LCBO VINTAGES Wine Picks & Reviews : Index

Monday, September 14, 2015

LCBO VINTAGES Release September 19: Ontario Wine

LCBO Wine Picks from September 19, 2015 VINTAGES Release

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.

Norman Hardie County Unfiltered Pinot Noir 2013 - VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (92 pts)

Château des Charmes St. David’s Bench Vineyard Gamay Noir Droit 2012 - VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (89 pts)

Keint-He Voyageur Pinot Noir 2013 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (88+ pts)

Reif Vidal Icewine 2013 - VQA Niagara River, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (91 pts)

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

Auntsfield Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2014 - Southern Valleys, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (90+ pts)

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

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 Rosé 2014 - AC Côtes du Rhône, France (87-88 pts)

La Ferme Du Mont La Truffière 2014 - AC Côtes du Rhône, France (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

Clos Bellane Les Echalas 2012 - AC Côtes du Rhône Villages Valréas, France (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 Première Côte 2012 - AC Côtes du Rhône, France (88 pts)

La Ferme Du Mont Le Ponnant Côtes du Rhône Villages 2012 - Unfiltered, AC, Rhône, France (89 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 Gigondas Côtes Jugunda 2013 - AC, Rhône, France (90 pts)

La Ferme Du Mont Châteauneuf-du-Pape Côtes Capelan 2011 - AC, Rhône, France (92 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

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

Colio Méthode Cuve Close Lily Sparkling from VQA Ontario, Canada (87 pts)

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

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

Patrick Lesec Galets Blonds Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2012 from AC, Rhône, France (93 pts)

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

LCBO Wine Picks from September 5, 2015 VINTAGES Release

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!