Showing posts with label red-wine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label red-wine. Show all posts

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  • Date publishedWednesday, March 27, 2024

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



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

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

Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (90 pts)Errázuriz Aconcagua Alto Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

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

Castello di Radda Chianti Classico 2020

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

Pieropan Calvarino Soave Classico 2021 (93 pts)Thirty Bench Steel Post Vineyard Small Lot Riesling 2020 (92+ pts)

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

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

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

White Wine:

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

Rosé Wine:

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

Sparkling Wine:

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

Fortified Wine:

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


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  • Date publishedSunday, March 17, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Clemente VII Gran Selezione Chianti Classico 2019 (91+ pts)

Tasting Note:

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

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




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  • Date publishedFriday, March 15, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bichot Saint-Romain Pinot Noir 2018 (91+ pts)

Tasting Note:

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

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


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  • Date publishedMonday, March 11, 2024

Kacaba Cabernet/Syrah 2020 (Niagara) - Wine Review

red wine review is a lovely Cabernet Franc and Syrah blend that was locally and sustainably grown and crafted in Niagara and arrived at the LCBO as part of the recent LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Like the 2019 Kacaba Cabernet Franc that I enjoyed last year, this red wine is also produced by Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, a premium, small-batch winery located on prime, winegrowing land on the Niagara Escarpment in Vineland, Ontario. The history of the winery begins in 1997 after the land was purchased by Michael Kacaba, a Bay St. lawyer in Toronto of Ukrainian descent and a Saskatchewan background. Although the land was slated for a subdivision, Mr. Kacaba had other visions and began the work to establish a vineyard and winery. Only two years later, in 1999, Kacaba had their first vintage and consistent success followed thereafter.

The choice of establishing the vineyard and winery on the Niagara Escarpment - the slope leading to the lake bed of the prehistoric lake that covered southern Ontario - has greatly contributed to Kacaba's success. This unique geographical area sets up a circulating air flow whereby cold air naturally moves down the Escarpment and over Lake Ontario, where it warms, rises, and returns to heat the Escarpment. This process helps extend the frost-free season through spring and fall, thereby extending the growing season, which allows grapes such as Syrah and Bordeaux varieties, such as Cabernet Franc, to develop phenolic maturity.

Today, while no longer owned by Michael Kacaba, the wines of Kacaba Vineyards & Winery are produced using only the finest grapes on the estate or from partner growers in surrounding vineyards. The philosophy at Kacaba is dependent on producing small quantities of wines by limiting the quantities they can handle such that they are able to manage all aspects of the winemaking process mainly by hand. By focusing on small-batch winemaking, Kacaba is able to produce wines of merit that are deep in colour, rich in aromas and character. Kacaba also strives to encourage sustainable agriculture on their land, as well as their partner growers.

This red wine is a blend of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Syrah, and due to the stellar growing season in the Niagara region, the Cabernet Franc was harvested in early November, while the Syrah was harvested in mid-October. Each varietal was picked separately at slightly different times and kept separate throughout the vinification process. The grapes were gently destemmed and fermented in stainless steel containers. After pressing, the wines were aged in a combination of French and American oak barrels for 17 months. In the spring of 2022, Winemaker Vadim Chelekhov tasted the various barrels of wine and selected the unique tasting casks that showed elegant tannins and overall balance. The chosen barrels were then blended, filtered, and bottled on May 17, 2022.

The 2020 growing season started off warmer than average and was mostly dry with only a few snow storms in January and February. The warm trend continued into March, but then slowed in April, which included a cold snap in the latter part of the month, and kept the vines dormant. The great growing season took off once spring arrived in May, followed by a dry and warm summer, which was followed by a cool, dry, and long fall season. With extensive crop thinning, leaf pulling, and constant vineyard monitoring, the Cabernet Franc grapes hung on to the vines into October and early November. From a vintage that has been deemed the vintage of the century in Niagara, let's see how this 2020 Cabernet Franc - Syrah blend from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Kacaba Cabernet/Syrah 2020 (90 pts)

Tasting Note:

KACABA CABERNET / SYRAH 2020 - Sustainable, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#26424) (XD) - $24.95
A blend of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Syrah, this has a rich, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose that offers pleasing, ripe red & black fruit, currant, raspberry, oak spice, chocolate, and savoury earth aromas, plus hints of plum, meaty, and mineral notes. It's medium-bodied on the dry palate with delicious, tangy red & black fruits, currant, raspberry, savoury earth flavours, plus subtle oak spice, black pepper, and meaty notes add further character. It has fresh, lemony acidity, while the smooth, supple, and refined tannins are well-managed. There's a touch of chalky grip on the back palate. Tangy with savoury earth and mineral notes linger on the long, fresh finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the next 5+ years. Score: 90 pts

Some of the fine wines by Kacaba Vineyards are available at the LCBO, while the full range is available direct from winery in Niagara.


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  • Date publishedTuesday, March 5, 2024

El Goru Gold Monastrell/Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (Spain) - Wine Review

red wine review is a lovely, vegan-friendly Monastrell-based blend from Jumilla in Spain that arrived at the LCBO over the weekend in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Ego Bodegas, a winery project that was started from scratch in 2011 by Santos Ortiz, of Spanish origin, and Ioana Paunescu from Romania. The project was born out of the partners' passion and effort. While they were short on financial resources, they had an extraordinary talent for creating wines and coordinating the financial, marketing, and sales departments.

Together, Santos and Ioana, who are united and committed, both personally and professionally, built the winery from top to bottom, from the roof down. They fell in love with a spectacular farm in an area known as the carpenter's place, just a few kilometres away from the historical city of Jumilla. Situated in an elevated area, they enjoyed the beauty of the landscape which was surrounded by vineyards planted to Monastrell that were older than their combined ages. Their objectives were sales and profitability, as when these targets are achieved, it would guarantee the future of the company. The idea was simple: to achieve a balance between the three concepts of quality, image, and price, and then get to work to achieve that balance. The process took two years, and by 2013 Ego Bodegas had a good design, good pricing, and good wine that has been improving ever since, allowing the company to gain a foothold in over 30 countries.

Today, Ego Bodegas is a winery with modern facilities that improve quality and efficiency, and strives to seek out the best technology available. Since the beginning, they have taken a contemporary twist on winemaking by combining traditional methods with modern techniques. They have also been fascinated by the land and the magical combination of its soil and native grape variety - Monastrell, while devoting themselves to finding the best vineyards and obtaining the best fruit possible. Monastrell is a native variety to Jumilla and has best adapted to the climatic and soil conditions of the region. As such, more than 80% of the vineyards in Jumilla are planted to Monastrell. The climate in the region is continental, influenced by the Mediterranean in the east and by the plateau of La Mancha in the west. Along with a sunny and arid climate, it receives more than 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, and is one of the driest areas of Spain, averaging 300 litres per square metre in annual precipitation over the last few years. The soil in Jumilla is dark and enriched with lime, while also being permeable with good moisture retention, which helps the vines during periods of drought.

This red wine is a blend of mainly Monastrell (70%), which is also known as Mourvèdre and Mataro in other regions. Completing the blend is 20% Syrah, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. All the grapes were harvested by hand with a strict selection in the vineyard. In the cellar, maceration is supervised in order to reach the ideal wine profile. The pigeage technique for pumping down, which leads to a slower extraction and favours the development of varietal aromas. It underwent a temperature-controlled fermentation up to a maximum of 28ºC in order to extract the full potential of the grapes. It was aged for 12 months in new French and American oak barrels.

The 2019 growing season was a warm, dry year in Spain, with below average rainfall, an early summer heatwave for some regions, and very low levels of disease in the vineyards. Conditions were wet and windy during flowering, which kept yields naturally at a modest level, while berries and bunch weights were significantly smaller than the prior year. Harvest was extended into November, allowing for a long ripening season. According to Wines from Spain, 2019 may end up being one of the best vintages of the decade. Let's see how this 2019 Jumilla red from Spain is tasting tonight...

El Goru Gold Monastrell/Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

EL GORU GOLD MONASTRELL / SYRAH / CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - Vegan, DOP Jumilla, Spain (#13621) (XD) - $19.95
This blend of 70% Monastrell, 20% Syrah, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon has a fragrant, open, medium-high to highly aromatic nose that delivers a perfumed nose of spices, dark berry, blackberry, woodsy earth, and black plum. On the dry, medium-full bodied palate it offers delicious ripe black-purple fruit, blackberry, violet, cedar, earthy oak, and black pepper spice flavours that are framed by smooth, ripe, and refined tannins and crisp, juicy acidity. The mouthfeel has a supple grip on the mid-palate, while earthy oak and smoke notes linger on the long, balanced finish. Very nicely done. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the next 4-5 years. Score: 89 pts

A few wines by Ego Bodegas can be found at the LCBO, while the entire portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedSunday, March 3, 2024

Brancaia N°2 Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

red wine review is an excellent, organic Cabernet Sauvignon from the Maremma Toscana DOC in Italy that arrived at the LCBO this weekend as part of the feature on Italian Women in Wine in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Brancaia, a prominent and modern estate winery that was revived in 1981 when the Swiss couple Brigitte and Bruno Widmer fell in love with each other and purchased an abandoned winery on the Brancaia hill in Castellina in Chianti. There were four hectares of vineyards on the site, and with their location on a hill they thought it should be possible to produce first-class wine here that reflects the character of the region. The Widmer family was able to move forward with the production of quality wine and the infrastructure and know-how of the Mazzei family.

In 1986, the family winery gained recognition at an important 1983 vintage Chianti Classico tasting and international acclaim followed soon thereafter. The success of the winery led to expansion in Radda in Chianti in 1989. In 1998, the Widmer's acquired 82 hectares of land facing the Mediterranean Sea (only 10 kilometres away) in the Maremma, within the territory of the municipality of Grosseto, to establish Brancaia in Maremma. Like their other estates, Brancaia planted vineyards in Maremma that were surrounded by forests and, thus, protected it from any spray from their neighbours.

While the Swiss couple laid the foundation stone, Brancaia has long been in the hands of the second generation of the Widmer family. Today, the family business is run by Barbara Widmer, daughter of Brigitte & Bruno. Living on the estate since the 1990s, Barbara took part in her first harvest in 1993, and began studying oenology in Switzerland in 1995. She is supported by the whole family, including the 3rd generation, who is now also involved in smaller tasks, but getting more and more involved every day. For example, her daughter, Nina, helps out with social media activities, while her son, Nicolas, likes to help out in the Osteria’s kitchen.

Brancaia is a top-producer of high-quality, organic wines. Since 1982, only a year after their founding, Brancaia has been cultivating organic viticulture because their vineyards on Brancaia hill were always completely surrounded by forest, and they never had to be concerned that spray from their neighbours would reach Brancaia. All the wines are vinified at Brancaia in cellars and a logistics centre that meets the highest standards. The Widmer family values traditions and feels a strong connection to Tuscany, while also not being afraid to break new ground. Since day one, Brancaia has been producing top-quality wines typical of the region and without compromise. While they are proud of what they have achieved so far, the Widmer family has a drive to keep developing.

First produced in 2015, the "N°2" is the little brother to their flagship Ilatraia wine from Maremma. It is crafted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that was grown exclusively in their vineyards in Maremma and is classified as a Maremma Toscana DOC wine, a relatively new appellation that was elevated to DOC status in 2011. The vineyards where this Cabernet Sauvignon was grown are planted on sandy loamy soil, with two-thirds sand and one-third silt and clay, and situated between 75 and 175 metres above sea level with a southwest exposure to the sun. The climate in this area is mediterranean with very hot summers and very mild winters. There are also massive differences between day and nighttime temperatures, as well as a nearly constant coastal breeze from the sea in the west that assures continuous ventilation of the vineyards. To craft this wine, the grapes were hand-picked and spontaneously fermented using cultivated yeast at 28°C, with up to 18 days of must contact. It was matured for 12 months in used tonneaux, followed by further ageing for a few months in bottle.

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

Brancaia N°2 Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (92 pts)

Tasting Note:

BRANCAIA N°2 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - DOC Maremma Toscana, Italy (#28451) (XD) - $33.95
This organic 100% Cabernet Sauvignon has a fragrant, medium-high intensity nose that is ripe with black cherry, red currant, cassis, and Doris plum aromas accented with savoury whiffs of earth and reductive notes. On the medium-full bodied, well-structured palate it has ripe and spicy flavours of black cherry, red currant, plum, forest herbs, mineral, and wet earth with touches of iron. It is juicy with crisp acidity and ripe, well-structured tannins that have some youthful grip. Savoury minerals linger on the long, grippy, well-structured finish. Enjoyable now, but will reward with a few years in the cellar. Drink over the next 8-10 years. Highly recommended buy! Score: 92 pts

Minimal quantities of other fine wines by Brancaia can be found at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedMonday, February 26, 2024

Castelgreve Riserva Chianti Classico 2019 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

red wine review is a lovely Riserva Chianti Classico from Tuscany that arrived at the LCBO as part of the recent LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Castelli del Grevepesa, a modern co-operative winery that was established in the Chianti Classico wine region of Tuscany in 1965 by visionary Sir Armando Nunzi and an initial group of 17 winegrowers. Situated in Greve in Chianti, the co-operative model allowed small growers to pool their resources to collectively make wines. Castelli del Grevepesa was one of Italy's first co-operative wineries.

Today, Castelli del Grevepesa is Chianti Classico's largest family with over 120 associate growers. Together, they promote the land, while also safeguarding and maintaining the age-old tradition of Tuscan winegrowing. As many of these growers are small, family-owned farms that have been handed down along ancestral lines for generations, the long-established knowledge and traditions are still transferred from one generation to the next. As a co-operative, they also share knowledge and use modern and innovative production methods and techniques to craft their wines. With passion and love for their land, Castelli del Grevepesa's mission is to produce wines of high quality at affordable prices.

This red wine is from Castelli del Grevepesa's historical line of wines named Castelgreve, a collection of wines that have been produced since the 1970s and whose name is derived from the company's full name. The Castelgreve collection of wines reflects the winery's dedication to crafting high-quality wines which represent the essence of the Chianti Classico region. Like the 2018 Castelgreve Riserva Chianti Classico that I enjoyed about a year and a half ago, this red wine is crafted mainly with Sangiovese (min. 80% as per the regulations), plus other permitted varieties. After hand-harvesting the grapes with individual grape selection, it was fermented at a controlled temperature. It was matured for a minimum of 24 months in oak barrels, followed by further refinement for 3 months in bottle.

While 2018 was a challenging vintage, 2019 was a comparatively easy ride as it was much drier with no humidity, as well as without the drought and heat spikes of 2017. Quantity and quality is high across the region, with an excellent vintage that will enhance the characteristic features of the Sangiovese grape and the many facets of such a widely varied area in rich soil diversity and microclimates. Let's see how this 2019 Riserva Chianti Classico from Tuscany is tasting tonight...

Castelgreve Riserva Chianti Classico 2019 (90 pts)

Tasting Note:

CASTELGREVE RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019 - Sustainable, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#344416) (XD) - $23.95
Crafted mainly with Sangiovese, the medium+ to medium-high intensity nose offers enticing red and black cherry, spices, cedar wood, wet earth, and baking spice aromas. It's medium+ bodied and dry with elegant red and black cherry, and savoury wet earth flavours accented with oak spice, cedar, and forest floor notes. It has fresh, juicy acidity and while the grainy textured tannins have some tannic grip. There's a touch of graphite minerality on the mid-palate which lingers through to the savoury, smoky, long, and juicy finish. Best enjoyed over the next 4-5 years and a highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Other lovely wines by Castelli del Grevepesa are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.


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  • Date publishedSaturday, February 24, 2024

Bertani Catullo Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore 2019 (Veneto) - Wine Review

red wine review is an excellent Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore from Veneto that arrived at the LCBO as the Wine of the Month in last weekend's LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Like the excellent 2020 Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Valpantena that I loved last month, this red wine is produced by Cantine Bertani. Situated in the heart of Veneto, Cantine Bertani has a long and storied history that began in the mid-19th century. It was established in Valpantena in 1857 by Gaetano and his brother Giovan Battista Bertani, after Gaetano returned from Burgundy, where he learned from his friend and well-known winemaker Jules Guyot about the most modern techniques in viticulture and winemaking.

Today, one of Cantine Bertani's most essential values is to remain coherent with their authentic identity. With more than 150 years of winemaking history, Bertani is recognizable for its identity and wines with a clear and unmistakable stylistic profile. The path for Bertani has always focused on wines of a territory, even when method is guiding them. While the path of territory can be difficult at times, it does build relationships and has led to countless numbers of happy customers. The values of Respect, Coherence, and Patience are the foundation of the company and remain solid and strong today. To continue to perpetuate their style, Bertani uses innovation as respect for tradition - meaning that they respect what has been done and, at the same time, re-evaluate it every day in order to assure quality worthy of their potential and reputation.

The grapes for this red wine come from Tenuta Novare, within the Valpolicella Classica zone. Valpolicella is embraced by the warm air from Lake Garda to the west and the cool breezes from Monti Lessini from the north and east. The geological structure of Valpolicella's soil has been influenced by both the Adige River to the south and Alpine glaciers to the north. Moreover, the valley landscapes fan out from Monti Lessini and slope down into the Veronese plains. As such, the soils have great diversity - basalt soils, marine gravel, limestone and clay mixtures, red and white limestone - which benefits a great variety of wines.

From Bertani's Tradition range of wines - which only consists of an Amarone della Valpolicella Classico and this wine - this Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore is crafted using 70% Corvina Veronese, 20% Corvinone, and 10% Rondinella, with all the fruit grown at their Tenuta Novare Estate in Arbizzano di Negrar. The vineyards are planted on marl-limestone soil with clay deposits and trained using the Double Guyot system, with the vines averaging 20 years old. It is crafted using the ripasso method of double fermentation. In the ripasso method, the first fermentation turns the must into basic Valpolicella, while the second fermentation was triggered in March by adding slightly sweet skins left over from Amarone Classico production. It was aged for 12 months in 75 hectolitre French oak barrels, followed by a year in 100 hectolitre concrete vats. The wine was matured further by spending at least 6 months in bottle prior to release.

The 2019 growing season began with a cool and rainy spring, along with the coolest temperatures that April and May have seen in the last 30 years. It was followed by a hot and dry March. Summer was very hot, with heat waves reaching 38°C at the end of June and into July. While drought conditions marked June, hailstorms took place in July and August, with temperatures returning to normal in early August and throughout September. From a very good to excellent vintage, let's see how this 2019 Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore is tasting tonight...

Bertani Catullo Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore 2019 (91 pts)

Tasting Note:

BERTANI CATULLO VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2019 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#17777) (XD) - $26.95
Blend of 70% Corvina Veronese, 20% Corvinone, and 10% Rondinella. The elegant and refined nose of medium-high intensity has attractive red berry, cherry, strawberry aromas followed by sweet and savoury spice, and sandalwood notes. On the medium+ bodied palate it is well-structured and dry with red and dark red cherry, strawberry, earthy spices, and white pepper flavours. Although quite pale in colour for this style of wine, it has very good structure with some grip to the gently chalky tannins. Very good acidity. Lovely cherry, strawberry, and earthy notes are joined by mineral touches on the long, crisp finish. Still feels quite young. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the next 5-6 years. Score: 91 pts

Fine wines by Bertani can be found at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.


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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 publishedSaturday, February 10, 2024

Catena Lunlunta Old Vines Appellation Malbec 2021 (Argentina) - Wine Review

After enjoying the excellent 2018 Catena Lunlunta Old Vines Appellation Malbec three years ago, red wine review is the latest vintage of this terrific wine that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the theme on wines from Argentina in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Catena Zapata, one of Argentina's and the world's most renowned and prestigious wine growers and producers. The winery was founded in 1902 by Italian immigrant Nicola Catena in Mendoza, Argentina, and was later revitalized to international acclaim in the 1980s by Nicola's grandson - Nicolás Catena Zapata.

Today, the family-run winery is now in the hands of the fourth generation - Dr. Laura Catena, daughter of Nicolás. The Catena family is one of the most iconic and influential wine families and have been instrumental in developing Mendoza into a world-class wine region over the past 100+ years. As one of Argentina's pioneering wineries, Catena Zapata is known for its commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability, and was one of the first Argentine wineries to introduce modern viticultural and winemaking techniques to the country. The Catena family also played a significant role in elevating Malbec to its current status as Argentina's flagship grape variety. Catena Zapata produces several Malbec wines that showcase the grape's potential, while also focusing on expressing the terroir of Mendoza.

Catena Zapata has several ranges of wines in their portfolio. This particular red wine is from their Appellation Village series of wines, which borrows the idea from Burgundy whereby grapes grown in the territory of certain villages give their name to the appellation. In Argentina, the rural towns of Lunlunta, Vista Flores, San Carlos, Tupungato, Agrelo, and La Consulta lend their names to the beautiful historic vineyards that surround them. Also, like in France where village vineyards are small and often owned by siblings and cousins within the same family due to the Napoleonic code (which establishes that at a person's death, his or her land is divided equally among his or her heirs), in Argentina, over half of the vineyards in Mendoza are less than 4 hectares and owned by multiple family members. The wines of the Catena Appellation Village range express the diversity of terroir and the historic farming customs of these local families.

Like previous vintages, this red wine is crafted with 100% Malbec that was grown in the small Lunlunta district that straddles the administrative departments of both Maipú and Lujan de Cuyo, along the Mendoza River, within the Mendoza wine region. Lunlunta is an idyllic district of small orchards and tree-lined country roads, and is well-known for its ancient Malbec vines. This Malbec is from a vineyard situated at 2,785 feet above sea level that was planted in 1930. The soil composition in this vineyard is sandy and loamy, with 50% sand, 30% silt, 20% clay, and 5% surface stones, and has northwestern exposure to the sun. It was fermented in stainless steel tanks and underwent malolactic fermentation. It was aged in a combination of both stainless steel tanks and 1-year-old 225 L French oak for 12 months, then aged a further 10 months in bottle prior to release.

The 2021 growing season in Argentina was interesting with wetter and colder than normal conditions, along with damp conditions that persisted into summer. Furthermore, spring experienced significant frosts, which cut yields dramatically. The cool humidity meant that growers had to be vigilant against rot and disease, while the general lack of sunlight resulted in grapes taking longer to reach phenolic ripeness. The long growing season ensured that the resulting fruit was in good condition, with the wines showing fine aromatics, acidity, and elegance. Let's see how this 2021 Malbec from Argentina is tasting tonight...

Catena Lunlunta Old Vines Appellation Malbec 2021 (91 pts)

Tasting Note:

CATENA LUNLUNTA OLD VINES APPELLATION MALBEC 2021 - Sustainable, Mendoza, Argentina (#11769) - (XD) - $24.95
From vines planted in 1930, this lovely Malbec has a medium-high intensity nose that is elegant and ripe with a lovely mix of plummy, blackberry, earthy-stony mineral, spice, and some herbal aromas. On the spicy, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate it has very fruit-acid-tannin tension that provides a well-structured mouthfeel. Dry with lovely mineral-driven, dark fruited, blackberry, spice, black cherry, plum, and herbal flavours. Structured with tangy and juicy acidity, and medium-firm structured tannins that offer a pleasant, gently chalky grip. Minerally with blackberry, black cherry, and spice notes linger on the long, smoky finish. Enjoyable now, but will reward with a few years in the cellar and drink well to the end of the decade. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

Many fine wines by Catena are available at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedSaturday, January 27, 2024

Zuccardi Q Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (Argentina) - Wine Review

red wine review is a lovely, sustainably-crafted Cabernet Sauvignon from the Uco Valley in Argentina that arrived at the LCBO last year in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. While a few bottles of this vintage still seem to be available at the LCBO, the latest 2021 vintage will be arriving at LCBO outlets as part of the upcoming LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Zuccardi Wines, an internationally acclaimed winery that was established by Alberto Zuccardi in 1963 in Maipú, Mendoza. He planted his first vineyard in the desert of Mendoza 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, José Alberto had an innovative and visionary spirit which made him one of Argentina's most enthusiastic wine ambassadors.

Today, the Zuccardi family is considered a key figure in the history and future of viticulture in Argentina. The winery is in the hands of the third generation of the family, viticulturist Sebastián Zuccardi. He joined the family winery in 2007 and led the development of the high mountain region of the Uco Valley, including planting the family's first vineyard in the Uco Valley. In 2009, Sebastián established a Research & Development department to study the soils and terroir of the Uco Valley to gain a deeper understanding and how it's expressed in the wines. This research has led to Zuccardi producing wines that are a true reflection of the place. In 2013, Zuccardi began the construction of a new winery in the Paraje Altamira area of the Uco Valley, with the inauguration taking place in 2016. Named Zuccardi Valle de Uco, the modern building is a tribute to the mountains of Mendoza.

This red wine is part of the Zuccardi Q range of wines that was launched in 1999 and were the first wines to bear the family name. It is named "Q" because the fruit for these wines comes from their best vineyards and plots that were marked with the letter "Q" for Quality. These specially designated vineyards and plots are given extra care and attention during the growing and vinification process in order to produce wines of exceptional quality. All wines in the Zuccardi Q range are regional wines with fruit from across Mendoza, with each plot harvested and vinified separately in order to achieve the best expression of each varietal.

Crafted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the grapes for this red wine were grown in two regions of the Uco Valley - La Consulta within the San Carlos district, and the high-altitude Gualtallary wine region in Tupungato. The vineyard in La Consulta is situated at 990 metres above sea level, while the Gualtallary vineyard is situated at 1,400 metres above sea level. The soil profile is alluvial and gravel covered with calcium carbonate at shallow depth, and calcareous sands. To vinify this wine, the bunches of grapes were selected and then filled into tanks by gravity. It was fermented using indigenous yeasts with gentle extraction using delestage and pigeage techniques. It underwent maceration on the pomace for 25 days, malolactic fermentation, and finally aged in oak barrels.

The growing season in 2019 produced grapes of exceptional quality. This was in part due to the climatic conditions that allowed Zuccardi to harvest each region, variety, and type of soil at the time they expected. Spring was generally wet, while temperatures throughout the season were cool-to-moderate, and always below average. Yields were marginally smaller, while a cool autumn allowed for a longer ripening period. The wines of 2019 are characterized by modest alcohol and fresh acidity.

The only other time I recall tasting this wine was back in 2016, when I opened up the 2006 Zuccardi Q Cabernet Sauvignon that was probably past its prime drinking window. Let's see how this 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is tasting tonight...

Zuccardi Q Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

ZUCCARDI Q CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - Sustainable, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#28078) (XD) - $19.95
100% Cabernet Sauvignon from La Consulta and Gualtallary. The medium+ to medium-high intensity nose reveals reductive aromas of plummy dark berry, black currant, blackberry, mineral, and touches of cassis. It's medium to medium-full bodied on the dry, ripe, and gently spicy palate with delicious plummy dark berry, cassis, black currant, and blackberry flavours joined by savoury mineral and spice notes. Fresh acidity is juicy and succulent, while the tannins are smooth and refined with a supple grip. It's nicely balanced with dark berry, mineral, and spice notes lingering on the finish, with very good length. Enjoy this recommended buy over the next 4-5 years. Score: 89 pts

Other fine wines by Zuccardi are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - The Bacchus Group.


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  • Date publishedWednesday, January 24, 2024

Orestiadi Ludovico 2008 (Sicily) - Wine Review

red wine review is a lovely blend of Nero d'Avola and Cabernet Sauvignon that I purchased nearly a decade ago from the LCBO VINTAGES Release. Of course, it is long sold out by now, but you can grab the latest vintage of this wine (link in product code below) as it arrived in LCBO VINTAGES late last year, with some bottles still available for purchase now.

Orestiadi Ludovico 2008 (91+ pts)

Tasting Note:

ORESTIADI LUDOVICO 2008 - IGT Rosso Sicilia, Italy (#388645) (XD) - $19.95
This blend of Nero d'Avola and Cabernet Sauvignon pours a deep garnet colour. Lovely, medium-high intensity bouquet of dried floral, dried & stewed dark berry, savoury wet earth, and sweet spice aromas. It's medium-full bodied and dry with smooth, fine-grained tannins that are resolving nicely and with very good acidity. Flavours are savoury with wet earth, forest floor, and woody flavours, plus touches of desiccated dark berry, violet, and dark plum. Still quite composed and balanced, with just a touch of warmth and some chalky grip on the mid-palate. Earthy and savoury, with some stewed dark berry notes on the satisfyingly long finish. Aging nicely and should continue to drink well over the next few years. Score: 91+ pts


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  • Date publishedTuesday, January 16, 2024

Wakefield Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (Australia) - Wine Review

red wine review is the latest vintage of a delicious and consistently well-made Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia that arrived at the LCBO just over a week ago as part of the recent LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on .

It is produced by the renowned and well-respected Wakefield Wines, a winery that is also known in its home market of Australia as Taylors Wines. The estate winery was established by Bill Taylor Sr. and his sons in 1969 in the Clare Valley, South Australia. At the time, Bill Sr. was already an experienced wine merchant with a deep passion for the wine industry. However, he wanted to create his own exceptional wines bearing the family name and sought out a parcel of land to make this dream come true. Bill Sr. established the estate after acquiring a parcel of land by the Wakefield River in Clare Valley.

Today, Wakefield Wines is run by the third generation of the Taylor family - brothers Mitchell, Justin, and Clinton. Together, they carry on their grandfather's tradition of staying true to their core values of quality, authenticity, and craftsmanship. As stewards of the land, the Taylor family is also committed to sustainability. With a passion for winemaking using innovative techniques, attention to detail, and dedication to quality, the Taylor family continues to craft exceptional wines and are one of the most respected wine producers around the globe.

With several ranges in the Wakefield portfolio, this particular red wine is from their Estate Label range, which celebrates the family's wine business that was established in 1969 after they decided to create a proper "old world" style estate in the Clare Valley. The term "Estate", in the language of wine, means that the vineyards and the winery are in the same location. The Taylor family was inspired by the great producers of Bordeaux, in particular Chateaux Mouton Rothschild, and gave the family ultimate control over the vineyards, winery, and bottling. These days, all the wines are crafted and bottled at the estate, but not all the fruit for Estate Label wines are grown at the property. This Cabernet Sauvignon (and a Shiraz) were the first wines the family released and are the heart and soul of the business.

Like recent vintages, including the 2020 Wakefield Estate Cabernet Sauvignon that I enjoyed last year, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is crafted using fruit from both the Limestone Coast and Clare Valley, with the percentage of fruit from each region almost equal this time around with 52% coming from Limestone Coast and 48% from Clare Valley. The grapes from the two regions were kept separate during vinification, and matured for up to 10 months in used French oak barrels, with half in 2-year-old oak and the other half in 3-year-old oak. After maturation, it was then finally blended and bottled.

The 2021 vintage growing conditions across most of Australia were idyllic, with slightly warmer than average temperatures. The season was markedly calm, with a near perfect ratio between warm, sunny days and intermittent rain. In the Limestone Coast sub-regions of Coonawarra, Wrattonbully, and Padthaway, the warm conditions during flowering locked in big yields, followed by much colder than normal conditions. A long, cool, and dry ripening season made for a late harvest, reminiscent of the late 1980s and 1990s. In the Clare Valley, the high-quality grapes produced wines of excellent quality and high acidity. Let's see how this 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon from South Australia is tasting tonight...

Wakefield Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

WAKEFIELD ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Limestone Coast / Clare Valley, South Australia (#744235) (XD) - $19.95
Screw cap. The fragrant, medium-high intensity nose offers a perfumed bouquet of black & red fruit, currant, cassis, grilled herbs, tomato leaf, mint, and gentle oak spice aromas. It's full-bodied and quite salty on the well-structured palate with currant, cassis, cranberry, tomato leaf, mint, herbal, cocoa, and mild oak spice flavours. Tangy acids are juicy and succulent, while the smooth, refined tannins have a lightly chalky textured grip. Earthy and cocoa notes, with smoky overtones linger on the long, savoury finish. Another solid, recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

A broad selection of fine wines by Wakefield Wines are available both at the LCBO and through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.


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  • Date publishedSunday, January 14, 2024

Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Valpantena 2020 (Veneto) - Wine Review

red wine review is an excellent Amarone della Valpolicella that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Cantine Bertani, an Italian winery situated in the heart of Veneto with a long and storied history that began in the mid-19th century. It was established in Valpantena in 1857 by the Bertani brothers - Gaetano and Giovan Battista - after Gaetano returned from Burgundy where he learned from his friend and well-known winemaker Jules Guyot about the most modern techniques in viticulture and winemaking.

In 1860, inspired by the modern French winemaking techniques, Bertani introduced a revolutionary dry style of wine at a time when the sweet Recioto was the everyday wine in Valpolicella, and a decade later Bertani was awarded internationally for its premium quality wines and innovative winemaking techniques. In 1889, the Veronese Academy of Agriculture awarded a gold medal to Bertani for its exceptional wines, while in the same year a Symposium was held by a group of specialists to discuss the Secco-Bertani winemaking process to create dry table wines. The early years of the 20th century had Bertani linked to royalty, while 1958 marked a turning point as Bertani produced their first Amarone della Valpolicella Classico using the natural appassimento method.

The core values at Bertani are based on respect, coherence, and patience. These values are the foundation of their 150-year history - respect for their own territory, stylistic coherence that has never flirted with easy production options, and the patience required to produce an iconic wine like Amarone della Valpolicella Classico. At Bertani, perpetuating a style has never sufficed. As such, they are always using innovation as respect for tradition - meaning that they respect what has been done and, at the same time, re-evaluating it every day in order to assure quality worthy of their potential and reputation. Further developments over the years, including a focus on territory, led to the introduction of single vineyard Amarone della Valpolicella wines.

A territory only has value if one is able to fully express its full potential. The Veronese zone is a varied territory with a long oenological tradition that is known as one of the most prestigious wine regions in Italy. Historically, Bertani has always believed in the individual territories of the Veronese zone, from Valpolicella Classico to Valpantena, from Soave to Lugana, and used an approach that is respectful to both the vineyard and the cellar to develop a style that has been rethought over the years, thus staying up-to-date and modern, without ever compromising.

This Amarone is from Bertani's Territory range of wines. It is crafted with 80% Corvina Veronese and 20% Rondinella, with the fruit grown in the Valpantena territory, which is located in the northeast of Verona. Valpantena is a pre-alpine valley at the heart of the Monti Lessini mountain range and has been known since ancient times for its fertile soil, as well as being rich in iron and calcareous marl. The name Valpantena means "Valley of the Gods", and is derived from the pantheon built at the entrance of the valley. The wine comes from vineyards that feature marl-limestone soil on the eastern slope of the valley and clay-limestone soil on the western slope. The vines average 15 to 20 years old and were trained using the Guyot and Pergola systems. To craft this wine, the grapes were dried in drying rooms at the winery located in Grezzana. It was fermented with a long maceration time on the skins to extract fruit notes, followed by ageing in a combination of 30, 54, and 75 hectolitre barrels for 24 months, and underwent further maturation in bottle for 6 months.

The 2020 growing season was a warm vintage that produced bright fruit and acidity, along with excellent concentration and elegant tannins. Let's see how this 2020 Amarone della Valpolicella is tasting tonight...

Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Valpantena 2020 (93 pts)

Tasting Note:

BERTANI AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA VALPANTENA 2020 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#568741) (D) - $57.95
Blend of 80% Corvina Veronese and 20% Rondinella. The nose takes some coaxing to reveal itself at this stage with intriguing red & black cherry, blackberry, and spice aromas followed by hints of cocoa, cinnamon, tobacco leaf, and floral. It is medium-full to full-bodied on the dry, rich, and warming palate with lovely and complex black cherry, savoury spice, cinnamon, blackberry, floral, plum, oak spice, tobacco leaf flavours. Acids are crisp, juicy and succulent, while the smooth, refined, and well-structured tannins have a touch of grip. Cherry notes taper to minerals on the long, crisp finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy now or over the next 15+ years. Score: 93 pts

Only small quantities of other fine wines by Bertani are available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedThursday, January 11, 2024

Four Vines Old Vine Zinfandel 2019 (Lodi) - Wine Review

red wine review is a delicious Old Vines Zinfandel from Lodi that arrived at the LCBO last summer as part of the "American Idyll" theme in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, with a few bottles at select LCBO outlets still available for purchase today.

It is produced by Four Vines, a highly-regarded California Zinfandel and Chardonnay wine producer that was originally established in 1994 by Christian Tietje. Four Vines grew out of, as Christian called it, a garage and surf shack, to eventually produce 120,000 cases as its wines became popular. In 2010, Four Vines was acquired by a company now known as Purple Brands.

Four Vines was founded on California's Central Coast, a vast and rugged landscape that stretches from Santa Barbara and north to Monterey Bay. It is a wild country with a gorgeous coastline and few towns, and is thus wide open with fertile farming soil and abundant ranch land. This area also attracted more than just farmers and cowboys, it attracted artists, rebels, seekers, and bon vivants from the Bay Area and Los Angeles, and the confluence of their unique personalities put a stamp on the burgeoning wine region. Today, rule-breaking and non-conformity are celebrated values, with Four Vines honouring the anti-establishment views of the Central Coast's eccentric personalities. Four Vines makes interesting wine for interesting people.

This red wine is crafted with fruit from their own vineyards in California's Lodi wine region, which is part of the larger Central Valley and situated directly east of San Francisco Bay between the cities of Sacramento and Stockton. It is made using 90% Zinfandel, 9% Petite Sirah, and 1% Rubired, from vineyards that are 30 to 50 years old. These old, head-trained vines yield only a few grape clusters, and produce small, intensely flavoured berries. The grapes were harvested during the cool night and early morning hours to retain freshness, then delivered immediately to the winery and gently crushed and destemmed. It was fermented in tanks for 10 to 14 days on its skins, then gently racked into a combination of French, Hungarian, and American oak, 25% new, for 10 months of ageing.

The 2019 growing season for Zinfandel in California was excellent as it was a warm year that produced supple, juicy, fruit-filled wines for short-term drinking. Let's see how this 2019 Zinfandel from California is tasting tonight...

Four Vines Old Vine Zinfandel 2019 (88+ pts)

Tasting Note:

FOUR VINES OLD VINE ZINFANDEL 2019 - Lodi, California, USA (#17157) (D) - $19.95
This blend of 90% Zinfandel, 9% Petite Sirah, and 1% Rubired has a fragrant, lifted nose of medium-high intensity that offers wild berry, brambly, black cherry, and blackberry aromas with a touch of jamminess and joined by hints of leafy green herbs, pepper, and sweet oak spices. It's medium-full bodied on the palate, with some ripe fruited sweetness that is tempered by very good acidity. It has delicious wild berry, brambly, black cherry, blackberry aroma replays joined by savoury, smoky oak, and mineral flavours. It has smooth, fine-grained tannins that are well-integrated, while black cherry vanilla, smoky oak, and mineral notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Surprisingly good and a recommended buy! Score: 88+ pts

Other delicious wines by Four Vines can be ordered through their Agent - Churchill Cellars.


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