Laya 2018 (Spain) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a nice Spanish red wine that arrives at the LCBO this weekend as part of the January 23, 2021 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Bodegas Atalaya is part of the Gil Family Estates group of wineries. The family's winemaking story begins with humble beginnings in 1916 in the heart of Jumilla, Spain, and has continuously remained in the family, now spanning four generations. Today, Gil Family Estates is run by brothers Miguel and Ángel Gil. They have over 1,400 hectares of vineyards among their many wineries in Spain's winegrowing regions.

Bodegas Atalaya is located in DOP Almansa, the easternmost and one of the smallest wine regions in Castilla-La Mancha, and bordered by the Mediterranean Sea further to the east. The climate is dry, hot, arid, and very lightly influenced by the sea. The very old bush vines of Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante Bouschet) and Monastrell (Mourvèdre) flourish in the limestone soils of low fertility and little rain to produce concentrated fruit that is bursting with flavour and fragrance.

This unique red wine is a blend of Garnacha Tintorera and Monastrell that were grown on bush vines in the region of Almansa in southeastern Spain on calcareous soils located between 700 to 1,000 metres above sea level. The grapes were fermented separately in stainless steel tanks, followed by a short passage through French wood, then remained in stainless steel tanks prior to bottling.

Tasting Note:

LAYA 2018 - DOP Almansa, Spain (#132605) (D) - $17.95
A blend of Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante Bouschet) and Monastrell (Mourvèdre) bush vines raised mostly in stainless steel tanks. The medium-high intensity nose is fruit forward and ripe with blueberry, bramble, black tea, and savoury aromas. It's medium+ bodied on the sweetish palate with more ripe blueberry, blackberry, and black tea flavours with some savouryness and touches of pepper spice. It has fresh, juicy acidity and polished tannins that offer a subtle, textural grip, along with some warmth on the mid-palate. Dark berry and savoury notes linger on the finish, with good length. Score: 88 pts

Other wines from Bodegas Atalaya and Gil Family Estates can be found at the LCBO or through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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January 23, 2021 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Chile + British Columbia

The second release of the year is the January 23, 2021 LCBO VINTAGES Release and features wines from Chile as the main theme, while the mini-theme looks at the six top producers from British Columbia. As usual, there also many other lovely wines throughout the rest of the release, and all of these wines should be on shelves by this Saturday.

We begin with the main theme that looks at the wines of Chile and its values and virtues. In addition to first-class winemaking and well-priced wines, Chile is known for its numerous sustainable winemaking initiatives. Chile is also diverse in its climates, regions, and grape varietals. In this release as part of the theme, there are twelve wines featured and four are included among my top wine picks. First up is an organic sparkling wine that always provides pleasure and consists of 85% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Noir. There are also three fine reds from Chile. From the Central Valley area, the Travesy is a blend of 38% Malbec, 33% Carignan, and 29% Syrah, while the single varietal Carignan is from old vines that were dry farmed in the Maule Valley, which is located in the southern part of the Central Valley. Last, but not least, there is a lovely Pinot Noir from the up-and-coming Malleco Valley, Chile's southernmost official viticultural region.

The mini-theme features wines from 6 top producers in the Okanagan, British Columbia. There is one wine from each producer, and four of the wines are included among my top wine recommendations. The lone red is the always lovely Merlot from Burrowing Owl. In white wines, there is a dry Pinot Gris by Mt. Boucherie, as well as a dry Riesling from Quails' Gate. And lastly, the sparkling wine from British Columbia is a blend of mostly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with a splash of Pinot Gris made by Blue Mountain.

Red wines from the rest of the release include the latest vintage of the Chianti Classico that consists of 82% Sangiovese, 15% Canaiolo, and 3% Syrah, while the red from Costières de Nîmes is a blend of 80% Syrah, 10% Grenache, and 10% Mourvèdre. From Almansa in Spain, this red wine is a minimally-oaked blend of Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante Bouschet) and Monastrell (Mourvèdre). The lovely Brunello is 100% Sangiovese, while the other Italian red is a Nero d'Avola from Sicily. Other single varietal wines include a Cabernet Sauvignon from Margaret River, a Shiraz from South Africa, and a pair of Malbec wines from Argentina.

Among my white wine picks, the Roussillon is a blend of Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, and Macabeu, while the white Bordeaux consists of 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Semillon. The rest of the white wines are all single varietal wines, including Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa, and a Chardonnay from British Columbia. For Riesling wine lovers, there is a dry Riesling from Alsace, as well as a pair of sweet Riesling Kabinett wines from Mosel.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this release. Cheers!

Red Wine:

• CHÂTEAU GRAND ESCALION SAFRANÉE 2018 - AP Costières de Nîmes, Rhône, France (#18141) (XD) - $14.95  review coming soon...
• LA POSTA PIZZELLA FAMILY MALBEC 2018 - Mendoza, Argentina (#166298) (XD) - $16.95  87 pts  wine review
• ALAMOS SELECCIÓN MALBEC 2017 - La Consulta, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#322800) (XD) - $16.95
• LAYA 2018 - DOP Almansa, Spain (#132605) (D) - $17.95  88 pts  wine review
• INDOMITA OLD VINES DRY FARMED GRAN RESERVA CARIGNAN 2018 - DO Maule Valley, Chile (#16627) (XD) - $17.95  90 pts  wine review
• RUSTENBERG STELLENBOSCH SHIRAZ 2018 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#399246) (XD) - $16.95
• SAN PEDRO 1865 TAYÚ PINOT NOIR 2018 - Buchahueico, DO Malleco Valley, Chile (#16628) (XD) - $19.95  91+ pts  wine review

• DOMAINE NATURALISTE DISCOVERY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017 - Margaret River, Western Australia (#489906) (XD) - $24.95  90 pts  wine review
• FEUDO MONTONI LAGNUSA NERO D'AVOLA 2018 - DOC Sicilia, Italy (#523738) (XD) - $24.95  review coming soon...
• ODFJELL WINEMAKER'S TRAVESY CARIGNAN / MALBEC / SYRAH 2016 - Vegan, Central Valley, Chile (#17238) (XD) - $29.95
• ISOLE E OLENA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2017 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#704346) (XD) - $38.95
• BURROWING OWL MERLOT 2018 - BC VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#585737) (XD) - $39.95
• CAPARZO LA CASA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2013 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#20750) (XD) - $79.95  92 pts  wine review

White Wine:

• LES VIGNES DE BILA-HAUT CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON BLANC 2018 - AP, Midi, France (#485656) (XD) - $15.95  89 pts  wine review
• LES HAUTS DE LAGARDE BLANC 2019 - Vegan, AC Bordeaux, France (#387787) (XD) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review
• MT. BOUCHERIE PINOT GRIS 2019 - BC VQA Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#17864) (XD) - $19.95
• QUAILS' GATE DRY RIESLING 2019 - BC VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#308312) (XD) - $19.95
• VAN LOVEREN CHRISTINA THE HERITAGE COLLECTION SAUVIGNON BLANC 2020 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#13354) (XD) - $19.95
• DOMAINE FERNAND ENGEL HERITAGE RIESLING 2017 - AC Alsace, France (#17891) (XD) - $20.95
• QUAILS' GATE CHARDONNAY 2018 - BC VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#377770) (XD) - $24.95
• MAX FERD. RICHTER ELISENBERGER RIESLING KABINETT 2018 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#665984) (S) - $26.95
• ANSGAR CLÜSSERATH TRITTENHEIMER RIESLING KABINETT 2017 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#18128) (MS) - $32.95

Sparkling Wine:

• EMILIANA ORGANIC BRUT SPARKLING - Vegan, Traditional Method, DO Casablanca Valley, Chile (#536607) (XD) - $19.95  88 pts  wine review
• BLUE MOUNTAIN GOLD LABEL BRUT SPARKLING - Traditional Method, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#206326) (XD) - $34.95  90 pts  wine review

Fortified:

• LOUKATOS MUSCAT OF PATRAS - PDO, Greece (#290718) (S) - $9.95  FE

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Rockway Vineyards Small Lot Block 150-183 Riesling 2014 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely, just off-dry Niagara Riesling that I purchased at the winery in St. Catharines during my visit to the region for the Niagara Grape & Wine Festival in September 2019. Based on my notes, I had tasted this particular vintage on a couple of occasions and eventually decided to purchase a bottle because I really enjoyed it's profile at the time, plus it was on promotion.

This white wine has shown consistent quality as I've tasted at least three consecutive vintages of this wine, including the 2015 Rockway Vineyards Small Lot Block 150-183 Riesling that I enjoyed back in February 2019.

Of course, this bottle of Riesling by Rockway Vineyards is sold out by now. However, the I can see that the latest vintage is 2018 and available for purchase through the winery. Currently, Rockway is offering free shipping within Niagara, as well as free shipping elsewhere on orders of $50 or more.

Tasting Note:

ROCKWAY VINEYARDS SMALL LOT BLOCK 150-183 RIESLING 2014 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#424176) (M) - $20 $18
Screw cap. The lovely, highly aromatic nose delivers aromas of petrol, white floral, wet stone, and apple with touches of lime citrus. It is medium+ bodied on the palate with tart lime citrus, apple, and floral flavours in an off-dry profile. It has a slightly viscous mouthfeel with juicy, balanced acidity. Maturing waxy and petrol notes are followed by lime citrus and touches of stony mineral on the long lasting, slightly chalky and dry finish. Score: 89 pts

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Karlo Estates Cabernet Franc 2015 (Prince Edward County) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely cool-climate Cabernet Franc from Prince Edward County that arrived at the LCBO more than three years ago as part of the December 9, 2017 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Karlo Estates, a winery located in Prince Edward Country, Ontario, that was co-founded by Sherry and her late husband Richard Karlo in 2005 after purchasing the property from the Stevenson family which had owned the family property since the early 1800s. Sherry and Karlo began planting vines in 2006 and today have 14 acres of vines planted across the 93 acre property.

This vegan-friendly Cabernet Franc was crafted by Derek Barnett, a former Winemaker of the Year and one of the top winemakers in Canada. He joined Karlo Estates in 2015 and this was the first year he had full control of the vintage from winegrowing, to harvest, and vinification. I spoke to Derek about this wine back in April 2017 - when I got to taste a barrel sample - and at the time he had mentioned that this was the best Cabernet Franc he had ever made

While this vintage is no longer available for purchase, the 2017 vintage is available through the winery with free shipping when you buy at least 6 bottles of any Karlo Estates wines.

I last enjoyed the 2015 Karlo Estates Cabernet Franc just over three years ago, and back in 2017 I commented that it should be enjoyed over the next 3-4 years, so, let's see how it is tasting tonight in 2021.

Tasting Note:

KARLO ESTATES CABERNET FRANC 2015 - VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (#524389) (XD) - $39.00
This vegan-friendly, wild-fermented Cabernet Franc was aged in barrel for 15 months. The fragrant nose offers a lovely, complex, and maturing nose of dried berry compote, spice, and savoury earthy aromas with touches of floral. On the light-to-medium bodied palate it has fine, tart, juicy acidity that frames the dark berry compote, sweet tobacco, earthy, savoury, and sandalwood spice flavours in a somewhat mature profile. Smooth, fine-grained tannins are fold into the wine very nicely, with some grip on the back palate. It's well-balanced throughout with savoury wet earth, tobacco, and maturing berry flavours on the long finish. In a lovely place right now and should continue to drink well over at least the next couple of years, and possibly longer. Score: 91 pts

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Niagara College Les Marmitons Gastronomy Chardonnay 2017 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely barrel-fermented Chardonnay from Niagara College Teaching Winery that I purchased at the winery during my visit to Niagara for the Icewine Festival in January 2020.

The Les Marmitons range of wines were created by Niagara College after being approached by members of Les Marmitons Niagara - the local chapter of an international gastronomic and social club for men interested in fine food, wine and the culinary arts. Although Les Marmitons wines were first launched in 2016, I only discovered them last January and enjoyed tasting all three wines bearing the Les Marmitons label - this Chardonnay, a Fumé Blanc, and a Pinot Noir. While the Chardonnay is sold out (apparently the price was reduced to $20 at some point), the other two wines are available for purchase and proceeds from the sales of Les Marmitons wines help to support student learning.

Tasting Note:

NIAGARA COLLEGE LES MARMITONS GASTRONOMY CHARDONNAY 2017 - VQA St. David's Bench, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $24.95 Sold out
From estate-grown Chardonnay that was wild and barrel-fermented, along with 11 months 'sur lie' in French barriques. Screw cap. Lovely butter, golden apple, pear, leesy, and lemon citrus aromas with touches of vanilla oak rising out of the glass. On the well-balanced, medium-full bodied palate it is creamy with nice concentration and fine acidity supporting the apple, pear, butter, and vanilla flavours. Leesy and yeasty characters linger on the finish, with very good length. Lovely! Score: 89 pts

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Viña Tarapacá Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (Chile) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is this lovely Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile. This red wine is a frequent visitor to Ontario due to its popularity and I'm delighted to see this particular vintage return to the LCBO today as part of the January 9, 2021 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

In 2008, Viña Tarapacá merged with Viña San Pedro to form VSPT Wine Group, however, their story actually begins when they were founded at the foothills on the Chilean side of the Andes Mountains in 1874 to become one of Chile's most traditional and historical wineries, as well as a benchmark for Chilean viticulture.

Renowned winemaker Don Francisco de Rojas y Salamanca founded the winery under the name "Viña de Rojas" in the Maipo Valley. In 1892, the winery was acquired by Don Antonio Zavala and became "Viña Zavala". After Zavala's divorce, the winery became the property of his ex-wife, Doña Mercedes, and she renamed the winery to "Viña Tarapacá Ex Zavala" in gratitude to Don Arturo Alessandri, one of those most influential Chilean politicians of the 20th century and twice President of the country, whose nickname was "The Lion of Tarapacá". In 1927, the guest house was built in a Tuscan style at Viña Tarapacá and today this casona adorns the labels of all Tarapacá wines, as well as the embossed seal on wines from the Gran Reserva Tarapacá range.

Viña Tarapacá is continually committed to quality winemaking and sustainable practices that cover economic, social, and environmental areas, as well as conserving the biodiversity surrounding their vineyards. Impressively, Viña Tarapacá was the first Chilean winery to have a mini hydroelectric plant to generate 60% of winery's energy consumption, with any electricity not consumed fed into the national grid to provide the country with clean energy.

I've tasted the Viña Tarapacá Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon on numerous occasions over the years, and based on my database records going back to at least the 2005 vintage that I enjoyed in 2010. The grapes for the 2018 vintage are from their 2,600 hectare El Rosario Estate, of which 611 hectares are planted to vine. The estate and winery is located in Isla de Maipo - about 50 km southwest of Santiago - an area surrounded by mountains and the Maipo River and considered the finest and most traditional for the production of fine wines in Chile.

Tasting Note:

VIÑA TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 - DO Maipo Valley, Chile (#18721) (XD) - $17.95
The fragrant nose has a nice mix of spice, dried herb, dark berry, ripe blackberry, and smoky oak aromas with subtle touches of mineral adding further complexity. The full-bodied palate is very ripe with blackberry, spice, herbs, currant, cassis, and oak flavours supported by balanced acidity. The smooth, refined tannins have some structure and a pleasant, chalky texture. Earthy wood spice, cocoa, and mineral notes accented by currant and cassis notes linger on the long, juicy finish. Recommended buy. Score: 90 pts

Other lovely wines from Viña Tarapacá can found at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Dandurand.

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Ravine Vineyard Sand & Gravel Cabernet Franc 2017 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is this lovely Cabernet Franc from Niagara-on-the-Lake's Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery. I purchased this bottle while visiting the winery during the Days of Wine & Chocolate Festival in February 2019. Of course, this particular vintage is sold out, however, the 2019 is available for purchase at winery or online from their website.

Ravine Vineyard's Tasting Room is situated in the Wm. Woodruff House that was originally built in 1802 by David Secord - the namesake of the town of St. Davids in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The farm property was purchased by the Lowrey family in 1867, and two years later the first grape vines were planted on the site. Fast forward to 2008 when Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery opened to the public. I have been to Ravine on a number of occasions over the years - whose grapes on the 34 hectare family property are all organically farmed - and have always loved their wines.

Of all the Bordeaux red varietals planted in Niagara, it is Cabernet Franc that consistently performs the best - showcasing its tolerance for our cold winters and its ability to ripen in Niagara's cool climate. I noted that this wine was a bit young and grippy when I tasted it at the winery a couple of years ago, but it should be in fine form now. Let's see how this Niagara Cabernet Franc is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

RAVINE VINEYARD SAND & GRAVEL CABERNET FRANC 2017 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $19.95
Aged in French oak for 10 months and enclosed by screw cap. Medium-high intensity nose offers earthy and bretty aromas layered over complex ripe red and black berries, spice, thyme, bay leaf, and herbal notes. It is quite full with very good concentration on the palate that has savoury, earthy notes mingling with ripe red and black berry, and dark cherry flavours. Some peppery spice on the mid-palate, with very good acidity, and smooth tannins that are well-integrated with subtle chalkiness. Earthy, wood spice, and some vanilla notes linger on the very long finish. Score: 89 pts

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