August 24, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: West Coast

This is the first release since the end of the LCBO strike, and features wines that were originally supposed to be released on Aug. 10th, but are now part of the August 24, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. It's a big release with more than 140 wines offered, while the theme of the release is titled West Coast Wine Country. All the wines should be on LCBO VINTAGES shelves across Ontario already.

We'll begin with the theme, which is titled "A Trip Through West Coast Wine Country" and features fourteen wines, all from the states of California, Washington, and Oregon, as British Columbia was left out of the picture. Only two of these wines are among my top wine picks, and both are from Sonoma County, with an Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon which is a blend that includes 5% Merlot and 5% Malbec, and a rosé which consists of 90% Grenache, plus Syrah and Carignan completing the blend.

Somewhat surprisingly, all my top red wine picks outside the theme come in at under $25. Among the blends there is the Chianti Classico that is composed of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot, as well as the Rhône red which is 50/50 Grenache and Syrah. The only other blend is the Valpolicella, which is a blend of Corvina and Rondinella. Other lovely mono-varietal red wines include a Frappato from Sicily, a Merlot from Bordeaux, and a Tempranillo from Rioja.

Among my top white wine recommendations, we start in Greece with a top Assyrtiko from Santorini, followed by another Assyrtiko which is from Drama. Staying in Greece, there is also a fine Malagouzia. On the local front, there is a fine Fumé Blanc, which is a barrel fermented and aged Sauvignon Blanc, as well as the off-dry Phoenix, which is made with 100% Gewürztraminer, and a medium-sweet Riesling from Niagara. Other white wines include a Grillo from Sicily, a skin-contact Pinot Grigio from Italy, and the Rhône white, which is a blend of 60/40 Grenache Blanc and Viognier.

Both of my rosé wine picks from France are blends, with the Tavel a blend of Grenache, Clairette, Cinsault, Bourboulenc, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. From the Languedoc, the Béziers rosé is a blend of 45% Cinsault, 40% Grenache, 10% Caladoc, and 5% Syrah, while the Midi rosé is made with 70% Grenache, 15% Syrah, and 15% Marselan. From Niagara, the Malivoire Rosé is crafted with 100% Pinot Noir. Lastly, the bubbly from South Africa is 100% Chardonnay.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• TAPIZ MALBEC 2021 - Sustainable, Mendoza, Argentina (#36315) (XD) - $14.95
• DOMAINE LA DÉCELLE RÉSERVE CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES VALRÉAS 2020 - AC, France (#14391) (XD) - $15.95
• CHÂTEAU CLOU DU PIN 2021 - AC Bordeaux Supérieur, France (#28727) (XD) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review
• CASTELLI DEL GREVEPESA CASTELGREVE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 - Sustainable, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#573485) (XD) - $18.95  90 pts  wine review
• CREMASCHI FURLOTTI GRAN RESERVA CARMENÈRE 2019 - Sustainable, Vegan, DO Valle del Loncomilla, Valle del Maule, Chile (#549741) (XD) - $19.95
• LEALTANZA ÚNICO 12 MESES ROBLE FRANCÉS 2018 - Vegan, DOCa Rioja, Spain (#37475) (XD) - $22.95
• TEZZA VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO VALPANTENA SUPERIORE 2020 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#25823) (D) - $24.95  90+ pts  wine review
• VITE COLTE SOGNI AL CAMPO NEBBIOLO 2021 - DOC Langhe, Piedmont, Italy (#17572) (XD) - $24.95  90+ pts  wine review
• PLANETA FRAPPATO 2022 - Sustainable, DOC Sicilia Vittoria, Italy (#508655) (XD) - $24.95
• RODNEY STRONG ALEXANDER VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Sustainable, Sonoma County, California, USA (#350454) (XD) - $34.95  91 pts  wine review

White Wine:

• LAVAU CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2022 - AC, France (#36914) (XD) - $16.95  88+ pts  wine review
• FEATHERSTONE PHOENIX 2023 - Sustainable, Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#519025) (D) - $18.95  90+ pts  wine review
• ALPHA ESTATE TURTLES SINGLE VINEYARD MALAGOUZIA 2023 - Vegan, PGI Florina, Greece (#32161) (XD) - $18.95  91 pts  wine review
• ATTEMS RAMATO PINOT GRIGIO 2023 - DOC Friuli, Italy (#111732) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• HIEDLER PHENOMENON GRÜNER VELTLINER 2023 - Qualitätswein, Niederösterreich, Austria (#39119) (XD) - $19.95
• MEGALOMANIAC NARCISSIST RIESLING 2021 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#67587) (M) - $19.95
• REGALEALI CAVALLO DELLE FATE GRILLO 2022 - Sustainable, DOC Sicilia, Italy (#36662) (XD) - $23.95
• WINE ART ESTATE IDISMA DRIOS ASSYRTIKO 2022 - PGI Drama, Greece (#36834) (XD) - $28.95  91+ pts  wine review
• HIDDEN BENCH ROSOMEL VINEYARD FUMÉ BLANC 2021 - Sustainable, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#68825) (XD) - $29.95
• ARGYROS ASSYRTIKO 2022 - PDO Santorini, Greece (#387365) (XD) - $45.95  94+ pts  wine review

Rosé Wine:

• LE BIJOU DE SOPHIE VALROSE ROSÉ 2023 - Vegan, IGP Coteaux de Béziers, Languedoc, France (#20012) (XD) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
• DOMAINE D'ESPEYRAN ELÉGANCE ROSÉ 2021 - IGP Terres du Midi, Languedoc, France (#37825) (XD) - $17.95
• 13TH STREET EXPRESSION SERIES CABERNET FRANC ROSÉ 2023 - Sustainable, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#20359) (XD) - $17.95
• DOMAINE TERRE DAVAU TAVEL ROSÉ 2023 - AC, Rhône, France (#37680) (XD) - $19.95  90 pts  wine review
• MALIVOIRE VIVANT ROSÉ 2023 - Sustainable, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#498535) (XD) - $21.95  91+ pts  wine review
• ANGELS & COWBOYS ROSÉ 2023 - Sonoma County, California, USA (#493155) (XD) - $25.95  89 pts  wine review

Sparkling Wine:

• L'ORMARINS CAP CLASSIQUE BLANC DE BLANCS 2018 - Traditional method, WO Western Cape, South Africa (#15681) (XD) - $28.95

Dessert Wine:

• FEATHERSTONE FROSTBITE SELECT LATE HARVEST GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2022 - Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#39276) (S) (375mL) - $29.95  92 pts  wine review

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Castelli del Grevepesa Castelgreve Chianti Classico 2021 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Chianti Classico that is mainly Sangiovese. It is featured on the back cover of the August 24th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection printed magazine (which is unavailable) and being released in stores and online this weekend due to the implications of the strike, and can be purchased now.

Like the excellent 2019 Clemente VII Gran Selezione Chianti Classico and other wines I've enjoyed in the past, this red wine is produced by Castelli del Grevepesa. Situated in the Chianti Classico region of Tuscany, Italy, Castelli del Grevepesa is a modern, co-operative winery that has a history which is deeply intertwined with the rich winemaking heritage of the Chianti Classico wine region.

Castelli del Grevepesa was established with a mission to safeguard and promote the traditional viticulture of Tuscany in 1965 by visionary Sir Armando Nunzi and an initial group of seventeen winegrowers as one of Italy's first co-operative wineries. As small-scale growers, they realized the potential of pooling their resources and generations of know-how to produce wine collectively. In the co-operative model of winemaking, individual vineyard growers maintain their own autonomy in the vineyard, while benefiting from shared facilities, including equipment, and sharing knowledge.

The co-operative has experienced steady growth over the years, growing to more than 120 associate growers to become Chianti Classico's largest family today. Castelli del Grevepesa combines modern and innovative winemaking techniques and technologies with tradition to craft high-quality wines representative of the Chianti Classico wine region, while also upholding the principles of sustainability and environmental stewardship to preserve the land for future generations. Today, Castelli del Grevepesa has great passion and love for their land with a goal to produce wines of high quality at affordable prices.

From their Castelgreve range of wines, which reflect the winery's dedication to crafting high-quality wines that represent the essence of the Chianti Classico region, this red wine is composed of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot primarily from the San Casciano area where the vineyards are planted on ancient alluvial deposits. The grapes were hand-harvested with individual bunch selection and upon arriving at the winery, they were fermented at a controlled temperature of 28°C, with 10 days of skin maceration. The wine underwent ageing for 12 months in Slavonian oak barrels, followed by bottle refining for at least 1 month prior to release.

While vintages in Chianti Classico are difficult to generalize, by all accounts, the 2021 vintage is a magnificent one with consistently high quality wines across the board. The growing season began with a fast start as February was especially warmer than usual, while the warm temperatures returned to normal in March. There were some severe frosts at the beginning of April, but the summer months from June to August experienced elevated temperatures with very little rain. Overall, it was a warm vintage with large diurnal temperature shifts (i.e. daytime highs and nighttime lows) during the last month of ripening helped build colour, tannins, and retain acidity. Let's see how this 2021 Chianti Classico Annata is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CASTELLI DEL GREVEPESA CASTELGREVE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 - Sustainable, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#573485) (XD) - $18.95
This blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot has a fragrant, medium-high intensity nose that is elegantly composed with a fine mix of wood spices, black & red cherry, savoury wet earth, clove, and underbrush aromas, plus hints of cinnamon and blood orange. On the medium-full+ bodied palate it has very good concentration with lovely red & black cherries, red plum, clove, sweet wood spices, cinnamon, earthy oak, and dried herb flavours, all of which is supported by very good, juicy acidity. The fine, creamy tannins are smooth, well-structured, and integrating very nicely. Savoury earth, cocoa, and dried herb notes with a touch of mineral lingers on the long and very satisfying finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the next 3-5 years! Score: 90 pts

While some of the lovely wines by Castelli del Grevepesa wines are available at the LCBO, the entire range can be ordered while collecting AirMiles through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Château Clou du Pin 2021 (Bordeaux) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely follow-up to the lovely 2020 Château Clou du Pin Premium that I enjoyed just over a year ago. This red wine is coming to the LCBO next weekend as part of the August 10, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES Release Collection (which was merged with the Aug. 24th Release due to the strike) and is already available for purchase in-stores and online right now.

It is produced by Domaines Fontana, a family winery that was founded in 1950 by Huguette and Angelo Fontana. The young couple, who were in their mid-twenties, had a dream in mind and settled in the small town of Gensac in Gironde, about 15 km southeast of Saint-Émilion and 60 km east of Bordeaux. They chose Gensac because of the wealth of the land in the area where they could plant vineyards and build a cellar.

As the vineyard grew over the years, so did the Fontana family, as Huguette and Angelo had 5 children who grew up in the heart of the Estate and picked up their parent's passion for viticulture and wine. As adults, the boys of the second generation of the Fontana family joined the business and helped it grow by acquiring plots of neighbouring vines and investing in various trades that were present at the Estate. Huguette and Angelo's grandchildren, the third generation of the Fontana family, have also joined the family Estate and bring with them their modernity, a fresh gaze, dynamism, and youth, as well as a common desire to share their passion for the vine and wine.

Today, Domaines Fontana has over 300 hectares of land, most of which is situated within the commune of Gensac, but also extending over neighbouring and bordering communes. The family has worked hard to make their wines known across the globe, to try and reach as many consumers as possible. Domaines Fontana is certified HVE3 (High Environmental Value), a certificate which recognizes good environmental and health practices in the vineyard. Their main objective is to achieve the highest level of quality by combining tradition with innovative techniques to produce wines which they are proud of, as well as praised by those who taste them.

Like the previous vintage, this red wine is crafted using 100% Merlot that was grown on clay-limestone soils, on hillsides which are situated up to 120 metres above sea level. The vines have south-southwest exposure to the sun, which is ideal for ripening grapes to full maturity. Domaines Fontana practices both traditional and reasoned viticulture from pruning to vinification. The soil is enriched with only organic manure. To craft a structured and concentrated wine, only grapes from low-yielding plots are selected during harvest. Upon arriving at the winery, the grapes are destemmed and macerated for 30 days, followed by fermentation in stainless steel vats which are equipped with a thermoregulation system with micro-oxygenation that is monitored. It was aged for a minimum of 12 months in barrel.

The 2021 growing season in Bordeaux posed several challenges, including frosts, millerandage, and mildew, but with careful viticulture and hard work, some very good wines were made. Winter was mild and wetter than usual, which resulted in early budbreak. However, this meant that vulnerable buds were exposed to the damaging frosts of early April. This resulted in poor fruit set, which affected yields. May brought cool weather, which slowed vine growth, while heavy rainstorms fell from June to early-July, keeping vignerons on their toes as they tried to guard against mildew development. Fortunately, conditions were much improved in August and September with the arrival of warm and dry weather, which stopped the rot and promoted ripening. From a cooler-than-average growing season, let's see how this 2021 Bordeaux Supérieur red wine is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU CLOU DU PIN 2021 - AC Bordeaux Supérieur, France (#28727) (XD) - $18.95
This 100% Merlot has a fresh, medium-high intensity nose that delivers currant, cassis, black cherry, wood spice, black plum, sweet spices, and earthy aromas with touches of mineral adding further complexity. On the dry, medium-full bodied palate it has lovely, balanced aroma replays on the flavour profile. It's supported by fresh, gently tangy acidity and smooth, supple tannins with good structure. Earthy, savoury, and minerally on the long, juicy finish. Enjoyable now and over the next 5+ years. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

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

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Thalia Wines (Greece) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wine reviews are a trio of wines from Greece that I've had in my possession for nearly a couple of years now. While these particular vintages are long sold out, the latest vintage of each wine is widely available at LCBO outlets across Ontario at a about $1+ more than the price noted below.

All three wines are produced by Thalia Wines, a wine brand from Greece that was established by Steve Kriaris of Kolonaki Group of Companies. In addition to importing many boutique Greek wines into Canada, he also began producing and importing Thalia Wines - a range of three, diverse wines that are rooted in the rich tradition and craftsmanship of Greek winemaking.

The brand is inspired by Thalia, the eighth of nine Greek muses which inspired artists to create. She was born to Zeus, king of the gods, and Mnemosyne, the personification of thought, intellect, and memory, and the Mother of the arts. Thalia is the goddess of comedy, poetry, and festivity, and the one who inspired laughter to emanate from Greek theatres. To the ancient Greek philosophers, Thalia was the inspiration for their symposiums where they drank wine, listened and danced to music, debated, recited poetry, and revelled the night away.

Thalia is this wine brand's muse as she embodies their wines borne of ancient Greek lands and carries the fermentations of inspired generations in its genes. Thalia wines are best enjoyed amongst friends and loved ones, where we subconsciously desire to recreate the ancient Greek gatherings and enjoy each other's company, thoughts, and laughter.

The entire range of Thalia wines consists of 3 wines - a red, white, and rosé. All three wines are two-varietal blends that combine a native variety with an international variety. The 2021 vintage wines reviewed below are all from a good vintage, so let's see how these Greek wines are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

THALIA ROSÉ (2021) - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#27148) (XD) - $10.95
A blend of 80% Agiorgitiko, Greece's noblest red grape variety, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. After hand-harvesting the grapes, each variety spent 2 to 3 hours on its skins. The free-run wine must was then blended and fermented together at low temperatures using selected yeast. Enclosed by screw cap and pours a medium orange-pink salmon hue. The medium+ to medium-high intensity nose delivers dried herb, white pepper spice, grapefruit, citrus, and blood orange aromas with hints of stony minerality. It's nicely textured on the medium+ to medium-full bodied and dry palate with delicious dried herb, peppery spice, grapefruit, citrus, and red apple flavours supported by very good, crisp acidity. It has a nicely textured mouthfeel, while red currant and berry notes join the herbal and grapefruit characters on the juicy, dry finish, with very good length. Recommended buy! Score: 88+ pts

THALIA WHITE (2021) - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#273490) (XD) - $11.50
This blend of 70% Assyrtiko, one of Greece's highest quality grapes and comes from the high altitudes of the Achaia region, and 30% Sauvignon Blanc, each variety was hand-harvested and fermented separately at low temperatures using selected yeast, followed by ageing on its fine lees for 2 months. Fresh and fragrant with ripe aromas of lemon citrus, hay, orange, and grapefruit, plus some intriguing yeasty, doughy, autolytic characters adding complexity. The medium+ bodied palate is dry and ripe with slightly honeyed notes of lemon citrus, grapefruit, apple, and wild herbs, with touches of leesy minerality. Acids are juicy and well-balanced. Subtle spice on the mid-palate, while citrus and leesy mineral notes linger on the lengthy, crisp finish. Well-made and a highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

THALIA RED (2021) - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#15285) (XD) - $11.60
This blend of 80% Agiorgitiko and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon was hand-harvested and had gentle skin contact for one week. After undergoing alcoholic and malolactic fermentation, the two varieties were blended and aged. It has a fragrant, medium+ intensity nose of ripe black cherry, red plum, vanilla oak spice, and sweet cinnamon aromas with savoury earth accents. On the medium+ bodied palate it is dry with good structure that supports the black cherry, currant, plum, cassis, savoury earth, coffee, and gently oak spice flavours. It has very good, juicy acidity and smooth, supple tannins with a lightly grippy texture. There's some pleasant bitterness on the mid-palate, while earthy, dark cherry, coffee, and spice notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Should continue to age gracefully over the next 2-3 years. Score: 88+ pts

The latest edition of all three wines are widely available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.

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Grand Vin de Glenelly Red 2009 (South Africa) - Wine Review

After enjoying the lovely 2020 Glenelly Glass Collection Cabernet Sauvignon on Friday night to start the long weekend, I am ending the Civic Holiday long weekend with a beautiful Shiraz-Cabernet blend from the same producer for tonight's wine review. I purchased this red wine from an LCBO VINTAGES Release in November 2015 and thought it would be appropriate to open this wine tonight, considering that my notes initial notes suggested that I should have opened it by 2021, and also because I met Nicolas Bureau, the grandson of Glenelly's founder, May de Lencquesaing, at the recent PIWOSA tasting and he suggested that I should probably open this bottle soon.

While no longer produced, this red wine used to be Glenelly Estate's signature red blend. Composed of 42% Shiraz, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot, all the grapes were picked and sorted by hand, and then lightly crushed into stainless steel tanks. It underwent a natural fermentation and remained in contact with its skin for two to three weeks post-fermentation. The wine was then gently pressed and run into equally new, second fill, and third fill French oak barrels for malolactic fermentation and aging in barrels for 18 months.

This red wine hails from the legendary 2009 vintage that was excellent across the board and considered one of South Africa's best vintages. Let's see how this 2009 Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon blend from South Africa is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

GRAND VIN DE GLENELLY RED 2009 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#360339) (D) - $19.95
This blend of 42% Shiraz, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot pours a deep tawny colour. Earthy, cigar box, and mushroomy with perfumed sandalwood, stewed plum, dark berry, and black cherry aromas rising out of the glass with medium+ to medium-high intensity. On the dry, medium-full bodied palate it has very good structure with a lovely savoury flavour profile of wet earth, sandalwood, cigar box, and oak spice flavours, plus some stewed and fresh blackberry, black cherry, plum notes adding complexity and interest. Acids are still quite fresh and juicy, while the well-structured, fine-grained tannins are integrating nicely. Somewhat chalky textured on the mid-palate, while the finish is long, savoury, and earthy. Still quite well-balanced, with the alcohol just starting to peak through, while the fruit has not shifted into the dried spectrum yet. Could be aged another year or two. Great buy! Score: 91 pts

Other lovely wines by Glenelly Estate can be purchased at the LCBO, or through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Glenelly Glass Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (South Africa) - Wine Review

To begin my long weekend, tonight's red wine review is a lovely Cabernet Sauvignon from Stellenbosch in South Africa that arrived at the LCBO last month in the July 6th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Glenelly Estate, an estate winery with a rich heritage that dates back to its establishment in 1682 when Simon van der Stel ceded the land to a French Huguenot, François Villion. However, it was only after the estate was purchased by May de Lencquesaing in 2003 that Glenelly Estate became a wine estate of note.

May de Lencquesaing's family has a centuries-long legacy in the wine industry. Since May's childhood in the heart of Bordeaux's vineyards, she had travelled the world and discovered the amazing diversity of terroirs, and on her first visit to Stellenbosch, she knew she wanted to realize her dream and start a new adventure outside of France. After visiting many vineyards, May de Lencquesaing, at the age of 78, recognized the exciting potential of Glenelly Estate, which was situated on the lower slopes of Simonsberg Mountain, and decided to acquire it in 2003. With the purchase of Glenelly Estate, May wanted to create quality wines by combining French heritage and South Africa's soil and microclimate. Her vision was to establish Glenelly Estate as a world-class estate that produces award-winning wines with power, elegance, and balance.

With a nod to French settlers 300 years prior, Lady May replaced the existing fruit trees and planted vines as a way to establish her vision that best utilizes the soils and microclimate of the valley, while also supporting local economic development and the community. While always endeavouring to positively contribute to every community where she is associated with, in South Africa, May de Lencquesaing is paying special attention within the Glenelly community by focusing on housing, training, and education for her employees' children.

Sustainability is also an important focus for the family. At Glenelly Estate, they do their utmost to ensure a minimal carbon footprint both in the vineyards and at the winery. Some of the steps they have taken towards a more sustainable future include promoting biodiversity and improving the soil life in the vineyards, while also avoiding herbicides or pesticides, as well as planting cover crops between the rows of vines. In 2018, Glenelly began experimenting with organic viticulture, and by 2025 they intend to be fully certified organic. Water resources are carefully managed by using a virtually closed system, with minimal irrigation. The state-of-the-art winery facility was built with environmentally friendly practices in mind. Some of the items built include the use of a 4-level gravity-fed cellar that is only exposed to the gentle morning sun, and a glass facade which allows for natural light and reduces electricity usage. Concrete with 15 km of pipes snaking through the walls and ceilings was used to construct the cellar - concrete because it is thermally very stable and needs very little energy to maintain, while the pipes have cool water running through them, which reduces energy usage by 70%. On the roof, there are cylindrical tubes (void formers) which lock air inside the structure, as well as solar panels which provide the winery with all the electricity it needs.

The label of every bottle of Glenelly wine has a 1783 stamp, which signifies the family's 250 years of involvement in the continues into the 21st century at Glenelly Estate in South Africa. The family's ancestor, Elie Miailhe, was granted the title of "Royal Wine Broker" in 1783, with May de Lencquesaing (neé Miailhe) continuing this tradition together with her grandchildren, Nicolas and Maxime Bureau.

This red wine is from Glenelly's Glass Collection range, which celebrates May's lifelong passion for the art of glassmaking. It is crafted using 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that was selected from various parcels grown on the slopes of Glenelly. The grapes were harvested and brought into the winery where they were lightly crushed into stainless steel tanks. It was wild fermented using natural ambient yeast with a mixture of rack-and-returns and open pump-overs, followed by post-fermentation skin contact which lasted for 2 to 3 weeks, and then undergoing a gentle press. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels and was racked, on average, every 4 months, and then matured in oak for 12 months.

The growing season began with an exceptionally warm and dry spring, which resulted in good and even bud burst, while temperatures were in-line with historical averages during flowering and berry set period, with significantly fewer fluctuations. Good rainfall towards the end of October replenished the dry soil profile, which resulted in stress-free flowering and berry set. Moderate climatic conditions during the growing season, as well as seasonal rainfall just before harvest, laid the foundation for a good harvest that produced grapes of excellent quality. Effective canopy management and helped promote ripening, and good levels of acidity and sugar. The sustained, moderate temperatures until the end of March led to effective plant functioning and full maturity, which resulted in great concentration, structure, and desired alcohol levels. From an excellent vintage, let's see how this 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon from South Africa is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

GLENELLY GLASS COLLECTION CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#13316) (XD) - $18.95
Enclosed by screw cap, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon has a lovely, medium-high intensity nose that is fresh, balanced, and complex with red & black fruits, currant, cassis, blackberry, grilled herbs, mint, toasty oak spice, and savoury earth aromas. On the dry, medium-full bodied palate it has delicious aroma replays joined by some ripe plummy notes and smoke adding further complexity on the flavour profile. Acids are fresh and juicy, while the supple, well-structured tannins have a slightly chalky textured grip that will soften with time. Nicely balanced throughout with blackberry, savoury earth, and smoky notes lingering on the long, crisp finish. A highly recommended buy to enjoy to the end of the decade. Score: 90+ pts

A few bottles of Glenelly's flagship Lady May is available at the LCBO, while the rest of their portfolio can be ordered (while also collecting Air Miles) through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Quinta das Carvalhas Touriga Nacional 2011 (Portugal) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Touriga Nacional that I purchased over 9 years ago when it appeared as a new arrived at the LCBO in the May 30, 2015 LCBO VINTAGES Release. While a newer vintage did show up in VINTAGES a few years later, this red wine hasn't been seen on LCBO shelves since 2018 and, of course, is long sold out!

The excellent 2011 vintage had a cooler-than-normal summer, followed by a warm and dry harvest which produced powerful and structured red wines. Let's see how this 2011 Touriga Nacional from Douro Valley is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

QUINTA DAS CARVALHAS TOURIGA NACIONAL 2011 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#408112) (XD) - $21.95
Lovely, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose reveals maturing red berry and rose floral aromas surrounding a perfumed core of blackberry, plum, fine wood spice, and sweet spice notes. On the medium+ weighted palate it has very smooth and fine, integrated tannins and crisp, juicy acidity that supports the maturing black cherry, savoury wet earth, wood spice, cinnamon, plum, and blackberry flavours in a complex profile. Still has some fresh fruit characters and good structure on the well-balanced palate. Savoury wet earth with some dried cherry and floral character notes linger on the long, crisp, and gently grippy finish. Should continue to drink well over the next 3+ years. Score: 91 pts

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