Mike Weir Meritage 2010 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is this lovely 2010 Meritage that I first enjoyed at the winery back in January 2016 during the annual Niagara Icewine Festival.

Unfortunately, as I mentioned when I enjoyed the 2013 Mike Weir Cabernet Franc Icewine a few months ago, Mike Weir Winery closed its doors for good sometime in Spring 2018. This is also my last bottle of any Mike Weir wine. On the bright side, the property was sold and reopened as Locust Lane Estate Winery in Spring/Summer 2020.

When I first tasted this red crafted with Bordeaux varieties from the exceptional 2010 Niagara vintage, I mentioned that it could be enjoyed up to 2023. Let's see how this red wine from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MIKE WEIR MERITAGE 2010 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $19.95
Composed of Bordeaux varieties Cabernet Sauvignon (40%), Cabernet Franc (34%), and Merlot (26%). It pours a mature deep tawny colour and has a lovely, medium-high intensity nose offering complex aromas of dried dark berry, stewed plums and berries, sweet spice, and touches of evergreen and red pepper. It's medium-full bodied with mature, very smooth tannins with a slight grip. Dried berry, plum, sweet spice, chocolate, and some floral notes on the flavour profile. It has very good structure and acids are still well-balanced. Chocolate, savoury, and earthy notes linger on the long finish. Only 12% abv. It has aged well and is a joy to sip. Score: 91 pts

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Wakefield Estate Chardonnay 2020 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is the latest edition of the lovely Estate Label Chardonnay by Wakefield Wines that arrives at the LCBO this weekend as part of the April 30th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Wakefield Wines, a family-owned and -operated winery that was founded by Bill Taylor Sr. and his two sons near the Wakefield River in South Australia's Clare Valley in 1969. Today, the third generation of the family - Mitchell, Justin and Clinton - continue the family tradition of making delicious wines that stand the test of time. The Taylor family is firmly committed to sustainability and producing wines in a responsible manner that respects the fruit and the land where it came from. The Taylor family also has an innovative spirit, and one of these innovations includes an Optimum Drinking Sensor that is on the back label of many of their wines.

Like the 2019 Wakefield Estate Chardonnay that I enjoyed just over a year ago, this vintage is also crafted with Chardonnay from Padthaway and Clare Valley. Although the percentage from each region was unspecified last time, this vintage is composed of 57% Padthaway and 43% Clare Valley Chardonnay. A small portion of this wine was barrel-fermented and stirred on its lees for 4 months. After 6-8 months of ageing in French oak, the wine was blended and bottled. Let's see how this 2020 Chardonnay is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

WAKEFIELD ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2020 - Padthaway & Clare Valley, South Australia (#711556) (XD) - $16.95
Screw cap. The medium-high intensity nose is fresh with ripe apple, citrus, pear, and butter aromas nuanced with vanilla, lactic, and yoghurt notes. On the dry, medium+ bodied, and creamy palate it is lightly honeyed with citrusy, apple, pear, butter, and vanilla flavours supported by crisp, fresh acidity. Leesy mineral, apple, citrus, butter, with touches of sweet vanillin oak and saline linger on the long finish. Might be my favourite vintage so far. Highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Wakefield are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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April 30, 2022 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Signature Europe

The theme of the upcoming, and relatively large, April 30, 2022 LCBO VINTAGES Release features Signature wines from Europe. Also previewed in the magazine are the next batch of Online Exclusives that will be available for purchase starting May 12. As well, this release is the last in-store release until the May long weekend as the LCBO shifts to one in-store and one online-only release per month for the summer. Wines from this release should be on shelves across Ontario by this Saturday.

We begin with the theme titled "Signature Europe" that looks at nine classic European wine regions, with fifteen wines represented and five included among my top wine picks. Among the white wines is a Chardonnay from the Montagny appellation in Burgundy, and a Sauvignon Blanc from the Pouilly-Fumé appellation in Loire. Red wines from Europe's signature wine regions include a Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Rhône that is a blend of 75% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, 5% Cinsault, while the Rioja red consists of Tempranillo and Graciano. Lastly, the Barolo from Piedmont is crafted with Nebbiolo.

Red wine picks from the rest of the release begin with both Wines of the Month - a Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon and the wine from Languedoc that is a blend of 50% Syrah, 30% Grenache, and 20% Mourvèdre. Blends from Rhône include the Gigondas which is a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, while the Lirac is made with 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 10% Cinsault. Also from France, the wine from Roussillon consists of approximately 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, and 10% Carignan, while the Malbec from Uco Valley is actually a blend of 96% Malbec and 4% Merlot.

Among my white wine recommendations, the only blend is from Roussillon which consists of Grenache Blanc and Roussanne. Single varietal white wines include a pair of lovely Sauvignon Blanc wines from New Zealand and a trio of Chardonnays - one each from Niagara, Argentina, and Australia. If you enjoy wines with some sweetness, the off-dry Riesling from New Zealand should be on your shopping list, and if you enjoy more sweeter, try the semi-dry (i.e. quite sweet) Gewurztraminer from Alsace.

Both of my rosé wine picks are dry rosé wines crafted with a single varietal. The rosé from Rioja is made with Garnacha (i.e. Grenache), while the Californian rosé with crafted with Petite Sirah.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• LA POSTA ESTELA ARMANDO BONARDA 2020 - Mendoza, Argentina (#261586) (XD) - $15.95  89 pts  wine review
• RIOJA VEGA CRIANZA 2018 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#471854) (XD) - $16.95
• ANGOVE FAMILY CREST SHIRAZ 2018 - Vegan, McLaren Vale, South Australia (#12842) (XD) - $19.95
• SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE MALBEC 2019 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#79798) (XD) - $20.95  89 pts  wine review
• CAVE DE ROQUEBRUN LA GRANGE DES COMBES SAINT-CHINIAN-ROQUEBRUN 2019 - AC, Languedoc, France (#155804) (XD) - $20.95

• FEATHERSTONE CABERNET FRANC 2019 - Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#64618) (XD) - $21.95  89 pts  wine review
  
• ERRAZURIZ ACONCAGUA ALTO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - DO Valle del Aconcagua, Chile (#203364) (XD) - $21.95  90 pts  wine review
• MATETIC CORRALILLO SYRAH 2017 - Estate bottled, DO Valle de San Antonio, Chile (#146407) (XD) - $21.95
• CATENA APPELLATION AGRELO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - Agrelo, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#484303) (XD) - $21.95
• CHÂTEAU DE MONTFAUCON 2019 - AP Lirac, Rhône, France (#15447) (XD) - $24.95

• M. CHAPOUTIER BILA-HAUT OCCULTUM LAPIDEM 2018 - AP Côtes du Roussillon-Villages Latour-de-France, France (#643239) (XD) - $26.95  92 pts  wine review
• PIERRE AMADIEU ROMANE MACHOTTE GIGONDAS 2019 - AC, Rhône, France (#17400) (XD) - $27.95  91 pts  wine review
• DOMAINE DROUHIN ROSEROCK PINOT NOIR 2019 - Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA (#529107) (XD) - $42.95  92+ pts  wine review
• TENUTA ROCCA COMUNE DI SERRALUNGA D'ALBA BAROLO 2016 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#154591) (XD) - $56.95
• LE VIEUX DONJON CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2019 - AC, Rhône, France (#700922) (XD) - $68.95

White Wine:

• WAKEFIELD ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2020 - Padthaway & Clare Valley, South Australia (#711556) (XD) - $16.95  89 pts  wine review
• SAINT-ROCH VIEILLES VIGNES CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON GRENACHE BLANC / ROUSSANNE 2020 - AP, France (#175232) (XD) - $16.95
• JOSEPH CATTIN GEWURZTRAMINER 2019 - Sustainable, AC Alsace, France (#224626) (M) - $17.95
• PADDY BORTHWICK SAUVIGNON BLANC 2020 - Wairarapa, North Island, New Zealand (#361220) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• VIGNERONS DE BUXY BUISSONNIER MONTAGNY 2019 - AC, Burgundy, France (#382879) (XD) - $20.95
• KAHURANGI MOUNT ARTHUR RESERVE RIESLING 2017 - Vegan, sustainable, single vineyard, Nelson, South Island, New Zealand (#14559) (D) - $22.95  89 pts  wine review
• EL ENEMIGO CHARDONNAY 2019 - Mendoza, Argentina (#482984) (XD) - $24.95
• HENRI BOURGEOIS EN TRAVERTIN POUILLY-FUMÉ 2019 - AC, Loire, France (#12097) (XD) - $29.95
• VILLA MARIA TAYLORS PASS SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2020 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#13901) (XD) - $29.95
• LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS CHARDONNAY 2019 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#184549) (XD) - $44.95

Rosé Wine:

• IZADI LARROSA GARNACHA ROSÉ 2021 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#490961) (XD) - $16.95
• GRANDEUR ROSÉ 2021 - Vegan, estate grown, White Flower Vineyard, Monterey County, California, USA (#25115) (XD) - $24.95

Sparkling Wine:

• WOLFBERGER BRUT CRÉMANT D'ALSACE - Traditional method, AC, Alsace, France (#460832) (XD) - $19.95
• MEDICI ERMETE & FIGLI ARTE E CONCERTO LAMBRUSCO 2020 - DOC Reggiano Lambrusco, Emilia-Romagna, Italy (#208967) (D) - $20.95

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La Posta Estela Armando Bonarda 2020 (Argentina) - Wine Review

After enjoying the 2018 La Posta Estela Armando Bonarda back in August 2020, tonight's red wine review is the latest vintage of this lovely Bonarda from Argentina that arrives at the LCBO this weekend in the April 30th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Produced by La Posta Vineyards, a range of entry-level wines which are part of the Catena family and formed in the year 2000 after Dr. Laura Catena discovered a handful of growers who consistently showed impressive results with specific varietals year-after-year. La Posta wines salute these hard-working growers who strive for superior flavours from grapes they grow on their own estate, and produce wines that are often single vineyard bottles. Each La Posta label illustrates a story of these individual families and are inspired by Art Nouveau and Art Déco designs of the 1920s and 1930s.

The grapes for this Bonarda were grown by Estela Armando. Her family has been growing grapes in Mendoza since 1887, one year after they arrived from the Piedmont region of Northern Italy. Estela's great-grandfather started the family wine business by growing grapes, making wine, and then taking the wine by mule train in leather wine bags to sell to the workers building the Trans-Andean railroad. The grapes used in this Bonarda were planted by Estela's grandfather and father in 1963 in the vineyard that she still tends to. The combination of a unique place, old vines, and very little irrigation helps create grapes of high quality. With this Bonarda, Estela invites you to venture into the Andes as Summer gives way to Fall and the snow-capped mountains grow whiter, while the water of the Desaguadero River gets bluer with each day.

This red wine is crafted with 100% Bonarda, Argentina's second-most widely planted red varietal. It was grown in a single vineyard planted in 1963 and located in Guaymallén in eastern Mendoza at an elevation of 700 metres (2,300 feet). The soils at this vineyard are shallow loamy clay with gravel subsoils. During vinification, 30% of this Bonarda was aged for 10 months in 2nd and 3rd use French oak barrels. The exceptional 2020 harvest is noted as one of the earliest and warmest vintages in Mendoza, with reduced yields, but also produced extraordinarily high quality grapes under the otherwise terrible circumstances. Let's see how this 2020 Bonarda is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

LA POSTA ESTELA ARMANDO BONARDA 2020 - Mendoza, Argentina (#261586) (XD) - $15.95
The fresh, lifted nose offers generous aromas of black cherry, blackberry, raspberry, and plum with whiffs of stony minerals and violet. On the ripe, medium-full bodied palate it has pleasing black cherry, raspberry, blackberry, mineral, and plum replays on the flavour profile. Acids are juicy, while the supple, dusty textured tannins have a nice mouthfeel. Fine mineral notes with dark berries linger on the long finish. Even better than the 2018, this is a highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other delicious wines by La Posta are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (Australia) - Wine Review (Apr. 2022)

Tonight's red wine review is this lovely Australian Cabernet Sauvignon that returned to the LCBO in the April 16th VINTAGES Release last weekend.

Wakefield Wines was founded by the Taylor family in the Clare Valley of South Australia, in 1969. After many years of making wines for others, Bill Taylor Sr. and his two sons wanted to create their own estate wines inspired by Bordeaux producers and settled by the Wakefield River in Clare Valley. Upon excavating the site to secure a water source, Bill discovered tiny seahorses in the limestone bedrock and served as a reminder that these lands were under water more than 600 million years ago. Today, three seahorses grace the labels of Wakefield Wines and represent three generations of Taylor family winemakers. Wakefield is one of the most respected names and consistently reliable producers in the industry. As a family-owned wine company operating for more than 50 years, Wakefield is committed to sustainability and has a desire to leave a legacy for future generations.

I first enjoyed the 2018 Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon last September and am curious to see if it has evolved much over the past 7 months. Crafted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the grapes are actually from two regions - Clare Valley in the northern part of South Australia, and Coonawarra with its rich terra rossa soils located in the south. In 2018, Clare Valley experienced a warm and dry growing season that was also relatively and controlled, while avoiding major heatwaves. Coonawarra delivered excellent fruit quality at harvest due to the winter and spring rainfall providing good conditions for fruit set, followed by slow and cool ripening producing fruit with fine tannins and strong varietal characters.

Let's see how this 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

WAKEFIELD JARAMAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 - Clare Valley & Coonawarra, South Australia (#142398) (XD) - $24.95
Matured in French oak barrels (50% 1 year old, and the rest 2 and 3 year old) for 10-12 months before being bottled and enclosed by screw cap. The fresh, medium-high intensity nose leads with cool minty herbs, red & blackcurrant, cassis, and raspberry aromas layered over savoury earthy and wood spice notes. It's full-bodied and rich with pleasing minty herbs, currant, and earthy wood spice replays on the flavour profile and fresh, vibrant acidity. Ripe, structured tannins are smooth and refined with a very subtle chalky grip. Minty, currant, and mocha chocolate notes linger on the long, succulent finish. Give it a light chill and enjoy this recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

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

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J. Laurens Le Moulin Brut Blanquette de Limoux (Midi) - Wine Review (Apr. 2022)

I've enjoyed this lovely Limoux sparkling wine on a couple of occasions now, including most recently in May 2021 when it showed up in VINTAGES that month. For tonight's sparkling wine review, I bring you the latest batch of this delicious sparkling wine that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the April 16th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Limoux wine is produced around the city of Limoux in Languedoc, in southwestern France, with sparkling wines dominating the production. The main grape of the region is Mauzac, known locally as Blanquette because of a fine white coating that forms on its leaves, followed by Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc. Historically, it is widely believed that the world's first sparkling wines were produced in the region of Limoux in 1531 by the monks of the abbey in Saint-Hilaire. Fast forward to 1929 and the Limoux production area was the first delimited area in France, followed by the first Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) in Languedoc (and one of the very first in France) in 1938.

This Limoux sparkling wine is produced by Domaine J. Laurens. Established in the 1980s by Michel Dervin of Champagne, J. Laurens is located in the south of France in the small village of La Digne d'Aval, 5 kilometres from Limoux, a stone’s throw away from the famous old city of Carcassonne, one hour from Toulouse, and two hours from Montpellier. A native of Limoux, Jacques Calvel took over the domaine in 2002 and with the help of Michel and cellar master Henri Albrus, the domaine was expanded and modernized in order to guarantee high quality wines every year.

Today, J. Laurens produces a fine range of AOC Limoux sparkling wines in the traditional method. Among the many rules of the AOC, yields are limited to 50 hl/hectare, hand-harvested and uncrushed grapes only, and the wines must rest on their lees for a minimum of 9 months. J. Laurens is aware of the importance of protecting the environment and respecting biological diversity, and applies the principles of sustainable agriculture with the help of a qualified technician.

Tasting Note:

J. LAURENS LE MOULIN BRUT BLANQUETTE DE LIMOUX - Traditional method, AP, Midi, France (#180323) (XD) - $19.95
This non-vintage traditional method sparkling wine is a blend of 90% Mauzac and 10% Chardonnay and has fresh golden apple and lemon citrus aromas mingling with yeasty and biscuit notes of generous intensity rising out of the glass. On the crisp, light-to-mid weighted palate it has lightly frothy mousse and more ripe apple, lemon citrus, and yeasty notes joined by lightly honeyed and grapefruit flavours in a dry profile with fresh, zesty acidity. Citrus, apple, and yeasty notes linger on the dry, clean, and crisp finish, with very good length. Lot L21344.1. Always a recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other fine wines by J. Laurens can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.

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Feudo Maccari Noto Neré Nero d'Avola 2018 (Sicily) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is this lovely Nero d'Avola from Sicily that arrived at the LCBO over the weekend as part of the April 16th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Although the story of Feudo Maccari begins only in the late 1990's, the history of the vineyards go back much further in time. Founder Antonio Moretti Cuseri (of Tenuta Sette Ponti that crafted the lovely 2018 Crognolo I enjoyed last week) wanted a new oenological challenge and was fascinated by Val di Noto in southeastern Sicily after visiting the area in the late 90's. Starting in 2000, Antonio began acquiring land by units of "tumulo", an ancient Sicilian unit of measurement equal to 1,744 square metres, and acquired more than fifty properties.

Today, the Maccari estate covers 50 hectares of vines, with some more than 30 years old and located on mostly calcareous soils and different elevations to achieve overall balance in the wines. At the heart of the Maccari label is Nero d'Avola, a grape varietal that best expresses itself in this territory. Nero d'Avola is a varietal with ancient traditions and one of the most interesting of the Sicilian varieties. Among its expressive characteristics is its structure, richness, and roundness of its fruit, as well as its capability for lengthy cellaring. This particular Nero d'Avola underwent a controlled-temperature fermentation and maceration for about 15 days and was aged completely in stainless steel tanks. It was also aged for 4 months in bottle prior to release. Let's see how this unoaked Nero d'Avola from Sicily is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

FEUDO MACCARI NOTO NERÉ NERO D'AVOLA 2018 - DOP, Sicily, Italy (#339101) (XD) - $17.95
Aged in stainless steel tanks, followed by 4 months in bottle, this unoaked Nero d'Avola has a medium-high intensity nose that is quite attractive with aromas of sweet & ripe red berries, strawberry, baking spices, and sandalwood with touches of red plum. It's ripe and fruit forward on the dry, medium+ bodied palate with dried red berry, cherry, strawberry, sweet spice, sandalwood, and dried floral flavours, all supported by fresh, succulent acidity and soft, supple, lightly grippy tannins. Slightly tangy on the mid-palate with earthy, dried red berries & florals, and mineral notes lingering on the finish, with very good length. Highly recommended buy. Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Feudo Maccari are available at the LCBO and can also be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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