Château Guillou 2022 (Bordeaux) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is the latest vintage of a terrific wine that I've had the pleasure of enjoying several times over the years, including most recently the 2020 Château Guillou a couple of years ago. This Merlot-Cabernet Franc blend arrived at the LCBO as part of the recent March 1 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and is widely available across Ontario.

It is produced by Domaine Familly Saby, a winegrowing family of oenologists with a long history of viticulture and winemaking in Bordeaux that goes back nine generations, with knowledge passed down from father to son since the 18th century. Today, the family business is led by Jean-Bernard Saby, the eighth generation of the family, and his two sons - Jean-Christophe and Jean-Philippe. Considered specialists in Bordeaux's Right Bank, the Saby family owns and operates several estates in this historic region of France, one of which is Château Guillou. The Saby family has successfully combined tradition with modernity to craft exemplary wines, while also focusing on sustainable viticulture.

The estate and vineyard of Château Guillou has existed in its current form since 1870. Situated in the highly-esteemed Montagne-Saint-Émilion AOC, just north of neighbouring Émilion and east of Pomerol, on Bordeaux's Right Bank, the estate has 62 hectares of vines. Most of the vines are planted on a plateau featuring clay-limestone soils, and hillsides with clayey-silty soils. Wines in this region are typically Merlot-based blends, with Château Guillou following tradition. This particular red wine is composed of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. The grapes were traditionally hand-picked and sorted on tables. To vinify this red, the grapes underwent a cold soak pre-fermentation and foulage, a temperature-controlled fermentation, and malolactic fermentation. It was aged in a combination of second- and third-use French and American oak barrels.

The 2022 growing season began with higher than average rainfall in December, followed by two months of unusually warm and dry weather. March was slightly warmer, with a little more rain than average. Budbreak was slightly delayed due to a cool and wet March, and occurred after a couple of severe frost episodes that appeared at the beginning of April. Vine development was slowed during this period, but sped back up in the latter half of April. Mid-flowering and mid-véraison were both occurring earlier than usual due to intense heat episodes, with June being one of the hottest Junes since 1947! July was hot and dry and featured the second heatwave, which stressed the vines on free-draining soils, followed by a third heatwave in mid-August. From this period onwards, the weather was warm to very hot, and mostly dry. These conditions resulted in the earliest harvest ever for the region. From a surprisingly good vintage, let's see how this 2022 Montagne-Saint-Émilion red wine from the Right Bank of Bordeaux is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU GUILLOU 2022 - AC Montagne-Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France (#140483) (XD) - $23.95
This blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc is fragrant and open, with a medium-high intensity nose that has a whisper of reductiveness followed by lovely ripe, plummy, black & red fruit, cherry, blackberry, and currant aromas nuanced with savoury earth, oak, and touches of mineral. Floral notes emerge with time in the glass. The medium+ to medium-full bodied palate is deliciously ripe with plummy, black & red fruits, cherry, blackberry, currant, cocoa, and savoury earthy oak flavours. It has crisp and juicy acidity, while the ripe tannins have a supple, slightly chalky textured grip. Touch of florality and spice on the mid-palate, while the berry notes taper to cocoa, savoury earth, and minerals on the long, succulent finish. Should drink nicely over the next 5-6 years. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

One other wine by Domaine Famille Saby is available at the LCBO, while the full portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Kir-Yianni Cuvée Villages Xinomavro 2021 (Greece) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is an excellent, vegan-certified Xinomavro that is featured as a Food & Drink Discovery and was part of the Women in Wine theme in last weekend's March 1st LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Like the excellent 2023 Kir-Yianni Le Nord Assyrtiko I enjoyed last year, this red wine is produced by Kir-Yianni, a renowned Greek winery that was established in 1997 by the late Yiannis Boutaris (1942-2024). From the renowned Boutaris family, Yiannis was one of the leading figures in the Greek wine industry right up until his passing last year.

Yiannis left the family's wine business to chart his own path in the eastern foothills of Mt. Vermion, in Yianakohori, near the town of Naoussa, where he planted 40 hectares of Xinomavro vines in 1970. This vineyard would go on to become the Ktima Kir-Yianni. More vines would be planted in 1985, followed by the acquisition of an old winery in 1996 in the village of Agios Panteleimon. A year later, the old winery was completely rebuilt to become the new Ktima Kir-Yianni, with the first vintage entirely vinified at the new winery.

Today, Kir-Yianni is led by Yiannis' son, Stellios Boutaris, who is the fifth generation of the Boutaris family of winemakers. After becoming managing director of Kir-Yianni in 1999, Stellios was joined soon thereafter by his brother, Mihalis, who had returned from his studies at UC Davis. During this period, there was intense experimentation and research on the Xinomavro varietal. The results of these experiments were a new generation of Xinomavro wines borne in 2003, along with 28 hectares of vines that were re-planted mainly with Xinomavro and other Greek varieties between 2004 and 2006. In 2009, Kir-Yianni acquired another 10 hectares of vineyards to become one of Greece's largest vineyards.

The philosophy at Kir-Yianni is a fine balance between a hundred-year-long family tradition and the use of new and innovative winemaking techniques. The aim of Kir-Yianni is to produce appealing wines that reflect the potential of the Greek vineyard and its indigenous varieties. Activities in the vineyard and at the winery are based on the principles of integrated farming and protecting the environment. The core practices at Kir-Yianni include taking care of the vineyard, implementing strict selection policies on the vine and in the cellar, micro-vinification, and meticulously blending, thus endowing Kir-Yianni wines with typicity, ageing potential, and consistent quality from vintage to vintage. At Kir-Yianni, sustainability is both a philosophy and a vital business decision that entails dedication, realism, and systematic investment, and in 2023 they started their journey to carbon neutrality.

Margarita Koumpiou is the reason why this wine is part of the Women in Wine feature in this VINTAGES Release. Margarita holds an integrated master's degree in crop science, an honours M.A. in oenology, and a diploma in food and beverage quality management. At Kir-Yianni, Margarita is an oenologist and works closely with Stellios.

This red wine is crafted using 100% Xinomavro that was grown in various villages across PDO Naoussa. More specifically, it was crafted using a strict selection of estate-grown grapes from younger vines, as well as parcels from small vine growers. The villages of Naoussa offer an interesting diversity of terroir, including their hilly terrains, altitude, slope, soil structure, and orientation, conditions which provide an intriguing mixture of meso-climates. To vinify this wine, the grapes were immediately cooled upon hand-harvesting, then underwent a rigorous grape selection on a conveyor belt. The grapes were then cold soaked at low temperatures for 6 days, followed by fermentation in stainless steel tanks at temperatures of 20–23°C for 12 to 15 days. After undergoing malolactic fermentation, the wine was matured mainly in 225- and 500-litre French oak barrels for 12 months in a combination of new and 3rd to 5th use barrels. The first blend was made on the 6th month of maturation, while the final blend was completed just before bottling.

The 2021 growing season in Naoussa began with a typical winter, followed by a cool March that resulted in a longer time for budbreak to complete. Dry conditions with significant diurnal variation in April and May led to a slightly early flowering, while summer began with hail in June, which decreased yields in the affected areas. July and August were characterized by long heatwaves and dry conditions, which resulted in the rapid (and positive) development of veraison in early August. From September onwards, weather conditions were typical and back to ideal standards, which allowed for the full ripening of Xinomavro. To ensure optimum ripeness, the grapes were handpicked in stages from late-September to mid-October. From a different year with positive results and great uniformity, let's see how this 2021 Xinomavro from Greece is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

KIR-YIANNI CUVÉE VILLAGES XINOMAVRO 2021 - Vegan, PDO Naoussa, Greece (#14151) (XD) - $18.00
Fragrant, intense, and slightly perfumed nose of red and dark cherry, rose floral, and touches of orange peel layered over savoury earth, plus accents of oak spice and sun-dried tomato adding further intrigue and complexity. On the dry, medium-full bodied palate it has lovely ripe red & black cherry, blackberry, savoury earth, oak spice, sun-dried tomato, and rose floral flavours supported by juicy acidity and well-structured, medium-firm, and fairly grippy tannins that are youthful, yet approachable. Cherry, earthy, and floral notes with a slight tang and some minerality lingering on the very long finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

Several other fantastic wines by Kir-Yianni are available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.

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Shunka Shusetsu Echizen Junmai Ginjo Sake (Japan) - Review

Tonight's review is an excellent sake from Japan that landed at the LCBO as a brand new arrival in the January 18th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection - with bottles still available for purchase.

It is produced by Koshi No Iso Brewing, a small-batch, family-owned brewery that was established in 1909 in the Sea of Japan coastal city of Echizen in the Fukui Prefecture. After World War II, the brewery relocated approximately 30 kilometres inland. Focusing on non-fortified pure rice sake, Koshi No Iso was founded in an area with bountiful seafood from the Sea of Japan, with the flavour profile of their sake reflecting the terroir of the coastal village.

In 1998, Koshi No Iso began brewing beer, with efforts focused on using only locally sourced Fukui Prefecture malt, while also applying sake brewing principles, such as non-charcoal filtration, to its beer production.

This particular sake is classified as a "Junmai Ginjo", of which Junmai means "rice and water only". Junmai Ginjo is a premium sub-segment of Junmai sake, where the minimum rice polishing standard is 40% removal and 60% remaining. Standard Junmai sake polishing ranges from 20-35% removal and 80-65% remaining. The Shunka Shusetsu Echizen Junmai Ginjo Sake has 50% removal and 50% remaining. Junmai Ginjo sake is crafted using the simplest ingredients of rice, water, mould, and yeast. This class of sake is perfect for the sushi counter, with clean and balanced cuisines, and is easy to sip. Served best chilled, let's see how this Junmai Ginjo sake is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

SHUNKA SHUSETSU ECHIZEN JUNMAI GINJO SAKE - Japan (#572644, 720 mL) - $33.95 $30.20
Crafted with rice polished to 50% of the grain and enclosed by screw cap, this has a fragrant, intense, and concentrated nose of rice and mineral aromas with a hint of jasmine. It's light-to-mid-weighted, but gains volume and concentration in the mouth. Dry with peppery spicy and mineral flavours supported by racy acidity, which give way to rice and jasmine flavours. A touch warming, with well-balanced mineral, rice, and peppery spice notes lingering on the long, succulent, and crisp finish. Enjoy this recommended buy well-chilled. Score: 91 pts

Other fine sake by Koshi No Iso can be ordered through Agent - DBINO Inc..

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Xanadu Vinework Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon 2023 and Circa 77 Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 (Margaret River) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wine reviews are a pair of delightful wines from Margaret River in Western Australia. Both of these wines arrived at the LCBO as part of the recent February 15 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, which featured wines from Australia.

These wines are produced by Xanadu Wines, a winery that was founded in 1977 by Dr. John Lagan, an Irish immigrant who arrived in Australia in 1969, who was drawn to the emerging wine region of Margaret River. Dr. Lagan recognized the viticultural potential of Margaret River because the cool, maritime climate was similar to Bordeaux. Situated in an idyllic setting, only a few kilometres from the coast, in a place radiating with promise and potential, Xanadu was named for an ancient, otherworldly paradise described in the poem "Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and symbolizes a winemaking utopia.

Dr. Lagan and his wife, Eithne, were the first to establish vineyards on the property, and one of the first in Margaret River, and focused on Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Over the next couple of decades, they developed Xanadu Wines into one of Australia's highly-acclaimed wineries.

In 2005, Xanadu Wines was acquired by Rathbone Wine Group. The Rathbone family invested its resources to continue to enhance vineyard management and winemaking techniques, while also focusing on sustainable viticulture and modernizing the winery. Margaret River is a place filled with life and energy, and the philosophy is to bottle the vibrancy of this place. At Xanadu, there's harmony between the place and the people, and features a dynamic balance that brings out the best of both, and helps create wines filled with energy.

The process at Xanadu is driven by a deep respect for the land, while also ensuring that they protect the integrity and potential of the region. With sustainable practices and nurturing the land, they ensure that the land will continue to thrive for future generations. Xanadu Wines have been certified sustainable since 2011 by Sustainable Winegrowing Australia. They have over 65 hectares of vines on the estate, which flourish on the rich, free-draining soils of the Margaret River region. Xanadu uses a minimalist approach to winemaking, which allows the region's richness and vibrancy to shine through. With a goal to make sure that the spirit of the region is unmistakable in every bottle, an energy that you can feel, and genuine characters that you can taste, Xanadu Wines is considered today to be one of Margaret River's top wineries.

Both the 2022 and 2023 vintages in Margaret River were excellent, with the 2022 wines exhibiting vibrant, fine, and elegant characteristics, while the wines from 2023 have a little more density. Let's see how the 2023 Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon and 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon from Margaret River are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

XANADU VINEWORK SAUVIGNON BLANC / SEMILLON 2023 - Sustainable, Margaret River, Western Australia (#41315) (XD) - $22.95
This 75/25 blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon was fermented in both stainless steel and (wild fermented) in French barriques, while also aged on its lees for 3 months. A touch nose tingling, the fragrant, medium-high intensity nose offers enticing aromas of kiwi, guava, and passion fruit wrapped around a core of lemon/lime citrus accented with grapefruit, leesy minerals, and whiffs of jalapeño. The medium+ to medium-full bodied palate is concentrated, ripe, and slightly honeyed with delicious kiwi, guava, passion fruit, lemon/lime citrus, and grapefruit flavours supported by crisp and zesty acidity. Lemon/lime citrus, grapefruit, and leesy mineral notes linger on the long, crisp finish. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

XANADU CIRCA 77 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 - Margaret River, Western Australia (#18344) (XD) - $18.95
Enclosed by screw cap, this blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 4% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc has a medium+ to medium-high intensity that nose offers fresh evergreen and minty herb aromas wrapped around a core of mocha chocolate, savoury earth, black currant, blackberry, and cassis, plus oak spice. The mid-weighted palate is dry and ripe with a delicious mix of minty herb, evergreen, oak spice, blackcurrant, cassis, and savoury earth flavours. Acids are crisp and juicy, while the smooth, ripe, and fairly round tannins have good structure. Savoury earth, oak, minty herb, and blackcurrant notes linger on the long, well-balanced finish. Recommended buy. Score: 88+ pts

There's a high-end Chardonnay that is available at one LCBO outlet, while the full range of Xanadu Wines can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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March 1, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Women in Wine

Here are my top wine picks from the March 1, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, which features Women in Wine as the theme of the release. There are 85 wines in this release, with nearly 70% of the wines red, and save for a dozen wines, nearly everything comes in at under $40. All the wines should be available for purchase by Saturday, if not already on shelves by now.

We'll begin with the theme focusing on Women in Wine that includes twenty-four wines in the feature story, of which ten are recommended buys among my top wine picks. The lone bubbly is a Blanquette de Limoux that is crafted using 100% Mauzac. White wine recommendations from the Women in Wine feature are the Sauvignon Blanc from Niagara, a Chardonnay from South Africa, and the Pecorino from Marche. There are two blends from the feature story that are highly recommended buys - the Riserva Chianti Classico that is composed of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Merlot, and the Rioja that is a blend of 96% Tempranillo and 4% Mazuelo. The mono-varietal reds are a Xinomavro from Greece, a Cabernet Franc from Niagara, a Malbec from Uco Valley in Argentina, and a fine Syrah from Chile.

Most of my red wine recommendations from the main release are blends. From Bordeaux, the Lalande de Pomerol is composed of 80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, while the Montagne-Saint-Émilion is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Also from France, the Rhône red is a Grenache-based blend, while the Spanish red from Jumilla is a blend of 80% Monastrell, 15% Syrah, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. And last, but not least, the excellent Brunello di Montalcino is made with 100% Sangiovese Grosso.

Among my top white wine picks from the main release, all are mono-varietal wines from two varieties - Riesling and Chardonnay. The Riesling from Niagara is crafted in a medium-sweet style, while the Riesling from Germany is essentially dry. Of the Chardonnay wines, one is from Chile, while the other is from Beaujolais!

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• KIR-YIANNI CUVÉE VILLAGES XINOMAVRO 2021 - Vegan, PDO Naoussa, Greece (#14151) (XD) - $18.00  91 pts  wine review
• LE GRAVILLAS SÉGURET CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2021 - AC, France (#309260) (XD) - $18.95
• EL GORU GOLD MAD HAIRY FELLA MONASTRELL / SYRAH / CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Vegan, DOP Jumilla, Spain (#13621) (XD) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review
• LEYDA COASTAL VINEYARD CANELO SYRAH 2020 - DO Valle de Leyda, Chile (#42109) (XD) - $18.95
• CHÂTEAU GUILLOU 2022 - AC Montagne-Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France (#140483) (XD) - $23.95  90+ pts  wine review
• CATENA PARAJE ALTAMIRA MALBEC 2022 - Sustainable, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#492413) (XD) - $23.95
• THIRTY BENCH WINEMAKER'S BLEND CABERNET FRANC 2021 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#30073) (XD) - $26.95
• CHÂTEAU VIEUX CHEVROL 2020 - AC Lalande de Pomerol, Bordeaux, France (#525931) (XD) - $34.95
• LAN GRAN RESERVA 2017 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#928622) (XD) - $36.95
• BRANCAIA RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#260802) (XD) - $50.95
• VILLA POGGIO SALVI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2019 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#363028) (XD) - $56.95  92 pts  wine review

White Wine:

• CASA FÈVRE ESPINO RESERVA ESPECIAL CHARDONNAY 2023 - DO Valle del Maipo, Chile (#350058) (XD) - $16.95
• VELENOSI PECORINO 2023 - DOCG Offida, Marche, Italy (#173252) (XD) - $17.95  88+ pts  wine review
• NEDERBURG THE WINEMASTERS CHARDONNAY 2022 - Vegan, WO Western Cape, South Africa (#41444) (XD) - $18.95
• MEGALOMANIAC NARCISSIST RIESLING 2023 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#67587) (M) - $19.95
• DOMDECHANT WERNER HOCHHEIM ORTSWEIN RIESLING TROCKEN 2022 - VDP, Rheingau, Germany (#25710) (D) - $19.95
• VIGNERONS DES PIERRES DORÉES LA ROSE BLANCHE BEAUJOLAIS 2022 - AP, France (#42794) (XD) - $22.95  89 pts  wine review
• PELLER PRIVATE RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 - Sustainable, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#692632) (XD) - $23.95

Sparkling Wine:

• ANTECH RÉSERVE M LE MAUZAC EXTRA BRUT BLANQUETTE DE LIMOUX 2022 - Traditional method, AP, Languedoc, France (#656470) (D) - $21.95  90+ pts  wine review
• THIRTY BENCH SPARKLING RIESLING - Traditional method, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#469478) (XD) - $40.00

Fortified Wine:

• GONZÁLEZ BYASS NUTTY SOLERA MEDIUM OLOROSO SHERRY - DO, Spain (#35204) (MS) - $21.95

Dessert Wine:

• INNISKILLIN NIAGARA ESTATE RIESLING ICEWINE 2022 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#558288, 375 mL) (S) - $89.95

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Coral Duero enVena Tinta de Toro 2022 (Spain) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious Tinta de Toro (aka Tempranillo) from Spain that is a brand new arrival that landed at the LCBO in the recent February 15 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Bodegas Coral Duero, a winery that was founded in 2003 by Jesús Fernández, a native of Toro who spent most of his life working in the marine sector. Jesús is a wine lover at heart and harboured a dream to one day return to his home in Toro and produce the best wines in this historic wine region.

Winemaking in the Toro region, in northwestern Spain, dates back to before Roman settlements, while in the Middle Ages the wines from this region were highly regarded and enjoyed royal privileges. Toro wines were also the first to be shipped to America with Columbus. During the 19th century, large quantities were exported to France to replenish stocks that had been devastated by the phylloxera plague. In the 1970s, the first steps were taken to create what was to later become the Toro Designation of Origin, which was formally established in 1987.

To fulfill his dream, Jesús purchased over 30 hectares of the oldest and most resilient vines in El Pego, a small village that was known to have the best terroir in the region. Coral Duero produced its first wine from their first harvest in 2005 with the assistance of a team of experts and the rare and exceptional variety - Tinta de Toro - and gained its first international recognition in 2008.

After retiring in 2019, Jesús' dream lives on as a group of forward-thinking, young wine enthusiasts continue his legacy and bring a breath of fresh air to the traditions of the Toro terroir to create eloquent and elegant expressions of Tinta de Toro. Today, led by a core group of members, Coral Duero is committed to honouring the traditions of Toro's historic terroir and respecting the nature which nourishes its resilient soil. The name 'Coral' is a reference to Jesús' seafaring background and the extraordinary resilience of coral reefs, which also allude to the vitality of their vines that have survived for more than 140 years, resisting even the Phylloxera plague. The 'Duero' part of the name is in reference to the Duero river which bisects the Toro Region, while also replenishing and giving life to the vines.

At Coral Duero, respect for nature and tradition are core values. With centuries-old vines, sustainable winemaking methods, hand-harvested grapes, and a strict selection process, Coral Duero is able to allow their wines to preserve the character, personality, and tradition of Toro. They have approximately 32 hectares of vineyards which are divided into 4 subplots: Rompesedas, El Salgadero, Los Lastros, and Las Parvas. Balance, order, rhythm, and harmony in the vineyard are of paramount importance at Coral Duero as they have some of Spain's oldest vines, some more than 140 years old. In order to achieve these goals in the vineyard, the team at Coral Duero studies the soil, prunes the vines, practices sustainable agriculture, and handpicks the harvest, while also adjusting to the extreme continental climate of each vintage.

In the pursuit of crafting authentic and outstanding wines in honour of Toro's historic terroir, the enVena (or in vein) is crafted Coral Duero's youngest wine in the collection, with most of the grapes from their younger vines nestled in the Rompesedas plot, within the municipality of El Pego, in the province of Zamora. This red wine is crafted using 100% Tinta de Toro, a grape known outside the region of Toro as Tempranillo. The 40-50 year old vines are west-facing and situated close to the Guareña river. The vines are rooted in a sandy loam alluvial soil, with gravel and small pebbles underneath, which allows for proper drainage and imparts minerality into the wine. Furthermore, this type of soil structure lowers pH levels, and helps produce wines of extraordinary quality, balance, and elegance.

To craft this wine, the grapes were manually harvested by selecting only the best bunches, followed by further selecting only the top-quality grapes from these bunches, and immediately placing the fruit in a cold chamber to preserve their fruity intensity. Vinification begins with a cold maceration in stainless steel tanks, followed by fermentation. It was aged for 6 months in French and American oak barrels.

The growing season in El Pego usually features short, hot, dry, and mostly clear summers, while winters are extremely cold and windy. Throughout the year, there are many hours of sunshine, which is essential for the cultivation of the Tinta de Toro grape varietal, while temperatures rarely dip below 5°C or go above 35°C. In 2022, the vintage delivered generous amounts of grapes, but the berries were smaller than usual. Summer featured intense heat, while favourable weather appeared during the final stages of ripening, including some rain in early September and lower temperatures with high diurnal range. While acidity levels were a bit lower, the young wines showed good freshness. Let's see how this 2022 Tinta de Toro from Spain is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CORAL DUERO ENVENA TINTA DE TORO 2022 - DO Toro, Spain (#40867) (XD) - $16.95
This 100% Tinta de Toro (aka Tempranillo) has a fragrant, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose that offers a pleasing, spicy mix of ripe red & black cherries, plum, and savoury earth aromas. It's medium-full bodied and dry with delicious ripe, plummy, red and black cherry, and spice replays on the flavour profile, plus some dried herbs notes. It's supported by fresh and crisp acidity, alongside well-structured, slightly firm tannins. There's some palate warmth, but still within balance, along with some florality on the back palate. Cherries, spices, and plum notes taper to minerals on the long, textured, youthful, and slightly firm finish. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other delicious wines by Coral Duero can be ordered through their Agent - Buyers+Cellars.

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Maturana Puente Austral Reserva Privada Carmenère 2022 (Chile) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious Carmenère from Chile that made its debut at the LCBO as part of last weekend's LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on February 15th.

Like the 2021 Puente Austral Reserva Privada Cabernet Sauvignon I enjoyed last year, this red wine is produced by Maturana Winery, a family-owned winery that was established by the two Maturana two brothers - José Ignacio and Sebastian. After the great earthquake in Chile in 2010, the brothers decided that there was no time to waste to start their great passion for viticulture and wine. Since that time, Maturana has produced unique wines which represent a way of life, including how to sustainably keep intact the conditions from which their grapes come from.

Maturana's philosophy is to capture the identity of each variety and specific place, and allow each to be expressed in the wine. In order to achieve the best expression of each variety and place, Maturana uses innovative approaches to fermentation and ageing by using different materials such as concrete in different sizes and shapes, clay jars, or French oak. Maturana welcomes differentiation and looks at doing different things as an opportunity. Furthermore, the brothers support the natural and responsible management of vineyards, which benefits the growers and their families. For example, Maturana pays their growers more than 7 times the market average for the price per kilo of grapes. Moreover, Maturana believes in the concept of horizontal growth, whereby the grower of heritage vineyards, the grape processor, and the international marketing of wines all grow together. Maturana also has a strong commitment to making known old vineyards and native strains of varieties that exist in central Chile, with some of these vineyards dating back to the year 1900.

Passion and quality are the main drivers at Maturana. The brothers are passionate about doing, selling, knowing, and creating something new, while also identifying with the phrase by Walt Disney "Dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them." Their mission is to produce the best quality wines, with the image, name, and communication method all playing a role and contributing to their concept of creating something unique. In order to produce the best quality wines, their search for the best terroir leads them to winegrowers who share their passion for preserving the soil and growing quality grapes.

In 2022, the growing season in Chile started out well with decent rainfall during winter, which offered relief from the prolonged drought. However, another drought period hit in spring, which stressed some of the vines and reduced some yields. Beyond those challenges, the climate offered moderate temperatures with good diurnal range, leading to a vintage comparable to the stellar 2018 vintage. In Colchagua, it was somewhat cooler, which resulted in concentrated and fresh reds. Let's see how this 2022 Carmenère from Chile is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MATURANA PUENTE AUSTRAL RESERVA PRIVADA CARMENÈRE 2022 - Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#42113) (XD) - $14.95
Aged in third use French oak barrels for 6 months, this 100% Carmenère has a fragrant, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose that is ripe and spicy with red plum, cassis, currant, and black cherry aromas with earthy and herbaceous undertones. The ripe, rounded, and medium-full bodied palate is dry with plummy, black cherry, currant, cassis, spice, and earthy replays. It has crisp acids, while the tannins are smooth and rounded with a fine, dusty texture. Mildly grippy on the back palate, while savoury earth and touches of plum and cherry notes linger on the crisp finish, with good length. Recommended buy. Score: 88+ pts

Other delicious wines by Maturana Winery can be ordered through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.

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