VINTAGES Release July 9: Summer Pantry + Cool-Climate Chardonnay

The LCBO VINTAGES Release on July 9th will be on shelves this coming Saturday and features smart wines for the summer pantry as its main theme. The mini-theme focuses cool-climate Chardonnay, to coincide with the 6th annual International Cool-Climate Chardonnay Celebration (i4c) that will take place July 22-24 in Niagara.

From the summer pantry focus that highlights great-value wines, only 3 of the 24 wines featured are included among my wine picks. There is a nice Cremant d'Alsace that is made using Pinot Blanc, Riesling, and Pinot Gris and will show just a kiss of sweetness. The Bila-Haut is a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan matured in vats. The last of the summer pantry wines is a Sauvignon Blanc from Loire.

I've always enjoyed my Chardonnay, and the delectable selection of cool-climate Chards in this release is quite good with 4 of 9 wines featured included among my wine recommendations. Local cool-climate Chardonnays include barrel-fermented styles from Henry of Pelham, Flat Rock Cellars and Château des Charmes. Also barrel-fermented is the Chardonnay from Chile. Lastly, as part of the Flagship Store Exclusive (FSE) selection is the barrel-fermented Chardonnay from Niagara's Pearl Morissette which uses only indigenous yeast during fermentation.

In red wines from the rest of the release, the Piazzano Blend 2 is a blend of 34% Colorino, 33% Sangiovese and 33% Malvasia Nero, while the Crianza is 85% Tempranillo and 15% Garnacha tinta/Mazuelo. Single varietal wines include the old vines Carignan, the Aglianico, and the Barbaresco (100% Nebbiolo). The Gran Selezione Chianti Classico and the Brunello are both 100% Sangiovese, while the Cigliano Chianti Classico includes 5% Colorino in addition to Sangiovese. From Tablas Creek in California is a red blend more reminiscent of Rhône, consisting of 40% Mourvedre, 30% Syrah, 21% Grenache and 9% Counoise.

In white wines, the blend from South Africa consists of Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Semillon. Single varietal wines include the Müller-Thurgau, the Soave (100% Garganega), and the off-dry Riesling.

The rosé wine from Tavel is made with Cinsault, Grenache, and Mourvèdre, while Brangelina's Miraval Rosé is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, and Rolle.

Enjoy my wine picks from this release.

Red Wine:

• M. CHAPOUTIER LES VIGNES DE BILA-HAUT CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON-VILLAGES 2014 - AC, Midi, France (#168716) (D) - $14.95
• CUNE RIOJA CRIANZA 2012 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#039925) (XD) - $16.95
• TESSELLAE VIEILLES VIGNES CARIGNAN 2014 - IGP Côtes Catalanes, Southwest, France (#343509) (D) - $17.95
• D’ANGELO AGLIANICO DEL VULTURE 2012 - DOC, Basilicata, Italy (#971689) (XD) - $18.95
• VILLA DEL CIGLIANO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2013 - DOCG, Tuscany (#189803) (XD) - $19.95
• PIAZZANO BLEND 2 2013 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#455493) (XD) - $24.95  reviewed here
• CASTELLO DI GABBIANO GRAN SELEZIONE BELLEZZA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2012 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#652438) (XD) - $39.95  reviewed here
• NADA GIUSEPPE CASOT BARBARESCO 2012 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#456988) (XD) - $41.95
• LA GERLA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2010 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#642561) (XD) - $63.95
• TABLAS CREEK ESPRIT DE TABLAS 2012 - Paso Robles, California, USA (#735654) (XD) - $65.95  FSE

White Wine:

• DOMAINE DE LA CHAISE TOURAINE SAUVIGNON 2014 - AC, Loire, France (#452540) (XD) - $14.95
• TABALI RESERVA ESPECIAL CHARDONNAY 2013 - Limarí Valley, Chile (#663005) (XD) - $18.95
• CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES ST. DAVID’S BENCH VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2012 - VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#430991) (XD) - $19.95
• WATERKLOOF CIRCLE OF LIFE 2012 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#284588) (XD) - $19.95
• ABBAZIA DI NOVACELLA MÜLLER-THURGAU 2014 - DOC Valle Isarco Alto Adige, Italy (#452557) (XD) - $19.95
• FLAT ROCK THE RUSTY SHED CHARDONNAY 2013 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#001552) (XD) - $24.95
• CHARLES BAKER IVAN VINEYARD RIESLING 2015 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#395921) (D) - $27.20
• HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2013 - VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#616466) (XD) - $29.95
• PIEROPAN LA ROCCA SOAVE CLASSICO 2013 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#092437) (XD) - $37.95
• PEARL MORISSETTE CUVÉE DIX-NEUVIÈME CHARDONNAY 2013 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#303602) (XD) - $38.20  FSE

Rosé Wine:

• FAMILLE PERRIN TAVEL 2015 - AC, Rhône, France (#680801) (XD) - $19.95
• MIRAVAL ROSÉ 2015 - AP Côtes de Provence, France (#042584) (XD) - $22.95

Sparking Wine:

• DOMAINE ALLIMANT-LAUGNER BRUT CRÉMANT D’ALSACE - Méthode Traditionnelle, AC Alsace, France (#030593) (D) - $19.95

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EastDell Pinot Grigio 2015 and Black Cab 2014 - Ontario Wines for Canada Day Long Weekend

Here are a pair of fun summer wines suitable for the patio or relaxing at the cottage. Both the EastDell Pinot Grigio and the Black Cab have been on shelves at the LCBO for many years, but the latest vintage for each wine arrives with a brand new look. I must say, the new look is sharp, modern, and maybe even a little classy. These local wines are made in an easy drinking, crowd-pleasing style, and ideal for your Canada Day long weekend celebrations.

Tasting Notes:

EASTDELL PINOT GRIGIO 2015 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#065367) (D) - $13.95
Screw cap. Aromatic nose offers ripe pear, green apple, and floral with hints of herbally notes. The palate is fleshy with delicate acids. Slightly sweet with stone fruit, white peach, melon, and green apple flavours, but finishes dry with some stony minerality. Good length. Made in a crowd-pleasing style. Score: 85 pts

EASTDELL BLACK CAB 2014 - VQA Ontario, Canada (#609875) (D) - $13.95
Screw cap. Blend of 40% Baco Noir, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Cabernet Franc. Meaty, smoky, vanilla aromas mingle with blackberry and black cherry on the nose of medium+ intensity. The medium-bodied palate has just a kiss of sweetness, showing ripe blackberry, black cherry, cranberry flavours, with a touch of chocolate. It has balanced acids smooth tannins, and good length on the finish. This wine comes in sizes ranging from 200 mL all the way up to Double Magnum (3000 mL), all of which are available at the LCBO. Score: 87 pts

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Piazzano Blend 2 2013 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

Opened up this red wine blend last night. It comes from the family-owned and operated estate of Fattoria di Piazzano in Tuscany, Italy and will be available on LCBO VINTAGES shelves on July 9th.

This particular wine is the 2nd of two red wine blends made by the family (the first is called "Blend 1"), and is fermented using native yeasts in cement tanks. Malolactic fermentation and ageing in French oak barriques for one year. Further ageing occurs in bottle for 6-8 months prior to release.

Tasting Note:

PIAZZANO BLEND 2 2013 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#455493) (XD) - $24.95
This blend consists of nearly equal portions (34/33/33%) Colorino, Sangiovese and Malvasia nero. Black plum aromas from the cork. Opens with yummy raspberry floral notes that give way to pungent earthy, bay leaf, herbal nose with hints of blackberry and dark cherry. It's light-to-mid weighted on the palate with light, dusty tannins providing texture. Earthy, cherry, and clove flavours, with juicy acids. Long, forest floor, cocoa-dusted finish. Enjoy over the next 2-4 years. This goes well with dark chocolate. Score: 89 pts

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Top Wines from Savour Australia Wine Tasting - May 2016

This mid-May tasting titled "Savour Australia" featured wines from about 25 wineries and was held in a compact room at George Restaurant on Queen Street East. At times, the room felt very small due to the high number of people in attendance. Overall, there were many high quality wines at various price points. As is the case with most tastings, many of the wines are not available at the LCBO, but can be ordered through the winery's representing Agent here in Ontario. Many wines from Australia at this tasting were most definitely savoured and highly recommended. Here are some of my favourite Australian wines from this tasting.

Tasting Notes:

CIRILLO 1850 ANCESTOR SEMILLON 2011 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#250281) (XD) - $42.65
Vines from 1849 and produced by the 9th generation of this family-owned winery, this Semillon has a very appealing and highly aromatic nose of mineral, wet stone, white flowers and hints honey. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with a creamy mouthfeel and tart lime and mineral flavours. It is a dry wine with very good acids and excellent length on the finish. Excellent wine will age for at least 5 years. Superb! Contact Bokke Wines for availability. Now available online at LCBO.com and at the Eglinton & Laird LCBO. Score: 92 pts

HOLLICK RAVENSWOOD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 - Coonawarra, South Australia (XD) - $75
Highly aromatic with elegant notes of sweet spice, red and black fruits, currant, cassis, hints of pencil lead and slightly jammy fruit notes, all of which echo very nicely on the full-bodied palate. Acids are juicy and mouth-watering, while the finish is excellent. Tannins are firm and drying, but also provide very good structure. This should be better in 2-3 years and drink well for at least decade. Contact Lifford Wine & Spirits for availability. Score: 92 pts

ALPHA BOX & DICE APOSTLE SHIRAZ DURIF 2012 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (XD) - $50
This 85/15 blend of Shiraz and Durif (aka Petite Sirah) has a medium-to-high intensity nose of red, black and purple fruits intermingling with sweet spice, herbs, mint and violets. On the palate, it is full-bodied and offers complex aroma replays framed by very good acidity and integrated tannins. In my excitement, I guess I forgot to take a photo of this absolutely delicious wine! Score: 91+ pts

STONIER CHARDONNAY 2015 - Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia (#025353) (XD) - $35
Medium-high intensity nose that's fresh and clean with bright orchard fruits and pear aromas. The mouthfeel is full with a nice texture and pleasing aroma replays on the palate. It has very good acidity and finishes long. Very well-balanced. 30% barrel fermented. Contact Select Wines to order. Score: 90+ pts

KILIKANOON MORT'S BLOCK RIESLING 2015 - Clare Valley, South Australia (#428342) (XD) - $19.95
A medium-to-high intensity nose offers lovely petrol aromas with underlying mineral and wet rock along hints of stone fruit, all of which show up on the flavour profile. There's some sweetness on the palate, but is shaded by bright acids. Minerally finish is long and dry with hints of citrus. Should arrive in VINTAGES in the Fall. Contact Charton Hobbs for quicker availability. Score: 90+ pts

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VINTAGES Release June 25: Southern France + Canada Day

The VINTAGES Release on June 25 features wines from southern France as its main theme, while the mini-theme highlights some wines for a Canada Day picnic. All these wines will be on LCBO VINTAGES shelves this coming Saturday.

From the main theme on wines from southern France - which in this release encompasses the regions of Southwest, Languedoc, Roussillon, Rhône and Provence - 3 of the 16 wines made my list of wine picks, and all are red wines. We'll begin with the Domaine les Yeuses Syrah, one of the best values around, year-after-year. Also in this release is the Domaine de l'Alba l'Ermite that is a blend of 60% Carignan, 30% Grenache, and 10% Syrah. Lastly, the Domaine des Terrisses is a rich blend, mostly consisting of grapes you've likely never heard of - 60% Braucol (a.k.a. Fer Servadou), 20% Duras, and 20% Syrah.

To celebrate Canada Day with some Canadian wine, there is a fine selection of wines, all of which happen to come from Ontario. Among my wine recommendations for Canada Day celebrations is a 55/45 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, an always delicious off-dry Riesling, a lovely oaked Baco Noir - a grape I generally don't like but found this wine to be quite nice, and an Icewine that's rarely made using Chardonnay. A pair of rosé wines not included as part of the "Canada Day" theme, but can certainly be opened to celebrate the day include a dry rosé from Southbrook, and an off-dry version from Wildass.

Among the red wines from the rest of the release, the Australian wine is a biodynamic wine made using a 65/35 blend of Shiraz and Grenache, while the Amarone is a blend of 65% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, and 15% Corvinone.

In white wines, the Gavi is made with the Cortese varietal. And for sweet wine lovers, in order from least sweetest to most sweetest, look for the Gewürztraminer or the Rieslings from Alsace, Niagara, or Germany.

Enjoy my wine recommendations for this week. Cheers!

Red Wine:

• DOMAINE LES YEUSES LES ÉPICES SYRAH 2013 - IGP Pays d’Oc, Midi, France (#177584) (XD) - $15.95
• DOMAINE DE L’ALBA L’ERMITE 2013 - AC Corbières, Midi, France (#446138) (XD) - $17.00  reviewed here
• DOMAINE DES TERRISSES GRANDE TRADITION GAILLAC 2012 - AC, Southwest, France (#451922) (XD) - $17.95
• KACABA CABERNET/SYRAH 2013 - VQA Niagara Escarpment, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#317925) (XD) - $18.95  reviewed here
• PAXTON AAA SHIRAZ/GRENACHE 2013 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#149898) (D) - $19.95
• HENRY OF PELHAM RESERVE BACO NOIR 2013 - VQA Ontario, Canada (#461699) (D) - $24.95  reviewed here
• CA’ VIOLA BRICHET BARBERA D’ALBA 2012 - DOC, Piedmont, Italy (#452813) (XD) - $36.95  reviewed here
• PODERE LA CAPPELLA QUERCIOLO CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2011 - Unfiltered, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#095893) (XD) - $38.95  FSE
• GEMMA GIBLIN RISERVA BAROLO 2007 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#185025) (XD) - $38.95
• MONTE DEL FRÁ LENA DI MEZZO AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2011 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#047506) (D) - $53.95  reviewed here
• CHIMNEY ROCK CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 - Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California, USA (#731810) (XD) - $99.95

 

White Wine:

• JARDIN INSPECTOR PÉRINGUEY CHENIN BLANC 2014 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#443473) (XD) - $15.95
• BERSANO GAVI DI GAVI 2014 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#999979) (XD) - $16.95  reviewed here
• EL GORDO DEL CIRCO VERDEJO 2014 - DO Rueda, Spain (#441220) (XD) - $17.95
• CAVE SPRING ESTATE BOTTLED GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2013 - Cave Spring Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#302059) (D) - $17.95
• PARKER COONAWARRA ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2014 - South Australia (#447029) (XD) - $19.95
• ST. URBANS-HOF OLD VINES RIESLING 2014 - Qualitätswein, Mosel, Germany (#995746) (M) - $21.95  reviewed here
• HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE RIESLING 2014 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#183491) (D) - $23.95
• DOMAINE BOTT-GEYL SCHOENENBOURG GRAND CRU RIESLING 2012 - AC Alsace, France (#456970) (D) - $50.95  FSE
• TOLPUDDLE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2013 - Tasmania, Australia (#447045) (XD) - $58.95  FSE

Rosé Wine:

• WILDASS ROSÉ 2015 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#071712) (D) - $17.95
• SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE ORGANIC CABERNET FRANC ROSÉ 2015 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#279117) (XD) - $19.95  reviewed here

Dessert Wine:

• TAWSE CHARDONNAY ICEWINE 2013 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#443739) (S) (200 mL) - $34.95

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Ca' Viola Brichet Barbera d'Alba 2012 (Piedmont) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is a delicious offering from Azienda Agricola Ca' Viola, from Piedmont, Italy that is part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release on June 25th.

The interesting story of Ca' Viola begins begins in the 1980s, when Beppe Caviola borrowed a tractor from his longtime buddy, Maurizio Anselmo, to tend to a vineyard that he was renting in Montelupo. Beppe then began vinifying the grapes in his parents' garage. And in 1991, Elio Altare, who was a star in the Barolo world, tasted the wine and encouraged Beppe to bottle it. The Dolcetto was the first wine to use the Caviola label.

Along with the Dolcetto that was released in 1991 was the Bric du Luv Barbera d'Alba. The Brichet Barbera d'Alba wine that is reviewed below is the "younger sister" of the Bric du Luv. Today, the entire line of Ca' Viola wines now stands at 6 wines.

The grapes for this wine come from the Montelupo vineyard that has calcareous marl and clay soil, at an elevation of 400 metres above sea level. It was aged for 15 months in mainly big barrels and used barriques, and a further 6 months in bottle prior to release.

Since this red wine is listed as a Flagship Store Exclusive, it will be available only in limited quantities beginning this Saturday in the VINTAGES section at select LCBOs across the province.

Tasting Note:

CA’ VIOLA BRICHET BARBERA D’ALBA 2012 - DOC, Piedmont, Italy (#452813) (XD) - $36.95
100% Barbera. Black plum and dark berry aromas from the cork. Aromas of wild flower, cinnamon, wet earth, sweet spice, sage, clove and red cherry waft from the glass with terrific complexity. The mouthfeel is soft on the medium-bodied palate with supple, fine-grained tannins. Delicious raspberry, floral and oak spice flavours. Well-balanced with racy acids and very good length on the finish. Enjoy over the next 3-4 years. Score: 91 pts

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Southbrook Triomphe Organic Cabernet Franc Rosé 2015 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is a sneak preview of a dry rosé that will be available at the LCBO as part of the VINTAGES Release on June 25.

This wine is 100% Cabernet Franc, from grapes grown organically at the Estate, as well as from the Saunders and Sabourin Vineyards.

Tasting Note:

SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE ORGANIC CABERNET FRANC ROSÉ 2015 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#279117) (XD) - $19.95
Stelvin screw cap. Pretty salmon colour. Shy nose offers glimpses of red fruit, strawberry, floral, sweet herbs and hints of honey. The plush, medium-bodied palate has honeyed cran-cherry flavours with some pepper and herbally nuances. It's dry with gentle acids and good length on the finish. Best enjoyed with just a slight chill. Score: 88 pts

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