Les Vignerons du Castelas Le Monarque Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2019 (France) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a delicious white wine from Côtes du Rhône. It's a new arrival to the LCBO and is featured as part of the theme on fresh French sippers in the May 15th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Les Vignerons du Castelas is a co-operative winery that was formed in 1952 by a handful of winegrowers that were keen to pool their efforts to produce appellation wines of high quality. The winery is located on the right bank of the Rhône River, between Pont d'Avignon and Pont du Gard in Rochefort du Gard, and named after Romanesque chapel from the XI century that is perched atop the village.

Today, there are 50 families of winegrowers that form Les Vignerons du Castelas to make wines that respect traditions and employ agricultural practices that respect the people and the land. Together, these winegrowers cultivate over 500 hectares of vines, with the majority in the Côtes du Rhône appellation. They are attached to their terroirs and vineyards, and are committed to healthy vines and living soils, while striving to pursue a "lutte raisonnée" form of viticulture to minimize their impact on the land.

This white wine is named "Le Monarque", after the butterfly that migrates from the producer's region every summer to Africa, a journey that can be more than 4,000 kilometres. This cuvée is a blend of 60% Viognier, 20% Grenache Blanc, and 20% Roussanne from vineyards that are undergoing conversion to organic in order to promote responsible viticulture and also preserves biodiversity. The grapes were harvested in the morning to preserve freshness, then destemmed and fermented, and finally aged on the lees for 6 to 8 months prior to bottling.

Tasting Note:

LES VIGNERONS DU CASTELAS LE MONARQUE CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2019 - AP, France (#18570) (XD) - $15.95
This delicious blend of 60% Viognier, 20% Grenache Blanc, and 20% Roussanne has fresh and fragrant floral aromas off the top, followed by white peach, orange, ripe melon, and touches of sweet herbal notes. The dry, medium-bodied palate is ripe and slightly honeyed with pretty, floral, honeysuckle, peach, orange citrus, and melon flavours supported by fresh acidity. Some bitterness and leesy minerals add to the peach, melon, orange, and floral notes on the long finish. Lovely Spring sipper! Score: 88+ pts

Other delicious wines from Les Vignerons du Castelas can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.

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Jean-Max Roger Cuvée Genèse Sancerre 2019 (Loire) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is the latest edition of this lovely Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre that arrived at the LCBO this weekend as part of the May 15 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Jean-Max Roger is one of my favourite Loire Valley wine producers. The Roger family comes from a long line of winegrowers dating back to at least the early part of the 17th century in the village of Bué, just southwest of the town of Sancerre. In the early 1970's, Jean-Max Roger took over 4 hectares of vines that his parents left for him and then expanded the estate to its current size of 26 hectares in the Sancerre AOC along the Loire River. In 2004, he was joined by two of his three sons, Etienne and Thibault.

Named "Cuvée Genèse" (or Genesis in English), this white wine represents the origin of the Roger family's history on these ancestral lands. This 100% Sauvignon Blanc is crafted using a blend of grapes grown on stony, calcareous soils known as "caillottes" located within the commune of Bué. The grapes come from the famous Grand Chemarin vineyard and neighbouring vineyard sites with identical agronomic characteristics with southeastern exposure to the sun. The vine age is between 10 to 40 years and grown using organic principles. It was fermented using natural yeasts, followed by ageing on heavy lees. The wine undergoes fining and filtration prior to bottling at the estate.

I really enjoyed the 2018 Jean-Max Roger Cuvée Genèse Sancerre back in December and the 2018 vintage in Loire was historic in terms of yield and quality. During the 2019 growing season, the summer heat stressed the vines and lowered yields, but the fruit that was harvested was excellent and of premium quality. Early reports suggest that the 2019 vintage is even better than the year prior. Let's see how this 2019 Sancerre is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

JEAN-MAX ROGER CUVÉE GENÈSE SANCERRE 2019 - AC, Loire, France (#189126) (XD) - $33.95
This 100% Sauvignon Blanc has intense and deep aromas of lemon citrus and white flowers with underlying minerality and touches of herbal and guava adding further complexities. The medium-full bodied, concentrated palate has ripe fruited aroma replays of lemon citrus, white floral, and stony mineral flavours with elegance. It has crisp, well-delineated acidity and is really well-balanced throughout with stony mineral notes lingering on the finish, with excellent length. Lovely Sancerre and highly recommended buy! Score: 92 pts

Other fine wines from Jean-Max Roger can be ordered via their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.

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J. Laurens Le Moulin Brut Blanquette de Limoux (Midi) - Wine Review (May 2021)

Tonight's wine review is a very nice sparkling wine that I last enjoyed four years ago and am delighted to see return to the LCBO this weekend. It is featured as part of the theme on fresh French sippers in the May 15th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

The story of Domaine J. Laurens begins in the 1980s, when Michel Dervin of Champagne decided to settle in the village of La Digne d'Aval in the south of France, less than 5 kilometres from Limoux. He purchased a few hectares of vines so he could produce the famous Blanquette de Limoux sparkling wine. In 2002, Jacques Calvel took over the domaine, and with the help of Michel and cellar master Henri Albrus, Jacques expanded and modernized the cellar to improve the consistency and quality of the wines. Today, Domaine J. Laurens produces a fine range of quality AOC sparkling wines while respecting the environment and preferring the use of sustainable agricultural techniques.

The climate in Limoux is a well balanced mixture of Mediterranean and Atlantic influences with hot, sunny days, followed by cool nights. These conditions help create a perfect acid-sugar balance - a fundamental element in the taste of sparkling wines. This particular sparkling wine is a blend of 90% Mauzac and 10% Chardonnay. The Mauzac varietal is planted on granular, clay-limestone slopes which are less fertile, but have regular rainfall, while the Chardonnay is planted in deep, fertile, well-drained soils. Let's see how the latest edition of this Blanquette de Limoux is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

J. LAURENS LE MOULIN BRUT BLANQUETTE DE LIMOUX - Traditional method, AP, Midi, France (#180323) (XD) - $19.95
A blend of 90% Mauzac and 10% Chardonnay that was hand-harvested and aged for at least 9 months prior to disgorgement. The medium+ intensity nose offers elegant aromas of ripe apple and pear. citrus, honeyed floral, and biscuity notes. It's medium-full bodied on the weighty, slightly creamy palate with crisp, vibrant acidity and dry flavours of lemon citrus, apple, biscuit, and yeast. It's finely balanced overall with lemon, yeasty, and touches of oyster shell mineral notes on the finish, with very good length. Lot L20363-3. Great buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines from Domaine J. Laurens can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.

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May 15, 2021 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: France + Portugal

With the arrival of Spring weather, the main theme of the May 15, 2021 LCBO VINTAGES Release focuses on fresh, French sippers, while the mini-theme looks at wines from Portugal. All of these wines, plus those from the main release should arrive on LCBO VINTAGES shelves across Ontario by this Saturday.

We begin with the main theme that looks at fresh French wines for sipping - which can surely be enjoyed on their own or with a meal. Of the fourteen wines featured, four are included among my top wine picks. First up a traditional method sparkling wine from Limoux that is made using 90% Mauzac and 10% Chardonnay. The white wine from Rhône is a blend of 60% Viognier, 20% Grenache Blanc, and 20% Roussanne, while the Minuty Rosé consists of Grenache (Noir), Cinsault, and Syrah. Lastly, the wine from Beaujolais is made with 100% Gamay.

The mini-theme on wines from Portugal is a small feature with just six wines, and the lone wine included among my Portuguese wine recommendations is an unoaked red that is a field blend of 27 grape varieties from old vines.

From my red wine picks from the rest of the release, the South African red is a blend of 71% Syrah, 11% Grenache, 9% Cinsault, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Viognier, while the Châteauneuf-du-Pape consists of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. There are also a pair of lovely Syrah/Shiraz and Grenache blends - the wine from Roussillon consists of 70% Syrah and 30% old vines Grenache, while the Australian red is a blend of 60% Shiraz and 40% Grenache. Lastly, the wine from Sicily is a blend of Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio. Single varietal wines include a pair of Cabernet Franc wines - one each from Niagara and Argentina, as well as a pair of Pinot Noir wines - one from Chile and one from New Zealand - that you can compare and contrast with each other.

Among my white wine recommendations, all are single varietal wines including a pair of fine Sauvignon Blanc wines, one from Sancerre and the other from New Zealand. From South America, there is also a nice Semillon from Argentina, as well as a lovely Chardonnay from Chile. For Riesling wine lovers, there is a dry Riesling from Australia, an off-dry Riesling (i.e. slightly sweet) from Niagara, and a very sweet Riesling from Mosel.

All of my top rosé wine picks from this release are stylistically dry rosé wines. From Provence, the Pigoudet is a blend of Cinsault and Grenache, while the Ott Rosé consists of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. Lastly, the rosé from Languedoc consists of 45% Cinsault, 40% Grenache, 10% Caladoc, and 5% Syrah.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• LUA CHEIA OLD VINES RED 2019 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#266882) (XD) - $15.95
• DOMAINE DE LA MADONE LE PERRÉON BEAUJOLAIS-VILLAGES 2019 - AC, France (#981175) (XD) - $17.95
• FABRE MONTMAYOU RESERVA CABERNET FRANC 2018 - Mendoza, Argentina (#492736) (XD) - $18.95
• FEATHERSTONE CABERNET FRANC 2018 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#64618) (XD) - $19.95
• BASTIDE MIRAFLORS SYRAH/VIEILLES VIGNES GRENACHE 2018 - AP Côtes du Roussillon, France (#320499) (XD) - $19.95
• PAXTON AAA SHIRAZ/GRENACHE 2019 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#149898) (XD) - $21.95  90+ pts  wine review
  
• BABICH PINOT NOIR 2018 - Sustainable, estate bottled, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#216) (XD) - $22.95  89 pts  wine review
• ERRÁZURIZ ACONCAGUA COSTA PINOT NOIR 2019 - DO Aconcagua Costa, Chile (#541151) (XD) - $24.95  91+ pts  wine review
• TORNATORE ETNA ROSSO 2017 - DOC, Sicily, Italy (#487090) (XD) - $25.95  91 pts  wine review
• THE CHOCOLATE BLOCK 2019 - WO Swartland, South Africa (#129353) (XD) - $39.95
• LA FERME DU MONT VENDANGE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2018 - AP, Rhône, France (#309245) (XD) - $57.95
  

White Wine:

• LES VIGNERONS DU CASTELAS LE MONARQUE CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2019 - AP, France (#18570) (XD) - $15.95  88+ pts  wine review
• WAKEFIELD RIESLING 2019 - Clare Valley, South Australia (#301523) (XD) - $16.95  90 pts  wine review
• ARBOLEDA CHARDONNAY 2019 - DO Aconcagua Costa, Chile (#606772) (XD) - $18.95
• PADDY BORTHWICK SAUVIGNON BLANC 2019 - Wairarapa, North Island, New Zealand (#361220) (XD) - $19.95
• EL ENEMIGO SEMILLON 2018 - Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina (#17457) (XD) - $23.95  FE
• CAVE SPRING CSV RIESLING 2018 - Cave Spring Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#566026) (D) - $29.95
• JEAN-MAX ROGER CUVÉE GENÈSE SANCERRE 2019 - AC, Loire, France (#189126) (XD) - $33.95  92 pts  wine review
• DR. H. THANISCH ERBEN MÜLLER-BURGGRAEF BERNKASTELER GRABEN RIESLING SPÄTLESE 2018 - Estate bottled, Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#18287) (S) - $33.95
  

Rosé Wine:

• LE BIJOU DE SOPHIE VALROSE 2020 - IGP Coteaux de Béziers, Languedoc, France (#20012) (XD) - $16.95
• CHÂTEAU PIGOUDET CLASSIC ROSÉ 2020 - AP Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, France (#668434) (XD) - $24.95
• M DE MINUTY ROSÉ 2020 - AP Côtes de Provence, France (#575316) (XD) - $26.95
• OTT BY.OTT ROSÉ 2020 - AP Côtes de Provence, France (#490896) (XD) - $31.95
  

Sparkling Wine:

• J. LAURENS LE MOULIN BRUT BLANQUETTE DE LIMOUX - Traditional method, AP, Midi, France (#180323) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• BLUE MOUNTAIN BLANC DE BLANCS 2011 - Estate bottled, traditional method, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#17693) (XD) - $54.95  FE
  

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Wakefield Riesling 2019 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely dry Riesling from Australia, a varietal we unfortunately don't see much of from Australia here in Ontario. This white wine arrives at the LCBO this weekend as part of the May 15, 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 with a desire to create a proper "old-world" style Estate where the vineyards and winery are at the same location. 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.

This particular Riesling is from their Estate Label range of wines. This Estate Label white wines are intended to over deliver in every aspect, while also displaying great varietal expression with elegance and finesse.

Like other wines in the Estate Label range, this Riesling also has a handy, touch-activated Optimum Drinking Temperature sensor on the back label. The sensor is calibrated for each wine, with the ideal temperature suggested as between 8-10°C for this particular Riesling. When the wine is at the optimum drinking temperature, the colour of the sensor will fall within the optimum range on the accompanying colour chart.

Tasting Note:

WAKEFIELD RIESLING 2019 - Clare Valley, South Australia (#301523) (XD) - $16.95
Screw cap. Fresh, clean, medium-high intensity aromas of lime citrus, white floral, and pear with hints of petrol and melon adding complexity. The medium-bodied palate has a fleshy mouthfeel with a dry flavour profile of lime citrus, floral, ripe pear notes, joined by a twist of honey. It has fresh, balanced acidity with oyster shell mineral, tart lime, and floral notes coming through on the long, lip-smacking finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

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

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Château d'Aquéria Tavel 2020 (Rhône) - Wine Review

As we look forward to bright and sunny weather, tonight's wine review is a bright and lovely rosé from the southern Rhône Valley Cru of Tavel that came to the LCBO as part of the most recent LCBO VINTAGES Release on May 1st.

Perennially one of my favourite Tavel wines, this rosé takes me back to my visit to the historic Château d'Aquéria nearly three years ago. The fascinating story of Château d'Aquéria begins in 1595 when Louis Joseph d'Aqueria purchased the area of Tavel known as "Puy Sablonneux" from the monks at the Abbey in Villeneuve les Avignon. On prime vine-growing lands, his son, Robert d'Aqueria, built a home that was transformed in the 18th century into the Château that stands today. Château d'Aquéria has been owned by many families since that time, while maintaining winegrowing activities.

In 1919, Jean Olivier purchased the estate, which was then managed by his son-in-law, Paul de Bez, beginning in 1943. Today, his grandsons, Bruno and Vincent de Bez, run the estate using environmentally-friendly and sustainable agricultural principles. The climate at Château d'Aquéria is quintessentially Mediterreanean with low rainfall, plenty of sunshine, and exposure to the Mistral winds. Situated in Tavel, the distinct soils around the Château are light and sandy-clayey, and when combined with the climate are ideal for the production of the estate's great rosé wines that are both fruity and complex. Let's see how the lovely 2020 Tavel is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU D'AQUÉRIA TAVEL 2020 - AC, Rhône, France (#319368) (XD) - $24.95
A blend of 45% Grenache, 20% Clairette, 15% Cinsault, 8% Mourvèdre, 6% Syrah, 4% Bourboulenc, and 2% Picpoul grown on sandy-clayey hillsides. Pretty, deep red colour in classic Tavel style. Medium-high to highly aromatic nose is bright, ripe, and sunny with lovely aromas of strawberry, raspberry, and cherry joined by white pepper spice, mineral, and herbal nuances. The full-bodied palate is ripe and dry with lovely aromas replays, plus lavender and a tinge of honey on the flavour profile supported by fresh, vibrant, and citrusy acidity. It has a nicely textured, slightly chalky mouthfeel, while mineral notes linger on the long, balanced, and crisp finish. One of the best vintages ever? Highly recommended buy. Score: 91 pts

There's another Tavel by Aquéria available at the LCBO, while other lovely wines from this producer can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Cave de Roquebrun La Grange des Combes Saint-Chinian-Roquebrun 2018 (Languedoc) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely, unoaked red wine blend from Languedoc in the south of France. This wine comes to the LCBO just about every year and is usually on my shopping list each time. This latest vintage arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the May 1st LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Founded in 1967, Cave de Roquebrun is located in Haut-Languedoc Natural Regional Park approximately 30 km north of Béziers, between Montpellier and Toulouse. This co-operative is the largest producer in the Saint-Chinian appellation of Languedoc, consisting of 70 winegrowers that cultivate over 650 hectares of vines, plus 30 members in the cellar. Together, their philosophy is to create wines of originality, balance, and power.

Situated in the village of Roquebrun, the exceptional, sunny Mediterranean micro-climate combined with the schist terroir typical of Languedoc allows for the production of high quality and original wines with a sense of place. The soils in the Saint-Chinian appellation are among the oldest in France at 500 million years of age, and are ideal for the cultivation of grapes. These acidic, schist soils of character make up 80% of the winegrowing lands in the area and form the base of the reputation of the quality wines from Roquebrun.

I enjoyed the 2010 Cave de Roquebrun La Grange des Combes Saint-Chinian-Roquebrun back in October 2018, and with a couple of other vintages still resting in my cellar, I am delighted to open the 2018 tonight. From the Saint-Chinian sub-appellation of Saint-Chinian-Roquebrun, this vintage is a blend of 45% Syrah, 35% Grenache, and 20% Mourvèdre that was grown on schistous soils facing south and south-east. It was vinified in whole bunches and fermented and aged in stainless steel vats. Let's see how this unoaked red wine is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CAVE DE ROQUEBRUN LA GRANGE DES COMBES SAINT-CHINIAN-ROQUEBRUN 2018 - AC, Languedoc, France (#155804) (XD) - $20.95
This blend of 45% Syrah, 35% Grenache, and 20% Mourvèdre from the schistous hillside of Roquebrun was raised entirely in tanks. The fragrant, spicy nose and lovely aromas of ripe dark berry, blackberry, schist mineral, and peppery aromas with touches of smoke. The full-bodied palate is ripe with dark berry, blackberry, currant, peppery spice flavours backed by lovely mineral and hints of cassis and meaty notes. It has fresh, juicy acidity, while the chalky tannins are just a touch tight at the moment. Some bitterness with smoky mineral notes linger on the finish, very good length. Enjoyable now, but will be even better in a couple of years. Recommended buy. Score: 90 pts

Other lovely wines from Cave de Roquebrun can be ordered through their Agent - Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.

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