LCBO VINTAGES Wine Picks & Reviews : Index

Monday, November 21, 2016

VINTAGES Release November 26: Fine Holiday Wines

LCBO Wine Picks from November 26, 2016 VINTAGES Release

The upcoming LCBO VINTAGES Release on November 26 is titled "A Fine Romance" and features 29 fine wines and spirits that are splurge-worthy for the holidays. Wines from this release will be on shelves this coming Saturday.

Leaving out the spirits, there are 25 wines included in this mono-thematic release, and a full 9 are included among my wine picks. A local red wine that is on this list is the impressive Stratus Red from the very good 2012 vintage that's made with traditional Bordeaux varietals. From South America, there is the Catena Alta Malbec from Argentina, and Chilean icon wine Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon that also contains 7% Cabernet Franc. The legendary Sassicaia is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc, while the Amarone consists of traditional grapes (70%) Corvina Veronese and Corvinone, (25%) Rondinella, (5%) Molinara. Other single-varietal wines include the Dead Arm Shiraz and the Napa Cabernet Sauvignon from Beringer.

Stratus Red 2012 - VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (92 pts)

Concha Y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 - Puente Alto, Maipo Valley, Chile (92 pts)

Sassicaia 2013 - DOC Bolgheri Sassicaia, Tuscany, Italy (94 pts)

Among non-red wines, the splurge-worthy white wine is a multi-site mountain vineyard Kistler Chardonnay. In sparkling wine, the Bollinger Champagne - which is available in 2 sizes in this release - consists of 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, and 15% Pinot Meunier.

Other sparkling wines that are also in this Release include a dry version that is almost equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from South Africa, while the Le Mesnil Champagne is 100% Chardonnay. Lastly, the Vouvray is a slightly off-dry style (i.e. a touch sweet) and made with Chenin Blanc. In white wines, the Hermit Crab for 2015 is a crisp blend of 58% Viognier and 42% Marsanne.

In red wine recommendations, the Borsao Bole is a blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah, while the Rioja is 100% Tempranillo. The 2010 Bordeaux is a returnee to VINTAGES and is a blend of 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot. From Portugal, the Mondego is a blend of 88% Touriga Nacional, 5% Tinta Roriz, 5% Alfrocheiro and 2% Jaen, while the Torbreck is an unoaked blend of 85% Grenache, 8% Shiraz and 7% Mataro with vines ranging from 40 to 150 years old.

Montebuena Cuvée KPF 2014 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (88 pts)

This is the second last release of 2016 - so you might want to stock up now. Enjoy my wine picks from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

BORSAO BOLE 2013 - DO Campo de Borja, Spain (#471565) (XD) - $15.95
MONTEBUENA CUVÉE KPF 2014 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#211029) (XD) - $15.95 reviewed here
SALENTEIN RESERVE MALBEC 2014 - Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#640854) (XD) - $17.95
CHÂTEAU DE PANIGON 2010 - AC Médoc, Bordeaux, France (#348250) (XD) - $19.95
QUINTA DO MONDEGO 2010 - DOC Dão, Portugal (#399766) (D) - $19.95
WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE SHIRAZ 2012 - Coonawarra, South Australia (#433060) (XD) - $22.95
TORBRECK CUVÉE JUVENILES 2014 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#723940) (XD) - $27.95
STRATUS RED 2012 - VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#131037) (XD) - $44.20 reviewed here
REX HILL PINOT NOIR 2013 - Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA (#275735) (XD) - $46.95

CATENA ALTA HISTORIC ROWS MALBEC 2013 - Mendoza, Argentina (#982355) (D) - $49.95
SASSETTI PERTIMALI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2009 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#474734) (XD) - $49.95
D’ARENBERG THE DEAD ARM SHIRAZ 2012 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#430512) (D) - $54.95
MICHELE CASTELLANI CINQUE STELLE AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2012 - Collezione Ca’ del Pipa, DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#075127) (D) - $56.95
VERSADO RESERVA ANCIENT MALBEC 2012 - Mendoza, Argentina (#316984) (XD) - $59.95
CONCHA Y TORO DON MELCHOR CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 - Puente Alto, Maipo Valley, Chile (#403980) (D) - $74.95 reviewed here
ANAKOTA HELENA MONTANA VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013 - Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA (#181131) (XD) - $158.95 FSE
BERINGER PRIVATE RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#149955) (XD) - $166.95
SASSICAIA 2013 - DOC Bolgheri Sassicaia, Tuscany, Italy (#480533) (XD) - $212.95 reviewed here

White Wine:

TENUTE MESSIERI VISIONI OFFIDA PECORINO 2013 - DOCG, Marche, Italy (#414011) (XD) - $16.95
D’ARENBERG THE HERMIT CRAB VIOGNIER/MARSANNE 2015 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#662775) (XD) - $17.95
BARBUNTÍN ALBARINO 2014 - DO Rîas Baixas, Spain (#461285) (XD) - $17.95
WITHER HILLS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2015 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#919514) (D) - $19.95
TIEFENBRUNNER PINOT GRIGIO 2015 - IGT Vigneti delle Dolomiti, Alto Adige/Trentino, Italy (#474742) (XD) - $19.95
VIGNE SURRAU BRANU VERMENTINO DI GALLURA 2014 - DOCG, Sardinia, Italy (#455246) (XD) - $21.95
DOMAINES SCHLUMBERGER KESSLER RIESLING 2012 - AC Alsace Grand Cru, France (#061176) (XD) - $27.95
TAWSE ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2012 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#344804) (D) - $38.40 reviewed here
DOMAINE DANIEL-ÉTIENNE DEFAIX CÔTES DE LECHET CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2003 - AC, Burgundy, France (#470435) (XD) - $51.95
KISTLER SONOMA MOUNTAIN CHARDONNAY 2014 - Sonoma Mountain, California, USA (#183921) (XD) - $111.95

Tawse Estate Chardonnay 2012 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (91 pts)

Sparkling Wine:

DOMAINE DE VAUGONDY BRUT VOUVRAY - Méthode traditionelle, AC, Loire, France (#154567) (D) - $17.95
GRAHAM BECK BRUT CHARDONNAY/PINOT NOIR SPARKLING - Méthode Cap Classique, WO Western Cape, South Africa (#593483) (XD) - $18.95
LE MESNIL BRUT GRAND CRU BLANC DE BLANCS CHAMPAGNE - AC, France (#460840) (XD) - $49.95
BOLLINGER SPECIAL CUVÉE BRUT CHAMPAGNE - AC, France (#234104 / #384529) (D) (375 mL / 750 mL) - $42.95 / $78.95

Fortifieds:

WARRE’S LBV BOTTLE AGED PORT 2004 - Unfiltered, bottled in 2008, DOP, Portugal (#434936) (S) - $35.95
KOPKE COLHEITA PORT 1996 - Matured in wood, btld. in 2016, DOC, Portugal (#063743) (S) - $59.95

Sherry:

ALVEAR SOLERA 1927 PEDRO XIMÉNEZ - DOP Montilla-Moriles, Spain (#463034) (S) (375 mL) - $19.95

Dessert Wine:

CAVE SPRING INDIAN SUMMER SELECT LATE HARVEST RIESLING 2013 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#415901) (S) (375 mL) - $24.95
DOMAINE CAUHAPE SYMPHONIE DE NOVEMBRE 2012 - AC Jurançon, Southwest, France (#470344) (S) - $38.95 FSE

Mead:

ROSEWOOD MEAD ROYALE HONEY WINE 2015 - Barrel aged, Canada (#296178) (S) (500 mL) - $16.95

EastDell Unoaked Chardonnay 2015 (Ontario) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is an unoaked Chardonnay and, similar to the 2014 EastDell Gamay Noir, is now on LCBO shelves with an updated, modern label that still retains the iconic heron.

The 2015 vintage began with unusually cold temperatures throughout Winter and Spring. Fortunately, weather conditions improved greatly during the Summer growing season, with favourable conditions continuuing through to harvest.

Produced by Diamond Estates, this easy-drinking Chardonnay is available at the Winery Boutique (at Diamond Estates) and at the LCBO.

EastDell Unoaked Chardonnay 2015 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (86 pts)

Tasting Note:

EASTDELL UNOAKED CHARDONNAY 2015 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#609867) (XD) - $13.95
Screw cap. Aromas of fresh lemon/lime citrus with ripe golden apple undertones. The palate is medium-bodied and fleshy with more ripe apple and citrus fruit flavours. Some grapefruit notes emerge with time in glass. Acids are clean and balanced. Good length on the finish. This is a clean, easy-drinking (unoaked) Chardonnay to drink in the near term with seafood, salads or poultry. Score: 86 pts

International Grenache Day is celebrated around the world every 3rd Friday of September. This year, the celebration fell on Friday, September 16th and I was invited to an exclusive tasting of a few spectacular Grenache (or Garnatxa as they say in Spain) wines at Archive 909 on Dundas Street West in downtown Toronto.

The origins of Grenache are found in Aragon, in northern Spain and the grape was known as the Red of Aragon (Tinto Aragonés). From there, it spread to Sardinia, Southern France, Australia and California. Over centuries, naturally occurring Grenache mutations formed, resulting in the prevalence of Grenache blanc, a grapes that's used in making white wines.

Today, Grenache is one of most widely planted grapes in the world, with Spain being the #1 grower. Single varietals wines made from Grenache noir are plenty, but it's also commonly used in GSM blends (Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre/Mataro) from Southern France and Australia.

On this day in September, I had the opportunity to taste through various Grenache wines, including some Garnatxa blanc wines, and pairing them with some delicious Mediterranean tapas prepared by the fine folks at Archive 909. All of the wines were from Spain, and wine reviews of my favourite Garnacha wines are provided below. Unfortunately, none of the my favourite wines are currently available at the LCBO, so you'll have to reach out to the Agent to place your order.

If you missed celebrating #GrenacheDay this year, mark you calendar as it will return in 2017 on Friday, September 15th. In the meantime, you can drink Grenache throughout year as its quite commonly found at the LCBO. Salud!

Tasting Notes:

BOTERA VILA-CLOSA GARNATXA BLANCA 2015 - DO Terra Alta, Spain (XD) - $16.02
Medium+ intensity nose offering plenty of mineral character combined with lemon, stone fruit and pear aromas. The palate has nicely balanced aroma replays with earthy and some flinty notes making a statement on the long finish. Fresh and succulent acids. Contact That's Life Gourmet for availability. Score: 88+ pts

Botera Vila-Closa Garnatxa Blanca 2015 - DO Terra Alta, Spain (88+ pts)

Lafou Els Amelers Garnatxa Blanca 2015 - DO Terra Alta, Spain (89 pts)

LAFOU ELS AMELERS GARNATXA BLANCA 2015 - DO Terra Alta, Spain (XD) ~ $29
10% of this exotic wine rested in 300-litre lightly toasted barrels. The medium intensity nose has exotic waxy, honey and tropical nuances. Lemony acids are fresh with a nice mineral texture on the palate. Some herbally flavours. Finish length is very good. Score: 89 pts

LAS ROCAS VINAS VIEJAS DE SAN ALEJANDRO OLD VINE GARNACHA 2013 - DO Catalayud, Spain (XD) - ??
From vines between 80-100 years old, this has medium+ intensity aromas of cranberry, oak spice, and red & purple florals that all make an appearance on the medium+ bodied palate. It has nicely integrated tannins, balanced and juicy acids. Long finishing. Score: 88+ pts

Las Rocas Vinas Viejas de San Alejandro Old Vine Garnacha 2013 - DO Catalayud, Spain (88+ pts)

Cruz de Piedra Selección Especial 2014 - DO Catalayud, Spain (89 pts)

CRUZ DE PIEDRA SELECCIÓN ESPECIAL 2014 - DO Catalayud, Spain (XD) - $12
Grapes for this wine come from old bush vines, ranging between 50-100 years old. Appears closed for the moment, but shows hints of blackberry, mineral, dark fruits, sweet oak spices. Full-bodied with a dense, concentrated mouthfeel and pleasing aroma replays. It has fresh, balanced acids that are just a touch tart. Excellent length on the finish. This is a big wine that can be decanted and enjoyed now, or aged for at least half dozen years. Contact Rogers & Company for availability. Score: 89 pts

BODEGAS ARAGONESAS FAGUS DE COTO DE HAYAS SELECCIÓN ESPECIAL 2013 - DO Campo de Borja, Spain (XD) - $29.95
From old vines ranging between 40-50 years old. Lovely, captivating nose offers complex raspberry, leafy, floral, clove and hints of mineral. Medium+ bodied on the palate with astringent tannins that softened with air. Very nice, well balanced, floral and cherry, clove, subtle sweet oak spice flavours. Balanced use of oak with hints of vanilla on the medium-long finish. My favourite wine of the tasting. Contact Hobbs & Co. for availability. Score: 89 pts

Bodegas Aragonesas Fagus de Coto de Hayas Selección Especial 2013 - DO Campo de Borja, Spain (90 pts)

Montebuena Cuvée KPF 2014 (Spain) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is a red wine that will be available in LCBO VINTAGES on November 26.

Having enjoyed the 2012 Montebuena Cuvée KPF that showed up in VINTAGES in June 2015, I am expecting the 2014 to be equally as good as (or better than) the 2012 vintage to due a harvest that improved in quality.

It is produced by Bodegas y Viñedos Labastida, a winery that is part of the Unión de Cosecheros of Labastida co-operative. This co-op was formed in the 1960s and is now the largest co-operative winery in the Basque Country, with a production capacity of 7 million litres.

Tasting Note:

MONTEBUENA CUVÉE KPF 2014 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#211029) (XD) - $15.95
100% Tempranillo that was hand-harvested from the Montebuena vineyard. The 2012 was bottled under cork, but this vintage is now under screw cap. Nicely appealing mulberry, sweet herbs, freshly tilled earth and red fruit aromas of medium intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with nice aroma replays. Acids are juicy and tannins are ripe and smooth. Forest floor notes linger on the finish. Delicious wine to drink over the next 2 years. Score: 88 pts

EastDell Gamay Noir 2014 (Ontario) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is the latest Gamay from EastDell Estates.

I tasted the 2010 EastDell Gamay Noir three years ago, but this wine has since undergone a label change and comes to us now with a brand new, modern label that still includes the iconic heron.

The summer in 2014 had average-to-cooler than normal temperatures, while late summer and into September brought much needed sunshine to push the grapes to maturity. Harvest began 10 days later than normal and lasted into October. This wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks for 12 days, followed by ageing in French and American oak barrels for 8 months, half which were new oak and half in 2 year old barrels.

This easy-drinking red wine is widely available at the LCBO and at the Diamond Estates winery boutique in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

EastDell Gamay Noir 2014 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (88 pts)

Tasting Note:

EASTDELL GAMAY NOIR 2014 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#214890) (XD) - $13.95
Screw cap. Impressive array of black and red cherry, mushroom and sweet cinnamon spice aromas that also come through on the juicy, light-to-medium bodied palate. There's good fruit concentration and depth here, with fresh acids and supple tannins adding to the widely appealing package. It's juicy and finishes long with red cherry, sweet oak spice flavours and some floral notes with air. I am really impressed by this - well done! Will be enjoyed with homemade Chicken Lasagne. Score: 88 pts

VINTAGES Release November 12: Holiday Gifts & Parties

LCBO Wine Picks: November 12, 2016 VINTAGES Release

The upcoming LCBO VINTAGES Release on November 12 is a large one featuring just one theme - wines for holiday gifts and parties. All wines will be on shelves this Saturday, November 12.

Since there is only one theme in this release, there are 31 wines included as part of the feature, and 12 are included among my wine picks. Most of the wines in this theme are red wines, but there are a few other delightful wines to choose from that would make delightful gifts or amazing additions to holiday parties. The vintage sparkling wine from Henry of Pelham is made with Chardonnay, while the vintage Rosé Champagne is a blend of 47% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay, and 20% Pinot Meunier. There are only 2 white wines among the 31, and both are highly recommended - they are the Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc and the slightly sweet Cave Spring CSV Riesling.

Cave Spring CSV Riesling 2014 - Cave Spring Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (91 pts)

The red wines listed as part of this theme are numerous, with 8 reds being included among my wine recommendations. We'll begin with a Pinot Noir from Chile, the Barossa Valley Shiraz from Australia that has some age on it. In blends, the Hidden Bench Terroir Caché Meritage is a blend of 46% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc and 13% Malbec, while the Clos de los Siete is a blend of 57% Malbec, 18% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Syrah. From Veneto, the Masi Amarone is a blend of Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara, while the Quintarelli uses no dried grapes and consists of 50% Corvina/Corvinone and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc. The Penfolds Bin 389 is an almost even split of Cabernet Sauvignon (51%) and Shiraz (49%), while the 2007 Rioja is a blend of 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha.

Maycas del Limarí Reserva Especial Pinot Noir 2014 - Limarí Valley, Chile (88+ pts)

Hidden Bench Terroir Caché Meritage 2012 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (92 pts)

From the rest of the release in red wines, the wine from Bordeaux is a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. From Italy, the Zisola from Sicily is 100% Nero d'Avola, while the Rivera Il Falcone is 70% Nero di Troia and 30% other varietals.

Château Guillou 2014 - AC Montagne Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France (88 pts)

Rivera Il Falcone Riserva Castel del Monte 2009 - DOC, Puglia, Italy (90+ pts)

In white wines, the Greek white from Crete is a blend of two indigenous varietals - Vilana (65%) and Vidiano (35%). For Riesling fans, all of my Riesling picks are on the dry side (i.e. not sweet), with only the versions from Cave Spring and Charles Baker showing some sweetness.

Karavitakis Winery The Little Prince White 2015 - Crete, Greece (88 pts)

Charles Baker Picone Vineyard Riesling 2013 - VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (92 pts)

Enjoy my wine picks from this release! Cheers!