La Cadiérenne Cuvée Grande Tradition Bandol Rosé 2019 (Provence) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is this excellent Bandol Rosé that arrived in LCBO VINTAGES on June 27th. This rose has improved in quality every time I've tasted it, including the excellent 2018 La Cadiérenne Cuvée Grande Tradition Bandol Rosé that I enjoyed last summer, so I would fully expect the 2019 to be just as outstanding. Provence experienced some extreme weather conditions again, leading to slightly lower yields in 2019, but vintage quality was excellent.

We don't see too many Bandol wines here in Ontario, but wine has been made in Bandol ever since the Greeks colonized the area more than 2,600 years ago. Bandol is located in Provence, along the French Riviera between Marseille and Toulon. Bandol was one of the first French appellations granted AOC status in 1941, and today, 60% of the entire production is devoted to rosé wine. It is also noteworthy to mention that Mourvèdre - a late-maturing black varietal that is ideal for the terrain and climate of Bandol - is the principle grape of the region, and makes up the majority of this rosé.

This particular rosé is produced by Les Vignerons de La Cadiérenne, a group of producers that formed the co-operative in 1929 and celebrated 90 years of winemaking in 2019. La Cadiérenne is the largest producer of PDO Bandol wines, working with 294 winegrowers that have approximately 600 hectares of land - of which 400 hectares are classified as AOP. The vines are mostly planted on hillsides within the municipalities of La Cadière d'Azur, Le Castellet, and Saint-Cyr sur Mer. Other wines from the La Cadiérenne portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.

Tasting Note:

LA CADIÉRENNE CUVÉE GRANDE TRADITION BANDOL ROSÉ 2019 - AC, Provence, France (#119453) (XD) - $24.95
This Bandol Rosé is a blend of 40% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache, and 30% Cinsault from vines averaging 20 years and grown on clay-limestone and marl soils. All of the grapes were hand-harvested, partly de-stemmed, crushed, and vinified separately. Lovely, fresh, balanced, and complex aromas of nectarine, melon, citrus, grapefruit, red berry, and blackberry with touches of minerality. The dry, medium-full bodied palate has a lovely texture with fresh, vibrant acidity and spicy berry, orchard fruit, currant, anise, and saline mineral flavours. Some wild herbs on the mid-palate, while mineral notes linger on the long, juicy finish. Complex, elegant, and refreshing. Recommended buy. Score: 91 pts

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Jean-Max Roger Cuvée La Grange Dîmière Sancerre Rouge 2015 (Loire) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely Pinot Noir from one of my favourite producers of Sancerre that arrived in LCBO VINTAGES on June 27 - with plenty still available for purchase throughout the province.

It is made by Jean-Max Roger, a family-owned winery that comes from a long line of winegrowers from the village of Bué dating back to the early 17th century. Jean-Max Roger took over from his parents in the early 1970's, and in 2004, two of his three sons, Etienne and Thibault, returned to the estate after working abroad. His third son, Xavier, has a passion for wine and works in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. Today, the estate covers 26 hectares in the Sancerre AOC, all located along the Loire River.

The name "La Grange Dîmière" refers to one of Bué's ancient tithe barns. The ancestors of Jean-Max Roger used this barn for making their wine and today it remains the oldest part of the winery. This Sancerre Rouge is made with Pinot Noir grapes grown in the villages of Bué, Sancerre, and Amigny, on flint and limestone soils called Caillottes & Terres Blanches (Kimmeridgian marls) with south western and south eastern exposures. The vines are 25 to 40 years old and tended to using organic principles, handpicked and sorted, then fermented using natural yeast. Approximately 20-30% of the wine was aged in 300 L oak barrels, while the remainder was aged in stainless steel tanks where it underwent malolactic fermentation, with a total ageing time of 10 to 15 months. I recall enjoying the 2013 Jean-Max Roger Cuvée La Grange Dîmière Sancerre Rouge a couple of years ago and am expecting this vintage to be even better due to the legendary quality of the 2015 Loire vintage.

Tasting Note:

JEAN-MAX ROGER CUVÉE LA GRANGE DÎMIÈRE SANCERRE ROUGE 2015 - AC, Loire, France (#539858) (XD) - $29.95
From the great 2015 vintage, this Pinot Noir has a pretty, pale ruby colour and the medium-high intensity nose leads with stony-smoky minerality, followed by red berry, cherry, and currant aromas, with subtle florals. It is light-to-medium bodied on the spicy, red fruited, cherry, and currant palate with elegantly structured tannins. Acids are nice and fresh, while the stony-smoky mineral notes come to the fore on the long, juicy finish. Enjoy over the next 4-5 years. Score: 91 pts

Other wines from the fabulous Jean-Max Roger collection can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.

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July 11, 2020 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Old World vs. New World + Cool-Climate Chardonnay

The upcoming July 11, 2020 LCBO VINTAGES Release is a duo-thematic release, with the first feature comparing some of the wine world's most well-known grapes that were born and bred in the Old World (i.e. Europe) with their transplanted versions in the New World. The second theme of this release is the annual look at cool-climate Chardonnay. All of the wines from this release should be on LCBO VINTAGES shelves across Ontario by this Saturday.

We begin with the main theme that compares wines from the Old World versus those made with the same grapes in the New World. Of the fourteen wines featured, only the New World Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand is included among my top wine picks.

The secondary theme of the release focuses on cool-climate Chardonnay wines from a few cool-climate regions across the world. Eleven wines are featured as part of this theme and three are included among my wine recommendations. First up are a pair of outstanding Chardonnays from Niagara, while the third wine is a lovely old vines Pouilly-Fuissé from Burgundy. Buying all three and trying them side-by-side would make for a lovely evening.

From my red wine recommendations, the Chianti Classico (which is also the Wine of the Month) is a blend of 90% Sangiovese, 4% Merlot, 3% Canaiolo, and 3% Cabernet, while the Châteauneuf-du-Pape consists of 70% Grenache, 15% Syrah, and 15% Mourvèdre. The Bordeaux red consists of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, while The Trinity Red Blend is also predominantly Merlot. Single varietal wines that should please your palate include an Australian Shiraz, a Malbec from Argentina, and a Pinot Noir from New Zealand.

Among my white wine picks, the only blend comes from South Africa and it consists of 80% Chenin Blanc and the balance Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Verdelho, Clairette, Chardonnay, Colombard, and Viognier. Single varietal wines include a lovely Pinot Grigio from northern Italy, as well as a highly-ageable Marsanne from Australia. The Savoie is made with Jacquère from old vines. There is also a nice barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc - called Fumé Blanc - from Niagara. For sweet wine lovers, look for the Riesling Kabinett from Mosel.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this release!

Red Wine:

• ALAMOS SELECCIÓN MALBEC 2016 - La Consulta, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#322800) (XD) - $17.95  88+ pts  wine review
• VIÑA TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 - Maipo Valley, Chile (#18721) (XD) - $18.95
• WATERKLOOF SERIOUSLY COOL CINSAULT 2018 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#15595) (XD) - $19.95
• TRINITY HILL THE TRINITY RED BLEND 2015 - Hawke's Bay, North Island, New Zealand (#551630) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• CLOS BEL-AIR 2016 - AC Montagne-Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France (#633040) (XD) - $22.95  89 pts  wine review
• SHANAHANS SILENCE IS GOLDEN SHIRAZ 2016 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#13031) (XD) - $24.95  89 pts  wine review
• VILLA MARIA CELLAR SELECTION PINOT NOIR 2017 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#285361) (XD) - $24.95
• TENUTA PERANO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2016 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#10360) (XD) - $24.95
• DOMAINE DE LA CHARBONNIÈRE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2016 - AP, Rhone, France (#62711) (XD) - $51.95
• MASSOLINO BAROLO 2016 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#11205) (XD) - $61.95

White Wine:

• PERCEVAL ABYMES OLD VINES SAVOIE 2018 - AC, France (#14956) (XD) - $17.95
• TAHBILK MARSANNE 2019 - Certified carbon neutral, Nagambie Lakes, Central Victoria, Australia (#117945) (XD) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
• LAKEVIEW CELLARS FUMÉ BLANC 2017 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#11954) (XD) - $19.95  88 pts  wine review
• LEEUWENKUIL RESERVE WHITE 2017 - WO Swartland, South Africa (#14937) (XD) - $19.95  88+ pts  wine review
• ALOIS LAGEDER DOLOMITI PINOT GRIGIO 2018 - IGT Vigneti delle Dolomiti, Alto Adige, Italy (#681429) (XD) - $19.95  90 pts  wine review
• RAPAURA SPRINGS RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2019 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#388421) (XD) - $21.95
• DR. HERMANN KINHEIMER HUBERTUSLAY RIESLING KABINETT 2018 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#15290) (S) - $21.95
• MARCHAND-TAWSE VIRÉ-CLESSÉ 2017 - AC, Burgundy, France (#648576) (XD) - $31.95
• TRIUS SHOWCASE WILD FERMENT CHARDONNAY 2017 - Oliveira Vineyard, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#199273) (XD) - $36.95
• DEUX ROCHES VIEILLES VIGNES POUILLY-FUISSÉ 2018 - AP, Burgundy, France (#488825) (XD) - $42.95
• LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS CHARDONNAY 2017 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#184549) (XD) - $44.95  93 pts  wine review

Rosé Wine:

• TROUPIS FTERI AGIORGITIKO/MOSCHOFILERO ROSÉ 2018 - IGP Peloponnese, Greece (#15139) (XD) - $16.95
• SOTO MANRIQUE NARANJAS AZULES GARNACHA ROSÉ 2018 - DOP Cebreros, Spain (#15377) (XD) - $16.95

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Medici Ermete & Figli Arte e Concerto Lambrusco 2018 (Italy) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is this lovely Lambrusco sparkling red wine that arrived in LCBO VINTAGES on June 13th.

Medici has been producing top-notch Lambrusco and other quality wines for more than a century. The story begins in the late 19th century, when Remigio Medici founded a wine cellar between Via Emilia and the first of the hills in the Enza Valley to make use of the family vineyards. Remigio's son, Ermete, expanded the business and helped develop the reputation for producing quality wines before handing over the company to his sons Valter and Giorgio.

Today, the fourth generation of the Medici family runs Medici Ermete, owning 75 hectares of land spread across the wine growing region of Emilia-Romagna, in the north-eastern part of Italy. Medici's success can be attributed to many years of experience and knowledge that have been passed down each generation, along with creating a close link between each vineyard and the winery. They also have a rigorous selection of grapes that are grown in harmony with nature and the environment. Combined with skilful vinification techniques using new machinery, Medici produces wines of unprecedented quality.

This particular sparkling wine is from the Lambrusco Reggiano DOC - the largest of the 8 Lambrusco wine regions. It is made with Salamino grapes that were grown on clayey soils and was naturally fermented into this tasty sparkling wine.

It is widely available for purchase in the VINTAGES section at LCBO outlets across Ontario. It is also available, along with other wines from Medici Ermete, through Profile Wine Group's new website.

Tasting Note:

MEDICI ERMETE & FIGLI ARTE E CONCERTO LAMBRUSCO 2018 - DOC Reggiano Lambrusco, Emilia-Romagna, Italy (#208967) (D) - $19.95
Made with the Lambrusco Salamino varietal, this has a rich array of berry aromas including red berry, raspberry, boysenberry, blueberry, blackberry, and cherry notes. The medium-bodied palate is fresh with bright acidity. Nicely balanced red and dark berry replays on the flavour profile with fine, beady mousse that livens the palate. Finely textured with a touch tannic of grip and mineral on the long, juicy finish. If you've never tried Lambrusco, make this your first. Score: 89 pts

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Argento Rosé 2019 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a nice, dry rosé from Argentina that is widely at LCBO outlets across Ontario.

Bodega Argento was established 1998 in a building that housed a winery since 1970. It is located in Cruz de Piedra - the historic heart of wine production in the traditional Maipú wine region in Mendoza, and is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, as well as offering views of the Andes mountains in the distance. The name of the winery, 'Argento', translates to silver in Latin, and relates strongly the silver thread of tradition that runs through the veins of the country, while also paying homage to Argentina's long history of crafting precious wines.

With more than 284 hectares of certified organic vineyards, Bodega Argento is one of Argentina's largest organic producers. Sustainability has been a top priority since the beginning as they use recycled glass and special water treatments, among the many sustainable initiatives. Argento makes a wide portfolio of wines from not only from Maipú, but also from their vineyards in Lujan de Cuyo, the Uco Valley, and in Eastern Mendoza. Some of these wines can be found through their agent's new website - Profile Wine Group, or at the LCBO.

Tasting Note:

ARGENTO ROSÉ 2019 - Mendoza, Argentina (#13245) (XD) - $10.95
Screw cap. This Syrah-based blend has fresh aromas of red berry with touches of melon and sea breeze rising out of the glass. The medium bodied palate is dry and spicy with lively acidity and more red berry and melon flavours, plus touches of blood orange. Good length on the lip-smacking finish with touches of saline. A nice rosé to cool down with for under $11. Score: 87 pts

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LAN Reserva 2012 (Spain) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely follow-up to the 2016 LAN Crianza that I enjoyed last month. The 2012 LAN Reserva arrived in LCBO VINTAGES on June 13 when it was featured as part of the theme on Spanish wines, and is widely available across Ontario.

Bodegas LAN was founded in 1972 and is widely known for producing quality wines using their innovative hybrid barrels. These unique barrels have French oak bases and American oak staves and are used throughout the range of wines at LAN, including this Reserva which spent 18 months in these oak barrels. The American oak staves add vanilla characters to the wine, while the French oak bases add touches of spice.

This red wine is a blend of mainly Tempranillo and some Mazuelo, with the grapes coming from select vineyards in the Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa subzones that have an average age of more than 25 years. The 2012 vintage was characterized by high temperatures and an absence of rain, leading to small yields overall - uncharacteristically the fifth straight year of having a small vintage. On the bright side, the resultant small berries helped create wines of high concentration and tannins. According to the back label of the bottle, this Reserva reached its peak in 2017 and will continue to be in its peak drinking window until 2024, then slowly start its descent to full maturity in 2032. Let's see how this bottle is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

LAN RESERVA 2012 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#42929) (XD) - $24.95
Blend of 92% Tempranillo and 8% Mazuelo that spent 18 months in hybrid barrels, and a further 20 months in bottle prior to release. The medium+ intensity nose leads with oak-driven earthy, savoury, and vanillin woodspice aromas, followed by some red cherry, and dark berry notes. It is medium-full bodied on the spicy palate, offering cherry, vanilla, woody, earthy, and chocolate flavours with touches of dark berry. Fresh acids liven the palate, while the refined, dusty tannins have a touch of grip. Earthy wood spice notes linger on the long finish. Score: 90 pts

Other wines from the Bodegas LAN portfolio can be ordered through Profile Wine Group. They recently launched their brand new website with online ordering.

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Nativ Rue dell'Inchiostro Aglianico 2017 (Campania) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely red wine made with Aglianico from Campania. This bottle was so popular when it arrived in VINTAGES in May 2019 that the LCBO decided to bring it back for another round this year. As such, this Aglianico is coming to the LCBO as part of the June 27 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Nativ, a winery founded in Campania in 2008 and focused on making typical wines of the region. Each wine from Nativ has a unique character - produced through the use of innovative winemaking techniques, while also respecting tradition. The grapes are grown on their own lands which are known for their particular fertility thanks to the presence of volcanic soils, extending for about 15 hectares between Paternopoli and Taurasi. In particular, the grapes Nativ focuses on are Fiano di Avellino, Greco di Tufo, Falanghina, Aglianico, and Aglianico of Taurasi.

The Aglianico grape was introduced to Campania by the Greeks along the Tyrrhenian coast (the western coast of Italy) sometime around the 6th or 7th century B.C. It is one of Italy's oldest grape verieties. The grapes for this Aglianico come from within the town and commune of Paternopoli, which is in the province of Avellino in Campania. They were grown on hilly soils of predominantly volcanic and clay-limestone, rich in minerals, at an altitude of 500 metres above sea level.

I've enjoyed other wines from Nativ previously, including most recently their 2018 Nativ Greco di Tufo, and am sure this will also be delightful. Let's see how it is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

NATIV RUE DELL'INCHIOSTRO AGLIANICO 2017 - IGT Campania, Italy (#631606) (D) - $19.95
This Aglianico was raised completely in tank, followed by a short time in bottle prior to release. The medium+ intensity aromas are fresh and fruity with inky dark fruit, dark berry, and sweet spice flavours flecked with black pepper and savoury undertones. It is medium-full bodied on the slightly sweet palate with delicious ripe dark berry fruit flavours with some raisin, savoury, and peppery spice notes adding interest. Acids are fresh and lively while tannins are refined and dusty. Fruity with subtle savoury mineral notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Score: 89 pts

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