Margan Family Hunter Valley Semillon 2017 (Australia) - Wine Review

After enjoying the excellent 2018 Margan Family Hunter Valley Semillon white wine a couple of years ago, tonight's wine review is an older vintage of the same wine and it arrived in LCBO outlets across the province last weekend as part of the March 18 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Margan Wines, a family-owned winery that was established by Lisa and her husband Andrew Margan in 1996. They are situated in the picturesque Broke Fordwich wine region of Hunter Valley. Prior to founding Margan Wines, Andrew learned the art of grape growing and winemaking at Tyrrell's for 20 years, while also working as a flying winemaker in France.

Today, Margan Wines is the leading producer within the Broke Fordwich sub-region of the Hunter Valley. Across two locations they have over 100 hectares of distinguished vineyards, some of which were planted in the late 1960s. Most of the vineyards are planted on the unique soils of the Fordwich Sill and provide the wines with a special sense of place. All of the wines are Estate grown and produced, as well as certified Sustainably Farmed.

As leaders in environmental stewardship, Margan Wines is fully accredited with Sustainable Winegrowing Australia and Freshcare, and were one of the first producers in the Hunter Valley to achieve this. Their certification benchmarks to the International Standards of ISO14000 of best practices, which means that they follow a detailed Environmental Management Plan to reduce their impact across all business operations in the four basic pillars of sustainability - reduction of greenhouse gases, energy efficiency, water management and the reduction of waste. Their acclaimed Margan Restaurant is regionally awarded for its focus on estate-grown produce which includes an orchard, olive groves, estate-reared lambs, bees, and free-range chickens.

Hunter Valley Semillon is one of the great wine styles of not only Australia, but around the world. This particular Semillon was picked from Margan's low-yielding, 40-year-old mature vines grown in the red volcanic clay soils of the Ancient Fordwich Sill. These soils are the weathered product of ancient volcanic eruptions and are rich in minerals, absorb moisture easily, and release it slowly.

The 2017 growing season in Hunter Valley was hot, dry, and trouble-free. It delivered a great vintage for wine, especially Semillon. Hunter Valley Semillon can be enjoyed when young and fresh, or cellared for many years, thereby introducing many complexities. Let's see how this 6 year old Semillon from Hunter Valley is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MARGAN FAMILY HUNTER VALLEY SEMILLON 2017 - Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia (#493338) (XD) - $19.95
Screw cap. Pours a medium yellow colour. Wow. Gorgeously fragrant, intensely aromatic, and complex nose of yellow pear, green fig, lanolin, and floral joined by subtle hints of citrus, melon, and waxy aromas. It is medium-full bodied on the impressively rich, well-structured, and dry palate with lovely citrus, floral, yellow pear, spice, grapefruit, lanolin, and waxy flavours supported by fresh, bracing, and well-balanced acidity. Some earthy mineral notes come through on the finish, with excellent length. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

Other lovely wines by Margan Wines are available through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.

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Lungarotti Rubesco Rosso di Torgiano 2019 (Umbria) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a delicious, mainly Sangiovese-based red wine from the lesser-known region of Umbria. It was featured on the cover of the recent March 4 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and is widely available across Ontario now.

It is produced by Cantine Giorgio Lungarotti, a family-owned winery that was founded in the 1960's in Torgiano, the heart of Umbria in central Italy. The pioneering founder was Giorgio Lungarotti and the family is a symbol of Umbrian oenological excellence within the region and Italy. He transformed the agricultural firm into a winemaking estate, focusing on traditional grape varieties, and implementing modern vine training systems and technology in the cellars.

Today, Lungarotti is led by Maria Grazia, wife of the late Giorgio, and their two daughters - Chiara and Teresa. The third generation of the family has also joined the business, which spans 250 hectares of vineyards across their two estates, one each in Torgiano and Montefalco. Together, they are focused on quality wine production and sustainability.

The name of this wine, Rubesco, is a trademark of Lungarotti and derives from the Latin verb "rubescere", which means "to blush" (with joy). On the label of this wine is an image that recalls the panel depicting the harvest from the Fontana Maggiore in Perugia, a fountain that was built in approximately 1277 and is one of Italy's most beautiful Medieval fountains. It was the Rubesco wine in 1962 that helped Lungarotti establish the Torgiano winegrowing region. The success of this wine fueled Lungarotti's passion for the region's grapes and helped the region achieve Torgiano DOC status in 1968, Umbria's first DOC. The terroir in Torgiano is well-suited to cultivating expressive, high-quality Sangiovese, a grape that mirrors its terrain and climate very well.

I enjoyed the previous vintage of this wine, the 2018 Lungarotti Rubesco Sangiovese/Colorino, back in December 2021, and while both the 2018 and 2019 are composed of the same grape varieties, this vintage has slightly more Sangiovese (95%) with 5% Colorino completing the blend. The grapes were grown on medium mix soils with a looser structure on the higher hillsides, and soils with medium depth, good structure, and a limestone sub-soil. The grapes were harvested between the end of September and early October and fermented in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature with 15 days of skin contact. It was refined for one year in casks, and after a light filtration it was further refined by spending one year in bottle. Let's see how this 2019 Rosso di Torgiano is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

LUNGAROTTI RUBESCO ROSSO DI TORGIANO 2019 - DOC, Umbria, Italy (#368548) (XD) - $21.95
This blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Colorino has a ripe, medium-high intensity nose offering attractive, lightly dried red cherry and floral aromas, plus clove, spices, and raspberry, with savoury earth undertones. It's mid-weighted on the very ripe palate with delicious dark red cherry, clove, spices, raspberry, and earthy replays on the flavour profile. It has refreshing acidity and supple, lightly textured tannins. Slightly tangy on the mid-palate with savoury mineral notes lingering on the long, juicy, and succulent finish. Enjoy this recommended buy over the couple of years. Score: 88+ pts

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

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Duck Hunter Sauvignon Blanc 2021 (New Zealand) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely vegan and sustainably crafted Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. It is a new arrival at the LCBO as part of the recent March 4 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Duck Hunter Wines, a partnership that was formed about a decade ago between Mark Wilson and Rosie McLean. Both Mark and Rosie are co-Owners/Directors and actively involved in the day-to-day running of the business.

Together, they share a passion to present high-quality New Zealand wines at affordable prices. Mark is in responsible for PR and Sales, and having been in the restaurant business for over three decades, he understands the importance of having great wine to accompany good food. Rosie is an ex-Bank Manager and handles Production, Compliance, and Export Logistics; she is also an avid promoter of NZ Sauvignon Blanc.

The wines are crafted by Jed Penkman, Chief Winemaker at Duck Hunter wines in Blenheim. Jed is a South Island born kiwi boy who obtained his Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology at Lincoln University in 2002. He gained his viticultural experience working in wineries located in UK, France, and California, and returned to NZ in 2007 to work in Central Otago. After working at Kim Crawford for several years, he became involved in the Duck Hunter project in 2014 and is now fully in charge of blending and finishing their Marlborough wines.

The label of Duck Hunter wines show a painting by New Zealand artist Joanna Braithwaite. When Mark discovered this painting, he instantly knew that it would be the ideal marque for their family of wines. Duck Hunter has grown in personality and charm. With a gun slung casually over wing, the feathered friend is not the hunted, it is rather the hunter - the keeper of the estate, protector of the vines, and calm champion of the wines.

The grapes used to craft to Duck Hunter wines are proudly 100% sustainably accredited from vineyard to bottle, ensuring that best practices are used to protect New Zealand's environment and provide quality assurance for consumers.

Crafted with 100% Sauvignon Blanc, this white wine is made with 90% Wairau Valley and 10% Awatere Valley fruit. The grapes were machine harvested when they reached the desired flavour spectrum, then pressed pressed and cool-fermented in stainless steel tanks. The wine was then cold stabilised, filtered, and bottled. From a small, but good-to-excellent vintage, let's see how this 2021 Sauvignon Blanc is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

DUCK HUNTER SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021 - Vegan, sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#26127) (XD) - $21.95
Screw cap. The fresh and fragrant nose is slightly musky with aromas of Meyer lemon citrus, white peach, and guava with hints of mango, gooseberry, and herbs. It has good weight on the dry, medium+ bodied palate with elegant and refreshing acidity lifting the ripe, lightly honeyed flavours of Meyer lemon, citrus, guava, melon, tropical fruits, and herbs with touches of gooseberry. It's nicely balanced throughout with citrus, tropical fruit, melon, and herbal flavours joined by some mineral notes on the lingering finish, with very good length. Chill and enjoy this thirst quenching, highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Other lovely Duck Hunter wines can be ordered through their Agent - Touchstone Brands.

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March 18, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Pinot Noir

Here are my top wine picks from the March 18, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and the theme of the release focuses on Pinot Noir. Also in this release are a selection of Online & Flagship Exclusives. Overall, it's a small-ish release once again with 88 wines, all of which should be available for purchase across Ontario by this Saturday.

We begin with the theme titled "Pinot Noir - A Labour of Love", the varietal known as the heartbreak grape and one that your either love or hate. In all there are only five wines (or eight if you add the three Essentials Collection wines) included as part of the theme, with wines from Ontario, Burgundy, Oregon, New Zealand, and somewhat surprisingly - Provence featured, and the two wines included among my list of top wine picks are Pinot Noir wines from Burgundy and Provence.

Red wine recommendations from the main release begins with the iconic Purple Angel that is composed of 92% Carmenère and 8% Petit Verdot, as well as the wine from South Africa that is a blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot. From Spain, the Gran Reserva is crafted with 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano, while the Reserva grown in Rioja Alta is a blend of 85% Tempranillo and 15% Garnacha / Graciano / Mazuelo. From Rhône, the Gigondas is a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, while the Ventoux is composed of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah with traces of Cinsault and Carignan. Lastly, the Bordeaux red is crafted with 100% Merlot, while the red wine from Tuscany is composed of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo, and the rest other permitted varieties.

Among my white wine picks, all of the wines are single varietal wines. The Sancerre is crafted with Sauvignon Blanc, while the Chablis 1er Cru is made with Chardonnay. If you want something on the sweeter side, the Riesling from Niagara always impresses.

The last group of wines is composed of a dry rosé from California that is a blend of 65% Syrah, 14% Grenache, 11% Carignan, and 10% Vermentino, while both sparkling wines are dominated by Chardonnay. The Champagne is crafted with 96% Chardonnay and 4% Pinot Noir, while the sparkling wine from B.C. is composed of 65.5% Chardonnay and 34.5% Pinot Noir.

Enjoy my top recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• LAURA HARTWIG SINGLE VINEYARD CARMENÈRE 2020 - DO Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#213512) (XD) - $15.95
• PESQUIÉ ÉDITION 1912M VENTOUX 2020 - AP, Rhône, France (#636159) (XD) - $19.95
• CHÂTEAU HAUCHAT 2019 - AC Fronsac, Bordeaux, France (#123489) (XD) - $19.95  90+ pts  wine review
• CUNE RESERVA 2018 - Rioja Alta, DOCa Rioja, Spain (#417659) (XD) - $24.95
• VALMOISSINE PINOT NOIR 2021 - IGP Var, Provence, France (#714451) (XD) - $25.95  90 pts  wine review
  
• BENEGAS ESTATE SINGLE VINEYARD MALBEC 2018 - Gualtallary, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#547331) (XD) - $25.95
• ESK VALLEY SYRAH 2018 - Sustainable, Hawke's Bay, North Island, New Zealand (#17545) (XD) - $29.95  FE  90+ pts  wine review

 

• FAMILLE JAUME PASCAL & RICHARD CRU DES CÔTES-DU-RHÔNE GIGONDAS 2020 - AC, France (#28615) (XD) - $30.95
• CARPINETO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2017 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#47118) (XD) - $31.95  90 pts  wine review
• EL COTO DE IMAZ GRAN RESERVA 2015 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#976811) (XD) - $34.95  92+ pts  wine review
• MARCHAND-TAWSE CÔTE D'OR BOURGOGNE PINOT NOIR 2020 - AC, Burgundy, France (#285601) (XD) - $38.95
• MEERLUST RUBICON 2018 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#64329) (XD) - $59.95
• MONTES PURPLE ANGEL 2020 - DO Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#62364) (XD) - $96.95

White Wine:

• NOMAD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021 - VQA Niagara Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#446088) (XD) - $17.95
• ZUCCARDI SERIE A TORRONTÉS 2022 - Argentina (#389262) (XD) - $17.95
• MARGAN FAMILY HUNTER VALLEY SEMILLON 2017 - Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia (#493338) (XD) - $19.95  91 pts  wine review
• TAWSE LIMESTONE RIDGE-NORTH RIESLING 2020 - Vegan, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#431593) (M) - $21.95
• BACHELDER LES VILLAGES-BENCH CHARDONNAY 2020 - VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#16059) (XD) - $34.95  FE  91+ pts  wine review
• ROGER & DIDIER RAIMBAULT SANCERRE 2021 - AC, Loire, France (#82255) (XD) - $36.95
• ALAIN GEOFFROY BEAUROY CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2020 - AP, Burgundy, France (#733501) (XD) - $43.95

Rosé Wine:

• DECOY ROSÉ 2021 - California, USA (#558114) (XD) - $24.95

Sparkling Wine:

• BLUE MOUNTAIN GOLD LABEL BRUT SPARKLING - Traditional method, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#206326) (XD) - $34.95  90 pts  wine review
• LE BRUN DE NEUVILLE GRAND VINTAGE BRUT CHAMPAGNE 2008 - Disgorged June 2022, AC, France (#11131) (XD) - $88.95  92 pts  wine review

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Manos Negras Stone Soil Malbec 2019 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is this lovely Malbec from the famed Paraje Altamira appellation within the Uco Valley that landed at the LCBO last weekend as part of the March 4th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is made by Manos Negras, a producer that was born out of a friendship between an American Wine Educator, an Argentine star viticulturalist, and two Kiwi winemakers, all with extensive international experience and a no nonsense, hard-nosed work ethic.

Manos Negras is co-owned by Jeff Mausbach and Alejandro Sejanovich, friends who built a long-lasting friendship through experience and hard work. Jeff spent over a decade as Wine Education Director for Bodega Catena Zapata and has travelled the world preaching the gospel of the unique character of Argentine wines. Alejandro was Vineyard Director for Bodega Caetna Zapata for 15 years and pioneered high-altitude vineyard planting while also conducting ground breaking research on Mendoza Malbec clones. The Kiwi winemakers are Jason Mabbett, who was a professor of winemaking at Auckland University and also made wine in Australia, California, and Argentina, and Duncan Killiner who has made wine from Israel to Uruguay and from Italy to Chile, while also taking on winemaking consultant duties for producers in Chile and Argentina.

The winery's name literally translates to "Black Hands" and reflects their philosophy towards winemaking - get their hands black with wine by rolling up their sleeves and getting their hands dirty with a fearless, hands-on approach to winemaking from budbreak to bottling. That's how they make the hand-crafted wines of Manos Negras.

This particular Malbec was grown in the Paraja Altamira GI within the Uco Valley in Mendoza. The soil profile in Mendoza is unique and every vineyard has patches of very rocky top soil that is rich in limestones. These small lots produce Malbec grapes of exceptional concentration with a flinty minerality. This Malbec was sourced exclusively from small lots of rocky, mineral-rich soils.

From a good-to-excellent vintage, let's see how this 2019 Malbec from Paraje Altamira is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MANOS NEGRAS STONE SOIL MALBEC 2019 - Paraje Altamira, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#482109) (XD) - $21.95
100% Malbec grown in small lots of rocky, mineral-rich soils, this has a fresh, medium-high intensity nose of distinctive earthy-stony mineral aromas layered over ripe dark berry, blackberry, cool herbs, spices, and hints of black plum. It's mid-weighted on the dry, salty palate with lovely dark berry, blackberry, spices, and stony mineral flavours which are supported by fresh, bright, and juicy acidity. Supple tannins are well-structured and lightly chalky textured. Lovely stony mineral notes linger on the long, savoury finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Manos Negras can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is this lovely, consistently well-made Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia that is featured on the back cover of the March 4th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. It arrived at the LCBO last weekend and is widely available across Ontario.

Wakefield Wines are produced by the Taylor family who established their own estate in Australia's Clare Valley in 1969 after making wines for others many years prior. The estate winery was created by Bill Taylor Sr. and his two sons when they planted their first vineyards and began a journey to become one of the Australia's most renowned wine producers.

Today, Wakefield Wines is led by the third generation of the family - brothers Mitchell, Justin, and Clinton. Together, they are focused on continuing the family tradition of producing delicious wines that stand the test of time. They are also focused on producing wines sustainably and responsibly, while respecting the fruit and where it comes from. This particular wine is from their Jaraman range where they specifically search for parcels of extraordinary to fruit from Australia's iconic wine regions to craft wines that showcase the fruits' distinctive regional characteristics and style. The winemakers ensure that the distinct regional characteristics of each variety is preserved and enhanced, ensuring that the fruit is the star and any winemaking influence is the supporting act.

Like the 2018 Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon that I last enjoyed nearly a year ago, this particular vintage is also crafted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from nearly equal parts Clare Valley (52%) and Coonawarra (48%) fruit. It was matured for 10-12 months in French oak barrels in a combination of 50% 1-year-old barrels and the other half in 2- and 3-year-old barrels, prior to being bottled.

The growing season in 2020 in the Clare Valley began with challenging weather events that included spring frosts at budburst and then hot and windy conditions during flowering. The start of summer brought wild weather, from searing heat and bush fires to heavy rain and chilly, gusty winds. Weather conditions returned to relatively normal in February and March, and harvest was smooth and steady. Although it was a tough year for growers in Clare Valley, the quality of the fruit was high. In Coonawarra, the season began well with good rainfall from the end of Autumn to the beginning of Spring. The region was also fortunate not to have been affected by the bush fires that occurred throughout the summer. Although yields were down, the warm days and cool nights provided the perfect ripening conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon and the wines from this vintage look excellent. Let's see how this 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

WAKEFIELD JARAMAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Clare Valley & Coonawarra, South Australia (#142398) (XD) - $24.95
Screw cap. With 52% Clare Valley and 48% Coonawarra fruit, this Cabernet Sauvignon has fresh, lifted, medium-high intensity aromas of mint and leafy herbals followed by mocha chocolate, oak spice, dark currant, and cassis. It's full-bodied, smooth, and well-structured with delicious minty-eucalypt, leafy herb, dark currant, mocha chocolate, and cassis replays on the flavour profile. It has fresh, balanced acidity and smooth, refined, and slightly youthful tannins. Juicy currants, chocolate, herbal, and earthy flavours linger on the long finish. Recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Other delicious wines by Wakefield Wines are available at the LCBO and via their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Fasoli Gino San Raffaele Pinot Grigio 2021 (delle Venezie) - Wine Review

After enjoying the 2020 Fasoli Gino San Raffaele Pinot Grigio last year, tonight's white wine review is the latest vintage of this lovely white wine from northeastern Italy which arrived at the LCBO over the weekend as part of the March 4 LCBO VINTAGES Release. This lovely, organic, and vegan-friendly white wine is also sporting a new, fresh, and modern label for this vintage.

It is produced by Fasoli Gino, a winemaking family of four generations with deep roots in Verona, northern Italy. Their story of passion and dedication for wine begins in 1925 with Amadio Fasoli dedicated himself to viticulture in the valley of Illasi, the green expanse to the east of Verona. Amadio personally delivered the wines he made to the best eateries of the area by horse and cart.

Gino Fasoli, son of Amadio and second generation of the family, inherited the same passion for his father's vineyards and increased the size of the vineyards, thereby increasing wine production. Gino gave his name to the winery and was driven to make his wines known across the entire region of Verona. In 1979, Gino Fasoli developed an allergy to to some of the chemicals used in the vineyards and soon thereafter the winery was passed on to the third generation who made the brave and difficult decision at the time to go organic.

By 1986, the third generation of the Fasoli family, brothers Amadio and Natalino, had converted all of their vineyards to organic, and in 2003 they constructed a new winery. In 2006, they also introduced biodynamic practices. At the turn of the century, Matteo Fasoli became the 4th generation of the family to join the family's winemaking business.

Today, the Fasoli family uses their know-how gathered over 4 generations while enthusiastically embracing modern agricultural techniques. The Fasoli brothers are farmers at heart and the love for the land in which they live can be felt through their enthusiasm and care for its fruits. They only produce wines that they love drinking. This journey from vine to glass is carried out with total respect for the culture and values of the terroir. The Fasoli family is constantly striving for excellence while developing and implementing production techniques that have the least environmental impact possible. Fasoli Gino is one of Italy's most long-standing and respected organic producers.

Tasting Note:

FASOLI GINO SAN RAFFAELE PINOT GRIGIO 2021 - Vegan, DOC delle Venezie, Italy (#204768) (XD) - $17.95
Screw cap. This organic and vegan-friendly white wine has fresh, medium-high intensity aromas which are ripe and complex with honeysuckle, melon, lemon citrus, and pear aromas with a lessy mineral underpinning. On the dry, light-to-mid-weighted palate it has crisp, lively, and refreshing acidity that lifts the citrusy, apple, pear, melon, and honeysuckle flavours. Succulent and juicy on the lightly spicy mid-palate, while the spicy notes are joined by minerals on the crisp finish, with very good length. Highly recommended buy! Grab two and enjoy one now while holding the other for a year or so for a more evolved expression. Score: 89 pts

Other delicious wines by Fasoli Gino can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.

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