December 14, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Bubbles

Happy holidays! Here are my top wine picks from the December 14, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, which is the last release of the year. The feature story in this release focuses on - what else? - Sparkling Wines for holiday and end-of-year celebrations. There are 135 wines on offer in this release, and it includes a selection of Online & Flagship Exclusive (OFE) wines. All the wines should be available for purchase by Saturday. The prices noted below include HST, which will be removed when purchasing.

We'll begin with the feature story that focuses on sparkling wines from around the world. Of the seventeen bubblies included as part of the theme, six are included among my top sparkling wine picks. Most of my sparkling wine picks from the theme are relatively wallet-friendly at under $33, with the exception being the 2017 vintage Champagne ($136) that is crafted with 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. On the local front, there are a couple of fine vintage sparkling wines from Niagara's Kew Vineyards - the Blanc de Blancs, which is crafted with Chardonnay, and the Blanc de Noirs, which is made with Pinot Noir. The sparkling wine from Loire is a blend of 80% Chenin Blanc and 20% Chardonnay, while the bubbles from Provence is composed of Syrah and Grenache. And lastly, the vintage Cava is a blend of 50% Xarel·lo, 35% Macabeu, and 15% Perallada.

There are two other sparkling wines not part of the feature story but also worth a look. From Champagne, the Bollinger Brut Rosé is crafted with 62% Pinot Noir, 24% Chardonnay, and 14% Meunier, while the Palmer Brut Réserve is approximately 50% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir, and 20% Meunier. Lastly, the Hidden Bench sparkling wine from Niagara is made using 57% Pinot Noir and 43% Chardonnay.

My top red wine picks begin in Napa Valley, with the iconic Silver Oak Cab Sauv that is actually a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, and 1% Malbec. Tuscany has five wine recommendations among my picks, with Brunello di Montalcino made with 100% Sangiovese, while the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is 70% Sangiovese (Prugnolo Gentile) with Canaiolo making up most of the remaining blend. The Riserva Chianti Classico is composed of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo + other varieties, while the Isole e Olena Chianti Classico is of a similar blend, and the Vallepicciola Chianti Classico is 100% Sangiovese. Also from Italy, the red wine from Sicily is crafted with Nero d'Avola, while the Barolo is made with, of course, Nebbiolo. The Côtes du Rhône red is a blend of 85% Grenache, 10% Shiraz, and 5% Mourvèdre, while the Australian GSM red is an unspecified blend of Grenache, Shiraz, and Mataro. From Chile, the Cabernet Franc includes 5% Petit Verdot, while the Argentine red is an 80/20 blend of Malbec and Touriga Nacional. Lastly, the red wine from Spain is composed of 40% Grenache, 40% Tempranillo, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Cariñena.

Among my white wine picks, the only blend is the Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, which is crafted with nearly half Grenache Blanc, plus Roussanne, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Piquepoul, and Picardin rounding out the blend. Other white wines include a Chardonnay from South Africa, and a couple of Sauvignon Blancs - one each from New Zealand and Friuli, and a pair of dry Rieslings - one each from Alsace and Austria. The sweet wine among the lot is the lovely Gewürztraminer from Alsace.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release and have a safe and happy holiday season! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• MONTES LIMITED SELECTION PINOT NOIR 2022 - DO Aconcagua Costa, Chile (#37937) (XD) - $15.95  90 pts  wine review
• MONASTERIO DE LAS VIÑAS RESERVA 2019 - DO Cariñena, Spain (#166579) (XD) - $16.95
• HALOS DE JUPITER CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2022 - AC, France (#276956) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• KABILE RESERVE SYRAH 2016 - PGI Thracian Valley, Bulgaria (#41369) (XD) - $19.95
• VIÑALBA RESERVA MALBEC / TOURIGA NACIONAL 2022 - Vegan, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#442459) (XD) - $19.95
• VALLEPICCIOLA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#39690) (XD) - $19.95  review coming soon...
  

• PÉREZ CRUZ LIMITED EDITION CABERNET FRANC 2022 - DO Valle del Maipo, Chile (#10591) (XD) - $19.95  90+ pts  wine review
• TASCA D'ALMERITA REGALEALI LAMÙRI 2020 - DOC Sicily, Italy (#36750) (XD) - $23.95
• TORBRECK OLD VINES GRENACHE / MOURVÈDRE / SHIRAZ 2022 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#10223) (XD) - $24.95
• CARPINETO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#47118) (XD) - $31.95  90+ pts  wine review
• CARPINETO RISERVA VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO 2019 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#368910) (XD) - $34.95  91+ pts  wine review

• ISOLE E OLENA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#704346) (XD) - $45.95  93 pts  wine review
• FLOWERS PINOT NOIR 2022 - Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, USA (#215202) (XD) - $69.95
• RENATO RATTI MARCENASCO BAROLO 2020 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#713479) (XD) - $78.95  93 pts  wine review
• LA FIORITA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2019 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#998195) (XD) - $103.95  OFE  93 pts  wine review
• SILVER OAK NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#936039) (XD) - $325.95  94 pts  wine review

White Wine:

• PITARS BRAIDA SANTA CECILIA SAUVIGNON 2022 - DOC Friuli, Italy (#30119) (XD) - $16.95
• BABICH SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 - Sustainable, Vegan, Wairau Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#36903) (XD) - $23.95
• DE WETSHOF BON VALLON CHARDONNAY 2023 - WO Robertson, South Africa (#403675) (XD) - $24.95
• TRIMBACH RIESLING 2022 - AC Alsace, France (#734517) (XD) - $29.95
• BRÜNDLMAYER TERRASSEN RIESLING 2023 - DAC Kamptal, Austria (#40885) (XD) - $34.95  OFE
• DOMAINES SCHLUMBERGER KESSLER GEWURZTRAMINER 2021 - AC Alsace Grand Cru, France (#307694) (MS) - $37.95  OFE
• E. GUIGAL CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE BLANC 2021 - AC, Rhône, France (#28618) (XD) - $71.95  OFE  93 pts  wine review

Sparkling Wine:

• RIVAROSE BRUT PRESTIGE ROSÉ SPARKLING - IGP Méditerranée, Salon de Provence, France (#515288) (D) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• BOUVET LADUBAY BOUVET BRUT DE LOIRE SAUMUR BRUT SPARKLING - Traditional method, AC, Loire, France (#40866) (XD) - $19.95
• JUVE & CAMPS BRUT NATURE GRAN RESERVA RESERVA DE FAMILIA CAVA 2019 - Traditional method, Spain (#39815) (XD) - $27.95
• KEW BLANC DE NOIRS 2020 - Traditional method, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#380030) (D) - $32.95  90+ pts  wine review
• KEW BLANC DE BLANCS 2017 - Traditional method, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#438994) (D) - $32.95  91+ pts  wine review
• HIDDEN BENCH NATUR ZÉRO DOSAGE SPARKLING 2017 - Traditional method, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#42220) (XD) - $47.20
• PALMER BRUT RÉSERVE CHAMPAGNE - AC, France (#39865) (XD) - $85.95  review coming soon...
  
• LOUIS ROEDERER ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE 2017 - AC, France (#368415) (XD) - $135.95
• BOLLINGER BRUT ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE - AC, France (#100503) (XD) - $149.95  OFE

Fortified Wine:

• HIDALGO LA GITANA TRIANA PEDRO XIMENEZ SHERRY - DO, Spain (#39467, 500 mL) (S) - $25.95

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Deux Roches Les Pommards Saint-Véran 2021 (Burgundy) - Wine Review

After enjoying the lovely 2021 Deux Roches Vieilles Vignes Pouilly-Fuissé a couple of months ago, for tonight's white wine review we go up a notch with this excellent, single vineyard Chardonnay from Burgundy that was a brand-new arrival at the LCBO last month as an Online & Flagship Exclusive in the November 16 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection - with plenty still available for purchase today!

Like the Pouilly-Fuissé, this white wine is produced by Deux Roches, the Burgundy estate winery that is run by two long-time friends, Christian Collovray and Jean-Luc Terrier, who are behind Collovray et Terrier. The Domaine of Deux Roches is situated in the heart of the picturesque Mâconnais landscape, in the village of Davayé to the north of the Saint-Véran AOC, and specializes in the production of Chardonnay wines in the Mâconnais style. Deux Roches, which translates to "Two Rocks", gets its name from the two limestone rocks of Vergisson and Solutré that are situated in the area.

Deux Roches' story begins in 1928, when Joanny Collovray settled in the small village of Davayé to farm the land with various crops, including grapevines, and produce goat's cheese. Joanny was a simple tenant farmer and produced some wine on the property, while letting merchants take care of selling the wine. In 1940, Collovray's wines were mentioned in the press for their quality. In 1956, Henri Collovray, son of Joanny, took over the property and extended the family's vineyard holdings by purchasing a few parcels in the Mâcon-Davayé appellation. At the young age of 16, Christian Collovray, son of Henri, began working the vines and, eventually, gave up animal farming to solely focus on winegrowing.

The Terrier family had no history of cultivating vines, but Léon Terrier was the village blacksmith and worked alongside local winegrowers. His son, Jean-Luc Terrier, chose to go to an agricultural college and specialize in viticulture, and crossed paths with his childhood friend and neighbour, Christian Collovray. Together, Christian and Jean-Luc shared a love for vines and wines, a bond which grew even closer when they married sisters Brigitte and Florence, who were from a family of winegrowers.

Today, with the next generation joining the family business, Deux Roches is recognized for producing great wines that respect terroir and tradition, at relatively accessible prices. With agricultural roots, they know that everything begins in the vineyard as they work the soil and have respect for the vegetation. Perfection is the objective, while also recognizing that adapting to the year's weather conditions is also necessary. Sustainability is also a core value of Collovray et Terrier as they minimize inputs and use natural processes to stimulate the plants’ own natural defences to control pests and disease. The families also protect and encourage biodiversity, with one of these projects revolving around having beehives on the property in Davayé. Other initiatives in reducing their environmental impact include minimizing the use of water in the cellar and controlling waste disposal, and limiting the use of energy from non-renewable sources.

This white wine is from Deux Roches' top-tier Parcel Selections range - single vineyard wines that are the expression of a specific place with a unique character. Since the beginning, Collovray & Terrier have sought to produce wines that express the individual characteristics of each of their parcels, with their extraordinary organoleptic potential. For the Parcel Selections range, they employ all the techniques and skills available to them, such as hand harvesting and lengthy barrel ageing, to allow the terroir to speak of the superb complexity conferred by the wines' origins.

Crafted with 100% Chardonnay, the grapes for this wine were grown on a 0.81 hectare plot located in the town of Davayé, on the hillside of the Roche de Solutré. The vines are north-facing, on a 30% slope, and planted between 1975 and 1983 on marly soil that is moderately deep, and is made up of chalk on the surface. The grapes were manually harvested and gently loaded into the pneumatic presses by gravity, followed by long pressing cycles in order to preserve the aromatic finesse. The must was cold-stabilized, then decanted and placed into barrels for fermentation. The wine was aged for 19 months, of which 11 months were in barrels, followed by 8 months in vats.

In 2021, the growing season in Burgundy was challenging due to the season beginning with a hard winter frost, followed by pests and disease which wreaked havoc in the vineyards and reduced yields. Summer was cool-ish, while the wine quality was determined by hard work in the vineyard and at the winery. In challenging vintages, the best vignerons can still produce delicious and harmonious wines exhibiting freshness, energy, elegance, and finesse. Let's see how this 2021 single vineyard Chardonnay from Burgundy is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

DEUX ROCHES LES POMMARDS SAINT-VÉRAN 2021 - AP, Burgundy, France (#37919) (XD) - $50.95
This single vineyard Chardonnay has richly elegant, medium-high intensity, and developing aromas of stone and orchard fruits, nectarine, honeysuckle, apple, and pear, plus floral, vanilla, oak spice, and flinty mineral, and hints of mushroom add intrigue and great complexity. It is impressively concentrated on the dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate with rich and lovely honeyed, nutty, vanilla oak spice flavours surrounding a core of ripe orchard fruit, apple, pear, nectarine, and floral. It's nicely textured with very good structure and juicy, mouth-watering acidity. Still somewhat youthful on the structured and textured finish with tangy stone fruit and flinty mineral notes lingering on the finish, with excellent length. Should drink beautifully into the early 2030s and is a highly recommended buy! Score: 93 pts

Other fine wines by Collovray et Terrier's Deux Roches label and can be found at the LCBO, or ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Catena High Mountain Vines Malbec 2022 and Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine reviews are a pair of lovely and consistently well-made wines from Argentina that are widely available year-round at the LCBO as they are part of the VINTAGES Essentials Collection.

These wines are produced by Catena Zapata, one of Argentina's most prestigious wineries, which is known for producing high-quality wines. It was established in 1902 by Nicola Catena, an Italian immigrant, after he planted his first Malbec vines in Mendoza during a time when Malbec was used primarily as a blending grape. Nicola's eldest son, Domingo, inherited his father's dream and took the family business to another level to become one of Mendoza's largest vineyard holders.

Catena Zapata was revitalized and gained international acclaim during the 1980s when Nicolás Catena Zapata, son of Domingo, took over the family business. Today, the renowned winery is led by Dr. Laura Catena, daughter of Nicolás, and the 4th generation of the family to work in the wine business. The Catena family is noted for being one of Argentina's first wineries to introduce modern viticultural and winemaking techniques to the country, as well as for its commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability.

Today, nearly all of Catena's vineyards are farmed sustainably and organically, focusing on lower yields and biodiversity. Both of the wines reviewed in this post are certified sustainable and are noticeably lighter in bottle weight due to the fact that they are now packaged in 500 g glass bottles (down from 700 g), resulting in a 28% lighter bottle. It is also worth noting that up to 60% of the carbon footprint of a wine is the glass of the bottle.

Both of these wines are from the "Catena" range - a blend of single varietal lots from the family's high mountain estate vineyards. These high mountain vineyard wines are made by Laura Catena, a fourth generation vintner, and Alejandro Vigil, chief winemaker. Through decades of study and exploration within Mendoza's high altitude mountain terroirs, the Catena family has identified special locations for its Estate vineyards. Each historic vineyard is divided into lots that are harvested separately, and specially prepared to be part of the final blend. The three wines that make up the Catena range are Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Chardonnay, and are intricately crafted by blending components from different terroirs and altitudes to create balanced and expressive wines of unique character with natural balance, concentration, and distinct varietal identity. These wines can be consumed upon release or aged beautifully for a decade or more.

The 100% Malbec is crafted using grapes from three high mountain vineyards of alluvial origin - Lunlunta (3,018 ft. / 920 m elevation with loamy clay in the topsoil with rounded rocks on the bottom), El Cepillo in Eugenio Bustos (3,593 ft. / 1,090 m with loam-sandy soil, thick calcareous layers and rounded rocks on the bottom), and Gualtallary (4,757 ft. / 1,450 m elevation featuring gravel and limestone soil, and rounded rocks in the bottom). The Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of grapes (including 7% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot) from four high mountain vineyards of alluvial origin - Agrelo (3,117 ft. / 950 m elevation with clay topsoil with rounded rocks on the bottom), Villa Bastías (3,675 ft. / 1,120 m elevation with silt loamy soil and limestone on the bottom, Altamira in La Consulta (3,593 ft. / 1,095 m with loamy soil and rounded rocks on the bottom, and El Cepillo in Eugenio Bustos.

The 2022 growing season was an exceptional year from a qualitative standpoint at Catena Zapata, with wines having optimal acidity, great concentration and ripeness of polyphenols, and just-right alcohol levels. While it was a bit of a roller coaster with two big frosts and a shorter harvest period, Alejandro Vigil stated that this was the best year that he has lived through. The vintage required deep knowledge of every region and vineyard because the weather patterns were very unpredictable. From a challenging, and yet promising vintage, let's see how the 2022 Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Argentina are tasting...

Tasting Notes:

CATENA HIGH MOUNTAIN VINES MALBEC 2022 - Mendoza, Argentina (#478727) (XD) - $22.95
100% Malbec, this grapes underwent extensive cold maceration to extract aromas, followed by alcoholic fermentation using wild yeasts. It was aged for 11 to 13 months in combination of first, second, and third use French oak barrels. The fragrant, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose is slightly reductive with lovely spicy, dark fruit, blackberry, and violet aromas with savoury, earthy undertones. It's dry with very good concentration on the medium+ bodied palate, along with ripe with dark fruited, plummy, blackberry, grapey, and spice flavours accented with savoury earth and violet notes. It's supported by juicy, succulent acidity and smooth, refined, and well-structured tannins. Savoury, peppery, and dark berry notes with hints of mineral linger on the long, gently grippy finish. Score: 90 pts

CATENA HIGH MOUNTAIN VINES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 - Mendoza, Argentina (#985002) (XD) - $22.95 $20.95 until Jan. 5
This blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot was fermented with wild yeasts in stainless steel tanks, and aged in a mix of first, second, and third-use French oak barrels for 11-13 months. Fragrant, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose is dark fruited and plummy with blackberry, black currant, savoury oak spice, and earthy aromas with hints of purple fruit. It's dry, medium-full bodied, and ripe on the palate with plummy black fruit, blackberry, currant, savoury earth, and oak spice flavour replays supported by clean, juicy acidity and smooth, refined, integrated, and well-structured tannins. Some cassis, sweet black fruits, and peppery spice add interest on the mid-palate, while savoury earth, black fruit, and peppery notes linger on the long, balanced, and slightly chalky-grippy textured finish. Score: 89 pts

Other fine wines by Catena Zapata can be found at the LCBO, or ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Castelli del Grevepesa Clemente VII Chianti Classico 2020 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious Chianti Classico that arrived at the LCBO earlier this month and featured on the back cover of the November 2nd LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by the modern, co-operative winery of Castelli del Grevepesa, which was established in 1965 by visionary Sir Armando Nunzi and an initial group of 17 winegrowers located in different areas of Florentine Chianti Classico. These winegrowers came together in the 1960s because these were difficult years in the Chianti winegrowing region. Their aim was, by working together, to safeguard the land and maintain the age-old traditions of Tuscan winegrowing with the long-established know-how that farmers passed on from one generation to the next. The growers of Grevepesa also had a shared ambition to introduce innovative production methods and techniques, which included careful grape selection and a rigorously controlled vinification process, to produce high quality wines at affordable prices in compliance with the strict regulations of the law and the consortium of Consorzio Gallo Nero, which is now called Consorzio del Chianti Classico.

Today, Castelli del Grevepesa is made up of more than 120 passionate and hard-working associate winegrowers, and is the largest Chianti Classico family. Castelli del Grevepesa is situated in the village of San Casciano Val di Pesa, within the Greve in Chianti subzone of Chianti Classico. The logo of Castelli del Grevepesa is an iris flower that grows naturally between the villages of Val di Greve and Val di Pesa. As a perennial flower, the iris resists both the sweltering heat of summer and the winter frost, and is a symbol of the solidity of Castelli del Grevepesa and its unbreakable bond with Florentine culture and traditions.

The mission of Castelli del Grevepesa's is to be guardians of hundreds of years of tradition, as their ancestors taught them that wine comes, first and foremost, from the vineyard. The family of Grevepesa winegrowers are committed to promoting the land and safeguarding the traditions of ancient craftsmanship. As one of the first co-operative wineries in Italy, one of their founding values is that fine quality wine must be for everyone and is a source of great pride and satisfaction. As a family's duty, Castelli del Grevepesa's policy seeks to reconcile environmental, social, and economic objectives. The fundamental pillar is for the ethical enhancement and protection of natural resources by reducing waste of any kind, followed by respecting the earth, protecting the surrounding biodiversity, and responsibly ensuring that future generations are not compromised. In 2021, their formal project for environmental sustainability finally took shape and got off the ground.

Like the lovely 2019 Castelli del Grevepesa Clemente VII Chianti Classico that I enjoyed in May of last year, the 2020 vintage of this Chianti Classico is also crafted using 100% Sangiovese. The grapes were grown in their vineyards in Campoli, within the municipality of San Casciano in Val di Pesa, Chianti Classico. The vineyards are situated on hills rising up from an alluvial plateau with geological formations of Sillano and Alberese stones. The vines average 15-25 years old, and were trained using the Guyot, spurred cordon system. After handpicking and selecting the best grapes in the second half of September, the grapes were softly crushed and fermented at a thermostatically controlled temperature in stainless steel tanks, with maceration on the skins for 12-15 days. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation in concrete tanks, and was then matured for 12 months - 85% in Slavonian oak cask and 15% in French oak barriques - followed by 3 months in bottle for further refinement.

The 2020 growing season in Chianti Classico was marked by spring frosts that reduced yields. However, the warm summer season and early harvest resulted in ripe, fleshy, and fruit-filled reds. Moreover, the pandemic allowed winegrowers to concentrate their efforts towards every aspect of cultivation, vineyard management, and production. Let's see how this 2020 Chianti Classico from Tuscany is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CASTELLI DEL GREVEPESA CLEMENTE VII CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 - Sustainable, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#421388) (XD) - $22.95
This 100% Sangiovese has a medium+ to medium-high intensity nose that is fresh and ripe with sweet dark red cherry, currant, and clove aromas mingling with oak spices, cinnamon, and underbrush, with touches of dried berry/floral notes. On the dry, medium+ bodied palate it has very ripe dark red cherry, clove spice, cinnamon, oak spice, and underbrush flavours supported by fresh and succulent acidity. Ripe tannins have a fine, dusty texture and a supple grip. Touch of bitterness on the back palate, while the savoury cocoa and oak notes linger on the mineral-tinged finish, with very good length. Enjoy this recommended buy over the near term. Score: 88+ pts

A couple of wines by Castelli del Grevepesa are available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group, with a couple available as Black Friday Specials.

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November 30, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Enjoyful Gifts

Happy Holidays! Here are my top wine picks from the November 30, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, which is yet again titled "Enjoyful Gifts". As one of the final releases of the year, this release has just over 125 products offered, and includes many, many fine options for gift-giving, your cellar, or immediate pleasure. All the wines should be available for purchase across Ontario by this Saturday, if not earlier.

We'll begin with the theme, which features 32 "Enjoyful Gifts" for holiday gift-giving, of which thirteen wines are included among my top wine picks. A couple of these enjoyful wines came through VINTAGES earlier this year, but are worth pursuing if you missed it last time - namely the Chardonnays from Niagara and Argentina. The only other white is the latest vintage of a perennially excellent Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. In the bubbles category, the Vintage Champagne is composed of 48% Chardonnay, 34% Pinot Noir, and 18% Meunier. Premium, high-quality red wines are aplenty in the theme, with Bordeaux blends a focal point. The wine by Niagara's Hidden Bench is a blend of 47% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 23% Malbec (+ other varieties), while the 2016 Haut-Médoc is made with 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Petit Verdot. From Tuscany, the Guidalberto is composed of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, while the Lucente is a blend of Merlot and Sangiovese. The South African red is composed of mainly Syrah with 9% Grenache, 8% Cinsault, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Viognier completing the blend. The last red blend within the theme is the Amarone, which is a blend of 35% Corvina, 40% Corvinone, 20% Rondinella, and 5% Oseleta. Single-varietal wines are the Pinot Noir from Chile, the Crozes-Hermitage Syrah from the northern Rhône, and the Brunello di Montalcino, which is made of Sangiovese.

My top red wine recommendations from the main release begin in Chile with a pair of wines by Montes - the Purple Angel is a blend of 92% Carmenère and 8% Petit Verdot, while their Cabernet Sauvignon includes 10% Merlot. From Tuscany, the Oreno Super Tuscan is composed of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Petit Verdot, while the Chianti Classico is mainly Sangiovese with a small percentage of Merlot. From Rhône, the Costières de Nîmes is made with 85% Syrah, 10% Grenache, and 5% Carignan, while the Côtes du Rhône is a blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre. From Greece, the Neméa red is crafted with 100% Agiorgitiko, while the Achaia red is an off-dry (i.e. slightly sweet) blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Mavrodaphne, and 20% Agiorgitiko. The last red wine that needs mentioning (because it is crafted using a relatively unknown varietal) is a red from Alto Adige-Trentino in northeastern Italy that is crafted using the indigenous Teroldego grape variety.

The blends among my top white wine picks are the Côtes du Rhône Blanc, which is a blend of 60% Viognier, 15% Roussanne, 10% Marsanne, 8% Clairette, 5% Bourboulenc, and 2% Grenache Blanc, and the South African white, which is a co-fermented blend of 69% Sauvignon Blanc, 26% Chenin Blanc, and 5% Semillon. If you enjoy white wines with a touch of sweetness, the off-dry Riesling from Germany is your best bet.

Among my sparkling wine recommendations, the Cava from Spain is composed of 75% Macabeo and 25% Chardonnay, while the Non-Vintage Champagne is crafted with 100% Pinot Noir. Lastly, there are two delicious, gently sweet sparkling wines from Ukraine, with the red bubbly a blend of of Cabernet, Merlot, and Saperavi, while the White Brut is composed of Chardonnay, Riesling, and Aligoté.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• DAUVERGNE ET RANVIER DE NATURA RERUM CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2022 - AC, France (#38881) (XD) - $17.95  90 pts  wine review
• PATERNOSTER SYNTHESI AGLIANICO DEL VULTURE 2019 - DOC, Basilicata, Italy (#51672) (XD) - $19.95
• MEZZACORONA PREMIUM COLLECTION RISERVA TEROLDEGO ROTALIANO SUPERIORE 2019 - DOC, Alto Adige-Trentino, Italy (#732222) (D) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• MEGA SPILEO CUVÉE III RED 2022 - PGI Achaia, Greece (#25708) (D) - $21.95  89 pts  wine review
• MONTES ALPHA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 - Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#322586) (XD) - $22.95  90 pts  wine review
• CLOS DE LUZ MASSAL 1945 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Almahue, DO Valle del Rapel, Chile (#12675) (XD) - $22.95

• WAKEFIELD JARAMAN SHIRAZ 2022 - Clare Valley / McLaren Vale, South Australia (#377036) (XD) - $24.95  89 pts  wine review
  
• MAYCAS DEL LIMARÍ PINOT NOIR 2021 - Sustainable, Vegan, DO Valle del Limarí, Chile (#511105) (XD) - $27.95  91+ pts  wine review
• ESTATE PAPAIOANNOU AGIORGITIKO 2019 - PDO Neméa, Greece (#27217) (XD) - $28.95  90 pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU DE NAGES JT 2021 - AC Costières de Nîmes, Rhône, France (#736876) (XD) - $28.95  91+ pts  wine review
• LA VITE LUCENTE 2022 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#747030) (XD) - $32.95  91 pts  wine review
• BROTTE LA ROLLANDE CROZES-HERMITAGE 2022 - AC, Rhône, France (#38864) (XD) - $32.95  92 pts  wine review

• CHÂTEAU LAROSE-TRINTAUDON 2016 - Sustainable, AC Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France (#297945) (XD) - $34.95
• CLOUDSLEY TWENTY MILE BENCH PINOT NOIR 2020 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#11665) (XD) - $36.95  92 pts  wine review
• VOLPAIA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#953828) (XD) - $37.95  91 pts  wine review
• THE CHOCOLATE BLOCK 2022 - Vegan, WO Swartland, South Africa (#129353) (Xd) - $41.95  91+ pts  wine review
• WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE BLACK LABEL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Coonawarra, South Australia (#84996) (XD) - $44.95  93 pts  wine review
• HIDDEN BENCH TERROIR CACHÉ 2020 - Sustainable, Unfiltered, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#505610) (XD) - $47.95  93+ pts  wine review

• TEDESCHI ANSARI AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA 2019 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#16103) (D) - $56.95
• CORTE PAVONE BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2019 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#237263) (XD) - $76.95  93 pts  wine review
• TENUTA SAN GUIDO GUIDALBERTO 2022 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#72439) (XD) - $81.95
• ORENO 2021 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#735597) (XD) - $99.95
• MONTES PURPLE ANGEL 2021 - DO Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#62364) (XD) - $105.95  94+ pts  wine review

White Wine:

• PAUL MAS NICOLE VINEYARD SINGLE VINEYARD COLLECTION RÉSERVE VIOGNIER 2022 - IGP Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, France (#370098) (XD) - $14.95
• BOYA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Sustainable, Vegan, DO Valle de Leyda, Chile (#389726) (XD) - $15.95  89 pts  wine review
• STUDERT-PRÜM RIESLING TROCKEN 2023 - Qualitätswein, Mosel, Germany (#39765) (D) - $17.95
• WATERKLOOF CIRCLE OF LIFE 2023 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#284588) (XD) - $21.95
• PADDY BORTHWICK PINOT GRIS 2023 - Wairarapa, North Island, New Zealand (#555516) (XD) - $21.95
• E. GUIGAL CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2023 - AC, France (#290296) (XD) - $22.95
• EL ENEMIGO CHARDONNAY 2022 - Mendoza, Argentina (#482984) (XD) - $27.95  92 pts  wine review
• GREYWACKE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#164228) (XD) - $28.95  93 pts  wine review
• LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS CHARDONNAY 2020 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#184549) (XD) - $52.00  93 pts  wine review

Sparkling Wine:

• ARTEMIVSKE VICTORY WHITE BRUT SPARKLING - Ukraine (#40769) (D) - $18.95  88 pts  wine review
• ARTEMIVSKE VICTORY RED SEMI-SWEET SPARKLING - Ukraine (#40768) (MS) - $18.95  88+ pts  wine review
• SEGURA VIUDAS HEREDAD RESERVA BRUT CAVA - Traditional method, DO, Spain (#558825) (D) - $39.95  91+ pts  wine review
• DRAPPIER ZERO DOSAGE BRUT NATURE PINOT NOIR CHAMPAGNE - AC, France (#179275) (XD) - $74.95
• MOËT & CHANDON GRAND VINTAGE EXTRA BRUT CHAMPAGNE 2016 - AC, France (#69773) (XD) - $122.95

Fortified Wine:

• WARRE'S QUINTA DA CAVADINHA VINTAGE PORT 2010 - Sustainable, Douro, Portugal (#39466) (S) - $59.95

Dessert Wine:

• PUKLUS PINCÉSZET TOKAJI ASZÚ 5 PUTTONYOS 2016 - Tokaj-Hegyalja, Hungary (#47209, 500 mL) (S) - $42.95 Delayed to Feb.
  

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Undurraga Terroir Hunter Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (Chile) - Wine Review

After enjoying the excellent 2019 Undurraga Terroir Hunter Cauquenes Cabernet Sauvignon last year, tonight's red wine review is another fine (and even better!) Chilean Cab from the same producer. It arrived at the LCBO as part of the theme in the September 21st LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, with bottles still available for purchase today.

Founded in 1885 by Francisco Undurraga Vicuña, this red wine is produced by Viña Undurraga, one of Chile's oldest wineries. It all began in 1870 when Francisco Undurraga brought plants from France and Germany in lead capsules so they wouldn't wilt during their journey through the tropics. The winery was initially named "Fundo Santa Ana", in honour of Francisco's wife, Mrs. Ana Fernández de Íñiguez, and they had their first harvest in 1891.

Today, Viña Undurraga is headquartered and surrounded by vineyards in the Maipo Valley, while also having six estates and vineyards across five regions in Chile. Each of these locations was carefully selected by the company's viticulture teams based on its suitability for specific varieties, along with the unique qualities of the terroir, which is continuously studied using precise farming techniques. Each estate and vineyard is dedicated to the cultivation and production of the finest wine grapes. The philosophy at Undurraga is to create characterful, authentic, and consistent wines, while also expressing the identity and quality of their vineyards through each one of their lines of wines. In order to achieve this goal, the vines are meticulously managed, while outstanding care is taken in the production of the wine. In addition to faithfully representing the character of the grape variety it is made from and its place of origin, the winemaking team at Undurraga prioritizes good balance, fruit expression, and fine quality. Committed to tradition, innovation, and sustainability, Undurraga has been certified under the Wines of Chile Sustainability Code since 2016.

Like the Cab I tasted last year, this wine is also from Undurraga's Premium "T.H. Terroir Hunter" range of wines - the most awarded wine project in Chile. Led by Oenologist Rafael Urrejola, the head winemaker at Viña Undurraga, T.H. wines are the result of a constant search across the diverse Chilean topography for micro-terroirs - small plots of land in areas with character that are carefully managed to obtain genuine wines of unique origin.

Crafted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the grapes were grown in a small, 6.85 hectare, low-yielding vineyard that is situated at 685 metres above sea-level. The vineyard is located on the slopes of the Andes Mountains on a small terrace along the River Clarillo, a tributary of the River Maipo that starts high up in the Andes. Moreover, the vineyard is situated within the municipality of Pirque, in the part of the Maipo Valley that is referred to as Maipo Alto - a region renowned for its ideal climate to produce high-quality red wines. The climate in Maipo Alto is cooler than other areas of Maipo, which lends a unique character and delicacy to Cabernet Sauvignon. This area also experiences significant thermal range during the growing season, ranging from 29-31°C during the day to 9-10°C at night, ensuring grapes with high acidity and perfect phenolic ripeness. The soils in this area are of alluvial origin, dating back to the Holocene period, around 10,000 years ago, and are a mixture of sand and clay, and very stony, which results in excellent drainage that helps to optimize vigour and yields. These soils also enable the vines to prosper at high temperatures, retain moisture, and favour greater metabolic development, which in turn translates into polyphenols of optimal ripeness and complexity, and results in wines of great structure and character.

To vinify this red wine, the grapes were hand-harvested and carefully transported to the winery in 12 kilo bins. Upon arriving at the winery, the grapes underwent a strict selection process, with healthy clusters gravity-fed into tank. After crushing, it underwent a pre-fermentative maceration under anaerobic conditions, followed by a two-week alcoholic fermentation, with three daily pump-overs. The wine was left on its lees and skins for an additional 15 days to add structure to the wine. It was aged for 12 months in French oak barrels (25% new), then it aged in bottle for 10 months prior to release.

The 2021 growing season was a mild year, with significant rainfall in January, which was followed by an unusually cool and lengthy ripening period. It was a very well-balanced vintage with fresh, yet concentrated wines with lower alcohol and great acidity. From a very good-to-excellent vintage, let's see how this 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon from Maipo Alto in Chile is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

UNDURRAGA TERROIR HUNTER CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Alto Maipo, Valle del Maipo, Chile (#630350) (XD) - $27.95
Fresh, intense, and highly aromatic, the nose has a gorgeous array of red & black fruits, cassis, currant, black cherry, dried leafy herbs, and blackberry aromas surrounding a core of savoury, earthy minerals, plus fine oak spices and a touch of reductive character. On the dry, medium-full bodied, and elegant palate it has dried leafy herbs, oak spice, cassis, currant, tobacco, and savoury earth flavours with salty overtones permeating throughout. It has refreshing, saliva-inducing acidity and refined, slightly grippy, and well-structured tannins. More cedary on the mid-palate, while savoury earth, oak, and tobacco notes linger on the long, juicy, and mouth-watering finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy(!) into the mid-to-late 2030s. Score: 93 pts

Small quantities of other fine wines by Undurraga can be found at the LCBO, while the entire range can be ordered through their Agent - Dionysus Wines & Spirits.

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Susana Balbo Críos Malbec 2022 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious Malbec from Argentina that arrived at the LCBO earlier this month in the November 2 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Dominio del Plata, or more commonly known today as Susana Balbo Wines. The renowned winery was founded in 1999 by Susana Balbo, a pioneering figure in Argentine winemaking, as the country's first female winemaker. Overcoming challenges both personally and professionally, Susana Balbo is highly regarded for producing innovative and expressive wines by combining traditional winemaking techniques with modern approaches.

Today, Susana Balbo Wines is a family-run winery located in Mendoza, Argentina, at the foothills of the Andes mountain range. Susana is joined by her two children, José and Ana, who decided to join the team of over one hundred people and help build the family legacy. With an entrepreneurial, revolutionary, and pioneering spirit, the team at Susana Balbo Wines works daily to deliver high-quality wines with a methodic care for detail. They seek to grow the wine industry in terms of investigation, innovation, and sustainability. The philosophy of the winemaking team combines a deep knowledge of Argentina's best soils, an endless curiosity and passion for the art and science behind winemaking, and a strong commitment to sustainable practices. The pillars of Susana Balbo Wines' sustainability initiatives are centered around being economically viable, environmentally and socially responsible, based on ethics and transparency.

Like the 2020 Críos Chardonnay I enjoyed nearly three years ago, this red wine is from Susana Balbo's entry-level Críos line of wines. Críos, which translates to "kids", was born out of Susana's love for her children and desire to forge a legacy for her family, while also helping them navigate their own journeys through life with lessons learned from her lifetime of trailblazing entrepreneurship. Each bottle of Críos wine features the iconic handprint logo, symbolizing the family bond and illustrates the hand as a powerful tool for mothers as they hold, provide warmth, nourish, comfort, and teach the next generation the skills and wisdom to survive and thrive.

To create something and leave an indelible personal mark with the power of your hands, it is necessary to have conviction, vibrancy, and identity. Críos wines are crafted with care to bring out the best of each varietal. With a strong commitment to quality, Susana Balbo chooses the region of Argentina most suited for growing each particular grape, and then nurturing each varietal in order to elevate its intrinsic character. Inspired by Susana’s history, the Críos line of wines supports the community through various charitable events.

Crafted with 100% Malbec, the grapes were grown at high altitude, averaging 1,050 metres above.sea-level. After manually harvesting the grapes, it was fermented with selected yeasts at a maximum temperature of between 28-31°C. It underwent a 15-20 day maceration, along with closed and open pumping over, with délestage at various stages of fermentation. 40% of the wine was aged for 8 months in third- and fourth-use French oak barrels.

The 2022 vintage in Argentina was challenging, yet promising. The growing season began with a cool spring and very little rainfall, and included several severe bouts of frosts which cut yields. Much needed rain arrived at the end of spring and the beginning of summer, which refreshed the vines. After the rain had passed and the weather cleared, there was just enough heat to allow the red grape varieties to reach phenolic ripeness. In general, it was a cool year, which gave rise to wines with clean, delicate, and highly pure aromas. Let's see how this 2022 Malbec from the Uco Valley in Argentina is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

SUSANA BALBO CRÍOS MALBEC 2022 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#162529) (XD) - $17.95
The fragrant, medium-high intensity nose is slightly reductive with attractive aromas of earthy dark berry, blackberry, violet, black cherry, and black plum, with touches of oak spices. It's medium+ bodied on the dry palate with ripe dark berry, black cherry, blackberry, violet, and earthy oak spice flavours. Acids are crisp and fresh, while the fine-grained, lightly textured tannins have lightly structured. Some warmth on the mid-palate. Quite grippy and chalky textured on the lengthy, savoury, and earthy finish. Give it a slight chill and enjoy this recommended buy over the coming year. Score: 88+ pts

Other delicious wines by Susana Balbo can be found at the LCBO, or ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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