LCBO VINTAGES Wine Picks & Reviews : Index

Monday, December 3, 2018

Wine Picks LCBO VINTAGES Release Dec. 8, 2018: Food Wines + Champagne

LCBO Wine Picks: December 8, 2018 VINTAGES Release

The December 8, 2018 LCBO VINTAGES Release is the final Release of the year and features fine wines for food as its main theme, while the mini-theme highlights Champagne for holiday celebrations. All of these wines will be on LCBO VINTAGES shelves across Ontario this Saturday.

We'll begin with the main theme that lists twenty food wines for your holiday celebrations, six of which are included among my top wine picks. For elegant dinners, an elegant Châteauneuf-du-Pape that consists of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre, and 5% Counoise / Muscardin / Vaccarèse / Cinsault. For big family feasts, try a Chardonnay or the Gran Medalla Malbec, both from Argentina. For a casual open house, try the casual red from South Africa that is a blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot, or the Côtes du Rhône which is a blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache. Last, but not lease, for wine and cheese, try the slightly off-dry Charles Baker Riesling.

Château Mont-Redon Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2015 (91 pts)

Charles Baker B-Side Riesling 2017 (90 pts)

In the mini-theme, there are seven Champagnes to add some sparkle to your holiday season, and two are included among my wine picks. Both of my Champagne recommendations use traditional grapes, with the Ruinart consisting of 49% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay and 11% Pinot Meunier, while the Veuve Clicquot consists of 61% Pinot Noir, 34% Chardonnay, and 5% Pinot Meunier.

From the red wines in the rest of the Release, there is a Languedoc red that consists of 69% Syrah and 31% Grenache. If you enjoy Chianti Classico, the Primocolle is a blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Colorino, while the Gabbiano Riserva is a blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot. From Australia, the Ode to Lorraine consists of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Shiraz, 5% and Merlot, while the Meritage from British Columbia consists of 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Cabernet Franc, 25% Merlot, 12% Malbec, and 7% Petit Verdot. From Bordeaux, the Croix Canon is majority Merlot, with Cabernet Franc completing the blend. And, last but not least, the iconic Solaia is mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, with Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese in support.

Villa Cerna Primocolle Chianti Classico 2015 (89 pts)

Gérard Bertrand Syrah/Grenache 2015 (88 pts)

Among my white wine picks, the Roussillon is a blend of 80% Grenache Blanc and 20% Roussanne. The Fumé Blanc is a Sauvignon Blanc that was barrel-fermented and aged in oak, but also includes a small amount of Semillon. For those that prefer sweeter white wines, any of the Ontario Riesling's should satisfy your palate.

Since this is the final Release of 2018, you may want to pick up a sparkling wine for New Year's Eve celebrations. The Cremant de Bourgogne is a blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gamay, and Aligoté, and the outstanding bubbly from Henry of Pelham is made with Chardonnay and aged for 60 months is bottle prior to disgorgement.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this Release!

Red Wine:

AVONDALE JONTY’S DUCKS PEKIN RED 2014 - WO Paarl, South Africa (#383547) (XD) - $16.95
GÉRARD BERTRAND SYRAH/GRENACHE 2015 - AP Languedoc, France (#413237) (XD) - $16.95 88 pts wine review
TRAPICHE MEDALLA MALBEC 2014 - Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#547869) (XD) - $17.00 89 pts wine review
ZUCCARDI Q MALBEC 2015 - Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#723478) (XD) - $19.95
VILLA CERNA PRIMOCOLLE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2015 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#573501) (XD) - $19.95 89 pts wine review
CASTELLO DI GABBIANO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2014 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#216309) (XD) - $22.95
J.L. CHAVE SÉLECTION MON COEUR CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2016 - AC, Rhône, France (#995548) (XD) - $22.95

TRAPICHE GRAN MEDALLA MALBEC 2014 - Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#467977) (XD) - $24.95
ELDERTON ODE TO LORRAINE CABERNET SAUVIGNON/SHIRAZ/MERLOT 2015 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#976423) (XD) - $39.95
CHÂTEAU MONT-REDON CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2015 - AC, Rhône, France (#959627) (XD) - $49.95 91 pts wine review
BURROWING OWL MERITAGE 2015 - VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#343038) (XD) - $57.95
FEL PINOT NOIR 2016 - Anderson Valley, Mendocino County, California, USA (#309476) (XD) - $59.95 FE
CROIX CANON 2012 - Second wine of Château Canon, AC Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France (#671289) (XD) - $66.95
SOLAIA 2015 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#987586) (XD) - $316.95

White Wine:

SAINT-ROCH VIEILLES VIGNES CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON 2017 - AP, Midi, France (#175232) (XD) - $16.95
FLAT ROCK RIESLING 2016 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#043281) (M) - $17.95
CATENA HIGH MOUNTAIN VINES CHARDONNAY 2017 - Mendoza, Argentina (#918805) (XD) - $19.95
WITHER HILLS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2017 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#919514) (XD) - $19.95 88 pts wine review
13TH STREET JUNE’S VINEYARD RIESLING 2016 - VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#147512) (M) - $19.95
CHARLES BAKER B-SIDE RIESLING 2017 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#523845) (M) - $21.95 90 pts wine review
ROBERT MONDAVI FUMÉ BLANC 2017 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#221887) (XD) - $22.95
ASTROLABE PROVINCE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2017 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#010421) (XD) - $24.95 89 pts wine review
CLOUDY BAY CHARDONNAY 2015 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#359513) (XD) - $37.95
CAKEBREAD CELLARS CHARDONNAY 2015 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#709717) (XD) - $69.95

Astrolabe Province Sauvignon Blanc 2017 (89 pts)

Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2017 (88 pts)

Rosé Wine:

CHÂTEAU ROUBINE LA VIE EN ROSE ROSÉ 2017 - AC Côtes de Provence, France (#556639) (XD) - $15.75

Sparkling Wine:

BAILLY LAPIERRE RÉSERVE BRUT CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE - Traditional method, AC, Burgundy, France (#991562) (D) - $19.95
HENRY OF PELHAM CUVÉE CATHARINE CARTE BLANCHE ESTATE BLANC DE BLANC 2013 - Traditional method, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#315200) (D) - $44.95
RUINART R DE RUINART BRUT CHAMPAGNE - With gift box, AC, France (#189878) (D) - $85.95
VEUVE CLICQUOT PONSARDIN VINTAGE BRUT ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE 2008 - With gift box, AC, France (#588475) (XD) - $109.95

Dessert Wine:

CHÂTEAU FILHOT SAUTERNES 2015 - AC, Bordeaux, France (#514679) (S) (#375 mL) - $24.95

Roscato Dark Blend (Italy) - Wine Review

Opened up this wine last night and it is recommended for those that like their red wines on the sweeter side of the spectrum.

It is produced by Ca'Vit-Consorzio Cantine Sociali, a large co-operative winery located in Trentino, Northern Italy. The Roscato range offers irresistible wines from the region that will complement any type of cuisine.

The Roscato Dark Blend is the newest addition to the lineup and is made using a blend of indigenous Northern Italian varietals - mostly Teroldego and Lagrein, plus some Merlot. It is fermented in contact with grape skins at fairly cool temperatures to preserve fruity aromas, followed by ageing in stainless steel tanks and in medium-sized casks for about 12 months, after which the wines are blended and allowed to age for a further 2 to 3 months in stainless steel tanks before bottling.

This red wine is widely available in at your local LCBO.

Tasting Note:

ROSCATO DARK BLEND - VD'Italia, Trentino, Italy (#629857) (M) - $15.95
Screw cap. Non-vintage blend of Teroldego, Lagrein, and Merlot. Fruit forward with ripe plum and blackberry aromas followed by some chocolatey notes. It is medium-bodied with soft, rounded tannins that have a slightly dusty texture. Food-friendly acids. More dark berry, chocolate, and cocoa flavours, plus vanilla and spice on the palate that lingers through to juicy finish, with good length. Easy-drinking, crowd-pleasing style. Score: 86 pts

Closerie des Alisiers Petit Chablis 2016 (Burgundy) - Wine Review

Tonight's lovely little white wine is a Petit Chablis that arrived as a new release into LCBO VINTAGES on November 10.

It is produced by Stéphane Brocard, the son of a Chablis winemaker. He settled in Marsannay in 2007 and founded Closerie des Alisiers to craft wines of purity, fruit, and freshness, while respecting the land and environment, and highlighting the terroir for each wine.

In addition to work in his own vines, he has worked with some selected winegrowers throughout Burgundy over many years, carefully selecting small parcels of grapes. He has worked with many of these growers to establish organic farming practices. The grapes for this particular wine were hand-harvested at peak maturity and direct pressed, followed by fermenting and ageing exclusively in stainless steel tanks.

Closerie des Alisiers Petit Chablis 2016 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

CLOSERIE DES ALISIERS PETIT CHABLIS 2016 - AC, Burgundy, France (#557769) (XD) - $25.95
Fermented and aged completely in tank, this unoaked Chardonnay has a fresh and fragrant nose with lemon and citrus with hints of white peach and leesy notes. It is light-to-medium bodied on the palate with more lemon, citrus, ripe apple, and white peach flavours with a fine mineral underpinning. Some grapefruit and floral notes arrive with air, adding complexity. Nicely balanced with clean, crisp, and bright acids providing freshness. Fine mineral and apple notes linger on the long aftertaste. Score: 89 pts

Southbrook Vidal Skin Fermented White Orange Wine 2017 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is a very interesting natural, organic and biodynamic orange wine produced by Southbrook Vineyards. Technically, orange wines are now known as a skin-fermented white wines. Southbrook has produced this style of wine under the guiding hands of winemaker Ann Sperling for several years now, with latest rendition being the 2017 vintage that was bottled in January and released for sale in June.

The grapes for this wine were hand-harvested from Southbrook's Estate in the Four Mile Creek sub-appellation of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Small lots of grapes, including stems, were cluster-sorted and foot-trodden before undergoing wild yeast and malolactic fermentation over 30 days. After gentle pressing, the wine was naturally chilled outdoors, settled, and bottled without any filtration or additives, and is free of sulphites.

This orange wine is suitable for vegans and vegetarians, and available for purchase through the winery and soon at the LCBO.

Southbrook Vidal Skin Fermented White Orange Wine 2017 (91 pts)

Tasting Note:

SOUTHBROOK VIDAL SKIN FERMENTED WHITE ORANGE WINE 2017 - VQA Ontario, Canada (#628065) (XD) - $29.95
Stelvin screw cap enclosure. Cloudy orange colour. Highly fragrant nose offers aromas of citrus and black tea leaves with hints of floral and sage. More pronounced tart citrus, floral, and black tea flavours are well-balanced on the nicely textured, medium-bodied palate. Dry mouthfeel with some chalkiness. Acids are bright and balanced. Some tea, sage and earthy notes linger on the long finish. I'll be honest, I have tasted previous vintages and never really been a big fan of this wine, but this latest vintage is very compelling and engaging. Highly recommended. Best with a light chill. Score: 91 pts

LCBO Wine Picks: November 24, 2018 VINTAGES Release

The November 24, 2018 LCBO VINTAGES Release is the second last VINTAGES Release of the year and features French wines in its main theme, while the mini-theme features wines from Washington. All of these wines will be on LCBO VINTAGES shelves across Ontario this Saturday.

We'll begin with the main theme that is titled "French Treasures" and lists 14 wines, but only 3 are included among my top wine picks. First up are a pair of whites - a Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre, and a Chardonnay from Pouilly-Fuissé in Burgundy. The third wine is a Champagne made with 40% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir, and 10% Pinot Meunier. Surprisingly, no reds are included among my wine recommendations from this feature. However, not to worry, as there are some other delightful French red wines to choose from.

The mini-theme features 7 wines from Washington, of which only the Hedges Family Estate Red made my list of wine picks. This red wine hails from the highly-acclaimed Red Mountain AVA and is a blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec, 2% Syrah, and 2% Petit Verdot.

There are lots of lovely red wines to choose from in this Release. We'll begin in France, where the M. Chapoutier wine is a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan, while the Chusclan from the excellent 2015 Rhône vintage is a blend of 60% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and 10% Mourvedre. From Italy, the Losi Querciavalle Chianti Classico is a lovely blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo, while the Gran Selezione is a blend of 80% Sangiovese, 13% Merlot, and 7% Malvasia Nera. Staying in Italy, the wine from Ornellaia is a blend of Merlot, Sangiovese, and Cabernet Sauvignon. From Ontario, the Hidden Bench red reveals a blend of 36% Cabernet Franc, 34% Merlot, and 24% Malbec, while the Stratus Red is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec.

Losi Querciavalle Chianti Classico 2012 (89 pts)

Among my white wine picks, the Bordeaux white is a blend of 57% Sauvignon Blanc and 43% Sémillon, while the white from Veneto is made with 100% Trebbiano di Lugana. The only white with any sweetness is the Organic Riesling from Niagara.

Lastly, from Ontario, the Sparkling Wine is made with Chardonnay in the traditional method, while the Fortified wine is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet, and a hint of Shiraz.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this Release! Salud!