June 24, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Summer Sippers

After a few smallish releases to during spring, summer starts off with a bang in the June 24 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection with a whopping 164 wines arriving in stores across Ontario by this Saturday. The theme of the release is titled "Summery Wines for Alfresco Sipping", while also included in the printed magazine is a sneak preview of the July Online & Flagship Exclusives release.

We begin with the theme on summer sipping wines which consists of white, rosé, and sparkling wines. Of the twenty-one wines included as part of the theme, eight are among my top wine recommendations. Starting with the whites, there are a pair of excellent wines made with Sauvignon Blanc - one from Sancerre in Loire, and the other from New Zealand. There are also a couple of fine options from Niagara - a dry Pinot Gris and an off-dry (lightly sweet) Riesling, as well as a lovely, organic Pinot Grigio from Alto Adige in northern Italy. Both rosé wine recommendations from the theme are from Rhône, with the Luberon crafted with Syrah and Grenache, while the Tavel is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, and Mourvèdre. Lastly, the sparkling wine from South Africa is composed of roughly equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Among my top red wine picks, we begin in Italy with the Super Tuscan that is a blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Petit Verdot. Staying in Tuscany, there is a fine Chianti Classico Annata that is a blend of 80% Sangiovese, 15% Canaiolo, and 5% Syrah, followed by the Riserva Chianti Classico that is composed of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Merlot. The last Italian blend is from Veneto and it is made with 35% Corvina, 35% Corvinone, 20% Rondinella, and 10% Rossignola / Oseleta / Negrara / Dindarella. The wine from South Africa is a blend of Syrah 74%, 10% Grenache, 8% Cinsault, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Viognier, while the Roussillon red is a blend of 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache. From Spain, the Montsant is a blend of 65% Garnacha, 15% Merlot, 10% Cariñena (Samsó), and 10% Syrah, while the Priorat is composed of equal parts Garnacha and Cariñena, plus 10% Merlot. Lastly, both Coppola wines from California are blends, with the Merlot adding 15% Petite Sirah and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, while the Zinfandel includes 13% Petite Sirah.

The only blend among my white wine picks from the rest of the release is the Bordeaux Blanc that is composed of 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Sémillon. The other two white wines that are not part of the theme are a Chardonnay from Australia, and an Assyrtiko from Greece.

Among my rosé wine picks, the rosé from Niagara is a blend of 88% Pinot Noir, 6% Viognier, and 6% Chardonnay, while the rosé from Tuscany is composed of Sangiovese and Merlot. And lastly, the rosé from Sancerre is made with 100% Pinot Noir.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers to summer sipping!

Red Wine:

• ZUCCARDI SERIE A MALBEC 2021 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#167619) (XD) - $17.00  88+ pts  wine review
• MARQUÉS DE GRIÑON CLÁSICO 2018 - Vegan, DOCa Rioja, Spain (#30207) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• TEDESCHI CAPITEL NICALÒ VALPOLICELLA SUPERIORE 2020 - Sustainable, DOC, Veneto, Italy (#984997) (XD) - $19.95  90 pts  wine review
• POTENTE 2019 - DO Montsant, Spain (#10682) (XD) - $19.95
• BASTIDE MIRAFLORS SYRAH/VIEILLES VIGNES GRENACHE 2020 - AP Côtes du Roussillon, France (#320499) (XD) - $19.95
• BOYA SYRAH 2019 - Sustainable, Coast Zone, DO Valle de Leyda, Chile (#30997) (XD) - $19.95  90 pts  wine review
• FRANCIS COPPOLA DIAMOND COLLECTION RED LABEL ZINFANDEL 2019 - California, USA (#708289) (D) - $24.95  88 pts  wine review
• FRANCIS COPPOLA DIAMOND COLLECTION BLUE LABEL MERLOT 2018 - California, USA (#595686) (XD) - $24.95  88+ pts  wine review

 

• WAKEFIELD JARAMAN SHIRAZ 2021 - Clare Valley/McLaren Vale, South Australia (#377036) (XD) - $24.95  90 pts  wine review
• SANGENÍS I VAQUÉ DARA 2019 - Unfiltered, DOQ Priorat, Spain (#31379) (XD) - $24.95
• ROCCA DELLE MACÌE FAMIGLIA ZINGARELLI RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#930966) (XD) - $25.95  90+ pts  wine review
• LUNA ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2019 - Sustainable, Martinborough, North Island, New Zealand (#17544) (XD) - $27.95  91+ pts  wine review
• THE CHOCOLATE BLOCK 2021 - WO Swartland, South Africa (#129353) (XD) - $42.95
• MAGISTRATE GEM SERIES SPRING MOUNTAIN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2016 - Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, California, USA (#27449) (XD) - $50.00
• ISOLE E OLENA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#704346) (XD) - $44.95  93 pts  wine review
• ORENO 2019 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#735597) (XD) - $103.95

White Wine:

• LES HAUTS DE LAGARDE BLANC 2021 - AC Bordeaux, France (#387787) (XD) - $18.95
• HENRY OF PELHAM THE DRY RIVER ESTATE RIESLING 2021 - Sustainable, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#557165) (D) - $19.95
• KIR-YIANNI LE NORD ASSYRTIKO 2022 - Vegan, IGP Florina, Greece (#25707) (XD) - $19.95
• ALOIS LAGEDER TERRA ALPINA PINOT GRIGIO 2022 - IGT Vigneti delle Dolomiti, Alto Adige, Italy (#681429) (XD) - $20.95  91 pts  wine review
  
• CLOSSON CHASE K.J. WATSON VINEYARD PINOT GRIS 2022 - VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#469445) (XD) - $24.00  90 pts  wine review
• WAKEFIELD JARAMAN CHARDONNAY 2021 - Adelaide Hills/Clare Valley, South Australia (#18921) (XD) - $24.95  90 pts  wine review
• VILLA MARIA TAYLORS PASS SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#13901) (XD) - $29.95
• JEAN-MAX ROGER CUVÉE MARNES ET CAILLOTTES SANCERRE 2021 - AC, Loire, France (#196667) (XD) - $38.95  93 pts  wine review

Rosé Wine:

• RICASOLI ALBIA ROSÉ 2022 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#556266) (XD) - $18.95
• CHÂTEAU VAL-JOANIS TRADITION ROSÉ 2022 - AP Luberon, Rhône, France (#707281) (XD) - $20.95
• FAMILLE PERRIN TAVEL 2022 - AC, Rhône, France (#680801) (XD) - $22.95
• HIDDEN BENCH LOCUST LANE ROSÉ 2022 - Sustainable, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#68833) (XD) - $24.95  91+ pts  wine review
  
• JEAN-MAX ROGER LA GRANGE DÎMIÈRE SANCERRE ROSÉ 2022 - AC, Loire, France (#490813) (XD) - $31.95  91 pts  wine review

Sparkling Wine:

• PONGRÁCZ BRUT CAP CLASSIQUE SPARKLING CHARDONNAY/PINOT NOIR - Sustainable, traditional method, WO Western Cape, South Africa (#404111) (XD) - $17.95  91 pts  wine review

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Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Blue Label Merlot 2018 and Red Label Zinfandel 2019 (California) - Wine Reviews

For Father's Day, tonight's red wine reviews are a pair of delicious red wines from California that are arriving at the LCBO in next weekend's June 24 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

These wines are produced by Francis Ford Coppola Winery. Famous for their name in cinema, the Coppola family purchased the historic Chateau Souverain property in Sonoma County in 2006 so they could create a resort, a wine wonderland, and a place to celebrate the love of life. After two years of renovations, the winery had its grand opening in 2010 with a tasting room, museum, and restaurant, and encompasses all that Francis loves most - cinema, wine, food, resorts and adventure. The backbone of each of these endeavours is the deep commitment to quality, authenticity, and pleasure.

With more than 20 years of experience in the wine industry, Corey Beck is the Executive Vice President Production & Chief Winemaker at Coppola. He began his career in viticulture by tagging alongside his grandfather who was the vineyard manager for Napa Valley's renowned Chateau Montelena. Corey has a degree in Fermentation Science from U.C. Davis in California and joined the Coppola family wine business in 1998 as an assistant winemaker, eventually becoming CEO and Chief Winemaker in 2018. Corey and his team have created a strong grower relations program with more than 150 growers, and are regarded as leaders in the wine industry for their innovative and engaging approach.

Following along these lines, Francis and Eleanor Coppola have long supported sustainability throughout their lives and many business endeavours in an effort to preserve the land for generations to come. The have constantly searched for innovative ways to implement environmentally responsible practices into the vineyards and winemaking techniques to improve efficiency, minimize environmental impacts, and create a nurturing habitat for wildlife, on-site staff, and visiting guests. Some of these initiatives include reducing energy use, while currently 36% of the energy sourced from renewable sources. In the vineyard, Coppola has implemented leading water conservation practices which includes aerial imagery, weather stations, soil monitoring probes, smart scheduling, and drip irrigation, while reducing water usage and recycling water in every aspect of their operations. The winery was certified sustainable through the California Sustainable Wine-growing Alliance in 2012, while the whole business was 100% certified sustainable in 2019. Sustainability efforts are also extended throughout their network of growers.

Like the 2018 Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Red Blend that I enjoyed last year, both of these wines are from Coppola's Diamond Collection range and inspired by the oldest bottle in the portfolio - the Claret. The Diamond Collection represents quality, consistency, and authenticity. The range has expanded to more than 15 wines, showcasing grapes sourced from high quality vineyards situated along the coast and inland valleys across California. By combining carefully selected fruit with precise winemaking techniques, the Diamond Collections aims to capture the pure expression of each varietal.

Although both wines reviewed below are labelled as a varietal wine because each is composed of at least 75% of the variety mentioned on the label, each wine is in fact a blend. It is interesting that Petite Sirah is common between both wines. Let's see how these red wines from California are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

FRANCIS COPPOLA DIAMOND COLLECTION BLUE LABEL MERLOT 2018 - California, USA (#595686) (XD) - $24.95
A blend of 75% Merlot, 15% Petite Sirah, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon from grapes grown across California and aged for 13 months in French and American oak. The intriguing, medium+ intensity nose is savoury with cocoa, nutty, earthy woodspice, and dried herb aromas which surround a core of black fruit. On the lush, dry, medium-bodied palate it is dry with fresh dark berry fruit, blackberry, plum, oak spice, and chocolate flavours supported by fresh acidity and smooth, supple tannins. Very good length on the fresh, savoury and dried herb finish. Recommended buy. Score: 88+ pts

FRANCIS COPPOLA DIAMOND COLLECTION RED LABEL ZINFANDEL 2019 - California, USA (#708289) (D) - $24.95
This blend of 87% Zinfandel and 13% Petite Sirah was sourced from old vines in Amador County and cooler sites in Paso Robles and Sonoma, and aged for 10 months in French oak. The medium+ intensity nose is ripe and somewhat jammy and raisiny with brambly berry, sweet spices and vanilla aromas. It's medium-full bodied with just a kiss of sweetness on the spicy palate with ripe, brambly dark berry, and savoury woodspice flavours. Tangy on the mid-palate with fresh, juicy acidity, and dusty textured, fine-grained tannins. Savoury and earthy with brambly dark berry tones lingering on the finish, with very good length. A widely appealing, recommended buy. Score: 88 pts

Other delicious wines by Francis Ford Coppola can be purchased at the LCBO or through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Springs Road Shiraz 2017 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is this lovely Shiraz from Kangaroo Island in Australia. It is a brand new wine to the LCBO, landing in Ontario over the weekend as part of the June 10th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Springs Road Wines is owned and operated by Joch Bosworth and Louise Hemsley-Smith, owners of Battle of Bosworth Wines in McLaren Vale. Joch and Louise acquired the vineyards after going on a mystery tour to Kangaroo Island at the end of the 2016 vintage and while in the eastern coastal town of Kingscote they came across a sales ad indicating that the vineyard was for sale. The vineyards were located inland, about 7 km west of Kingscote, and after visiting the site they recognized the potential of the vineyards and purchased the property.

Prior to the acquisition, the property was owned by well-known locals Roger and Kate Williams. It was initially a small sheep property, followed by the planting of vineyards in 1994. The property was originally owned by Kate's father, a strict Christian who didn't approve of alcohol. The old house that sits on the property was built by local Garry Johnson's grandparents and is now used to stores the nets they put on the vines to stop the crows from eating the grapes. Garry also came by to help do some trenching for the pathway leading up to cellar door.

The winery gets its name from the road called Springs that runs just off the property in an east-west direction across the northern part of Kangaroo Island, South Australia. The label that adorns the Springs Road wines is adapted from the French cartographer Louis Freycinet's 1808 map of southern Australia called "Carte Generale de la Terre Napoléon." Freycinet accompanied Nicholas Baudin on his voyage of discovery through the Southern Ocean between 1801 and 1803 and charted the coastline all the way from Wilson's Promontory in the East (Victoria) to the Nullabor National Park in the West, centring on the "Iles Decres", or Kangaroo Island. "Terre Napoleon" was the first detailed map of Australia. The extravagantly illustrated map included Australian flora, fauna, kangaroos, and seals, and some of these elements are included on the label of Springs Road wines.

I'll be honest, I didn't know anything about Kangaroo Island and its winegrowing activities. Kangaroo Island is Australia's third largest island and one of its youngest wine regions. It was officially registered as a Geographic Indication in the year 2000 and is one of five regions that make up the Fleurieu Zone. The island has built an international reputation for a pristine wilderness that is famed for the quality of its produce, as well as its natural beauty and wildlife. Kangaroo Island is a cool-climate wine region with regular maritime breezes playing an important role in moderating the ample sunshine, allowing for a long, cool ripening season, while the wines from Kangaroo Island are making an impact both domestically and abroad.

Crafted with 100% Shiraz, the grapes were grown in their vineyard from vines planted in 1994 and 2000. The soils are predominantly sandy loam soils over limestone and marl (clay) with some patches of Bay of Biscay soils (black cracking clays) interspersed with some ironstone. The soils are shallow and relatively low in fertility, while experiencing low annual average rainfall of 400 to 500 mm per year. The grapes were harvested and brought to the winery in Willunga (McLaren Vale), where they were crushed and fermented in open vessels. Fermentation was finished in barrel, followed by ageing for approximately 12 months in French oak barrels - 30% new and the rest one and two year old barrels.

The growing season on Kangaroo Island started with a very wet winter, followed by a very wet spring which made for a tricky flowering period and led to reduced yields. However, the grapes benefitted from a very late harvest - by four weeks - which led to a long, slow ripening process and helped develop maximum flavour. Let's see how this 2017 Shiraz from Australia is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

SPRINGS ROAD SHIRAZ 2017 - Kangaroo Island, South Australia (#30753) (XD) - $32.95
Screw cap. The fragrant, medium-high intensity nose is spicy with a pleasing mix of ripe red, black, and blue fruit aromas, layered over savoury earth, meaty, and black pepper spice notes. Stony mineral aromas emerge with time in the glass. On the juicy, dry, medium-bodied, and well-structured palate the lovely red, black, and blue fruit flavour replays are joined by black pepper spice, stony mineral, savoury earth, and subtle wood spice flavours. It has crisp, juicy acidity and smooth, refined, and gently chewy tannins with a touch of grip. Crisp with stony mineral notes lingering on the finish, with excellent length. Complex and very well made, this highly recommended buy can be enjoyed over the next 5+ years. Score: 92 pts

Other lovely wines from Springs Road can be ordered through their Agent - Airen Imports.

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Ken Forrester Sparklehorse Sparkling Chenin Blanc 2019 (South Africa) - Wine Review

Tonight's sparkling wine review is this excellent traditional method bubbly made with Chenin Blanc from South Africa. It arrived at the LCBO today in the June 10 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and is available for purchase exclusively on lcbo.com and Flagship Exclusive locations.

It is produced by Ken Forrester Vineyards, a winery that was established in 1993 by Ken Forrester and his wife Teresa after they acquired this vacant and derelict farm and homestead at a public auction. Although Ken and Teresa were new to this piece of land, the farm had a long history that can be traced back to the year 1689 and is one of the oldest farms in the Cape. The farm changed hands over the years and a German family took residence in 1833, happily growing vines for nearly 100 years. The property fell on hard times in the early 1990s and eventually found itself at the auction where Ken and Teresa were able to purchase it.

Ken Forrester Vineyards is situated on the slopes of of the Helderberg Mountain in the heart of South Africa's most famous wine region - Stellenbosch. They undertook a massive renovation both in the vineyard and the house, and produced the first wines under their own label a year later. The grapes for his wines were grown on the property, with some vines planted as far back as 1970. Soon after creating his wines, Ken Forrester was at the forefront leading the Chenin Blanc revival and his vineyards today are commonly referred to as the Home of Chenin Blanc.

Like the excellent 2019 Ken Forrester Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc that I enjoyed last July, with the 2019 vintage Ken Forrester celebrated 25 years of winegrowing and winemaking in Stellenbosch. Sustainable farming is a core value at Ken Forrester Vineyards. They farm the vineyards without the use of herbicides or pesticides. While labour intensive, they also till, prune, and thin bunches and leaves, and harvest by hand, thereby providing job opportunities and improving the quality of life of the locals and community. As such, each bottle represents change for the better in someone's life.

This dry, vintage sparkling wine is crafted in the traditional method, which is known as Methode Cap Classique in South Africa, with 100% Chenin Blanc from vines that were planted in 1975 in Helderberg, in the south of Stellenbosch. The mature, cool vineyard is irrigated and managed to control yields. As one of the top producers of Chenin Blanc with intimate knowledge of winegrowing, the vineyard is farmed in blocks for a specific wine purpose. Due to the age of the vines and old plant material, there are leafroll viruses present in the block which has an effect on the ripening phase of a vineyard. Thus, by harvesting the fruit early, specifically to create sparkling wines, the pressure on the vineyard is reduced. The grapes were handpicked and sorted to optimize quality prior to crushing. It was aged for 8 months on its lees and a further 28 months sur lattes to develop creaminess and delicate mousse while maintaining the bright fruit notes. Let's see how this 2019 vintage traditional method sparkling wine from South Africa is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

KEN FORRESTER SPARKLEHORSE SPARKLING CHENIN BLANC 2019 - Traditional method, WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#32030) (XD) - $32.95
Lovely fragrant, autolytic, and biscuit aromas with a twist of honey and citrus surround a core of apple, pear, quince, and leesy notes. It's medium-full bodied on the crisp, dry, and tangy palate with lovely citrusy, apple, pear, toasty, biscuit, leesy, and autolytic flavours. Nicely balanced with crisp, lively acidity and a fine, elegant mousse. Leesy mineral and floral notes linger on the long, crisp, lip-smacking finish, with excellent length. Highly recommended buy! Score: 92 pts

The latest vintage of the Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc is available at the LCBO, while other wines from Ken Forrester Vineyards are available through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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June 10, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Online & Flagship Exclusives

Here's my top wine picks from the June 10 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection which is this month's collection of Online & Flagship Exclusive wines that are only available online through lcbo.com and 10 specific LCBO stores which are located in Toronto, Oakville and Ottawa. There are 43 wines included in the release and, of course, there is no theme these releases.

We begin with the red wines. From Rhône, the Gigondas is a blend of Grenache and Syrah, while the Crozes-Hermitage is crafted with 100% Syrah. From Italy, the Amarone is made with approximately 65% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, 10% Corvinone, and 5% other permitted varieties, while the Tuscan red is crafted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. From South America, the Argentine red is composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon / Cabernet Franc / Merlot and 40% Malbec, while the Chilean red is 100% País. And last, but definitely not the least, there is a lovely Shiraz from Kangaroo Island in South Australia.

Among my white wine picks, the only blend is from Portugal and it is crafted with three indigeneous varieties - Viosinho, Gouveia, and Rabigato. Single varietal wines include the Malagousia from Greece, as well as the Traminer (similar to Gewürztraminer) from Austria. It's nice to see Prince Edward County represented in this release with a pair of lovely wines crafted with Melon de Bourgogne and Chardonnay. And lastly, there is a fine Chardonnay from Sonoma in California.

There are also two fine sparkling wines in this release, both in the dry style. The 2004 Vintage Champagne is composed of 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir that was aged on its lees for 15+ years, while the sparkling wine from South Africa is crafted with 100% Chenin Blanc.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release!

Red Wine:

• LAS VELETAS ALMAULE 2021 - Valle del Maule, Chile (#30211) (XD) - $29.95
• SPRINGS ROAD SHIRAZ 2017 - Kangaroo Island, South Australia (#30753) (XD) - $32.95  92 pts  wine review
• FERRATON PÈRE & FILS LA MATINIÈRE CROZES-HERMITAGE 2020 - AP, Rhône, France (#127712) (XD) - $33.95
• ALPAMANTA BREVA BLEND 2021 - Sustainable, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina (#31978) (XD) - $41.95
• COL D'ORCIA OLMAIA SANT'ANTIMO CABERNET 2015 - DOC, Tuscany, Italy (#16668) (XD) - $63.95  93 pts  wine review
• CAVE DI PRUN RISERVA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2012 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#499889) (D) - $65.95
• FAMILLE PERRIN L'ARGNÉE VIEILLES VIGNES GIGONDAS 2020 - AC, Rhône, France (#14985) (XD) - $66.95

White Wine:

• TRÊS BAGOS RESERVA WHITE 2021 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#31185) (XD) - $22.95
• CASA DEA MELON DE BOURGOGNE 2021 - VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (#33157) (D) - $24.95  90 pts  wine review
• SALOMON UNDHOF GELBER WILDROSEN TRAMINER 2019 - DAC Kremstal, Austria (#30933) (D) - $32.95
• LIGHTHALL CHARDONNAY 2020 - VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (#25243) (XD) - $36.00
• KTIMA GEROVASSILIOU MALAGOUSIA 2022 - Old vines, PGI Epanomi, Greece (#32379) (XD) - $37.95
• ERNEST SONOMA COAST CHARDONNAY 2021 - Sonoma Coast, California, USA (#32495) (XD) - $49.95  92 pts  wine review

Sparkling Wine:

• KEN FORRESTER SPARKLEHORSE SPARKLING CHENIN BLANC 2019 - Traditional method, WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#32030) (XD) - $32.95  92 pts  wine review
• TARLANT CUVÉE LOUIS BRUT NATURE CHAMPAGNE 2004 - AC, France (#293811) (XD) - $179.95

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Barón de Ley Gran Reserva 2015 (Rioja) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is an excellent, vegan-friendly blend of Tempranillo and Graciano from the Classic European Wine Region of Rioja that arrived at the LCBO recently as part of the April 29th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and is still widely available across the province.

It is produced by Barón de Ley, a family-owned winery located in Rioja, Spain's most celebrated wine region with a privileged terroir to farm and craft premium quality wines. A relatively young winery, Barón de Ley was founded in 1985 as a ground-breaking project in DOCa Rioja as a vineyard-focused winery that was inspired by French châteaux and specializing in premium Rioja wines. They are housed in a monastery that was built in 1548 on the banks of the Ebro river where vineyards and winemaking were introduced by monks in 1568. The Estate changed hands numerous times over the years and was eventually purchased by a family that remained there for three generations as they farmed crops and raised livestock until it was acquired and re-born as Barón de Ley. The name "de ley" comes from the Spanish expression for "legit", and at at Barón de Ley they take care of every little detail to offer in every bottle an excellent, trustworthy wine - a genuinely good Rioja.

Barón de Ley launched their first wines in 1990, including this Gran Reserva which is one of the signature wines of the Estate. After growing the business throughout the 90s, In 2000, Barón de Ley renewed their winemaking philosophy with Gonzalo Rodríguez recruited as the new Chief Winemaker, encouraging the planting of new indigenous grape varieties. Success and growth continued over the ensuing decade, and by 2008 they owned over 600 hectares of vineyards across different sub-regions with a variety of micro-climates and soils. In 2018, they renovated their vinification facilities with state-of-the-art winemaking techniques and constructed a new oak ageing cellar to expand their ageing capacity. As a specialist in Reserva and Gran Reserva wines, Barón de Ley honours Rioja's acclaimed tradition of long ageing in French and American oak barrels.

This red wine is a blend of mainly Tempranillo plus some Graciano. The grapes were grown in the best terroirs in their old vineyards in Cenicero, in Rioja Alta, in an area with Mediterranean climate with a clear Atlantic influence, and low yields. These conditions are ideal for creating elegant wines with ageing capacity. After manually harvesting and selecting the bunches, the individual berries were mechanically selected using their state-of-the-art sorting table. This process ensures that only the best grapes are used, which in turn helps deliver the maximum quality of the wine. After fermentation, the wine was aged for a minimum of 24 months in American and French oak casks, followed by a further 36 months in bottle.

Only marketed in the best vintages, the 2015 vintage was a very good one in Rioja that began with a balmy and dry spring. Temperatures rose quickly thereafter, but Rioja did receive some rejuvenating showers in June. Heat records were broken in July and the intense heatwave continued for much of the summer. Fortunately, temperatures cooled for the most part in August and September, leading to an early harvest with balanced ripening and exceptionally healthy grapes. The higher (and cooler) vineyards produced wines of great aromatic complexity and concentration, and stand out for their finesse and elegance. Let's see how this 2015 Gran Reserva from Rioja is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

BARÓN DE LEY GRAN RESERVA 2015 - Vegan, DOCa Rioja, Spain (#642496) (XD) - $34.95
Blend of Tempranillo and Graciano. Lovely, slowly emerging and complex aromas of Indian spices, red and black cherry, underbrush, forest floor, olive, pot pourri, and sandalwood rise out of the glass. It's medium-full to full-bodied with very good depth and delicious flavours of red and black cherry, spices, cedar wood, underbrush, and forest floor in a dry, lightly tangy profile. It has very good, juicy acidity, while the well-structured, dusty textured tannins are lightly chalky and grippy on the back palate. Cedary, sandalwood, and earthy notes linger on the long savoury finish, with excellent length. Enjoy this highly recommended buy to the end of the decade. Score: 92+ pts

Limited quantities of the Reserva is available at the LCBO, while the full portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Château Clou du Pin Premium 2020 (Bordeaux) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Merlot from Bordeaux which arrived at the LCBO last weekend in the May 27 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and is widely available across Ontario right now.

It is produced by Domaines Fontana, a family winery that was founded by Huguette and Angelo Fontana in 1950. They were in their mid-twenties at the time and had a dream to plant vines and build a winery, eventually settling in the small town of Gensac in Gironde, about 15 km southeast of Saint-Émilion. They chose Gensac because of the richness of the land that determined the location of their vineyard, high on the hillsides of Gironde.

As the years and vintages went by, not only did the vines grow, but the family also grew as Huguette and Angelo had five children who grew up and inherited their parent's passion for the vine. The boys of the second generation of the Fontana family enlarged the family business by acquiring plots of neighbouring vines and each invested in various trades that are currently present at the Estate. The family heritage has grown further today with the grandchildren of Huguette and Angelo joining Domaines Fontana, bringing with them modernity, a fresh outlook, dynamism, youth, and a common desire to share their passion for vines and wine.

Today, Domaines Fontana has over 300 hectares of land mainly within the commune of Gensac, but also extending over neighbouring and bordering communes. Since 2019, they vines and winery have been HVE (High Environmental Value) certified, a certification that allows recognition of good environmental and health practices in the vineyard. The work of the vineyard and the cellar are adapted to the times, always respecting know-how while adopting new and innovative techniques with the sole aim of producing quality wines. Red wine makes up nearly all (96%) of their production and is made to Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur AOC. The wines are bottled using their own bottling facilities on-premise, and most of the wine is sold in France, with only 30% exported outside the country.

This red wine is the result of a unique and careful selection of the Chai des Domaines Fontana. It bears the Premium label because it is crafted from their best, single vat of Merlot which is chosen for its complexity, rarity, and concentration - the qualities sought for this exceptional cuvée. It is crafted with 100% Merlot from a vineyard planted on clay-limestone soils on hillsides up to 120 metres above sea level, with south-southwest exposure. From pruning to vinification, they practice traditional and reasoned cultivation with soil that is enriched with only organic manure. The grapes were harvested from low-yield plots which result in grapes that produce a structured and concentrated wine. Upon arrival a the winery, the grapes are destemmed and macerated for 30 days, followed by fermentation in stainless steel tanks. It was aged in their cellar which is equipped with a thermoregulation system with micro oxygenation. From an excellent vintage, let's see how this 2020 Merlot from Bordeaux is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU CLOU DU PIN PREMIUM 2020 - AC Bordeaux Supérieur, France (#28727) (XD) - $18.95
100% Merlot. The rich, ripe, medium-high intensity nose offers dark fruited aromas of blackberry, black cherry, and plum balanced with savoury, musky woodspice, and cocoa notes, plus a touch of floral. It's full-bodied on the rich palate with chewy, well-structured, and fine-grained tannins, along with juicy, well-balanced acidity. Delicious grilled herbs join the blackberry, black cherry, plum, and cocoa replays in a dry flavour profile. Savoury cocoa notes linger on the long, dry, and well-structured finish. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Domaines Fontana can be purchased through their Agent - Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.

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