Trapiche Gran Medalla Malbec 2017 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is this excellent Malbec from Argentina that returned to the LCBO over the weekend, as part of the recent November 27th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Bodega Trapiche was founded in 1883 when founder Tiburcio Benegas purchased the property that contained asmall vineyard. The winery was passed down through generations of the family, and was eventually sold to the Pulenta family in 1971 and became one of several brands owned by the new owners. Today, Trapiche is the largest producer of wine in Argentina, and is owned by Grupo Peñaflor, one of the top ten largest wine producers worldwide. Since it's founding, Bodega Trapiche has received worldwide recognition for its relentless quest for innovation. With a fairly deep understanding of the land, combined with state-of-the-art technology, Trapiche ventures into otherwise unchartered territory to constantly challenge what is known and gain a fuller understanding of the land. Pioneers in Argentina, Trapiche innovated with the introduction of French varieties, the use of French oak barrels, and the production of micro-terroir wines.

This Malbec is from the same range of wines as the 2016 Trapiche Gran Medalla Cabernet Sauvignon that I enjoyed last year. The Gran Medalla range is an homage to the winery's 125th anniversary, which was celebrated in 2008, and the grapes for these wines are crafted using their best vineyards in the Uco Valley to create exceptional wines that epitomizes all of the potential of Argentina's flagship varieties.

The 2017 growing season was a great success with a return to characteristically dry weather delivering intensely flavoured grapes, although with reduced yields due to a spring frost. In general, the 2017 vintage produced refined, terroir-driven Malbec-based wines, especially in prime districts within the Uco Valley, such as this Malbec which was grown in the Las Piedras vineyard in the Uco Valley. I've tasted previous vintages of this lovely Malbec and it always pleases. Let's see how this 2017 Malbec is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

TRAPICHE GRAN MEDALLA MALBEC 2017 - Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#467977) (XD) - $28.95
100% Malbec from the Las Piedras vineyard in the Uco Valley and aged for 18 months in new French oak barrels. The medium-high intensity nose offers lovely, rich, dark fruited aromas of blackberry, new wood spice, purple fruits, wet earth, and savoury notes. On the medium-full bodied palate, it has more ripe blackberry, fine wood spice, violets, and savoury earthy flavours all wrapped around fine, fresh acidity and refined, structured, and lightly chalky textured tannins. Some earthy minerals and spices add complexity on the mid-palate. Ripe and tangy blackberry flavours along with earthy, wood, and savoury notes linger on the long finish. Enjoy over the next 5-6 years. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

Trapiche wines are plentiful at the LCBO, but other lovely wines can also be found through their Agent - Dandurand.

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Trinity Hill The Trinity Red Blend 2018 (Hawke's Bay) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious Bordeaux varietal from Hawke's Bay in New Zealand that arrived at the LCBO this weekend, as part of the November 27th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Trinity Hill was jointly established in the early 1990's on a stony site in Hawke's Bay, on the North Island of New Zealand, by founding winemaker John Hancock and Robert and Robyn Wilson over a glass of wine. Together, they were convinced that they could produce world-class wines in this region by recognizing the outstanding potential of Hawke's Bay's Gimblett Gravels winegrowing district. In 1993, Trinity Hill became one of the region's early pioneers by planting grapevines on a barren plot on the former bed of the Ngaruroro River, a vineyard that is now 18 hectares and known as the Gimblett Estate Vineyard. In 1998, they produced their first Gimblett Road wines to critical acclaim and a number of awards. In 2000, a 20 hectare parcel of prime Gimblett Gravels land was purchased and planted with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot - a vineyard now known as the Gimblett Stones Vineyard. A year later, Trinity Hill joined the Gimblett Gravels Winegrowers Association as a founding member.

Having tasted and enjoyed the 2015 and 2014 Trinity Hill The Trinity Red Blend wines in prior years, this wine is always a multi-varietal blend led by Merlot, with supporting varietals changing with each vintage. The 2018 vintage is a blend of 32% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, and 4% Malbec using grapes grown in the Gimblett Stones and Tin Shed Vineyards within the Gimblett Gravels appellation in Hawke's Bay. Each individual vineyard parcel was harvested separately and gently de-stemmed prior to fermentation. It was fermented to extract a soft, complex structure, followed by extended skin maceration for up to 4 weeks to further integrate and soften the tannins. After 15 months of aging in a combination of small French oak barrels and stainless steel tanks, the individual blocks were blended to create the ideal wine.

The growing season in 2018 was very warm with humid conditions arriving in late summer and autumn - ideal conditions to produce rich, supple, ripe, and robust red varietals. Trinity Hill winemaker Warren Gibson was very enthusiastic about the results of the 2018 vintage, describing it has a "cracker" of a vintage. Let's see how this 2018 red wine from Hawke's Bay is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

TRINITY HILL THE TRINITY RED BLEND 2018 - Hawke's Bay, North Island, New Zealand (#551630) (XD) - $19.95
Screw cap. This delicious blend of 32% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, and 4% Malbec has a medium to medium-high intensity nose offering rich dark fruited, plum, and leathery accents with currant, cassis, cedar wood spice, and savoury earthy undertones adding complexity. On the medium+ bodied, ripe and dark fruited palate it is spicy with black and blue fruits, currant, cassis, plum, and savoury cocoa flavours, all framed by fresh acidity and smooth, dusty, and well-integrated tannins. Savoury cocoa with blackcurrant notes linger on the long, supple finish, with very good length. A recommended buy best enjoyed over the next 3-4 years. Score: 89 pts

While a very small quantity of other wines from Trinity Hill are available at the LCBO, they can also be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.

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Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Côtes du Roussillon Blanc 2020 (Midi) - Wine Review

After enjoying the lovely 2018 Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Côtes du Roussillon Blanc at the beginning of this year, tonight's white wine review is the latest vintage of a perennial favourite from Roussillon that arrives at the LCBO tomorrow as part of the November 27 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

This white wine is produced by the legendary Rhône producer M. Chapoutier. The origins of this company go back to the year 1808, but today it is owned by Michel Chapoutier who took over the reigns in 1990. In 2000, Chapoutier purchased its first estate in Roussillon and this particular wine is from Domaine de Bila-Haut, a domain that Chapoutier founded in Latour-de-France, Roussillon. Today, Mathilde and Maxime, the children of Michel, form the next generation of the Chapoutier family to join business, and together they perpetuate the family tradition and vision to craft wines based on the concept of terroir.

For this vintage, the blend remains a mix of Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, and Macabeu. The grapes come from limestone, clay soils, and gneiss in the Agly Valley, as well as from granite soils at 500 metre higher altitude, later ripening sites. There were manually harvested early in the morning and hand selected to protect the aromas, following by pressing and fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. It was aged for a few months in order to preserve freshness and enhance minerality. Despite record-low yields in what was a challenging growing season, the 2020 vintage, in general, produced wines exhibiting the perfect trilogy of elegance, freshness and complexity. Let's see how this 2020 Roussillon Blanc is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

LES VIGNES DE BILA-HAUT CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON BLANC 2020 - AP, Midi, France (#485656) (XD) - $15.95
This lovely blend of Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, and Macabeu has fresh, elegant, ripe, and honeyed aromas of floral, lemon citrus, orange blossom, and apple rising out of the glass with hints of grapefruit and smoky notes. On the medium+ bodied, slightly creamy palate, it has very good concentration with lovely, ripe, honeyed flavours of floral, lemon citrus, grapefruit, and leesy minerals in a dry flavour profile. It's very well-balanced and nicely textured with fresh acidity, while leesy minerals, with touches of white florals and citrus lingering on the long, flavourful, and slightly spicy finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Other lovely wines from M. Chapoutier are available at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Dandurand.

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November 27, 2021 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Finest Holiday Wines + Local Sparkling

The November 27, 2021 LCBO VINTAGES Release is the 2nd to last release of the year and the main theme is titled "Finest Holiday Wines", while in the Local Talent feature there are a few, fine sparkling wines from Ontario. All of these wines should be on shelves across Ontario by this Saturday.

We begin with the theme on Finest Holiday Wines - a group of sixteen wines which can be purchased as gifts or to add to your personal collection. While many of the wines featured in this thematic are of high-quality, I have opted to include just five of these wines. At the top of this list is the latest vintage of the Solaia Super Tuscan that is a blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese, and 7% Cabernet Franc. From Bolgheri, the Guado al Tasso is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot, while the iconic Ornellaia consists of 51% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. Moving away from Italy, the Red from Niagara is a blend of 32% Cabernet Franc, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 11% Petit Verdot, and 6% Tannat, while the Rioja consists of 90% Tempranillo, 5% Mazuelo, and 5% Graciano.

In the feature on Local Talent, the theme is on sparkling wines and there are a few beauties among the group and all of my recommendations are crafted in the traditional method. First up is the 2016 Blanc de Blancs that is made with Chardonnay, while the 2015 sparkling wine from 13th Street is a blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir. Lastly, the Sparkling Rosé is made with Pinot Noir.

From my top red wine recommendations, the red wine from Bordeaux is a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, while the Rhône red consists of 75% Grenache, the rest Syrah, and a dollop of Mourvedre to complete the blend. The Portuguese red consists of Touriga Nacional and Alfrocheiro. New Zealand has a large and strong showing in this release with a pair of lovely reds included among my wine picks - an excellent Marlborough Pinot Noir and a red blend from Hawke's Bay that consists of 32% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, and 4% Malbec. From Italy, the Chianti Classico is 100% Sangiovese, while the Brunello is made with 100% Sangiovese Grosso, and lastly, the Barolo is 100% Nebbiolo.

Additionally, there are also a couple of lovely reds not listed below as they came through VINTAGES earlier this year, but have returned to the LCBO as part of this release - the 2018 Clos de Los Siete (90+ pts, $25) and the 2015 Lealtanza Reserva (90 pts, $22) - and both are worth checking out if you missed them the first time.

Among my white wine picks, the only blend is the wine from Roussillon that consists of Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, and Macabeu. Notable single varietal wines includes a beautiful 2019 Sancerre (which is made with Sauvignon Blanc), as well as a pair of Sauvignon Blanc wines from New Zealand. If you like your wines a little sweet, look for the delicious Pinot Gris from New Zealand or the semi-sweet Riesling from Mosel.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• CUVÉE SABRINE CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2017 - AC, France (#538496) (XD) - $15.95
• ENRIQUE MENDOZA LA TREMENDA MONASTRELL 2018 - DO Alicante, Spain (#490011) (XD) - $16.95
• CAP ROYAL ROUGE 2018 - Vegan, AC Bordeaux Supérieur, France (#486761) (XD) - $18.95  90 pts  wine review
• TRINITY HILL THE TRINITY RED BLEND 2018 - Hawke's Bay, North Island, New Zealand (#551630) (XD) - $19.95   89 pts  wine review
• QUINTA DO PENEDO RESERVA 2013 - DOC Dão, Portugal (#21809) (XD) - $19.95

• IL MOLINO DI GRACE RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2015 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#382945) (XD) - $27.95
• TRAPICHE GRAN MEDALLA MALBEC 2017 - Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#467977) (XD) - $28.95  91+ pts  wine review
• HERAS CORDÓN RESERVA 2015 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#144113) (XD) - $32.95
• STRATUS RED 2017 - VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#312058) (D) - $49.20
• DOG POINT PINOT NOIR 2017 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#329672) (XD) - $49.95  FE  92 pts  wine review

• LA TORRE BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2016 - Estate bottled, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#17626) (XD) - $59.95
• RENATO RATTI MARCENASCO BAROLO 2017 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#713479) (XD) - $69.95
• GUADO AL TASSO 2018 - DOC Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy (#986380) (XD) - $161.95
• ORNELLAIA 2018 - DOC Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy (#722470) (XD) - $249.95
• SOLAIA 2018 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#987586) (XD) - $475.95

White Wine:

• LES VIGNES DE BILA-HAUT CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON BLANC 2020 - AP, Midi, France (#485656) (XD) - $15.95  90 pts  wine review
• FONTANAFREDDA PRADALUPO ROERO ARNEIS 2019 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#577700) (XD) - $18.95
• INVIVO SAUVIGNON BLANC 2020 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#14199) (XD) - $18.95
• RADFORD DALE VINUM CHENIN BLANC 2019 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#13338) (XD) - $18.95
• ELGIN VINTNERS CHARDONNAY 2019 - WO Elgin, South Africa (#21156) (XD) - $19.95
• SELBACH TRADITION FEINHERB RIESLING KABINETT 2018 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#21031) (M) - $24.95
• GREYWACKE MARLBOROUGH PINOT GRIS 2017 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#994939) (D) - $29.95  FE  93 pts  wine review
• VILLA MARIA SOUTHERN CLAYS SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2019 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#447474) (XD) - $29.95  91+ pts  wine review
• JEAN-MAX ROGER CUVÉE GENÈSE SANCERRE 2019 - AC, Loire, France (#189126) (XD) - $32.95  92 pts  wine review
• DOG POINT CHARDONNAY 2018 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#238568) (XD) - $44.95  FE

Sparkling Wine:

• BELCANTO DI BELLUSSI EXTRA DRY PROSECCO DI VALDOBBIADENE SUPERIORE - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#53215) (D) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review
• MEGALOMANIAC BUBBLEHEAD SPARKLING ROSÉ - Traditional method, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#363655) (D) - $34.95  91 pts  wine review
• 13TH STREET PREMIER CUVÉE SPARKLING 2015 - Traditional method, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#142679) (XD) - $39.95
• HENRY OF PELHAM CUVÉE CATHARINE CARTE BLANCHE ESTATE BLANC DE BLANCS 2016 - Traditional method, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#315200) (XD) - $49.95
• VILMART ET CIE GRANDE RÉSERVE 1ER CRU CHAMPAGNE - AC, France (#12619) (XD) - $73.95  92 pts  wine review

Fortified:

• BURMESTER 10-YEAR-OLD TAWNY PORT - DOP, Portugal (#223958) (S) - $29.95  91 pts  wine review
  
• WARRE'S QUINTA DA CAVADINHA VINTAGE PORT 2005 - DOP, Portugal (#21811) (S) - $54.95

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Cap Royal Rouge 2018 (Bordeaux) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is this lovely, vegan-friendly red wine from Bordeaux that is coming to the LCBO this weekend, as part of the November 27th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Cap Royal, a brand that owes its name to the Cordouan lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in Europe. This lighthouse located at the mouth of the Gironde estuary always had a bleak reputation due to the perilous nature of the area. The original lighthouse was built in 1360 and has evolved over the centuries to become the one-of-a-kind, "King of Lighthouses" seen today.

Cap Royal is a brand of La Compagnie Médocaine des Grands Crus, an historical wine merchant that has established itself a key player in the sales of Bordeaux wines around the globe. La Compagnie Médocaine des Grands Crus is a subsidiary of AXA Millésimes, the wine branch of AXA group, and encompasses many of Europe's most renowned wine domaines. More than just a company, La Compagnie Médocaine des Grands Crus is a team of people of who ensure that they provide the highest quality wines possible. This team is led by Jean-René Matignon, a man who was born in Anjou and grew up in a family of winemakers. He actually spent a year in Canada in 1982 working for a wine domaine in British Columbia. Upon returning to France, he developed new vinification techniques with a winemakers association and became known as a perfectionist. In 2013, he worked with La Compagnie Médocaine des Grands Crus to create the Cap Royal brand with the sole objective to offer high quality, yet accessible, Bordeaux wines that can be enjoyed by all.

Certified vegan, this Bordeaux blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon was crafted using fruit chosen by Jean-René Matignon and his winemaker partners from specially selected lots that offered quality and complexity. The grapes were fermented in thermo-regulated stainless steel vats, and carefully aged in oak barrels under the regular supervision of Jean-René Matignon to guarantee a quality wine. Let's see how this 2018 Bordeaux red wine is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CAP ROYAL ROUGE 2018 - Vegan, AC Bordeaux Supérieur, France (#486761) (XD) - $18.95
This blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon has an open and fragrant nose with lovely dark fruited aromas of blackberry, black plum, currant, cassis, wood spice, and vanilla with savoury undertones. On the ripe, medium-full bodied, and structured palate it has dark berry, blackberry, leather, and wood spice flavours, with a hint of jammy notes. Fresh acids are juicy and well-balanced, while the structured tannins are youthful. Savoury, earthy, and cocoa notes linger on the long, drying finish. Highly recommended buy that is enjoyable now, but will reward with a few years in the cellar and drink well towards the end of the decade. Score: 90 pts

Other lovely wines from Cap Royal are available through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Marqués de Cáceres Excellens Cuvée Especial Crianza 2017 (Rioja) - Wine Review

For tonight's wine review, I Arrive in Style with this lovely, vegan-friendly Tempranillo that came to the LCBO last weekend as part of the November 13th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Produced by Marqués de Cáceres, and although the winery was only founded by Enrique Forner in 1970, the enterprising family's origins in wine go back much further to 1920, when Enrique's grandfather and father established a family business in Valencia devoted to the production, sale, and export of wine.

Today, Enrique's daughter, Cristina Forner, manages the winery with pride. The Forner family is one of the great Spanish wine families, known for producing high-quality wines, while the wines of Marqués de Cáceres can be found globally in more than 120 countries now thanks to the key role played by Cristina. In the early years of Marqués de Cáceres, Enrique Forner was advised by a friend having success in Bordeaux to apply new growing and production techniques - vineyard control, grape selection, cold production in order to extract the first aromas, ageing in new and semi-new French oak, and long refinement in the bottle in order to strengthen the great virtues of the Tempranillo grape. All of these improvements resulted in wines of finesse and elegance. Marqués de Cáceres continues it's success today by investing in technology and innovation while offering consumers a wine they can consistently enjoy.

This 100% Tempranillo was grown on mainly clay and limestone soils, with some parcels having more iron-rich subsoils, from vineyards planted on gentle hillsides to those 'drooping' at the town's highest altitudes. The grapes were manually harvested, parcel by parcel, and took place as the grapes reached maturity, meaning that they had to return to some vineyards several times because the grape were reaching maturity at different times. At the winery, the grapes were de-stemmed and crushed, followed by fermentation and long skin-contact maceration in stainless steel tanks. It was aged for 14 months in medium-toast French oak barrels and followed by at least 12 months in bottle prior to release.

After liking the 2015 Marqués de Cáceres Excellens Cuvée Especial a couple of years ago, let's see how this bottling, which is from a very good vintage, is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MARQUÉS DE CÁCERES EXCELLENS CUVÉE ESPECIAL CRIANZA 2017 - Collecion Privada, Vegan, DOCa Rioja, Spain (#10684) (XD) - $17.95
100% Tempranillo. The medium to medium-high intensity nose offers lovely rich black and dark red berry aromas alongside sweet & fine wood spice, tobacco, coconut, and earthy notes. On the medium-full bodied palate the sweet and fine wood spice notes really shine, followed by black and red berry, black cherry, sweet spices, clove, and savoury wet earth flavours. Acids are succulent and well-balanced, while the structured tannins are a touch chalky and drying. Earthy notes linger on the lengthy finish. Excellent, as the name suggests, and a highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Other lovely wines from Marqués de Cáceres are available through their Agent - Dionysus Wines & Spirits.

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CR Gold 5 Monastrell/Syrah 2019 (Spain) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious blend of Monastrell and Syrah that arrived in LCBO VINTAGES on November 13th.

It is produced by Crápula Wines, a project of Gabriel Martínez Valero. He was born in 1967 in the land of Jumilla, one of the Spain's prestigious winegrowing regions, and developed a passion for his homeland as a young boy. For decades, Gabriel has been an enthusiastic ambassador and great defender of Jumilla wines, convinced that this region in the south of Spain is one of the best places in the world to grow grapes due to the region's various micro-climates and terrain that provide nuance to the grapes and resulting wines.

After getting tired of working for other wineries, Gabriel decides to start his own project - Crápula - in Jumilla in 2008. The name comes from when he was tasting with a group of friends on a monthly basis, and one time he was asked to bring a bunch of bottles without labels. One of his friends, Simón, brought out some beautiful wine labels with the name Crápula. Gabriel really liked the name and Simón suggested that they make wines with the Crápula label and sell them. For Gabriel, Crápula symbolizes a good way of life. Crápula Wines are focused on Monastrell and Syrah varieties (as found in this wine) as they give the best results in this area. Gabriel strives to create wines that are modern, fruity, and elegant, while maintaining the identity and personality of the Jumilla terroir.

This red wine is a blend of equal parts Monastrell and Syrah from 30 to 50 year-old vines grown sandy clay limestone soils at 800 metres (2,600 feet) altitude. The grapes were organically farmed, hand-harvested, and fermented in stainless steel tanks. The wine was aged for 5 months in a combination of 330 L neutral French and American oak barrels. Let's see how this red blend from Jumilla is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CR GOLD 5 MONASTRELL/SYRAH 2019 - DOP Jumilla, Spain (#482505) (XD) - $18.95
A 50/50 blend of Monastrell and Syrah. The medium+ intensity nose is rich and swarthy with ripe, dark fruited aromas of blackberry, black plum, purple fruit, and peppery spice. On the weighty, medium-full bodied palate it has intriguing, fruit-forward purple and black fruits mingling with pepper spice, savoury wood, and cocoa flavours. Acids are fresh and juicy, while the smooth, youthful tannins have a slightly chalky texture. Tangy notes on the mid-palate linger through to the savoury, cocoa, and cedary spiced finish, with very good length. Recommended buy. Score: 88+ pts

Other delicious wines from Crápula can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.

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