Showing posts with label chile. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chile. Show all posts

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  • Date publishedMonday, February 19, 2024

Puente Austral Reserva Privada Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (Chile) - Wine Review



red wine review is a delicious, sustainably crafted Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon that arrived at the LCBO earlier this month as part of the feature on wines from Chile in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Maturana Winery, a family-owned winery that was established in Colchagua, central Chile, in 2010 by José Ignacio Maturana, together with his brother Sebastian and his family. Their passion for making excellent wines developed after the great earthquake that affected Chile. Since that time, Maturana has developed unique wines, which also represent a way of life and how to sustainably keep intact the conditions from which our grapes come from.

One of the ways Maturana differentiates themselves is due to innovation. They aim to capture the identity of each variety and specific place, and deliver the best expression in each wine. To achieve this goal, they use different and innovative materials such as concrete in different shapes and sizes, clay amphoras, or French oak, which allows Maturana to capture and develop the best ageing capabilities for each variety. While the Chilean wine industry has developed in much the same way for decades, in a classic and traditional way, and there is nothing wrong with that, Maturana wants to do things that are different in every way possible, embracing differentiation as an opportunity.

With sustainability a core value of Maturana, the family supports the management of the vineyards in a natural and responsible manner that also benefits the growers and their families. For example, Maturana pays their growers more than 7 times the market average for the price per kilo of grapes. They believe in the concept of horizontal growth, whereby the grower of heritage vineyards, the grape processor, and the international marketing of wines all grow together. Maturana also has a strong commitment to making known the old vineyards that exist in central Chile, with some of these vineyards dating back to the year 1900 and featuring native strains of grape varieties.

At Maturana, they believe that producing the best quality wines is their responsibility, and it goes hand-in-hand with their concept of creating something unique. The Puente Austral brand of wines is Maturana's second label, with the Reserva Privada range created as a result of their innovative spirit and openness to taking risks. The origin of Reserva Privada wines lies in their constant search for new vineyard sites, new varieties, and unique blends, while restricted in production. The Puente Austral Reserva Privada wines are approachable, medium-bodied wines that stand out for their fruitiness, freshness, and intensity.

From a very good to excellent vintage, let's see how this 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile is tasting tonight...

Puente Austral Reserva Privada Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

PUENTE AUSTRAL RESERVA PRIVADA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Sustainable, Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#21960) (XD) - $16.95
100% Cabernet Sauvignon that was aged in third-use French barrels for 6 months. The medium+ to medium-high intensity nose has attractive, ripe, red fruited currant, cassis, cran-cherry, and red plum aromas accented with touches of vanilla and oak spice. On the dry, medium to medium-full bodied palate it offers deliciously harmonious, ripe, and fruit-forward flavours of red currant, cran-cherry, cassis, and red plum, plus touches of earthy oak adding savoury tones. It has fresh, juicy acidity and smooth, creamy, and fine-grained tannins. It has a supple grip with savoury, earthy oak, and touches of mineral notes lingering on the finish, with very good length. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the next 2-3 years. Score: 89 pts

Other delicious wines by Maturana Winery can be found at the LCBO, or ordered through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedThursday, February 15, 2024

Calcu Tiny Blocks Gran Reserva Cabernet Franc 2020 (Chile) - Wine Review

red wine review is a lovely, sustainable and vegan-friendly Cabernet Franc from Chile. It is brand new to the LCBO and arrived on shelves earlier this month as part of the feature on wines from Chile in the recent LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on .

It is produced by Calcu Vineyards, a winery project that was established in 2003 by the Hurtado family. With over a century's worth of experience making quality wines in the Colchagua Valley, the Hurtado family found a unique place in Marchigüe, within the Colchagua Valley in central Chile, that is marked by hills of granite stone. The hills are the inspiration for the name Calcu Vineyards - "CAL: Hill" and "CUrá: Stone" - and means Hills of Stone.

The granite hills with clay seams, combined with the proximity of the vineyard to the sea at just 26 kilometres from the Pacific Ocean, as well as the altitude of the vineyard with different orientations of the slopes allows for a perfect blend that reflects the personality of the vineyard. By combining all of these features, it enables each Calcu wine to showcase the brand's characteristic freshness, structure, verve, and depth.

The core values at Calcu Vineyards are excellence, perseverance, and honesty. While sustainability is also one of the four essential values of the Hurtado family, whereby caring for the environment, workers, and the local community is key, Calcu Vineyards was created with the ambition of redefining the Colchagua Valley with world-class, handcrafted wines. With the assistance of winemaking advisor, Xavier Choné, the Hurtado family designed each of the 166 micro-terroirs using a high-precision manual process that followed the orientation of the slopes and natural clay seams that are present on the site. This resulted in a vineyard architecture of small blocks, with many less than 1 hectare in size, with varying slopes and irregular shapes. The nature of these blocks allows each variety to find the ideal place within the vineyard, where it can express its maximum potential. One of the most important aspects of the site is the gentle granitic slopes on the coastal hills. The soil on these slopes contains important seams of clay, which are preserved and maintained as they contribute structure, texture, and depth to the resulting wines.

To craft this red wine, the grapes were manually harvested and double sorted from vineyards situated at their Marchigüe Estate vineyard, 25 km from the Pacific Ocean. The vineyard is planted on the gentle hills of the coastal hills, where the soft sea breeze moderates the temperatures and allows the grapes to develop excellent concentration and fresh, aromatic fruit. The soil in this vineyard is mainly granitic with a significant clay content, characters that positively influence concentration and persistent aromas. The tiny blocks selected for this Cabernet Franc (which also includes splashes of Petit Verdot and Carménère) are planted in the highest sectors of soil with a high presence of quartz, which provides a fantastic combination of fresh fruit, structure, and elegance. It was fermented in stainless steel tanks at temperatures between 20ºC and 24ºC, and underwent 18 days of maceration time with its skins. After completing malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks, it was aged for 12 months in French oak barrels.

The 2020 growing season at Calcu was marked by a warm and dry climate. This challenged the team at Calcu because they needed to be more alert than ever in identifying the opportune time for harvest in order to maintain the elegance and natural balance that characterizes the wines from this terroir. The resulting wines from the high quality 2020 vintage have high concentration, excellent colour intensity and complexity, and very good ageing capability. Let's see how this 2020 Cabernet Franc from Chile is tasting tonight...

Calcu Tiny Blocks Gran Reserva Cabernet Franc 2020 (90 pts)

Tasting Note:

CALCU TINY BLOCKS GRAN RESERVA CABERNET FRANC 2020 - Sustainable, Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#35677) (XD) - $14.95
This blend of 95% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, and 2% Carménère has a lovely, lifted, medium-high intensity nose of wet earth, mineral, dark fruited (blackberry, black cherry), minty herb, and sweet tobacco aromas. On the dry, ripe, medium+ bodied palate it has lovely, elegant, and balanced aroma replays of dark fruit, mineral, savoury wet earth, blackberry, black cherry, and tobacco flavours with some spicy and herbal notes. It is well-structured with very good acidity and grippy, structured, and mouth puckering tannins. Minerally with dark fruit and tobacco notes linger on the long, crisp, and juicy finish. Enjoyable now, but will reward with 2-3 years in the cellar. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

While only a limited number of the excellent 2018 Calcu Winemaker's Selection Blend is available on clearance at the LCBO, all wines in the Calcu Vineyards portfolio can be ordered through Agent - Don Ackerman's Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedTuesday, February 13, 2024

Indómita Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2022 (Chile) - Wine Review

white wine review is a lovely Sauvignon Blanc from Chile that arrived at the LCBO as part of the feature on wines from Chile in the recent LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Viña Indómita, a prominent Chilean winery that was established in 2001 by the Del Pedregal family in a privileged location between Chile's two most important cities - Santiago and Valparaíso - in the cool-climate of the Casablanca Valley. As a fairly young wine producer, the modern architecture of the winery building has an unrivalled panoramic view of the valley, while nestled within the hill is the barrel room in which the temperature and humidity is naturally regulated.

Indómita's mission is to produce quality wines with a focus on sustainability and fair trade values. From vineyard to bottle, the grapes and the subsequent wine are carefully monitored to obtain the best
expression of the land. The mission is to create an ethical and responsible supply chain that benefits everyone from our winemakers to our end customers, while also promoting fair and transparent business practices that have a positive impact on our communities and the environment.

With several ranges of wines in the Indómita portfolio, this white wine is from their Gran Reserva range and represents the spirit of their vineyards. Indómita's Gran Reserva wines have character, are powerful, and outstanding. The Gran Reserva wines invite you to learn more about wine and its benefits, and is also an invitation to live the Indómita experience and enjoy life.

The Sauvignon Blanc grapes for this wine were grown in Casablanca Valley, a cold-weather valley that experiences the cool and saline winds of the Pacific Ocean, and is an extreme location for winegrowing due to the annual accumulation of heat barely reaching the minimum suggested levels for vineyards. The vines for this Sauvignon Blanc were planted in 2002 and 2006 on hillsides and the valley floor, on soil that ranges between a sandy and deep clay structure, with some gravel. The vineyards are planted in both North-South and West-East orientations, a combination that produces high oenological potential with very disparate profiles, and delivers powerful acidity and briny minerality. The grapes were crushed in a reductive environment, with only the free run juice obtained by gravity used to craft this wine. It was fermented in stainless steel tanks using selected yeasts, with gentle lees treatment. To add complexity, 3% of this wine was barrel-fermented and aged in barrels for 3 months.

The 2022 growing season in Chile's coastal wine regions, such as Casablanca Valley, has delivered a promising vintage with fresh and focused wines from a slightly cooler than average year. Cool-climate varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc particularly excelled. Let's see how this 2022 Sauvignon Blanc from Chile is tasting tonight...

Indómita Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2022 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

INDÓMITA GRAN RESERVA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 - DO Valle de Casablanca, Chile (#544213) (XD) - $15.95
Elegantly aromatic with a medium-high intensity nose of guava, green herbs, lemon/lime citrus, grassy, melon, and jalapeño aromas with an underlying saline minerality. It has good weight on the medium+ bodied, dry and creamy palate with lovely lemon/lime citrus, green herb, guava, grassy, and melon flavour replays supported by juicy, well-balanced acidity. There's a touch of spice, along with some leesy minerality on the mid-palate. It's nicely textured with good structure, while leesy mineral notes linger on the long, succulent finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy with seafood! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Viña Indómita can be ordered through their Agent - Rare Earth Wines.


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  • Date publishedWednesday, January 31, 2024

February 3, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Chile & Argentina

LCBO Wine Picks: February 3, 2023 VINTAGES New Release Collection
Here's my top wine picks from the February 3, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, which features wines from Chile and Argentina as the theme of the release. We're back to normal levels of wines in this release with nearly 100 products, which also includes some Online & Flagship Exclusives. All the wines should be available for purchase by this Saturday.

We begin with the theme on wines from Chile and Argentina - Partners in Wine. There are twenty-two wines included in the thematic, with eight among my top wine picks. We start with the whites, with a Torrontés from Argentina, and a Sauvignon Blanc from Chile. Among the reds, the Cabernet Franc includes 3% Petit Verdot, and 2% Carménère, while the Emiliana is a blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Syrah, and 19% Carignan. Single varietal wines include the Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir, all from Argentina, while the Puente Austral from Chile is crafted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Catena Lunlunta Old Vines Appellation Malbec 2021 (91 pts)Bodega El Porvenir de Cafayate Laborum Finca El Retiro Torrontés 2022 (89 pts)

Indómita Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2022 (89 pts)Calcu Tiny Blocks Gran Reserva Cabernet Franc 2020 (90 pts)

Puente Austral Reserva Privada Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (89 pts)Emiliana Novas Stellar Selection Cabernet Sauvignon / Syrah / Carignan 2021 (88+ pts)

From my top red wine recommendations, Tuscany leads that way with the iconic Cepparello, as well as the Gran Selezione, both of which are crafted with 100% Sangiovese, while the Guidalberto Super Tuscan is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. Other red wines include the Rioja that is a blend of 97% Tempranillo and 3% Mazuelo, as well as the California Cabernet Sauvignon that is actually composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, and 5% Malbec.

LAN Gran Reserva 2016 (92 pts)Rodney Strong Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (91 pts)

Among my white wine picks from the rest of the release, there are only three wines - a Pinot Grigio from Friuli, a Chardonnay from South Australia, and a Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough. The last wine from this group is an excellent Riesling Icewine from Niagara.

Attems Pinot Grigio 2022 (90 pts)Wakefield Estate Label Chardonnay 2022 (89 pts)

Lakeview Cellars Riesling Icewine 2019 (92 pts)

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Salud!

Red Wine:

  • CALCU TINY BLOCKS GRAN RESERVA CABERNET FRANC 2020 - Sustainable, Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#35677) (XD) - $14.95  90 pts  wine review
  • PUENTE AUSTRAL RESERVA PRIVADA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Sustainable, Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#21960) (XD) - $16.95  89 pts  wine review
  • SECRETO PATAGÓNICO REBEL PINOT NOIR 2022 - Patagonia, Argentina (#36015) (XD) - $16.95
  • EMILIANA NOVAS STELLAR SELECTION CABERNET SAUVIGNON / SYRAH / CARIGNAN 2021 - Vegan, sustainable, DO Valle del Maule, Chile (#35672) (XD) - $17.95  88+ pts  wine review
  • SAN PEDRO 1865 SELECTED VINEYARDS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Las Piedras, DO Valle del Maipo, Chile (#37911) (XD) - $19.95  90 pts  wine review
  • ZUCCARDI Q CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Sustainable, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#28078) (XD) - $20.95
  • MERAYO LAS TRES FILAS MENCIA 2020 - DO Bierzo, Spain (#462788) (XD) - $20.95

  • CATENA LUNLUNTA OLD VINES APPELLATION MALBEC 2021 - Sustainable, Mendoza, Argentina (#11769) - (XD) - $24.95  91 pts  wine review
  • RODNEY STRONG ALEXANDER VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Sustainable, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA (#350454) (XD) - $34.95  91 pts  wine review
  • LAN GRAN RESERVA 2016 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#928622) (XD) - $34.95  92 pts  wine review
  • ROCCA DI CASTAGNOLI STIELLE GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2017 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#459529) (XD) - $53.95
  • TENUTA SAN GUIDO GUIDALBERTO 2021 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#72439) (XD) - $75.95
  • ISOLE E OLENA CEPPARELLO 2020 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#28768) (XD) - $175.95
San Pedro 1865 Selected Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (90 pts)

White Wine:

  • INDÓMITA GRAN RESERVA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 - DO Valle de Casablanca, Chile (#544213) (XD) - $15.95  89 pts  wine review
  • WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL CHARDONNAY 2022 - Clare Valley / Limestone Coast, South Australia (#711556) (XD) - $16.95  89 pts  wine review
  • BODEGA EL PORVENIR DE CAFAYATE LABORUM FINCA EL RETIRO TORRONTÉS 2022 - Single vineyard, Valle de Cafayate, Salta, Argentina (#489179) (XD) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review
  • ATTEMS PINOT GRIGIO 2022 - DOC Friuli, Italy (#707950) (XD) - $19.95  90 pts  wine review
  • VILLA MARIA EARTH GARDEN SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#24981) (XD) - $20.95

Dessert Wine:

  • LAKEVIEW CELLARS RIESLING ICEWINE 2019 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#471839, 200 mL) (S) - $34.95  92 pts  wine review


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  • Date publishedMonday, January 22, 2024

Santa Carolina Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2021 (Chile) - Wine Review

white wine review is a delicious, certified-sustainable Sauvignon Blanc from Chile. It is a General List products at the LCBO and, while this vintage is likely long gone, the latest vintage is widely available at the LCBO outlets across Ontario.

It is produced by Santa Carolina, an historic Chilean wine brand that was established as Viña Santa Carolina in 1875 by Luis Pereira, who named it after his wife, Carolina Iñiguez. As a renowned producer for over 150 years, Santa Carolina produces a wide range of wines with consistent quality and is noted for being among the first Chilean wineries to receive international recognition.

Viña Santa Carolina was founded in the fertile soils of a young winemaking country located at the end of the world. The underground cellar was built in 1877 and has a history that fills caves and manuscripts found within its walls, along with memories of ancestral trades, dedication, innovation, knowledge, and hard work that forged the essence of one of Chile's oldest wineries.

After nearly a century in the hands of the Pereira family, Santa Carolina was acquired in 1974 by the Larrain family. In 2010, following the devastating earthquake that struck Chile, the winery was reconstructed and restored, and reopened to the public in 2012. Santa Carolina won several prestigious awards over the ensuing years and is considered one of the world's most powerful wine brands. The winemaking philosophy at Santa Carolina is to produce wines of consistent quality, while also having wines with unique and distinctive characteristics.

This white wine is crafted with 100% Sauvignon Blanc that was grown in both the Leyda Valley and the Maule Valley. The Leyda Valley, whose signature grape is Sauvignon Blanc, is located around the mouth of the Maipo River and has a Mediterranean climate under the strong influence of the Pacific Ocean, which results in winters with moderate rainfall and cool summers. The vineyards in Leyda Valley are planted on gentle hillsides with different exposures to the sun, which results in grapes with different flavour profiles and adds complexity. To craft this wine, the grapes were mostly harvested at night, and after a cold maceration they were processed in a pneumatic press, clarified, and then underwent a temperature-controlled fermentation using selected yeasts. It was then aged on its lees for a month to enhance complexity and persistence, without the use of any oak. From a very good growing season, let's see how this 2021 Sauvignon Blanc from Chile is tasting tonight...

Santa Carolina Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2021 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

SANTA CAROLINA RESERVA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021 - Valle de Leyda / Valle del Maule, Chile (#337535) (XD) - $13.95
Screw cap. Clean, crisp and generous medium+ to medium-high intensity aromas of lime citrus, kiwi, guava, gooseberry, herbs, and green apple, with leesy mineral undertones. On the dry, medium-bodied palate it offers crisp and vibrant acidity that lifts the lime citrus, kiwi, guava, gooseberry, leesy mineral, and herbal flavours. It is nicely balanced throughout, with lime, kiwi, and gooseberry flavours tapering to leesy mineral notes on the finish, with very good length. Great buy! Score: 89 pts


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  • Date publishedSaturday, August 19, 2023

Undurraga Terroir Hunter Cauquenes Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (Chile) - Wine Review

red wine review is an excellent Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile that arrived at the LCBO today as part of the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Viña Undurraga, one of Chile's oldest wineries and a producer known for crafting high-quality wines. It was founded in 1885 by Francisco Undurraga Vicuña and has played a significant role in Chile's winemaking history. It all started in 1970, when Francisco brought plants from Germany and France in lead capsules so they wouldn't wilt during their journey through the tropics. He also used oak wood from Bosnia to make the casks that the company started with.

Undurraga was initially founded as "Fundo Santa Ana", in honour of Francisco's wife, Mrs. Ana Fernández de Íñiguez and in 1891 they had their first harvest. At the turn of the century, the winery expanded and built its original cellar. In 1903, Undurraga became the first winery from Chile to export their wines to the U.S. and awards followed soon thereafter. The 1960s brought decades of distinguished visitors to the winery, along with the production of their first sparkling wines in 1975.

Today, Undurraga is headquartered with vineyards in the Maipo Valley. They have six estates and vineyards across five regions in Chile that are exclusively dedicated to the cultivation and production of the finest wine grapes. Each of these locations was carefully selected by the company's viticulture teams based on its suitability for specific varieties, while the unique qualities of the terroir are studied using precision farming techniques. The winemaking philosophy at Undurraga is based on creating characterful, authentic, and consistent wines. The winemakers and viticulturists work together to express the identity and quality of the vineyards through each and every one of their eight lines of wines by meticulously managing the vines and taking the utmost care throughout the vinification process. While each line bears the personal stamp of its winemaker, all Undurraga wines have one thing in common - each line seeks to faithfully represent the character of the grape variety it is made from and its place of origin, while prioritizing good balance, fruit expression, and fine quality.

This particular wine is from their emblematic T.H. (or Terroir Hunter) range, which is made by Head Winemaker Rafael Urrejola. The Terroir Hunter project is a constant search across the diverse Chilean topography for micro terroirs. These small plots of land with strong characters are carefully managed to obtain genuine wines of origin.

For this Cabernet Sauvignon, the grapes were grown in their 6.45 hectare vineyard, which was planted in 2009, and situated 5 km south of the town of Cauquenes, on the banks of River Tutuvén, in the southern part of the Maule Valley in central Chile. The Maule Valley is Chile's largest winegrowing region, with 30,000 hectares planted with vines. Undurraga has an estate property in Cauquenes, and the grapes for this red wine come from densely planted vines which reside on gentle slopes of granitic origin, in low-fertility red clay soils which have a high content of quartz. In Cauquenes, summers are warm and dry, with average highs of 32°C and cool night temperatures of 11°C., while autumn is cold and humid, with average rainfall between 700 to 1,000 mm. These conditions contribute to the extended growing season that is ideal for ripening Cabernet Sauvignon.

From a balanced and cool growing season that also had good thermal amplitude, let's see how this 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile is tasting tonight...

Undurraga Terroir Hunter Cauquenes Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (92 pts)

Tasting Note:

UNDURRAGA TERROIR HUNTER CAUQUENES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - Valle del Maule, Chile (#24768) (XD) - $26.95
100% Cabernet Sauvignon that was hand harvested. The grape characters were delicately extracted during fermentation, and then aged for 14 months in French oak barrels (30% new). The clean, fresh, fragrant, and highly aromatic nose offers lovely evergreen and tomato leaf aromas that surround a core of dark berry, currant, cassis, and subtle earthy, cedary wood spice notes. It's medium-full bodied on the dry, ripe palate with red & black berry, cherry, currant, cassis flavours that are slightly stewed. Some gentle cedary oak, earth, dried herbs, and spices add complexity. It's framed by juicy, well-balanced acidity and smooth, lightly chalky tannins. It's nicely balanced throughout with earthy, evergreen, dried herb, currant, and cassis all coming through on the exceptionally long, well-balanced finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the next 6-7 years! Score: 92 pts

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


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  • Date publishedTuesday, August 1, 2023

Arboleda Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (Chile) - Wine Review

red wine review is a delicious, vegan-friendly Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile that is a perennial favourite at the LCBO that arrived in Ontario as part of the recent LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

The Arboleda Wines project was founded in 1999 by Chilean vintner Eduardo Chadwick, a 5th generation member of the family that founded Viña Errazuriz. The name "Arboleda" means a grove of trees and is a tribute to the more than more than 1,450 hectares of native forest that surround its sustainably managed vineyards. The philosophy behind Eduardo's project is to craft single-vineyard wines that reveal the purest expression of each unique terroir within its vineyards in the Aconcagua Valley. This project was initially born as a joint venture between Eduardo Chadwick and legendary Californian vintner Robert Mondavi.

Today, the vision for the Arboleda project is to make the most sustainable, pure, and modern wines that showcase the world-class quality of the best terroirs in the Aconcagua Valley. The team is led by talented Winemaker Francisco Baettig, whose winemaking style produces wines marked by elegance, balance and the expression of the fruit’s origin. At Arboleda, the winemaking and viticultural team is committed to not intervening in the vineyard and environment as much as possible, allowing the vines to yield fruit with the purest expression of the terroir's intrinsic characteristics. They closely follow the progress of the vines and fruit throughout the entire season to better understand the terroir. This allows Arboleda to make accurate decisions, especially during the harvest period, which is key for grape health. This involves picking each lot at the precise time, avoiding degraded skins, and obtaining moderate alcohol and good acidity levels. After harvest, the grapes are very carefully selected and they use specific vinification techniques with the latest technologies for each lot, while focusing on maintaining the special characteristics of the grapes.

Arboleda was one of the country's first wineries to be certified under Chile’s National Sustainability Code that guarantees environmentally friendly production, social responsibility towards the community, and economic viability. They are committed to conserving the biodiversity in the Aconcagua Valley and have more than 1,450 hectares of native forest that have been kept virgin to protect the natural corridors that constitute a true habitat of flora and fauna. Water is also preserved in a reservoir that extends over 14 hectares.

This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon was grown at Arboleda's Las Vertientes vineyard, which is named after the freshwater springs found on the estate. The Las Vertientes vineyard is situated 37 km inland from the Pacific Ocean, within the Hijuelas locality. Although the climate in the vineyard is Mediterranean, it receives cool, coastal winds that blow in from the sea, refreshing the climate and allowing the grapes to slowly ripen. The vineyard is surrounded by hills, with the vines sitting on gentle slopes and part of the alluvial plain. The blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon are planted on flat sections of the vineyard, where the soil is clay-loam or sandy-loam and generally 90–200 cm deep. The stone content varies between 30% and 40%, and drainage is good throughout. These vines were planted in 1999 and 2000 with ungrafted vines from a massal selection. To craft this wine, the grapes were double-sorted and fermented in stainless steel tanks. It was aged for 14 months in French oak, barrels, 30% new.

The 2020 growing season was a challenging one, beginning with one of the driest winters of the last 50 years. The vineyards in the Aconcagua Valley had to endure an intense hydric marathon in order achieve ripeness. Temperatures were warm, especially during spring, and became slightly colder in March and April. Crop yields were moderate thanks to abundant irrigation in summer, which also helped maintain freshness and quality. I was first introduced to the wines of Arboleda just over 7 years ago and have consistently enjoyed them ever since. Let's see how this 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile is tasting tonight...

Arboleda Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

ARBOLEDA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Vegan, DO Valle del Aconcagua, Chile (#606764) (XD) - $19.95
This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon has a fresh, medium-high intensity nose that is open with evergreen, forest herbs, red and black berry fruit, currant, and gentle oak spice aromas with savoury earth undertones. It's medium-full bodied on the fresh palate with ripe red and black fruits, currants, and dried herb flavours accented with oak spice, evergreen, and cassis notes. It is nicely balanced with fresh, juicy acidity and fine-grained, lightly grippy tannins. Savoury with cedary oak notes lingering on the long finish. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

A couple of other fine wines by Arboleda are available at the LCBO, while the whole range can be ordered through their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedMonday, May 22, 2023

Calcu Winemaker's Selection Blend 2018 (Chile) - Wine Review

red wine review is an excellent five-grape blend led by Cabernet Franc that is sustainably crafted from Chile. It arrived at the LCBO earlier this month in the LCBO VINTAGES Cellar Collection (formerly Classics) and is available for purchase directly from VINTAGES Shop Online.

It is produced by Calcu Vineyards, a special and unique project that was established by the Hurtado family in 2003. The Hurtado family has over a century's worth of experience making quality wines in the Colchagua Valley and found a unique place in Marchigüe, within the Colchagua Valley in central Chile that is marked by hills of granite stone. This hill is the inspiration for the name Calcu Vineyards - "CAL: Hill" and "CUrá: Stone".

One of the fundamental pillars of the Hurtado family business is the passion for the pursuit of excellence. This is reflected in each of their wines and implemented by each member of the viticultural and winemaking team in the pursuit of excellence through precision viticulture and winemaking that accurately reflects the character of Calcu Vineyards in Marchigüe. Calcu Vineyards and the historic Viña Maquis share a winery in Palmilla, in the Colchagua Valley, for vinifying and ageing their wines. This winery was built in 2002, a year prior to the establishment of Calcu, under a sustainable concept by using gravity-flow technology to gently move the fruit and juice throughout the winery. The facility also uses geothermal energy for its wine production and is the only winery of its kind in Chile.

Sustainability is also a core value of the Hurtado family. They care for the environment, workers, and local community. One such example is the small vineyard blocks with short rows which were intentionally planted this way so that it minimizes soil erosion, while the sloping rows help reduce the risk of accidents for farm workers. The vineyards were also planted with extra care devoted to respecting natural rock formations, clay deposits, and native trees; 4,500 plants were also planted in ravines near the vineyards to increase biodiversity and protect endangered native species.

With this red wine blend, Calcu seeks to rediscover Colchagua Valley from the exceptional terroir in Marchigüe, a town and commune located in the province of Cardenal Caro, a few kilometres from the Pacific coast. The vineyard here has a unique architecture that was designed by hand to craft world-class wines that faithfully reflect the terroir, with deep care for the winegrowing and natural landscape. A blend that changes every year, this particular vintage is composed of 38% Cabernet Franc, 25% Carmenere, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec, and 4% Petit Verdot.

The grapes were grown in Calcu's own vineyards in Marchigüe on gentle hills where it is influenced by the sea breeze in the afternoon and at night, which helps moderate temperatures to produce particularly fresh grapes. The soils are primarily granitic with some important clay content, but poor in organic matter which helps to obtain low yields, delivering power, structure, and elegance to the wines. The grapes were manually harvested and selected in bunches, and then fermented in stainless steel tanks. It was aged for 18 months in French oak barrels.

The 2018 growing season in Chile was somewhat cool during spring and early summer, resulting in a harvest that was a little later than normal. This helped deliver grapes with great freshness, outstanding elegance, and natural balance with round and delicate tannins. With dry weather during the ripening phase, the grapes were very healthy with developed impressive concentration. From an exceptional vintage that is described as the year of finesse, let's see how this 2018 red wine from Chile is tasting tonight...

Calcu Winemaker's Selection Blend 2018 (92+ pts)

Tasting Note:

CALCU WINEMAKER'S SELECTION BLEND 2018 - Sustainable, Colchagua Valley, Chile (#28585) (XD) - $43.00
A blend of 38% Cabernet Franc, 25% Carmenere, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec, and 4% Petit Verdot, it is elegantly fresh and fragrant on the nose with lovely, complex aromas of crushed red and black berry, currant, cassis, floral and fine oak spices with touches of dried herbs and stony mineral. On the full-ish bodied, warming palate it has well-structured and velvety smooth tannins along with fresh, juicy acidity that supports the ripe red and black berry, cassis, currant, smoky oak, mineral, and dried herbal flavours on a well-structured frame. Impressive depth and complexity. Some tannic grippiness on the back palate. Savoury with mineral and smoky oak notes lingering on the finish, with excellent length. Enjoy over coming 10 years. Highly recommended buy! Score: 92+ pts

Other lovely wines by Calcu Vineyards can be ordered through their Agent - Don Ackerman's Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedSunday, May 7, 2023

Cigar Box Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (Chile) - Wine Review

Staying with Wines of Chile, red wine review is a well-made red wine crafted mainly with Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile that is widely available at LCBO outlets across Ontario.

It is produced by Cigar Box Wines, a brand that was founded in 2011 with the goal of producing straight-forward, flavour-packed wines from the regions of Maipo and Leyda in Chile and the Luján de Cuyo zone in Argentina. The inspiration of the name "Cigar Box" comes from South America's cigar-making traditions in which handmade craftsmanship and adherence to quality is of great importance. To follow these traditions, each Cigar Box wine is handcrafted using grapes only from well-established, carefully managed, low-yielding, and old vine vineyards. The grapes are grown and produced using SVP and Carbon Neutral status, as well as bunch selected and hand-harvested. Cigar Box wines are meant to be enjoyed while celebrating life's everyday moments to memorable revelries, and are complex wines that still remain approachable to the average consumer.

While this wine is typically made with only Cabernet Sauvignon, this particular vintage is composed of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Syrah, all grown in Maipo Valley, one of the finest wine producing regions in the world. Maipo Valley is located at the northern end of Chile's vast Central Valley and is often described as the Bordeaux of South America. After high colour extraction, the grapes were fermented with selected yeasts at high controlled temperatures, followed by a fermentation at lower temperature to ensure a different extraction of the skin components. It was aged in a combination of French oak and stainless steel vats, with 60% of the wine aged in French oak for 8 months. From a good-to-excellent vintage, let's see how this 2021 Cabernet-Syrah from Chile is tasting tonight...

Cigar Box Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (87+ pts)

Tasting Note:

CIGAR BOX OLD VINE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - DO Valle Maipo, Chile (#25011) (XD) - $14.95
This blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Syrah has a medium+ intensity nose that leads with ripe red and black cherry, followed some funky savoury wet earth aromas, plus hints of cigar box, black plum, olive, and dried herbs emerging with time in the glass. On the dry, medium+ bodied palate it has ripe red and black cherry, black plum, cigar box, and oak spice flavours. It has fresh acidity and smooth, refined, and lightly chalky textured tannins, while savoury, earthy oak spice notes longer on the finish, with good length. Score: 87+ pts


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  • Date publishedThursday, May 4, 2023

Cono Sur Cabernet Sauvignon Carmenère Syrah Organic 2020 (Chile) - Wine Review

red wine review is a delicious organic wine that is a blend of three varieties from Chile that is readily available at LCBO outlets across Ontario.

It is produced by Cono Sur Vineyards & Winery, one of the leading wine producers in Chile. Cono Sur Vineyards & Winery was founded in 1993 with the vision of producing premium, expressive, and innovative wines that convey the spirit of the New World. Quality, innovation, and sustainability are the three core values of Cono Sur. They are orientated towards growing quality grapes in order to produce quality wines, innovating with the creative use of technology, and respect for the environment and people. The company's name "Cono Sur" is translated to "Southern cone" and refers to company's geographic position - wines proudly made in South America's southern cone, on whose western edge lies Chile and its gifted wine valleys.

Cono Sur Vineyards & Winery is committed to meeting the needs of the present without compromising the future, while also taking care of the environment without neglecting the aspects of social development and economic growth. In 1998, they switched from conventional agriculture to an integrated vineyard management system that favours natural alternatives to fertilize the soil and to prevent and control pests and disease. Their commitments have led to 17 years of organic certification, 13 years of Carbon Neutral Delivery, and 12 years of Wine Biodiversity and Climate Change. In 2007, Cono Sur became the first winery in the world to receive the CarbonNeutral delivery status, and in 2011 they were awarded Green Company of the Year by British magazine Drinks Business. Today, Cono Sur has over 300 hectares under organic management and they have vineyards in 7 of Chile's wine valleys.

This organic red wine is made with 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Carmenère, and 28% Syrah, with grapes grown in vineyards across Chile in the valleys of Maipo, Maule, Colchagua, and Limarí. Thus, this red wine bears the country of the appellation of Chile. There grapes were grown in a Mediterranean climate on various soil types, but mostly consisted of alluvial and gravelly, pumacita, red clay, and mineral soils. After a combination of hand-picking and mechanically harvesting the grapes, the wine was vinified at their estate in Chimbarongo, about 160 km south of Santiago. It was aged for 12 months, with half aged in French oak barrels and the other half in stainless steel tanks. From an extremely early and hot growing season, and a challenging harvest, let's see how this 2020 Chilean organic red wine is tasting tonight...

Cono Sur Cabernet Sauvignon Carmenère Syrah Organic 2020 (88 pts)

Tasting Note:

CONO SUR CABERNET SAUVIGNON CARMENÈRE SYRAH ORGANIC 2020 - Chile (#553792) (XD) - $16.55
Enclosed by screw cap, this blend of 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Carmenère, and 28% Syrah has a medium to medium-high intensity nose that is rich and ripe with red and black cherry, currant, cassis, peppery spice, vanilla, and cedary oak spice aromas. It's medium+ bodied on the dry palate with delicious currant, cassis, dried herbs, herbaceous, peppery spice, and gentle cedary oak flavours supported by fresh acidity and supple, fine-grained tannins. Cedary oak spice and dried herbal notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Recommended buy! Score: 88 pts


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  • Date publishedWednesday, February 1, 2023

February 4, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Southern Hemisphere

LCBO Wine Picks: February 4, 2023 VINTAGES Release
Here are my top wine picks from the February 4 LCBO VINTAGES Release, where the theme of the release focuses on five wine regions in the Southern Hemisphere. It's a pretty good release with many fine options, although the number of sub-$20 wines continues to dwindle.

We begin in the Southern Hemisphere where five well-known wine producing countries are featured. In total there are a combined 21 wines listed between Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, and South Africa, and seven are included among my top wine picks. Argentina has three recommendations with a pair of lovely Malbec wines, as well as a Chardonnay. From Chile there is a Cabernet Sauvignon, and from South Africa there is a Merlot and a perennial favourite - Chenin Blanc. Lastly, there is a consistently well-made Chardonnay from Australia.

El Esteco 1946 Old Vines Malbec 2021 (90+ pts)Pérez Cruz Limited Edition Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (89 pts)

Wakefield Estate Label Chardonnay 2021 (89 pts)

Among my top red wine picks from the rest of the release, there are quite a few blends. We start at home in Ontario where the wine from Niagara is crafted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Staying with Bordeaux varieties but moving to its namesake region, the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru consists of mostly Cabernet Franc and Merlot, with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon completing the blend, while the Fronsac is a blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Malbec. Moving to Tuscany, the Riserva Chianti Classico is a blend of 95% Sangiovese, 3% Canaiolo, and 2% Colorino, while the Annata Chianti Classico is 100% Sangiovese. Also from Italy, the wine from Sardinia is made with Cannonau (a.k.a. Grenache or Garnacha), while the Etna Rosso is crafted with 85% Nerello Mascalese and 15% Nerello Cappuccio from grown on volcanic soils.

Dievole Novecento Riserva Chianti Classico 2018 (92 pts)Lornano Chianti Classico 2017 (90 pts)

Creekside Laura's Red 2018 (89 pts)

Château Bellevue Figeac 2018Château du Gazin 2018

The only blend among my white wine recommendations from the rest of the release is from Bordeaux it is composed of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Sémillon. Other white wines include a consistently well-made Verdicchio from Marche, and a lovely Chardonnay from Burgundy. For sweet wine lovers, look to the Riesling Kabinett from Mosel.

Selbach Tradition Feinherb Riesling Kabinett 2020 (90 pts)Casal di Serra Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore 2020 (89 pts)

There are also a couple of lovely pink wines worth your attention. The Crémant sparkling wine is a blend of 75% Pinot Noir, 15% Chardonnay, and 10% Gamay, while the dry pink table wine is composed of 47% Cinsault, 42% Grenache Noir, 6.5% Grenache Blanc, and 4.5% Clairette.

Henri Champliau Brut Rosé Crémant de Bourgogne (91 pts)

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

  • GLENELLY GLASS COLLECTION MERLOT 2018 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#26669) (XD) - $16.95
  • FINCA LALANDE ORGANIC MALBEC 2020 - Vegan, Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#28082) (XD) - $17.95
  • JERZU MARGHIA CANNONAU DI SARDEGNA 2020 - DOC, Sardinia, Italy (#508630) (XD) - $18.95
  • LORNANO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2017 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#211599) (XD) - $20.95  90 pts  wine review
  • PÉREZ CRUZ LIMITED EDITION CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Valle del Maipo, Chile (#431015) (XD) - $21.95  89 pts  wine review
  • NICOSIA LENZA DI MUNTI 2018 - Sustainable, DOC Etna Rosso, Sicily, Italy (#28129) (XD) - $23.95
  • CREEKSIDE LAURA'S RED 2018 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#117960) (XD) - $25.00  89 pts  wine review
  • EL ESTECO 1946 OLD VINES MALBEC 2021 - Valles Calchaquíes, Argentina (#19391) (XD) - $25.95  90+ pts  wine review
  • CHÂTEAU DU GAZIN 2018 - AP Canon Fronsac, Bordeaux, France (#26303) (XD) - $25.95
  • CHÂTEAU BELLEVUE FIGEAC 2018 - AC Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France (#496661) (XD) - $29.95
  • DIEVOLE NOVECENTO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2018 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#213926) (XD) - $45.95  92 pts  wine review

White Wine:

  • CHÂTEAU LES TOURELLES 2021 - AC, Bordeaux, France (#28717) (XD) - $15.95
  • WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL CHARDONNAY 2021 - Padthaway/Clare Valley, South Australia (#711556) (XD) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
  • KEN FORRESTER OLD VINE RESERVE CHENIN BLANC 2021 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#231282) (XD) - $18.95
  • VIÑA COBOS FELINO CHARDONNAY 2021 - Unfined and unfiltered, Mendoza, Argentina (#119099) (XD) - $19.95
  • CASAL DI SERRA VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2020 - DOCG, Marche, Italy (#268169) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
  • ANDRÉ GOICHOT MÂCON-VILLAGES 2019 - AC, Burgundy, France (#26439) (XD) - $22.95
  • SELBACH TRADITION FEINHERB RIESLING KABINETT 2020 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#21031) (M) - $24.95  90 pts  wine review

Rosé Wine:

  • BONNY DOON VINEYARD VIN GRIS DE CIGARE 2021 - Central Coast, California, USA (#19526) (XD) - $19.95

Sparkling Wine:

  • HENRI CHAMPLIAU BRUT ROSÉ CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE - Traditional method, AC, Burgundy, France (#20945) (XD) - $25.95  91 pts  wine review


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  • Date publishedMonday, January 9, 2023

Viña del Pedregal Kidia Reserve Carmenère 2018 (Chile) - Wine Review

red wine review is a lovely, single vineyard Carmenère from Chile that is new to the LCBO, arriving on shelves across Ontario on the weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Viña del Pedregal, a family with a long history in wine that dates back to the mid-19th century when Carlos Adolfo del Pedregal Neumann was one of the first to introduce French Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cot to the Chilean market. The passion for the wine trade and the land they developed and worked on was passed along from one generation to the next, eventually reaching Alberto del Pedregal Aldunate, the 6th generation of the family. In the middle of the 19th century, Alberto, who is now President, was the person responsible for materializing years of experience into what is known today as Viña del Pedregal.

Alberto left behind artisan production to develop wines for export, raising industry standards, and positioning the winery as one of the most renowned in Chile. José Manuel del Pedregal Labbé is the 7th generation of the family and the driving force behind the company's internationalization process, reaching over 40 countries. José Manuel del Pedregal Mujica and Matías Gutiérrez del Pedregal are the 8th generation of the family and they currently focus on innovation while promoting their premium wines and the development of the new look. Today, with time and commitment, Viña del Pedregal has grown to become one of the oldest and most recognized vineyards in Chile.

Viña del Pedregal's vineyards are located in the Loncomilla Valley, in the Maule Region in central Chile. The Maule Valley is a transverse valley with an east-west orientation, encompassing an area from the Andes Mountains in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west. Their vineyards start at the foothills, extending along the banks of the Loncomilla River until they reach the vicinity of the Chilean Coastal Range, a setup which provides soil and climate variability among the vineyards, which in turn contributes to the diversity and complexity of their wines.

This particular wine is from Viña del Pedregal's Kidia range of wines. Kidia is another name for the orchid, a flower with approximately 35,000 different species. The orchid represents both delicacy and strength - it is a flower that blossoms in innumerable forms and colours. For Viña del Pedregal, Kidia is a wine that symbolizes femininity and, therefore, this line of wines was designed and inspired by, and for, women. The Kidia range has 18 wines designated as either Gran Reserva, Reserva and Varietal, with each wine assigned a specific species of this delicate flower. Each wine seeks to transmit this flower's elegance, colour, and complexity.

Depicted on the label of this Carmenère is the Vanda Kultana species of orchid. Crafted with 100% Carmenère, the grapes were grown in the D.O. Valle Pencahue, in the Loncomilla Valley. It was grown on loamy clay soils and harvested at the beginning of May. It was cold-soaked for 5 days, fermented with selected yeasts and remained in contact with skins for 25 days. The wine was aged for 8 months in mostly used French oak - 20% new, 50% second-use, and 30% third-use, and bottled without any filtration.

From an excellent harvest in terms of both quantity and quality with no extreme events, let's see how this 2018 Carmenère from Chile is tasting tonight...

Viña del Pedregal Kidia Reserve Carmenère 2018 (90 pts)

Tasting Note:

VIÑA DEL PEDREGAL KIDIA RESERVE CARMENÈRE 2018 - Sustainable, Single Vineyard, DO Valle Pencahue, Valle de Loncomilla, Valle del Maule, Chile (#24766) (XD) - $18.95
Sustainably crafted and vegan-certified, this 100% Carmenère has clean, refined, well-balanced, and generous aromas of resinous herbs layered over dark berry, black cherry, plus savoury touches of wood spice and minerals. It's medium-full bodied on the smooth, refined palate with lovely herbal, dark berry, black cherry, peppery spice, and earthy mineral flavours with a hint of plum. Acids are fresh and well-balanced, while the tannins are smooth, supple, and well-structured. Impeccably well-balanced throughout with smoky mineral notes lingering on the long, very satisfying finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the next 5+ years. Score: 90 pts

Other lovely wines by Viña del Pedregal can be ordered through their Agent - Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedMonday, November 7, 2022

Miguel Torres Andica Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (Chile) - Wine Review

After enjoying the lovely 2021 Miguel Torres Ándica Reserva Sauvignon Blanc in September, red wine review is another lovely wine from the same producer in Chile. It is a new arrival to the LCBO that landed in LCBO VINTAGES over the weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release and is also featured in LCBO's Food & Drink Magazine.

Miguel Torres Chile was founded in 1979 in the Curicó Valley, Chile, in the search for a new project after a long history rooted in winemaking in Spain. The Torres family settled on the Curicó Valley for its excellent conditions to further develop the wine industry and were the first foreign wine producer to establish themselves in Chile. As an innovator, Miguel Torres Chile introduced many new technologies and winemaking techniques to Chile, including the first use of fermentation in stainless steel tanks and ageing in French oak barrels in 1979, while also helping grow the Chilean wine industry.

Like the Sauvignon Blanc, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is from their Ándica range of wines that are made under the vision of honouring the natural expression and biodiversity of Chile, a country that welcomed the Torres family 40 years ago. Like all wines in the Ándica range, it is made with the utmost respect for the Chilean ecosystems where they grow their grapes, with a sustainable approach to agriculture and awareness of climate change.

This certified 100% organic red wine is crafted with fruit from southern Chile's Itata Valley, a cool-climate winegrowing region that covers roughly 100 square kilometres. Itata Valley's vine-growing tradition dates back over 400 years with small estates producing wine for family consumption still dominating the landscape. The region has a humid Mediterranean climate, yet considered cool-climate with lower temperatures than in other valleys and well-differentiated seasons, good soil, and lots of light. With these excellent conditions, the vineyards that grow on the eastern side of the Coastal Range produce high-quality vinestocks.

This Cabernet Sauvignon underwent alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel with native yeasts, as well as malolactic fermentation in stainless steel. It was aged in mostly used oak with 70% of the wine passing through French oak of third or more uses for 8 months, and then finally bottled in October 2021. The growing season was affected by a prolonged water shortage, as well as high temperatures in unexpected months which contributed to reduced yields in certain vineyards earlier than expected harvest. However, acidity was unaffected by these conditions, which was a very positive for a hot year, and resulted in red wines with balanced acidity and very good quality. Let's see how this 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile's Itata Valley is tasting tonight...

Miguel Torres Andica Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (90+ pts)

Tasting Note:

MIGUEL TORRES ANDICA GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Vegan, Valle del Itata, Chile (#25933) (XD) - $17.00
Certified vegan-friendly and organic, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon has a complex, highly aromatic nose of forest floor, red and black fruit, dark cherry, blackberry, cassis, leafy green herbs and touches of smoke. It's medium-full bodied with ripe red and black cherry-berry, leafy green herbs, oak spice flavours with forest floor undertones. Slightly tangy on the mid-palate. Saliva-inducing acids are juicy and well-balanced, while the mouth-coating tannins are smooth, refined, and structured with some grip on the back palate. Juicy with savoury earth and spice notes lingering on the long, balanced finish. Highly recommended buy to be enjoyed over the next 5-6 years. Score: 90+ pts

Other lovely wines by Miguel Torres Chile are available at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Dandurand.


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