March 30, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Cabernet Sauvignon

Here's my top wine picks from the March 30, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, which focuses on Cabernet Sauvignon Around the World as the theme of the release. It also includes a new batch of Online & Flagship Exclusive (FE) wines. In all, there are 101 wines on offer, and all should be available for purchase across Ontario by this Saturday.

We'll begin with the theme of Cabernet Sauvignon wines from around the world. There are fourteen wines included as part of the theme (and many more from the main release), and only two are among my top Cabernet Sauvignon wine picks. First up is a perennially lovely 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia, while the other wine is from the Aconcagua Valley in Chile and actually consists of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, and 5% Cabernet Franc.

Among my top red wine picks from the main release, there are a pair of Cabernet Sauvignon wines - one from Greece and one from Chile. There is also a Cabernet/Shiraz that is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Shiraz. Moving on to other varietals, there is a Gigondas, which is composed of roughly 50% Grenache Noir, 40% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre, while the Barolo is 100% Nebbiolo. Staying in Italy, the Chianti Classico is crafted with 95% Sangiovese and 5% Canaiolo, while the Valpolicella is a blend of 90% Corvina/Corvinone and 10% Rondinella.

The only blend among my top white wine picks is the excellent Soave from Veneto, which consists of 70% Garganega and 30% Trebbiano di Soave. There are a variety of dry white wines, including a pair of Sauvignon Blancs - one each from Niagara and Marlborough, as well as a trio of white wines from Italy - Falanghina from Campania, Pinot Grigio from Friuli, and a Gavi from Piedmont. For those that prefer some sweetness in their wines, there is a brilliant off-dry Riesling from Niagara, while the Riesling Kabinett from Mosel is sweeter.

Other wines in this release include a dry rosé from Provence that is a majority of Grenache, with Cinsault, Syrah, and Mourvèdre completing the blend. There is also a rosé sparkling wine that is crafted with 51% Chardonnay and 49% Pinot Noir. For fans of very sweet wines, you'll want to try the fortified wine from Spain that is made using the Pedro Ximénez varietal.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• VISTAMAR GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Sustainable, La Moralina Vineyard, Valle del Cachapoal, Chile (#27204) (XD) - $17.95
• TINAZZI COLLEZIONE DI FAMIGLIA VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO SUPERIORE 2019 - DOP, Veneto, Italy (#32711) (D) - $19.95
• HUGH HAMILTON THE LARRIKIN CABERNET/SHIRAZ 2020 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#33559) (XD) - $20.95
• ERRÁZURIZ ACONCAGUA ALTO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Sustainable, DO Valle del Aconcagua, Chile (#203364) (XD) - $22.95
• CASTELLO DI RADDA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#16448) (XD) - $22.95  review coming soon...
• WAKEFIELD JARAMAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Clare Valley and Coonawarra, South Australia (#142398) (XD) - $24.95  90 pts  wine review
• BABICH BLACK LABEL PINOT NOIR 2021 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#465963) (XD) - $26.95  FE
• MEGA SPILEO ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2015 - PGI Achaia, Greece (#539924) (XD) - $36.95  92 pts  wine review
• LAVAU GIGONDAS 2019 - AC, Rhône, France (#234955) (XD) - $37.95
• ROCCHE COSTAMAGNA ROCCHE DELL'ANNUNZIATA BAROLO 2019 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#413484) (XD) - $64.95

White Wine:

• VESEVO BENEVENTANO FALANGHINA 2022 - IGP, Campania, Italy (#289538) (XD) - $17.95
• VIENI SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021 - VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#37971) (XD) - $19.95
• VILLA MARIA WAIRAU VALLEY RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#536201) (XD) - $20.95  90 pts  wine review
• ENRICO SERAFINO GRIFO DEL QUARTARO GAVI DEL COMMUNE DI GAVI 2022 - Sustainable, estate bottled, DOC, Piedmont, Italy (#22138) (XD) - $24.95
• MAX FERD. RICHTER BRAUNEBERGER JUFFER RIESLING KABINETT 2022 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#36929) (S) - $31.95
• THIRTY BENCH STEEL POST VINEYARD SMALL LOT RIESLING 2020 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#319640) (D) - $33.95  FE  92+ pts  wine review
• PIEROPAN CALVARINO SOAVE CLASSICO 2021 - Single vineyard, DOC, Veneto, Italy (#19010) (XD) - $33.95  FE  93 pts  wine review
• JERMANN PINOT GRIGIO 2022 - DOC Friuli, Italy (#12812) (XD) - $39.95

Rosé Wine:

• DOMAINES OTT CHÂTEAU DE SELLE CRU CLASSÉ ROSÉ 2022 - Sustainable, AP Côtes de Provence, France (#74617) (XD) - $57.95  FE

Sparkling Wine:

• PONGRÁCZ CAP CLASSIQUE ROSÉ - Traditional method, WO Western Cape, South Africa (#646968) (D) - $22.95

Fortified Wine:

• ALVEAR SOLERA 1927 PEDRO XIMÉNEZ - DO Montilla-Moriles, Spain (#463034, 375 mL) (S) - $30.95

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Cuvée 2024 - Tickets selling fast for Ontario’s biggest VQA celebration

It’s a tasting experience no wine enthusiast should miss.

Featuring more than 100 wines, each carefully curated as the favourites of Ontario’s top winemakers, the 2024 Cuvée Grand Tasting promises an experience like no other as it takes over the Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Centre in St. Catharines on Saturday, March 30.

Organized by Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI), the event is the largest celebration of VQA wine of its kind, highlighting Ontario’s wine industry — an important economic driver for the province.

The Cuvée Grand Tasting, which starts at 7 p.m., will showcase nearly 40 Ontario VQA wineries alongside 10 chefs preparing perfectly paired cuisine at live cooking stations.

“We couldn’t be more excited for this event’s return,” said Cuvée Manager Barb Tatarnic. “The Grand Tasting is more than an opportunity to try an unmatched selection of Ontario’s top wines. It’s also a chance to hear directly from talented winemakers from across the province, all while supporting the next generation of industry professionals.”

Proceeds from the event support the Cuvée Legacy Fund, which was established to fund industry-driven research initiatives and scholarships for students. More than $122,000 has been generated to invest in the future of the industry through students and research since CCOVI took the lead in organizing the event in 2015.

In addition to the gourmet sensory experience, the Grand Tasting will recognize champions in the province’s grape and wine industry with the Cuvée Vineyard of Excellence and Winemaker of Excellence awards along with the Tony Aspler Award of Excellence.

Following the Grand Tasting, the night erupts with the largest industry party of its kind: the exclusive Après Cuvée. Grand Tasting attendees and winemakers alike will hit the dance floor as Niagara’s own Jonesy brings live music to the stage. A selection of carefully curated regional Icewines, sparkling wines and craft beer will be available for guests to enjoy.

For those looking to expand their Cuvée experience, the Cuvée en Route passport program kicks off the long weekend celebrations on Friday, March 29, running until Sunday, March 31 at more than 20 participating wineries across Niagara. A complete list of participating wineries at the Grand Tasting and en Route can be found at cuvee.ca.

While en Route passport tickets can be purchased separately, a Grand Tasting ticket will provide guests access to the en Route passport, more than 100 wines at the Grand Tasting event and the Après Cuvée party. Grand Tasting tickets are available online at cuvee.ca/tickets for $245 per person. Use Discount Code SHOWOFEXCEL for 20% off. Tickets for the en Route passport only are $50.

Will I see you there?

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Mountadam Five-Fifty Chardonnay 2020 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a delicious Eden Valley Chardonnay from Australia that arrived at the LCBO earlier this year as part of the January 6th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Mountadam Vineyards, a winery that was established in 1972 by the late David Wynn. David was one of the most significant contributors to the Australian Wine Industry as he was the first to recognize the potential of a cool, elevated site to produce Australian wines of great elegance and structure. Wynn searched across Australia for a vineyard site that met his expectations and eventually settled in an area high above the township of Eden Valley, within a sub-region that was formally recognized in 2001 as High Eden. The area of High Eden is oval-shaped and covers 40 square kilometres, and is situated in the highest areas of the Eden Valley. David named his first vineyard after his son, Adam, who became the company's winemaker in 1984.

Mountadam Vineyards' logo was created when David Wynn brought his artist friend Tate Adams to the property, so he could get inspiration to come up with a design for the wine label. As they were walking on the property, two eagles were circling above and Wynn told Adams that they were nesting in a tree on the property. Following this visit, Adams designed and made two engravings incorporating the eagle.

Today, Mountadam Vineyards is in the hands of David and Jenni Brown, who acquired the winery and 80 hectares of vineyards from LMVH in 2005. In 2015, the Brown's purchased the Treasury Wine Estates High Eden vineyard, which included 67 hectares of vines, and allowed them to re-assemble the Mountadam property of over 1,000 hectares. The Brown's share David Wynn's vision for sustainability and have invested significantly in redeveloping the winery and vineyards with items such as open fermenters, filtration, solar power, and water treatment. The Brown family is keen on continuing Wynn's vision to produce wines of elegance and structure, while also focusing on sustainable, low input viticulture that will guarantee the success of the vineyards and farm into the future.

This white wine is part of Mountadam's Five-Fifty range, which is named after the Estate's altitude of 550 metres above sea level. While all Mountadam wines are sourced exclusively from their Estate, which has 147 hectares of vines, the wines in the Five-Fifty range are crafted to offer amazing quality for the price. This Chardonnay is crafted using Mountadam's original 1970s plantings, with 87% of the fruit from Blocks 22, 15, and 29 on the Estate's eastern side, and 13% from Block 57, which is situated on the western side. 60% of this wine was matured in French oak barriques for 1 year, with only 10% new, while the remaining 40% was tank fermented and aged in stainless steel.

In Eden Valley, the drought conditions during the growing season in 2020 resulted in very low yields. Although it was a challenging vintage, the warm conditions helped produce grapes of excellent quality, which resulted in wines of exceptional quality, particularly Chardonnay. Let's see how this 2020 Eden Valley Chardonnay from Australia is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MOUNTADAM FIVE-FIFTY CHARDONNAY 2020 - Eden Valley, South Australia (#22984) (XD) - $17.95
Screw cap. The rich, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose offers buttery, vanilla, apple, and lemon citrus aromas with touches of butterscotch and oak spice. It's dry, medium+ bodied and quite spicy on the lively palate with buttery, apple/pear, lemon citrus, vanillin oak spice, and leesy mineral flavours. It is creamy, yet also has a slightly chalky textured mouthfeel. Acids are crisp and juicy. Buttery, apple, and citrus notes give way to leesy minerals on the lengthy finish. Chill and enjoy this recommended buy! Score: 88 pts

Small quantities of other Mountadam wines can be found at the LCBO, while the entire range can be ordered through their Agent - Churchill Cellars.

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Fortes Sauvignon Blanc 2022 (South Africa) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely, cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa. It is a brand-new wine that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on March 16th.

It is produced by Fortes Family Wines, a boutique winery that was established and is led by Neil Fortes. Having known Neil for many years, he is also the owner of Wine Guru Selections Inc., a wine agency and distributor based in Ontario who specializes in representing and merchandising wines in Canada and has over 40 years of experience in the wine trade. The Fortes family originated in Spain and can be traced back to the time of Queen Isabella in the 15th century. During their history, they migrated to Russia, where they were grain merchants in Melitopol, in southeastern Ukraine. At the beginning of the 19th century, the family migrated to the U.S., followed by a migration to South Africa during the last century.

Today, Neil Fortes spends his time between Canada and South Africa. Fortes Family Wines is situated in the pristine Napier valley, close to Cape Agulhas, at the southernmost tip of the African continent. The name "fortes" means "strong" in Spanish, which also describes the strength and intensity of the wines they are crafting. Located in this region, the temperate climate allows Fortes to produce groundbreaking, cool-climate wines of enormous extract and quality. Furthermore, the soils are of great complexity and structure. Fortes Family wines is also a proud member of the Agulhas Wine Triangle, a non-profit company that was established in 2019 to showcase the wines, tourism, and natural beauty of the Agulhas area.

In general, the 2022 growing season in South Africa was cooler and produced a slightly smaller harvest, with promising wine quality. Let's see how this 2022 Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

FORTES SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 - WO Napier, South Africa (#33297) (XD) - $23.95
Lightly matured in small oak casks, this Sauvignon Blanc is fresh, fragrant, and highly aromatic with pretty aromas of passion fruit, kiwi, and guava layered over citrus, flowers, and touches of mineral. It's medium+ bodied and gently spicy on the palate with delicious passion fruit, kiwi, guava, and lemon citrus replays on the flavour profile. It's supported by fresh, bracing acidity and a gently chalky textured mouthfeel on the mid-palate. Succulent and juicy with passion fruit, citrus, and guava notes tapering to a long, leesy mineral finish. Enjoy this fantastic, highly recommended buy over the next 3-4 years. Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Fortes Family Wines can be ordered through their Agent - Wine Guru Selections Inc.

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Elderton Eden Valley Chardonnay 2022 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely Chardonnay from the Eden Valley in South Australia that landed at the LCBO over the weekend as part of the March 16th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Elderton Wines, a renowned winery whose story begins in 1894, when early German settlers, the Scholz family, first planted a vineyard on the banks of the North Para River in Nuriootpa. In 1916, it was purchased by Samuel Elderton Tolley, and he named the Estate "Elderton". Samuel built a sprawling homestead on the estate and sold the fruit to his family's winery. The estate was run successfully for many years until around 1975, when it became derelict and the vines were pulled out.

In 1980, the property was offered to Lorraine and Neil Ashmead - if they bought the house, the surrounding 72 acres of old vines could be had for nothing. The Ashmead's decided to accept the offer as the rambling old homestead looked ideal for a growing family, while also working tirelessly to salvage and restore the phenomenal treasure of a vineyard. In 1982, the Ashmead family produced the first wine made under the Elderton label. They prevailed through tough times, but ultimately the Ashmead's vision shone through and today Elderton is celebrated as a major reason for the rejuvenation of the Barossa Valley.

In 2003, the second generation of the family - brothers Cameron and Allister - took over the reins of the business. Together, they both believed very strongly in continuing the family traditions in the Nuriootpa vineyard. However, they wanted to take the family business to the next level by acquiring great vineyards in other significant sub-appellations of the Barossa. This white wine is from the Craneford vineyard, a great little vineyard in Eden Valley that was purchased in 2007.

Elderton has also taken a leadership role within the Australian wine industry with regard to environmental sustainability. They have proactively implemented a number of initiatives in the vineyard and at the winery to minimize their environmental footprint and promote a sustainable and environmentally responsible workplace. The hope is that through their sustainable practices, the next generation of the Ashmead family will have a lot to work with when they are at the helm.

The 2022 vintage of this white wine is the fourteenth release of this single site wine, and it always shows the typicity of the vineyard, while varying somewhat depending on what growing season brings. Elderton is on a constant learning journey with their vineyard and this wine, adapting to each season. This 100% Chardonnay is 100% Estate grown, from 30-year-old vines at Elderton's Eden Valley vineyard, just south of the small township of Craneford, within the Barossa Zone. The vineyard sits at an elevation of 420 metres, with the Chardonnay blocks planted at one of the highest points of the vineyard. The Eden Valley is generally wetter and cooler, with soils tending to be skeletal and minerally, while the aspect to the sun varies significantly with many rolling hills and valleys that provide site variation. The Eden Valley vineyard is tended to by their own viticulturists, Peter Wild and Conrad Pohlinger, who ensure that the utmost care is taken at every step of the vine cycle.

To craft this wine, the fruit was crushed and pressed off skins immediately upon arrival at the winery. The juice was cold settled and separated into two stainless steel fermenters, with each fermenter inoculated with a different yeast. After completing alcoholic fermentation, the wine was transferred into a combination of new and used French oak to undergo partial malolactic fermentation. Coupled with regular battonage for 8 months, maturation in oak helped build a creamy texture in the wine.

The growing season in 2022 began with ample winter rainfall, followed by a mild spring, which allowed for a great start to the season. Canopy development was decent and provided adequate protection and capacity to ripen the fruit. Short and frequent irrigation during the season ensured that the lean soil retained enough moisture, while a steady ripening season allowed for the retention of natural acidity. Overall, it was a cooler year that delivered good results. Let's see how this 2022 Eden Valley Chardonnay is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ELDERTON EDEN VALLEY CHARDONNAY 2022 - Single vineyard, Eden Valley, South Australia (#15054) (XD) - $23.95
Screw cap. Fragrant and intensely aromatic with rich, intriguing, and complex aromas that feature butter, nutty oak, flinty mineral, lemon curd, ripe apple, and citrus notes. It's dry, medium-full bodied and creamy on the palate with gently tart and tangy flavours that give way to butter, vanilla, nutty oak, gentle spice, apple, and citrus. It has fresh, lively acidity, plus some saline characters on the mid-palate, while leesy mineral, subtle spice, nut, and oak notes linger on the long, succulent finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the next 3-4 years. Score: 90+ pts

Other fine Elderton Wines are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Dionysus Wines & Spirits.

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Clemente VII Gran Selezione Chianti Classico 2019 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Gran Selezione Chianti Classico from Tuscany that arrived at the LCBO yesterday in the March 16 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Like the 2019 Castelgreve Riserva Chianti Classico I enjoyed last month, this red wine is produced by Castelli del Grevepesa, a modern co-operative winery that has a history which is deeply intertwined with the rich winemaking heritage of the Chianti Classico wine region of Tuscany, Italy.

Castelli del Grevepesa was established in 1965 by visionary Sir Armando Nunzi and an initial group of seventeen winegrowers as one of Italy's first co-operative wineries. Together, they recognized the potential of pooling their resources and generations of know-how to produce wine collectively. By coming together, the group of small-scale growers were able to safeguard and maintain the age-old tradition of Tuscany winegrowing. In the co-operative model, individual vineyard growers maintain their own autonomy in the vineyard, while benefiting from shared facilities, including equipment, and sharing knowledge.

Over the years, Castelli del Grevepesa experienced steady growth to become Chianti Classico's largest family today, with over 120 associate growers. Situated in the heart of Chianti Classico, they use modern and innovative winemaking techniques and technologies to improve the quality and achieve greater efficiency when producing their wines. Castelli del Grevepesa is dedicated to crafting high-quality wines that represent the essence of the Chianti Classico wine region, while also upholding the principles of sustainability and environmental stewardship to preserve the land for future generations. With a great passion and love for their land, Castelli del Grevepesa's mission is to produce wines of high quality at affordable prices.

This red wine is from Grevepesa's Clemente VII range, which celebrates a member of the famous Florentine Medici family - Giulio de' Medici - who became Pope Clemente VII in the year 1523. Giulio lived in Campoli, within the Chianti Classico region where Castelli del Grevepesa produces their wines today.

Gran Selezione is a relatively new type of Chianti Classico. It was introduced in 2014 and is at the top of the qualitative pyramid of the Chianti Classico denomination. Crafted with 100% Sangiovese, this red wine was grown in Grevepesa's vineyards in Campoli, within the municipality of San Casciano in Val di Pesa, in the Chianti Classico appellation of Tuscany. The vines where this Sangiovese was grown are planted on hills rising up from the alluvial plateau with geological formations of Sillano and Alberese stones. Trained using the Guyot, spurred cordon vine training system, the vines now average 20 to 30 years old. The grapes were harvested from the end of September to the beginning of October by hand, only selecting the best grapes. To vinify this wine, the grapes were gently crushed, fermented in stainless steel tanks with maceration on the skins for 15 days at a thermostatically controlled temperature of a maximum of 28°C. It underwent malolactic fermentation in concrete tanks, followed by ageing in Slavonian oak cask for 24 months, and at least another 6 months in bottle for further refining.

While it is difficult to generalize the growing season in Chianti Classico, 2019 was comparatively easier than the two prior years as it was much drier with no humidity, but avoided drought and heat spikes. The productive vintage resulted in both high quantity and quality, as well as a later harvest into October that is very good for the late-ripening Sangiovese grape varietal. Overall, 2019 is an excellent vintage that will enhance the characteristic features of the Sangiovese grape and the many facets of such a widely varied area in soil diversity and microclimates. Let's see how this 2019 Gran Selezione Chianti Classico is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CLEMENTE VII GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019 - Sustainable, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#573493) (XD) - $35.95
100% Sangiovese. Elegantly refined, open, and pretty aromatics of pure red cherry, sweet spices, cinnamon, and rose floral notes with a hint of orange layered savoury forest floor aromas. On the chewy, medium-full bodied palate it delivers spicy, savoury earth, dark red cherry, forest herbs, and chocolate flavours. It has very good, juicy, well-balanced, and lightly tangy acidity, while the tannins are smooth and refined, with good structure. Savoury, earthy, and chocolate notes linger on the long, classy finish. Should drink nicely over the next 6-8 years. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

Other lovely wines by Castelli del Grevepesa are available not only at the LCBO, but also through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Bichot Saint-Romain Pinot Noir 2018 (Burgundy) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Pinot Noir from Burgundy that was a new arrival at the LCBO in December. It was included as part of the theme of "Fine Wines for Festive Entertaining" in the December 2nd LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and would be a fine match for upcoming family feasts, with the added bonus that it's on clearance right now, with plenty of bottles still available for purchase.

It is produced by the prestigious and historic Maison Albert Bichot. The first traces of the family name date back to 1214, while in 1350 they settled in Burgundy, France. The Bichot family's coat of arms - a doe (biche) - was established in the 14th century and has not changed since. In 1831, Bernard Bichot founded a wine trading business in his name in Monthélie, while his son, Hippolyte, succeeded him and bought the first vines in Volnay. Hippolyte's son, Albert Bichot, the first to bear the name, gave the family business new momentum in the late 19th century and settled in the centre of Beaune in 1912.

Born in 1900, the second Albert Bichot was a pioneer of international commerce and travelled the globe to introduce the family's wines, which were already recognized as being among the best. During the second half of the 20th century, Albert's four sons - Albert, Bernard, Bénigne, and Jean-Marc - inherited the family business and know-how, and a new era of expansion with the construction of a large cellar, bottling facility, and winery.

In the early 1990s, Albéric Bichot, the son of the third Albert, joined the family company and took over its management in 1996. Though he fully respects long-held family traditions, he is completely focused on the future. He compares himself to the conductor of an orchestra and is proud to bring people and their talents together over a common project. Albéric has numerous challenges, such as converting to organic viticulture in the Côte-d'Or vineyards, ongoing adaptation to new markets, and increasing the prestige and exposure of Burgundy wines, but he is convinced that the quality of the wine is dependent on the quality of the grapes. Thus, he is focused on developing control of grape growing, a task that began in the 1980s. Albéric also secured equipment, expanded vinification capacity, and the ageing cellars, while the company's vineyards now total 6 estates that are spread out across Burgundy from the north to the south.

Today, the philosophy at Albert Bichot is based on protecting their children's planet, and respect for the terroir and nature. They practice sustainable viticulture based on observation, prevention, and being attentive to the complex balances found in nature. The soil is maintained responsibly, while encouraging manual labour that boosts the plants’ natural defences. Bichot also follows up on their partners' grower plots with the same thoroughness and philosophy as their own. At the winery, they apply a minimal interventionist approach during the vinification process so that the wines reveal the terroir and characteristics of the village where they hail from. The wine is carefully transferred from the vinification vats or barrels to the cellars by means of gravity. It is during the key period, while in the cellar, that time and expertise come together, and the wines truly acquire their body, reveal their personality, and all of their potential.

Crafted with 100% Pinot Noir, this red wine was grown in the village appellation of Saint-Romain, in the central part of Côte de Beaune, Burgundy. The appellation is situated in an isolated valley to the north of the Cote d'Or's main escarpment and stands at the foot of a high cliff, but at an elevation which enables it to look out over a wide stretch of the countryside. While bears and lions roamed here 100,000 years ago, the area has been a focus of human activity since neolithic times. The area was one of the first places in Bourgogne where the Celts and Gallo-Romans cultivated vines, and eventually led to Saint-Romain being instituted as an appellation in 1947. The terroir in Saint-Romain can be traced back to the earliest period of the Jurassic, with the soil consisting of a blend of limestone and marl, with patches of clay. The vines in Saint-Romain, which face south-southeast and north-northeast at altitudes between 280 and 400 metres, occupy a sloping site where they benefit from the excellent soil. The Pinot Noir vines used to craft this wine were grown in brown limestone soil. It was vinified in oak barrels (20% new) for 6 to 8 weeks, and remained in oak barrels (25% new) for 14 to 16 months to maturation.

The 2018 growing season was noted for being one of the hottest and driest growing seasons since the intense heatwave of 2003. Despite a wet winter and spring, perfect weather arrived in time for an early, but very successful flowering. Summer was hot and exceedingly dry, followed by ideal conditions arriving in August and September, which meant that producers could harvest their grapes at their own leisure. From an excellent vintage, let's see how this 2018 Pinot Noir from Burgundy is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

BICHOT SAINT-ROMAIN PINOT NOIR 2018 - AC, Burgundy, France (#33708) (XD) - $41.95 $34.75
From the Saint-Romain village appellation of Côte de Beaune, this Pinot Noir has a perfumed, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose that offers a lovely bouquet of rose floral, sweet spices, ripe red & black cherry, earthy mineral, and mushroom aromas. It's light-to-mid weighted with good structure and fine, crisp, and tangy acidity that supports the ripe red & black cherry, gentle oak spice, and earthy mineral flavours with touches of beetroot. The light tannins have a subtle, chalky textured grip. Earthy mineral notes linger on the finish, with excellent length. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

Other fine wines by Maison Albert Bichot are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Dionysus Wines & Spirits.

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