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  • Date publishedTuesday, June 1, 2021

Fantini Casale Vecchio Lot 23 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2019 (Italy) - Wine Review

wine review is a nice, organic Montepulciano d'Abruzzo that is a general list product at the LCBO and readily available across Ontario.

Vini Fantini is one of the brands that form the Farnese Group of wineries. Fantini is located in Ortona, within the Province of Chieti in Abruzzo, along the Eastern coast of central Italy. The wines from the Abruzzo estate became famous during the 16th century when Princess Margaret of Austria and her husband, Prince Farnese, began producing high-quality wines that were enjoyed across Europe. Throughout the years, Farnese has ensured that wines from this Abruzzo estate have kept their excellent reputation.

In addition to producing high-quality wines, the Farnese Group also gives back to the surrounding community by partnering and signing long-term contracts with small family-run farms that have been in the area for generations. Farnese also brings in world-class consultants to work with these families to grow higher-quality grapes. At the winery, Farnese uses advanced winery technology to ensure the wines reflect the authentic characteristics of the varietal.

The Casale Vecchio Lot 23 is Fantini's first foray into production of organic Montepulciano d'Abruzzo from the areas surrounding their winery in Ortona. The grapes for this red wine come from Lot 23, the first plot in their vineyard within the municipality of Ortona that was converted to organic farming. This coastal land is in a sun-kissed area at 320 metres above sea level that overlooks and exposes itself to the blue Adriatic sea while also under the presence of the massif Majella.

This Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is planted on steep slopes with medium-textured soils tending to clayey. Located on coastal lands, there is great variation in temperatures between day and night, thus creating a natural balance between the flavours and acidity. At the winery, the grapes were carefully selected and destemmed, then softly crushed. After fermentation, the wine is aged in American and French oak barrels for 6-7 months.

Fantini Casale Vecchio Lot 23 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2019 (88 pts)

Tasting Note:

FANTINI CASALE VECCHIO LOT 23 MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2019 - DOC, Abruzzo, Italy (#612788) (D) - $9.80
This organic Montepulciano d'Abruzzo has a medium intensity nose offering aromas of blackberry, cassis, and sweet spices in a slightly honeyed profile. It's medium bodied on the palate with fresh acidity supporting the very ripe, sunny flavours of blackberry, cassis, and vanilla. The structured tannins are somewhat grippy, while woody notes linger on the finish, with good length. Score: 88 pts

Other wines from Fantini can be found at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.


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  • Date publishedSunday, May 30, 2021

Clos de los Siete 2018 (Argentina) - Wine Review

red wine review is a lovely, Malbec-led, six varietal blend from Argentina. I first enjoyed the 2002 vintage - the wine's inaugural vintage - in 2006 and it's become a perennial favourite of mine. This latest vintage arrived at the LCBO this weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Michel Rolland, one of the world's most famous consultant oenologists, founded the Clos de los Siete project by combining 850 hectares of vines at the foot of the Andes Mountains in the Uco Valley from 4 bodegas run by passionate Bordeaux families.

In 1988, Michel Rolland first visited Argentina and immediately fell in love with the country, including its atmosphere, people, landscape, and culture. With frequent return trips to the country, he became convinced that all of the conditions were right to grow great wines in Argentina. After some time searching, he and Jean Michel Arcaute (a winegrower from Pomerol, Bordeaux) found an ideal plot of land at the based of the Andes Mountains at 1,100 metres altitude with uniquely exposed with soils made up of pebbles, clay and sand, as well as some enormous boulders that have laid there since prehistoric times. The two friends were joined by others from Bordeaux. The "C7" on the label comes from the fact that 7 winemaking families were involved in the Clos de los Siete project. Each family independently made their own wines, but also contributed their wines to Clos de los Siete, a wine crafted under the supervision of Michel Rolland. Today, 4 bodegas contribute their wines to Clos de los Siete. The four key elements that make Clos de los Siete special are the generous soils on which the grape are grown, the dry weather with high day-night diurnal temperatures, high altitude vines, and the orientation of these vines in relation to the sun.

This red wine is a Malbec-based blend every year, and the 2018 vintage consists of 55% Malbec, 19% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah, 2% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. All of the grapes were grown in the Uco Valley on sand and clay soils with large pebbles at an altitude of 1,100 metres above sea level. The grapes were manually harvested, sorted twice, and gently moved throughout the winery by gravity. It was aged for 11 months - 70% in French oak barrels and rest in vats. As 2018 was one of the finest harvests in the last 30 years, let's see how this latest vintage is tasting tonight...

Clos de Los Siete 2018 (90+ pts)

Tasting Note:

CLOS DE LOS SIETE 2018 - Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#622571) (XD) - $24.95
Blend of 55% Malbec, 19% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah, 2% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. The rich, intense nose has a complex, ripe, dark fruited mix of blackberry, blueberry, peppery spice, and savoury oak aromas with touches of stony mineral and plum. The medium-full bodied, ripe palate has blackberry, blueberry, and floral flavours accented with peppery spice and savoury oak notes. A touch of warmth on the mid-palate with juicy, well-balanced acidity, while the tannins are smooth, refined, and dusty textured. Herb and mineral touches join the dark berry and savoury notes on the long finish. Enjoy this recommended buy over the next 5-6 years. Score: 90+ pts

When not available at the LCBO, this lovely wine can be ordered through their Agent - Dandurand.


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  • Date publishedFriday, May 28, 2021

Fontanafredda Gavi di Gavi 2019 (Piedmont) - Wine Review

wine review is this lovely white wine from Italy made with the Cortese grape that arrives at the LCBO this weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release.

The historic Fontanafredda was established in 1858 when Vittoria Emanuele purchased the estate as a gift for "La Bella Rosalina", the woman he loved. In 1866, Fontanafredda purchased their first Barolo vineyard and produced their first wines in 1870. The estate achieved great success and expanded its production and sales over the years, only to be devastated by phylloxera in 1931, and then sold to a bank.

During the 1950's, after the Second World War, Cavalier Giuseppe Bressano led the development of the brand's reputation and image of producing high quality wines. Many of Fontanafredda's "firsts" are related to Barolo, but in 2006 it became an "olympic wine" at the Olympic Winter Games in Turin. It was around this time when the pursuit and awareness of sustainability in wine was growing. In 2008, Fontanafredda returned to Piedmontese ownership and in 2015 they began the process to convert all of the estate's vineyards to organic farming techniques.

Even though Cortese grape is used to make this white wine, the wine is more commonly known as "Gavi di Gavi" because the grapes are grown within the commune of Gavi, Piedmont, in northwestern Italy, just southeast of Turin. Cortese grapes have been cultivated in Gavi since at least the 17th century. The grapes for this Gavi di Gavi were organically cultivated in Rovereto (an historic sub-zone of Gavi) and its surrounding area on hillside vineyards between 200 and 300 metres above sea level and on sandy soils with a high content of arenaceous marl. It is interesting to note that while most of this wine was fermented in stainless steels tanks, 15% was fermented in barriques. Let's see how this delicious white wine is tasting tonight...

Fontanafredda Gavi di Gavi 2019 (90 pts)

Tasting Note:

FONTANAFREDDA GAVI DI GAVI 2019 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#366948) (XD) - $21.95
100% Cortese. The medium-high intensity aromas offers a lovely and intriguing nose of floral, wet straw, waxy, and mealy notes surrounding a core of pear and apple. The dry, mid-weighted palate has a slightly creamy texture and delivers more pear, apple, floral, waxy, and mealy flavours that are supported by fresh, well-balanced acidity. Hints of leesy-yeasty minerals and peach join the apple and floral notes on the slightly chalky textured finish, with very good length. Recommended buy. Score: 90 pts

Other lovely wines by Fontanafredda can be found at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Dandurand.


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  • Date publishedThursday, May 27, 2021

May 29, 2021 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Spain + Australia

LCBO Wine Picks: May 29, 2021 VINTAGES Release
The main feature of the May 29, 2021 LCBO VINTAGES Release looks at the wines from Spain, while the mini-theme goes Down Under to look at the wines from Australia. All of these wines, plus those from the main release, should be on LCBO VINTAGES shelves across Ontario by this Saturday.

We begin with the main theme that looks at the wines from Spain. There are many lovely wines among the 14 featured in the theme, with four included among my top wine picks. From Rioja, first up is an excellent 1998 Reserva that is a blend of 95% Tempranillo and 5% Mazuelo / Graciano, while the 2015 Reserva from Rioja Alta consists of 85% Tempranillo and 15% Garnacha / Graciano / Mazuelo. Single varietal wines include a lovely Tempranillo from Castilla y León, and a Monastrell (aka Mourvèdre) from Alicante.

Urbina Reserva 1998 (92 pts)

The mini-theme on Australian wines features 11 wines, and while there are a number of good wines listed, only three are included among my top wine recommendations from Australia. The lone white wine is a blend of non-traditional Australian varietals that consists of 45% Marsanne, 33% Viognier, and 22% Roussanne, nearly half of which was aged in oak. The other two Australian wines are red wines - a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Pinot Noir.

Turkey Flat Barossa Valley White 2017 (90 pts)

Wakefield Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (89 pts)Wakefield Pinot Noir 2018 (89 pts)

There are quite a few blends among my red wine picks. From South America, the Chilean red wine is a blend of 31% Syrah, 29% Cabernet Franc, 25% Carménère, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, while the Argentinean red wine consists of 55% Malbec, 19% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah, 2% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. The Rhône red is a blend of Syrah and Grenache, while the Sicilian red is made with Nero d'Avola and Syrah. Lastly, the red wine from South Africa is a Shiraz-led blend that also includes Cinsault, among other varietals.

Clos de los Siete 2018 (90+ pts)

Among my white wine recommendations from the rest of the release, all are single varietal wines. Dry white wines include the Muscadet that is made with the Melon de Bourgogne grape, as well as a trio of lovely whites from Italy - Pinot Grigio from Alto Adige, Falanghina from Campania, and the Gavi from Piedmont that is made with the Cortese grape. If you prefer off-dry wines (i.e. some sweetness), look to either Riesling from Ontario or the Pinot Blanc from British Columbia. If you like even sweeter wines, the Riesling from Mosel will surely satisfy.

Hidden Bench Estate Riesling 2017 (91 pts)Fontanafredda Gavi di Gavi 2019 (90 pts)

St. Hubertus Pinot Blanc 2016 (88 pts)

Lastly, the dry rosé from Provence is a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

  • TARAPACÁ ORGANIC GRAN RESERVA 2018 - Sustainable, Maipo Valley, Chile (#19245) (XD) - $17.95
  • LA TREMENDA MONASTRELL 2017 - DO Alicante, Spain (#490011) (XD) - $17.95
  • WAKEFIELD PINOT NOIR 2018 - Adelaide Hills, South Australia (#197392) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
  • WAKEFIELD ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 - Clare Valley, South Australia (#744235) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
  • FIRRIATO SANTAGOSTINO BAGLIO SORÌA NERO D'AVOLA/SYRAH 2014 - IGT Terre Siciliane, Sicily, Italy (#291369) (XD) - $19.95
  • LEEUWENKUIL RESERVE RED 2019 - WO Swartland, South Africa (#14890) (XD) - $19.95

  • ALEJANDRO FERNÁNDEZ DEHESA LA GRANJA 2015 - Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León, Spain (#192476) (XD) - $21.95
  • CUNE RESERVA 2015 - Rioja Alta, DOCa Rioja, Spain (#417659) (XD) - $21.95
  • J.L. CHAVE SÉLECTION MON COEUR CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2018 - AC, France (#995548) (XD) - $23.95
  • CLOS DE LOS SIETE 2018 - Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#622571) (XD) - $24.95  90+ pts  wine review
  • URBINA RESERVA 1998 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#10723) (XD) - $42.95  92 pts  wine review
  • BURROWING OWL SYRAH 2018 - BC VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#73072) (XD) - $43.95
  • MICHELE CHIARLO TORTONIANO BAROLO 2015 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#586388) (XD) - $44.95

White Wine:

  • CHÂTEAU DE LA GRANGE VIEILLES VIGNES CÔTES DE GRAND LIEU SUR LIE MUSCADET 2018 - AP, Loire, France (#637868) (XD) - $13.95
  • ST. HUBERTUS PINOT BLANC 2016 - BC VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#648899) (D) - $16.95  88 pts  wine review
  • TURKEY FLAT BAROSSA VALLEY WHITE 2017 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#17646) (XD) - $17.95  90 pts  wine review
  • CASA DEA RIESLING 2018 - VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (#19915) (D) - $18.95
  • MASTROBERARDINO FALANGHINA DEL SANNIO 2018 - DOC, Campania, Italy (#562173) (XD) - $20.95
  • FONTANAFREDDA GAVI DI GAVI 2019 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#366948) (XD) - $21.95  90 pts  wine review
  • HILL PINOT GRIGIO 2018 - DOC Alto Adige, Italy (#17365) (XD) - $21.95
  • CAPE POINT RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2018 - WO Cape Town, South Africa (#18698) (XD) - $24.95  FE
  • HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE RIESLING 2017 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#183491) (D) - $24.95  91 pts  wine review
  • BISCHÖFLICHE WEINGÜTER TRIER PIESPORTER GOLDTROPFCHEN RIESLING KABINETT 2018 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#629998) (MS) - $27.95

Rosé Wine:

  • MIMI EN PROVENCE GRANDE RÉSERVE ROSÉ 2020 - AP Côtes de Provence, France (#452573) (XD) - $21.95


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  • Date publishedTuesday, May 25, 2021

Errázuriz Aconcagua Costa Pinot Noir 2019 (Chile) - Wine Review

To celebrate National Wine Day, wine review is the latest vintage of this lovely Pinot Noir from Chile. This red wine is a perennial visitor to VINTAGES and arrived in Ontario as part of the most recent LCBO VINTAGES Release on .

It is produced by Viña Errázuriz, one of Chile's best and most internationally recognized wineries. Don Maximiano Errázuriz founded the winery in 1870 with a great vision. His innovative and pioneering spirit led him to plant the first French grape varieties in the Aconcagua Valley. Future generations of the family continued his innovative and creative spirit, and his descendants positioned the wines of Viña Errázuriz among the world's most noteworthy. Today, Viña Errázuriz is led by President Eduardo Chadwick Claro and Winemaker Francisco Baettig Hidalgo.

This particular Pinot Noir is from Viña Errázuriz's "Specialties" range of wines, where they explore the Aconcagua Valley for the best and purest expression of each variety through wines that show their true sense of origin. The two geographical landmarks make up this line of wines are Mount Aconcagua - the highest peak in the western hemisphere, and the Pacific Ocean which has the coldest waters in the world. Aconcagua Alto (Mount Aconcagua) wines are from the highest area of the Aconcagua Valley, while wines from Aconcagua Costa are located in vineyards just 12 kilometres from the Pacific Ocean.

I've had the pleasure of tasting previous vintages of this Pinot Noir and it's always been a delight. The grapes for this vintage were sourced from vines planted in 2005 and 2009 in the coastal vineyard of Aconcagua Costa. The soil in this vineyard is composed of a thin layer of loamy texture that sits above a base of clay and metamorphic rock (slate/schist) that adds mineral notes to the wines.

In 2019, Aconcagua Costa experienced a slightly warmer than normal growing season due to higher temperatures in the Spring, but this was balanced by slightly cooler than normal temperatures in February and March, allowing for a slow and gentle ripening process. Overall, the result was outstanding, healthy fruit. The grapes were hand-harvested and fermented using native yeasts, then aged for 13 months in French oak barrels, only 15% new. Let's see how this delicious Chilean Pinot Noir is tasting tonight...

Errázuriz Aconcagua Costa Pinot Noir 2019 (91+ pts)

Tasting Note:

ERRÁZURIZ ACONCAGUA COSTA PINOT NOIR 2019 - DO Aconcagua Costa, Chile (#541151) (XD) - $24.95
The slightly reductive, delicate nose offers lovely dark cherry, raspberry, and smoky earth aromas with subtle spice tones. The black cherry notes continue on the mid-weighted and structured palate with spicy, smoky earth flavours and touches of floral adding further interest. It has fresh, balanced acidity, while the structured tannins have a medium-firm grippy texture. Smoky, earthy, mineral-laced finish, with excellent length. Enjoyable now, but will really blossom in 3-4 years. Score: 91+ pts

Other fine wines from Viña Errázuriz can be found at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Dandurand.


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  • Date publishedSaturday, May 22, 2021

The Wine-demic Pack by Creekside (Niagara) - Wine Reviews

wine reviews are a limited release set of 6 lovely and unique VQA wines called The Wine-demic Pack that were crafted by Niagara's Creekside Estate Winery and launched in . Although things are improving of late, The Wine-demic Pack recognizes some of the daily adjustments we've all had to make while living through these difficult times.

The Wine-demic Pack Collection by Creekside Estate Winery

As Andrew Howard, President of Creekside Estate Winery says, "Great wine and a sense of humour is in our DNA at Creekside, so we've combined them together to create a fun and delicious box of wine that we call our Pandemic Pack (aka Wine-demic Pack). While we won't solve any of life's real problems with this collection, we think that a sense of humour and some very good wine can help to make the current struggles a little less formidable." As these are stressful times for a lot of people, Creekside is donating a portion of the proceeds from these wines to support local mental health services.

The Wine-demic Pack Collection includes 6 delicious and unique VQA wines (reviewed below), with each wine highlighting a different aspect of pandemic living, and while the labels and names are fun in nature, the wines are no joke! You can get this Collection, which includes one of each bottle for a total of 6 bottles for $125 at the winery in Jordan, Ontario, as well as through their online store for free home delivery anywhere in the province.

Tasting Notes:

THE WINE-DEMIC PACK SAUVIGNON BLANC 2019 - VQA Ontario, Canada (XD)
Laggy wifi patience enhancer

Intense, fresh, ripe, tropical fruit aromas of guava, kiwi, passion fruit, and lemon citrus. It's medium+ bodied on the fleshy, slightly creamy palate with lovely tropical fruit and citrus aroma replays, along with some saline notes. It has fresh acidity, while the finish has touches of saline mineral notes, with very good length. Score: 90+ pts

The Wine-demic Pack Sauvignon Blanc 2019 (90+ pts)The Wine-demic Pack Pinot Gris 2019 (88 pts)

THE WINE-DEMIC PACK PINOT GRIS 2019 - VQA Ontario, Canada (XD)
Every day is ground hog day is every day

Pours a medium-deep gold colour. The medium+ intensity nose has a slightly funky nose of peach and stone fruit aromas. It's medium+ bodied on the palate with more peach and stone fruits flavours joined by honeyed notes in a dry flavour profile. Acids are well-balanced, while more peach and stone fruit notes come through on the dry finish, with good length. Score: 88 pts

THE WINE-DEMIC PACK RAZZLE DAZZLE RIESLING 2020 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (M)
Vaccination celebration libation

Bottled under Stelvin screw cap, this Charmat-method sparkling wine is made with Riesling and offers a fragrant nose of ripe peach, apple, citrus, and apricot with touches of white floral aromas, with lovely replays on the semi-sweet palate and frothy mousse with fresh acidity that brightens the palate. Very good length with more apple, floral, and touches of honey lingering on the finish. Score: 89 pts

The Wine-demic Pack Razzle Dazzle Riesling 2020 (89 pts)The Wine-demic Pack Rosé 2020 (90+ pts)

THE WINE-DEMIC PACK ROSÉ 2020 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (XD)
Spousal tolerance enhancement beverage

This blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris has fresh, medium-high intensity aromatics with ripe raspberry, cranberry, strawberry, cherry, and herbal notes. It's medium-full bodied on the weighty, dry palate with fairly complex currant, cranberry, cherry, strawberry, and herbal flavours joined by orange zest nuances. It has very good acidity and a slightly tannic presence. Lovely herbal, currant, and red berry notes linger on the crisp, dry finish, with very good length. Score: 90+ pts

THE WINE-DEMIC PACK SYRAH 2019 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (XD)
Fuzzy face and furry legs acceptance tonic

The medium+ intensity nose has funky, meaty aromas layered over dark fruit and black peppercorn. It's medium+ bodied on the palate with fresh acids and smooth, rounded, slightly dusty textured tannins that support the savoury, earthy, dark fruit, meaty, and black peppercorn flavours. Nicely balanced overall with meaty, olive, black pepper, and savoury wood notes lingering on the finish. Score: 90 pts

The Wine-demic Pack Syrah 2019 (90 pts)The Wine-demic Pack Cabernet Merlot 2019 (90 pts)

THE WINE-DEMIC PACK CABERNET MERLOT 2019 - VQA Ontario, Canada (XD)
Remote schooling sauce

The nose is a bit quiet, offering glimpses of red & black fruits, currant, cassis, and touches of wood spice. The full-bodied, structured palate is ripe with currant, cassis, and black cherry with touches of wood spice and herbally mint flavours, It has fresh, balanced acidity, while the structured tannins are a bit grippy. Pleasantly savoury on the tight finish, with very good length. Enjoyable now, but should be even better in 2-3 years. Score: 90 pts


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  • Date publishedThursday, May 20, 2021

Babich Pinot Noir 2018 (New Zealand) - Wine Review

wine review is a lovely, sustainably crafted Pinot Noir from New Zealand that landed at the LCBO over the weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Babich Wines is New Zealand's most experienced family-owned winery as they have been making wine in NZ since 1916. With three generations of winemaking, the Babich family has achieved winemaking excellence with innovation across three winemaking regions - Marlborough, Hawke's Bay, and Auckland.

Josip Babich, who was originally from Dalmatia (now part of modern day Croatia) and emigrated to New Zealand to join his brothers in 1910 at the tender age of 14, began planting vines in remote New Zealand in 1912 in the difficult way - with vision, thoughtfulness, ingenuity, and true craft. In 1916, Josip makes his first New Zealand wines and bottles them under the name Babich Brothers. In 1919, the Babich brothers move to Henderson in West Auckland and planted Pinot Meunier vines. After marriage in 1929, Josip and his wife Mara Grgic have five children, with their son Peter joining the family vineyard 20 years later. Much success led to the extension of the Auckland vineyard and Josip's son, Joseph, joined the family business in 1958.

Babich Wines expanded further in 1984 with the production of wine from the Gimblett Gravels region in Hawke's Bay, followed by wine from Marlborough in 1991. In 1997, Babich lays claim to New Zealand's first sustainably registered vineyard. In 2001, David Babich, Peter's son, becomes the third generation of the Babich family to join the company. In 2013, Babich completed building their brand new Marlborough winery, processing more than 4,000 tonnes of grapes. Josip Babich's hard-working spirit has traversed generations, and with over 100 years of winemaking achievements, experience, and excellence, Babich Wines has 100 small and interesting stories on their website that are worth reading when you have some time.

Sustainability is also a core value at Babich. For three generations, the Babich family has gently worked in harmony and balance with the land and ecosystem, ensuring that the vineyards and processes improve every vintage. Some of these sustainability practices include being careful with water, expanding the use of organic viticulture, using wild fermentations, and reducing waste.

This red wine is part of Babich's classic range of wines that showcase each varietal's regional style with a classic flavour profile and a touch of everyday sophistication. This particular Pinot Noir was hand-crafted using fruit from their estate-owned vineyards in Marlborough, harvested at optimum ripeness, and fermented in open vats. It was aged in a combination of new and used oak barriques for 7 months, then blended to create to final wine. Let's see how this NZ Pinot Noir is tasting tonight...

Babich Pinot Noir 2018 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

BABICH PINOT NOIR 2018 - Sustainable, estate bottled, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#216) (XD) - $22.95
Screw cap. The fragrant nose delivers a lovely, complex mix of earthy, beetroot, and raspberry, cherry, and rhubarb flecked with tea leaf notes. It's light-to-mid weighted on the palate with sour black cherry, and raspberry flavours layered over savoury earthy, beetroot, and tea leaf notes, It has fresh acidity, while the light tannins are somewhat chalky textured. Smoky black cherries and tea leaf notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Very enjoyable! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines from Babich can be purchased at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Dionysus Wines & Spirits.


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