13th Street Blanc de Blanc 2020 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's sparkling wine review is a lovely, locally crafted Traditional Method vintage sparkling wine that recently launched at the LCBO and is currently on limited time offer at $3 off and widely available across Ontario.

It is produced by Niagara's sparkling wine specialists - 13th Street Winery. Founded in 1998 in St. Catharines, Ontario, and purchased by the Mann and Whitty families in 2008, 13th Street has developed a reputation for crafting a wide range of high-quality, cool-climate sparkling wines from Niagara. Much of their success can be attributed to their winemaker, Jean-Pierre Colas, who is originally from Chablis in France and joined 13th Street in 2009. His winemaking philosophy is simple - he believes that great wines come from the best grapes grown in the best vineyards, with winemaking techniques only utilized to supplement and capture the very essence of the grapes' terroir and character. Their success has culminated in being awarded the No. 1 Winery in Ontario and No. 2 in Canada at the 2022 National Wine Awards of Canada.

This Tradition Method sparkling wine is crafted with 100% Chardonnay from 13th Street's neighbour Lado Viscek's meticulously farmed vineyard and some of their favourite growers in Niagara-on-the-Lake. All of the fruit was hand-harvested in early September and then transferred gently into the press where the free-run juice was captured separately to preserve the elegant profile. The primary fermentation was kept cool in 100% stainless steel, while malolactic fermentation was suppressed to keep fresh fruit characters in the wine. Secondary fermentation took place in bottle and the wine was aged sur lattes for a minimum of 12 months. It was disgorged in summer 2022 with no dosage added, resulting in a classic Brut Nature dry style of sparkling wine. Having enjoyed many other 13th Street wines over the years, let's see how their 2020 Blanc de Blanc from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

13TH STREET BLANC DE BLANC 2020 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#28420) (XD) - $29.95 $26.95 until Nov. 27
100% Chardonnay made in the traditional method. Elegant, clean, medium-high intensity nose offers lovely aromas of lemon citrus, peach, ripe apple, autolytic, and biscuit. It's medium-full bodied on the crunchy palate with crisp acidity and bubbles with peach, lemon citrus, ripe apple, biscuit, and autolytic flavours in a dry style. It's nicely textured with citrus, peach, and apple flavours joined by leesy mineral notes on the long, juicy, and dry finish. Highly recommended buy. Score: 90+ pts

Other lovely wines by 13th Street Winery are available at the LCBO and directly from the winery in St. Catharines, Ontario.

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Michele Chiarlo Reyna Barbaresco 2018 (Piedmont) - Wine Review

I got my first taste of this beautiful Barbaresco when a previous vintage made its debut in LCBO VINTAGES a few years ago. Tonight's red wine review is the latest vintage that arrived in LCBO VINTAGES on November 5 and is featured as part of the theme on "fine holiday wines that would make a perfect gift".

It is produced by Michele Chiarlo, one of Italy's top wine producers and one of only eighteen members of Istituto Grandi Marchi. The story of Michele Chiarlo begins in 1898 with the birth of Pietro Chiarlo who was born into a farming family in Bubbio. As an adolescent, he worked as a farmhand and then at the winery in Canelli. In the 1930s, after working for a period in Abyssinia, Pietro returned to Calamandrana determined to invest in the estate and production of wine. With his brother Felice, he tilled the lands, breaking the soil by hand to replant the vineyards, and had a sense that wine was the future of the Piedmont hills. In 1935, Pietro's first son, Michele Chiarlo was born. After completing middle school, Michele enrolled in the winemaking school in Alba and his classmates were the future protagonists of Italian winemaking: Renato Ratti, Ezio Rivella, Franco Ziliani, Giuliano Noè, and Giacomo Tachis.

In the 1950s, with a passion for the land and viticultural experience, Pietro Chiarlo would take leadership of Cooperative Winery of Calamandrana as president and played a vital role that contributed to the development of viticulture and oenology in Piedmont and Italy. In 1956, Michele Chiarlo started his adventure as a producer of wine and understood that quality wine in the Piedmont hills began with the choice of vineyards in the most suitable areas. The first cru of Barolo bottled under the name of Michele Chiarlo dates back to 1958.

In the 1960s, Michele expanded the boundaries of the market for wine and was among the first Piedmont producers to believe in the success of Italian wine abroad. In 1972, Michele consolidated his success by constructing a larger, more functional winery in Calamandrana. He also selected and purchased some of the best parcels of land in Langhe, Monferrato, and the area of Gavi, including some of the most prestigious crus in Piedmont. In the 1990s, Michele's two sons join the winery with Stefano taking care of the agricultural and oenological side, and Alberto in sales and marketing.

Today, Michele, Stefano, and Alberto Chiarlo continue to work and following the tradition of a family business with an international outlook. They pay great attention to details, maniacal care of the vineyards, and vinification while respecting the terroirs, vines, and artisanship of the processes. Based in Calamandrana, they are one of the most important oenological realities in Piedmont. The Chiarlo family firmly believes in the exclusivity and continued investment in indigenous grape varieties.

This 100% Nebbiolo was grown in the Piedmont region in an area of the Langhe within the communes of Barbaresco and Neive on bluish-grey calcareous clay marl soils with good presence of micro-elements, with the Barbaresco vineyard containing more sand than the vineyard in Neive. The vineyards have southeast / southwest exposure to the sun and were trained using the Guyot system. The grapes were manually harvested and vinified in steel tanks, followed by aging for a minimum of 2 years with 18 months in large casks before further refinement in bottle.

The 2018 vintage was characterized by a late winter and spring with abundant snow and then rain which helped restore the precious water reserve after a dry 2017. The months of May and June put the winegrower sternly to the test, requiring prompt interventions with anti-mildew treatments and suitable agronomic operations aimed at maintaining the grapes’ perfect health. Summer was hot and dry, but the abundant quality of fruit required the elimination of excess bunches and allowed the grapes to continue it's balanced maturation. The ideal climate in the last weeks of summer, along with mild days and cool nights in September allowed for gradual maturation and the development of strong and elegant aromas. According to winemaker Stefano Chiarlo, the wine expresses a fine bouquet, revealing strong
characteristics of the terroir of origin. Let's see how this 2018 Barbaresco is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MICHELE CHIARLO REYNA BARBARESCO 2018 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#583260) (XD) - $36.95
100% Nebbiolo. Fine, intense aromas of cedar wood and spices layered over perfumed dark red cherry, rose floral, dried herbs, forest floor, and a whiff of orange. It's full-bodied and structured with lovely tangy dark red cherry, fine cedary wood, spices, herbs, and rose florals with touches of dried cherry-floral notes. It juicy, well-balanced acids and smooth, structured, and fine tannins that are somewhat youthful. Juicy and minerally on the long, very satisfying finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the next 10+ years. Score: 93 pts

Other lovely wines by Michele Chiarlo are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Univins & Spiritueux.

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Miguel Torres Andica Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (Chile) - Wine Review

After enjoying the lovely 2021 Miguel Torres Ándica Reserva Sauvignon Blanc in September, tonight's red wine review is another lovely wine from the same producer in Chile. It is a new arrival to the LCBO that landed in LCBO VINTAGES over the weekend as part of the November 5 LCBO VINTAGES Release and is also featured in LCBO's Food & Drink Magazine.

Miguel Torres Chile was founded in 1979 in the Curicó Valley, Chile, in the search for a new project after a long history rooted in winemaking in Spain. The Torres family settled on the Curicó Valley for its excellent conditions to further develop the wine industry and were the first foreign wine producer to establish themselves in Chile. As an innovator, Miguel Torres Chile introduced many new technologies and winemaking techniques to Chile, including the first use of fermentation in stainless steel tanks and ageing in French oak barrels in 1979, while also helping grow the Chilean wine industry.

Like the Sauvignon Blanc, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is from their Ándica range of wines that are made under the vision of honouring the natural expression and biodiversity of Chile, a country that welcomed the Torres family 40 years ago. Like all wines in the Ándica range, it is made with the utmost respect for the Chilean ecosystems where they grow their grapes, with a sustainable approach to agriculture and awareness of climate change.

This certified 100% organic red wine is crafted with fruit from southern Chile's Itata Valley, a cool-climate winegrowing region that covers roughly 100 square kilometres. Itata Valley's vine-growing tradition dates back over 400 years with small estates producing wine for family consumption still dominating the landscape. The region has a humid Mediterranean climate, yet considered cool-climate with lower temperatures than in other valleys and well-differentiated seasons, good soil, and lots of light. With these excellent conditions, the vineyards that grow on the eastern side of the Coastal Range produce high-quality vinestocks.

This Cabernet Sauvignon underwent alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel with native yeasts, as well as malolactic fermentation in stainless steel. It was aged in mostly used oak with 70% of the wine passing through French oak of third or more uses for 8 months, and then finally bottled in October 2021. The growing season was affected by a prolonged water shortage, as well as high temperatures in unexpected months which contributed to reduced yields in certain vineyards earlier than expected harvest. However, acidity was unaffected by these conditions, which was a very positive for a hot year, and resulted in red wines with balanced acidity and very good quality. Let's see how this 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile's Itata Valley is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MIGUEL TORRES ANDICA GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Vegan, Valle del Itata, Chile (#25933) (XD) - $17.00
Certified vegan-friendly and organic, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon has a complex, highly aromatic nose of forest floor, red and black fruit, dark cherry, blackberry, cassis, leafy green herbs and touches of smoke. It's medium-full bodied with ripe red and black cherry-berry, leafy green herbs, oak spice flavours with forest floor undertones. Slightly tangy on the mid-palate. Saliva-inducing acids are juicy and well-balanced, while the mouth-coating tannins are smooth, refined, and structured with some grip on the back palate. Juicy with savoury earth and spice notes lingering on the long, balanced finish. Highly recommended buy to be enjoyed over the next 5-6 years. Score: 90+ pts

Other lovely wines by Miguel Torres Chile are available at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Dandurand.

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Treana Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (Paso Robles) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is this delicious, crowd-pleasing Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles that arrived at the LCBO some weeks ago as part of the September 24th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Hope Family Wines, a family that has been farming the land in Paso Robles for more than 30 years. When the family arrived in this barely-discovered region, they planted apples and grapes. Little did they know that the rolling, oak-studded terrain of Paso Robles would one day become a viticultural terroir of significance and one of the top winegrowing regions for quality red wine within the Central Coast.

Today, the Hope family cultivates mature vineyards of varieties best suited to their area including Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Mourvedre and Grenache. Vine density has increased and each vine is asked to produce very little fruit. The terroir of the domain expresses itself in its unique regional character which includes spice, licorice, and berry notes to go along with soft textures and silky tannins.

The Hope family range of wines consists of five individual brands, and this particular wine is from their Treana label that began as a dream when the family arrived in Paso Robles at a time when it was a rural, grain farming community with very few grape vines and even fewer wineries. The dream was to create world-class wines that could compete on the world stage, and yet be approachable for all to enjoy. The name "Treana" is inspired by the Spanish word for a trio of natural elements and in Paso Robles it is represented by the sun, soil, and sea - the three elements that make Paso Robles an exceptional winegrowing region. In 1996, the first Treana wines were crafted and became the benchmark for Paso Robles blends. In very recent news, Hope Family Wines won the 2022 American Winery of the Year at Wine Enthusiast's Wine Star Awards.

Owner and winemaker Austin Hope grew up in his family's vineyards and much of his life around Cabernet Sauvignon and three men who helped guide his path - his father Chuck Hope, his Uncle Paul, and winemaker Chuck Wagner. As a tribute to these three men, Austin created the Treana Cabernet Sauvignon that encapsulates the quintessential learning over the course of this career.

To craft this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon red wine from the Paso Robles AVA, the grapes from each vineyard lot were vinified separately. Each lot was fermented in stainless steel tanks, underwent extended maceration, and carefully managed pump overs to enhance the extraction of colour and tannin. Furthermore, each lot was aged for 14 months in a combination of 25% once used French oak and 75% neutral French and American oak. After blending the lots together, the wine spent three months in new French oak. Let's see how this 2020 California Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

TREANA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Paso Robles, California, USA (#639518) (D) - $39.95
100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The fragrant nose offers sweet and lush aromas of ripe dark berry, blackberry, cassis, sweet oak, milk chocolate, green herbs, licorice, and spice. It's full-bodied and concentrated with sweet chocolatey oak flavours over shadowing the dark berry fruit, cassis, spice, and licorice notes. It's all supported by fresh, juicy acidity and smooth, supple, and lightly chalky tannins. Savoury chocolate with touches of coffee linger on the dry finish, with very good length. Reminds me of a chocolate milkshake. Will be enjoyed by many! Score: 89 pts

Other delicious wines from Hope Family Wines are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Mark Anthony Group.

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November 5, 2022 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Gifts to Celebrate

As we head into the busy holiday and gift-giving season, here are my top wine picks from the November 5, 2022 LCBO VINTAGES Release which is titled "Gifts to Celebrate" and includes many very fine, giftable options. All of the wines from the theme and main release should be available at LCBO outlet across Ontario by Saturday.

We begin with the theme on "Gifts to Celebrate: Fine holiday wines from every corner of the world" and features 18 wines. Many wines from this feature would make fine gifts, but three stood out for me. From Italy, the Chianti Classico Riserva is composed of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo, and the rest other red grape varietals, while the Barbaresco is crafted with Nebbiolo. The only rosé wine in this release is a good one from Provence and it is a blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Cinsault.

As this release is very heavy on red wines, most of my top wine picks are red coloured. Italy once again has a strong showing in this release led by the iconic Ornellaia - a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc - and it's Second Wine which is composed of 44% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc, and 13% Petit Verdot. Also from Bolgheri is the excellent Antinori Guado al Tosso which is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. The last wine from Tuscany is a delicious Chianti Classico that is made up of 90% Sangiovese and the balance other permitted varieties. Moving to Piedmont, there is a full complement of lovely Nebbiolo wines that includes not only the Barbaresco mentioned above, but also wines from Langhe and Barolo. The rest of my red wine picks are all single varietal wines, with the Portuguese red crafted with Touriga Nacional, while the Bordeaux red is Merlot.

Among the few white wines in this release, all of my white wine recommendations are single varietal wines. Dry white wines include a Chablis Premier Cru from Burgundy that is made with Chardonnay, as well as a Viura from Spain, and a Chenin Blanc from South Africa. For off-dry wine lovers, check out the Riesling from Niagara.

Lastly, the dry sparkling wine from Chile is crafted with 100% Pinot Noir.

Enjoy my wine recommendations in this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• MIGUEL TORRES ANDICA GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Vegan, Valle del Itata, Chile (#25933) (XD) - $17.00  90+ pts  wine review
• BRECA OLD VINES GARNACHA 2019 - DO Calatayud, Spain (#329086) (XD) - $19.95
• CHÂTEAU MAYNE-VIEIL 2016 - AC Fronsac, Bordeaux, France (#14469) (XD) - $19.95
• SAN FABIANO CALCINAIA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#23408) (XD) - $21.95
• INNISKILLIN RESERVE CABERNET FRANC 2018 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#17290) (XD) - $25.95

• RENATO RATTI OCHETTI NEBBIOLO 2020 - DOC Langhe, Piedmont, Italy (#475913) (XD) - $27.95  91+ pts  wine review
• CARPINETO CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2017 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#47118) (XD) - $29.95  90 pts  wine review
• BACHELDER LES VILLAGES BENCH PINOT NOIR 2020 - VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#11582) (XD) - $34.95  92 pts  wine review
• MICHELE CHIARLO REYNA BARBARESCO 2018 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#583260) (XD) - $36.95  93 pts  wine review
• SOKOL BLOSSER PINOT NOIR 2019 - Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA (#748434) (XD) - $39.95  92 pts  wine review

• QUADRUS GRANDE RESERVA 2011 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#26946) (XD) - $49.95  92 pts  wine review
• RENATO RATTI MARCENASCO BAROLO 2018 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#713479) (XD) - $70.95  93 pts  wine review
• LE SERRE NUOVE DELL'ORNELLAIA 2020 - Second wine of Ornellaia, DOC Bolgheri Rosso, Tuscany, Italy (#606194) (XD) - $75.95
• GUADO AL TASSO 2019 - DOC Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy (#986380) (XD) - $171.95  95 pts  wine review
• ORNELLAIA 2019 - DOC Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy (#722470) (XD) - $265.95
  

White Wine:

• ONTAÑÓN VETIVER VIURA 2020 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#437707) (XD) - $15.95
• RUSTENBERG STELLENBOSCH CHENIN BLANC 2021 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#698274) (XD) - $15.95
• CHARLES BAKER PICONE VINEYARD RIESLING 2018 - VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#241182) (D) - $39.95
• DOMAINE JEAN COLLET & FILS VAILLONS CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2018 - AC, Burgundy, France (#650804) (XD) - $48.95
  

Rosé Wine:

• CHÂTEAU DE L'ESCARELLE LES DEUX ANGES ROSÉ 2021 - Sustainable, AP Coteaux Varois en Provence, France (#19902) (XD) - $24.95

Sparkling Wine:

• UNDURRAGA TITILLUM BLANC DE NOIRS 2015 - 135th Anniversary Edition, traditional method, Valle de Leyda, Chile (#23451) (XD) - $19.95

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Castelli del Grevepesa Clemente VII Trio (Tuscany) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wine reviews are a trio of delightful red wines from Tuscany that would make a lovely gift for the holidays as they arrived in a wooden gift box as part of the recent October 22nd LCBO VINTAGES Release.

The wines are produced by Castelli del Grevepesa, a modern co-operative winery that was established in 1965 by visionary Sir Armando Nunzi together with an initial group of 17 winegrowers. The 1960s were difficult years in the Chianti winegrowing region with economic and technical crisis, along the the region stuck using old production methods. Sir Gualtiero Armando Nunzi managed to bring together winegrowers from the different areas of Florentine Chianti Classico with a shared intention to safeguard the land, maintain the age-old traditions of Tuscan winegrowing with the long-established know-how that farmers still today pass on from one generation to the next.

Castelli del Grevepesa was ambitious in its objective to produce high quality wines in compliance with the strict regulations of the law and of the consortium called Consorzio Gallo Nero, which is now Consorzio del Chianti Classico, while also implementing careful grape selection, and rigorously control the vinification process. Their logo is an iris flower that grows naturally and perennially between Val di Greve and Val di Pesa, while resisting both the sweltering heat of summer and the winter frost. The iris flower is a symbol of the solidity of Castelli del Grevepesa and of its unbreakable bond with Florentine culture and traditions.

Today, Castelli del Grevepesa is the largest Chianti Classico family with over 120 associate winegrowers who with passion and hard work produce fine quality wines that are accessible to everyone, as well as recognised and valued throughout the world. Most of the winegrowers are situated in the areas of Greve in Chianti, San Casciano Val di Pesa, Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, and Barberino Val d’Elsa and some of the most famous Chianti Classico regions such as Panzano, Lamole, Campoli, and Bibbione.

The wines included in the Trio wooden gift box are from Grevepesa's Clemente VII range of wines that celebrates Giulio de' Medici - a member of the famous Florentine Medici family - who became Pope Clemente VII in 1523 and used to live in Campoli within the Chianti Classico area where Castelli del Grevepesa produces their wines today. Let's see how this lovely wines from Tuscany are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

CASTELLI DEL GREVEPESA CLEMENTE VII TRIO - Three bottles in wooden gift box, Tuscany, Italy (#577908) (XD) (2250 mL) - $84.95

CASTELLI DEL GREVEPESA CLEMENTE VII CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (XD)
100% Sangiovese that was hand-harvested with 85% aged in Slavonian oak barrels and the rest in barriques, all for 12 months. The medium+ to medium-high intensity nose is clean and ripe with aromas of plum, red cherry, and berry joined by hints of sweet spice, orange zest, and forest floor undertones. On the medium bodied palate it has ripe plum, dark red cherry, berry, subtle wood spice, and forest floor flavours that are tangy on the mid-palate. It has fresh, juicy acidity and supple, lightly textured tannins. Savoury wood spice notes linger on the clean, refreshing finish, with very good length. Score: 89 pts

CASTELLI DEL GREVEPESA CLEMENTE VII RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2018 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (XD)
100% Sangiovese with half aged in Slavonian oak barrels for 24 months, and the other half aged in barriques for 12 months. The medium to medium-high intensity nose offers a pleasing, savoury mix of wood spice, forest floor and earth with notes of forest berry and dark red cherry emerging with time in the glass. The medium-full bodied palate ripe with dark red cherry, wood spice, forest floor, and earthy flavours supported by juicy acidity and medium-firm, grippy tannins that should flesh out nicely with a few years in the cellar. Slightly tangy fruit on the mid- and back-palate. Savoury wood spice, earth, and hints of mushroom notes linger on the long, balanced finish. Enjoy over the next 6-7 years. Score: 90 pts

CASTELLI DEL GREVEPESA CLEMENTE VII SETTIMO ROSSO DI TOSCANA 2016 - IGT Toscana, Italy (XD)
Blend of 50% Sangiovese, 25% Merlot, and 25% Syrah that was aged in medium toast barriques for 15 months. The medium+ intensity nose seems a bit shy with perfumed aromas of dark red and black cherry, baking spice, vanillin oak, and a touch of shoe polish. It's medium-full to full-bodied on the ripe, chewy palate with dark red cherry, black plum, earthy woodspice, licorice, and vanillin oak flavours. Acids are juicy and well-balanced, while the tannins are smooth, supple, and well-integrated. Touches of pepper join the savoury, earthy, and woodspice notes on the finish, with very good length. Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Castelli del Grevepesa can be ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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October 22, 2022 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: California

The October 22, 2022 LCBO VINTAGES Release is a humongous release with almost 200 products! The main theme of this release focuses on premium wines from California. A segment of the release also offers a large range of wines for Gift Giving, as well there is an impressive collection of wines offered at Flagship outlets in-store and online. All of the products in this release should be available for purchase across Ontario by this Saturday.

We begin with the main theme that focuses on premium wines from California. It is a rather small feature with just ten wines featured, and only one wine is among my top wine picks - a stunning Chardonnay grown in the Sonoma Mountains.

From the Gift Giving feature there are nearly 50 products available, some as single bottles ranging in size from 200 mL up to Double Magnum (3 L), as well as boxes of 2 to 6 wines packaged in wooden gift boxes. One such offering is a delicious trio of wines by Castelli del Grevepesa from Tuscany that includes a Chianti Classico, a Riserva Chianti Classico, and the Rosso di Toscana. Both Chianti Classico wines are crafted with 100% Sangiovese, while the third wine is a blend of 50% Sangiovese, 25% Merlot, and 25% Syrah.

Among my top red wine picks, at the top of the list is an excellent Bordeaux red that is crafted with 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc. Rhône blend wine lovers can savour a Côtes du Rhône-Villages that is a blend of 50% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, and 5% other permitted varieties, or the Barossa Valley GMS blend that consists of 44% Grenache, 31% Mourvèdre, and 25% Shiraz. From Italy, the Brunello and all of the Chianti Classico wines are made with 100% Sangiovese, while the Etna Rosso is crafted with Nerello Mascalese. Moving to South America, there is a fine blend from Argentina that consists of 55% Malbec, 19% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah, 2% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. Lastly, if you enjoy exploring new varieties, try the Pais varietal wine from Chile.

The only blend among my top white wine recommendations is the Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc which consists of 70% Grenache Blanc, 20% Roussanne, and 10% Clairette. The Lugana is crafted with Trebbiano (aka Verdicchio), while the Pouilly-Fuissé is made with Chardonnay. For Riesling wine lovers, there are a trio of offerings with a pair of off-dry Rieslings from Niagara and a fairly sweet Riesling Kabinett from Mosel. Also for sweet wine lovers, there is a delicious Gewurztraminer from Alsace.

Other lovely wines in this release include a Champagne that is a blend of 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, and 20% (Pinot) Meunier, while the Cava is crafted with Chardonnay, Macabeo, Parellada, and Pinot Noir. The dry rosé from Provence is a blend of 50% Cinsault, 28% Grenache, 13% Syrah, and 9% Cabernet. Moving on to lusciously sweet wines, the Vin Santo is a blend of Trebbiano, Malvasia, and Sangiovese, while the Vintage Port wine is made with Touriga Franca, Tinto Cão, Tinta Francisca, Tinta Amarela, Sousão, Tinta Roriz, and other varieties from 80-100 year old vines.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• SAN PEDRO 1865 SELECTED VINEYARDS CARMENÈRE 2020 - DO Valle de Maule, Chile (#249201) (XD) - $19.95
• GARCÉS SILVA CATALINO PAÍS 2019 - Coronel de Maule, DO Secano Interior, Valle del Maule, Chile (#25638) (XD) - $19.95  FE
• SCHILD ESTATE GRENACHE/MOURVÈDRE/SHIRAZ 2018 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#108183) (XD) - $19.95
• LA NERTHE LES CASSAGNES CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2019 - AP, France (#494674) (XD) - $24.95
• THIRTY BENCH WINEMAKER'S BLEND CABERNET FRANC 2020 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#30073) (XD) - $24.95

• CLOS DE LOS SIETE 2018 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#622571) (XD) - $25.95  90+ pts  wine review
• TORNATORE PIETRARIZZO 2019 - DOC Etna Rosso, Sicily, Italy (#18926) (XD) - $32.95  FE
• FONTODI CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#933317) (XD) - $39.95  92 pts  wine review
• CARPINETO GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2016 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#16727) (XD) - $49.95  FE  92 pts  wine review
• MICHELE CASTELLANI CINQUE STELLE AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2017 - Collezione Ca' del Pipa, DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#75127) (D) - $50.95

• DONATELLA CINELLI COLOMBINI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2016 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#113357) (XD) - $64.95
• CASTELLI DEL GREVEPESA CLEMENTE VII TRIO - Three bottles in wooden gift box, Tuscany, Italy (#577908) (XD) (2250 mL) - $84.95  wine reviews
• CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019 - DOCG  89 pts
• RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2018 - DOCG  90 pts
• ROSSO DI TOSCANA 2016 - IGT Toscana  89 pts
• ELDERTON COMMAND SINGLE VINEYARD SHIRAZ 2018 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#716142) (XD) - $99.95
• CHÂTEAU SAINT-PIERRE 2015 - 4e cru, AC Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France (#353516) (XD) -- $129.95  FE

White Wine:

• PETER ZEMMER PINOT GRIGIO 2020 - DOC Alto Adige, Italy (#95802) (XD) - $17.95
• VIEIL ARMAND SÉLECTION GEWURZTRAMINER 2019 - AC Alsace, France (#18153) (M) - $19.95
• SANTA CAROLINA GRAN RESERVA CHARDONNAY 2019 - Sustainable, carbon neutral, DO Valle de Itata, Chile (#928580) (XD) - $19.95
• ZENATO SAN BENEDETTO LUGANA 2021 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#707158) (XD) - $19.95
• ORGANIZED CRIME WILD FERMENT RIESLING 2019 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#11952) (D) - $20.95

• BISCHÖFLICHE WEINGÜTER TRIER KANZEMER ALTENBERG FEINHERB RIESLING KABINETT 2020 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#15292) (S) - $27.95  FE
• HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE RIESLING 2020 - Sustainable, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#643361) (D) - $29.95  91 pts  wine review
• DOMAINE LES VIEUX MURS POUILLY-FUISSÉ 2020 - Sustainable, AC, Burgundy, France (#241117) (XD) - $33.95
• BLACK HILLS ESTATE ROUSSANNE 2020 - Black Sage Bench, BC VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#17728) (XD) - $33.95  FE
• DOMAINE DU GRAND TINEL CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE BLANC 2018 - AC, Rhône, France (#27430) (XD) - $58.95  FE
• KISTLER SONOMA MOUNTAIN CHARDONNAY 2020 - Sonoma Mountain, Sonoma County, California, USA (#183921) (XD) - $116.95

Rosé Wine:

• CHÂTEAU PIGOUDET CLASSIC ROSÉ 2021 - AP Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence, France (#668434) (XD) - $25.95

Sparkling Wine:

• ELYSSIA GRAN CUVÉE BRUT CAVA - Traditional method, DO, Penedès, Spain (#392548) (D) - $24.95
• CHARLES HEIDSIECK BRUT RÉSERVE CHAMPAGNE - AC, France (#36962) (XD) - $74.95

Dessert Wine:

• FÈLSINA VIN SANTO DEL CHIANTI CLASSICO 2009 - DOC, Tuscany, Italy (#26544) (S) (375mL) - $49.95  FE

Fortified Wine:

• NIEPOORT VINTAGE PORT 2019 - DOP, Portugal (#27485) (S) - $135.95  FE

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