LCBO VINTAGES Wine Picks & Reviews : Index

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

November 23, 2019 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Coveted, Iconic Wines

LCBO Wine Picks: November 23, 2019 VINTAGES Release

The November 23, 2019 LCBO VINTAGES Release is another big one as we dive into the busy holiday season. This Release is another mono-thematic edition, featuring Coveted, Iconic Wines for your cellar or gift-giving. There are plenty of other great options from the rest of the Release as well, with all of these wines showing up on VINTAGES shelves across Ontario by this Saturday.

There are 31 wines listed as part of the Coveted, Iconic Wines theme, of which a dozen are included among my top wine picks from the November 23rd LCBO VINTAGES Release. We begin with an excellent 2012 vintage Champagne that was aged for 5+ years and consists of 41% Chardonnay, 33% Pinot Noir, and 26% Pinot Meunier. For white wine lovers, there are a pair of lovely Chardonnays from the new world - one from Niagara and one from Napa Valley.

Le Clos Jordanne Le Grand Clos Chardonnay 2017 (93 pts)

Grgich Hills Estate Grown Chardonnay 2014 (93 pts)

Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage Extra Brut Champagne 2012 (92 pts)

Red wines from the main thematic include a high-end Australian Shiraz, a South African Pinot Noir, a lovely Barolo (which is made with Nebbiolo), an Argentinean Malbec, and an Australian Cabernet Sauvignon. The blends include the Stratus Red which is a blend of 25% Cabernet Franc, 23% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah, 10% Malbec, 7% Tannat, and 5% Petit Verdot, while The Chocolate Block consists of 64% Syrah, 14% Grenache, 11% Cinsault, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Viognier.

Barossa Valley Estate E&E Black Pepper Shiraz 2016 (92 pts)

Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir 2018 (92 pts)

Aurelio Settimo Rocche Dell'Annunziata Barolo 2014 (92 pts)

Trapiche Terroir Series Finca Orellana Single Vineyard Malbec 2015 (91+ pts)

Rymill Coonawarra Classic Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 (90 pts)

For sweet wine lovers, the iconic and coveted Noble One Botrytis Semillon and Delaforce Vintage Port will surely satisfy your cravings.

De Bortoli Noble One Botrytis Semillon 2016 (93 pts)

My red wine recommendations from the rest of the Release starts with the iconic $450 Antinori Solaia - easily one of the best wines I've ever tasted - is a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. For the rest of us modest folks, from the southern Rhône Valley, there is the Costières de Nîmes Rouge which is a blend of old vines 70% Grenache, 15% Syrah, and 15% Carignan, while the Cairanne is a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah. From Roussillon, the Lafage Tessellae is a blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre. From Portugal, the Sagrado is a blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Roriz, while the Porca de Murça consists of Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca. Lastly, coming back to Italy, we have a Chianti Classico that consists of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Merlot.

Tessellae Old Vines Grenache/Syrah/Mourvèdre 2017 (89 pts)

Château de Nages Vieilles Vignes Costières de Nîmes 2016 (90 pts)

Jean-Luc Colombo Le Pavillon des Courtisanes Cairanne 2016 (90 pts)

Trasqua Fanatico Riserva Chianti Classico 2013 (90 pts)

Among my white wine picks from this Release, the Costières de Nîmes Blanc from Rhône is the companion to the rouge above and consists of 45% Grenache Blanc, 25% Roussanne, 20% Viognier, and 10% Clairette, while the Pomino is an interesting blend of mostly Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco. The rest are all single varietal wines, and for those that prefer sweeter wines, check out the always delicious Nadja's Riesling from Niagara.

Château de Nages Vieilles Vignes Blanc 2017 (89 pts)

Frescobaldi Castello di Pomino Pomino Bianco 2017 (89 pts)

And that's a wrap for this Release! Only one more to go in 2019! Enjoy!

Red Wine:

PORCA DE MURÇA RESERVA TINTO 2014 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#684753) (XD) - $17.95
VIÑA TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017 - Maipo Valley, Chile (#018721) (XD) - $17.95 89 pts wine review
TESSELLAE OLD VINES GRENACHE/SYRAH/MOURVÈDRE 2017 - AP Côtes du Roussillon, France (#343517) (D) - $18.95 89 pts wine review
CHÂTEAU DE NAGES VIEILLES VIGNES COSTIÈRES DE NÎMES 2016 - AP, Rhône, France (#040964) (XD) - $19.95 90 pts wine review
JEAN-LUC COLOMBO LE PAVILLON DES COURTISANES CAIRANNE 2016 - AC, Rhône, France (#120717) (XD) - $21.95 90 pts wine review

Viña Tarapacá Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 (89 pts)

QUINTA DO SAGRADO RESERVA 2016 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#568774) (XD) $24.95 90 pts wine review
TRASQUA FANATICO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2013 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#283861) (XD) - $24.95 90 pts wine review
RYMILL COONAWARRA CLASSIC CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2015 - Coonawarra, South Australia (#010541) (XD) - $29.95 90 pts wine review
THE CHOCOLATE BLOCK 2017 - WO Swartland, South Africa (#129353) (XD) - $39.95 91 pts wine review
TRAPICHE TERROIR SERIES FINCA ORELLANA SINGLE VINEYARD MALBEC 2015 - La Consulta, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#178145) (XD) - $42.95 91+ pts wine review

STRATUS RED 2016 - VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#312058) (D) - $49.20 92 pts wine review
AURELIO SETTIMO ROCCHE DELL'ANNUNZIATA BAROLO 2014 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#293761) (XD) - $54.95 92 pts wine review
HAMILTON RUSSELL PINOT NOIR 2018 - WO Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, South Africa (#999516) (XD) - $59.95 92 pts wine review
BAROSSA VALLEY ESTATE E&E BLACK PEPPER SHIRAZ 2016 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#731620) (XD) - $99.95 93 pts wine review
SOLAIA 2016 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#987586) (XD) - $457.95 95 pts wine review

White Wine:

GÉRARD BERTRAND RÉSERVE SPÉCIALE VIOGNIER 2017 - IGP Pays d’Oc, Roussillon, France (#147975) (XD) - $14.95 88 pts wine review
DOMAINE DE ROCHEBIN CHARDONNAY MÂCON-AZÉ 2017 - AC, Burgundy, France (#156943) (XD) - $17.95 88 pts wine review
FOLLAS NOVAS ALBARIÑO 2018 - DO Rías Baixas, Spain (#488981) (XD) - $17.95 88+ pts wine review
FRESCOBALDI CASTELLO DI POMINO POMINO BIANCO 2017 - DOC, Tuscany, Italy (#065086) (XD) - $19.95 89 pts wine review
CHÂTEAU DE NAGES VIEILLES VIGNES BLANC 2017 - AC Costières de Nîmes, Rhône, France (#479659) (XD) - $19.95 89 pts wine review
FLAT ROCK NADJA’S VINEYARD RIESLING 2018 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#578625) (D) - $24.95
DOG POINT SAUVIGNON BLANC 2018 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#677450) (XD) - $26.95 92 pts wine review
NALS MARGREID PUNGGL PINOT GRIGIO 2016 - DOC Südtirol – Alto Adige, Italy (#395756) (XD) - $29.95 90 pts wine review
LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS CHARDONNAY 2017 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#184549) (XD) - $44.95 93 pts wine review
GRGICH HILLS ESTATE GROWN CHARDONNAY 2014 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#346304) (XD) - $67.95 93 pts wine review

Nals Margreid Punggl Pinot Grigio 2016 (90 pts)

Domaine de Rochebin Chardonnay Mâcon-Azé 2017 (88 pts)

Gérard Bertrand Réserve Spéciale Viognier 2017 (88 pts)

Sparkling Wine:

QUEENSTON MILE BRUT BLANC DE NOIRS 2015 - Traditional method, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#010139) (XD) - $50.00 91+ pts wine review
MOËT & CHANDON GRAND VINTAGE EXTRA BRUT CHAMPAGNE 2012 - AC, France (#069773) (XD) - $93.95 92 pts wine review

Queenston Mile Brut Blanc de Noirs 2015 (91+ pts)

Dessert Wine:

DE BORTOLI NOBLE ONE BOTRYTIS SEMILLON 2016 - New South Wales, Australia (#917252) (S) (375 mL) - $29.95 93 pts wine review

Fortified:

DELAFORCE VINTAGE PORT 2000 - DOC, Portugal (#344861) (S) - $62.95 92 pts wine review

C.H. Berres Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Kabinett 2008 (Mosel) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely Mosel Riesling Kabinett that I purchased from an LCBO VINTAGES Release in May 2012.

This white wine used to show up quite regularly in LCBO VINTAGES. In fact, I enjoyed the 2009 C.H. Berres Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Kabinett back in 2013. However, this lovely white wine hasn't been in stores for a number of years now, so your best bet is to either visit the winery or pick up a bottle at the SAQ in Québec.

C.H. Berres Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Kabinett 2008 (91 pts)

Tasting Note:

C.H. BERRES ÜRZIGER WÜRZGARTEN RIESLING KABINETT 2008 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#207274) (MD) - $19.95
Screw cap. Wow. Gorgeous aromas of ripe apricot, peach, petrol, candied ginger, and beeswax jump out of the glass along with hints of wet stone mineral. It is medium+ bodied with a weighty mouthfeel to go along with medium-dry (i.e. notably sweet) flavours of apricot, peach, lemon citrus, orange, and wet stone notes that veer towards dry due to the still vibrant, racy acidity. Slatey notes linger on the chalky textured finish, with excellent length. Still has a few years of enjoyment ahead. Score: 91 pts

Giveaway - Win Tickets to Gourmet Food & Wine Expo 2019

Win Tickets to 2019 Gourmet Food & Wine Expo

The 25th Annual Gourmet Food & Wine Expo is coming up soon and I am pleased to give away a pair of General Admission tickets to two (2) lucky readers. Prize value is a max. of $60 per pair. The show takes place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and these tickets are valid for admission on either Friday, Saturday, or Sunday - show dates and hours listed below.

The Gourmet Food & Wine Expo is the biggest show of its kind in Canada, featuring wine, beer and spirits from around the globe and locally. You will also be able to sample many foods from the area's top restaurants and chefs, as well as attend seminars.

I've been attending this event for a number of years and it's always a great time! Instructions on how to enter the contest are provided below. Good luck to all and hope to see you there!

Event Details:.

When:

Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019, 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. VIP Preview Evening
Friday, Nov. 22, 2019, 2 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, 12 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Where:

Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Hall Building
255 Front Street West
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Must be 19 years of age or older. No children or infants permitted.

How to Enter:

There are two ways to enter this contest. Head on over to my Facebook Page and Instagram, find the post referencing this contest and follow the instructions. You can enter on both Facebook and Instagram for multiple chances to win. One winner from each social network will be chosen. Each prize winner will receive two (2) General Admision tickets valued at max. $60 per pair. Contest ends Wednesday, November 20, 11:59 P.M. EST. Good luck to all!

Elderton E Series Chardonnay 2017 (Australia) - Wine Review

On this cold, wintry night, I bring you some sunshine in a glass with a wine review of this Australian Chardonnay that arrived at the LCBO last month as part of the October 12th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

The story of Elderton Wines begins 1894, when a vineyard was planted by the Scholz family on the banks of North Para River in the Barossa Valley, South Australia. In 1916, the property was purchased by Tolley family. The homestead is located in the heart of the township of Nuriootpa and was surrounded by extremely old Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon vines. At a time where demand for Australian table wine was negligible, the vineyard had become derelict.

In 1979, Neil and Lorraine Ashmead moved to the Barossa after spending some years in Saudi Arabia. After years of no interest in the homestead, the Ashmead family purchased the property in 1980, which included a 72-acre vineyard as a bonus as part of the sale. Three years later, after restoring the vineyard and with the help of one of Australia's most respected and innovative winemakers, Peter Lehmann, the Ashmead family produced their first wine under Elderton Wines label.

Since that time, Elderton has garnered many accolades. Today, the winery continues to be run by the Ashmead family, with the second generation, Cameron and Allister, taking over the reins in 2003. Neil passed away in 1997, but Lorraine still continues to be involved through her role on the Board. Together, they intend on taking the company to the next level by purchasing other great vineyards, while also implementing sustainable practices so that the next generation of the Ashmead family will have a lot to work with when they are at the helm.

The E Series wines from Elderton are their entry-level wines that are designed to be affordable, everyday drinking wines made with exceptional quality. The E series stands for excellence, excitement, evolution, epicure, elegance and euphoria. E is for earth. E is for Elderton. Embrace and enjoy!

Elderton E Series Chardonnay 2017 (87 pts)

Tasting Note:

ELDERTON E SERIES CHARDONNAY 2017 - Barossa, South Australia (#458760) (XD) - $16.95
Screw cap. The medium intensity nose is ripe with melon, peach, and golden apple aromas, plus touches of pear, floral, and butter characters. It is medium-full bodied and dry with clean, refreshing acids and fleshy fruit that delivers golden apple, melon, and citrus flavours. Oak is very subtle, adding mostly a textural element. Leesy, apple, and citrus notes linger on the finish, with good length. Will be a fine match with poultry. Score: 87 pts

Marqués de Cáceres Excellens Cuvée Especial 2015 (Spain) - Wine Review

Tonight's vegan-friendly red wine review is the Wine of the Month that just arrived at the LCBO as part of the November 9, 2019 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Marqués de Cáceres, one of more widely known Spanish producers with many of their wines available at the LCBO.

The grapes for this particular wine come from vineyards that are 20 to 35 years old and located in and around Cenicero in Rioja Alta from both higher and cooler parcels (600 metres altitude), as well as lower grounds (400 metres altitude). These vineyards are planted on gentle hillsides, as well as on the town's highest altitudes with steep inclines. Soil composition is mainly clay and limestone, with some parcels having more iron-rich subsoils.

It is interesting to note that 100% of the harvest was completed manually, parcel by parcel. In addition, grapes are only harvested after they reach maturity, meaning that they may have to return to some of the vineyards several times depending on the orientation of the vines or if these are planted at different altitudes prior to picking the grapes.

Marqués de Cáceres Excellens Cuvée Especial 2015 (87 pts)

Tasting Note:

MARQUÉS DE CÁCERES EXCELLENS CUVÉE ESPECIAL 2015 - Vegan friendly, DOCa Rioja, Spain (#10684) (XD) - $17.00
This Tempranillo spent 14 months in medium-toasted French oak barrels, and at least a further 12 months in bottle prior to release. This has a quiet nose that offers ripe red cherry, sweet vanillin oak, clove and plum aromas. It is full bodied with oak spice, clove, licorice, and tarry notes surrounding a core of dark cherry. There's juicy, food-friendly acidity, while tannins are firmly structured and chalky and could use a couple of years to soften. Wood spice and earthy notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Score: 87 pts

November 9, 2019 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: California

LCBO Wine Picks: November 9, 2019 VINTAGES Release

The November 9, 2019 LCBO VINTAGES Release features wines from California in this mono-thematic, third to last Release of 2019. On the whole, there are many lovely wines to add to your collection or for gift-giving throughout this Release.

We begin with the main theme that focuses on top California wines, which lists fifteen as part of this theme. While many California wines as part of this theme are high quality wines, I've limited my recommendations to four from this feature. First up is the lone red which is a Cabernet Sauvignon from the Stags Leap District in Napa Valley. My top white wines from California includes a barrel fermented Sauvignon Blanc (with a splash of Semillon) that is called Fumé Blanc from iconic Robert Mondavi. There's also a lovely Napa Valley Chardonnay and a Chardonnay from Sonoma Mountain.

Cliff Lede Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 (93 pts)

Kistler Sonoma Mountain Chardonnay 2017 (93 pts)

Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay 2017 (92 pts)

Robert Mondavi To Kalon Vineyard Reserve Fumé Blanc 2015 (93 pts)

My red wine picks are littered with blends from Italy and France. From Italy, the Amarone is a blend of Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara, while the Chianti Classico is a blend of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Malvasia Nera, and 5% Canaiolo. Both Super Tuscans - the Luce and Crognolo - are big wines made with Sangiovese and Merlot. From Rhône, France, the outstanding Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blend 30% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, 15% Syrah, 10% Counoise, and 5% Cinsault, while the Côtes du Rhône-Villages is a blend of 65% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 5% Mourvèdre. Lastly, the Rioja from Spain is a blend of 75% Tempranillo, 15% Grenache, 5% Graciano, and 5% Mazuelo.

Masi Mazzano Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2012 (93 pts)

San Fabiano Calcinaia Chianti Classico 2016 (90 pts)

Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo 2016 (92 pts)

Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2017 (93 pts)

Gabriel Meffre Laurus Côtes du Rhône-Villages 2016 (89 pts)

R. Lopez de Heredia Viña Tondonia Reserva 2006 (93 pts)

My white wine recommendations from the rest of the Release are all single varietal wines. Some of the bigger highlights includes various oaked Chardonnays from New Zealand, Sonoma County, and South Africa, as well as a Pinot Grigio that is consistently delicious year after year. For sweet wine lovers, look to either the very sweet Spätlese Riesling from Mosel, or the off-dry Gewurztraminer from Alsace.

Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay 2017 (90 pts)

Christina The Heritage Collection Chardonnay 2017 (90 pts)

Tiefenbrunner Pinot Grigio 2018 (89 pts)

Bischöfliche Weingüter Trier Dom Spätlese Riesling 2011 (90 pts)

Cave Hunawihr Kuhlmann-Platz Gewurztraminer 2018 (88+ pts)

Among my sparkling wine picks, all are crafted in the traditional method, with the Italian bubbly made of 100% Chardonnay, while the Niagara bubbly is 50/50 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and lastly, the Rosé Champagne is a blend of 67% Pinot Noir and 33% Chardonnay. All are dry and aged for a number of years prior to release.

13th Street Premier Cuvée Sparkling 2013 (91+ pts)

Enjoy my wine picks from this Release! Cheers!