Four Vines Old Vine Zinfandel 2019 (Lodi) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious Old Vines Zinfandel from Lodi that arrived at the LCBO last summer as part of the "American Idyll" theme in the July 22nd LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, with a few bottles at select LCBO outlets still available for purchase today.

It is produced by Four Vines, a highly-regarded California Zinfandel and Chardonnay wine producer that was originally established in 1994 by Christian Tietje. Four Vines grew out of, as Christian called it, a garage and surf shack, to eventually produce 120,000 cases as its wines became popular. In 2010, Four Vines was acquired by a company now known as Purple Brands.

Four Vines was founded on California's Central Coast, a vast and rugged landscape that stretches from Santa Barbara and north to Monterey Bay. It is a wild country with a gorgeous coastline and few towns, and is thus wide open with fertile farming soil and abundant ranch land. This area also attracted more than just farmers and cowboys, it attracted artists, rebels, seekers, and bon vivants from the Bay Area and Los Angeles, and the confluence of their unique personalities put a stamp on the burgeoning wine region. Today, rule-breaking and non-conformity are celebrated values, with Four Vines honouring the anti-establishment views of the Central Coast's eccentric personalities. Four Vines makes interesting wine for interesting people.

This red wine is crafted with fruit from their own vineyards in California's Lodi wine region, which is part of the larger Central Valley and situated directly east of San Francisco Bay between the cities of Sacramento and Stockton. It is made using 90% Zinfandel, 9% Petite Sirah, and 1% Rubired, from vineyards that are 30 to 50 years old. These old, head-trained vines yield only a few grape clusters, and produce small, intensely flavoured berries. The grapes were harvested during the cool night and early morning hours to retain freshness, then delivered immediately to the winery and gently crushed and destemmed. It was fermented in tanks for 10 to 14 days on its skins, then gently racked into a combination of French, Hungarian, and American oak, 25% new, for 10 months of ageing.

The 2019 growing season for Zinfandel in California was excellent as it was a warm year that produced supple, juicy, fruit-filled wines for short-term drinking. Let's see how this 2019 Zinfandel from California is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

FOUR VINES OLD VINE ZINFANDEL 2019 - Lodi, California, USA (#17157) (D) - $19.95
This blend of 90% Zinfandel, 9% Petite Sirah, and 1% Rubired has a fragrant, lifted nose of medium-high intensity that offers wild berry, brambly, black cherry, and blackberry aromas with a touch of jamminess and joined by hints of leafy green herbs, pepper, and sweet oak spices. It's medium-full bodied on the palate, with some ripe fruited sweetness that is tempered by very good acidity. It has delicious wild berry, brambly, black cherry, blackberry aroma replays joined by savoury, smoky oak, and mineral flavours. It has smooth, fine-grained tannins that are well-integrated, while black cherry vanilla, smoky oak, and mineral notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Surprisingly good and a recommended buy! Score: 88+ pts

Other delicious wines by Four Vines can be ordered through their Agent - Churchill Cellars.

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Josh Cellars Prosecco (Italy) - Wine Review

Tonight's sparkling wine review is a delicious and relatively new Prosecco from Italy that is available not only at the LCBO, but also should be available at grocery stores across Ontario. Although I haven't checked the latest pricing at grocery stores, it is on clearance at the LCBO right now with a savings of $4.50.

It is produced by Josh Cellars, a wine brand that was established in California by Joseph Carr in 2007 as a tribute to his dad, Josh, and to honour all that his father had done for him. Josh was a lumberjack by trade who also served in the U.S. Army and volunteered as a local firefighter. Josh worked hard and instilled the values of dedication and perseverance in his twin children, Joseph and Lisa. These values drove Joseph to create Josh Cellars, and with hard work and commitment to ensure that the wines are well-balanced, delicious, and crafted to exacting standards, while also representing the best of California.

Today, Josh Cellars is one of a number of brands owned by Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits. The wines of Josh Cellars are made up of 11 varietals, including a Reserve collection of wines that come from some of California's most prestigious appellations, the North Coast, and Paso Robles, as well as a pair of Prosecco wines from Italy. Every vintage is a labour of love, a commitment to quality, and a very personal promise to make great wine in honour of Joseph's father, Josh. The winemaker at Josh Cellars is Wayne Donaldson. Wayne took over winemaking at Josh Cellars in 2009 and has been a leader in the international wine industry for over three decades. Josh Cellars is also committed to giving back to the community and supports various causes that reflect their values.

When Joseph Carr worked at a winery in Italy many years ago, he fell in love with the country and Italian wines. In 2019, Josh Cellars launched their first sparkling wine, this Prosecco, when they partnered with Villa Pozzi, a small, family-owned producer that are 5th generation winemakers. It is made with the same care and uncompromising commitment to quality that was instilled into Joseph by his father, Josh. This Prosecco is crafted with 100% Glera that was sourced from vineyards between Conegliano Veneto and Valdobbiadene, in northeastern Italy. Let's see how this Prosecco is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

JOSH CELLARS PROSECCO - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#16947) (D) - $21.95 $17.45
100% Glera, the medium+ intensity aromatics are clean, fresh, and attractive, delivering fresh pear, white floral, and yellow citrus aromas with hints of orange and melon adding further interest. The crisp palate is off-dry with delicious pear, floral, citrus, melon, and orange replays on the flavour profile. It's supported by fresh, zesty acidity, and lovely, effervescent bubbles. The pear, floral, and citrus tones linger through to the finish, with very good length. Chill and enjoy this widely appealing, recommended buy! Score: 88+ pts

Other delicious wines by Josh Cellars are available at the LCBO (and likely grocery stores), as well as through their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.

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Château Maucoil Privilège Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2020 (Rhône) - Wine Review

After enjoying the beautiful 2016 Château Maucoil Privilège Châteauneuf-du-Pape a few years ago, tonight's red wine review is the latest edition of this terrific, certified organic red wine that arrived at the LCBO last month in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on December 16th - with plenty of bottles still available for purchase.

It is produced by Château Maucoil, an historic property that is situated in an area of Châteauneuf-du-Pape that has been occupied since Roman times when they set up a base for Caesar's legions. The Château Maucoil estate and castle was built in 1624 and inherited by Joseph de La Pise, Lord of Maucoil and archivist of the House of Orange-Nassau (the Dutch royal family). Winegrowing has been an intrinsic part of the property since the 17th century, with Château Maucoil possessing some of Châteauneuf-du-Pape's oldest vines, some of which are over 100 years old.

Château Maucoil has changed hands many times over the years, with a series of illustrious families taking over the reins to develop the estate and establish its reputation. Most recently, in late 2022, Château Maucoil was acquired by Bernard Duseigneur from Groupe Maucoil Lavau, which was owned jointly by the (65%) Lavau and (35%) Bonnet families.

Today, Château Maucoil has 45 hectares of vines in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, all of which have been tended to organically since 2011. With the estate's privileged situation and unique terroir, the vines are allowed to grow at pace with care, precision, and patience. The soils are worked in the traditional method, without any chemical weed killers, while preferring the use of ancient methods such as furrowing, forming mounds, and ploughing. The vineyards are tended to with maximum respect for the people and the environment.

This cuvée marks a return to the traditions of Châteauneuf-du-Pape by using the original 13 grape varieties that were permitted within the AOC (in 2009 the list of permitted grape varieties was expanded). It is crafted with 50% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 12% Mourvèdre, 8% Cinsault, Clairette, 5% Bourboulenc, Vaccarèse, Muscardin, Counoise, Terret, Roussanne, Picpoul, and Picardan. All the grapes were hand-harvested from a plot of old vines that were planted on sand and large rounded stones. After meticulously sorting the grapes, it was vinified using traditional methods and represents a return to the origins of winemaking by co-fermenting the grapes and ageing for 18 months in larger demi-muids. It was then aged for several years in bottle prior to release.

The 2020 growing season in the Southern Rhône began with a mild winter, followed by a hot and dry summer, with slightly cooler nights, which led to wines with good freshness and balance. Conditions during harvest were ideal, resulting in a stress-free vintage with solid yields. Since 2020 lacked lengthier periods of extreme heat, Grenache took its time to ripen. Fortunately, some light rain arrived towards the end of September, and by early October all Grenache grapes were harvested. There is some variance in the quality of wines from 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but overall, the wines are harmonious, fresh, balanced, and engaging, with more delicate tannins and lower alcohol levels, and offer immediate drinkability.

It is also interesting that the 2016 I enjoyed in November 2020 retailed for $86, while this vintage is priced at more than 25% less, an unusual surprise in these highly inflationary times, although the ownership change may have been a factor. Let's see how this organic 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU MAUCOIL PRIVILÈGE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2020 - AC, Rhône, France (#16210) (XD) - $62.95
Certified organic and a blend of 50% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 12% Mourvèdre, 8% Cinsault, Clairette, 5% Bourboulenc, Vaccarèse, Muscardin, Counoise, Terret, Roussanne, Picpoul, and Picardan. The highly aromatic nose is deep and complex with aromas of ripe, dark red & black fruits, black cherry, black raspberry, blackberry, stony mineral, garrigue, white pepper spice, kirsch, and smoke. On the dry, medium-full to full-bodied palate it is ripe, harmonious, gently spicy, and warming, but within balance, with lovely savoury, stony, black-blue fruits, peppery spice, garrigue, and meaty flavours with touches of violet. Acids are crisp, juicy, and succulent, while the ripe tannins are smooth and refined with good structure. Stony, smoky, meaty, and peppery spice notes linger on the finish, with excellent length. Provides immense pleasure now, and will continue to do so over the next 10+ years. Highly recommended buy! Score: 94 pts

Other fine wines by Château Maucoil can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia / Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Hidalgo Faraon Oloroso Sherry (Spain) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely Oloroso Sherry from Spain that arrived at the LCBO last month in the December 16 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection - with good inventory still available across Ontario.

It is produced by Bodegas Hidalgo La Gitana, a renowned Spanish winery that has a long and storied history that began with it's founding in 1792. Bodega Hidalgo was established by Don José Pantaleón Hidalgo in 1792 after he bought a small storage warehouse from Don Roque Vejarano. During the 19th century, the company would grow to become one of the most important producers of Manzanilla, a Fino type of sherry, in the world. Bodegas Hidalgo is situated in a very special enclave of the Catalan town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda. The city enjoys a unique microclimate due to its location at the mouth of the Guadalquivir river, the marshes of Doñana, and facing the Atlantic Ocean. With low terrain, sea breezes are captured behind the town and bring unique characters to the wine.

The family-owned winery was passed down from father to son and is today one of the few remaining wine companies in the region that is still family-managed. Today, it is managed by the 8th generation of the family, in the direct line of the founder. Over the years, the Hidalgo family built a strong reputation for production high-quality sherries. They are known for their commitment to traditional winemaking techniques that define the production of sherry. They also own their own vineyards, most notably the Balbiana and Miraflores estate vineyards that are considered the best in the region, and have complete control of the winemaking process from vineyard to bottle.

From a rather large portfolio of Sherry's, Hidalgo's Faraon is from their Premium range. The Faraon is a dry Oloroso that is made using the traditional oxidative ageing system, from high-quality Palomino Fino grapes grown at their Balbiana and Miraflores estates, which are considered the best in the Jerez region. The grapes were wild fermented using the natural yeasts of the vineyard. After fermentation, the wine underwent oxidative ageing for between 6 and 12 years using the traditional Jerez system of soleras and criaderas. The solera system of sherry maturation is a form of fractional blending, where the wine is matured in a collection of series of casks (referred to as criaderas), and each criadera contains a wine of different average age. Let's see how this Oloroso Sherry is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

HIDALGO FARAON OLOROSO SHERRY - DO Jerez-Xeres-Sherry, Spain (#471078) (XD) (500 mL) - $23.95
Clean, open, and fragrant, the medium-high intensity aromas offer attractive nutty and caramel notes layered over orange, apricot, brown sugar, and honey. The medium+ bodied palate is very dry with oxidative and nutty flavours, plus touches of lemon peel, salty, leesy, and caramel adding complexity. Acids are fresh and well-balanced, while oxidative, leesy, nutty, and salty notes linger on the exceptionally long, dry, and slightly bitter finish. Best served with a light chill. An acquired taste and a highly recommended buy into the world of Oloroso Sherry! Score: 91+ pts

A couple of lovely Sherries by Bodegas Hidalgo La Gitana can be found at the LCBO, while the whole range can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Imagery Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (California) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious, crowd-pleasing, and certified sustainable Cabernet Sauvignon (with a splash of Petite Sirah) that arrived at the LCBO last month as part of the December 16 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Imagery Estate Winery, a sister of Benziger Family Winery. Imagery was forged from a thirst for experimentation and is dedicated to crafting rare wines from uncommon varietals and character-rich vineyards. Imagery aims to shine the spotlight on interesting varietals that are all too often swallowed up in big blends, including international star varietals such as Malbec, Tempranillo, and Lagrein that would broaden the horizon for all wine lovers.

At Imagery, wine is art, and for over twenty years they have been pairing unconventional wines with original artwork at their Sonoma Estate. This artistic spirit is brought forward in their new generation of wines that offer a unique twist on tradition.

The winemaker at Imagery is Jamie Benziger. She grew up between her family's two Sonoma wineries and knew from a young age that she wanted to be part of the family business and work in wine. Initially, she completed her marketing degree and added wine business to her studies, but after her first harvest working in the lab at Benziger, she realized that her heart was really in winemaking. Jamie worked at other wineries in California and New Zealand, learning the chemistry of fine wine and working harvest, eventually returning home in 2015 to work alongside the most incredible winemaker she knew - her Dad, Joe Benziger. Jamie was mentored by her father and just as adventurous, and after Joe retired in 2017, she took over the reins to become the 2nd generation of the Benziger family to become a Winemaker. Jamie has gained notoriety since that time and continues to blaze her own trail in the wine industry.

This red wine is an introduction to the Imagery portfolio. It is crafted with 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petite Sirah that was grown in California's benchland and valley floor vineyards. The vines in these areas search deep for water and nutrients, resulting in grapes that are bursting with concentrated flavours. Furthermore, the skin-to-juice ratio is relatively small, resulting in velvety tannins in the final wine. It was aged in French oak, which contributed toasty vanilla characters to the wine, while also helping soften the tannins to create an approachable, easy-to-drink Cabernet.

The growing season in 2020 started warmer and drier than usual at all the vineyards, while also experiencing below average rainfall throughout the year. Conditions were ideal during flowering in spring, and made for a strong fruit set on the vines, while heat in August and September sped up maturity, leading to an early start on harvest. Let's see how this 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon from California is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

IMAGERY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Sustainable, California, USA (#14369) (D) - $23.95
This blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petite Sirah has a medium+ to medium-high intensity nose offering luscious, ripe dark currant, blackberry, cassis, sweet vanillin, clove, and oak spice aromas. It's medium+ bodied with some sweetness on the palate with ripe, dark currant, cassis, blackberry, clove, vanilla, and oak spice flavours that are supported by fresh, juicy acidity. Smooth, refined tannins are rounded and easy going. It shows nice balance throughout with dark berries notes giving way to a savoury, earthy-smoky finish, with good length. Crowd-pleaser. Score: 87 pts

Other delicious wines by Imagery Estate Winery can be ordered through their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.

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January 6, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Smart Buys

Happy New Year! Here's my top wine picks from the first release of the year - the January 6, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. As has been the case for many years now, the first release of the year is the annual Smart Buys release, where the vast majority of wines are priced under $20, and in this case, nearly 80% of the wines are under $25. This release also includes some Online & Flagship Exclusive (FE) wines, and everything will be available for purchase by this Saturday.

We begin with wines from the Smart Buys theme, and of the twenty-five wines featured, seven are included among my top wine picks, and six of these are actually white wines. The lone blend among the whites is from Greece, and it is a blend of 40% Sauvignon Blanc, 40% Malagousia, and 20% Robola. There is a nice variety of mono-varietal white wines, beginning with a Sauvignon Blanc from Chile, a Muscadet made with Melon de Bourgogne, a Pinot Grigio from Alto Adige in northern Italy, a Verdicchio from Marche, and a dry-ish Riesling from Australia. The only Smart Buy among the reds is the Côtes du Rhône-Villages, which is composed of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 8% Mourvèdre, and 2% other permitted varieties.

There two blends among my red wine recommendations - the Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which consists of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre, and 5% Muscardin, and the Amarone which is composed of 80% Corvina Veronese and 20% Rondinella. The mono-varietal red wines begin in Italy with the organic Brunello di Montalcino that is crafted with Sangiovese, as well as the Nebbiolo from Piedmont. There are also a trio of Australian wines - a Cabernet Sauvignon and a pair of Shiraz wines. Lastly, there is a Malbec from Argentina, and a lovely 2013 Syrah from South Africa.

Since most of my white wine picks are from the thematic, there are only two other white wines included among my recommendations - a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, and a Pecorino from Italy.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• SHANAHANS THE OLD DOG SHIRAZ 2021 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#13030) (XD) - $16.95
• WAKEFIELD ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Limestone Coast / Clare Valley, South Australia (#744235) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• TAPIZ ALTA COLLECTION MALBEC 2020 - Sustainable, San Pablo Vineyard, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#450155) (XD) - $19.95
• SIDEWOOD SHIRAZ 2020 - Adelaide Hills, South Australia (#446146) (XD) - $19.95
• LA NERTHE LES CASSAGNES CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2020 - AP, Rhône, France (#494674) (XD) - $25.95
• RENATO RATTI OCHETTI NEBBIOLO 2021 - DOC Langhe, Piedmont, Italy (#475913) (XD) - $31.95
• DOMAINE CHANTE-PERDRIX CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2021 - AC, Rhône, France (#121723) (XD) - $46.95
• AVONDALE SAMSARA SYRAH 2013 - Sustainable, WO Paarl, South Africa (#32935) (XD) - $47.95  FE
• BERTANI AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA VALPANTENA 2020 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#568741) (D) - $57.95  93 pts  wine review
• COL D'ORCIA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2018 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#306852) (XD) - $59.95  94 pts  wine review

White Wine:

• CHÂTEAU DE LA GRANGE VIEILLES VIGNES CÔTES DE GRAND LIEU MUSCADET 2021 - Sur lie, AP, Loire, France (#637868) (XD) - $13.95
• YALUMBA THE Y SERIES RIESLING 2021 - Vegan, South Australia (#32555) (XD) - $14.95
• SUTIL RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 - Vegan, sustainable, Central Valley, Chile (#35965) (XD) - $15.95  89 pts  wine review
• HATZIMICHALIS ALFEGA WHITE 2022 - PGI Valley of Atalanti, Greece (#33255) (XD) - $15.95  90+ pts  wine review
• FONTEVECCHIA VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2022 - DOC, Marche, Italy (#11140) (XD) - $16.95
• DE ANGELIS CAMPO DI MARTE OFFIDA PECORINO 2022 - DOCG, Marche, Italy (#577734) (XD) - $16.95
• MOUNTADAM FIVE-FIFTY CHARDONNAY 2020 - Eden Valley, South Australia (#22984) (XD) - $17.95  88 pts  wine review
• PETER ZEMMER PINOT GRIGIO 2022 - DOC Alto Adige, Italy (#95802) (XD) - $18.95
• RIVER FARM SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#32547) (XD) - $21.95

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Wakefield Jaraman Shiraz 2021 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review, and my first wine of 2024, is this lovely, premium Australian Shiraz that returned to the LCBO last month in the December 16th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by the renowned and well-respected Wakefield Wines, also known as Taylors Wines in their home market in Australia. The estate winery was established in 1969 by the Wakefield River in Clare Valley, South Australia, by Bill Taylor Sr., a wine merchant who was inspired by Bordeaux wine producers and had a vision of crafting his own family estate wines that rival the best in the world.

Today, the family-owned estate is led by the third generation of the Taylor family - brothers Mitchell, Justin, and Clinton - as they carry on their grandfather's tradition of staying true to their core values of quality, authenticity, and craftsmanship. The Taylor family continues its dedication to crafting wines of exceptional quality by using innovative winemaking techniques, while also implementing sustainable viticultural practices. As stewards of the land, the Taylor family is committed to sustainability in both rural and urban settings, as well as on land and in the sea. Their love for winemaking, keen eye for detail, and commitment to excellence have made Wakefield Wines a renowned producer of some of Australia's top wines.

Wakefield Wines has several ranges of wines, and this particular red wine is from their Jaraman range, which consists of this wine, two other reds, and a Chardonnay. As Australia's iconic wine regions provide great diversity, with the Jaraman range, the Taylor family seeks out parcels of extraordinary fruit to craft wines that showcase their distinctive regional characteristics and style. The grapes for Jaraman wines are sourced from celebrated Australian wine regions that are renowned for their particular variety. At the winery, the winemakers ensure that the distinct regional characteristics are preserved and enhanced, with the fruit playing the leading role in the wine, while any winemaking influence plays only a supporting role. Jaraman wines showcase the skill and dedication of the winemakers towards their philosophy of respecting the fruit.

Like the 2020 Wakefield Jaraman Shiraz that I enjoyed a couple of summers ago, this red wine from Australia is crafted with 100% Shiraz from fruit grown in both Clare Valley (54%) and McLaren Vale (46%), a blend that has been more or less the same for several vintages now. The individual parcels were kept separate during the vinification process and after fermentation, the wines were matured for an average of 12 months in used coopers’ American oak hogsheads, with 30% in 1-year-old casks and the rest in 2-3 year-old casks. The different parcels were then blended and bottled.

Idyllic growing conditions that were slightly warmer than average were prevalent throughout most of Australia during 2021. The season was markedly calm, with a near perfect ratio between warm, sunny days and intermittent rain. In the Clare Valley, the grapes produced wines of excellent quality and high acidity, while McLaren Vale had healthy yields that were bolstered by rainfall in early February. A mild Autumn in McLaren Vale kept sugar levels at bay and helped produce grapes with strong varietal definition, concentrated aromas, and deep colour and tannins. Overall, it is a vintage rated as good-to-excellent and produced fantastic wines from South Australia.

After enjoying a different bottling of the 2021 Wakefield Jaraman Shiraz last summer, let's see how this 2021 Australian Shiraz is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

WAKEFIELD JARAMAN SHIRAZ 2021 - Clare Valley/McLaren Vale, South Australia (#377036) (XD) - $24.95
Screw cap. The fragrant and open, the medium-high to highly aromatic nose delivers rich, dark fruited, jammy blackberry, minty herb, and wood spice aromas layered over dark currant, and dark plum. It's medium+ bodied on the dry, dark, and sweet fruited palate with jammy blackberry, cedary oak, minty herb, dark currant, black pepper, black cherry, and dark plum flavours which are supported by fresh, well-balanced acidity. Ripe tannins are smooth and refined, with good structure and a mild grip. Smoky mineral notes linger on the long, savoury finish. Enjoy this recommended buy over the next 5+ years. Score: 90 pts

Other lovely Wakefield Wines can be purchased at the LCBO or through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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