LCBO VINTAGES Wine Picks & Reviews : Index

Monday, June 8, 2015

June 13 VINTAGES Release: Sparkling Wine + Italian Whites + Father's Day

LCBO Wine Picks from June 13, 2015 VINTAGES Release

The next LCBO VINTAGES release will be on shelves this Saturday, June 13th. The major theme of this release is on Sparkling Wines (I guess to coincide with wedding season?), while the mini-theme is on fine white wines from Italy. There is also a feature on gifts for Father's Day.

We'll begin with Sparkling Wines. Of the 20 wines featured, 5 are included among my wine picks below. At the top of the heap is the Bollinger Champagne that is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay and 15% Meunier. The Cygnus Brut Cava is an organic sparkling wine made using Parellada, Xarel-lo and Macabeo grapes, while the Showcase 5 Blanc de Noirs is a unique sparkler made by Trius using 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Pinot Meunier - this will have a hint of sweetness to it. Going up the sweetness scale a little bit is the latest vintage of the Tawse Spark Limestone Ridge Riesling. Last but not least is the off-dry (i.e. slightly sweet) Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Heredad Cava that's made up of 9 different wines, each vinified in its own separate tanks. Macabeo is the most prominent grape in the Segura Viudas blend, and the bottle is finished with very nice Pewter accents that make the bottle a nice keepsake.

The mini-theme on Italian white wines is titled "White Knights" and features just 7 wines, two of which made my wine picks. The first of these wines is the Pieropan Soave Classico which is 100% Garganega and comes from the hillside La Rocca vineyard where vines range 10-50 years old. Harvesting occurs in late-October, providing some sweetness to the wine. An outstanding wine that is probably the white wine of the release. The second wine from this feature is from Le Monde and made using 100% Pinot Bianco - a grape which is a genetic mutation of Pinot Noir.

From the rest of the release, the Xavier Ventoux is a blend of 50% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre, while the Cara Nord is a blend of 42% Garnacha (a.k.a. Grenache), 38% Syrah and 20% Garrut (a.k.a. Mourvèdre). Single-varietal wines include the Montebuena (100% Tempranillo) and the Moulin-à-Vent (100% Gamay).

In white wines, the Finca Nueva Blanco is made with Viura (a.k.a. Macabeo). The only rosé among my wine recommendations is a dry (i.e. not sweet) blend that is primarily Cinsault and blended with Grenache, Syrah and Merlot.

Enjoy my wine picks for this week. Cheers!

Argyros Assyrtiko 2014 from PDO Santorini, Greece (90 pts)

Max Ferd. Richter Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett 2013 from Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (89 pts)

Montebuena Cuvée KPF 2012 from DOC Rioja, Spain (88 pts)

Red Wine:

XAVIER VENTOUX 2012 - AP, Rhône, France (#413211) (XD) - $15.95
MONTEBUENA CUVÉE KPF 2012 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#211029) (XD) - $15.95 reviewed here
NINQUÉN ANTU CHILEAN MOUNTAIN VINEYARD SYRAH 2013 - Colchagua Valley, Chile (#675371) (XD) - $17.95
CARA NORD 2013 - DO Conca de Barberà, Spain (#418186) (XD) - $19.95
SAN LEONINO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2011 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#412387) (XD) - $19.95
CHÂTEAU DES JACQUES MOULIN-À-VENT 2011 - AC, Beaujolais, France (#700187) (XD) - $29.95
TWO HANDS BELLA’S GARDEN SHIRAZ 2012 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#636407) (D) - $63.95
WYNNS JOHN RIDDOCH CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010 - Coonawarra, South Australia (#466748) (XD) - $99.95 FSE

White Wine:

LE MONDE PINOT BIANCO 2013 - DOC Friuli Grave, Friuli, Italy (#372417) (XD) - $16.95
FINCA NUEVA BLANCO 2013 - Barrel fermented, DOCa Rioja, Spain (#280560) (XD) - $16.95
KURT ANGERER KIES GRÜNER VELTLINER 2013 - Estate bottled, Qualitätswein, Niederösterreich, Austria (#12138) (XD) - $18.95
ST. URBANS-HOF RIESLING 2013 - Estate Bottled, from Old Vines, Qualitätswein, Mosel, Germany (#995746) (M) - $19.95
LEYDA GARUMA SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2014 - Leyda Valley, Chile (#99309) (XD) - $19.95
ARGYROS SANTORINI ASSYRTIKO 2014 - PDO Santorini, Greece (#387365) (XD) - $21.95 reviewed here
MAX FERD. RICHTER WEHLENER SONNENUHR RIESLING KABINETT 2013 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#998120) (MS) - $21.95 reviewed here
DOMAINE ZIND-HUMBRECHT CALCAIRE GEWURZTRAMINER 2011 - AC Alsace, France (#320481) (M) - $39.95 FSE
PIEROPAN LA ROCCA SOAVE CLASSICO 2011 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#92437) (D) - $39.95
VASSE FELIX HEYTESBURY CHARDONNAY 2013 - Margaret River, Western Australia (#674648) (XD) - $68.95 FSE

Rosé Wine:

DOMAINE DE TRIENNES ROSÉ 2014 - IGP Méditerranée, Provence, France (#409771) (XD) - $17.95

Sparkling Wine:

CYGNUS BRUT NATURE RESERVA CAVA - Méthode Champenoise, DO, Penedès, Spain (#352856) (XD) - $17.95
TAWSE SPARK LIMESTONE RIDGE RIESLING SPARKLING 2013 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#370361) (D) - $19.95
SEGURA VIUDAS BRUT RESERVA HEREDAD CAVA - Méthode Traditionnelle, DO, Penedès, Spain (#558825) (D) - $29.95
SHOWCASE 5 BLANC DE NOIRS 2009 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#420521) (D) - $55.00
BOLLINGER SPECIAL CUVÉE BRUT CHAMPAGNE - AC, France (#384529) (XD) - $73.95

Dessert Wine:

PATRICIUS 5 PUTTONYOS TOKAJI ASZÚ 2003 - Hungary (#95901) (S) (500 mL) - $39.95 FSE

The rest of the wines from this release can be found here.

Toronto Wine & Spirit Festival - Sugar Beach

The Toronto Wine & Spirit Festival pops the cork for its 7th year and is returning to Toronto’s Sugar Beach for three great days on the water! We are excited to be partnering with the Redpath Waterfront Festival for a second year, and are excited to make this our biggest year yet! Welcome summer the right way with sampling wine, spirit, beer, ciders and coolers right at the beach!

Mark your calendar and save the date to join us at the Toronto Wine & Spirit Festival:

June 18th, 19th, and 20th.

Wineries, breweries and distilleries will be on location to discuss and sample their products and give attendees the “goods” on new and hot summer trends. Building on last year’s line-up, a variety of premium distributors will get the season started with their summertime libations. Local restaurants will also be on hand with delicious creations, designed to tantalize the senses and complement their sampling partners.

This event is rain or shine as all pavilions are tented. Advance tickets are $25 and include an official Toronto Wine & Spirit Festival Sampling Glass and 5 food/drink vouchers. Tickets can also be purchased on-site for $35 (subject to availability) cash only.

Visit us online at: www.wineandspiritfestival.ca for advanced tickets and further information.

Thursday, June 18, 2015 – 6:00pm to 11:00pm Buy Tickets
Friday, June 19, 2015 – 6:00pm to 11:00pm Buy Tickets
Saturday, June 20, 2015 – Noon to 10:00pm Buy Tickets

Facebook: www.facebook.com/wineandspiritfestival
Twitter: @winefestival, #towinefest

La Cadierenne Cuvée Grande Tradition Bandol Rosé 2014 (Provence) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is a rosé wine that will be available in the upcoming June 27th VINTAGES release.

This rosé comes from the Bandol region in Provence, in the south of France. This area has been producing wine since the Greeks first colonized the region over 2600 years ago. Bandol specializes in producing rosé wine, with over 60% of its entire wine production devoted to producing rosé.

If you like your rosé wines dry (like me), then you'll enjoy this one.

LA CADIERENNE CUVÉE GRANDE TRADITION BANDOL ROSÉ 2014 - AC, Provence, France (#119453) (XD) - $19.95

La Cadierenne Cuvée Grande Tradition Bandol Rosé 2014 from AC, Provence, France (87 pts)

Tasting Note:

Blend of 40% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache, and 30% Cinsault. Fresh peaches, nectarines and spring flower aromas from the cork. Elegant white peach, citrus and floral nose, with some herbally notes adding complexity. The palate is dry and quite full-ish with flavours of blood orange, grapefruit and strawberry. Has nice, crisp acidity and good length on the finish. It paired really well with garlic herbed salmon. Score 87 pts

Greek Wine Party at iYellow Wine Club

On May 5th, I had the pleasure of attending a Greek Wine Tasting Party hosted at the iYellow Wine Cave. The evening was filled with Greek fare such as olives, cheese, dessert, and other traditional Greek foods that were served alongside more than 30 Greek wines.

In attendance were principals of the wineries, including winemakers, who made the trek all the way from Greece. One such gentleman was Yiannis Flerianos, winemaker at Panagiotopoulos Wines.

Panagiotopoulos Wines is located in Messinia, in the southwestern part of Peloponnese. They farm organically indigenous and international grape varieties at an altitude of 400 metres above sea level. One of the 4 wines that Mr. Flerianos brought with him was made using the local Malagousia grape - a wine that was my favourite white wine of the night. Yiannis also brought an organic 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon that showed minimal greenness and fine maturity. Both of these wines are reviewed below.

Yiannis Flerianos - Winemaker at Panagiotopoulos Wines

When I met Mr. Flerianos earlier this month, he mentioned that they did not have representation in our market. For any Agents looking to add a Greek winery that produces yummy wines, some of which are organic, to their portfolio, take a look at Panagiotopoulos Wines.

After having enjoyed the Cavino Grande Reserve during my Greek Wine series back in April, I was curious to see what else Cavino had to offer. On this night, in addition to the Grande Reserve, they also had their Reserve bottling and the premium Mega Spileo Grand Cave Red. Wine reviews of both of these delicious wines are found below, and can be purchased via their agent United Stars.

Most of the wines available for tasting on this night were available on Consignment, while a few could be found in the LCBO General List and VINTAGES sections. A couple of easy drinking wines that could be found in LCBO General List in 1 Litre or 1.5 Litre bottles were the Apelia Moschofilero (white wine, #239863) and Apelia Agiorgitiko (red wine, #239871). Both of the wines are available quite cheaply at $10.55 (1 Litre) and $13.95 (1.5 Litre) and make for good every day or party wines.

Overall, my impression of Greek wines is good value for money when using local grape varieties. And I hope they continue to produce these delicious wines and that the LCBO continuously brings them to Ontario. A recent initiative by the LCBO to launch regional specialty wine shops will certainly go a long way to help this cause. The first such store is located on the Danforth and features roughly 90 Greek wines.

Below, you will find wine reviews of some of the wines I enjoyed at this tasting.

And lastly, thank you to Angela Aiello and the iYellow team for the invite, and Ariel Andres for providing some of these photos.

Ya sou!

Tasting Notes:

PANAGIOTOPOULOS MALAGOUSIA 2014 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (XD) - $????
Medium-high aromatics featuring orange, citrus, and wild herb notes. It's dry on the palate with balanced acids and herb, limestone, hay flavour profile. Excellent length on the finish. Score: 89 pts

Panagiotopoulos Malagousia 2014 from PGI Peloponnese, Greece (89 pts)

PANAGIOTOPOULOS MERLOT 2009 - PGI Trifilia, Greece (XD) - $????
Aromas of medium-to-high intensity showing plum, milk chocolate, wet earth and cedar. Palate is medium+ bodied with very nice aroma replays and some mint, herbal notes for complexity. It has refined tannins, balanced acids and a long finish. Well done! Score: 89 pts

Panagiotopoulos Merlot 2009 from PGI Trifilia, Greece (89 pts)

Panagiotopoulos Cabernet Sauvignon BIO 2008 from PGI Trifilia, Greece (90+ pts)

PANAGIOTOPOULOS CABERNET SAUVIGNON BIO 2008 - PGI Trifilia, Greece (XD) - $????
Made with organic grapes. Elegant medium+ aromas of cassis, dried fruit, fig, dark berry and whiffs of green pepper. The palate is medium-to-full bodied with very nice aroma replays. It has refined tannins and a very long finish. Score: 90+ pts

DOMAINE MERCOURI 2010 - PGI Letrini, Greece (XD) - $19.95
Red wine blend of 85% Refosco and 15% Mavrodaphne. Medium intensity nose with currant, vanilla, oak, bretty and smoke. Medium-bodied palate with fresh acids and a balanced flavour profile consisting of red fruit and leather. It's dry with somewhat firm, yet integrated tannins and medium-long finish with steely aftertaste. Score: 87 pts

DOMAINE LANTIDES LITTLE ARK 2014 - PDO Mantinia, Peloponnese, Greece (XD) - $????
White wine blend that is equal parts Assyrtiko and Malagousia showing medium+ intensity aromas of crisp citrus, floral, mineral and herbally notes with floral and herbal flavours emerging on the palate. It's medium-bodied and feels plumpy in the mouth. Dry (i.e. not sweet) and lengthy finish. Score: 87 pts

CAVINO NEMEA RESERVE 2009 - PDO Nemea, Greece (XD) - $14.95
100% Agiorgitiko. Perfumed floral aromas of medium+ intensity, red berry, plum and sweet spices. Palate has low tannins with nice aroma replays, and good freshness from the acidity. Finish is medium-long. Score: 88 pts

Cavino Nemea Reserve 2009 from PDO Nemea, Greece (88 pts)

Cavino Domain Mega Spileo Grand Cave Red 2008 from PGI Achaia, Peloponnese, Greece (90 pts)

CAVINO DOMAIN MEGA SPILEO GRAND CAVE RED 2008 - PGI Achaia, Peloponnese, Greece (XD) - $24.95
Blend of 60% Mavrodafne and 40% Mavro Kalavritino. Medium-to-high intensity aromatics featuring black fruits, earthy, dark cherries, barnyard and dried flowers. It's full-bodied with smooth, integrated tannins and pleasing aroma replays. It also has mouth-watering acids and a very long finish. Score: 90 pts

TSELEPOS CLASSIC MOSCHOFILERO 2014 - PDO Mantinia, Peloponnese, Greece (#724583) (XD) - $14.95
Medium+ intensity nose with herbal, lemon and white peach aromas. The palate is dry with fresh, bright acids and very nice aroma replays with predominantly herbal notes. It has a slightly chalky mineral texture and a medium-long finish. I would expect this vintage to show up in LCBO VINTAGES at some point this year. Score: 88+ pts

Tselepos Classic Moschofilero 2014 from PDO Mantinia, Peloponnese, Greece (88 pts)

Montebuena Cuvée KPF 2012 (Spain) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine is another sneak preview of a wine that will be returning to LCBO VINTAGES on June 13th.

The wine is made by Bodegas y Viñedos Labastida as part of the Unión de Cosecheros of Labastida co-operative that was formed in the mid-1960's. As can be expected, the co-operative has gone through a number of enhancements to its facilities since then, including using modern equipment such as stainless steel tanks, a cooling unit for regulating fermentation temperatures, and a new bottling plant.

Grapes for this wine were hand-harvested from the Montebuena estate vineyard, with vines averaging 25 years of age. This wine saw light oak ageing of 4 months in American oak. It will be enjoyed with Gosht (lamb curry) and fulia.

Tasting Note:

MONTEBUENA CUVÉE KPF 2012 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#211029) (XD) - $15.95
100% Tempranillo. Prune and cedar oak aromas from the cork. Black cherry, mulberry surrounded by forest floor and earthy aromas of medium intensity. The palate is medium bodied with silky, refined tannins and balanced acidity. Good complexity on the palate with flavours of black cherry, resin, light oak spice and pepper that linger through to the long finish, which also has hints of mocha. Enjoy over the next couple of years. Score: 88 pts

May 30 LCBO Wine Picks: Southern Rhône + New World Pinot Noir

Wine Picks from May 30, 2015 LCBO VINTAGES Release

The next LCBO VINTAGES release will be on shelves this Saturday, May 30, 2015. The co-themes of this release, with 12 wines apiece, are wines from Southern Rhône and New World Pinot Noirs.

Of the 12 wines featured from Southern Rhône, three made my list of wine picks. Among them is an always reliable and dry (i.e. not sweet) Tavel Rosé comprised of Cinsault, Grenache and Mourvèdre. Also included is a Gigondas that consists of old vines Grenache (80%) and Syrah (20%), while the Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. Both of these red wines can be aged for a number of years.

Three of the 12 New World Pinots are also included among my wine picks. Russian River Valley (RRV), in California, makes some very nice Pinot of different styles due to it's many varied soil types. The Migration Pinot Noir from RRV is made by Duckhorn Vineyards, with grapes coming from their own vineyards' sandy loam soils. Altitude plays an important role in grape-growing as higher elevations, which normally have poorer soils, and along with cooler temperatures, contribute to vine stress and results in greater flavour concentrations. The Creekside Pinot Noir is planted at 105-145 metres above sea level in the St. David's Bench VQA (Niagara) and is the first Pinot for this estate since 2008. Last, but definitely not the least, is the Auntsfield Single Vineyard Pinot Noir from New Zealand. The vineyard at Auntsfield Estate where this Pinot was grown consists of Greywacke rock and Loess clay soils - poor soils that produce great wine!

Other red wines worth pursuing in this release include the Alvaro Castro Touriga Nacional-led blend, and the Boschendeal 1685, which is a blend of 70% Shiraz and 30% Mourvèdre.

Lastly, the dessert wine from Bordeaux is a blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc.

I find it interesting that more and more wines from the Flagship Store Exclusives (FSE) section near the back of the VINTAGES magazine are included among my wine picks. From this release, there are 5 such wines that I've recommended that will be available at very select LCBO VINTAGES locations.

Enjoy my wine recommendations for this week. Cheers!

Hidden Bench Estate Riesling 2013 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (89 pts)

Königschaffhauser Vulkanfelsen Pinot Noir Rosé Trocken 2014 - Qualitätswein, Baden, Germany (88 pts)

Dow’s Late Bottled Vintage Port 2009 - DOP, Portugal (89 pts)