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  • Date publishedFriday, November 14, 2025

Miles From Nowhere Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (Australia) - Wine Review

white wine review is a delicious Sauvignon Blanc from Margaret River in Western Australia that made its debut at the LCBO in last month's LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on .

It is produced by Miles From Nowhere, a wine brand established in 2007 by Franklin & Heather Tate. Franklin began working in wine when he planted his parents' first vines in 1973, while the couple have been working in the wine industry together since 1986. Miles From Nowhere is a dedication to the Tate family's patriarch that arrived in Australia from Ukraine over 100 years ago, and felt every bit 'miles from nowhere'. The brand's name also alludes to the geographic remoteness of the vineyards situated in the beautifully isolated Margaret River wine region of Western Australia.

The Tate family's goal with Miles From Nowhere is for every glass to express their love and passion for the Margaret River region. Frederique Perrin is the Director of Winemaking at Miles From Nowhere, and her philosophy is based on the belief that most wines are made to be shared and drunk. Additionally, no great wine is made in the cellar, as it all begins with viticulture, and then focusing on crafting wines that capture the soul of the terroir.

Miles From Nowhere has three ranges of wines - the icon wine range titled "Origin of Now", the middle-tier Best Blocks range, and the entry-level Estate Range. This particular white wine is from their Estate Range and is crafted using 100% Sauvignon Blanc that was grown in their vineyards in Margaret River.

For this particular vintage, they selected their best blocks of the year, with about 70% coming from their Wilyabrup property and the remaining from their Karridale property. The Sauvignon Blanc in Wilyabrup is planted in an east-west orientation, by the property dam, and cane pruned. It ripens slowly due to the cool nights and foggy mornings, and produces moderate yields. The Sauvignon Blanc in Karridale is oriented north-south, on a slightly south-facing slope; therefore, the fruit is exposed to the sun by several leaf plucking passes throughout the season to ensure even ripening, while the very cool nights preserve the crisp acidity all the way to the harvest. To craft this wine, the grapes were harvested at night and rushed to the winery for pressing while cold. After pressing, the juice was racked off the majority of its solids, leaving some fine lees to bring to the ferment, which was long and cool (about 12°C), to preserve the fine fruit aromas. The wine was aged sur lees for about 3 months, then filtered and bottled in early winter.

The growing season in Margaret River was mild, with harvest starting a bit later than normal, and in great weather conditions. All the white varieties were allowed to optimally ripen and could be harvested at their peak flavour profile. For this wine, the Sauvignon Blanc from both sites was picked on the 3rd of March, with the Wilyabrup fruit displaying intense tropical fruit characters, while the Karridale fruit was added to the blend to provide refined focus and length. From a fantastic vintage, let's see how this 2023 Sauvignon Blanc from Margaret River is tasting tonight...

Miles From Nowhere Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

MILES FROM NOWHERE MARGARET RIVER SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 - Western Australia (#41794) (XD) - $18.95
Enclosed by screw cap, this has a fragrant, highly aromatic nose that delivers a fine mix of lime/lemon citrus, leesy mineral, and garden herb aromas flecked with ripe tropical fruits (guava, kiwi), jalapeño, and spice. The dry, medium+ weighted palate has good density and concentration that supports the delicious lime/lemon citrus, guava, kiwi, garden herb, leesy mineral, and spice replays. It's well-balanced throughout with clean, fresh, and vibrant acidity. More lime citrus and guava with touches of leesy minerals linger on the long, crisp finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Miles From Nowhere can be ordered through their Agent - Dionysus Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedTuesday, November 11, 2025

Fleuron de La Rebourgère Sur Lie Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine 2023 (Loire) - Wine Review

white wine review is the latest vintage of a terrific Melon de Bourgogne from the Loire Valley that arrived at the LCBO in last month's LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Domaine Girard, a family estate winery that was established in the 1940s by the husband and wife team of Marcel and Gabrielle Girard in Rebourgère, a hamlet of Maisdon-sur-Sèvre, in the heart of the region of Nantes, Loire Valley. Gaston Girard, the only son of Marcel and Gabrielle, began working on the family farm at an early age and helped his mother, who had lost her husband after he returned from the war with an illness. Like most farms of the period, the Girard family practiced mixed farming with some cattle, cereal crops, and vines.

In 1961, Gaston married Georgette, a young woman from the nearby village of La Haie-Fouassière, and together they grew the farm by giving up on mixed farming and focusing on grapevines. As pioneers in the 1970s, the Girard family focused on direct-selling of their wines. With the entire family involved in the business, Gaston focused on winemaking, while his son, Patrick, helped bottle, label, and wrap the product. At the end of the week, the whole family would travel to other regions in France to hand-deliver their wines to cafés, restaurants, and private clients.

Patrick Girard, the third generation of his family to farm these lands, followed his father's footsteps and began to work in the vineyard and help with winemaking in the late 1980s, after completing his studies in winemaking. In 1991, after Gaston retired, Patrick took over the family estate. In the spring of 1991, the vines froze, and the crop was completely annihilated. In May 1991, Gaston married Martine, and together with bravery and amibition, they rebuilt the family vineyard over the years, while also making numerous improvements using modern techniques both in the vineyard and cellar.

Today, Domaine Girard's philosophy is based on the quality of the work, precision, and the flawless quality of the wines. They have 93 acres of vines in reasoned culture, and use 40% of the crop to create a diverse range of wines. As winemaker, Patrick also works in the vineyard and takes care of the commercial aspects of the business, while Martine works in the cellar, prepares orders, administrative, and accounting activities. The fourth generation of the family, Guillaume Girard, son of Patrick and Martine, joined the family estate in 2013, after completing his studies in winemaking and marketing, and like his father, combines tradition with modernity to craft their lovely Loire Valley wines.

Like the 2022 Domaine Girard Le Fleuron de La Rebourgère Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine Sur Lie I enjoyed in Spring of last year, this white wine is crafted with 100% Melon de Bourgogne that was grown on silty, clayey, and shallow soils (less than 30 cm), with a sub-soil made of schist and gneiss. The vines are more than 40 years old and planted on weak-to-moderate slopes. The grapes were mechanically harvested, then direct-pressed into underground, thermo-regulated vats for fermentation. The wine was left on its lees for 9–10 months, with one or two bâtonnages (lees stirring) in order to increase richness and texture.

In 2023, the Loire Valley had a challenging vintage due to variable weather conditions which encompassed both rain and heatwaves, with producers fighting against mildew and acid rot. However, one of the most successful areas of the Loire in this vintage was in the western area of Pays Nantais, which encompasses the Muscadet appellations. Because the Melon de Bourgogne varietal is an early ripening grape, producers were able to the Melon grape during the heatwave at the beginning of September, and prior to the heavy rains that fell mid-month. The result was Muscadet with perfectly ripe grapes, very good concentration, and slightly higher alcohol levels. Let's see how this 2023 Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine from the Loire Valley is tasting tonight...

Fleuron de La Rebourgère Sur Lie Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine 2023 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

FLEURON DE LA REBOURGÈRE SUR LIE MUSCADET SÈVRE-ET-MAINE 2023 - AOC, Loire, France (#557207) (XD) - $16.95
This 100% Melon de Bourgogne has a medium+ to medium-high intensity nose that is clean and refined with elegant lemon citrus, stone fruit, and ripe apple aromas, plus touches of leesy minerals and a whiff of honey adding nuance and interest. The dry, medium-full bodied palate is rich and densely concentrated with ripe apple, lemon citrus, and leesy mineral flavours, plus stone fruit, melon, and spice characters adding complexity. It has crisp and finely detailed acidity, along with a richly textured mouthfeel. Apple notes give way to leesy and oyster shell minerals with touches of spice on the long, succulent, and juicy finish. Highly recommended buy to enjoy with seafood. Score: 89 pts

Other terrific wines by Domaine Girard can be ordered through their Agent - DBINO David Beauroy Selections.


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  • Date publishedTuesday, November 11, 2025

November 8, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Festive Wines + Burgundy

LCBO Wine Picks: November 8, 2025 VINTAGES New Release Collection
Here are my top wine picks from the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here), where "Wines for Every Festive Moment" is the feature story of the release, while The Bounties of Burgundy is the mini-feature. Also included in this release are a new batch of Online & Flagship Exclusives. While this is a large and fairly expensive release with 145 products offered and the average price per bottle just north of $38, it is a very good release with many fine options for festive occasions - and your cellar. All the wines should be readily available for purchase online and in-stores across Ontario.

We'll begin with the feature story titled "Wines for Every Festive Moment", which could be translated to "Premium Wines for Festive Moments" as each wine is priced at a minimum of $34.95. Of the thirteen wines included in the feature story, five are among my top wine picks. At the top of the list is the Oreno that is crafted with 45% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot, followed by a Gran Selezione Chianti Classico that is 100% Sangiovese, and a Pinot Noir from South Africa. On the local front, there is a lovely Syrah that is co-fermented with 9.3% Viognier from Niagara, as well as a dry white wine blend from Lincoln Lakeshore that is crafted with 68% Pinot Gris and 32% Gewürztraminer.

Oreno 2022 (94 pts)Kacaba Terraced Vineyard Syrah 2021 (91+ pts)

My top red wine recommendations from the main release also begin in Tuscany with the Tignanello that is a blend of 78% Sangiovese, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 4% Cabernet Franc, followed by the Chianti Classico that is made with 100% Sangiovese. Australia has a quartet of fine offerings, starting with the 2022 Barossa red that is a blend of 45% Grenache, 36% Mataro, 17% Carignan, and 2% Counoise, followed by the 2019 Barossa red that is composed of 57% Shiraz and 43% Cabernet Sauvignon; there are also a couple of straight Shiraz wines - one from Clare Valley and one from Victoria. The only other blend is from Roussillon, and it consists of Syrah, Grenache, and Carignan. From Greece, there are a couple of lovely wines crafted with Xinomavro and Agioritiko, respectively, while Chile delivers another fine Carmenere. On the local front, there is an exceptional Pinot Noir from St. David's Bench in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Bachelder Lowrey Vineyard Old Vines Pinot Noir 2021 (93+ pts)Domaine Skouras Grande Cuvée Agiorgitiko 2022 (92 pts)

Tenuta di Renieri Chianti Classico 2022 (91+ pts)Alpha Estate Hedgehog Single Vineyard Xinomavro 2022 (91 pts)

Yalumba Samuel's Collection Barossa Shiraz / Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (90 pts)Kilikanoon Golden Hillside Shiraz 2020 (90 pts)

Among my top white wine picks from the main release, the only blend is the Côtes du Rhône Blanc, which is a blend of 32% Viognier, 28% Grenache Blanc, 24% Roussanne, and 16% Marsanne. Among the mono-varietal whites, Sauvignon Blanc leads the pack with a Sancerre from Loire, and a pair from Marlborough in New Zealand, followed by a pair of Canadian Chardonnays - one from the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia and one from the Niagara Peninsula in Ontario. And lastly, the lone bubbly is the 2016 vintage Champagne, which is a blend of 48% Chardonnay, 34% Pinot Noir, and 18% Meunier.

Château La Nerthe Les Cassagnes de La Nerthe Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2023 (91+ pts)Leaning Post The Fifty Chardonnay 2022 (90+ pts)

Tiraki Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (90 pts)

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

  • TERRA NOBLE AZARA CARIGNAN 2022 - Sustainable, Vegan, DO Valle del Maule, Chile (#44587) (XD) - $18.95
  • KILIKANOON GOLDEN HILLSIDE SHIRAZ 2020 - Clare Valley, South Australia (#45346) (XD) - $18.95  90 pts  wine review
  • DON'T TELL GARY SHIRAZ 2022 - Victoria, Australia (#632620) (XD) - $19.95
  • YALUMBA SAMUEL'S COLLECTION BAROSSA SHIRAZ / CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - Vegan, Barossa, South Australia (#12999) (XD) - $21.95  90 pts  wine review
  • M. CHAPOUTIER BILA-HAUT OCCULTUM LAPIDEM 2020 - AOP Côtes-du-Roussillon-Villages Latour-de-France (#643239) (XD) - $23.95
  • TENUTA DI RENIERI CHIANTI CLASSICO 2022 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#540849) (XD) - $24.95  91+ pts  wine review
 
  • SANTA RITA FLORESTA CARMENÈRE 2023 - DO Apalta, Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#34733) (XD) - $27.95  OFE
  • TORBRECK CUVÉE JUVENILES 2022 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#723940) (XD) - $29.95
  • ALPHA ESTATE HEDGEHOG SINGLE VINEYARD XINOMAVRO 2022 - Vegan, PDO Amyndeon, Greece (#259762) (XD) - $29.95  91 pts  wine review
  • KACABA TERRACED VINEYARD SYRAH 2021 - Vegan, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#394171) (XD) - $35.15  91+ pts  wine review
  • DOMAINE SKOURAS GRANDE CUVÉE AGIORGITIKO 2022 - PDO Nemea, Greece (#94706) (XD) - $42.95  OFE  92 pts  wine review
 
  • BACHELDER LOWREY VINEYARD OLD VINES PINOT NOIR 2021 - VQA St. David's Bench, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#361816) (XD) - $55.00  OFE  93+ pts  wine review
  • HAMILTON RUSSELL PINOT NOIR 2024 - WO Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, South Africa (#999516) (XD) - $70.95
  • ANTINORI BADIA A PASSIGNANO GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2022 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#384552) (XD) - $80.95
  • ORENO 2022 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#735597) (XD) - $99.95  94 pts  wine review
  • TIGNANELLO 2022 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#986786) (XD) - $192.95

White Wine:

  • IDI DI MARZO SETTE VIZI TREBBIANO 2024 - Sustainable, Vegan, IGT Terre d'Abruzzo, Italy (#45808) (XD) - $14.95  88+ pts  wine review
  • PETER ZEMMER PINOT GRIGIO 2024 - DOC Alto Adige, Italy (#95802) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
  • LITORALE VAL DELLE ROSE VERMENTINO 2023 - DOC Maremma Toscana, Italy (#17703) (XD) - $19.95
  • TIRAKI SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#41802) (XD) - $24.95  90 pts  wine review
  • ANGOVE FAMILY CREST PINOT GRIS 2023 - Adelaide Hills / McLaren Vale, South Australia (#41786) (XD) - $24.95  OFE  90+ pts  wine review
  • BROKENWOOD SEMILLON 2024 - Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia (#657726) (XD) - $24.95
 
  • LEANING POST THE FIFTY CHARDONNAY 2022 - Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#578864) (XD) - $25.95  90+ pts  wine review
  • VILLA MARIA TAYLORS PASS SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#13901) (XD) - $29.95
  • CHÂTEAU LA NERTHE LES CASSAGNES DE LA NERTHE CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2023 - AOC, Rhône, France (#31174) (XD) - $29.95  91+ pts  wine review
  • BLACK BANK HILL FRATERNITÉ 2023 - VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#47889) (XD) - $34.95
  • JEAN-MAX ROGER CUVÉE LES CAILLOTTES SANCERRE 2023 - AOC, Loire, France (#65573) (XD) - $41.95
  • QUAILS' GATE STEWART FAMILY RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2022 - BC VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#639641) (XD) - $47.95  OFE
  • GOBELSBURG RIED RENNER 1ÖTW ERSTE LAGE GRÜNER VELTLINER 2022 - DAC Kamptal, Austria (#45353) (XD) - $69.95  OFE
Angove Family Crest Pinot Gris 2023 (90+ pts)Peter Zemmer Pinot Grigio 2024 (89 pts)

Idi di Marzo Sette Vizi Trebbiano 2024 (88+ pts)

Sparkling Wine:

  • MOËT & CHANDON GRAND VINTAGE EXTRA BRUT CHAMPAGNE 2016 - AOC, France (#69773) (XD) - $124.95

Dessert Wine:

  • FEATHERSTONE FROSTBITE SELECT LATE HARVEST GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2024 - Sustainable, Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#39276, 375 mL) (S) - $29.95
  • GRAND TOKAJ 6 PUTTONYOS TOKAJI ASZÚ 2013 - Tokaj, Hungary (#46596, 500 mL) (S) - $82.95  OFE


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  • Date publishedSunday, November 9, 2025

Château Tour du Haut-Moulin 2015 (Bordeaux) - Wine Review

red wine is a lovely Cabernet-Merlot from the Haut-Médoc wine region of Bordeaux that was featured on the back cover of last month's LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Château Tour du Haut-Moulin, an historic wine estate situated in Cussac-Fort-Médoc, at the heart of Haut-Médoc, on the Left Bank of Bordeaux. The commune of Cussac-Fort-Médoc lies between Saint-Julien to the north, and Margaux to the south. The estate was established in 1870 and was managed by the Cazaux-Poitou family for 6 generations. As the 6th generation of the family, the current proprietor, Lionel Poitou, has been a part of the property since he was born and has been managing the family estate for nearly four decades. Lionel's philosophy is based on careful observation, attention to nature, and respect for tradition.

In 2024, Château Tour du Haut-Moulin was acquired by Tzora Vineyards, a wine company owned by the Hevrony and Flam families, two leading producers of the Judaean Hills region of Israel. The team at Château Tour du Haut-Moulin is now led by four individuals: Eran Pick MW, Golan Flam, Dan Sheinman, and Lionel Poitou. Eran holds a B.Sc. degree in Viticulture and Enology with Highest Honours from University of California, Davis. Golan has been making wine for over 25 years, while also having a B.Sc. from the Faculty of Agriculture and a Masters in Enology. Dan has a B.Sc. degree in plant sciences, and then began his journey in winemaking by focusing on both vineyard and cellar approaches and practices in Burgundy. Together, they have a shared vision to maximize the potential of the estate, while maintaining its long-standing history and tradition.

The 10-hectare vineyard at Château Tour du Haut-Moulin is planted to mainly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with a small amount of Petit Verdot, all of which is grown on the gravelly soils of the Médoc. The wines of Lionel Poitou are crafted in a style that emphasizes finesse and elegance over brute power.

The 2015 growing season with a combination of warm days and cool nights during March and early April, while the rest of April through May featured very warm and dry conditions, leading to a rapid and precocious flowering. June and July were exceptionally hot and without any rain, which eventually caused some drought stress on the vines. However, four separate rainstorms in August brought some relief to the vines. Heavy rains came in mid-September, prior to the red wine harvest, followed by sunshine with cool nights. There was more rain during the first weekend of October, but both Merlot and Cabernets were picked in unhurried conditions. From a very good to outstanding vintage for wines from the southern Médoc, let's see how this 2015 Haut-Médoc from Bordeaux is tasting tonight...

Château Tour du Haut-Moulin 2015 (90+ pts)

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU TOUR DU HAUT-MOULIN 2015 - AOC Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France (#26295) (XD) - $27.95
Blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot that was matured in French oak, only 30% new. The medium-high intensity nose is rich with ripe black fruits, black cherry, currant, and blackberry aromas that mingle with oak spice, graphite minerality, and savoury earth, plus touches of dark plum. The elegant, well-structured, medium+ bodied palate is dry with lovely black fruited, black cherry, currant, blackberry, graphite, savoury minerals, and earth flavours. Acids are succulent and juicy, while the tannins are youthfully grippy and chalky textured, yet approachable. Graphite mineral notes linger on the long, savoury, and slightly grippy finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

Any other wines by this Château can be ordered through their Agent - Rare Earth Wines.


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  • Date publishedWednesday, November 5, 2025

Featherstone Canadian Oak Chardonnay 2023 (Niagara) - Wine Review

white wine review is a delicious, sustainable, and vegan-friendly Chardonnay that screams local as it was barrel-fermented and aged in Canadian oak barrels. This white wine returned to the LCBO as part of last month's LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and is widely available across Ontario, including at the winery in Niagara.

It is produced by Featherstone Estate Winery, an eco-friendly winery situated on 23 acres of rolling hills in the prestigious Twenty Mile Bench sub-appellation of the Niagara Escarpment. The winery was founded in 1999 by Louise Engel and her winemaker husband, Dave Johnson, and prides itself on their use of eco-friendly practices in the vineyard and cellar since the beginning. In 2024, after 25 successful years, Featherstone changed hands and began a new chapter under the ownership of philanthropist Rayla Myhal and businessman George Myhal.

The vision at Featherstone is to build on the successes of the past and continue to produce distinctive, small-batch Niagara wines that are cultivated in soils that reflect the biodiversity of the Niagara Escarpment. The philosophy at Featherstone has always been based on respect for the land which is at the heart of making wine that is true to its soil and site. Through biodiversity and reduced chemical intervention, Featherstone encourages an environment that is healthy and unique, as they believe that this individuality translates into their wines. As nutrients and minerals are exchanged and transformed in a give-and-take relationship between living soil organisms and plants, there is a mutually beneficial circle where the soil nourishes the vine, while farming practices nurture the soil. Since its founding, Featherstone has always prided itself on farming without the use of insecticides, and in 2023 they achieved their Sustainable Winegrowing Ontario (SWO) certification.

This white wine is crafted with 100% Chardonnay that was harvested on October 26, 2023. The grapes were machine harvested, crushed, de-stemmed, and then pressed into barrels made from Canadian oak that was grown nearby. It underwent alcoholic fermentation in barrels using wild, indigenous yeast, followed by 100% complete malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged for 10 months in 100% Canadian oak barrels, with lees stirring taking place on a monthly basis.

In 2023, rhe growing season was wet, dreary, and featured a smoke-filled summer, but was remarkably saved by a dry and warm fall. While the harvest was pushed back by as much as three weeks, most varieties that were harvested were in good shape, with a bountiful crop. Chardonnay was one of the star varieties of the vintage as it benefited from warm days and cool nights prior to harvest and developed vibrant fruit and juicy acidity. From a very good vintage, let's see how this 2023 Chardonnay from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Featherstone Canadian Oak Chardonnay 2023 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

FEATHERSTONE CANADIAN OAK CHARDONNAY 2023 - Sustainable, Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#149302) (XD) - $24.95
Enclosed by Stelvin screw cap, the fragrant, medium-high intensity nose offers caramel, banana, and vanilla aromas surrounding a core of ripe tropical fruits, yellow apples, and creamed peaches. On the dry, full-ish bodied palate it has caramel, vanilla, buttery, yellow apple, and peach flavours joined by some toasty oak spice notes. It's well-structured with crisp and juicy acidity, while the spice notes give way to leesy minerals on the long, juicy finish. Recommended buy. Score: 89 pts

Many other delicious wines by Featherstone are available at the LCBO, while the entire portfolio can be ordered direct from the winery in Niagara.


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  • Date publishedSaturday, November 1, 2025

Ken Forrester Sparklehorse Cap Classique Brut Sparkling Chenin Blanc 2022 and Pat's Garden Reserve 2020 (South Africa) - Wine Reviews

wine reviews are a pair of excellent wines from one of my favourite South African wine producers - Ken Forrester Wines. Both of these terrific wines arrived at the LCBO recently, with the red wine making its debut at the LCBO in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, while the sparkling wine landed in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Ken Forrester Sparklehorse Cap Classique Brut Sparkling Chenin Blanc 2022 (91+ pts) and Pat's Garden Reserve 2020 (91 pts)

Ken Forrester Wines was established in 1993 by Ken Forrester and his wife, Teresa, after they acquired at a public auction a vacant and derelict farm and homestead that was situated on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain, in the heart of Stellenbosch, South Africa's premier wine growing region. The site is one of the oldest farms in the Cape, with a long history that dates back to 1689, and the first vines were planted in 1694. The farm changed hands a number of times over the years, eventually falling on hard times in the early 1990s and finding itself up for auction.

The vision at Ken Forrester Wines is for sustainable farming - to improve the lot of their employees by growing their own business, and thereby providing maximum job opportunities in a market that is desperate for support. In the vineyard, Ken Forrester farms sustainably without the use of herbicides and pesticides. They also till the soil, prune, thin bunches and leaves, and harvest by hand. With this additional employment, they hope that it goes some way to improving the quality of life in their community, and they know that if every community looked after their own, no one would go wanting. This is their proposal, and consequently, each bottle is a victory and represents a small change – for the better – in someone's life. Additionally, Ken Forrester Wines are certified for Integrity & Sustainability by the South African Wine and Spirit Board.

At Ken Forrester Wines, the winemaking philosophy is based on managing their vineyards in a sustainable manner, along with a workplace environment and work ethic that should be a shining light in the industry. They have several ranges of wines that are handcrafted and individually made to complement a wide variety of cuisines and provide excellent value. The Pat's Garden is part of their Reserve Wine Range, where the team at Ken Forrester is solely responsible for the cultivation of the vines and selection of the fruit, most of which come from their family property in Stellenbosch, just 5 kilometres from the cool Atlantic and in the sheltered lee of the majestic Helderberg Mountain. The sparkling wine is part of Ken Forrester's Cellar Exclusives Range - a collection of special and limited parcels of wines.

An interesting note about the red wine is that while it used to be known as "Pat's Garden Merlot", it was always blended with 8–12% Cabernet Franc. The wine laws in South Africa allow for wines to be labelled as a single varietal wine so long as the blend does not exceed 15% of other varieties. The team at Ken Forrester began doing some experimentation by blending the 4 traditional Bordeaux varieties and with the 2018 vintage they launched the Pat's Garden Reserve wine.

The 2020 growing season in South Africa featured moderate to warm growing conditions, which continued into late autumn, while the 2022 vintage was one of the wettest and coldest in recent memory. There was a sudden heat spike just before harvest in 2022, but fall was generally cool and moderate. Both vintages were rated excellent, so let's see how this 2020 red and 2022 sparkling wine from South Africa is tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

KEN FORRESTER SPARKLEHORSE CAP CLASSIQUE BRUT SPARKLING CHENIN BLANC 2022 - Traditional Method, WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#32030) (D) - $29.95
Aged on its lees for 20 months, the elegantly fragrant, medium-high intensity nose delivers lovely aromas of autolytic, toasty, leesy, biscuit, and honey characters surrounding a core of lemon citrus and golden apple. It has a finely beaded mousse and racy, gently tangy acidity on the medium+ bodied palate with delicious autolytic, biscuit, toasty, lemon citrus, and apple flavours, plus touches of honey in a fairly dry profile. Juicy on the mid-palate, while the long finish is savoury with leesy mineral notes. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

Ken Forrester Sparklehorse Cap Classique Brut Sparkling Chenin Blanc 2022 (91+ pts)

KEN FORRESTER PAT'S GARDEN RESERVE 2020 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#45169) (XD) - $19.95
Enclosed by screw cap, this blend of 44% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Petit Verdot has a fragrant, medium-high intensity nose that is well-balanced with complex aromas of ripe red & black fruits, currant, raspberry, blackberry, cassis, oak spice, cocoa, savoury wet earth, and dried herbs with touches of leafy green herb notes. The medium-full bodied palate is dry and slightly chewy with more ripe red & black fruits, currant, cassis, raspberry, blackberry, oak spice, savoury wet earth, cocoa, and dried herb flavours. Acids are juicy and succulent, while the elegant tannins are smooth, refined, and gently grippy on the back palate. Impeccably balanced throughout with red & black fruits mingling with savoury wet earth, oak spice, and smoky minerals on the long finish. Has the stuffing to age gracefully for at least another 5 years. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

Ken Forrester Pat's Garden Reserve 2020 (91 pts)

One other wine by Ken Forrester is widely available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedMonday, October 27, 2025

October 25, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: France

LCBO Wine Picks: October 25, 2025 VINTAGES New Release Collection
Here are my top wine picks from the October 25, 2025, LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here), where Fine French Wines are the feature story of the release. With the holidays creeping up, this is a big release with nearly 155 SKUs offered — nearly 40 of which are Gift and Sampler Packs. There are many fine wines in this release that are worthy gift-giving options or adding to your cellar, and everything should be available for purchase in-store and online.

We'll begin with the feature on Fine French Wines, and of the twenty-two wines included as part of the thematic, nine are included among my top wine picks. Champagne is synonymous with fine French wines, and there are a couple of fine bubblies from Champagne in this release - with the 2016 Champagne composed of 43% Pinot Noir (13% red wine), 42% Chardonnay, and 15% Meunier, while the non-vintage Champagne is crafted with Pinot Noir. The lone French white recommendation is the Muscadet from Loire that is crafted with Melon de Bourgogne, while the lone rosé is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Caladoc, and Syrah. From the Rhône Valley, the Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blend of 40% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre, and 5% Cinsault, while the Crozes-Hermitage is 100% Syrah. The red wine from Saint-Chinian in Languedoc is crafted with 60% Syrah, 20% Grenache, and 20% Mourvèdre, while the Bordeaux red is 80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The last wine from France is the Madiran, which is primarily Tannat with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon in support.

Xavier Vignon Crozes-Hermitage 2021 (91+ pts)Château Bouscassé 2019 (90+ pts)

Red wine recommendations from the main release begins in Italy with a Bolgheri from Tuscany that is crafted with 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Cabernet Franc, and 25% Merlot, followed by the Sicilian red that is a blend of 50% Nero d'Avola, 25% Merlot, 20% Syrah, and 5% Cabernet Franc. From Chile, the Cabernet Sauvignon is actually blended with 10% Syrah and 5% Carmenere, while the Central Valley red from Chile is composed of 45% Grenache, 40% Petite Sirah, and 15% Mourvèdre. From Spain, the Rioja is made with 80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacho, and the rest is Mazuelo and Graciano., while the Priorat is a blend of 55% Cariñena and 45% Garnacha. Among the single varietal wines, there are a couple of fine Pinot Noirs - one each from Niagara and New Zealand, as well as a pair of Malbecs from Argentina. There's also a lovely Pinotage from South Africa, and a Garnacha from Spain.

Cloudsley Twenty Mile Bench Pinot Noir 2020 (92 pts)Eradus Pinot Noir 2023 (90 pts)

Torres Salmos 2021 (92 pts)Clos Baltasar Garnacha 2021 (90+ pts)

Montes Alpha Special Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (90+ pts)Volcanes de Chile Tectonia Grenache/ Petite Sirah/ Mourvèdre 2021 (90+ pts)

Radford Dale Vinum Pinotage 2022 (90+ pts)Salentein Reserve Malbec 2023 (90 pts)

All of my top white wine picks are mono-varietal wines. There are a trio of Chardonnays worth your attention, with versions from New Zealand, Argentina, and an unoaked Chardonnay from Niagara. Also recommended buys are the Chenin Blanc from South Africa, and the Grüner Veltliner from Austria. If you enjoy off-dry (i.e. mildly sweet) Riesling, there are a pair of fine Rieslings from the Niagara Escarpment appellation. Lastly, and staying on the local front, there is a delicious, dry Gewürztraminer from Niagara-on-the-Lake, followed by a lovely Gewürztraminer Icewine.

Laurenz V. Friendly Grüner Veltliner 2023 (89 pts)Lakeview Gewürztraminer Icewine 2019 (92+ pts)

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Salud!

Red Wine:

  • FORTANT GRANDS TERROIRS SAINT-CHINIAN 2022 - AOC, Languedoc, France (#43564) (XD) - $19.95
  • PLANETA LA SEGRETA ROSSO SICILIA 2022 - Sustainable, DOC, Sicily, Italy (#477950) (XD) - $19.95
  • SALENTEIN RESERVE MALBEC 2023 - Vegan, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#640854) (XD) - $19.95  90 pts  wine review
  • RADFORD DALE VINUM PINOTAGE 2022 - Vegan, WO Coastal Region, South Africa (#45165) (XD) - $19.95  90+ pts  wine review
  • CHÂTEAU BOUSCASSÉ 2019 - AOP Madiran, Southwest, France (#743385) (XD) - $23.95  90+ pts  wine review

  • VOLCANES DE CHILE TECTONIA GRENACHE/ PETITE SIRAH/ MOURVÈDRE 2021 - Valle Central, Chile (#44597) (XD) - $24.95  90+ pts  wine review
  • CLOS BALTASAR GARNACHA 2021 - Vegan, DO Calatayud, Spain (#22444) (XD) - $24.95  90+ pts  wine review
  • MONTES ALPHA SPECIAL CUVÉE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - DO Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#649160) (XD) - $24.95  90+ pts  wine review
  • ERADUS PINOT NOIR 2023 - Awatere Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#41809) (XD) - $24.95  90 pts  wine review
  • VERSADO CENTENARY VINES MALBEC 2019 - Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina (#46352) (XD) - $29.95
  • DOMAINE DU GRAND ORMEAU 2020 - Sustainable, AOC Lalande de Pomerol, Bordeaux, France (#33040) (XD) - $33.95

  • CLOUDSLEY TWENTY MILE BENCH PINOT NOIR 2020 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#11665) (XD) - $36.95  92 pts  wine review
  • TORRES SALMOS 2021 - DOCa Priorat, Spain (#450734) (XD) - $39.95  92 pts  wine review
  • XAVIER VIGNON CROZES-HERMITAGE 2021 - AOP, Rhône, France (#43809) (XD) - $48.95  91+ pts  wine review
  • R. LÓPEZ DE HEREDIA VIÑA BOSCONIA RESERVA 2014 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#529586) (XD) - $59.95
  • CHÂTEAU LA NERTHE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2022 - AOC, Rhône, France (#735407) (XD) - $74.95
  • ANTINORI GUADO AL TASSO 2022 - DOC Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy (#986380) (XD) - $203.95

White Wine:

  • BOYA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 - Sustainable, Coast Zone, DO Valle de Leyda, Chile (#389726) (XD) - $15.95  88 pts  wine review
  • 2027 CELLARS WISMER VINEYARD FOXCROFT BLOCK RIESLING 2023 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#47642) (D) - $18.95
  • REIF RESERVE GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2023 - Sustainable, VQA Niagara River, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#360255) (XD) - $19.95
  • RADFORD DALE VINUM CHENIN BLANC 2023 - Vegan, WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#13338) (XD) - $19.95
  • CATENA HIGH MOUNTAIN VINES CHARDONNAY 2023 - Sustainable, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#918805) (XD) - $20.95
  • LAURENZ V. FRIENDLY GRÜNER VELTLINER 2023 - DAC Kamptal, Austria (#66225) (XD) - $22.95  89 pts  wine review
  • HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE RIESLING 2021 - Sustainable, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#183491) (D) - $24.95
  • DOMAINE POIRON DABIN CHÂTEAU-THÉBAUD MUSCADET SÈVRE ET MAINE 2019 - AOP, Loire, France (#42743) (XD) - $28.95
  • AUNTSFIELD SINGLE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2023 - Sustainable, Southern Valleys, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#12623) (XD) - $32.95
  • TWO SISTERS UNOAKED CHARDONNAY 2021 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#423103) (XD) - $39.00
Boya Sauvignon Blanc 2025 (88 pts)

Rosé Wine:

  • LE BIJOU DE SOPHIE VALROSE ROSÉ 2024 - IGP Coteaux de Béziers, Languedoc, France (#20012) (XD) - $17.95

Sparkling Wine:

  • DRAPPIER ZERO DOSAGE BRUT NATURE PINOT NOIR CHAMPAGNE - AOC, France (#179275) (XD) - $74.95
  • MOËT & CHANDON GRAND VINTAGE EXTRA BRUT ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE 2016 - AOC, France (#69831) (XD) - $131.95

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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