April 26, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Warm-Weather Wines

Here are my top wine picks from the April 26, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (flipbook here). Normally, this would've been the release where the focus was on wines from California, but with the current tariff situation, we get a release titled "Warm-Weather Wines" instead, while the mini-theme has a miniscule three wines from Victoria, Australia. Having said that, it is a very good release with 95 wines offered, Ontario wines shining brightly, and also includes nearly two dozen Online & Flagship Exclusive (OFE) wines. Many wines are already available at LCBO outlets across Ontario, and all should be available by Saturday.

We'll begin with the feature story of "Warm-Weather Wines", which includes fourteen wines, nearly half from Ontario, and has a fine mix of white, (lighter) red, rosé, and sparkling wines. Seven wines from the feature story are among my top recommended buys, including all six wines from Ontario. First up are a pair of lovely vintage sparkling wines, with the Blanc de Blancs crafted with 100% Chardonnay, while the rosé sparkling is made with 100% Pinot Noir. Among the white wines from Ontario, the Fumé Blanc is a lovely barrel fermented and aged Sauvignon Blanc, while the Leaning Post Chardonnay was fermented and aged in concrete. The Marsanne includes a splash of (2.4%) Viognier and (2.4%) Pinot Gris. The last white wine from Ontario is a mildly sweet Riesling from Niagara. The lone red comes from Beaujolais, and it is crafted with Gamay.

Red wine blends from the main release begin with the Wine of the Month - a fabulous Bordeaux red that is composed of 55% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc. Staying in France, there are a trio of wines from the Southern Rhône Valley - the Châteauneuf-du-Pape is 70% Grenache and the rest mainly Syrah, the Cairanne is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Carignan, and the Luberon is a blend of Grenache and Syrah. For Pinot Noir wine lovers, look to the Hautes-Côtes de Nuits from Burgundy, or the fine local Pinot from the Beamsville Bench in Niagara. And lastly, from Italy, the Brunello di Montalcino is crafted with 100% Sangiovese Grosso, while the Riserva Chianti Classico is a blend of 90/10 Sangiovese and Merlot.

From my top white wine recommendations, the Bachelder Chardonnay grown in the Twenty Mile Bench has to be among the best from Niagara. There's also an excellent Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre, as well as a blend of Rabigato, Viosinho, and Códega do Larinho from Portugal. Other blends include the white from Roussillon that is 80/20 Grenache Blanc and Roussanne, and the white wine from Crete in Greece is a blend of 60% Muscat of Spina and 40% Vidiano.

Among my rosé wine picks, the dry rosé from Provence is crafted with 60% Grenache, 25% Cinsault, 10% Syrah, and 5% Mourvèdre, while the rosé from Niagara is a co-fermented blend of 94% Cabernet Franc and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon that has a hint of sweetness.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• M. CHAPOUTIER LA CIBOISE LUBERON 2022 - AP, Rhône, France (#43441) (XD) - $14.95  88+ pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU DE DURETTE LES BRUYÈRES RÉGNIÉ 2023 - AC, Beaujolais, France (#42731) (XD) - $19.95
• ARBOLEDA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 - Sustainable, DO Valle del Aconcagua, Chile (#606764) (XD) $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• BROTTE GROSSET CRÉATION CAIRANNE 2021 - AC, Rhône, France (#33852) (XD) - $19.95  90 pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU TANESSE 2020 - Sustainable, AC Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux, France (#666628) (XD) - $19.95  90+ pts  wine review
• MAZZEI SER LAPO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#288530) (XD) - $24.95  91 pts  wine review
• H.J. FABRE GGG GRAN GRANDE GUALTALLARY MALBEC 2021 - Sustainable, Vegan, Gualtallary, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#35429) (XD) - $27.95
• PROSPER MAUFOUX DOMAINE VIGNE AU ROY BOURGOGNE HAUTES-CÔTES DE NUITS 2023 - AP, Burgundy, France (#43436) (XD) - $31.95  91+ pts  wine review
• BACHELDER BEAM CITY PINOT NOIR 2021 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#39621) (XD) - $39.95  OFE  92+ pts  wine review
• LA TORRE BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2019 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#17626) (XD) - $69.95  OFE
• SAINTES PIERRES DE NALYS CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2021 - AC, Rhône, France (#29517) (XD) - $71.95  OFE

White Wine:

• SAINT-ROCH CORBAROL CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON 2024 - AP, France (#175232) (XD) - $14.95
• KLADOS THE GREAT HAWK MUSCAT OF SPINA/VIDIANO 2023 - Isle of Crete, Greece (#40459) (XD) - $17.95
• DOMAINE HATZIMICHALIS ALEPOTRYPA VINEYARD ASSYRTIKO 2023 - PGI Atalanti Valley, Greece (#27182) (XD) - $18.95
• SPY VALLEY PINOT GRIS 2022 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#41807) (M) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• KEW MARSANNE 2020 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#485334) (XD) - $19.95  91+ pts  wine review
• TAWSE LIMESTONE RIDGE-NORTH RIESLING 2021 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#431593) (M) - $21.95
• QUADRUS WHITE 2023 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#667162) (XD) - $22.95  89 pts  wine review
• LEANING POST THE FIFTY CHARDONNAY 2022 - Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#578864) (XD) - $25.95
• HIDDEN BENCH ROSOMEL VINEYARD FUMÉ BLANC 2022 - Sustainable, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#68825) (XD) - $29.95
• PASCAL JOLIVET SANCERRE 2023 - AC, Loire, France (#264945) (XD) - $49.95  92 pts  wine review
• BACHELDER PARCELLE NORD WISMER-FOXCROFT SINGLE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2022 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#547299) (XD) - $54.95  OFE

Rosé Wine:

• BLACK BANK HILL RUNWAY ROSÉ 2023 - VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#43599) (D) - $24.95  89 pts  wine review
• OTT BY.OTT ROSÉ 2023 - AC Côtes de Provence, France (#490896) (XD) - $34.95

Sparkling Wine:

• KEW ROSALIE ROSÉ SPARKLING 2019 - Traditional Method, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#43594) (XD) - $32.95  90+ pts  wine review
• HENRY OF PELHAM CUVÉE CATHARINE CARTE BLANCHE ESTATE BLANC DE BLANCS 2017 - Sustainable, Traditional Method, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#315200) (XD) - $49.95  92 pts  wine review

Dessert Wine:

• LAKEVIEW GEWÜRZTRAMINER ICEWINE 2019 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#547703, 200 mL) (S) - $34.95  92+ pts  wine review

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Wakefield Estate Label Wines - Degrees Matter

Last month I had the pleasure of attending a media event titled "The Temperature Experience". I had the opportunity to Chill Out with Justin Taylor, a third generation family member of renowned and well-respected Wakefield Wines (also known as Taylors Wines in their home country of Australia). The purpose of this event was to taste Wakefield's latest Estate Series of wines that are now available in Ontario, and, more importantly, to stimulate our senses and find out why degrees matter.

Wakefield Wines was established in 1969 by Bill Taylor Sr. in South Australia's Clare Valley. Bill found a perfect plot of land by the Wakefield River to establish the family estate and planted his first Cabernet Sauvignon vines that would eventually find its way into the family's first wine in 1973 - the Estate Label Cabernet Sauvignon. During the excavation of the land to find a water source for the vines, they discovered tiny seahorses in the limestone bedrock that date back more than 600 million years - seahorses that became the winery's symbol and emblem for over 50 years.

Today, Wakefield Wines is led by the third generation of the family - brothers Mitchell, Justin, and Clinton. Their focus is on continuing the family tradition by crafting delicious wines that not only stand the test of time, but are also crafted in a sustainable and responsible manner that respects the fruit and where it comes from.

With a strong innovative spirit, the Taylor family launched an industry-first on-the-bottle temperature sensor in 2016 that helps ensure that wine drinkers enjoy Wakefield wines at the optimum temperature. I covered the Optimum Drinking Temperature Sensor a few years ago when the wines with these innovative labels first made their way into Canada in 2020.

At this event, we had the opportunity to taste four Estate Label wines that are available in Ontario and compare the difference when experiencing the wine that was served either too warm or too cold and the optimum temperature. First up was a refreshing Chardonnay. However, the aromas and flavours were a bit muted when served too cold. There was much more intensity, depth, flavours, and texture when the Chardonnay was served at the ideal suggested temperature of 10–12°C.

The Sauvignon Blanc was terribly imbalanced and dull when served too warm. The suggested temperature for the Wakefield Sauvignon Blanc is 6–8°C, and at this cooler temperature the wine comes alive with refreshing acidity and bright fruit flavours. It is important to note that the wine shouldn't be served too cold either, because this will mute the wine and you won't get to experience all that it offers.

Both red wines were absolutely gross when served too warm. To illustrate this, the warm wines were poured out of a thermos and one sip had me spit and dump the wine into a spittoon. The suggested temperature for each of their reds is between 16–18°C and each wine was lovely at this temperature, showcasing both the fruit and oak in their aromas and flavours, along with a fine texture, with everything in balance.

The key takeaway is that temperature plays a very important role in how you experience a wine and how it impacts your enjoyment. Serving wine at the correct temperature enhances aromas and flavours, affects the wine's structure, alters perception of sweetness & alcohol, and preserves the wine's integrity. The suggested serving temperature for white wines is between 6–12°C, and I would personally lean a little warmer for richer white wines such as Chardonnay. For red wines, the suggested serving temperature is between 12–18°C. The old adage of serving red wines at "room temp" is from a bygone era when central heating didn't exist and rooms were generally cold. There are various methods you can use to cool down (ice bath, freezer, refrigerator, etc...) or warm up your wine (rest at room temperature, hold glass in your hands, etc...). Personally, all my wines are placed in the refrigerator, at the back of the top shelf for cooling, with the white wines resting there for 50 to 60 minutes prior to opening, and the red wines for 45 minutes.

All Estate Label wines, including the four listed below, have the innovative temperature sensor on the back label. The Chardonnay and the Shiraz are available year-round at the LCBO as they are VINTAGES Essentials products, while the Sauvignon Blanc (which hasn't been in Ontario in many years) and Cabernet Sauvignon arrived in Ontario a week ago in the April 12th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. All four are worthy buys, and with a convenient temperature sensor on the back label, you can actively taste the difference that temperature makes!

To use the sensor, simply wipe away any moisture from the circular Temperature Sensor to reveal its true colour, then match its colour to the chart on the left to see if you are serving the wine at the correct temperature.

Tasting Notes:

WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Adelaide Hills / Margaret River, Australia (#166942) (XD) - $17.95
Screw cap. Fresh, medium-high intensity nose offers a lovely mix of gooseberry, lime citrus, grapefruit, lemongrass, and green herb aromas with leesy undertones. It's medium-full bodied with good weight, concentration, and richness, along with delicious ripe lime citrus, gooseberry, and grapefruit, herbs, and leesy flavours on the palate. Mostly dry with a vague impression of sweetness and a richly textured mouthfeel. Acids are clean and well-balanced. Lime citrus, gooseberry, and grapefruit notes taper to leesy flavours on the long, crisp, and juicy finish. Best enjoyed at the temperature suggested on the back label. Score: 89 pts

WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL CHARDONNAY 2022 - Clare Valley / Limestone Coast, South Australia (#711556) (XD) - $16.95 $15.95 until Apr. 27
Served at 8C, this has fresh, citrusy, lemon, and ripe tropical fruit nose. It's nicely textured and a touch grippy on the medium+ bodied and dry palate with delicious aroma replays on the flavour profile It has fresh and lively acidity, and is nicely balanced throughout. Very good length on the crisp finish. At the ideal temperature of between 10-12C, it allowed the wine to breathe and release more complex aromas and flavours, while also offering a more richer, rounder, and creamier mouthfeel. It was definitely much better at the slightly warmer temperatures and continued to improve as it warmed up in my glass. Score: 89 pts

WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL SHIRAZ 2022 - Clare Valley / Limestone Coast, South Australia (#943787) (XD) - $19.95 $17.95 until Apr. 27

Generously intense with ripe plum, black cherry, blackberry aromas nuanced with some savoury cocoa, milk chocolate, and vanilla notes. The salty, medium-full bodied palate is well-structured with delicious aroma replays and notable spicy, cocoa chocolate, blackberry, and black plum flavours. It has very good, crisp acidity and supple, well-structured tannins. Nicely textured with earthy, cocoa, and savoury notes on the finish, with very good length. Score: 88+ pts

WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 - Limestone Coast / Clare Valley, South Australia (#744235) (XD) - $19.95
52% Limestone Coast and 48% Clare Valley fruit and enclosed by screw cap. The rich, medium-high intensity nose offers lovely dark fruited, black currant, cassis, cedar oak spice, cocoa, and earthy aromas accented with leafy herbs and mint. It's full-bodied and ripe on the dry palate with black & red fruits, currant, cassis, gentle oak spice, and savoury earth flavours accented with plummy and minty herb notes. Acids are crisp and fresh, while the ripe, refined, and mildly grippy tannins are well-structured. Clean and well-balanced with savoury black fruit and cocoa notes lingering on the lengthy finish. Score: 89 pts

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Château Plantey 2018 (Bordeaux) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is an excellent Cru Bourgeois Cab-Merlot from the Pauillac appellation on the Left Bank of Bordeaux. It made its debut at the LCBO and was featured as part of the theme exploring France's top wine regions in the February 1st LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Château Plantey is situated in the winegrowing commune and appellation of Pauillac, within Haut-Médoc in Bordeaux. The small village of Pauillac is located on the west bank of the Gironde, while Château Plantey is only a couple of kilometres west of the village centre. Château Plantey is an old property which used to be owned by the De Gerès family from Loupes, Seigneurs of Camarsac.

In 1958, the vineyard was purchased by Gabriel Meffre. A former print media journalist for twelve years, Claude Meffre, son of Gabriel, now owns Château Plantey. Claude decided to join the family business in 1996 and first managed Château La Commanderie in Saint-Estèphe. From 2000, Claude has managed Château Plantey.

With most red wines from the Left Bank being Cabernet Sauvignon-based blends, this red wine from Pauillac is also a blend that consists of 50/50 Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that was grown on the exceptional terroir around the château, which is located in the commune of Pauillac, just north of the hamlet of Artigues, about 2 km inland from the shores of the Gironde. The 27 hectares of vines, which sit about 30 metres higher than the area surrounding them, average 30 years old and are planted on chalky clay and gravel soil. The grapes were harvested by hand and mechanically, then traditionally vinified with thermoregulation in vats for three weeks. The wine was aged for 12 months in a combination of both vats and barrels, with 25% of the barrels new. In the 2018 vintage, Château Plantey was the only Cru Bourgeois listed from Pauillac.

The 2018 vintage in Pauillac began with a relatively mild winter, followed by very complex weather at the beginning of the season, with a deluge of rain and permanently high humidity until mid-July. From the rest of July through September, conditions were incredible, including searing heat, and perfect for achieving great maturity. While the 2018 vintage in Pauillac is considered to be excellent, some of the wines showed a slightly overcooked character, as well as some inconsistencies across the region in quality. Let's see how this 2018 Bordeaux red wine from Pauillac is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU PLANTEY 2018 - AC Pauillac, Bordeaux, France (#38192) (XD) - $44.95
This Cru Bourgeois is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot and has a lovely, elegant, and medium-high to highly aromatic nose of ripe red & black fruits, currant, and cassis aromas layered over earthy-smoky minerality, graphite, and accents of red cherry notes. The weighty, medium-full to full-bodied is dry with medium-firm, well-structured, ripe and slightly chewy tannins that are smooth and fine grained. Ripe flavours of red & black fruits, currant, cassis, black cherry surround a savoury core of earthy minerality and graphite. Touch chalky and grippy textured on the mid-palate, along with some warmth, but still well-balanced. Quite elegant throughout with savoury, graphite mineral notes lingering on the exceptionally long finish. Lovely! Enjoy this highly recommended buy into the early 2030s. Score: 92+ pts

While this wine appears to be sold out at the LCBO, you may be able to get your hands on it through their Agent - Churchill Cellars.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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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!

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

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

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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!

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 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.

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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.

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