January 23 VINTAGES Release: Argentina + Chile + Portugal

The January 23rd VINTAGES Release will be on LCBO shelves this coming Saturday and features wines from South America's dynamic duo - Argentina and Chile as part of its main thematic, while the mini-theme is on wines from Portugal. All three countries produce wines offering great value, and should continue to do so in spite of our plunging loonie!

In this release, there are 7 wines each from Argentina and Chile. Three of the seven wines from Argentina are included among my wine picks. No Argentinian list is complete without a nice Malbec, but also among my wine recommendations is a heavily oaked Chardonnay for those that are fans of the style. Last, but not least, is a ripe red wine made using Bonarda - a grape Argentina does quite well.

The Chilean offering is also strong with three of the seven wines included in my wine picks. All are red wines with some special characteristics, such as the single vineyard Carménère from Chile's big house of Concha y Toro. There is also a Cabernet Sauvignon from a single block within a single vineyard from Cono Sur Vineyards & Winery. The third wine is made from 80-year-old vines of Carignan that were dry farmed (i.e. using only natural rainfall). The last Chilean wine recommendation is found near the back of the magazine, as part of the Flagship Store Exclusive (FSE) program - the 2006 Albis is 10 years old and is a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon and 28% Carménère made in collaboration with the famous Antinori family of Italy.

From Portugal, two of the ten wines made my list. The Vale do Bomfim red table wine is a blend of 30% Tinta Barroca, 25% Touriga Nacional, 25% Touriga Franca, 15% Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) and 5% Tinto Cão, while the LBV Vintage Port is a sweet blend consisting of 50% Touriga Nacional, 10% Touriga Franca, and 10% Tinto Cão. It's beyond me why the Warre's Vintage Port was not featured as part of the Portuguese theme, but it's there as part of the rest of the release and it's great!

From the rest of the release, the only organic wine of the release is a red wine from Puglia that is a blend of 70% Aglianico, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah, while the Santenay is 100% Pinot Noir from vines that are 45 years old.

In white wines, the Pouilly Fumé is made with Sauvignon Blanc, while the two white Burgundies are Chardonnay. The Côtes du Rhône Blanc is a blend of 50% Grenache, 15% Clairette, 15% Bourboulenc, 10% Viognier, and 10% Roussanne. If you enjoy sweeter wines, the Gewürztraminer from Alsace will fit the bill. Also for sweet wine lovers is the Flat Rock Twisted White (a VINTAGES Essential item) and a blend of Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Chardonnay that's on sale for one week at only $13.95 - a very good value in my books.

Enjoy my wine recommendations for this week. Cheers!

Red Wine:

• TRAPICHE BROQUEL BONARDA 2013 - Mendoza, Argentina (#55558) (D) - $14.95
• VALE DO BOMFIM 2013 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#167676) (XD) - $15.95
• SANTA CAROLINA SPECIALTIES DRY FARMING CARIGNAN 2011 - Cauquenes Valley, Chile (#213520) (D) - $17.95
• TERRAZAS DE LOS ANDES RESERVA MALBEC 2013 - Mendoza, Argentina (#29280) (D) - $18.95
• CONO SUR SINGLE VINEYARD EL RECURSO BLOCK 18 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014 - Maipo Valley, Chile (#439364) (D) - $18.95
• CONCHA Y TORO MARQUES DE CASA CONCHA CARMÉNÈRE 2013 - Peumo Vineyard, Cachapoal Valley, Chile (#169862) (XD) - $19.95
• FOWLES STONE DWELLERS SHIRAZ 2013 - Strathbogie Ranges, Victoria, Australia (#265967) (D) - $19.95
• TORMARESCA TRENTANGELI 2012 - DOC Castel del Monte, Puglia, Italy (#435529) (XD) - $19.95
• VINCENT GIRARDIN VIEILLES VIGNES SANTENAY 2013 - AC, Burgundy, France (#435552) (XD) - $37.95
• ALBIS 2006 - Maipo Valley, Chile (#579813) (XD) - $39.95  FSE
• PETER FRANUS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#907477) (XD) - $66.95

White Wine:

• RABL LANGENLOIS GRÜNER VELTLINER 2013 - Kamptal, Austria (#377457) (XD) - $14.95
• FLAT ROCK TWISTED WHITE 2013 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#1578) (M) - $16.95 (only $13.95 from Jan. 21-27)
• WILLY GISSELBRECHT TRADITION GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2013 - AC Alsace, France (#928390) (M) - $18.95
• VIÑA COBOS FELINO CHARDONNAY 2014 - Mendoza, Argentina (#119099) (XD) - $19.95
• DOMAINE CHATELAIN LES VIGNES DE SAINT-LAURENT-L’ABBAYE POUILLY FUMÉ 2014 - AC, Loire, France (#958801) (XD) - $19.95
• DOMAINE DE LA JANASSE CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2014 - AC, Rhône, France (#707588) (XD) - $21.95
• DOMAINE CHEVALLIER CHABLIS 2014 - AC, Burgundy, France (#112227) (XD) - $23.95
• BLUE MOUNTAIN CHARDONNAY 2014 - Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#350108) (XD) - $24.95
• MARCHAND-TAWSE SAINT ROMAIN 2011 - AC, Burgundy, France (#440206) (XD) - $31.95

Sparkling Wine:

• LOUIS BOUILLOT PERLE D’AURORE BRUT ROSÉ CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE - Méthode Traditionnelle, AC, Burgundy, France (#48793) (D) - $19.95

Fortifieds:

• DALVA LBV PORT 2010 - DOP, Portugal (#169755) (S) - $19.95  reviewed here
• WARRE’S QUINTA DA CAVADINHA VINTAGE PORT 2001 - Bottled 2003, DOP, Portugal (#189605) (S) - $49.95

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Plunkett Fowles Stone Dwellers Shiraz 2008 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's delicious red wine was purchased nearly 4 years ago and was the Wine of the Month from the February 4, 2012 VINTAGES Release.

As luck would have it, the 2013 vintage of this wine will be available in the upcoming January 23rd VINTAGES Release.

Tasting Note:

PLUNKETT FOWLES STONE DWELLERS SHIRAZ 2008 - Strathbogie Ranges, Victoria, Australia (#265967) (XD) - $19.95
Screw cap. Medium-to-high intensity nose featuring stewed fruits, blackberry, dried herbs, black pepper spice and earthy tones. It's full-bodied with sweet, integrated tannins and very nice aroma replays joined by hints of violet and eucalyptus notes. Rush of fresh, juicy acidity mid-palate. Finishes long and earthy. This lovely Aussie Shiraz should continue to drink well over the next 2-3 years. Will be enjoyed with homemade chicken burgers. Score: 89 pts Jason Solanki

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Nals Margreid Pinot Noir 2013 (Italy) - Wine Review

Opened up this yummy Pinot last night ahead of it's release this Saturday as part of the first LCBO VINTAGES release of 2016.

Pinot Noir is nowhere near the first grape that comes to mind when thinking of wines from Italy. This red wine from Winery Nals Margreid is from the northernmost region of Italy, in South Tyrol (aka Südtirol), a region also known by its alternative Italian name of Alto Adige.

The grapes for this Pinot Noir come from Mazzon Vineyard in the southern portion of the winery's region, located on the eastern flank of the wide valley. The vines are at an elevation between 1,100 and 1,600 feet above sea level, in sandy clay soils and exposed to the afternoon sun. It's interesting to note that vineyard is located on the 46th parallel, which is the same latitude as the famous wines of Burgundy. However, since this region enjoys an average of 300 sunny days per year, one can expect a riper wine.

Tasting Note:

NALS MARGREID PINOT NOIR 2013 - DOC Alto Adige, Italy (#434225) (XD) - $19.95
8 months in big oak barrels. Plum and sour cherry aromas from the cork. Ripe cherry with dampen earth aromas along with whiffs of ripe plum, clove and charcuterie. On the palate, it's medium-bodied with saliva-inducing acids, soft rounded tannins and flavours of ripe dark cherry, black cherry, sweet spice with beetroot, earth and strawberry flavours emerging on the medium-long finish. Will be enjoyed with Fesenjan (Pomegranate Chicken) with rice. Score: 88 pts

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January 9 VINTAGES Release: Smart Buys

The first VINTAGES release of 2016 is on January 9th and is the annual "Smart Buys" release. After seeing many premium-priced wines land on VINTAGES shelves throughout November and December, most of the wines in this release are below the magic $20 line.

From the "Smart Buys" thematic, only 4 of the 20 wines featured are included among my wine picks below. First up is an Australian Shiraz from a grape grower that has been growing grapes for decades for other winemakers, but has now finally decided make his own wine. The other red wine is an Argentinian red blend consisting of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Merlot. In white wines, the medium sweet Featherstone Riesling is back in VINTAGES. There is also an intriguing Italian Moscato that is - get this - made in an uncommon dry style (i.e not sweet).

In white wines from the rest of the release, there are a pair of very sweet Rieslings from Germany. Since it is new year, why not try some new varietals you may have never tasted before? There's a Grüner Veltliner, a Coda di Volpe, and a florally aromatic Moschofilero/Roditis blend from Greece. All three of these wines are dry.

Among the red wines, the Michel Gassier red is a blend of 50% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre, and 10% Carignan/Cinsault, while the Maquis Lien is 42% Cabernet Franc, 32% Syrah, 23% Carmenere and 2% Petit Verdot. Lastly, the IGT Super Tuscan is mainly Sangiovese with small amounts of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot added.

Happy New Year and I hope you enjoy my first set of LCBO wine recommendations of 2016! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• CHÂTEAU DES ALADÈRES SÉLECTION VIEILLES VIGNES 2012 - AC Corbières, Midi, France (#431726) (XD) - $14.95
• NIETO SENETINER DON NICANOR CABERNET/MALBEC/MERLOT 2012 - Mendoza, Argentina (#640938) (XD) - $16.95
• DON’T HESITATE SHIRAZ 2013 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#434159) (XD) - $17.00
• SANTA RITA MEDALLA REAL GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011 - Maipo Valley, Chile (#275594) (XD) - $17.95
• NALS MARGREID PINOT NOIR 2013 - DOC Alto Adige, Italy (#434225) (XD) - $19.95  reviewed here
• MICHEL GASSIER NOSTRE PAÏS 2012 - AC Costières de Nîmes, Rhône, France (#295410) (D) - $22.95  reviewed here
• MAQUIS LIEN 2009 - Colchagua Valley, Chile (#403881) (XD) - $29.00  FSE  reviewed here
• CAIAROSSA PERGOLAIA 2008 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#424333) (XD) - $34.95

White Wine:

• SYN+ WHITE DOT MOSCHOFILERO/RODITIS 2014 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#429944) (XD) - $13.95
• FEATHERSTONE BLACK SHEEP RIESLING 2014 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#080234) (M) - $16.95
• DONNACHIARA IRPINIA CODA DI VOLPE 2013 - DOP, Campania, Italy (#434241) (XD) - $16.95
• FRED LOIMER LOIS GRÜNER VELTLINER 2013 - DAC Kamptal, Austria (#422717) (XD) - $17.95  reviewed here
• PUPILLO CYANE MOSCATO 2010 - IGT Sicilia, Italy (#156430) (XD) - $18.95
• STUDERT-PRÜM WEHLENER SONNENUHR RIESLING SPÄTLESE 2011 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#912659) (S) - $24.95
• JOH. JOS. PRÜM WEHLENER SONNENUHR RIESLING KABINETT 2011 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#440131) (MS) - $39.95  FSE

Sparkling Wine:

• ZUCCARDI BLANC DE BLANCS CUVÉE ESPECIAL 2008 - Méthode Traditionnelle, Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina (#435438) (XD) - $19.95

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Muskoka Brewery Mad Tom IPA and Cream Ale - Beer Review

After enjoying wine almost exclusively for the past couple of months, it was a nice change of pace to have some beer. Last night I opened the Mad Tom IPA, while tonight I am enjoying Cream Ale.

Based in the heart of Muskoka, this brewery handcrafts premium beers that are unique and refreshing. Muskoka Brewery was founded in June 1996 by Gary McMullen and Kirk Evans with a passion for craft beers. The small team that helped open the doors nearly 20 years ago has now grown to a team of more than 100 passionate beer folk.

Muskoka Brewery has 4 core beliefs - Freshness, Purity, Independence and Creative Change.

Each of their products is labelled with a "best before" date so you can enjoy fresh beer each and every time.

Did you know that alcohol is the only consumable product that doesn't legally require a full list of ingredients? At Muskoka Brewery, they include the full list of ingredients so you know exactly what's in your beer. Furthermore, there are no additives, preservatives, or cheaper ingredients used to shortcut the brewing process. It is pure. Love it!

The brewery is an independent, Canadian-owned company with brewery and offices located in Bracebridge, Ontario. Creative change occurred beginning in 2012 with the construction of a new, much larger facility housing a new 70 hectolitre brew house and 8 x 155 hectolitre new fermentation tanks.

Sounds like a trip to the new facility will be required the next time I'm up in Muskoka!

Tasting Notes:

MUSKOKA BREWERY MAD TOM IPA - $3.10 to $49.95
Dark golden colour and with very hoppy, bitter floral flavours. It's full-bodied and dry with a hints of caramel on the mid-palate. Good length on the hoppy, resinous finish. This is one of those beers to enjoy with food. 6.4% ABV. A bit too hoppy for my tastes, I think I would prefer the Detour IPA more. Available in can or bottle at The Beer Store or in can format in smaller quantities at the LCBO.

MUSKOKA BREWERY CREAM ALE - $3.00 to $48.95
Amber coloured and medium-to-full bodied with a creamy mouthfeel that's made in an easy-drinking style. It has gentle hoppiness and hints of citrus that flow through to the long finish. Highly drinkable and a pleasure to sip on. Celebrating 19 years this year, Muskoka Brewery's flagship beer is definitely my kind of beer! 5% ABV. Available in can or bottle at The Beer Store and LCBO.

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Rioja Bordón Gran Reserva Vertical Wine Tasting

Back in October, I was invited to a very nice vertical tasting of Rioja Bordón Gran Reserva wines dating back to 1982.

These red wines are produced by Bodegas Franco-Españolas, a winery that was founded in 1890 in Logrono, Spain, in the aftermath of the French wine industry's most devastating incidents - the phylloxera plague. Bordeaux winemakers affected by the plague departed for Spain in search of the country's best soil and climate to continue their winemaking traditions. From the Bordeaux firm "Anglade", Frederick Anglade Saurat and other Spanish partners founded Bodegas Franco-Españolas. The winery name translates in English to "French Spanish Wineries". By 1922, the winery became entirely Spanish-owned. Today, it is owned by Carlos and Rosa Eguizabal, the second generation of the Eguizabal family that has owned the winery.

At Bodegas Franco-Españolas, the philosophy is to age all of its wines longer than legally required. For example, the Gran Reservas are barrel aged for 36 months instead of the minimum legal requirement of 24 months. Furthermore, all barrel ageing at Bodegas Franco-Españolas is done in American oak.

The winery and its vines are located in a long valley in the Northern-Central part of Spain with a very special micro-climate defined by mountain chains to the north and south, and the Ebro River that runs between the two mountain ranges. Bodegas Franco-Españolas farms nearly 600 acres of vineyards while also collaborating with local farmers in Rioja.

It's interesting to note that Oenologist Carlos Estecha began working with the Eguizabal Group of Companies since 1988 and continues to this day - that's 27 years!

Today, Bodegas Franco-Españolas is one of the oldest and most prestigious wineries in Spain and in 2015 celebrated its 125th Anniversary.

Thank you Eurovintage Wines & Spirits for the opportunity to taste these lovely wines. The latest vintage of the Gran Reserva is widely available at the LCBO, while the Reserva and back vintage Gran Reserva wines may be available for purchase through the agent. Please contact Eurovintage for availability.

Tasting Notes:

RIOJA BORDÓN GRAN RESERVA 1982 - DO Rioja, Spain (XD)
Blend of Tempranillo, Graciano, and Mazuelo (a.k.a. Carignan). Medium+ intensity nose showing great complexity with rustic, earthy, tobacco, burnt caramel, old leather, blackberry and some dried herbs aromas. The palate is light-to-medium bodied with tannins fully resolved and flavours consisting of sour cherry and earth notes. Balanced acidity. It's a touch warm with dried herb notes on and the very long finish. Still very well-balanced at this mature age. Drink soon. Interesting to note that the empty bottle was extremely light. Score: 91 pts

RIOJA BORDÓN GRAN RESERVA 1985 - DO Rioja, Spain (XD)
Blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha (a.k.a. Grenache) and Graciano. Medium+ intensity aromas of toasty smoke, wood, dark currant, dark cherry, mulling spice and some raisined notes. Medium bodied on the palate with herbal, coriander, dark fruits and some olive flavours. It has good acidity and a lengthy finish. Will continue to drink well for a number of years. Score: 89 pts

RIOJA BORDÓN GRAN RESERVA 1994 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (XD)
Consisting of 80% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha, 5% Graciano, and 5% Mazuelo, this has medium-to-high aromas of blackberry, dark cherry, leather, forest floor and well-integrated oak. On the palate, it's medium+ bodied with a chalky spine, fresh acidity and very nice aroma replays. The finish is very long with hints of raspberry. Excellent balance overall. Good tannic structure will allow it to age another 7-8 years. One of my favourites of the tasting. A delight! Score: 91 pts

RIOJA BORDÓN GRAN RESERVA 1995 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (XD)
Same blend as the 1994, this has medium+ intensity aromas of blackberry, earth, raspberry, spice and vanilla. It's medium-to-full bodied with a chalky spine and very good acidity. The aromas echo on the palate along with sour cherry and oak flavours. A touch warm on the lingering finish. Still has life. Score: 89 pts

RIOJA BORDÓN GRAN RESERVA 2001 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#428060) (XD) - $22.95
Blend of 80% Tempranillo, 16% Garnacha, 2% Mazuelo and 2% Graciano. Medium-to-high aromatics with oak notes leading the way followed by dark berries and floral hints. It's full-bodied with nicely balanced flavours of herbal, eucalypt, blackberry, sandalwood, and spice on the palate. Mouth-watering acidity and a very long finish that is slightly hot, but fruit holds it up well. Nicely balanced with plenty of finesse. Drink over the next 10-15 years. My favourite of the tasting. Score: 91 pts

RIOJA BORDÓN GRAN RESERVA 2005 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#428060) (D) - $22.95
Consisting of 80% Tempranillo, 10% Mazuelo, and 10% Graciano, this has a somewhat closed nose but shows ripe fruit, blackberry, sweet vanilla, barnyard and some blue fruit aromas. It's medium-to-full bodied with nice aroma replays, bright acidity and finishing long. Big, full-throttle wine. Doesn't seem to have matured much over the last 10 years. Lay this one down for 5 years and drink over the next 10-15 years. Score: 90 pts

RIOJA BORDÓN GRAN RESERVA 2006 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#428060) (XD) - $22.95
Blend of 80% Tempranillo, 10% Mazuelo and 10% Graciano and features medium+ intensity aromas of pached raspberry, kirsch, blackberry liquer, sandalwood and some earth. It's medium-to-full bodied with aromas echoing on the palate and a chalky spine. Acids are mouth-watering, while the finish is long and warm with floral hints. Will age gracefully for 10 years or more. Score: 91 pts

RIOJA BORDÓN RESERVA 2007 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#194753) (XD) - $19.95
Barnyard, earth, mushroom and sandalwood aromas from the glass. The palate is medium-to-full bodied with bright acidity with blackberry and sandalwood flavours. Chalky tannins. Excellent length on the finish. Better in 4-5 years. Score: 90+ pts

RIOJA BORDÓN RESERVA 2008 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#194753) (XD) - $19.95
The nose somewhat reserved but shows pleasing raspberry, blackberry, sandalwood notes with an earthy streak. It's medium-bodied with nice aroma replays. Still a bit tight, but has juicy acids and a medium-long finish. Score: 89 pts

RIOJA BORDÓN RESERVA 2009 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#194753) (XD) - $19.95
Medium+ intensity nose led by smoky oak notes with underlying raspberry and blackberry aromas. On the palate, it's medium+ bodied dark and red cherry, blackberry, and subtle oak flavours. It has very good acidity, while the tannins are still very tight, and finish length is medium-to-long. Cellar 2-3 years or decant and serve now. Score: 88 pts

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Lakeview Cellars Syrah 2012 (Niagara) - Wine Review

I first tasted this wine last September when I visited Diamond Estates Winery during the Niagara Wine Festival. Lakeview Cellars was founded in 1991 by Eddy Gurinskas and is now the oldest brand at Diamond Estates.

The 2012 vintage was exceptional for red wine grapes in Niagara, pushing quality levels up throughout the region. The grapes for Lakeview Cellars wines are sourced from Diamond Estates' best vineyards in the Niagara Region. These vineyards are kissed by Lake Ontario's offshore breeze and create a more temperate climate; this can produce superior fruit with more intense flavours and complexity.

Tasting Note:

LAKEVIEW CELLARS SYRAH 2012 - VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $24.95
Screw cap. Medium intensity aromas of barnyard and earth with subtle hints of dark berries, black pepper and dried herbs. The palate is medium+ bodied and rounded with pleasing aroma replays. Acids are lively, with supple tannins and lengthy finish. Available only at the winery. Score: 87 pts

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