LCBO VINTAGES Wine Picks & Reviews : Index

Thursday, April 10, 2025

April 12, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Perfect Pairings

LCBO Wine Picks: April 12, 2025 VINTAGES New Release Collection

This release marks the return of the official digital version of the release catalogue, which for the first time includes a flipbook, as well as a pdf of the April 12, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. There are 85 wines included in this release, while the feature story is titled "Perfect Pairings for Easter and Passover". This release should've included some Online & Flagship Exclusives, but was omitted for some reason. Overall, it is a fine release with some very good buys at all price points, and all wines should be available for purchase by Saturday, if not earlier.

We'll begin with the feature story of the release that looks at Perfect Pairings for Easter and Passover celebrations. There are eighteen wines included in the theme, and six are included among my top wine picks. Sparkling wines are very versatile and perfect for the beginning of your celebration. There are two fine options for you in this release - the Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore, which is made with Glera, or the Champagne that is crafted with 75% Pinot Meunier, 15% Chardonnay, and 10% Pinot Noir. If you're serving chicken or turkey, try the Chenin Blanc from South Africa, or the Chardonnay from Niagara. For pairing with vegetarian fare, try the Albariño from Uruguay. The last wine from the theme is a perennially fine rosé from Tavel that is composed of 50% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Clairette, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Cinsault, and 5% Bourboulenc, and will be ideal with seafood.

Ca' di Rajo Extra Dry Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore 2023 (90 pts)

The blends among my top red wine recommendations from the main release begin in Tuscany with a Bolgheri that is a blend of 65% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Cabernet Franc, followed by an Australian red from Langhorne Creek that is composed of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Malbec, 6% Petit Verdot, and 4% Merlot. For Rhône wine lovers, the Côtes du Rhône is a GSM blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre, while the Côtes du Rhône-Villages is 50/50 Grenache and Syrah. The last blend is from Rioja, and it consists of 97% Tempranillo, 2% Graciano, and 1% Mazuelo. Some of the mono-varietal reds include the Brunello di Montalcino, which is crafted with Sangiovese, and the Carignan, which is from 60-year-old vines. There's also a Tannat from Uruguay, a Pinot Noir from Martinborough in New Zealand, a Malbec from Argentina, and a Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia.

Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia 2022 (94 pts)

Wakefield Estate Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 (89 pts)

Among my top white wine picks from the main release, all are mono-varietal white wines. Leading the way are a quartet of Sauvignon Blanc wines - one each from Südtirol Alto Adige in northern Italy, Australia, Chile, and one crafted locally in Niagara. You can also go off the beaten path and try the indigenous Insolia from Sicily, or if you want something with a little bit of sweetness, try the Gewürztraminer from Niagara.

Featherstone Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (90 pts)

Featherstone Phoenix Gewürztraminer 2024 (90 pts)

Wakefield Estate Label Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (89 pts)

My other rosé wine pick (which was not part of the feature story) is a dry rosé from Uruguay that consists of 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Merlot, and 20% Marselan.

Enjoy my top recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

LAVAU CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2020 - AC, France (#421024) (XD) - $16.95
WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 - Clare Valley / Limestone Coast, South Australia (#744235) (XD) - $19.95 89 pts wine review
FABRE MONTMAYOU RESERVA MALBEC 2023 - Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina (#261867) (XD) - $19.95
LA FERME DU MONT PREMIÈRE CÔTE CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2022 - Unfiltered, AP, France (#251645) (XD) - $19.95
DOMAINE LAFAGE CAYROL VIEILLES VIGNES CARIGNAN 2022 - IGP Côtes Catalanes, Languedoc-Roussillon, France (#494039) (XD) - $19.95
BODEGA GARZÓN RESERVA TANNAT 2022 - Maldonado, Uruguay (#558916) (XD) - $23.95
BERONIA 198 BARRICAS RESERVA 2019 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#42287) (XD) - $25.95
LUNA ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2022 - Sustainable, Martinborough, North Island, New Zealand (#17544) (XD) - $26.95
BLEASDALE FRANK POTTS 2022 - Langhorne Creek, South Australia (#619999) (XD) - $29.95
POGGIOTONDO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2019 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#276576) (XD) - $55.95
LE SERRE NUOVE DELL'ORNELLAIA 2022 - DOC Bolgheri Rosso, Tuscany, Italy (#606194) (XD) - $78.95 94 pts wine review

White Wine:

WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Australia (#166942) (XD) - $17.95 89 pts wine review
FEATHERSTONE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Sustainable, Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#89011) (XD) - $17.95 90 pts wine review
FEATHERSTONE PHOENIX GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2024 - Sustainable, Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#519025) (D) - $18.95 90 pts wine review
LEYDA GARUMA COASTAL VINEYARDS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 - DO Valle de Leyda, Chile (#99309) (XD) - $18.95
ASSULI CARINDA INSOLIA 2023 - DOC Sicilia, Italy (#39393) (XD) - $19.95
RADFORD DALE VINUM CHENIN BLANC 2023 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#13338) (XD) - $19.95
BODEGA GARZÓN RESERVA ALBARIÑO 2024 - Maldonado, Uruguay (#646802) (XD) - $23.95
NALS MARGREID STEIN SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 - DOC Südtirol Alto Adige, Italy (#39394) (XD) - $24.95
BACHELDER L'ARDOISE NIAGARA CHARDONNAY 2023 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#302083) (XD) - $25.95

Rosé Wine:

BODEGA GARZÓN ESTATE PINOT ROSÉ DE CORTE 2024 - Garzón, Uruguay (#15265) (XD) - $19.95
CHÂTEAU D'AQUÉRIA TAVEL ROSÉ 2024 - AP, Cru des Côtes du Rhône, France (#319368) (XD) - $24.95

Sparkling Wine:

CA' DI RAJO EXTRA DRY PROSECCO DI VALDOBBIADENE SUPERIORE 2023 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#369447) (D) - $20.95 90 pts wine review
HENRI DAVID-HEUCQ EXTRA BRUT CHAMPAGNE - AP, France (#39868) (XD) - $63.95

Ca' di Rajo Extra Dry Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore 2023 and Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 (Veneto) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wine reviews are a pair of lovely wines from northeastern Italy that are featured in LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collections. The Cabernet Sauvignon from Venezia made its debut at the end of March, while the Prosecco DOCG is featured in this weekend's Release. Both wines are available for purchase today!

Ca' di Rajo Extra Dry Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore 2023 (90 pts) and Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 (89 pts)

Like the lovely 2023 Aganis Di Flabe Ribolla Gialla I enjoyed last month, these wines are produced by the Cecchetto brothers at their family winery of Ca' di Rajo in San Polo di Piave, Treviso, in Italy's Veneto wine region. Founded in 1931, Simone, Alessio, and Fabio Cecchetto are now the third generation of the family to run the business. Ca' di Rajo is situated at the pinnacle of the Prosecco area, in a special place where the Venice Lagoon meets the Dolomites.

Ca' di Rajo means 'House of Rai', and is named after the nearby and historic remains of the Rai Tower, which stands at the top of a small hill, a short distance from a historic village church, and surrounded by centuries-old trees. Along with Rai Tower, there is also Chiesetta del Carmine and neighbouring Casa Convento, three symbols of great historical and artistic interest, as well as importance to the history of Rai and the Treviso countryside that stretches from Conegliano to Oderzo, in the territory where Ca' di Rajo stands. The church and the convent were built in the 14th century, and were part of the courtyard of a large castle. The Rai tower was built for strategic-military reasons in the 10th century on Roman foundations. All of these structures are part of Ca' di Rajo and can be visited through guided tours and wine tastings.

The family combines tradition and innovation, enhances native training systems, and produces native grapes with an international vision. In order to preserve the best quality grapes to craft their wines, they use the most innovative technologies during the winemaking process. In the last few years, Ca' di Rajo has invested in and modernized their facility such that they have meticulous control of all production processes, while also being able to guarantee safety with ISO 22000 certified production standards.

Today, Ca' di Rajo has fifteen hectares of vineyards that are being trained using the ancient Bellussera (a.k.a. ray) system, a highly sustainable cultivation method which preserves the history of their roots. They have planted local varieties such as Raboso and Marzemina Bianca, as well as international varieties. Additionally, they also have Manzoni Bianco 6.0.13 - a native variety that was born around 1930 out of a crossing of Pinot Bianco and Riesling Renano by Professor Manzoni. This variety has found the Piave basin a suitable terrain for development and is more resistant to illnesses and has unique characteristics.

From the relatively cool-climate regions of northeastern Italy, let's see how these wines from the 2023 vintage are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

CA' DI RAJO EXTRA DRY PROSECCO DI VALDOBBIADENE SUPERIORE 2023 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#369447) (D) - $20.95
100% Glera that was grown in the Guia di Valdobbiadene area between 300–400 metrea above sea level on clayey soil. After hand-harvesting the grapes in mid-September, they were very softly pressed and underwent a long Charmat method fermentation of 70–90 days. The intense nose is fragrant and attractive with aromas of Acacia flowers, white pear, apple, and white peach, along with accents of ripe lemon, and whiffs of violet. The mid-weighted palate is gently sweet with delicious citrus, ripe pear, lemon, orange, Flintstones vitamins, apple, Acacia flowers, and melon flavours. It has fairly crisp bubbles and juicy acidity, alongside a textured mouthfeel. It's nicely balanced throughout with leesy and floral notes lingering on the long, dry finish. Featured in the April 12 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and a highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

CA' DI RAJO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 - DOC Venezia, Italy (#39484) (XD) - $17.95
100% Cabernet Sauvignon that was grown in the provinces of Treviso and Venice, at 30 metres above sea level on soil that is clayey, sandy, and rich in organic substance. It was harvested at the end of September and vinified with a maceration of 20–25 days in thermo-controlled steel tanks. Mostly aged in steel, a portion of this wine was aged for at least 4 months in tonneaux. The cool, medium+ intensity nose seems a bit shy as it reveals earthy, raspberry, strawberry, red & black fruit, and savoury spice aromas flecked with currant and cassis notes. The medium+ bodied palate is dry and ripe with delicious raspberry, strawberry, red plum, and dried spice flavours in a fruit forward style. Savoury graphite and earth notes add complexity and interest on the slightly chewy mid-palate. Crisp acids are fresh and lively, while the fairly grippy and grainy tannins are quite firm at the moment, with good structure. Gently tangy with raspberry, strawberry, savoury spice, and graphite notes lingering on the well-balanced, crisp, and long-lasting finish. New arrival in LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on March 29th and a recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Ca' di Rajo Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 (89 pts)

Other lovely wines by Ca' di Rajo can be ordered through their Agent - Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.

Planeta La Segreta Grillo 2023 and Controdanza 2020 (Sicily) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wine reviews are a pair of lovely, sustainably crafted wines from Sicily that arrived in LCBO VINTAGES last month, with the Grillo making its debut in mid-March, while the red wine arrived last weekend. Both are readily available for purchase today!

Planeta La Segreta Grillo 2023 (90+ pts) and Controdanza 2020 (90+ pts)

The lovely wines are produced by Planeta, one of Sicily's most respected and renowned wine producers. The Planeta family have long and deep roots on the volcanic island of Sicily that spans 17 generations and over 500 years. They have been involved in the agricultural evolution of these complex lands with an approach that leans towards openness and innovation.

Planeta's more recent history begins in the early 1900s, when Grandfather Vito transformed the small, family winery in Menfi, in western Sicily, into a large co-operative in a short period of time, paving the way for new solutions and prospects. In the mid-1980s, the family planted their first vines around Ulmo, a 16th-century farmhouse which the family had always owned near the village of Sambuca di Sicilia. They wanted to provide this beautiful place full of memories with a new future and built their first winery at the site in 1995, on the banks of Lake Arancio and its nearby woods. Success at the Ulmo winery led to further expansion on the island, with the idea of producing each wine in its own territory.

Today, Planeta has wine estates across Sicily, in the territories of Vittoria, Noto, Etna, and Capo Milazzo. Planeta is still family-owned and operated, with primarily two generations of the family working on the estate, including brothers and sisters, children, nieces and nephews. Together, they have a vision of unity, love for the land, and a desire to protect it by using sustainable and environmentally-friendly approaches to viticulture and winemaking. As a pioneer in modern Sicilian winemaking, Planeta is focused on crafting high-quality wines using both indigenous and international varieties that reflect the unique terroirs of each territory in Sicily, while embracing innovation and modernity, and respecting tradition. With a passionate focus on the environment, all of Planeta's cultivated areas (vineyards, olive groves, almond orchards, and cereals) are certified organic.

This Grillo is from Planeta's Menfi territory range of wines. Menfi is located on the southern coast of western Sicily. The Menfi area, from the sea to the hills, and up to an altitude of 400 metres, is home to Planeta's largest extension of vineyards. Along with three estates in Menfi - Ulmo, Dispensa, and Monte Cirami - they have 250 hectares of vines where they make precise choices that are specific to both native and international varieties, as well as individual terroirs. The historic Dispensa estate has been in existence since 1755 and is hidden in the heart of the hills among the vineyards. The Dispensa estate is the heart of Planeta's activities, with production, administrative, and logistical headquarters developed around the estate. They also have two wineries on the property, with the small winery holding the family's collection of favourite wines from around the world, as well as certain vintages of Planeta wines. Furthermore, the family's library houses hundreds of Italian and foreign volumes dedicated to the history of vines and wines from the 18th century to the present day.

Bearing the name 'La Segreta', this Grillo is named after the woods that surround their Ulmo vineyards. It is cultivated with passion in accordance with sustainable and organic agricultural criteria. First crafted in the 2016 vintage, the first label was graphically related to a detail of an ancient 18th-century map of the area to underline the family's deep roots and presence on the site since ancient times. Today, the label takes inspiration from nature and depicts Sicilian flora with great precision and poetry.

The Controdanza, which translates to 'country dance', is named after the rural dance where dancers move elegantly in a pattern of opposition and agreement. This is what Planeta thought of when they combined Nero d’Avola with a small amount of Merlot, with this particular vintage composed of 85% Nero d’Avola and 15% Merlot that was cultivated in the white lands of Noto, as an unconventional blend based on contrast rather than similarity. Created as the second wine of their top-end Santa Cecilia, the grapes for this wine come from the lowest areas of the valleys where the fruit wins over the typical balsamicity of Nero d’Avola on Noto's lime soils.

With both of these wines coming from excellent vintages, let's see how these two wines from Sicily are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

PLANETA LA SEGRETA GRILLO 2023 - Sustainable, DOC Sicilia, Italy (#39442) (XD) - $19.95
100% Grillo organically grown on moderately deep, scarce -to-almost-non-existent structure, moderately limey, and average fertility soil at the Dispensa vineyard in Menfi. Raised entirely in stainless steel and enclosed by Stelvin screw cap. The lovely, medium-high intensity nose has depth with an attractive mix of ripe lemon citrus, flinty mineral, yellow flowers, and herbal aromas surrounding a core of apple and pear notes. On the fleshy, medium-full bodied palate it is dry and spicy with lovely aroma replays of lemon citrus, apple, pear, herbs, and mineral notes on the flavour profile. It has crisp and juicy acidity, along with a fine, mineral texture on the mid-palate. Spice and minerals are nuanced with lemon citrus on the long, succulent, and juicy finish. Arrived in LCBO VINTAGES on March 15th and is a highly recommended buy. Score: 90+ pts

Planeta La Segreta Grillo 2023 (90+ pts)

PLANETA CONTRODANZA 2020 - Sustainable, DOC Sicilia Noto, Italy (#477190) (XD) - $24.95
This blend of 85% Nero d'Avola and 15% Merlot was grown at their Buonivini vineyard in Noto on soils composed of lime marl, with abundant structure of small size, along with a finely textured soil featuring small amounts of light-coloured chalk. Matured for 12 months in fourth- and fifth-use Allier oak barrels. The lifted, medium-high intensity nose offers a lovely, slightly perfumed bouquet of dried roses, floral, fresh & dried cherry, sweet spice, and leather aromas with undertones of savoury earth and minerals. The medium-full bodied palate is dry and chewy with a fairly firm structure and delicious balsamic flavours joining the black cherry, floral, leather, and spices. Some dried berry and floral characters add further interest. Lemony acids are fresh and juicy, while the refined, slightly drying tannins have good grip and structure. Minerally and gently spicy on the long, savoury finish. Arrived in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on March 29th and is a highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

A selection of fine wines by Planeta (some in limited quantities) are available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

Flor de Maio Mayflower 2021 (Portugal) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a terrific, vegan-friendly red wine blend from Portugal that returned to the LCBO a couple of weeks ago in the March 15 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Magnum Wines, a winery that was founded in 2011 by winemaker Carlos Lucas. Originally from Dão, Carlos had a dream to produce quality wines in his home country of Portugal with a team that was dynamic and continuously interested in innovation, while also respecting tradition and history.

Since the beginning, Magnum Vinhos has been environmentally concerned and respectful of the land. These days, they are pursuing a sustainable growth strategy that respects the land and wines, while also aiming to showcase the authentic sublime of every region where it has vineyards. While the heart of Magnum Wines is the Quinta do Ribeiro Santo production facility in the Dão region, Magnum also has wineries throughout Portugal, including Maria Mora in Alentejo, where this red wine is from.

While the 2016 Flor de Maio Mayflower Red I tasted four years ago was a blend of three grapes, this latest vintage is composed of four grapes - Trincadeira, Aragonez (Tempranillo), Touriga Nacional, and Syrah. The grapes were grown in the Mora, within the Évora district, about 100 km east of Lisbon. The 60-hectare vineyard is planted on a low-altitude, slightly sloped plain, with exposure to the south. The soil in this vineyard is poor and consists mainly of clay and limestone. This area is dry throughout the year, cold during winter, and hot during summer. The grapes were manually harvested, destemmed, and then fermented in stainless steel vats with prolonged maceration and gentle pumping over to extract colour and aromas. The wine was naturally decanted and aged in stainless steel vats, with light filtration, until bottling.

The 2021 vintage in Alentejano was almost brilliant with remarkable acidity and balance. The growing season began with winter rains that replenished the soil. Spring was warm and dry, which provided the perfect conditions for flowering and fruit set. Summer was much milder than usual, while the cool nights allowed for slow and steady ripening. There was a brief heatwave at the beginning of August, which temporarily shut down the vines and stopped the ripening process. However, temperatures cooled down by mid-month. The quality of the grapes at harvest resulted in wines with elegance, remarkable acidity, and balance. Let's see how this 2021 Portuguese red from Alentejano is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

FLOR DE MAIO MAYFLOWER 2021 - Vegan, Vinho Regional Alentejano, Portugal (#427195) (XD) - $15.95
This unoaked blend of Trincadeira, Aragonez, Touriga Nacional, and Syrah has a medium-high intensity nose that is fragrant and open with a lovely mix of brambly, dark red cherry, raspberry, and plum aromas nuanced savoury minerals and earth. On the dry, medium+ bodied palate it is ripe with plummy, cran-cherry, raspberry, gentle spice, and earth flavours flecked with minerals. Acids are juicy and well-balanced, while the smooth and refined tannins have good structure. Gently grippy on the back palate, with plummy, dark cherry, and earthy mineral notes lingering on the lengthy, succulent finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

One other wine by Magnum Wines is available at the LCBO, while the full portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Rare Earth Wines.

Boutari Naoussa Xinomavro 2021 (Greece) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is the emblematic and lovely Xinomavro from Naoussa in Greece that arrived at the LCBO in the recent March 15 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Boutari, one of Greece's most historic and influential wineries. Boutari Winery was established in 1879 in Northern Greece in Naoussa, Macedonia, by Ioannis Boutaris. In 1906, Mr. Boutaris built the city's first privately-owned winery and retail cellar, while also launching the production of the first Greek red wine that was bottled under the now-renowned "Naoussa Boutari" label.

By the mid-1930s, Stelios Boutaris, son of Ioannis, took over the reins of the family business and began exporting wines to other countries in 1935. Stelios also built a second winery in Naoussa and laid the foundation for years to come. In 1968, Giannis and Konstantinos Boutaris, the two sons of Stelios, took over the winery, ventured into vine growing by purchasing a vineyard in Imathia, and propelled the company to new heights, while also shaping it into what it is today. A decade later, Boutari inaugurated their new, state-of-the-art winery in Stenimachos, Naoussa. This flagship winery remains the centre of production, bottling, and ageing today.

The 1980s were a time of growth as Boutari expanded their operations to most of the major wine-producing regions in Greece. The Boutaris family also became actively involved in the cultural, social, and economic growth of their host communities, while also highlighting each region's unique identity and vine-growing qualities. During this period, Boutari also experimented with the cultivation of Greek and foreign varieties to create new wines that are mainstays of the current portfolio. Boutari has continued to grow and expand throughout the years, garnering numerous accolades along the way.

Boutari has wineries situated in the most important wine-producing regions of Greece - Mantineia, Naoussa, and Goumenissa. This particular red wine is from their Naoussa estate winery, which is situated on the eastern edge of Vermio in the region of Macedonia in Northern Greece. It was in Naoussa where Boutari's journey began. While viticulture in the Naoussa area is deeply rooted in the past, Boutari's presence has been decisive not only for the preservation of the Xinomavro variety during times when viticulture was threatened, but also for the promotion and recognition of the variety and the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) zone of Naoussa. This achievement was realized by producing excellent and historically significant wines.

Emblematic of modern Greek wine history, this Boutari Naoussa is one of the first Greek red bottled PDO wines and constitutes a landmark for red wines in Greece. It is crafted using 100% Xinomavro that was vinified by a 24-hour cold maceration (with a small percentage bled off for rosé production), followed by a controlled alcoholic fermentation with selected yeast strains at 20–27°C. The wine underwent a gentle extraction with few pumpovers prior to starting malolactic fermentation. It was matured in 5th- and 6th-use French oak barrels for 12 months, then filtered with sheet filtration prior to bottling.

The vintage in 2021 in Naoussa began with a relatively warm winter, with rainfall mainly limited to January. The first two months of spring were cold with little rainfall, which resulted in a later than normal budbreak and flowering, while May was relatively warm and dry. June featured relatively high temperatures and sufficient rainfall, which led to intense vegetative growth and larger grapes. Summer was particularly hot, with increased diurnal temperature ranges between day and night, and reduced rainfall, conditions which stressed the vines and delayed ripening. The first half of September presented ideal conditions for late-ripening varieties such as Xinomavro, while the latter half of the month featured low nighttime temperatures and autumn rains making their first appearance, which benefited the plants. Xinomavro was the last variety to be harvested, and it was completed prior to the rains that began in Naoussa on October 5th. From a vintage that produced positive results, let's see how this 2021 Naoussa Xinomavro from Greece is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

BOUTARI NAOUSSA XINOMAVRO 2021 - PDO Naoussa, Macedonia, Greece (#23218) (XD) - $20.95
The medium+ to medium-high intensity nose has maturing aromas of dried dark red cherry and rose floral with woody, savoury earth, and cinnamon accents, plus whiffs of fresh lemon citrus. On the dry, medium-full to full-bodied palate it has a lovely, maturing flavour profile of dried cherry, floral, oak spice, cinnamon, and earthy replays, plus some sour cherry notes. It's supported by juicy, lemony-sour acidity, alongside medium-firm structured tannins. Savoury earth, mineral, and cinnamon notes linger on the long, fairly firm, sour-edged, and juicy finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

A couple of other wines by Boutari are available at the LCBO, while the full portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.

LCBO Wine Picks: March 29, 2025 VINTAGES New Release Collection

Here are my top wine picks from the March 29, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, which is headlined by "Top Old World and New World Grapes". It is a small-ish release with just 84 wines, surely reduced because U.S. wines are no longer available. On the whole, it is getting more difficult to find quality wines under $20, but there are a few in this release, while there are many options for those able & willing to spend more. All the wines should be available for purchase already, if not by Saturday.

We'll begin with the feature story titled "Double Exposure: Top Old World and New World Grapes", which looks at wines crafted using grapes from the old world and compares and contrasts them with wines crafted in the new world using these same grapes. There are eight grapes (or grape blends), and two wines from each category, for a total of sixteen wines included in the thematic, of which four wines are among my top wine picks. On the local front, from the new world in Niagara, there is a lovely off-dry Riesling, as well as a fine Chardonnay. The other two recommendations are both Cabernet Sauvignon wines, with one version from Venezie in Italy, while the other is from South Africa, which is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Malbec.

There are several blends among my top red wine recommendations. We'll begin with the oldest wine in the release, a 2012 Rioja that is crafted with 75% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacho, and 10% Graciano / Mazuelo. There are also two red blends from Italy, with the Gran Selezione Chianti Classico crafted using a minimum of 90% Sangiovese, while the red from Sicily is composed of 85% Nero d’Avola and 15% Merlot. From France, the Côtes du Rhône-Villages is a blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 8% Mourvèdre, and 2% other varieties, while the Meritage from a great vintage in Niagara is a Cab-Merlot crafted with 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Cabernet Franc, and 22% Merlot.

Among my top white wine picks, there are two blends - the Greek wine is composed of 60% Moschofilero, 25% Assyrtiko, and 15% Malagousia, while the Australian white is a blend of 55% Viognier and 45% Marsanne. Also among my picks are a pair of lovely Chardonnays, one each from New Zealand and Niagara, followed by a premium Sauvignon Blanc from NZ. The lone bubbly is a Prosecco crafted with 100% Glera.

Tenuta Civranetta Brut Prosecco (89 pts)

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!