Michael David Freakshow Red 2020 (Lodi) - Wine Review

A couple of years ago I had the pleasure of tasting the 2018 Michael David Freakshow Cabernet Sauvignon, while tonight's red wine review is another wine from the Freakshow lineup that arrived at the LCBO earlier this summer in the June 24 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Michael David Winery, a well-known and respected family-run winery that was founded by brothers Michael and David Phillips. The Phillips brothers come from a family that has long and deep roots in Lodi as the family has been farming the lands in the region since the 1860s and winegrowing since the early 20th century. Lodi is located east of San Francisco Bay and west of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Today, the brothers are joined by Michael's son and daughter, Kevin and Melissa, as the 6th generation of the family to farm the lands of Lodi. Together, with a family legacy focused on sustainability, they have a drive to leave the land in a better condition for future generations. Although the wines by Michael David can be unconventional, all of the grapes are grown responsibly and in a sustainable manner - environmental, social, and economic - according to appellation rules, of which there are more than 100 standards that account for all aspects of making quality wine.

With a few ranges of wines in the Michael David Winery portfolio, including some that are packaged in cans, there is something for everyone. Michael David wines are known for their bold, rich, and ripe fruit flavours. The brothers are known for their quirky personalities, while their distinctive and eye-catching wine labels are known for standing apart from the crowd.

Building off the wild success of Freakshow Cab - the first wine in the Freakshow lineup - Michael and David searched near and far to find the next main attraction. As they were known for taking the road less travelled, they decided that the undeniable brut of Lodi Syrah was the ticket for this offering. The Freakshow Red is a mash-up of man meets wild - Syrah's untamed and mysterious allure is refined and polished with the addition of Petite Sirah. The 202 vintage of this red wine is composed of 54% Syrah, 42% Petite Sirah, and 4% Souzao. It was aged for 12 months in 88% French oak (13% new) and 12% American oak (49% new). As I prepare my eyes and taste buds for a Freak like no other, let's see how this red wine from Lodi is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MICHAEL DAVID FREAKSHOW RED 2020 - Lodi, California, USA (#633545) (D) - $28.95
Crafted with 54% Syrah, 42% Petite Sirah, and 4% Souzao, this has a fragrant, medium-high intensity nose that is ripe and dark fruited with black plum, blackberry jam, and black raspberry aromas plus gentle oak spice and sweet vanillin notes. It's medium-full bodied with very ripe, sweet dark fruit, blackberry jam, black plum, and grapey flavours accented with black pepper spice, gentle oak, and touches of savoury earth. Fresh acidity tempers the slightly sweet flavour profile, while the broad, creamy tannins are smooth and refined. The dark berry and jammy flavours continue through to the long, gently woody finish. Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Michael David can be found not only at the LCBO, but also through their Agent - Churchill Cellars.

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November 4, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Gifts for All

Here's my top wine picks from the November 4, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. The release is titled "Gifts for All" and includes 137 products, some of which are only available as Online & Flagship Exclusives (FE). It is a very good release with fine options at many price points, starting at $17. All of these wines should be available by this Saturday.

We'll begin with the Gifts for All thematic, which features twenty-five wines, of which seven are included among my top wine picks. The Veuve Clicquot is a blend of reserve wines from 8 different vintages and composed of 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, and 20% Meunier. There are a trio of lovely white wines - the Chardonnay from Le Clos Jordanne, a Pinot Grigio from northern Italy, and the indigenous Godello varietal from Spain. Giftable red wines include a Pinot Noir from Oregon, and a 2011 Rioja from Spain that is a blend of approximately 80% Tempranillo, with the rest consisting of Garnacho, Mazuelo, and Graciano. The final giftable red wine from the thematic is the Amarone, which is a blend of Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara.

From my red wine recommendations, the Gran Selezione Chianti Classico is typically a blend of 90-95% Sangiovese and the balance is Colorino, while the 2016 Rioja is a blend of mainly Tempranillo, plus Graciano. Other red wines include the Etna Rosso that is made with 100% Nerello Mascalese, as well as a pair of Malbec wines from Argentina.

Among my white wine picks, the only blends are the Rhône white, which is a blend of 80% Clairette and 20% Grenache Blanc, and the Greek white, which is composed of 70% Roditis Alepou and 30% Moschofilero. The white wine from Friuli is actually 100% Sauvignon Blanc, while other wines are also mono-varietal, such as the trio of Chardonnay wines from Niagara, Australia, and South Africa, as well as the Assyrtiko from Greece. For those that prefer sweeter wines, the Riesling from Mosel should be on your list, as well as the Gewurztraminer from Alsace.

At the top of my fine sparkling wine picks from the rest of the release is the 2008 vintage Champagne that is composed of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir. There is also the Rosé Champagne that is a blend of 62% Pinot Noir, 24% Chardonnay, and 14% Meunier, while the 2020 sparkling wine from Niagara is crafted with 100% Chardonnay.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• EL ESTECO MALBEC 2021 - Valle de Cafayate, Salta, Argentina (#113191) (XD) - $18.00
• SAN PEDRO 1865 SELECTED VINEYARDS CARMENÈRE 2021 - DO Valle de Maule, Chile (#249201) (XD) - $18.95
• ZONTE'S FOOTSTEP HILLS ARE ALIVE SHIRAZ 2021 - Vegan, Adelaide Hills, South Australia (#522342) (XD) - $21.95
• BARÓN DE LEY GRAN RESERVA 2016 - Vegan, DOCa Rioja, Spain (#642496) (XD) - $34.95
• ROCCA DELLE MACÌE SINGLE VINEYARD TENUTA FIZZANO GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019 - Sustainable, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#699454) (XD) - $35.95  91+ pts  wine review
• TORNATORE PIETRARIZZO ETNA ROSSO 2020 - DOC, Sicily, Italy (#18926) (XD) - $38.95  FE
  
• ZUCCARDI CONCRETO MALBEC 2021 - Paraje Altamira, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#455774) (XD) - $40.95
• R. LÓPEZ DE HEREDIA VIÑA BOSCONIA RESERVA 2011 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#529586) (XD) - $53.95
• RÉSONANCE PINOT NOIR 2019 - Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA (#467696) (XD) - $61.95
• MASI MAZZANO AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2015 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#597476) (D) - $148.95

White Wine:

• SKOURAS CUVÉE PRESTIGE WHITE 2022 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#32386) (XD) - $16.95  88+ pts  wine review
• BODEGA DEL ABAD CIMA BELLA GODELLO 2021 - DO Bierzo, Spain (#35413) (XD) - $17.95
• MOUNTADAM EDEN VALLEY CHARDONNAY 2019 - Eden Valley, South Australia (#10411) (XD) - $18.95
• PIERRE SPARR GRANDE RÉSERVE GEWURZTRAMINER 2021 - AC Alsace, France (#747600) (D) - $19.95
• FAMILLE ARNAUD QUART DU ROI LAUDUN CÔTES DU RHONE-VILLAGES 2020 - AP, France (#31168) (XD) - $19.95
• PAUL CLUVER VILLAGE CHARDONNAY 2022 - WO Elgin, South Africa (#33298) (XD) - $23.95

• ALOIS LAGEDER PINOT GRIGIO 2022 - DOC Südtirol-Alto Adige, Italy (#35198) (XD) - $24.95  89 pts  wine review
• SKOURAS WILD FERMENT ASSYRTIKO 2022 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#32387) (XD) - $25.95  91 pts  wine review
• PETER NICOLAY BERNKASTELER BADSTUBE RIESLING KABINETT 2021 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#17605) (M) - $26.95
• ATTEMS CICINIS 2021 - DOC Collio, Friuli, Italy (#75432) (XD) - $36.95  91+ pts  wine review
• WILDEBERG SEMILLON 2021 - WO Franschhoek, South Africa (#15623) (XD) - $43.95  FE
  
• LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS CHARDONNAY 2020 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#184549) (XD) - $49.95  93 pts  wine review
• BACHELDER WISMER-WINGFIELD OUEST VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2020 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#520403) (XD) - $54.95  FE

Sparkling Wine:

• FLAT ROCK RIDDLED SPARKLING 2020 - Traditional method, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#383315) (D) - $34.95
• VEUVE CLICQUOT EXTRA BRUT EXTRA OLD CHAMPAGNE - AC, France (#507889) (XD) - $114.95
• BOLLINGER BRUT ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE - AC, France (#100503) (XD) - $137.95
• PIPER-HEIDSIECK RARE BRUT CHAMPAGNE 2008 - AC, France (#380915) (XD) - $288.95

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Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cépages 2017 (Sonoma) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine reviews is an excellent Cabernet Sauvignon blend from Sonoma County that arrived at the LCBO as part of the August LCBO VINTAGES Cellar Collection Release and is now available at several stores across Ontario. It will make a fine gift for the holidays or a nice addition to your cellar.

It is produced by Chateau St. Jean, an iconic Chateau that dates back to the 1920's, but whose story as a top wine producer began in 1973 when the three founders of the estate purchased the northern Sonoma Valley property. Their vision for the property was to create wines that captured the nuance, character, and quality of Sonoma's distinct vineyards and growing regions. The founders, Robert and Edward Merzoian, and Kenneth Sheffield, who were San Joaquin Valley table grape growers and shippers, named the winery after the only woman who was "saintly" enough to keep the three of them in line, Jean Sheffield Merzoian, sister-in-law, wife, and sister to the owners.

The Chateau was built by the Goff family, who had established their family fortune in the iron ore mines of Michigan's Upper Peninsula and Pacific Northwest lumber. They came to California in 1916 and purchased 300 acres of land in the Valley of the Moon area of Sonoma County, California. Construction of the Goff family summer home - now the Chateau - began in 1920, and white wine grapes were grown on the property. The living room of the home is now the Reserve Tasting Room in the Chateau.

After founding the winery in 1973, they had their first vintage a year later, and produced wines on the property for the first time in 1975 with Dick Arrowood as Chateau St. Jean's first winemaker. In 1980, the founders built a brand new winery in Kenwood, California, that was designed from the ground up to accommodate the numerous grape parcels and keep them separate throughout the winemaking process, ensuring that vineyard designation stayed pure. In 1999, Chateau St. Jean was acquired by Treasury Wine Estates, and a year later they opened a new Visitor Centre and Gardens, which features a statue of Jean in the main courtyard garden by the pool.

In 2021, Foley Family Wines acquired Chateau St. Jean from the Americas division of Treasury Wine Estates. A year later, they welcomed Winemaker Niki Williams, the company's fifth winemaker, while also undergoing renovations that included rebuilding the destemmer, crush pad, and presses, as well as upgrading the gardens and surrounding facilities to improve the visitor experience.

With a proud history and having set the standard for excellence in Sonoma County winemaking, Chateau St. Jean celebrates 50 years in 2023. Some of these achievements for excellence in wine include the 1996 Cinq Cépages being awarded the wine of the year in Wine Spectator's Top 100 list, while the 1999 vintage was awarded second place. In 2008, Winemaker Margo Van Staaveren was also awarded Winemaker of the Year by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

This Cinq Cépages, which translates to "Five Grape Varieties", is the flagship wine of Chateau St. Jean. First introduced in 1990, it is crafted in a Bordeaux-style blend with Cabernet Sauvignon the main variety. To craft this wine, Winemaker Margo Van Staaveren, who joined Chateau St. Jean in 1980 and became Winemaker in 2003, selected the best fruit from outstanding and proven Bordeaux varietal vineyards that showcase the very best of Sonoma County. In this vintage, it is a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec, and 1% Petit Verdot, with 46% of the fruit coming from Knights Valley, an area which highlights boysenberry flavours and elegant tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon from the Monte Rosso and Mountain Terraces Vineyards on Moon Mountain add structure, while Merlot from the Louvau Vineyard in Dry Creek adds lush juiciness and texture. The Malbec comes from Chateau St. Jean's Estate Vineyard in Sonoma Valley, while some fruit is also from Stuhlmuller Vineyard in Alexander Valley, which brings savoury, dried herb, and bright berry notes. After vinification, the wine was aged for 20 months in French oak (68% new). It was bottled in January 2020 and released in October.

The 2017 growing season began with abundant rainfall, followed by a mild spring that resulted in extended flowering. Warm late-summer temperatures moved harvest along quickly, while yields for the 2017 vintage were slightly lower than the previous couple of vintages. While the 2017 vintage was challenging, the wines that were produced are of excellent quality with complex flavours, concentrated colour, and finesse. Let's see how this 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon blend from Sonoma is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CHATEAU ST. JEAN CINQ CÉPAGES 2017 - Sonoma County, California, USA (#710913) (XD) - $130
Blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec, and 1% Petit Verdot. Rich and elegant, the fragrant, medium-high intensity nose delivers lush, complex, ripe, dark fruited, blackberry, black and red currant, fine oak spices, grilled herb, and earth aromas with touches of boysenberry and floral. It's full-bodied with ripe black and red currant, cassis, blackberry, savoury oak spice, earth, peppery spice, grilled herb flavours surrounding a savoury core. It's framed by fresh, juicy acidity and elegant, yet firmly structured, fine-grained tannins. It's a touch palate warming, but still balanced. Savoury and earthy with graphite notes linger on the exceptionally long finish. Provides immense pleasure now, but will reward cellaring. Enjoy to 2035+. Highly recommended buy! Score: 94 pts

Other fine wines from Chateau St. Jean's large portfolio can be found at the LCBO, or ordered through their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.

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Marqués de Griñon Clásico 2018 (Rioja) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious Rioja from Spain that arrived as a brand new wine to the LCBO over the summer as part of the June 24 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Marqués de Griñon, a title and prestigious wine estate located in Toledo, in central Spain. The title and winery are linked to the family of Carlos Falcó, a Spanish aristocrat and winemaker who played a significant role in elevating the status of Spanish wines.

Carlos Falcó (1937-2020), the 5th Marqués de Griñón, was a visionary winemaker and a key figure in Spain's wine industry, dedicating himself to improving the quality of Spanish wines, particularly those from the Denominación de Origen (DO) regions of La Mancha and Dominio de Valdepusa. As a pioneer, he introduced new grape varieties and modern winemaking techniques to the Spanish wine industry.

In 1974, Carlos planted the first Cabernet Sauvignon vines in Castilla La Mancha, while also becoming the first in the world to use drip irrigation in the vineyard that same year. In 1982, he began using the consulting services of Émile Peynaud, professor of oenology at the University of Bordeaux, while in 1989 construction was completed on the brand new Dominio de Valdepusa winery that featured Spain's first climate-controlled ageing cellar. In 1991, he began using the consulting services of renowned oenologist Michel Rolland, while also being the first in Spain to plant Syrah, and a year later he was the first to plant Petit Verdot. In 1993, Carlos introduced trellis systems featuring the advanced Lira and Smart-Dyson designs. After planting the first Petit Verdot in Spain in 1992, two years later he launched the world's first single-varietal Petit Verdot wine.

The innovations continued in 1999 with the introduction of computerised electronic controls to monitor soil moisture, along with dendrometers to measure the water stress of the vines. At the turn of the century, they began experimenting with the Graciano varietal and also planted the small El Rincón estate vineyard in Aldea del Fresno, Madrid. Carlos was also instrumental in helping create DO Dominio de Valdepusa, a status that was granted by the Government of Castilla-La Mancha in 2002, and ratified by the European Commission in 2003, followed in 2006 by measurements and observations of the root systems within the DO with the assistance of international soil guru - Claude Bourguignon. The excellent results of the experimental planting of Graciano in DO Dominio de Valdepusa led to expanded plantings of the varietal.

This particular red wine is from their Signature Wines range and crafted with 100% Tempranillo that was grown in clay and limestone soils, from vines that average 20 years old. As a Crianza, it was aged for 2 years, with at least 1 year spent in American oak barrels. Let's see how this Tempranillo from Rioja is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MARQUÉS DE GRIÑON CLÁSICO 2018 - Vegan, DOCa Rioja, Spain (#30207) (XD) - $19.95
100% Tempranillo. The medium-high intensity nose is oak spice and dark fruit driven with coconut, dark cherry and blackberry aromas with a hint of floral. On the medium-full bodied palate it offers delicious coconut, oak spice, dark berry, black cherry flavours that leads to a mid-palate with graphite mineral notes. It's supported by tangy, juicy acidity and smooth, supple, nicely textured, and lightly grippy tannins with good structure. Very good length on the crisp, savoury, earthy, mineral-tinged finish. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other delicious wines by Marqués de Griñon can be ordered through their Agent - Churchill Cellars.

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Cavaliere d'Oro Riserva Chianti Classico 2018 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a consistently well-made and lovely Riserva Chianti Classico that arrived at the LCBO over the weekend in the October 21 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Castello di Gabbiano (CDG), an historic castle and winery whose story began with the construction of the cellars in the year 1124 in the heart of the Chianti region in Tuscany, Italy. In that epoch, the castle belonged to the Bardi family, one of the most important banking families of Florence. In the second half of the 13th century, the family began the extension of the fortress by building perimeter walls and battlements in the typical Guelph style of the era. The castle remained in the Bardi family until the early part of the 15th century, until it was passed on to the Soderini family, one of the most politically influential families in Florence.

The Soderini family converted the turreted family house of Gabbiano in Fattoria, which was completed by the late 15th century. It was during the period of Soderini's ownership, in 1464, when the land survey was presented by Tommaso Soderini to the "Officials" of the Land Registry of the Republic of Florence, where it was noted that wine and oil were the most highly prized produce of the estate.

Over the course of a century, the Soderini family added new buildings on several occasions, as can be deduced from the stonework which revealed various phases of development, until it was converted into a large quadrilateral building, which also formed a kind of private fortalice that was anchored with four cylindrical turrets reinforcing the corners. By 1505, the Soderini family converted the castle into a structure more like the present day version, with a round tower erected at each corner of the castle, displaying French architectural influence. Unfortunately, the Soderini's were declared rebels by the powerful Medici family during a struggle in the 16th century, which led to them being banned from Florence, and the castle abandoned for a long time. However, the Soderini family was able to return to their homeland in the 17th century and gave the castle new life.

From the 19th century onwards, the families who owned the property carried out various restoration works, while fully respecting the architectural features of the castle. One such building is a neo-classical style private chapel that was built in the 19th century while under the ownership of the Del Turco family.

Today, Castello di Gabbiano is owned by the multinational alcoholic beverage company Treasury Wine Estates. Castello di Gabbiano is situated in UGA of Castellina in Chianti and has 147 hectares of vines, of which 109 hectares are DOCG Chianti Classico, with 85% of their vines planted to Sangiovese, while applying certified sustainable viticulture practices across all of their vineyards and respecting the environment. In the winery, ancient traditions are combined with innovation and modern technology. The ancient cellar of the castle, which has been in use since the 14th century, has been skilfully restored while fully respecting the original architecture.

The winemaker at Castello di Gabbiano is Federico Cerelli. He joined CDG in 2011 after gaining 10 years of experience working at prestigious Italian wineries and supervising important winemaking projects in Tuscany and the Chianti Classico wine region. Federico trusts the most traditional practices that, over time, have become established the best - while embracing modern technology. This led to the creation of the first fermentation system with a mechanized and computerized punching down system.

Named Cavaliere d’Oro, which means "The Gold Knight", this red wine is crafted with 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot, using only the finest grapes from their estate vineyards. The fruit parcels from the different sites were kept separate during the vinification and ageing process, providing the winemaker with an enticing range of flavours and textures to create the final, blended wine. The grapes underwent alcoholic fermentation on skins in small, stainless steel tanks, followed by a secondary natural malolactic fermentation - with half in stainless steel and the other half in natural French oak - to help round out the wine while obtaining optimal acidity and freshness. The oak ageing occurred for 10 months in 15 to 30 hectolitre casks and 225 litre barrels, with only 10% new oak, and underwent further maturation for 12 months in bottle prior to release. Let's see how this 2018 Riserva Chianti Classico from Tuscany is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CAVALIERE D'ORO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2018 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#216309) (XD) - $24.95
This blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot has richly fragrant and spicy aromas rising out of the glass, followed by attractive and captivating notes of pure red cherry, cinnamon, sweet spices, clove, forest floor, and orange citrus with hints of wet earth. The spicy notes continue on the medium-full to full-bodied palate, joined by lovely dark red cherry, savoury oak spices, forest floor, leather, and orange citrus flavours. Some dried herbal characters appear on the juicy mid-palate, with fresh acidity, while the fine-grained tannins are impressively structured. Savoury with touches of mineral and leather linger on the long, juicy finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy to the end of the decade! Score: 91 pts

One other wine from Castello di Gabbiano is available at the LCBO, while other wines from their portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.

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Domaine Pinson Frères Mont-de-Milieu Chablis 1er Cru 2021 (Burgundy) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is an excellent Chablis Premier Cru that arrived at the LCBO as part of the recent October 7 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection as an Online & Flagship Exclusive - with inventory available both online and in-store.

It is produced by the renowned Domaine Pinson, a winemaking family with a long and storied history in the heart of Chablis that began with the construction of the family cellars in the year 1580. Winemaking in the Pinson family was documented in Chablis up until the year 1640, after which it returned in 1880, when the family farmed vineyards and other crops. In 1940, Louise Pinson and his wife, France, owned approximately 4 hectares of vineyards in the region of Chablis, including the sub-appellations of Chablis 1er Cru Montmain, Mont de Milieu, and Grand Cru Les Clos. Louise and France were dedicated solely to viticulture and the production of Chablis wines, and their Domaine became very popular with visitors.

In 1983, Laurent Pinson, the grandson of Louis, arrived at the Domaine following his studies in Beaune, and worked on the vines with his grandfather, while learning about and respecting the traditions of Chablis. In 1987, Christophe Pinson, the brother of Laurent, started working at the Domaine. At this point, Louis retired from the family business, while Laurent and Christophe took over the Domaine with the desire to see it succeed and grow. The Pinson brothers undertook new plantings on the family land and grew the number of vines to 14 hectares.

Laurent and Christophe further developed the Domaine in 2004 by creating a new vat room, storage buildings, a new pressing room, as well as renovating the two large vaulted cellars intended for ageing wines. In 2008, the next generation of the Pinson family joined the Domaine when Charlène Pinson, daughter of Laurent, arrived at the farm following her studies in viticulture-oenology in Beaune. In 2019, the estate obtained its High Environmental Value (HVE) level 3 designation, reaffirming its commitment to sustainable production practices, including preservation of the environment and protecting biodiversity.

Today, the philosophy at Domain Pinson is that great wines begin with good grapes. Their passion and love for working the vines and the Chablisian soil allows the Pinson family to obtain the best fruit. Growing almost exclusively Chardonnay, all of the grapes are hand-harvested. They respect family traditions, while also applying modern techniques and respecting the environment. With roots in Chablis going back 450 years, the Pinson family remains united in their passion for excellence in wine.

This white wine is crafted with 100% Chardonnay that was grown in the Climat of Mont-de-Milieu The name "Mont-de-Milieu", which means "Mountain in the Middle", refers to peculiarity of this hillside that used to have a boundary running through its middle ("milleu") - one side which was in the jurisdiction of Chablis (which used to be located in the County of Champagne), and the other side which was in Fleys, in the Duchy of Bourgogne. Located on a hillside, Mont de Milieu is protected from the northern winds by the forest. The climate in Mont de Milieu is bathed in sunshine from morning to evening due to its south-southeast exposure to the sun, on an average slope. The soil in this Climat is often said to be homogeneous throughout its 44 hectares with clay and limestone of the Kimmeridgien type with small white limestone pebbles.

From vines averaging 20 years old, the grapes were manually harvested and underwent both alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in thermo-regulated vats and (10%) new barrels. The wine was aged on its fine lees in 228 Litre oak barrels for 9 months, with stirring, with the age of the barrels ranging from 2 to 6 years old, and was bottled 12 months after harvest.

From a challenging vintage where the best producers were able to make small quantities of great wines, let's see how this 2021 Mont-de-Milieu Chablis 1er Cru is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

DOMAINE PINSON FRÈRES MONT-DE-MILIEU CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2021 - AC, Burgundy, France (#700914) (XD) - $74.95
100% Chardonnay. Elegant, refined, medium+ to medium-high intensity aromatics offers ripe lemon citrus, stony minerality, and apple with accents of white peach. It's medium-bodied with a lovely chewy, well-structured, and textured mouthfeel with complex, ripe flavours of lemon citrus, apple, oyster-shell, and leesy mineral accented with orange and honey notes, plus touches of vanilla and butter. It's juicy with succulent acidity, and has a chalky textured mouthfeel on the mid-palate. Excellent length on the elegant finish which lingers for minutes, with stony, leesy mineral notes, plus touches of honey and apple. Immensely pleasurable now, but will be even better with a couple of years in the cellar and should drink well to the end of the decade. Highly recommended buy! Score: 94 pts

Other fine wines by Domaine Pinson can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia / Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is the latest vintage of a perennial favourite that arrived at the LCBO recently as part of the October 7 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Wakefield Wines, a wine brand used in Canada and other export markets by the well-respected and renowned Taylor family who established their own Bordeaux-style estate in Australia's Clare Valley in 1969. Locally in Australia and other nearby countries, the Taylor family markets their wines under their own family name - Taylors Wines.

After making wines for others for many years, Bill Taylor Sr. and his two sons acquired some land by the Wakefield river in the Clare Valley and set out to produce their own Estate wines where the vineyards and winery are situated in the same location. Once they acquired property, they planted their first vines - Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz - wines which would become the heart and soul of the family business.

Today, the Taylor family is one of Australia's most renowned wine producers. The team is led by the third generation of the family - brothers Mitchell, Justin, and Clinton. Since its founding, the Taylor family has rested on the principle that the finest wines are those made with the greatest dedication and care, while also respecting the fruit. Committed to both the land and sea, sustainability is also a core pillar of the Taylor family as their goal is to apply best practised principles in environmental management to enhance sustainable business activities and products. As a family-owned company, they are committed to ensuring that they operate in a responsible and sustainable manner.

The Taylor family has several ranges of wines, and this particular wine is from their Jaraman range. With this range, the Taylor family searches for parcels of extraordinary fruit from Australia's iconic wine regions to craft wines that showcase their distinctive regional characteristics and style. The fruit for each wine in the Jaraman range is sourced from celebrated Australian wine regions that are renowned for their particular variety - Clare Valley and Coonawarra in the case of this Australian Cabernet Sauvignon. Jaraman wines showcase the skill and dedication of the winemakers to their philosophy of respecting the fruit.

Like the 2020 Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon that I enjoyed earlier this year, this vintage is also composed of 52% Clare Valley fruit and 48% Coonawarra. Crafted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, it also appears to be vinified using the exact same techniques as the 2020, including oak maturation which occurred in French oak barrels (50% 1-year-old and 50% a combination of 2- and 3-year-old) for a period of 10 to 12 months before being bottled.

From a good-to-excellent vintage that was calm, slightly warmer than average, and just the right amount of sun, let's see how this 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

WAKEFIELD JARAMAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Clare Valley and Coonawarra, South Australia (#142398) (XD) - $24.95
Screw cap. The ripe, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose seems a bit shy, offering minty cassis, blackcurrant, blackberry compote, and oak spice aromas layered over savoury earthy notes. The bright, medium-full bodied palate has lively acidity which lifts the dark fruited, minty cassis, currant, blackberry, oak spice, and earthy flavours. It's gently spicy on the mid-palate and supported by firm, grainy, and lightly grippy tannins that should soften nicely over the next couple of years. Cassis and blackcurrant notes taper to savoury and earthy oak on the crisp, juicy and lingering finish. Enjoy this recommended buy over the next 5-7 years. Score: 90 pts

Many other fine wines by Wakefield Wines can be found at the LCBO, or ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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