Mon Frère Vintner's Selection California Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 (USA) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a new California Cabernet Sauvignon that arrived at the LCBO last month as part of the January 9, 2021 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Mon Frère Winery, French for "My Brother", and was established in 2019 to champion the very best in quality wine making and exceptional value from California. Mon Frère is a celebration of our connections to each other, to those special people with whom we choose to share life’s triumphs and tribulations.

Mon Frère is led by chief winemaker Tom Hinde, who brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in crafting a fine range of wines using grapes that are sourced from some of the California's finest vineyards which impart the richness and character of the region.

The Mon Frère portfolio consists of a Chardonnay, a Pinot Noir, and this Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of grapes from Napa, Sonoma, Lake County, Mendocino, Lodi, and Paso Robles, with coastal growing sites adding layers of ripeness, fruit flavours and acidity. Other wines from the Mon Frère range can be ordered through their Agent - Dionysus Wines & Spirits Ltd.

Tasting Note:

MON FRÈRE VINTNER'S SELECTION CALIFORNIA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017 - California, USA (#16463) (D) - $22.95
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from Napa, Sonoma, Lake County, Mendocino, Lodi, and Paso Robles that was aged in mostly used French oak barrels. The medium intensity nose has rich, dark berry, currant, and smoky aromas with touches of cassis and dried herb. It's full-bodied on the palate with smooth, ripe, and rounded tannins and slightly sweet flavours of currants, red and black fruits, and wood flavours. Acids are fresh and well-balanced, while woody and currant notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Crafted in a crowd-pleasing style for current enjoyment. Score: 87 pts

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Margan Family Hunter Valley Semillon 2018 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely Semillon from the Hunter Valley in Australia that arrives at the LCBO this weekend as part of the February 6, 2021 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Margan Wines was established in 1996 by Lisa and Andrew Margan in the picturesque Broke Fordwich wine region of Hunter Valley. Prior to establishing Margan Wines, Andrew learned the art of grape growing and winemaking at Tyrrell's for 20 years, along with working as a flying winemaker in France. Together with his wife, Lisa, the Margans have evolved to become the leading winery in the Broke Fordwich sub-region of the Hunter Valley.

Today, they have over 100 hectares of quality vineyards, some of which were planted in the late 1960s. All of the wines are single vineyard, Estate Grown wines that are hand-crafted at the Estate by Andrew. The uniquely-styled wines of Margan are strongly defined by the climate of the Hunter Valley and the ancient red volcanic soils of the Fordwich Sill which run through the area. These soils are free-draining, but the soils cell structure absorbs moisture quickly and releases it slowly, a beneficial feature for inland, high-latitude (32.5 degrees South) regions such as Broke Fordwich. These free-draining, alluvial soils and sandy loams also produce particularly fine Semillon - the variety for which the Hunter Valley is best known.

Environmentally sustainable practices are a core value at Margan Wines. They are fully accredited with sustainable winegrowing Australia and committed to looking after the land and be sustainable for generations to come. They have many sustainability initiatives at the winery and restaurant - too numerous to mention here - and are also looking to become carbon neutral.

I have enjoyed Hunter Valley Semillon for many years now. They can be enjoyed young, but are best with some age on them. Let's see how this Semillon is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MARGAN FAMILY HUNTER VALLEY SEMILLON 2018 - Estate grown, Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia (#493338) (XD) - $18.95
Screw cap. From 40 year old, low-yielding and mature vines grown on the red volcanic soils of the ancient Fordwich Sill, the medium-high intensity nose is elegant with distinctive lanolin, earthy mineral, grapefruit citrus, lemon, and floral aromas. It's light-to-medium bodied on the dry, racy palate with bright acidity and flavours of lanolin, citrus, floral, and touches of herb. Very good length with citrus, herb, earthy mineral notes lingering on the juicy finish. Enjoyable now, but I would cellar this for 5 years to allow for additional complexities to develop. Score: 90 pts

Other lovely wines from the Margan Family can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.

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February 6, 2021 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Italy + Local Heroes

The main theme from the February 6, 2021 LCBO VINTAGES Release focuses on Italian wine & food, while the mini-theme focuses on six Niagara producers who are Local Heroes. All of these wines, plus those from the rest of the release will be on shelves across Ontario by this Saturday.

We begin with the main theme that focuses on Italian wine & food. In this feature, there are twelve wines listed from some of Italy's most popular wine regions and four are included among my top wine picks from Italy. Food pairing suggestions are also included with each wine. The only white wine featured as part of the theme is a Pecorino from Abruzzo. Among the reds, there are a pair of Nebbiolo wines from Piedmont, including a lovely Barolo. Lastly, the Amarone is a blend of Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara.

The mini-theme is titled "Local Heroes" and features six Niagara producers. There is one wine from each producer, thus a grand total of six wines, of which two are included among my top wine recommendations. Both of these wines are on the sweeter side, with the semi-sweet Riesling from Vineland Estates always a favourite of mine. The second wine is a lusciously sweet Vidal Icewine for $23.

Among my red wine picks from the rest of the release, the always lovely Chianti Classico is a blend of mainly Sangiovese, while the Portuguese red is a blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, and Syrah. The rest are all single varietal wines, including a fine Australian Shiraz, a Cabernet Franc from Niagara, a lovely Malbec from Argentina, and the Beaujolais is made with Gamay.

From my white wine picks, there is a fairly wide array of options to try, all of which single varietal wines. Besides the Chardonnay from Australia, the rest could fall into the category of going off-the-beaten track. From Hunter Valley, there is a fine Semillon, while the Austrian wine is made with Grüner Veltliner. Although NZ Sauvignon Blanc is very common, the version from Waimea is from Nelson, on the northern tip of South Island. There is also a lovely barrel-fermented Chenin Blanc from South Africa. Lastly, the Riesling Kabinett from Mosel is made in an off-dry (i.e. only slightly sweet).

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this release! Cin cin!

Red Wine:

• GLENELLY GLASS COLLECTION SYRAH 2017 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#493841) (XD) - $15.95
• LOS HAROLDOS RESERVA MALBEC 2015 - Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#646612) (XD) - $16.95  89 pts  wine review
• CAVE SPRING CABERNET FRANC 2018 - VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#523001) (XD) - $17.95
• CHÂTEAU DES GIMARETS MOULIN-À-VENT 2015 - AC, Beaujolais, France (#442632) (XD) - $18.95
• VALE DA MATA RED WINE 2017 - Vinho Regional Lisboa, Portugal (#18296) (XD) - $19.95
• VOYAGER SHIRAZ 2016 - Margaret River, Western Australia (#713115) (XD) - $29.95
• VILLA ANTINORI RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2016 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#540971) (XD) - $30.95
• FARINA LE PEZZE AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2017 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#171587) (D) - $36.95
• ENRICO SERAFINO PICOTENER NEBBIOLO 2018 - DOC Langhe, Piedmont, Italy (#12736) (XD) - $41.95
• ROCCA BAROLO 2015 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#395103) (XD) - $43.95  91 pts  wine review

White Wine:

• WAKEFIELD ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2019 - Clare Valley & Padthaway, South Australia (#711556) (XD) - $16.95  88 pts  wine review
• FERZO ABRUZZO PECORINO SUPERIORE 2019 - DOP, Italy (#573683) (XD) - $17.95
• TRITTENHEIMER ALTÄRCHEN RIESLING KABINETT TROCKEN 2018 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#18222) (D) - $17.95
• DOMÄNE WACHAU TERRASSEN FEDERSPIEL GRÜNER VELTLINER 2019 - Sustainable, vegan, Qualitätswein, Austria (#31534) (XD) - $18.95
• MARGAN FAMILY HUNTER VALLEY SEMILLON 2018 - Estate grown, Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia (#493338) (XD) - $18.95  90 pts  wine review
• WAIMEA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2019 - Vegan, Nelson, South Island, New Zealand (#714295) (XD) - $19.95
• VINELAND ESTATES ELEVATION ST. URBAN VINEYARD RIESLING 2018 - St. Urban Vineyard, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#38117) (M) - $19.95  90 pts  wine review
• STELLENBOSCH MANOR BARREL FERMENTED CHENIN BLANC 2018 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#17443) (XD) - $19.95

Sparkling Wine:

• FAMÍLIA OLIVEDA JOVE BRUT CAVA - Traditional method, DO, Spain (#647883) (D) - $15.95  88 pts  wine review
• PIERRE SPARR BRUT RÉSERVE CRÉMANT D'ALSACE - Traditional method, AC, Alsace, France (#388603) (D) - $18.95  88+ pts  wine review
• PONGRÁCZ CAP CLASSIQUE ROSÉ - Traditional method, WO Western Cape, South Africa (#646968) (D) - $18.95

Fortified:

• DOW'S QUINTA DO BOMFIM VINTAGE PORT 2006 - DOC, Portugal (#18285) (S) (375 mL) - $29.95  FE

Dessert Wine:

• LAKEVIEW CELLARS VIDAL ICEWINE 2018 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#522672) (S) (200 mL) - $22.95

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Wakefield Clare Valley Estate Chardonnay 2019 (Australia) - Wine Review

For tonight's wine review, I opened this delicious Australian Chardonnay that is a frequent visitor to the LCBO. This particular bottle is the 2019 vintage that arrives on our shores as part of the February 6, 2021 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Wakefield Wines are hand-crafted by three generations of the Taylor family at their estate in Clare Valley. In 1969, Bill Taylor Sr. and his two sons, Bill and John, founded Wakefield Wines by the Wakefield River in South Australia's Clare Valley. Today, the third generation of the Taylors - Mitchell, Justin and Clinton - continue the family's long term goal to make wines that will stand the test of time and the next generation will be proud of.

The Taylors are committed to sustainability and acting responsibly for future generations. Their goal is to apply the best practices in environmental management to enhance sustainable business activities and products. They use innovative techniques to improve energy efficiency, water conservation, and packaging, while also minimizing waste and pollution. Through a holistic approach to environmental management, they also aim for biodiversity and sustainable land for the present and future.

I last enjoyed this wine when the previous vintage - the 2018 Wakefield Clare Valley Estate Chardonnay - came to LCBO VINTAGES last August. The 2019 vintage was a difficult one in South Australia due to the hot weather and drought. The heat and water stress led to an early and condensed vintage with reduced yields. However, careful canopy management and water irrigation helped reduce the effects. Due to the reduced yields, the fruit for this vintage comes from both Clare Valley and further south in Padthaway.

Back in August, I looked at the innovative and exclusive, touch-activated Optimum Drinking Temperature sensor that is found on the back label of many Wakefield Wines. Temperature is very important when enjoying a glass of wine and because every wine has its own ideal drinking temperature, the sensor is calibrated to each individual wine and changes colour depending on the temperature of the wine. When the colour of the sensor falls within the ideal range using the accompanying chart, the wine is ready to be enjoyed. Personally, I think it works well, however, I tend to enjoy my Chardonnays on the warmer side. How cold (or warm) do you prefer your Chardonnay?

Tasting Note:

WAKEFIELD CLARE VALLEY ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2019 - Clare Valley & Padthaway, South Australia (#711556) (XD) - $16.95
With fruit from both Clare Valley & Padthaway, the majority of the fruit was fermented in used French oak barrels. Screw cap. The medium+ intensity nose is ripe with apple, pear, tropical fruit, and vanilla aromas along with subtle peach and butterscotch notes. The medium+ bodied palate is also very ripe with delicious pear, apple, tropical fruit, vanilla and butterscotch. Acids are fresh and nicely balanced, while some leesy notes arrive on the ripe apple, pear, and vanilla flavoured finish, with very good length. Reliably delicious year after year. Score: 88 pts

Other delicious Wakefield Wines are available at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Indómita Old Vines Dry Farmed Gran Reserva Carignan 2018 (Chile) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Carignan from Chile. It is new to the LCBO and arrived on shelves across Ontario last weekend as part of the January 23, 2021 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Viña Indómita, a relatively young winery located on a hillside in Casablanca with a gorgeous view of the valley, 64 km northwest of Santiago and just 18 km from the Pacific Ocean. They have 100 hectares of vineyards planted on clay soils that are rich in minerals. The climate in this area is fresh with high diurnal temperature variation.

Sustainability is an integral part of Viña Indómita. In addition to organic production, they also manage waste treatment, generate renewable energy, and use lightweight bottles to reduce carbon emissions. They also help protect local forests, flora and fauna, and native species. Viña Indómita also socially responsible by supporting local individuals and businesses by promoting economic activities in the areas of wine production, tourism and gastronomy.

The grape for this wine come from Maule Valley, Chile's oldest wine region, on land that has been worked for nearly 5 centuries. Maule Valley is filled with small farmers that have rustic customs and age-old cultivation techniques that have been passed down to the next generation. The grapes are de-stemmed and crush, followed by fermentation in tanks. A portion of this wine is aged in barrels for almost 1 year, while the rest remains in tank.

Looking back on my notes, I see that I liked every single Indómita wine that I tasted previously and would expect this Carignan to be just as enjoyable. Let's see how this red wine is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

INDÓMITA OLD VINES DRY FARMED GRAN RESERVA CARIGNAN 2018 - DO Maule Valley, Chile (#16627) (XD) - $17.95
A blend of 95% Carignan and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the medium-high intensity nose is ripe with a mix of red and black fruits like raspberry, cherry, and blackberry nuanced with rustic, earthy, and dried spice aromas. It's medium+ bodied on the palate with juicy, sour acidity to support the very saline, red and black berry fruit, and charcuterie flavours surrounding the savoury core. Slightly dusty tannins are subtly textured and well-integrated. Nicely balanced throughout with pleasing earthy, savoury notes lingering on the long finish. Another winner from Indómita! Score: 90 pts

While no other wines from Viña Indómita are currently available at the LCBO, they can be ordered via their Agent - Rare Earth Wines.

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Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Côtes du Roussillon Blanc 2018 (Midi) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely Côtes du Roussillon Blanc by M. Chapoutier that returned to the LCBO as part of the recent January 23rd LCBO VINTAGES Release.

The origins of this historic and highly-acclaimed winemaking company date back to the year 1808, with the Chapoutier name entering the picture in 1897 and Marius Chapoutier becoming the sole owner of the company in 1922. In 1929, Marius created the new winery at the foot of the Hermitage hill. Upon the passing of Marius, his son, Marc, took over the family business and changed the name to what we see today - M. Chapoutier.

In 1990, current owner and legendary Michel Chapoutier became the head of the company and began to apply the principles of biodynamic cultivation. In 2000, Chapoutier purchased its first estate in Roussillon. This particular wine is from Domaine de Bila-Haut, a domain that Chapoutier founded in Latour-de-France, Roussillon. At first, there were a couple of wines created to express this terroir, then followed by six years of reflection, observation, and analysis. Over time, more wines were added to the portfolio, as well as adding other sites in Roussillon.

Today, Mathilde and Maxime, the children of Michel, form the next generation of the Chapoutier family to join business. Together, they perpetuate the family tradition and vision to craft wines based on the concept of terroir.

I enjoyed the 2015 Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Côtes du Roussillon Blanc back in December 2017 and am delighted to open the 2018 vintage tonight. This bottling is a blend of Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, and Macabeu varietals that were grown on sites belonging to Domaine de Bila-Haut. Some of the grapes come from limestone, clay soils, and gneiss in the Agly Valley, while the rest were from granite soils located on higher altitude (500 metres elevation), later ripening sites. The grapes were manually-harvested and hand-sorted to protect the aromas, while vinification occurred in stainless steel tanks, and ageing lasted only a few months to enhance freshness and minerality. Let's see how this white wine from Roussillon is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

LES VIGNES DE BILA-HAUT CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON BLANC 2018 - AP, Midi, France (#485656) (XD) - $15.95
This blend of Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, and Macabeu has lovely floral, lemon citrus, grapefruit, and ripe apple aromas of medium+ intensity with touches of smoky mineral. The dry, medium+ bodied palate is slightly fleshy with fresh, crisp and lively acidity to support the ripe lemon citrus, grapefruit and white floral flavours, with fine mineral notes arriving on the long, crisp finish. Recommended buy. Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines from M. Chapoutier can be found at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Dandurand.

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Les Hauts de Lagarde Blanc 2019 (Bordeaux) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely organic and vegan-friendly white wine from Bordeaux that came to the LCBO over the weekend as part of the January 23rd LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Maison Raymond, a vigneron and negociant family that has a history of winegrowing that dates back to the year 1850. Maison Raymond is located in the southeastern end of Entre-Deux-Mers, Bordeaux's largest appellation, within the commune of Saint-Laurent-du-Bois. Entre-Deux-Mers stretches from near the city of Bordeaux and moves southeasterly, between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers. In addition to growing wines in Saint-Laurent-du-Bois, they also have vineyards in the villages of Saint-Martial and Saint-Felix de Conclude, where wines have been grown since medieval times.

The family property of the domaine du Château de Lagarde has been built up over years by successive generations and uses a combination of ancestral traditions and efficient, modern technologies to craft its wines. In 2000, Lionel Raymond purchased the organic vineyard of Château Joumes Fillon and because he had strong respect for the environment and terroir, he also converted his own vineyard - all 130 hectares - to organic agriculture. Most winemakers in the area thought he was crazy as it was twice the work of a conventional vineyard. Today, Maison Raymond is one of Bordeaux's largest organic wineries and one of the few in the region that has made the commitment to organic viticulture.

This particular organic white wine is a blend of 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Sémillon that was grown on a hillside vineyard with clay-limestone soil and gravels in Saint-Laurent-du-Bois, where the climate is mild due to the influence of the Atlantic Ocean. I enjoyed tasting the 2018 vintage of this wine when it arrived in LCBO VINTAGES in April 2019 and expect this latest vintage to be just as lovely.

Tasting Note:

LES HAUTS DE LAGARDE BLANC 2019 - Vegan, AC Bordeaux, France (#387787) (XD) - $18.95
This organic wine is a blend of 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Sémillon that was grown on clay-limestone soil and gravels. The highly aromatic nose is fragrant and pretty with notes of ripe lemon/lime, citrus, passion fruit, kiwi, and white flowers. It's medium+ bodied on the ripe palate with lovely aroma replays plus touches of honey that are balanced by crisp, balanced acidity. Slightly chalky mineral textured on the mid-palate, while the long finish is juicy with oyster shell mineral and lime notes. Recommended buy. Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines from Maison Raymond can be found via their Agent - Rare Earth Wines.

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