Trio of LCBO General List Wines (Dec. 2021)

Happy Holidays! Tonight's wine reviews are a trio of General List wines I received several months ago and finally got around to tasting. Both red wines are new arrivals to the LCBO and available in standard 750 mL bottles, while the white wine from Abruzzo comes in a 1.5 L large format magnum bottle. All of the wines are readily available at LCBO outlets across Ontario.

Tasting Notes:

CESARI ESSERE VALPOLICELLA 2019 - DOC Veneto, Italy (#19774) (D) - $13.95
Founded in 1936, Gerardo Cesari soon became synonymous with creating quality wines from the Verona area. Today, Cesari wines draw on tradition but also use the latest knowledge in vineyard cultivation and environmentally sustainable growing techniques to create elegant, balanced, and fine wines. This vegan-friendly red wine is a blend of 70% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, and 10% Negrara / Rossignola with a medium intensity nose that leads with a hint of bretty and funky earth characters, followed by delicate aromas of dried cherry, plum, and oak spice. On the medium-full bodied palate, it is tangy with red cherry, herb, and earthy spice notes in a dry flavours profile. It has balanced acidity and soft, supple tannins providing a subtle textural mouthfeel. Earthy wood spice notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Recommended buy. Score: 88 pts

FANTINI TREBBIANO D'ABRUZZO 2020 - DOC Abruzzo, Italy (#20082) (XD) (1.5 L) - $16.60
Fantini is part Farnese Group, an estate associated with quality winemaking since the late 1500s. This white white is enclosed by a 100% recyclable cork and made with Trebbiano from Abruzzo. The medium-high intensity nose is clean and fresh with lemon citrus, grapefruit, white floral, herb, and leesy aromas. On the ripe, medium+ bodied palate it has pleasing citrus, grapefruit, white floral, and herbal replays in a dry flavour profile and supported by fresh, balanced acidity. Lingering on the finish are notes of lemon pith and leesy characters, along with some bitterness, with good length. Pleasantly surprising and highly satisfying recommended buy. Score: 88 pts

LISBON BY NIGHT RED BLEND 2018 - Vinho Regional Lisboa, Portugal (#18998) (D) - $9.80
Crafted by Vicente Faria, a winemaking family that settled in the Douro at the end of the 18th century to become one of the region's pioneer winemakers. This Syrah-based blend has a medium intensity nose with sweet and ripe aromas of black cherry, plum, pepper spice, and sweet oak. The medium-bodied palate is slightly sweet vanllin oak, ripe black cherry, and black plum flavours supported by balanced acidity and soft, rounded tannins. The slightly sweet black cherry, plum, and oak spice flavours continue through to the finish, with good length. Commercially styled crowd pleaser. Score: 86 pts

Other wines from these producers are available at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Albert Bichot Sélection Parcellaire Beaujolais-Villages 2018 (France) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is this lovely Gamay from Beaujolais that was slated to be released as a new arrival during the summer as part of the August 21st LCBO VINTAGES Release but actually never made it into stores back then. However, it did arrive on shelves a few weeks ago and there are plenty of bottles still available.

It is produced by Albert Bichot, a family whose roots go back to the year 1214. In 1350, the Bichot family settled in Burgundy and their coat of arms and symbol, a doe (biche), has not changed since. Wine entered the picture in 1831 when Bernard Bichot founded a wine trading business. His grandson, the first Albert Bichot, gave the family business momentum in the late 19th century and settled in Beaune in 1912. The second Albert Bichot was born in 1900 and was a pioneer in international commerce, introducing the family's wines to wine lovers around the world. In the second half of the 20th century, Albert's four sons, one of which is the third Albert, inherited the know-how and began an era of expansion with the construction of a new winery, bottling centre, and ageing cellar.

The Beaujolais appellation is located in southern Burgundy and spread across the administrative departments of Rhône and Sâone-et-Loire. This particular wine is from the Beaujolais-Villages appellation, the majority of which is located in the Vauxonne and Ardières valleys and represents 25% of the Beaujolais region's total production. The vines from the Beaujolais-Villages AOC are under the influence of several microclimates, which enhances the characteristics of the wines. This red wine is made with 100% Gamay grown on granite-based and sandy soils, with some clay. It was fermented in stainless steel tanks and then aged for 6-7 months in vats.

Beaujolais-Villages wines first attained their glory and reputation in Lyon's bouchons, or small family-run restaurants, and are perfect for convivial meals and appetizing dishes. The 2018 vintage was considered the ideal vintage as it combined good volume and excellent quality. Let's see how this Gamay is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ALBERT BICHOT SÉLECTION PARCELLAIRE BEAUJOLAIS-VILLAGES 2018 - AC Beaujolais, France (#18781) (XD) - $13.95
Crafted with 100% Gamay, the medium+ intensity nose has attractive aromas of strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, wild berry, and spices with a touch of savoury wet earth. On the medium+ bodied palate it is spicy with raspberry, strawberry, blackberry, and clove flavours in a dry profile. It has very good, juicy acidity and light, fine-grained tannins adding a nice texture to the mouthfeel. Clove spice and earthy notes linger on juicy finish, with very good length. Highly recommended buy. Score: 88+ pts

Other delicious wines from Albert Bichot are available at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Dionysus Wines & Spirits.

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DGB - White Wines from South Africa

With today's mild weather, tonight's wine reviews are a trio of delicious white wines from South Africa. All three are readily available at LCBO outlets across Ontario, with one a VINTAGES Essentials product, while the other two being General List wines.

These wines are produced by DGB (Douglas Green Bellingham) - a classic company in a modern era that uses their many years of experience and a committed staff to build brands with an unrivalled passion. DGB is headquartered at their production facility in Wellington, but they also have production facilities in Franschhoek and Boschendal. Being a large producer, DGB also has their own laboratory to ensure product quality, a packaging plant, and their own cellar and storage facility.

South Africa has a rich and varied terrain and is famed for its ancient soils. As such, DGB has a dedicated Viticulturalist with extensive experience working with the diverse vineyards of the Cape Wetlands and provides a crucial link between growers and the winemakers in the cellar as they search for exceptional fruit from healthy vineyards. With passion and respect for the environment, the Viticulturalist is a great advocate for biological farming and is an important leader in DGB's sustainability projects.

DGB acquired Boschendal in 2005 and is just one of company's many brands. Boschendal - which comes from bush and dale in Dutch - is one of the oldest Wine Estates in South Africa and is located between Franschhoek and Stellenbosch in Western Cape. An iconic wine farm, Boschendal is nestled in one of the most picturesque valleys in the Cape Winelands and has a winemaking tradition that spans over 330 years.

At Boschendal, they believe that wines are made in the vineyard and seek specific terroir-driven sites best suited for their vines. They have also embraced sustainability techniques in both the vineyard and and cellar to retain the country's exceptional biodiversity. With teamwork a core value, all members of the Boschendal team share the same goal which is to craft exceptional and memorable wines, while striving for perfection and aspiring to improve.

Let's see how these delicious wines from Boschendal and The Beachhouse are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

BOSCHENDAL 1685 CHARDONNAY 2019 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#367698) (XD) - $16.95
This 100% Chardonnay was crafted with fruit from Stellenbosch, Elgin Valley and Boschendal farm, from vineyards planted on well-drained soils. With a combination of fermentation and ageing regimens, the final blend is composed of 70% barrel fermented and matured and 30% stainless steel tank Chardonnay, all spending 10 months on its lees. Screw cap. The fragrant, medium-high intensity nose offers a ripe mix of orchard fruit, apple, pineapple, butter, and some leesy mineral aromas. It has very good weight on the dry, medium+ bodied palate with juicy acidity supporting the buttery, apple, orchard fruit, sweet vanillin oak, and herbal flavours. Nice leesy mineral texture on the mid-palate that lingers through to long, balanced finish with apple, butter, and leesy mineral flavours with a hint of caramel. Recommended buy. VINTAGES Essentials. Score: 88+ pts

BOSCHENDAL THE PAVILLION CHENIN BLANC 2020 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#281311) (XD) - $11.95
Screw cap. Aged on fine lees to add complexity, this 100% Chenin Blanc has a medium+ intensity nose that has a touch of sulphur, but once that blows off there is lovely ripe apple, lemon citrus, white floral, grapefruit, and herbal aromas. On the mid-weighted palate it is dry with apple, citrus, and grapefruit, with some leesy mineral flavours in a nicely textured profile and crisp, balanced acidity. Citrusy, grapefruit, and minerals linger on the crisp finish, with very good length. Highly recommended buy. General List. Score: 88 pts

THE BEACHHOUSE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2020 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#122390) (D) - $11.95
Screw cap. The 100% Sauvignon Blanc has delicate and ripe aromas of tropical fruit, guava, and passion fruit with an herbal element. It has very good weight on the slightly off-dry palate with delicious tropical fruit, lemon citrus, and saline flavours. It has well-balanced acidity, while the lingering finish has tropical fruit, citrus and saline notes. Crowd pleaser. General List. Score: 87 pts

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Tedeschi Capitel Nicalò Valpolicella Superiore 2019 (Veneto) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is the latest vintage of a consistently well-made, and delicious red wine from the famous Valpolicella region within Veneto. It arrived at the LCBO over the weekend, as part of the December 11 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is crafted by Tedeschi Wines, a winemaking family with over four centuries of history and tradition, including cru wine pioneers in Valpolicella. Since 1630, the Tedeschi family have been passionate in its interpretation of the Valpolicella region. Their wines are marked with personality to reveal aromas and flavours that are typical of the earth and characterize Tedeschi's identity. Tedeschi's winemaking philosophy is based on patience - to wait for the amount of time required both in the vineyard and in the winery - and dedication - to carefully attend to details and have the appropriate attitude towards their raw materials. They strive to combine long held family traditions with innovative research and production methods to craft wines that delivers the richness of Valpolicella.

Today, Tedeschi wines are synonymous with terroir and Valpolicella. Their profound attention to detail in the vineyard includes research to uncover the perfect interaction between the characteristics of the soil, micro-climate, sun exposure, selecting the most appropriate varietals, and the cultivation system. Research and experimentation are fundamental tools at Tedeschi. They have always respected the environment and are now sustainable and certified according to the standards of Biodiversity Friend and Equalitas.

This red wine is a blend of autochthonous varieties - 35% Corvina, 35% Corvinone, 20% Rondinella, and 10% Rossignola / Oseleta / Negrara / Dindarella - that were grown on Moraine Hills of clay and limestone in the heart of Valpolicella. It was crafted in the traditional Veronese manner of drying the grapes. In actual fact, it is a partial dehydration as the grapes are placed in crates for approximately one month, thereby losing 8-10% of their weight. This process naturally enriches the sugar content of the grapes, their dry extract, and the colour of the wine. After fermentation and maceration, the wine is aged for 12 to 18 months in Slavonian oak barrels, then aged for another 6 months in bottle prior to release. I've had the pleasure of tasting previous vintages of this wine and it always pleases. Let's see how this 2019 is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

TEDESCHI CAPITEL NICALÒ VALPOLICELLA SUPERIORE 2019 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#984997) (XD) - $17.95
A blend of 35% Corvina, 35% Corvinone, 20% Rondinella, and 10% Rossignola / Oseleta / Negrara / Dindarella, the medium-high intensity offers stewed and dried dark berry, black cherry, and plum aromas mingling with spices and earthy wood notes. It has good weight on the spicy, medium-bodied palate with more stewed black cherry, currant, plum, wood spice, and earthy notes in a dry flavour profile that's lifted by fresh, lively acidity. Supple tannins have a nice, slightly chalky texture. Very good length with wood spice, stewed berries, and faint mineral notes lingering on the finish. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

While some lovely wines from Tedeschi can be found at the LCBO, others can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Lungarotti Rubesco Sangiovese/Colorino 2018 (Umbria) - Wine Review

After enjoying the lovely 2015 Lungarotti Rubesco Sangiovese/Colorino near two years ago, tonight's wine review is the latest vintage of this lovely red wine that arrived at the LCBO today as part of the December 11th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Founded in central Italy the early 1960's, Cantine Lungarotti soon became a driving force that opened up new opportunities not only for Torgiano (a commune in the Province of Perugia in Umbria), but also for whole region of Umbria - with wine as the centrepiece.

This Rubesco is Lungarotti's most exported wine worldwide. The name "Rubesco" is derived from the Latin verb "rubescere", which means "to blush" (with joy). Depicted on the label is the harvest from a panel found at the Fontana Maggiore in the city of Perugia, one of Italy's most beautiful Medieval fountains. This fountain was built in approximately 1277.

The 2018 vintage of this wine remains a blend of Sangiovese and Colorino and although I wasn't able to confirm the exact composition, I would expect it to be similar to the previous vintage that was a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Colorino. The grapes were grown on a mixture of looser structure soils on higher hillsides, and in other areas the soils had good structure with a limestone subsoil. Fermentation took place in stainless steel at controlled temperatures with 15 days of skin contact. It was then aged for one year in casks, followed by a year in bottle prior to release. Reports indicate that the 2018 vintage was a success for the region, producing beautifully balanced wines. Let's see how this 2018 red wine from Umbria is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

LUNGAROTTI RUBESCO SANGIOVESE/COLORINO 2018 - DOC Rosso di Torgiano, Umbria, Italy (#368548) (XD) - $19.95
A blend of predominantly Sangiovese with Colorino adding colour and tannin, it has a pleasing, medium-high intensity nose has aromas of dark cherry, black plum, stony mineral, and pepper spice accented with violet. On the medium+ bodied palate it has spicy, tangy dark cherry, black plum, mineral, and tobacco flavours supported by fresh, juicy, and well-balanced acidity. The structured, dusty textured tannins have some chalky grip and will reward ageing. I like the stony mineral notes that linger on the long finish. Recommended buy. Score: 89 pts

You may find one or two wines from Lungarotti at the LCBO, while others from their lovely portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Xavier Vignon Lirac 2019 (Rhône) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely red from the Lirac AOC in the southern Rhône Valley that arrives at the LCBO this weekend. Not only is this wine featured as part of the theme on "Elegant Wines for Holiday Entertaining" in the December 11 LCBO VINTAGES Release, but it also the Wine of the Month and will be widely available across the province by Saturday, if not already.

It is produced by Xavier Vignon, a man who for years was branding his wines under the "Xavier Vins" label. Xavier Vignon began his studies in the faculty of pharmacy in Reims, but caught the wine bug after a chance encounter with an oenologist. This encounter enabled Xavier to gain valuable experience working in several Champagne houses and began his journey to discover the world of wine.

Xavier studies oenology and agronomy and begins working for world class estates in France and Australia, mentored along the way. In 1998, he partnered with a friend to create their own consulting company, to great success, then started creating his own Rhône Valley blends a year later. In the first few years of the 21st century, Xavier builds his own brand of wines under the Xavier Vins label.

Today Xavier Vignon's fundamental values are the love for a job well done and the capacity to transmit knowledge. Xavier has in-depth knowledge of the Rhône Valley with many harvests under his belt. He is a terroir hunter and master blender, imparting his own history and style to craft unique wines while being respectful of the environment. His desire is to share his wines, the fruit of his passion, with people whether they are new wine drinkers, amateurs or connoisseurs.

This red wine from Lirac, a region I had the pleasure of visiting back in 2018, and is crafted using a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah. The grapes were sustainably grown on clay and galets roulés (pebble stone) soils, with the vines averaging 40-50 years old. In the winery, the grapes were co-fermented to increase aromatic complexity and fermented at moderate temperatures to favour soft diffusion of flavor compounds. Only 30% of the wine was aged in barrel for 12 months, while the remainder was aged in concrete tank to preserve the purity of the fruit.

The last cru wine I enjoyed from this producer was the 2017 Xavier Vignon Ventoux a couple of summers ago, let's see how this Lirac red is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

XAVIER VIGNON LIRAC 2019 - AP, Rhône, France (#636183) (XD) - $23.95
This co-fermented blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah was aged mostly in concrete tank. The medium+ intensity nose seems a bit shy, offering hints of spicy raspberry and blackberry, garrigue, plus whiffs of oak and mineral. The medium to medium-full bodied palate is fruit forward and uber-ripe with raspberry, dark berry, spice, and garrigue flavours surrounding a savoury core, plus touches of florality. It has juicy, lip-smacking acidity, and ripe, smooth, supple, and lightly chalky textured tannins. Nicely balanced throughout with a pleasing mix of berries and smoky mineral lingering on the long finish. Highly recommended buy to enjoy over the next 5-6 years. Score: 91 pts

Some of the lovely wines from Xavier Vignon are currently available at the LCBO, while others can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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December 11, 2021 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Holiday Wines

The upcoming December 11, 2021 LCBO VINTAGES Release is the final release of the year. It is a mono-thematic release that focuses on Elegant Wines for Holiday Entertaining, with many other elegant wines also available throughout the rest of release as well. All of the wines should be in stores across Ontario by this Saturday.

We begin with the theme on Elegant Wines for Holiday Entertaining, and of the thirty wines included as part of this thematic, only four wines are included among my top wine picks. First up is a lovely Lirac from Rhône that consists of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah and is also the Wine of the Month. Also part of this theme is the 2017 Amarone that is a blend of 40% Corvina, 40% Corvinone, and 20% Rondinella. Single varietal wines include a Cabernet Sauvignon from Argentina, and the lone white which is a sophisticated 2020 Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand.

From my top red wine recommendations, there are many lovely wines worth your attention, starting with an excellent 2012 Amarone that is a blend of Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara that returned to Ontario. Staying in Italy, the Valpolicella Superiore is a blend of 35% Corvina, 35% Corvinone, 20% Rondinella, and 10% Rossignola / Oseleta / Negrara / Dindarella, while the red from Umbria is mainly Sangiovese with Colorino completing the blend. From Spain, the Rioja consists of 78% Tempranillo and 22% Garnacha. Some of the single varietal wines include the Barolo which is made with Nebbiolo, and the Chianti Classico that is made with Sangiovese.

Among my white wine picks, the only blend is the Soave that consists of 85% Garganega and 15% Trebbiano di Soave. Among the single varietal white wines, both Lugana wines are made with 100% Trebbiano di Lugana, while the Sauvignon Blanc from Waipara (New Zealand) was fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged in old French oak barrels, and the white Burgundy is made with Chardonnay. If you prefer some sweetness, take a look at the off-dry Riesling from Niagara, or go even more sweeter with Riesling from Mosel.

Although there are many sparkling wines for celebrations in this release, just one made my list of wine picks - a Rosé Prosecco that is made with 85% Glera and 15% Pinot Nero. Other fine sparkling wine recommendations can be found in the previous release.

Enjoy my wine picks from this release! Happy entertaining and stay safe!

Red Wine:

• TEDESCHI CAPITEL NICALÒ VALPOLICELLA SUPERIORE 2019 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#984997) (XD) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
• FABRE MONTMAYOU RESERVA MALBEC 2019 - Mendoza, Argentina (#261867) (XD) - $18.95
• LUNGAROTTI RUBESCO SANGIOVESE/COLORINO 2018 - DOC Rosso di Torgiano, Umbria, Italy (#368548) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• SAN PEDRO 1865 SELECTED VINEYARDS CARMENÈRE 2019 - DO Valle de Maule, Chile (#249201) (XD) - $19.95  90 pts  wine review
• SIDEWOOD SHIRAZ 2018 - Adelaide Hills, South Australia (#446146) (XD) - $19.95
• XAVIER VIGNON LIRAC 2019 - AP, Rhône, France (#636183) (XD) - $23.95  91 pts  wine review
• BODEGA PIEDRA NEGRA GRAN LURTON SINGLE VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 - Los Chacayes, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#980334) (XD) - $24.95  90 pts  wine review

 

• INVIVO CENTRAL OTAGO PINOT NOIR 2019 - Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand (#466029) (XD) - $24.95
• VOLPAIA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2018 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#953828) (XD) - $30.95  FE
• AURELIO SETTIMO BAROLO 2016 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#291559) (XD) - $51.95
• LA RIOJA ALTA VIÑA ARDANZA RESERVA 2012 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#315531) (XD) - $54.95
• FUMANELLI AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2017 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#475053) (XD) - $59.95
• BAROSSA VALLEY ESTATE E&E BLACK PEPPER SHIRAZ 2016 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#731620) (XD) - $99.95  93 pts  wine review
• MASI MAZZANO AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2012 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#597476) (XD) - $134.95  94 pts  wine review
  

White Wine:

• RIOLITE MALVASI LUGANA GRANDE 2018 - DOC, Lombardy, Italy (#17741) (XD) - $15.95
• KEN FORRESTER OLD VINE RESERVE CHENIN BLANC 2020 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#231282) (XD) - $17.95
• ZENATO SAN BENEDETTO LUGANA 2020 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#707158) (D) - $19.95
• 13TH STREET JUNE'S VINEYARD RIESLING 2019 - VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#147512) (D) - $19.95  90 pts  wine review
• PIEROPAN SOAVE CLASSICO 2019 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#946848) (XD) - $19.95
• RAPAURA SPRINGS ROHE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2020 - Sustainable, Blind River, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#12647) (XD) - $24.95
• DR. PAULY-BERGWEILER WEHLENER SONNENUHR RIESLING KABINETT 2019 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#557652) (M) - $27.95  FE
• MUDDY WATER GROWERS' SERIES SAUVIGNON BLANC 2019 - Waipara, South Island, New Zealand (#19766) (XD) - $29.95
• AUNTSFIELD SINGLE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2019 - Sustainable, Southern Valleys, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#12623) (XD) - $29.95
• MARCHAND-TAWSE VIRÉ-CLESSÉ 2018 - AC, Burgundy, France (#648576) (XD) - $30.95
  

Sparkling Wine:

• MASI MODELLO MILLESIMATO BRUT ROSÉ PROSECCO 2020 - DOC, Italy (#21049) (D) - $19.95

Fortified:

• ALVEAR PEDRO XIMENEZ DE AÑADA 2017 - DOP Montilla-Moriles, Spain (#499152) (S) (375 mL) - $24.95

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