November 30, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Enjoyful Gifts

Happy Holidays! Here are my top wine picks from the November 30, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, which is yet again titled "Enjoyful Gifts". As one of the final releases of the year, this release has just over 125 products offered, and includes many, many fine options for gift-giving, your cellar, or immediate pleasure. All the wines should be available for purchase across Ontario by this Saturday, if not earlier.

We'll begin with the theme, which features 32 "Enjoyful Gifts" for holiday gift-giving, of which thirteen wines are included among my top wine picks. A couple of these enjoyful wines came through VINTAGES earlier this year, but are worth pursuing if you missed it last time - namely the Chardonnays from Niagara and Argentina. The only other white is the latest vintage of a perennially excellent Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. In the bubbles category, the Vintage Champagne is composed of 48% Chardonnay, 34% Pinot Noir, and 18% Meunier. Premium, high-quality red wines are aplenty in the theme, with Bordeaux blends a focal point. The wine by Niagara's Hidden Bench is a blend of 47% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 23% Malbec (+ other varieties), while the 2016 Haut-Médoc is made with 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Petit Verdot. From Tuscany, the Guidalberto is composed of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, while the Lucente is a blend of Merlot and Sangiovese. The South African red is composed of mainly Syrah with 9% Grenache, 8% Cinsault, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Viognier completing the blend. The last red blend within the theme is the Amarone, which is a blend of 35% Corvina, 40% Corvinone, 20% Rondinella, and 5% Oseleta. Single-varietal wines are the Pinot Noir from Chile, the Crozes-Hermitage Syrah from the northern Rhône, and the Brunello di Montalcino, which is made of Sangiovese.

My top red wine recommendations from the main release begin in Chile with a pair of wines by Montes - the Purple Angel is a blend of 92% Carmenère and 8% Petit Verdot, while their Cabernet Sauvignon includes 10% Merlot. From Tuscany, the Oreno Super Tuscan is composed of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Petit Verdot, while the Chianti Classico is mainly Sangiovese with a small percentage of Merlot. From Rhône, the Costières de Nîmes is made with 85% Syrah, 10% Grenache, and 5% Carignan, while the Côtes du Rhône is a blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre. From Greece, the Neméa red is crafted with 100% Agiorgitiko, while the Achaia red is an off-dry (i.e. slightly sweet) blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Mavrodaphne, and 20% Agiorgitiko. The last red wine that needs mentioning (because it is crafted using a relatively unknown varietal) is a red from Alto Adige-Trentino in northeastern Italy that is crafted using the indigenous Teroldego grape variety.

The blends among my top white wine picks are the Côtes du Rhône Blanc, which is a blend of 60% Viognier, 15% Roussanne, 10% Marsanne, 8% Clairette, 5% Bourboulenc, and 2% Grenache Blanc, and the South African white, which is a co-fermented blend of 69% Sauvignon Blanc, 26% Chenin Blanc, and 5% Semillon. If you enjoy white wines with a touch of sweetness, the off-dry Riesling from Germany is your best bet.

Among my sparkling wine recommendations, the Cava from Spain is composed of 75% Macabeo and 25% Chardonnay, while the Non-Vintage Champagne is crafted with 100% Pinot Noir. Lastly, there are two delicious, gently sweet sparkling wines from Ukraine, with the red bubbly a blend of of Cabernet, Merlot, and Saperavi, while the White Brut is composed of Chardonnay, Riesling, and Aligoté.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• DAUVERGNE ET RANVIER DE NATURA RERUM CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2022 - AC, France (#38881) (XD) - $17.95  90 pts  wine review
• PATERNOSTER SYNTHESI AGLIANICO DEL VULTURE 2019 - DOC, Basilicata, Italy (#51672) (XD) - $19.95
• MEZZACORONA PREMIUM COLLECTION RISERVA TEROLDEGO ROTALIANO SUPERIORE 2019 - DOC, Alto Adige-Trentino, Italy (#732222) (D) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• MEGA SPILEO CUVÉE III RED 2022 - PGI Achaia, Greece (#25708) (D) - $21.95  89 pts  wine review
• MONTES ALPHA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 - Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#322586) (XD) - $22.95  90 pts  wine review
• CLOS DE LUZ MASSAL 1945 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Almahue, DO Valle del Rapel, Chile (#12675) (XD) - $22.95

• WAKEFIELD JARAMAN SHIRAZ 2022 - Clare Valley / McLaren Vale, South Australia (#377036) (XD) - $24.95  89 pts  wine review
  
• MAYCAS DEL LIMARÍ PINOT NOIR 2021 - Sustainable, Vegan, DO Valle del Limarí, Chile (#511105) (XD) - $27.95  91+ pts  wine review
• ESTATE PAPAIOANNOU AGIORGITIKO 2019 - PDO Neméa, Greece (#27217) (XD) - $28.95  90 pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU DE NAGES JT 2021 - AC Costières de Nîmes, Rhône, France (#736876) (XD) - $28.95  91+ pts  wine review
• LA VITE LUCENTE 2022 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#747030) (XD) - $32.95  91 pts  wine review
• BROTTE LA ROLLANDE CROZES-HERMITAGE 2022 - AC, Rhône, France (#38864) (XD) - $32.95  92 pts  wine review

• CHÂTEAU LAROSE-TRINTAUDON 2016 - Sustainable, AC Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France (#297945) (XD) - $34.95
• CLOUDSLEY TWENTY MILE BENCH PINOT NOIR 2020 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#11665) (XD) - $36.95  92 pts  wine review
• VOLPAIA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#953828) (XD) - $37.95  91 pts  wine review
• THE CHOCOLATE BLOCK 2022 - Vegan, WO Swartland, South Africa (#129353) (Xd) - $41.95  91+ pts  wine review
• WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE BLACK LABEL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Coonawarra, South Australia (#84996) (XD) - $44.95  93 pts  wine review
• HIDDEN BENCH TERROIR CACHÉ 2020 - Sustainable, Unfiltered, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#505610) (XD) - $47.95  93+ pts  wine review

• TEDESCHI ANSARI AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA 2019 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#16103) (D) - $56.95
• CORTE PAVONE BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2019 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#237263) (XD) - $76.95  93 pts  wine review
• TENUTA SAN GUIDO GUIDALBERTO 2022 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#72439) (XD) - $81.95
• ORENO 2021 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#735597) (XD) - $99.95
• MONTES PURPLE ANGEL 2021 - DO Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#62364) (XD) - $105.95  94+ pts  wine review

White Wine:

• PAUL MAS NICOLE VINEYARD SINGLE VINEYARD COLLECTION RÉSERVE VIOGNIER 2022 - IGP Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, France (#370098) (XD) - $14.95
• BOYA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - Sustainable, Vegan, DO Valle de Leyda, Chile (#389726) (XD) - $15.95  89 pts  wine review
• STUDERT-PRÜM RIESLING TROCKEN 2023 - Qualitätswein, Mosel, Germany (#39765) (D) - $17.95
• WATERKLOOF CIRCLE OF LIFE 2023 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#284588) (XD) - $21.95
• PADDY BORTHWICK PINOT GRIS 2023 - Wairarapa, North Island, New Zealand (#555516) (XD) - $21.95
• E. GUIGAL CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2023 - AC, France (#290296) (XD) - $22.95
• EL ENEMIGO CHARDONNAY 2022 - Mendoza, Argentina (#482984) (XD) - $27.95  92 pts  wine review
• GREYWACKE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#164228) (XD) - $28.95  93 pts  wine review
• LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS CHARDONNAY 2020 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#184549) (XD) - $52.00  93 pts  wine review

Sparkling Wine:

• ARTEMIVSKE VICTORY WHITE BRUT SPARKLING - Ukraine (#40769) (D) - $18.95  88 pts  wine review
• ARTEMIVSKE VICTORY RED SEMI-SWEET SPARKLING - Ukraine (#40768) (MS) - $18.95  88+ pts  wine review
• SEGURA VIUDAS HEREDAD RESERVA BRUT CAVA - Traditional method, DO, Spain (#558825) (D) - $39.95  91+ pts  wine review
• DRAPPIER ZERO DOSAGE BRUT NATURE PINOT NOIR CHAMPAGNE - AC, France (#179275) (XD) - $74.95
• MOËT & CHANDON GRAND VINTAGE EXTRA BRUT CHAMPAGNE 2016 - AC, France (#69773) (XD) - $122.95

Fortified Wine:

• WARRE'S QUINTA DA CAVADINHA VINTAGE PORT 2010 - Sustainable, Douro, Portugal (#39466) (S) - $59.95

Dessert Wine:

• PUKLUS PINCÉSZET TOKAJI ASZÚ 5 PUTTONYOS 2016 - Tokaj-Hegyalja, Hungary (#47209, 500 mL) (S) - $42.95 Delayed to Feb.
  

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Undurraga Terroir Hunter Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (Chile) - Wine Review

After enjoying the excellent 2019 Undurraga Terroir Hunter Cauquenes Cabernet Sauvignon last year, tonight's red wine review is another fine (and even better!) Chilean Cab from the same producer. It arrived at the LCBO as part of the theme in the September 21st LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, with bottles still available for purchase today.

Founded in 1885 by Francisco Undurraga Vicuña, this red wine is produced by Viña Undurraga, one of Chile's oldest wineries. It all began in 1870 when Francisco Undurraga brought plants from France and Germany in lead capsules so they wouldn't wilt during their journey through the tropics. The winery was initially named "Fundo Santa Ana", in honour of Francisco's wife, Mrs. Ana Fernández de Íñiguez, and they had their first harvest in 1891.

Today, Viña Undurraga is headquartered and surrounded by vineyards in the Maipo Valley, while also having six estates and vineyards across five regions in Chile. Each of these locations was carefully selected by the company's viticulture teams based on its suitability for specific varieties, along with the unique qualities of the terroir, which is continuously studied using precise farming techniques. Each estate and vineyard is dedicated to the cultivation and production of the finest wine grapes. The philosophy at Undurraga is to create characterful, authentic, and consistent wines, while also expressing the identity and quality of their vineyards through each one of their lines of wines. In order to achieve this goal, the vines are meticulously managed, while outstanding care is taken in the production of the wine. In addition to faithfully representing the character of the grape variety it is made from and its place of origin, the winemaking team at Undurraga prioritizes good balance, fruit expression, and fine quality. Committed to tradition, innovation, and sustainability, Undurraga has been certified under the Wines of Chile Sustainability Code since 2016.

Like the Cab I tasted last year, this wine is also from Undurraga's Premium "T.H. Terroir Hunter" range of wines - the most awarded wine project in Chile. Led by Oenologist Rafael Urrejola, the head winemaker at Viña Undurraga, T.H. wines are the result of a constant search across the diverse Chilean topography for micro-terroirs - small plots of land in areas with character that are carefully managed to obtain genuine wines of unique origin.

Crafted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the grapes were grown in a small, 6.85 hectare, low-yielding vineyard that is situated at 685 metres above sea-level. The vineyard is located on the slopes of the Andes Mountains on a small terrace along the River Clarillo, a tributary of the River Maipo that starts high up in the Andes. Moreover, the vineyard is situated within the municipality of Pirque, in the part of the Maipo Valley that is referred to as Maipo Alto - a region renowned for its ideal climate to produce high-quality red wines. The climate in Maipo Alto is cooler than other areas of Maipo, which lends a unique character and delicacy to Cabernet Sauvignon. This area also experiences significant thermal range during the growing season, ranging from 29-31°C during the day to 9-10°C at night, ensuring grapes with high acidity and perfect phenolic ripeness. The soils in this area are of alluvial origin, dating back to the Holocene period, around 10,000 years ago, and are a mixture of sand and clay, and very stony, which results in excellent drainage that helps to optimize vigour and yields. These soils also enable the vines to prosper at high temperatures, retain moisture, and favour greater metabolic development, which in turn translates into polyphenols of optimal ripeness and complexity, and results in wines of great structure and character.

To vinify this red wine, the grapes were hand-harvested and carefully transported to the winery in 12 kilo bins. Upon arriving at the winery, the grapes underwent a strict selection process, with healthy clusters gravity-fed into tank. After crushing, it underwent a pre-fermentative maceration under anaerobic conditions, followed by a two-week alcoholic fermentation, with three daily pump-overs. The wine was left on its lees and skins for an additional 15 days to add structure to the wine. It was aged for 12 months in French oak barrels (25% new), then it aged in bottle for 10 months prior to release.

The 2021 growing season was a mild year, with significant rainfall in January, which was followed by an unusually cool and lengthy ripening period. It was a very well-balanced vintage with fresh, yet concentrated wines with lower alcohol and great acidity. From a very good-to-excellent vintage, let's see how this 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon from Maipo Alto in Chile is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

UNDURRAGA TERROIR HUNTER CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Alto Maipo, Valle del Maipo, Chile (#630350) (XD) - $27.95
Fresh, intense, and highly aromatic, the nose has a gorgeous array of red & black fruits, cassis, currant, black cherry, dried leafy herbs, and blackberry aromas surrounding a core of savoury, earthy minerals, plus fine oak spices and a touch of reductive character. On the dry, medium-full bodied, and elegant palate it has dried leafy herbs, oak spice, cassis, currant, tobacco, and savoury earth flavours with salty overtones permeating throughout. It has refreshing, saliva-inducing acidity and refined, slightly grippy, and well-structured tannins. More cedary on the mid-palate, while savoury earth, oak, and tobacco notes linger on the long, juicy, and mouth-watering finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy(!) into the mid-to-late 2030s. Score: 93 pts

Small quantities of other fine wines by Undurraga can be found at the LCBO, while the entire range can be ordered through their Agent - Dionysus Wines & Spirits.

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Susana Balbo Críos Malbec 2022 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious Malbec from Argentina that arrived at the LCBO earlier this month in the November 2 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Dominio del Plata, or more commonly known today as Susana Balbo Wines. The renowned winery was founded in 1999 by Susana Balbo, a pioneering figure in Argentine winemaking, as the country's first female winemaker. Overcoming challenges both personally and professionally, Susana Balbo is highly regarded for producing innovative and expressive wines by combining traditional winemaking techniques with modern approaches.

Today, Susana Balbo Wines is a family-run winery located in Mendoza, Argentina, at the foothills of the Andes mountain range. Susana is joined by her two children, José and Ana, who decided to join the team of over one hundred people and help build the family legacy. With an entrepreneurial, revolutionary, and pioneering spirit, the team at Susana Balbo Wines works daily to deliver high-quality wines with a methodic care for detail. They seek to grow the wine industry in terms of investigation, innovation, and sustainability. The philosophy of the winemaking team combines a deep knowledge of Argentina's best soils, an endless curiosity and passion for the art and science behind winemaking, and a strong commitment to sustainable practices. The pillars of Susana Balbo Wines' sustainability initiatives are centered around being economically viable, environmentally and socially responsible, based on ethics and transparency.

Like the 2020 Críos Chardonnay I enjoyed nearly three years ago, this red wine is from Susana Balbo's entry-level Críos line of wines. Críos, which translates to "kids", was born out of Susana's love for her children and desire to forge a legacy for her family, while also helping them navigate their own journeys through life with lessons learned from her lifetime of trailblazing entrepreneurship. Each bottle of Críos wine features the iconic handprint logo, symbolizing the family bond and illustrates the hand as a powerful tool for mothers as they hold, provide warmth, nourish, comfort, and teach the next generation the skills and wisdom to survive and thrive.

To create something and leave an indelible personal mark with the power of your hands, it is necessary to have conviction, vibrancy, and identity. Críos wines are crafted with care to bring out the best of each varietal. With a strong commitment to quality, Susana Balbo chooses the region of Argentina most suited for growing each particular grape, and then nurturing each varietal in order to elevate its intrinsic character. Inspired by Susana’s history, the Críos line of wines supports the community through various charitable events.

Crafted with 100% Malbec, the grapes were grown at high altitude, averaging 1,050 metres above.sea-level. After manually harvesting the grapes, it was fermented with selected yeasts at a maximum temperature of between 28-31°C. It underwent a 15-20 day maceration, along with closed and open pumping over, with délestage at various stages of fermentation. 40% of the wine was aged for 8 months in third- and fourth-use French oak barrels.

The 2022 vintage in Argentina was challenging, yet promising. The growing season began with a cool spring and very little rainfall, and included several severe bouts of frosts which cut yields. Much needed rain arrived at the end of spring and the beginning of summer, which refreshed the vines. After the rain had passed and the weather cleared, there was just enough heat to allow the red grape varieties to reach phenolic ripeness. In general, it was a cool year, which gave rise to wines with clean, delicate, and highly pure aromas. Let's see how this 2022 Malbec from the Uco Valley in Argentina is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

SUSANA BALBO CRÍOS MALBEC 2022 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#162529) (XD) - $17.95
The fragrant, medium-high intensity nose is slightly reductive with attractive aromas of earthy dark berry, blackberry, violet, black cherry, and black plum, with touches of oak spices. It's medium+ bodied on the dry palate with ripe dark berry, black cherry, blackberry, violet, and earthy oak spice flavours. Acids are crisp and fresh, while the fine-grained, lightly textured tannins have lightly structured. Some warmth on the mid-palate. Quite grippy and chalky textured on the lengthy, savoury, and earthy finish. Give it a slight chill and enjoy this recommended buy over the coming year. Score: 88+ pts

Other delicious wines by Susana Balbo can be found at the LCBO, or ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Rémy Ferbras Plan de Dieu Côtes du Rhône-Villages 2022 (France) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Côtes du Rhône-Villages from the Plan de Dieu appellation that arrived at the LCBO last month in the October 19th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Like the 2018 Rémy Ferbras Terre de Mistral Plan de Dieu Côtes du Rhône-Villages I enjoyed a couple of years ago, this red wine is produced by Rémy Ferbras, a winery with deep roots in the Southern Rhone Valley, at the heart of the prestigious Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyards. Owned by Grandes Serres winery, they pay tribute to Rémy Ferbras, its very first cellar master. Rémy Ferbras was an iconic figure of the winery and a tireless advocate of the Rhône terroir and its grape varieties. He succeeded in expressing the full potential of Rhône Valley wines and, through his work and tenacity, contributed greatly to the development and public recognition of Grandes Serres. The Rémy Ferbras range of wines are the result of strict selections, precise vinification, and ageing, methodologies he would've used, to produce wines that are rich, elegant, complex, and flavourful.

This red wine is a blend of four grapes that were grown in the Plan de Dieu appellation, in the heart of the Southern Rhône Valley. Plan de Dieu is spread across four villages and extends to the foothills of the Dentelles de Montmirail. In the Middle Ages, the sisters of Prébayon Abbey tended to these lands, which were covered with a vast garrigue forest rife with brigands and other robbers who ambushed travellers. Thus, when travelling in the region, it is best to put yourself in God's hands! Vine cultivation had been practiced in the region since at least 1326, but was abandoned for many years until it was revived during the 1920s. The terroir of this plateau is stony and arid, with soils composed of mainly limestone chippings and brown clay, conditions loved by Grenache.

A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, and Mourvèdre, the grapes for this red wine were picked at optimum harvest maturity. Each grape was vinified separately using traditional techniques for each grape variety. It underwent alcoholic fermentation between 26-28°C, with two weeks of maceration. After undergoing malolactic fermentation, the individual wines were blended and bottled.

The 2022 growing season in the Southern Rhône Valley was marked by intense heat and drought. The year began with a dry winter and very little rain, followed by a spring that rapidly warmed up, although there was a fleeting cold snap in April. Temperatures continued to rise throughout spring, leading to a successful budburst and flowering. May was abnormally hot, while June rains brought some relief. Summer brought intense heat and drought, with some vines struggling, while rot and disease were mostly kept at bay. Some humidity in August helped revive some of the vines. From a very good vintage that was more suitable for red wines, particularly Grenache and Syrah, let's see how this 2022 Plan de Dieu Côtes du Rhône-Villages red wine is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

RÉMY FERBRAS PLAN DE DIEU CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2022 - AP, France (#538009) (XD) - $17.95
This blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, and Mourvèdre has a fragrant, open, and medium-high intensity nose that offers ripe, lush, and complex aromas of black raspberry, scorched earth, smoky mineral, red plum, black cherry, blackberry, and spice notes. On the crisp, dry, medium+ bodied palate, it has lovely, ripe black raspberry, red plum, cherry, peppery spice, red licorice, and mineral flavours. It has juicy, succulent acidity, and supple, lightly chalky tannins with good structure. Gently tangy on the mid-palate, while lovely smoky mineral and touches of spice notes linger on the long, savoury finish. Absolutely delicious and a highly recommended buy to enjoy over the next 3-4 years. Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Rémy Ferbras can be ordered through their Agent - DBINO David Beauroy Selections.

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November 16, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Giftable Wines

Here are my top wine picks from the November 16, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, which is titled "Enjoyful Gifts", while the mini-theme spotlights the wines from Greece. This is a large release with more than 140 wines offered, and includes quite a few wines that are Online & Flagship Exclusives (OFE). Overall, it is a very fine release with many fine gifting options and wines for the cellar. All these wines should be readily available for purchase across Ontario.

With the holidays fast-approaching, the main thematic of this release is "Enjoyful Gifts" and it features twenty-eight gift-giving options that are mostly red with a few bubbles, and eight of which are included among my wine picks. We'll start with the 46th edition of the Franciacorta, which is a blend of 79.5% Chardonnay, 19% Pinot Nero, and 1.5% Pinot Bianco. Moving on to the reds, the Napa Valley Cab is composed of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, while the Luce Super Tuscan is a blend of Merlot and Sangiovese. The last blend in this group is the Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which is a blend of Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Vaccarèse. Among single varietal giftable wines, there is the 2020 Pinot Noir from Niagara, the Pinot Noir from Oregon, as well as a pair of Nebbiolo wines, one of which is a Barolo.

The mini-spotlight on Greek wines in this release only(!) includes three wines, and the one wine included among my recommendations is a lovely Assyrtiko that returned to VINTAGES this month after being first released last March.

My red wine recommendations from the main release begin in Niagara with a fine 2021 Pinot Noir, followed by the Bolgheri, which is a blend of 50% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Petit Verdot. From France, the Bordeaux red is composed of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, the Rhône red is primarily Grenache with Syrah and Mourvèdre in support, and the Roussillon red, which is approximately 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache. The only other blend is from South Africa, and it is crafted with 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, 18% Petit Verdot, 18% Merlot, and 2% Malbec. The single varietal wines are the Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile, and the Rioja from Spain, which is crafted with 100% Tempranillo.

Among my top white wine picks, both whites at the lower end of the price scale are blends, with the Roussillon composed of Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, and Macabeu, while the Vinho Verde is a blend of Loureiro and Alvarinho. All the other white wines are single varietal wines, led by a trio of Chardonnay wines - a pair from Niagara and one from Burgundy. If you enjoy sweeter wines, the Riesling Spätlese from Mosel will delight!

And lastly, there is a fine group of sparkling wines for your next holiday celebration. The Champagne is a blend of 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, and 20% Meunier, the sparkling wine from Chile is crafted with 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, while the rosé Prosecco is made with Glera and Pinot Nero.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• ARBOLEDA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 - Sustainable, DO Valle del Aconcagua, Chile (#606764) (XD) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
• XAVIER VIGNON CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2020 - AP, France (#297317) (XD) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review
• CAP ROYAL ROUGE 2020 - Vegan, AC Bordeaux Supérieur, France (#486761) (XD) - $18.95
• BASTIDE MIRAFLORS SYRAH/VIEILLES VIGNES GRENACHE 2021 - AP Côtes du Roussillon, France (#320499) (XD) - $19.95
• MULDERBOSCH FAITHFUL HOUND 2022 - Sustainable, Vegan, WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#922443) (XD) - $20.95

• ALTANZA RESERVA 2017 - Vegan, DOCa Rioja, Spain (#208223) (XD) - $21.95  89 pts  wine review
• RENATO RATTI OCHETTI NEBBIOLO 2022 - DOC Langhe, Piedmont, Italy (#475913) (XD) - $32.95  91+ pts  wine review
• POGGIO AL TESORO IL SEGGIO 2021 - DOC Bolgheri Rosso, Tuscany, Italy (#645515) (XD) - $45.95  92 pts  wine review
• SOKOL BLOSSER ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2021 - Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA (#748434) (XD) - $49.95  92 pts  wine review
• LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS PINOT NOIR 2020 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#184564) (XD) - $52.00  93+ pts  wine review

• CASCINA CHICCO ROCCHE DI CASTELLETTO BAROLO 2019 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#17697) (XD) - $54.95
• BACHELDER HANCK VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2021 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#41732) (XD) - $55.00  OFE
• DOMAINE DES SÉNÉCHAUX CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2020 - AC, Rhône, France (#677922) (XD) - $59.95
• GRGICH HILLS ESTATE GROWN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#71407) (XD) - $116.95
• LUCE 2021 - IGT Toscana, Tuscany, Italy (#685263) (XD) - $129.95

White Wine:

• M. CHAPOUTIER BILA-HAUT CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON BLANC 2022 - AP, Midi, France (#485656) (XD) - $16.95
• MARIA PAPOILA LOUREIRO / ALVARINHO 2023 - DOC Vinho Verde, Portugal (#408146) (XD) - $17.95
• MULLINEUX KLOOF STREET OLD VINE CHENIN BLANC 2022 - WO Swartland, South Africa (#21111) (XD) - $22.95
• PAPAGIANNAKOS ASSYRTIKO 2022 - Vegan, PGI Attica, Greece (#33260) (XD) - $26.95  90+ pts  wine review
• WESTCOTT ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2022 - Sustainable, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#424507) (XD) - $29.95
• STUDERT-PRÜM MAXIMINHOF WEHLENER SONNENUHR RIESLING SPÄTLESE 2023 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#114777) (S) - $31.95  OFE
• THE PURSUIT ON SEVEN CHARDONNAY 2020 - VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#21655) (XD) - $48.00  OFE
• DEUX ROCHES LES POMMARDS SAINT-VÉRAN 2021 - AP, Burgundy, France (#37919) (XD) - $50.95  OFE  93 pts  wine review
  

Sparkling Wine:

• VILLA SANDI IL FRESCO MILLESIMATO BRUT ROSÉ PROSECCO 2023 - DOC, Italy (#23545) (D) - $18.95  90+ pts  wine review
• MONTES SPARKLING ANGEL BRUT SPARKLING - Traditional method, DO Zapallar, Valle del Aconcagua, Chile (#37122) (XD) - $22.95  OFE  91 pts  wine review
• CA' DEL BOSCO CUVÉE PRESTIGE EXTRA BRUT FRANCIACORTA - 46th Edition, Traditional Method, DOCG, Lombardy, Italy (#105353) (XD) - $46.95  91+ pts  wine review
• VEUVE CLICQUOT BRUT ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE 2015 - In gift box, AC, France (#588475) (XD) - $133.95  OFE

Dessert Wine:

• STRATUS RIESLING ICEWINE 2023 - Sustainable, Vegan, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#56671, 200 mL) (S) - $44.95
• ROYAL TOKAJI RED LABEL 5 PUTTONYOS TOKAJI ASZÚ 2017 - Tokaj, Hungary (#959031, 500 mL) (S) - $69.95  OFE
  

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Skouras Wild Ferment Assyrtiko 2023 (Greece) - Wine Review

After enjoying the excellent 2022 Skouras Wild Ferment Assyrtiko last year, tonight's white wine review is the latest vintage of this terrific wine that arrived at the LCBO recently in last month's October 19 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

This white wine is produced by Domaine Skouras, a well-known winery that was founded by George Skouras. Born in Argos, a city within the Peloponnese peninsula of southern Greece, George studied oenology in Dijon (Burgundy) and realized his long-held vision to establish his own winery in his homeland in 1986.

Initially, Domaine Skouras was located in Pyrgela, a small village on the outskirts of Argos, followed by the creation of a boutique winery within the Nemea Appellation of northeastern Peloponnese, in the village of Gymno. In Nemea, George performed countless hours of manual work on a minuscule scale while learning about the Agiorgitiko variety and the Nemea denomination - lessons which became invaluable. The Nemea zone is the largest - and quite possibly the most exciting - Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) for red wines in Greece, while the nearby PDO of Mantinia and other surrounding areas which do not have PDO status have excellent terroirs for viticulture. Domaine Skouras owns a number of vineyards across all these areas.

Today, Domaine Skouras is located in the highlands of Argolida, within the village of Malandreni in Nemea, in northeastern Peloponnese, just a few kilometres from Argos. The ultra-modern winemaking facility of Domaine Skouras was established in 2004 and is situated among vineyards in an area that is blessed with ideal winegrowing conditions, particularly for the Agiorgitiko variety. The two children of George and his wife, Ourania, are also energetically continuing the vision of the Domaine. Their son, Dimitris, studied Viticulture and Oenology in France, while their daughter, Stella, is a graduate of Economics and Marketing studies in Scotland.

The philosophy permeating each Skouras wine is reflected by the words: purity, varietal clarity, tracing of the region's mesoclimate, and the imprint of the terroir. The entire viticultural team works, observes, supervises, acts and reacts, advises and consults with only one aim - to achieve optimum ripeness and obtain the best possible grape - as the focus is on delivering better fruit, which in turn delivers better wine. The thrilling Skouras wines display the hallmarks of their creator: intensity, vibrancy, and complexity, characteristics which are expressed with elegance, grace, and nobility. Domaine Skouras wines are engraved with the character of their terroir.

Like the previous vintage, this white wine is crafted with 100% Assyrtiko that was grown in the village of Gymno, Nemea, at 600 metres above sea level, on red clay soil. The vines average 10 years of age, while harvest took place in September. To vinify this wine, the grapes were whole-bunch pressed and underwent alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel at 15°C, followed by ageing sur lie for 4 months, and without undergoing malolactic fermentation.

The 2023 growing season was a warm vintage that had a prevalence of downy mildew, which resulted in reduced yields. However, quality is high. Let's see how this 2023 Assyrtiko from Greece is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

SKOURAS WILD FERMENT ASSYRTIKO 2023 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#32387) (XD) - $19.95
Screw cap. The medium-high to highly aromatic nose is elegantly fragrant and enticing with savoury and minerally aromas flecked with lemon peel, citrus, white floral, garden herb, and grapefruit, with touches of leesy and doughy notes adding further complexity. It has impressive concentration on the medium-full bodied and dry palate with ripe and slightly honeyed flavours of lemon peel, citrus, grapefruit, floral, and leesy mineral. There's a fine, chalky textured mouthfeel, along with clean and refreshing acidity. It's well-structured and nicely balanced throughout, with lovely mineral notes lingering on the long, finely textured finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

Other lovely wines by Domaine Skouras can be found at the LCBO, or ordered through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.

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Zuccardi Serie A Malbec 2021 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious Malbec from Argentina. While this particular vintage was featured as a Food & Drink Discovery wine that arrived in VINTAGES back in June of last year and is long sold-out, the 2022 vintage landed on VINTAGES shelves last month in the October 5 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and is widely available for purchase now.

It is produced by the internationally-acclaimed Zuccardi Valle de Uco, a winery that was established by Engineer Alberto Zuccardi in 1963 in Maipú, Mendoza. As one of the pioneers of Argentine wine, Alberto planted his first vineyard in the Mendoza desert in order to demonstrate his new, innovative, and efficient irrigation system, which led him to discover his passion for viticulture and pave the way for future generations of the family. In 1985, José Alberto, son of Alberto, assumed responsibility for the management of the family business and, like his father, had an innovative and visionary spirit which made him one of Argentina's most enthusiastic wine ambassadors, while also elevating their winery and the Argentine wine industry to global recognition.

Today, the winery is run by the third generation of the Zuccardi family with viticulturist Sebastián Zuccardi the current director. Sebastián joined the family business in 2007 and led the development of the high mountain region of the Uco Valley. He planted the family's first vineyard in the Uco Valley and in 2009 he established a Research & Development department within the company to study the soils and terroir of the Uco Valley to gain a deeper understanding of how they are expressed in the wines. This research has led Zuccardi to produce wines with an identity that expresses, with transparency and precision, the place where they come from. After three years of construction, Zuccardi inaugurated their new winery - Zuccardi Valle de Uco - in 2016 in the Paraje Altamira area of the Uco Valley. This modern winery is a tribute to the mountains of Mendoza. To this day, Sebastián and the team continue to create, innovate, and push the boundaries to develop the unique personality of Argentine wines.

Zuccardi has several lines of wines in their portfolio, with this particular Malbec coming from their "Serie A", or "Argentina Series", line which highlights the richness and diversity of Argentina's terroirs. Wines in the Serie A line express the most representative grape varieties from the best regions for each grape, and from selected vineyards at the foothills of the Andes Mountains.

This red wine is crafted with 100% Malbec. The grapes were hand-picked from several vineyards in the Uco Valley and placed in plastic boxes during the second week of April. Upon arriving at the winery, the grapes were destemmed and crushed, followed by undergoing a cold maceration for 5-7 days, and then classic vinification with native yeasts and fermentation at 25-27°C. It then underwent maceration for 20 days, with periodic pumping over and délestage. A portion of the wine was aged in French oak barrels.

The growing season in 2021 produced a great vintage in the Uco Valley. The cool and humid climate allowed the clusters to reach phenolic maturity with a perfect balance of sugar and acidity, as well as great tannic structure. Zuccardi's meticulous work on separating plots and types of soil for harvesting (work which has been going for more than a decade) allowed them to harvest every corner of their vineyards at the perfect time, thus showcasing the great diversity that characterizes the Uco Valley. Let's see how this 2021 Malbec from Argentina compares with the 2016 Zuccardi Serie A Malbec that I enjoyed many years ago...

Tasting Note:

ZUCCARDI SERIE A MALBEC 2021 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#167619) (XD) - $17.00
The medium+ to medium-high intensity nose is savoury and slightly reductive with dark fruited, blackberry, plum, mocha chocolate, and oak aromas surrounding an earthy core. On the dry, medium-full bodied palate it is spicy with savoury, ripe, and dark fruited replays of blackberry, oak spice, earth, and black plum flavours flecked with violet and stony mineral notes adding interest. It is well-structured with crisp and juicy acidity, along with well-integrated, gently textured tannins. Savoury with stony mineral notes, plus some dried herbs linger on the long-lasting, slightly grippy finish. Enjoy this recommended buy over the next 2-3 years. Score: 88+ pts

Other fine wines by Zuccardi Valle de Uco can be found at the LCBO, or through their Agent - Bacchus Fréchette Wine & Spirits.

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