Creekside Iconoclast Niagara Syrah 2012 (Niagara) - Wine Review (Bottle 2)

Tonight's wine review is a lovely Syrah I discovered while visiting the winery during the annual Niagara Wine Festival in September 2014.

I purchased this red wine for $17.95 and recall that it was on promotion and made available for purchase because their Estate Syrah was sold out. The 2012 is, of course, sold out, but I have tasted a few vintages of this wine now, including the current vintage which is the 2016 Creekside Iconoclast Syrah (89+ pts). You won't find newer vintages at this price, but the current vintage is also a very delicious wine that is available at the winery and may also come through LCBO VINTAGES at some point.

I last tasted the 2012 Creekside Iconoclast Syrah in March 2015 - basically 4 years ago. Let's see how it is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CREEKSIDE ICONOCLAST NIAGARA SYRAH 2012 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#471797) (XD) - $17.95
Screw cap. Just a tinge of reddish-brown colour on the edge. The medium-high intensity nose has savoury, earthy, meaty, and black pepper aromas with hints of oak spice and dark berry. The medium+ bodied palate is somewhat dense with refined, dusty tannins that fold into the palate very nicely. It is chalky textured with savoury, freshly tilled soil, meaty, dark berry, and black plum flavours with peppery hints. Acids are juicy. Nicely balanced aromas and flavours linger through to the long, earthy finish. Best with a light chill. Drink soon if you have it. Score: 89 pts

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Closson Chase Vineyard Chardonnay 2014 (PEC) - Wine Review (Bottle 4)

Tonight's wine review is the 4th bottle from a case of wine that I ordered through the VINI wine app.

I last enjoyed the 2014 Closson Chase Vineyard Chardonnay in September and noted that it will be best over the next year or so. Given that I had two bottles remaining, I thought it best to open one tonight and save the last bottle for some time later this year.

Of course, the 2014 was sold out a long time ago, while small quantities of the 2016 remain at the LCBO, and the 2017 should be available at Closson Chase Winery in Prince Edward County soon.

Tasting Note:

CLOSSON CHASE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2014 - VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (#148866) (XD) - $28.95
Pours a medium-yellow colour and offers lemon citrus, waxy, paraffin aromatics in a mature profile. The palate is medium-bodied and fairly complex with lovely mature waxy, paraffin, mealy, and lemon citrus flavours plus some butter and vanilla notes in the background. It is nicely textured with some chalkiness on the mid-palate. Balanced acidity. Lemon and waxy notes linger on the long finish. A high-quality, mature Chardonnay to drink soon. Score: 90 pts

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Pillitteri 25th Anniversary Select Late Harvest Cabernet 2013 (Niagara) - Wine Review

I picked up tonight's sweet dessert wine while visiting the winery last month during the annual Days of Wine & Chocolate Event in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

With this wine, Pillitteri Estates Winery is celebrating 25 years of family, quality and tradition. This family winery opened its doors in June of 1993. Pillitteri has successfully grown with 3 generations working in the family business, having received over 1000 prestigious wine awards and sell to more than 35 countries worldwide. The family is thankful and proudly presents the 25th Silver Anniversary Collection of wines for all to enjoy.

Back in February during Days of Wine & Chocolate, they were offering BOGO on this particular late harvest dessert wine - what a great deal! Although this deal is no more, this delicious sweet wine is still available for purchase at the winery and through their online web store.

Tasting Note:

PILLITTERI 25TH ANNIVERSARY SELECT LATE HARVEST CABERNET 2013 - VQA Ontario, Canada (S) (375 mL) - $25
Fresh red cherry and strawberry aromas waft from the glass with hints of white raisins and chocolate. On the medium-full bodied palate, it is somewhat dense and fairly sweet with just enough acidity to keep the palate fresh. More cherry, strawberry, and raisiny flavours continue through to the finish, with very good length. Enjoy well-chilled. Score: 88+ pts

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Wine Picks LCBO VINTAGES Release Mar. 30, 2019: 8 Favourite Grapes

The upcoming LCBO VINTAGES Release on March 30, 2019 is a mono-thematic Release, featuring 8 favourite grapes to "Meet Your Perfect Match". All of these wines, plus many others will arrive on LCBO VINTAGES shelves across Ontario by this Saturday.

With 8 varietals featured and 2 wines for each grape, there are 16 wines in total as part of the theme of this Release. The varietals are Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Syrah and most of the selections here compare and old world wine with a new world wine. Of these 16 wines featured, 5 are included among my top wine picks. Pinot Gris (aka Pinot Grigio) is actually a naturally mutated clone of Pinot Noir. Both the dry Pinot Gris from Niagara and a Pinot Grigio from Italy are among my wine recommendations. From New Zealand, there is a nice Sauvignon Blanc. Among the reds, there is a Malbec from Argentina and a Shiraz from Australia.

The red wines from the rest of the Release includes a lovely $20 Côtes du Rhône-Villages that consists of 50% Grenache, 25% Syrah, and 25% Carignan, while the Bordeaux red is a blend of 68% Merlot and 32% Cabernet Sauvignon from 40 year old vines. From Italy, the Chianti consists of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Colorino/Canaiolo, while the Chianti Classico is a blend of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Merlot. The organic Emiliana Coyam is a perennial favourite of mine, and the 2015 is an 8-grape blend consisting of 44% Syrah, 30% Carmenere, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Mourvedre, 4% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Garnacha, and 2% Tempranillo. Lastly, the Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 10% Mourvedre.

Among my white wine picks, all are single varietals. The Pecorino and Avesso are not very common varietals and surely worth a try. All of the Rieslings are (mostly) dry in style, while the Pinot Gris from New Zealand will have some sweetness to it.

And finally, the lovely dry rosé from Niagara is made with 100% Pinot Noir.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this Release!

Red Wine:

• CUATRO PASOS MENCÍA 2015 - DO Bierzo, Spain (#039313) (XD) - $18.95
• FINCA LAS MORAS PAZ MALBEC 2016 - San Juan, Argentina (#520486) (XD) - $18.95
• D’ARENBERG THE FOOTBOLT SHIRAZ 2016 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#984021) (XD) - $18.95
• DECERO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014 - Remolinos Vineyard, Agrelo, Mendoza, Argentina (#195677) (XD) - $19.95
• CHÂTEAU MAUCOIL 2016 - AC Côtes du Rhône-Villages, France (#638502) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU MAISON NOBLE CUVÉE PRESTIGE 2015 - AC Bordeaux Supérieur, France (#633198) (XD) - $20.95
• GIACOMO MORI CHIANTI 2015 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#68858) (XD) - $22.95  90 pts  wine review
• ROCCA DELLE MACÌE FAMIGLIA ZINGARELLI RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2015 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#930966) (XD) - $24.95
• EMILIANA COYAM 2015 - Los Robles Estate, Colchagua Valley, Chile (#063891) (XD) - $29.95  91 pts  wine review
• DOMAINE DE LA SOLITUDE CUVÉE BARBERINI CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2015 - AC, Rhône, France (#525907) (XD) - $70.95

White Wine:

• VELENOSI VILLA ANGELA PECORINO 2017 - DOCG Offida, Marche, Italy (#173252) (D) - $15.95  89 pts  wine review
• KILIKANOON KILLERMAN’S RUN RIESLING 2015 - Clare Valley, South Australia (#365635) (XD) - $17.95
• KELLEREI ST. MAGDALENA PINOT GRIGIO 2017 - DOC Südtirol – Alto Adige, Italy (#249466) (XD) - $18.95
• COVELA EDIÇÃO NACIONAL AVESSO 2016 - DOC Vinho Verde, Portugal (#524868) (XD) - $18.95
• PIERRE SPARR SOL GRÈS RIESLING 2016 - AC Alsace, France (#644419) (XD) - $19.95
• TWO RIVERS CONVERGENCE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2017 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#277707) (XD) - $19.95
• CLOSSON CHASE K.J. WATSON VINEYARD PINOT GRIS 2017 - VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#469445) (XD) - $22.95  89 pts  wine review
• 2027 CELLARS WISMER VINEYARD FOX CROFT BLOCK CHARDONNAY 2017 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#421362) (XD) - $22.95
• GILBERT + GILBERT SINGLE VINEYARD RIESLING 2015 - Eden Vallery, South Australia (#633529) (XD) - $27.95
• GREYSTONE SAND DOLLAR PINOT GRIS 2016 - Waipara Valley, North Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand (#426650) (D) - $27.95  FE

Rosé Wine:

• MALIVOIRE VIVANT ROSÉ 2018 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#498535) (XD) - $19.95

Sparkling Wine:

• DRAPPIER BRUT NATURE PINOT NOIR CHAMPAGNE - Zero dosage, AC, France (#179275) (XD) - $57.95

Fortified:

• BODEGAS BARBADILLO PASTORA MANZANILLA PASADA - Unfiltered, DO Manzanilla – Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Spain (#515965) (XD) (375 mL) - $15.95

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Giacomo Mori Chianti 2015 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely Chianti that will be coming to LCBO VINTAGES on March 30th.

Having tasted and enjoyed both the 2014 Giacomo Mori Chanti and the 2012 Giacomo Mori Chanti, I am fully expecting this latest vintage to also provide pleasure. This red wine is from the 2015 vintage - a vintage that is widely regarded as one of the great vintages in Tuscany.

The history of Giacomo Mori begins at the end of the 18th century as a marketer of processed, aged, and bottled wine from the cellars of Palazzone and Chiusi. These activities slowed with the onset of World War I and eventually ceasing during the economic crisis of 1927. In 1970, Giovanni, the son of Giacomo, restarted the production of grapes and wine with his sons, selling mostly in tanks and demijohns. In 1995, they began focusing on making quality wines by planting new vineyards with a careful selection of varieties, clones, and vineyard layout.

This particular red wine has been made for more than 15 years and today consists of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Colorino/Canaiolo. It is vinified in stainless steel tanks at carefully controlled temperatures, aged for 10-12 months in Slavonian and Allier oak barrels, as well as tonneaux and used barriques.

Tasting Note:

GIACOMO MORI CHIANTI 2015 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#68858) (XD) - $22.95
Medium-high intensity nose offers ripe red cherry and spice, with leather and sour cherry hints, all surrounded by a savoury, earthy, forest floor core. It is medium-bodied with juicy acids and gritty tannins that will reward with some ageing. Nicely savoury with earthy, forest floor, red and black cherry, and oak spice flavours. Very good finish length. Really starts to shine as it warms in the glass. Enjoy over the next 6 years. Score: 90 pts

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Château Maucoil 2016 (Rhône) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely red wine from Rhône and will be arriving in LCBO VINTAGES on March 30th.

Château Maucoil is a historic property in Châteauneuf-du-Pape where vines have been cultivated since the 17th century. Ancient documents indicate that the site's first occupants were the Romans and that they set up a base here for Caesar's legions. Several winegrowing families followed the Roman era, due to the spring running through the property and it's proximity to Via Agrippa.

In the 20th century, the Goguet de la Salmonière family and the Quiot family contributed much to the development and prosperity of Château Maucoil. In 1995, the Arnaud family, who already owned vines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, decided to purchase the estate. The new generation picked up the torch in 2009 with a strong desire to secure the future of the estate and manage it in an environmentally-responsible manner. They cultivate their vines in the same way as their ancestors - by working the land according to a cycle of furrowing, forming mounds, ploughing and natural weeding techniques.

Maison Lavau had been a partner of Château Maucoil for several years, and in 2013 they acquired/merged with this historic estate to further strengthen their image. The foursome of Bénédicte and Charles Bonnet and Frédéric and Benoit Lavau now run Château Maucoil together.

The grapes for this organic red wine come from vineyards (some old vines) that are close to the famed region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with a similar soil mixture of sand and pebbles. Each varietal and parcel was hand-harvested, then fermented and aged in vats separately prior to blending and bottling.

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU MAUCOIL 2016 - AC Côtes du Rhône-Villages, France (#638502) (XD) - $19.95
This organic wine is a blend of 50% Grenache, 25% Syrah, and 25% Carignan with rich aromatics offering ripe blackberry, black cherry, black plum and peppery spice accented with subtle oak and stony minerality notes. The medium-full bodied palate is bright with lively acidity with blackberry, black cherry, and cocoa-dusted flavours. Supple tannins are a touch tight, leading to a dusty textured and a cocoa, blackberry and stony mineral flavoured finish, with very good length. Enjoyable now, but better in 2 years and enjoy over the next 5-6 years. Recommended buy. Score: 89 pts

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Errázuriz Icons Wine Tasting 2019 with Winemaker Francisco Baettig

In late January, I had the pleasure of tasting some iconic wines from the quality, award-winning Chilean producer Viña Errázuriz with Winemaker Francisco Baettig in attendance. I've tasted previous vintages of the Icon wines - La Cumbre, Don Maximiano Founder's Reserve, and Kai - recalling the time I was first introduced to these delicious wines back in September 2013, but these wines are so good that it's always a treat to taste them every year.

However, this tasting was really about introducing the Las Pizarras wines. Eduardo Chadwick Claro is the President of Viña Errázuriz and also a descendant of Don Maximiano Errázuriz, the winery's founder. He was named Decanter's Man of the Year in 2018 and is one of the most important people within the Chilean wine scene. He has worked tirelessly to promote the wines of Chile around the world, becoming a true ambassador for the country’s potential to produce premium wines. As Francisco explained, the Las Pizarras wines were borne out of Eduardo Chadwick's desire to create an Icon white wine - as there were none among the existing portfolio. This desire resulted in the creation of a very fine Las Pizarras Chardonnay (now in its 4th vintage) that expresses the estate's terroir. Tagging along with the Chardonnay is also an excellent Las Pizarras Pinot Noir, The Las Pizarras collection also includes a Syrah, which was unfortunately not available for tasting.

In addition to the Icon Wines, there were also wines from their Aconcagua Costa and Aconcagua Alto ranges. The tasting was held at Oretta Restaurant in downtown Toronto and featured a unique food pairing with each of the 10 wines that were available for tasting. I didn't try any of the food items (since my focus was on the wine), but was told by a few others in attendance that the food was quite delicious and paired really well with the wines.

Most of these wines are available at the LCBO, but you can also reach out to Dandurand or Galleon Wines to purchase the Las Pizarras Icon Wines, back vintages, or other wines from the Errázuriz portfolio.

Tasting Notes:

ERRÁZURIZ LAS PIZARRAS CHARDONNAY 2017 - Aconcagua Coast, Chile (XD) - $69.95
From a 5 hectare plot on the Aconcagua Coast estate. The shy nose has a nutty profile with some passion fruit, ripe and slightly baked apple, citrus and vanilla nuances. It is medium-full bodied with lively, fresh acids that are well-balanced with nutty aroma replays. Very nice chalky texture on the palate with nutty aroma replays and touches of vanilla. Cool-climate style. Excellent finish length. Score: 92 pts

ERRÁZURIZ LAS PIZARRAS PINOT NOIR 2017 - Aconcagua Coast, Chile (XD) - $92.95
One of the stars of the tasting. From the cool-climate terroir of the Aconcagua Coast estate that has slate and schist soils. Clean, medium-high intensity aromatics offer elegant spice, red berry, currant, mineral, earth, and hints of tobacco. Nicely textured with fine, elegant tannins on the medium-bodied palate with hints of black tea and spice flavours, plus lovely aroma replays. Lively, balanced acidity lifts the palate. Long, persistent finish. Score: 92 pts

ERRÁZURIZ LA CUMBRE SYRAH 2016 - Aconcagua Valley, Chile (#579821) (XD) - $90
100% Syrah with lovely white pepper, herbs, dill, meaty, black and blueberry, and spice aromas of medium-high intensity. It is medium+ bodied on the palate with elegant, refined tannins that provide structure. There's nice dark-fruited aroma replays on the flavour profile, plus some earthy minerality. Juicy mid-palate with balanced acidity and a nice, long finish. Drinking well now. Score: 92 pts

ERRÁZURIZ KAI CARMENÈRE 2016 - Aconcagua Valley, Chile (#055863) (XD) - $150
93% Carmenère and 7% Syrah. This has an elegant, medium-high intensity nose of dark berry, tobacco, black pepper, graphite, and cedar oak spice. It is medium-full bodied on the palate with nice peppery replays and well-integrated oak flavours. Structured with supple tannins and balanced acidity add to the elegance. Excellent finish length. Score: 93 pts

ERRÁZURIZ DON MAXIMIANO FOUNDER'S RESERVE 2016 - Aconcagua Valley, Chile (#501247) (XD) - $90
This blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Carmenère, 8% Malbec, 7% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc has a fairly intense, and pleasing nose of currant, cassis, black and blue fruit and oak aromas. It is full-bodied and dense with very good fruit concentration on the palate with big tannins that are integrating nicely. A touch drying with succulent, mouth-watering acids and lovely aroma replays on the flavour profile. Excellent finish length. Should age gracefully for 10-15 years. Score: 94 pts

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