Montpellier Viognier 2020 (California) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a tasty Viognier blend from California that is a new arrival to the LCBO that was released as part of the August 21st LCBO VINTAGES Release.

The Montpellier Vineyards brand of wines are produced by Bronco Wine Company, a family-owned company whose winemaking traditions go back to 1893. Since childhood, brothers Fred T. and Joseph S. Franzia, alongside their first cousin, John G. Franzia, have been learning every aspect of the wine business from their fathers. On Christmas Day in 1973, the three members of the Franzia family succumbed to the industry's charms and formed Bronco Wine Company.

Over the next 40+ years, the family-owned company has grown to become a force in the U.S. wine industry, committing itself to becoming the largest privately held vineyard holder in the U.S. Bronco Wine Company is focused on crafting quality wines for every table through hard work, innovation, and a willingness to embrace change - touchstones that are the backbone of its success and while also laying the groundwork for a strong foundation for future generations.

Tasting Note:

MONTPELLIER VIOGNIER 2020 - California, USA (#658138) (D) - $19.95
Predominantly Viognier (83%) with Chardonnay (6.7%), Gewurztraminer (5%), and Muscat (5.3%) completing the blend. The medium intensity nose seems quiet with aromas of lemon, white floral, and herbs with hints of apple, pear, lychee, and beeswax. The mid-weighted palate is fleshy and viscous with ripe lemon, white flowers, herbal flavours. The bright, juicy acidity hides the vague impression of sweetness, with notes of ripe apple, vanilla, lychee and beeswax joining the flavour replays on the dry, juicy, slightly bitter and leesy finish, with very good length. Score: 88 pts

Other delicious wines from Montpellier Vineyards are available through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Chakana Estate Selection Malbec 2019 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is this delicious, vegan-friendly Malbec from Argentina. After a two year absence, the Yaguarete (Jaguar) of the Uco Valley returned to LCBO VINTAGES on August 21st and is widely available across the province.

It is produced by Chakana Wines, a winery that was founded in 2002, after taking up the family legacy that began in the 19th century when their ancestors made quality wines in the mountainous region of Valtellina in Lombardy, Italy. Chakana is dedicated to studying and understanding some of the best terroirs in Argentina, with the primary goal of producing authentic wines that express the identity and character of its soils. They are located in Agrelo (Luján de Cuyo), but also have vineyards in Altamira (Uco Valley), all within Mendoza.

In 2012, Chakana began work to recover and maintain the harmony of its soils by transitioning to organic and biodynamic viticulture. They also produce their wines with minimal intervention, using indigenous yeasts, and favouring the use of porous materials (i.e. concrete without epoxy and barrels) in ageing, in order to preserve the character of the place in the wine. The winemaker is Gabriel Bloise, a member of the new generation of winemakers. Gabriel understands oenology as a means of expressing nature and believes that the best wines are those that do not bear the mark of whoever makes them, but of the places where they are developed.

The last time I tasted this wine was over two years ago when the 2016 Chakana Estate Selection Malbec showed up in VINTAGES in spring 2019. Because of Chakana's constant soil and terroir research, the grapes that make up this Malbec seem to be sourced from different regions each vintage. For the 2019 vintage, this Malbec comes from Gualtallary (Tupungato) and Los Chacayes (Tunuyán), within the Uco Valley, at an altitude of 1,100 metres (3,600 feet) on sandy loam soils with gravels near the surface. The climate is cool and sunny with good diurnal temperatures, but is relatively more humid than other areas of Mendoza. It was aged in used French oak barrels and concrete vats for 12 months. Let's see how this latest Malbec is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CHAKANA ESTATE SELECTION MALBEC 2019 - Vegan, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#219261) (XD) - $19.95
100% Malbec from Gualtallary (Tupungato) and Los Chacayes (Tunuyán). Generous aromas of wet earth, game, savoury, and brett are accented with ripe red berry, cherry, floral, and sweet spice notes. On the medium-full bodied palate it has very ripe red fruit and cherry flavours joined by savoury, earthy, and wood notes, supported by fresh, balanced acidity and grainy, textured tannins that are slightly grippy. Tangy with savoury earth notes linger on the finish, with good length. Score: 88 pts

Other delicious wines by Chakana Wines are available through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.

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Salentein Reserve Rosé 2020 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely dry rosé from Argentina that is made with Syrah! It's a new arrival to the LCBO, landing on shelves across Ontario a couple of weeks ago as part of the August 21st LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Bodegas Salentein was founded in the 1990s with the goal of producing first-rate wines with a sense of place, while respecting nature and using the principles of sustainability to take part in the life of the area's community. They are located in the heart of Mendoza, with vineyards in the Uco Valley, where the sandy and loamy soils, and dry weather with very hot days and very cool nights help produce high quality grapes.

The magnificent bodega is located at an elevation of 1,200 meters (4,000 feet) with the nearby western horizon dominated by the snowy Andes mountains. The cross-shape of the bodega has four wings, and each is a little bodega with two levels - the first level is for fermentation and storage, while the second level is subterranean (9 metres / 29 feet underground) and used for barrel ageing. A gravity-flow system is used to gently move the wine through the vinification and ageing process. The underground cellar has the benefit of constant temperatures and humidity, allowing the wines to age in optimal conditions. The floor of the cellar was built using natural stones from the Cuyo region using yellow quartzite sandstone, green chlorite of schist variety, and red limonite sandstone, among others. If you are visiting Mendoza, you will certainly want to visit Bodegas Salentein!

This particular dry rosé was crafted with 100% clone 99 Syrah grapes planted in 1996 in the vineyards of the El Oasis estate in Los Arboles (Tunuyán county) at an altitude of 1,050 metres (3,400 feet) above sea-level. With a hot summer that was slightly warmer than average, combined with low rainfall, yields were down in 2020, but produced healthy grapes of exceptional quality. Let's see how this 2020 Syrah Rosé is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

SALENTEIN RESERVE ROSÉ 2020 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#19555) (XD) - $17.95
This lovely 100% Syrah was matured for 6 months on its fermentation lees. Screw cap. The fresh, medium+ intensity nose has pretty aromas of red berry, cherry, strawberry, and floral wrapped around stony mineral. The dry, mid-weighted palate is tangy, tart, and spicy, accented with citrus, red berry, strawberry, and mineral flavours that are supported by crisp, lemony acidity. Subtle chalky texture on the mid-palate. Tangy citrus with saline minerals lingering on the crisp finish, with very good length. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Bodegas Salentein are available at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Azureau Wines & Spirits.

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Librandi Duca Sanfelice Cirò Riserva Rosso 2017 (Calabria) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely red wine made with the indigenous varietal Gaglioppo from Calabria. It arrived at the LCBO a couple of weeks ago, as part of the August 21st LCBO VINTAGES Release and is featured as part of the theme on the sunny wines of the Mediterranean.

It is produced by Librandi Winery, a family-owned producer that first bottled its own wines in 1953 in Via Tirone, Cirò Marina, with wines made using Gaglioppo and Greco Bianco grapes. The company expanded its winemaking activities in 1955 by purchasing an estate in the Ponta area, and named it 'Duca Sanfelice'. The grapes for this wine are from Duca Sanfelice, an estate which was further expanded by purchasing neighbouring plots in 1973. Librandi inaugurated their new wine production facility in 1975 within the municipality of Cirò Marina, where they are still located today.

Cultivating vines for four generations, the Librandi family have been steadfast supporters of the region's land and its riches. They are eager to spread the knowledge of Calabria's rich winemaking heritage that goes back to the 8th century BC, when a Greek colony made up of mostly winemakers settled on the Ionian shores and named the area "Enotria Tellus", or Land of Wine.

First crafted in 1983, this red wine is made with the indigenous Gaglioppo varietal that was grown on clayey and calcareous soils within the heart of the Calabrian winemaking region - the comunes of Cirò and Cirò Marina, in the province of Crotone. It was vinified in stainless steel vats, then aged in a combination of steel and concrete vats for 2 years, followed by bottle ageing for a few months prior to release, which should provide a very pure-fruit experience unobstructed by oak. I recall only trying one Gaglioppo wine prior to this and am curious to see how this compares. Let's see how this Gaglioppo red wine is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

LIBRANDI DUCA SANFELICE CIRÒ RISERVA ROSSO 2017 - DOC, Calabria, Italy (#695874) (XD) - $17.95
100% Gaglioppo aged in steel and concrete for 2 years, the medium-high intensity nose offers complex ripe black and dark red cherries and spices joined by some funky earthy, rustic, and touch minerally aromas, along with some baking spice, plum, and candied cherry notes that arrive with time in the glass. It's medium+ bodied with attractive black cherry, spice, and plum flavours that are supported by fresh, balanced acidity. Smooth, fine tannins have a slightly grainy & chalky texture on the mid-palate. Juicy with notes of black cherry, mineral, and a touch of smoke lingering on the long, satisfying finish. Highly recommended buy. Score: 90+ pts

Other lovely, authentically Calabrian wines by Librandi can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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September 4, 2021 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Smart Buys

In what is now becoming a tradition, the September 4, 2021 LCBO VINTAGES Release is the 2nd "Smart Buys" release of the year. (The first "Smart Buys" release is always is the first release of the calendar year.) There is no mini-theme in this release, while the feature on local talent reveals (if you didn't know already) one of the top producers in Canada. All of these wines should be shelves across Ontario by this Saturday. And like recent releases, there are a number of VINTAGES Online Exclusive (VOE) wines and only available through LCBO.com.

We begin with the "Smart Buys" theme that features 25 wines, of which 4 are included among my top wine picks, and all are red wines. From France, the Rhône red is a 50/50 blend of Grenache and Syrah, while the Languedoc red is a blend of 40% Syrah, 30% Grenache, and 30% Mourvèdre. The other two wines are from Argentina - a Pinot Noir and a Malbec.

In local talent, Hidden Bench is the featured winery from Niagara's Beamsville Bench. They recently won "Best in Show" for one of their Chardonnays at the 2021 Decanter Wine Awards in London, England. Featured in this release are their 2018 Estate Chardonnay and 2019 Estate Pinot Noir, which are both part of the VINTAGES Essentials Collection. In addition, there is a fine semi-sweet Riesling, and their first ever Gamay.

Among my red wine picks from the rest of the release, the latest vintage of the iconic Purple Angel is a blend of 92% Carmenère and 8% Petit Verdot, while the Bordeaux from the great 2010 vintage consists of 74% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Malbec. The Roussillon red is a blend of Syrah and Grenache from 60+ year old vines, while the South African red is made with 37% Pinotage, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. From Italy, the Chianti Classico is a blend of Sangiovese and Canaiolo, while the Brunello is 100% Sangiovese.

From my white wine picks, the Portuguese wine is a blend of traditional varieties Códega, Rabigato, Gouveio, and Viosinho that was aged in Allier French oak barrels. The rest are all single varietal wines, including the Tuscan white that is made with Vermentino, while the Orange Wine (i.e. skin-fermented white) is made with the Gros Manseng varietal that is grown primarily in South West, France.

All of my rosé recommendations are dry in style, led by the Tavel that is made with 45% Grenache, 20% Clairette, 15% Cinsault, 8% Mourvèdre, 6% Syrah, 4% Bourboulenc, and 2% Picpoul. The rosé from Provence is a blend of 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah, and 10% Rolle, while the rosé from Uruguay is 100% Pinot Noir. Lastly, the Champagne is a blend of 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this Release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• ALPATACO PINOT NOIR 2019 - Patagonia, Argentina (#19386) (XD) - $14.95  88 pts  wine review
• PIATTELLI RESERVE MALBEC 2019 - Valle de Cafayate, Salta, Argentina (#452029) (XD) - $16.95  89 pts  wine review
• SAINT-ROCH VIEILLES VIGNES SYRAH/GRENACHE 2018 - AP Côtes du Roussillon, France (#195107) (XD) - $16.95
• DOMAINE LA DÉCELLE RÉSERVE VALRÉAS 2017 - AC Côtes du Rhône-Villages, France (#14391) (XD) - $16.95  90 pts  wine review
• KANONKOP KADETTE CAPE BLEND 2018 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#21108) (XD) - $18.95  VOE
• LOSI QUERCIAVALLE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2015 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#515478) (XD) - $19.95

• CLOS BAGATELLE AU FIL DE SOI SAINT-CHINIAN 2017 - AC, Languedoc, France (#561258) (XD) - $24.95
• MARCELO PELLERITI SIGNATURE CABERNET FRANC 2018 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#19387) (XD) - $29.95  FE
• HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE GAMAY 2019 - Unfiltered, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#20422) (XD) - $29.95
• CHÂTEAU SIAURAC 2010 - AC Lalande de Pomerol, Bordeaux, France (#309831) (XD) - $44.95  93 pts  wine review
• DONATELLA CINELLI COLOMBINI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2015 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#113357) (XD) - $65.95
• MONTES PURPLE ANGEL 2018 - DO Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#62364) (XD) - $74.95

White Wine:

• ESTANCIA LOS CARDONES ANKO TORRONTÉS 2019 - Salta, Argentina (#19394) (XD) - $16.95  89 pts  wine review
• RIGAL ORIGINAL GROS MANSENG VIN ORANGE 2020 - France (#20253) (XD) - $17.95  88+ pts  wine review
• PETER ZEMMER PINOT GRIGIO 2019 - DOC Alto Adige, Italy (#95802) (XD) - $18.95
• POCAS RESERVA WHITE 2019 - DOC, Douro, Portugal (#21538) (XD) - $19.95
• LAMMERSHOEK TERRAVINUM RESERVE CHENIN BLANC 2016 - Swartland, South Africa (#19567) (XD) - $19.95  VOE
• LA FRALLUCA COSTA BIANCO 2017 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#20314) (XD) - $21.95  FE
• WHITEHAVEN GREG SINGLE VINEYARD RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2019 - Sustainable, Awatere Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#325944) (XD) - $23.95  91 pts  wine review
• HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE RIESLING 2018 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#183491) (M) - $24.95
• BACHELDER WISMER WINGFIELD OUEST VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2018 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#520403) (XD) - $44.95  FE

Rosé Wine:

• MADO EN PROVENCE ROSÉ 2020 - AP Coteaux Varois en Provence, France (#19839) (XD) - $19.95
• GARZÓN RESERVA PINOT NOIR ROSÉ 2020 - Garzón, Uruguay (#15265) (XD) - $22.95
• CHÂTEAU D'AQUÉRIA TAVEL 2020 - AC, Rhône, France (#319368) (XD) - $24.95  91 pts  wine review

Sparkling Wine:

• VEUVE CLICQUOT LA GRANDE DAME CHAMPAGNE 2012 - Creators Edition: Yayoi Kusama, AC, Champagne, France (#20997) (XD) - $294.95  FE

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La Cadiérenne Cuvée Grande Tradition Bandol Rosé 2020 (Provence) - Wine Review

The 2019 La Cadiérenne Cuvée Grande Tradition Bandol Rosé that I enjoyed last summer was one of my favourite rosés of the year. For tonight's wine review, I am delighted to try the new vintage of this lovely dry rosé from Bandol that arrived at the LCBO recently as part of the August 21st LCBO VINTAGES Release. It is pictured on the cover of the VINTAGES magazine, as well as featured in the theme about Mediterranean wines.

The co-operative Les Vignerons de La Cadiérenne was formed in 1929 by 37 winegrowers. Today, it is comprised of nearly 300 winegrowers who cultivate approximately 600 hectares of mostly hillside vines surrounding the villages, and is the largest and most important cellar in western Var. Members of the co-operative produce wines that respect nature and the environment. All of the fruit is manually harvested, and members stay in contact with their fruit until bottling. Not only does La Cadiérenne produce AOP Côtes de Provence and Pays du Var (Protected Geographical Indication) wines, but they are also the largest producer of AOP Bandol wines.

The previous vintage was nearly an equal split of Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Cinsault, led slightly by Mourvèdre, while this vintage is predominantly Grenache (50%), and the rest equal parts Cinsault and Mourvèdre, all grown on clay-limestone and marl soils. At the winery, the grapes were direct pressed and each grape variety was vinified separately, while fermentation was carried out at low temperatures in order to preserve the fruity aromas and colour. I very much enjoyed the 2019, let's see how the 2020 Bandol Rosé is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

LA CADIÉRENNE CUVÉE GRANDE TRADITION BANDOL ROSÉ 2020 - AC, Provence, France (#119453) (XD) - $24.95
Blend of 50% Grenache, 25% Cinsault, and 25% Mourvèdre. The fresh, medium-high to highly aromatic nose has pretty aromas of ripe peach, melon, floral, citrus, blood orange, and grapefruit with underlying herbal notes. It has fresh acidity and a fine, slightly chalky texture on the medium-full bodied, fleshy palate with spicy aroma replays. There's a tinge of honey on the dry flavour profile, tapering to herbal, seaspray, and oyster shell minerality on the long, crisp, and dry finish. Love the complex array of flavours. Highly recommended buy. Score: 91+ pts

Other lovely wines from Les Vignerons de La Cadiérenne can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.

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Errázuriz Aconcagua Alto Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (Chile) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is the latest vintage of the perennially lovely Errázuriz Aconcagua Alto Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the August 21, 2021 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

The renowned Viña Errázuriz was founded in 1870 by Don Maximiano Errázuriz, a man whose family has played an important role in Chile's social and cultural life for over two and a half centuries. His passion for wine led him to plant Chile's first French grape varieties in the Aconcagua Valley. By 1873, the winery had over 300 hectares of vineyards and launched their first wine. By 1890, Rafael Errázuriz, son of Don Maximiano, took over the property and established 700 hectares of vines, becoming the largest vineyard in the world in the hands of a single owner. Today, Viña Errázuriz is led by the fifth generation of the family - Eduardo Chadwick Claro.

Like the 2018 Errázuriz Syrah I enjoyed a couple of months ago, this lovely Cabernet Sauvignon is from Viña Errázuriz's "Specialties" range of wines that reflects the producer's exploration of the Aconcagua Valley for the best and purest expression of each variety through wines that show their true sense of origin. With two geographical landmarks making up this range (Mount Aconcagua and the Pacific Ocean), this particular Cabernet is from Aconcagua Alto, the highest area of the Aconcagua Valley.

This Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced primarily from Viña Errázuriz's Max vineyards in the interior of the Aconcagua Valley at an altitude of 600 metres above sea level. These vineyards have a predominantly silty texture and are of colluvial origin, with particular nutrition and drainage conditions of the diverse soils helping control plant vigour to producer balanced fruit loads with small bunches and berries. The grapes were handpicked, double sorted, fermented in stainless steel tanks, and aged in French oak barrels (35% new) for 14 months.

The 2018 vintage experienced much-needed winter rainfall that replenished water levels, which was followed by a dry, slow-ripening season that allowed for good flavour accumulation. Moderate temperatures were slightly cooler-than-average and delivered structure and concentration to the grapes. Overall, the 2018 vintage in Chile is considered one of the best in recent years, and among the best in the last 20 years! Let's see how this 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ERRÁZURIZ ACONCAGUA ALTO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 - DO Valle del Aconcagua, Chile (#203364) (XD) - $21.95
Rich, intense aromas of black and red fruits, currant, cassis, herbs, and sandalwood with hints of evergreen laying underneath. The full-bodied palate is ripe with blackberry, dark currant, cassis, and herbal flavours balanced by savoury, earthy, and oak undertones. It has tangy, juicy acidity, while the smooth, structured tannins are a bit tight. Tangy, savoury, and earthy, even some mineral, on the finish, with very good length. Enjoyable now, this lovely Cabernet Sauvignon will improve in 1-2 years and drink well to 2027. Recommended buy. Score: 90+ pts

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

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