHABLIS 1 ER CRU 2012 - AC, Burgundy, France (#231936) (XD) - $39.95  FSE

Sparkling Wine:

• DOM PÉRIGNON BRUT VINTAGE CHAMPAGNE 2005 - AC, France (#280461) (XD) - $219.95

The rest of the wines from the September 5th VINTAGES Release are here.

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Domaine la Haute Févrie Sur Lie Muscadet Sèvre & Maine 2014 (Loire) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is a sneak preview of a white wine that will be in VINTAGES on September 5th.

Domaine la Haute Févrie is situated in the western part of France, within Loire, and 18 km southeast of Nantes, and located in the heart of the Muscadet Sèvre et Maine appellation. Family-owned and operated while producing 4 generations of winemakers that carefully tended to the vines over the years to produce the very best grapes possible.

Today, Domaine la Haute Févrie covers 30 hectares of vineyards, all within Muscadet Sèvre et Maine appellation. Several plots make up the 30 hecatres, each with different soils such as either siliceous clay or gravelly and shallow, all on metamorphic rock. Furthermore, this winery subscribes to the Terra Vitis methods of sustainable wine growing approach including no use of chemical fertilizers, and yield control by hand. They are also moving towards natural management of the vines.

This white wine comes from Clos de la Févrie, the earliest maturing plots of the entire estate, located in the hills overlooking the Maine river to the south in Saint-Fiacre.


DOMAINE LA HAUTE FÉVRIE SUR LIE MUSCADET SÈVRE & MAINE 2014 - AC, Loire, France (#390625) (XD) - $13.95

Tasting Note:

From 35 year old vines, hand-harvested and on the lees for 7 months. 100% Melon de Bourgogne. Refreshing lemon/lime aromas from the cork. Very good aromas of sweet lemons, citrus, wet earth, and a perfumed flowery note on the back end. The palate is medium-bodied with finely cut acids. It's dry with citrus, Asian pear, floral and honeyed-fruit flavours on the palate. Mineral, citrus and honeysuckle notes on the lingering finish. Some saline notes as it warms up in the glass. This is a wine that changes quite a bit depending on temperature. Over chill it and see how it changes as it warms up. Score: 88+ pts

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Aug. 22 LCBO VINTAGES Release: Top-Scoring Wines

The latest batch of wines from the August 22 LCBO VINTAGES Release will be in stores across Ontario this coming Saturday. It appears to a thinner-than-normal release with only one theme titled "Top-Scoring Wines".

In all, there are 19 wines featured in the "Top-Scoring Wines" thematic, and nearly half made my list of wine picks. All three Ontario wines that were featured come recommended - a Charles Baker single vineyard Riesling, the organic oaked Chardonnay from Southbrook, and the Featherstone 60/40 Cabernet Franc/Merlot blend from the great 2010 vintage. From Chile, there's an uncommon Carménère/Syrah blend that is mostly Carménère. A pair of white wines from South Africa are also included among my wine recommendations - a Chenin Blanc and an unoaked Chardonnay. For sweet wine lovers, you'll want to check out the Riesling Kabinett from Germany. Lastly, the red wine from Portugal is a blend of many grape varieties including the country's signature Touriga Nacional.

 

From the rest of the release, there is a nice 2010 Bordeaux red wine (100% Merlot) that comes in at a very affordable price point. The Rhône red from La Ferme Du Mont is a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, while the Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blend of 85% 90-year-old Grenache, 10% 60-year-old Mourvèdre, and 5% Syrah. A pair of red wines from Tuscany include a Vino Nobile di Montepulciano that is a blend of 90% Prugnolo Gentile (clone of Sangiovese) and 10% Canaiolo, while the IGT Tuscan wine is 75% Sangiovese and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. Finally, the Rioja from Spain is 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano.

In white wines, the Lugana from Lombardy, Italy is 100% Trebbiano di Lugana. If you like your wines really sweet, then you'll want to pick up the Riesling Auslese from Germany.

Lastly, the Rhône rosé is made in a dry style (i.e. not sweet) using the grapes Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah.

Enjoy my LCBO wine picks for this week. Cheers!

Red Wine:

• CHÂTEAU DES MOINES MENODIN 2010 - AC Bordeaux Supérieur, France (#424259) (XD) - $14.95
• HERDADE DO ROCIM RED 2011 - Vinho Regional Alentejano, Portugal (#423574) (D) - $17.95
• VIÑA MAIPO GRAN DEVOCIÓN CARMÉNÈRE/SYRAH 2012 - Maule Valley, Chile (#274100) (XD) - $17.95
• CASTELLANI FILICHETO VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO 2011 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#184937) (XD) - $18.95
• LA FERME DU MONT LE PONNANT CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2012 - Unfiltered, AC, Rhône, France (#171371) (XD) - $18.95  reviewed here
• TAHBILK THE TOWER SHIRAZ 2013 - Central Victoria, Australia (#412205) (D) - $19.95
• FINCA DE LA RICA EL NÓMADA 2011 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#425785) (D) - $24.95
• FEATHERSTONE ONYX 2010 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#372433) (XD) - $29.95  reviewed here
• POGGIO BONELLI POGGIASSAI 2011 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#085365) (XD) - $31.95  FSE
• DOMAINE DURIEU LUCILE AVRIL CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2012 - AC, Rhône, France (#295147) (XD) - $47.95
• CAKEBREAD BENCHLAND SELECT CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#924175) (D) - $162.95  FSE

White Wine:

• MAN VINTNERS FREE-RUN STEEN CHENIN BLANC 2014 - WO Coastal Region, South Africa (#126847) (XD) - $13.95
• HENRI BOURGEOIS PETIT BOURGEOIS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2014 - IGP Vins de Pays du Val de Loire, France (#672345) (XD) - $15.95
• DE WETSHOF LIMESTONE HILL CHARDONNAY 2014 - Unwooded, WO Robertson, South Africa (#419622) (XD) - $15.95
• REICHSRAT VON BUHL ARMAND RIESLING KABINETT 2012 - Prädikatswein, Pfalz, Germany (#060905) (MS) - $18.95
• S. CRISTINA MASSONI LUGANA 2014 - DOC, Lombardy, Italy (#200097) (XD) - $19.95
• SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE CHARDONNAY 2013 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#172338) (D) - $22.95  reviewed here
• CHARLES BAKER PICONE VINEYARD RIESLING 2012 - VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#241182) (M) - $35.20
• VON HÖVEL SCHARZHOFBERG SAAR RIESLING AUSLESE 2011 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#366377) (S) - $48.00  FSE
• FOXEN TINAQUAIC VINEYARD ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2013 - Santa Maria Valley, California, USA (#414219) (XD) - $54.95

Rosé Wine:

• FAMILLE PERRIN RÉSERVE ROSÉ 2014 - AC Côtes du Rhône, France (#719062) (XD) - $15.95

The rest of the wines from the August 22 LCBO VINTAGES Release are here.

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Perticaia Montefalco Sagrantino 2009 (Umbria) - Wine Review

Photo credit: Azienda Agricola Perticaia

Tonight's wine hails from Casale of Montefalco, within central Umbria in central Italy.

A trip to this region in the early 90's by Perticaia's owner Guido Guardigli convinced him of the extraordinary potential of the region and its princely vine Sagrantino. In the year 2000, Perticaia - whose name means "plow" in Umbrian dialect - was founded by Mr. Guardigli. The vines at Perticaia are cultivated using sustainable farming methods. Today, 7 of the 15 hectares on the property are dedicated to Sagrantino de Montefalco (100% Sagrantino grapes).

This red wine goes through an interesting ageing process. It is aged for a total of 36 months, however, it spends 12 months in small oak barrels, 12 months in steel vats, and 12 months in bottle prior to release.

If you're a fan of big Italian red wines like Brunello and Barolo, you'll definitely want to check this one out. It is available by Private Order via their agent in Ontario - Mondo Vino.


PERTICAIA MONTEFALCO SAGRANTINO 2009 - DOCG, Umbria, Italy (XD) - $45.95

Tasting Note:

100% Sagrantino. Naturally fermented. Interesting sage, herbs and cinnamon spice aromas from the cork. Medium+ aromatics featuring nuances of blackberry, cinnamon, herbs, spice, olive and wild flower surrounded by earthy notes. The palate is medium bodied with firm tannic structure and drying tannins. Balanced flavours of blackberry, cinnamon, wild herbs, and cedar oak. Has mouth-watering acids and mocha notes on the very long finish. Decant 1-2 hours and serve now or drink up to 2022. Deserves to be paired with red meats. Excellent wine on par with Brunello and Barolo. Score: 91 pts

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