Lealtanza Reserva 2015 (Spain) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is this lovely, vegan-friendly Rioja from Spain that arrived in LCBO VINTAGES on August 8th.

Bodegas Altanza, a synonym for quality, is a relatively new winery in the world of Spanish wine as it was only established in 1998. Their goal is to offer the best possible quality wine at a sensible price, while also combining tradition and modernity at their estate in Fuenmayor, Rioja Alta. The estate spans 300 hectares, of which 220 hectares are planted to vine. At the winery, they have many stainless steel tanks of varying sizes which allows for better customization of the fermentation process depending on the varietal and style of wine they wish to craft. The modern winemaking facility features temperature-control jackets on each of their tanks and is managed by a central control panel.

The winery began with a focus on crafting only reserva wines, but have also introduced a rosé, an aromatic white wine, and other red wines. All of the red wines at Altanza are made using 100% Tempranillo, the queen of the Rioja's autochthonous varieties and, by far, Spain's most popular grape. Spain grows nearly 90% of the world's Tempranillo. The grape descends from two varieties which were once at home in the Ebro Valley, becoming Tempranillo in the Middle Ages (about 1,500 years ago). Tempranillo flourishes in cool, temperate climates where high summer temperatures allow the vine to give optimum results with good acidity. Tempranillo is relatively late budding, but develops earlier than many other varietals, hence the name "temprano" which means "early".

Whereas many Spanish Riojas are traditionally known for their use of American oak ageing, Bodegas Altanza uses mainly French oak ageing, allowing the wines to have nuances more suited to their preference. I have tasted previous vintages of this wine and it has always been delicious. Let's see how this fine Rioja is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

LEALTANZA RESERVA 2015 - Vegan, DOCa Rioja, Spain (#208223) (XD) - $23.95
This 100% Tempranillo was fermented using natural yeasts and aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, followed by 3 months in 22,000 L French (Allier) oak vats. The medium-high intensity nose has black cherry and sandalwood aromas with some earthy wood spice and a touch of barnyard. It's medium+ bodied on the palate with more sandalwood spice and red cherry flavours supported by supple, refined tannins and racy, food-friendly acidity. A touch warming on the mid-palate, but nicely balanced overall. Earthy, meaty, savoury, wood spice, and cherry notes linger on the long, juicy finish. Enjoy this fine Tempranillo over the next 4-5 years. Score: 89 pts

Limited availability of other wines from the Bodegas Altanza portfolio can be ordered via their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Château de Nages JT 2016 (Rhône) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is this lovely organic red wine from a Southern Rhône winery that I had the pleasure of visiting back in 2018. This delicious wine arrived at the LCBO as part of the July 25 LCBO VINTAGES Release and plenty of bottles are still available for purchase.

Château de Nages is situated in the Costières de Nîmes appellation and the heart of an ecological network of protected areas of the European Union. It is the 4th generation family estate of the highly-acclaimed winemaker Michel Gassier and his wife Tina. They are committed to protecting the ecosystem with an absolute respect for the soil. By combining ancestral know-how with modern winemaking techniques from their fabulous terroir, Michel Gassier is able to produce high-quality, fine wines.

The JT line of wines at Château de Nages, which consists of the lovely 2015 Château de Nages JT White that I enjoyed back in June and this JT Red are dedicated to Michel Gassier's visionary great grandfather, Joseph Torrès. Both of these cuvées are crafted using fruit from the very best parcels of their own estate vineyards in Costières de Nîmes, while offering northern Rhône character.

For this vintage of the JT Red, Michel Gassier notes that the 2016 vintage is the greatest he has ever seen in 23 years of making wine. In 2016, yields were naturally moderate in a warm and dry growing season with exceptionally cool nights that helped produce fresh, concentrated and wonderfully balanced grapes. All of the grapes were certified organically farmed with particular attention to soil health. The grapes were manually harvested and sorted, then fermented using natural yeasts with 50% aged in French oak, while the other half was raised in cement tanks for 12 months. Finally, it was blended and bottled without filtration.

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU DE NAGES JT 2016 - AP Costières de Nîmes, Rhône, France (#736876) (XD) - $26.95
This organic red wine is a blend of 93% Syrah and 7% Mourvèdre from soils that have rolled pebbles from the Rhône over red clay rich in iron. Ripe, medium-high intensity nose has dark berry, black pepper spice, and game aromas with a strong mineral character. The medium-full bodied, structured palate is flavourful with lovely ripe dark berry, mineral and pepper with some gamey, floral, and oak spice tones. Acids are well-balanced while the mid-palate is somewhat chalky with drying tannins. Finishes long with savoury, earthy mineral and floral notes. Score: 90 pts

Other fine wines from the Château de Nages portfolio can be found at the LCBO or ordered via their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Wakefield Estate Wines (Australia) and Optimum Drinking Temperature

Tonight's wine reviews are a trio of wines from Australia's Wakefield Wines where we take brief look at wine serving temperatures.

But first, the story of Wakefield Wines begins in 1950, when the Taylor family's long-standing association with Clare Valley results in a partnership with a local co-operative to bottle and distribute their own wines. In 1969, Bill Taylor finds a perfect plot of land by the Wakefield River in South Australia's Clare Valley to establish their family estate and plants its first Cabernet Sauvignon vines. At the same time, Bill was excavating the land to find a water source and discovered tiny seahorses in the limestone bedrock that date back more than 600 million years. These seahorses are featured prominently in the company's logo.

In 1973, the Taylor family completed construction of the winery and also released their first wines - the Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Estate Shiraz which are the heart of the business. As the company grew and expanded, they began exporting wines to the UK in 1985 under the name "Wakefield" due to international trademarks held by the Taylors family of Portugal. In 2004, Wakefield became the first major Australian wine company to bottle all of their wines under screw cap. The latest innovation came a few years ago, when they launched the Optimum Drinking Temperature sensor on the back label.

A world first, the back label of the Wakefield Estate and Promised Land range of wines feature their exclusive, touch-activated, Optimum Drinking Temperature sensor. The temperature of a wine plays an important role in the experience and enjoyment of wine. However, most people serve their wine without really thinking about the temperature of it and serve red wines at room temperature - which is too warm - and white wines too cold. The myth surrounding enjoying red wine at room temperature originated from the chilly drawing rooms of medieval French castles. In my younger days, I was also guilty of this behaviour as I would bring a nicely cooled red wine up from the basement and let it warm up to room temp before opening. I learned, and these days I chill all of my wines - how much time in the fridge depends on the varietal/style - and gradually let them warm up to see how the wine changes. I would strongly encourage you to try this at home as well.

Wakefield's solution to the temperature problem is to provide temperature sensors on the back label that indicate when the wine is ready to enjoy. Each wine has its own calibrated sensor that is touch-activated and changes colour depending on the temperature of the wine. By referencing the temperature guide (also printed on the back label) with the colour of the sensor, you can easily tell if the wine is too warm, too cold, or at the right serving temperature. Pictures of the back label are provided below, as well as wine reviews of three Wakefield Estate wines. Based on my personal experimentation, the temperature sensor is a useful guide that will help you determine when to drink the wine. However, since I tend to slowly sip my wines, I would serve them a little cooler than recommended and gradually let the wine warm up in the glass for best enjoyment.

All three of these wines are readily available in the VINTAGES section at the LCBO. Other wines from the Wakefield portfolio can be found at the LCBO or ordered via their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

Tasting Notes:

WAKEFIELD CLARE VALLEY ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2018 - Clare Valley, South Australia (#711556) (XD) - $16.95
Screw cap. Ripe, medium+ intensity nose has buttery, pear, golden apple, and some leesy aromas. It's medium-full bodied on the creamy palate with ripe banana and pineapple flavours balanced by apple, lemon, and sweet vanillin oak, and touches of butterscotch. Acids are fresh while the lemony, spicy finish has very good length. Arrived in LCBO VINTAGES August 8th. Score: 88 pts

WAKEFIELD ESTATE SHIRAZ 2018 - Clare Valley, South Australia (#943787) (XD) - $19.95
Screw cap. The medium-high intensity nose is fresh with herbal, leafy, mint and spice layered over black cherry, plum, and gentle oak aromas. The medium-full bodied palate offers well-integrated oak spice, black cherry, plum, and peppery spice flavours supported by smooth, fine-grained, and sweet tannins. It has fresh, juicy acidity. Pleasantly dry (but undeniably Shiraz) and well-balanced overall with a touch of chocolate on the long finish. VINTAGES Essentials product and always available year-round. The 2018 is a highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

WAKEFIELD ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017 - Clare Valley, South Australia (#744235) (XD) - $19.95
Screw cap. Fresh, medium-high intensity aromatics lead with herbal, green pepper, and black cherry liqueur followed by cassis, wood spice, and touches of olive. It is full-bodied on the palate with herbal, dark cherry, cassis, and woodsy replays on the flavour profile. Acids are well-balanced, while tannins are slightly chalky and grainy, softening somewhat since tasting in Sept. 2019. Earthy and wood spice notes linger on the finish, with good length. Available in LCBO VINTAGES now and also featured in the September 19, 2020 LCBO VINTAGES Release. Score: 88 pts

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Umani Ronchi Jorio Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2016 (Italy) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is this nice Montepulciano d'Abruzzo that arrived at the LCBO as part of the June 27 LCBO VINTAGES Release - and is still widely available for purchase across the province.

Umani Ronchi was founded in the 1950's in Cupramontana, the heart of Verdicchio Classico country, by Gino Umani Ronchi. A few years later, the Bianchi family formed a partnership with Umani Ronchi, eventually becoming the sole owners. Dr. Bianchi's son-in-law, Massimo Benetti, took over management of the company and was joined by his son, Michele, and together they run the family business today. The Bianchi-Benetti family have been crafting superb quality wines made with Verdicchio and Montepulciano from Marche and Abruzzo for more than 60 years.

In total, Umani Ronchi has 210 hectares of vines, which are all organically farmed, and nestled between the hills and the sea along the Adriatic coast from Serra dei Conti in Marche in the north to Roseto degli Abruzzi in the south. Umani Ronchi also practices sustainability with a strong sense of ethics and respect for the environment. For example, they use light-weight bottles which have a lower impact on CO2 emissions, while their energy is supplied by a photovoltaic array.

This particular bottle from Umani Ronchi is made with 100% Montepulciano coming from Abruzzo. This wine was first produced in 1993 in collaboration with Abruzzese winegrowers that had vineyards in particularly favourable areas that allowed the grape to express its great potential. The name of the wine "Jorio" is intended as a tribute to the great 20th century Abruzzese poet Gabriele D'Annunzio who wrote a play titled "The Daughter of Jorio".

Tasting Note:

UMANI RONCHI JORIO MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2016 - DOC, Abruzzo, Italy (#134577) (D) - $17.95
100% Montepulciano that was hand-harvested. 50% of the wine was aged in large oak barrels, while the other half was aged in 3rd and 4th use barriques, and blended together after a period of 12 months. The medium+ intensity nose has earthy and stony minerals joined by dark berry and plum notes. On the medium-bodied palate it has smooth, fine-grained tannins and juicy, well-balanced acidity. It's savoury and dark berry flavoured with a touch of sweet chocolatey oak. Slightly grippy on the savoury, earthy finish, with very good length. An enjoyable Friday night wine. Score: 88 pts

Other wines from the Umani Ronchi portfolio can be found at the LCBO or ordered through their Agent Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Castello di Bossi C. Berardenga Chianti Classico 2016 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely Chianti Classico that arrives in LCBO VINTAGES on August 22 and is featured in this Release as part of the feature on High-Scoring Wines. It has already arrived in some stores and should be widely available across Ontario by Saturday.

This Sangiovese is produced by Bacci Wines at their Castello di Bossi estate in the commune of Castelnuovo Berardenga, which is located in the southern part of the Chianti Classico zone, 50 kilometres southeast of Florence and 14 kilometres east of Siena.

Local inscriptions indicate that there was a Roman settlement on this site dating back to the 1st century AD. The name Bossi is apparently linked to a money chest that was made of boxwood - a rare and prized wood at the time - the Roman army would carry to encampments to pay the soldiers. In the 9th century, the noble dei Berardenghi family settled on the site. After a lengthy rule, the dei Berardenghi family withdrew to private life and donated most of their landholdings - except for the property which today surrounds the castle.

Castello di Bossi has changed owners many times over the years and is currently in the hands of the Bacci family. The estate covers 650 ha, with 124 ha under vine, most of which is planted to Sangiovese. Using modern viticultural practices, the estate aims to consistently harvest the best quality fruit in order to express the best qualities of the terroir and each grape variety.

The 2015 Castello di Bossi C. Berardenga Chianti Classico was an excellent wine I enjoyed last fall, so I am delighted to see the next vintage come to Ontario this year. According to vintage reports, the high quality of the 2016 vintage matched 2015, albeit yields were somewhat lower. Furthermore, the wines of 2016 tend to be less structured, but very aromatic. Sounds great to me! Let's see how the 2016 is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CASTELLO DI BOSSI C. BERARDENGA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2016 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#994608) (XD) - $22.95
100% Sangiovese grown at 350 metres above sea level on tufo, brown and yellow clay, and broken stone soils. The fragrant, highly aromatic nose offers enticing rose floral, red and black cherry aromas joined by cinnamon, sweet spices, and leather notes. The medium+ bodied, juicy palate is fresh, spicy and a touch warming with cherry, spices, and clove, and leather flavours with touches of dried herb. Well-integrated tannins have a pleasantly subtle, textured grip, while fresh acids are slightly tart and limey. Chocolatey oak with touches of mineral linger on the finish, with excellent length. Score: 91 pts

Other wines from the Bacci Wines portfolio can be found via their Agent Connexion Oenophilia.

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August 22, 2020 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: 90+ pts + South Africa

The main theme of the upcoming August 22, 2020 LCBO VINTAGES Release is titled "Guide Posts" and focuses on wines that have received high scores, while the mini-theme looks at the stellar wines from South Africa. All of these wines, plus those from the main release, should be on shelves by this Saturday.

We begin with the main theme that looks at high-scoring wines. Of the fourteen wines that received high scores from international critics and competitions, five wines are included among my top wine picks. At the top of my list is a lovely blend from Paraje Altamira in Argentina that is a co-fermented blend of 78% Malbec and 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, followed closely by a 2016 Chianti Classico that is 100% Sangiovese. There are also a pair of lovely Chardonnay wines - one from Mâcon-Péronne in Burgundy, while the other is from Tumbarumba in Australia. The last wine from this feature is a white wine blend from Rhône that consists of 70% Grenache Blanc and 30% Viognier.

The mini-theme on wines from South Africa is mini indeed with just seven wines and provides a decent cross section of what comes out of South Africa, although notably absent is any Chenin Blanc. There are some good wines featured as part of the South African theme, but just one wine made my list of wine recommendations - a 2014 Syrah for $18.

Among my top red wine picks, the California Cabernet Sauvignon includes some Petit Verdot and Malbec. From France, the Vacqueyras is a blend of 55% Grenache, 35% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre, while the Roussillon red is consists of Syrah, Grenache, and Carignan. Lastly, the 2015 Chianti Classico is made with 95% Sangiovese and 5% Malvasia Nera, A pair of single varietal wines worth your attention are a Malbec that is consistently one of my favourites and also featured in this Release as the Wine of the Month, and a consistently well-made Gamay from Niagara.

Besides the Rhône white mentioned above, all of my white wine picks are single varietals wines and the most interesting of the bunch might the 2011 Rioja, which is a barrel-aged Viura. The Chablis is, of course, made with Chardonnay. For sweet wine lovers, look to the Riesling from Niagara or the Riesling Kabinett from Mosel. Lastly, the dry rosé from Argentina is an interesting blend of Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this Release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• ALMENKERK WINE ESTATE SYRAH 2014 - WO Elgin, South Africa (#15780) (XD) - $17.95
• SALENTEIN RESERVE MALBEC 2018 - Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#640854) (XD) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
• VALE DE LOBOS SYRAH 2015 - DO Tejo, Portugal (#14546) (XD) - $19.95
• 13TH STREET GAMAY 2018 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#177824) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• GABRIEL MEFFRE LA CHÂSSE GRANDE RÉSERVE 2015 - AP Vacqueyras, Rhône, France (#15455) (XD) - $19.95
• CASTELLO DI BOSSI C. BERARDENGA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2016 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#994608) (XD) - $22.95  91 pts  wine review
• ZAHA EL CORTE 2016 - Toko Vineyard, Paraje Altamira, Mendoza, Argentina (#629972) (XD) - $24.95  91+ pts  wine review
• M. CHAPOUTIER BILA-HAUT OCCULTUM LAPIDEM 2017 - AP Côtes du Roussillon-Villages Latour-de-France (#643239) (XD) - $26.95
• CASA EMMA RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2015 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#910281) (XD) - $43.95
• ARCHIMEDES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2015 - Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA (#431825) (D) - $79.95  93 pts  wine review
  

White Wine:

• COLOMÉ TORRONTÉS 2019 - Calchaquí Valley, Salta, Argentina (#357913) (XD) - $15.95
• RHÔNE TO THE BONE 2018 - AC Côtes du Rhône, France (#14033) (XD) - $16.95
• INVIVO SAUVIGNON BLANC 2019 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#14199) (XD) - $17.00  88 pts  wine review
• DOMAINE DU BICHERON MÂCON-PÉRONNE 2017 - AC, Burgundy, France (#14960) (XD) - $19.95
• VINELAND ESTATES ELEVATION ST. URBAN VINEYARD RIESLING 2018 - St. Urban Vineyard, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#38117) (M) - $19.95  90 pts  wine review
• PROCELLA TUMBARUMBA CHARDONNAY 2018 - Single vineyard, New South Wales, Australia (#15140) (XD) - $21.95
• BODEGA GARZÓN RESERVA ALBARIÑO 2019 - Maldonado, Uruguay (#646802) (XD) - $22.95
• DR. LOOSEN BERNKASTELER LAY RIESLING KABINETT 2017 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#15295) (S) - $29.95
• DOMAINE LAROCHE VIEILLES VIGNES LES VAILLONS CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2018 - AC, Burgundy, France (#991893) (XD) - $39.95
• R. LÓPEZ DE HEREDIA VIÑA TONDONIA VIÑA GRAVONIA CRIANZA 2011 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#910711) (XD) - $39.95  FE
  

Rosé Wine:

• LUIGI BOSCA A ROSÉ IS A ROSÉ IS A ROSÉ 2019 - Argentina (#553032) (XD) - $18.95  88 pts  wine review

Sparkling Wine:

• ANDREA BIASIOTTO EXTRA DRY MILLESIMATO PROSECCO 2018 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#516559) (D) - $18.95
• RENÉ GEOFFROY TERRE EXTRA BRUT 1ER CRU CHAMPAGNE 2006 - AC, Champagne, France (#16166) (XD) - $149.95  FE

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Argentina: A Mini-Tasting Trip - August 22, 2020 VINTAGES Release Wine Reviews

After exploring and enjoying some fabulous Wines of Argentina a couple of weeks ago, tonight's wine reviews are another look at three Argentine wines coming to LCBO VINTAGES on August 22 and one that is in stores now.

Grapes are grown in Argentina stretching 3,800 km from north to south. with vineyards making quality wines covering nearly 500,000 acres. The diversity of terroirs where the vines are grown imprint distinctive characters and profiles of each variety.

Torrontés is the most cultivated white wine varietal in Argentina with 5% of the total cultivated area within the country devoted to the grape. Torrontés is only found in Argentina and there are three variants - Mendocino, Sanjuanino, and Riojano. Of the three variants, Riojano is the most cultivated and expresses the best qualities for the production of fine wines, especially those found in Cafayate Valley, Salta. Torrontés is Argentina's signature white wine and winemaker Susana Balbo is known as the "Queen of Torrontés" for her role in transforming Torrontés from an unknown blending grape into Argentina’s star white varietal.

Pink-skinned varieties - primarily the indigenous Cereza and Criolla Grande - currently make up 24% of all vines cultivated in Argentina. However, in the not-too-long-ago past, these varietals were actually the most widely planted in the country until they were supplanted by Malbec in more recent years. While I don't think I have ever seen (or tasted) wines made with these indigenous grapes, Pinot Gris also falls into the pink-skinned category and is included as part of the blend that makes up the Luigi Bosca Rosé.

Malbec is far and away the most widely planted varietal in Argentina, claiming top spot only in 2011, with 22% of the country's vine acreage devoted to the grape. It is Argentina's flagship red wine grape and many of the country's top wines are made using this varietal. An astounding 85% of the Malbec planted in Argentina is within Mendoza, while in second place is San Juan (neighbouring north of Mendoza) with 6%. In third place is Salta, in the north of Argentina, with just over 3%. These three region combine to produce 94% of the country's Malbec.

The Malbec reviewed below is one of my favourite wallet-friendly Malbec wines - and there are many - as Argentina is widely known for offering great value for the quality of its wines. This particular Malbec is from Tunuyán in the Uco Valley, nestled beside the cordillera of the Andes in higher altitude, cooler, and southern area of Mendoza that is characterized by the crossing of the Las Tunas and Tunuyán rivers. The vineyards in Uco Valley range in altitude from 900 to 2,200 metres above sea level (masl), which are the highest in Mendoza and among the highest in the world. Tunuyán was first settled in the 17th century, but only began planting vines in 1995. As the vines matured, it was realized beginning in 2010 that the high altitude vines in Tunuyán create a different wine style. This led to further research to understand the terroir of the area, and eventually the discovery of exciting micro-regions within Tunuyán.

The last wine in this post comes from the Paraje Altamira GI (Geographical Indication), an area located to the south of Uco Valley in San Carlos, right next to La Consulta. The area, which was originally called Altamira, was known for producing excellent grapes for many years - it was first planted in 1900. It produces wines of unique colour and tannic concentration, flavour and freshness. Paraje Altamira GI is placed at an altitude of 1,000 to 1,200 masl and officially became a GI in 2013 and now consists of an area nearly 10,000 ha, of which nearly 3,000 ha are planted to vine. One of the most important aspects of Paraje Altamira GI is that it was the first appellation in Argentina delineated by the concept of terroir - instead of by political boundaries - paving the way for future terroir-based GIs. The end result are unique, high-quality, and delicious wines with a sense of place.

Tasting Notes:

SUSANA BALBO CRIOS TORRONTÉS 2019 - Argentina (#1834) (XD) - $14.95 $12.95 until Sept. 13.
Torrontés grapes from Cafayate (Salta) and Uco Valley (Mendoza) grown at an average of 1,700 masl. All of the fruit was hand-harvested and spent 3 months on lees. Screw cap. Fresh and highly aromatic with floral, green grassy-herbal, lemon citrus, and grapefruit notes. The medium-bodied, slightly creamy palate has crunchy, tart citrus fruit flavours plus some herbs and floral. Acids are well-balanced and juicy. Somewhat chalky mineral textured and saline on the mid-palate, followed by mineral and lime citrus notes on the finish, with very good length. VINTAGES Essentials listing and available year-round. Agent: Profile Wine Group. Score: 88 pts

LUIGI BOSCA A ROSÉ IS A ROSÉ IS A ROSÉ 2019 - Mendoza, Argentina (#553032) (XD) - $18.95
A blend of Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir from grapes grown in Luján de Cuyo and Maipú at an altitude of 780 metres. An interesting caramel and honey nose surrounds notes of citrus and grapefruit. It's quite full and structured in the mouth with honeyed, floral, grapefruit, and tangy citrus flavours in a dry profile. Juicy acids follow through to the honey and floral finish. A big, dry rosé with very good length. Agent: FWM Canada. Score: 88 pts

SALENTEIN RESERVE MALBEC 2018 - Tunuyán, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#640854) (XD) - $17.95
100% estate grown Malbec from shallow, alluvial, and pebbly soils, with 70% coming from the El Oasis estate (1,050+ masl) and 30% from the La Pampa estate (1,250+ masl). The clean, medium-high intensity nose offers smoky minerality, dark berry, spice, and plum with whiffs of dried herb. It's mid-weighted on the fresh, juicy palate with very good acidity and flavours of dark berry, blackberry, smoky mineral, and spice with touches of violet. Tannins are smooth and refined. Dark berry and mineral with touches of chocolate linger on the long, juicy finish. Agent: Azureau Wines & Spirits. Score: 89 pts

ZAHA EL CORTE 2016 - Toko Vineyard, Paraje Altamira, Mendoza, Argentina (#629972) (XD) - $24.95
Zaha means "Heart" in the native Huarpe language of Mendoza. The Toko (stone) vineyard has diverse soils - sandy soils, rocky limestone rich soils with abundant white surface stones, and shallow silty soils mixed with gravel. Co-fermented blend of 78% Malbec and 22% Cabernet Sauvignon. Fresh, spicy, scorched earth, and stony mineral notes jump out of the glass followed by some dark spices, herbs, and dark berry. The refined, medium-full bodied palate has smooth, structured, nicely textured and slightly chalky tannins. It's very minerally on the flavour profile with spice, dried herb, plum, and dark berry tones. Acids are fresh and mouth-watering. It's well-balanced throughout with mineral notes lingering on the long, juicy, and spicy finish. Very distinctive and highly recommended buy. Agent: Noble Estates Wine & Spirits. Score: 91+ pts

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