VINTAGES Wine Picks & LCBO Wine Reviews

Cave du Château de Chénas Coeur de Granit Moulin-à-Vent 2023 (Beaujolais) - Wine Review

2026-11-06T17:52:20.018-05:00

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Gamay from the Moulin-à-Vent Cru in Beaujolais that was featured as the Wine of the Month in the recent October 24 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. It was also included in the feature story on wines to stock up on for the holidays!

It is produced by Cave du Château de Chénas, a cooperative winery based in the commune of Chénas, in northern Beaujolais near the border of southern Burgundy. The historic wine cooperative has its roots in a large vaulted cellar, dating back to 1730, which is among the largest in Beaujolais and naturally maintains a constant temperature of 13°C year-round. In 1821, the property and its cellar were acquired by Adrien Delahante, who subsequently built the present Château de Chénas in the style of a large Italian villa.

In 1934, a group of winegrowers led by founding President Louis Sylvestre purchased the château, cellar, and part of the surrounding vineyards, establishing the Cave du Château de Chénas cooperative. The cooperative also owns approximately 4.9 hectares of vineyards in Moulin-à-Vent and 0.25 hectares in Chénas. Initially, there were 40 winegrowers representing 44 hectares of vineyards. Today, more than 80 winegrowing families cultivate approximately 200 hectares, most of which are located on hillsides. Additionally, 180 members bring their grapes to the cooperative for vinification and marketing. In total, the cooperative produces more than 10,000 hectolitres of AOC wines, with the majority coming from the Chénas and Moulin-à-Vent Crus, while also producing smaller quantities from the other eight Beaujolais Crus.

This red wine is from the cooperative's Cœur de Granit (Heart of Granite) range, which features a selection of grapes from its oldest vines, producing smaller berries. Furthermore, wines in the Cœur de Granit range undergo longer vinification and ageing. To craft this Gamay, the grapes were grown in the Moulin-à-Vent Cru, where the homogeneous soils include pink granite, limestone, marl, and sandstone. It was traditionally vinified using semi-carbonic maceration and aged in stainless steel tanks to preserve the freshness and vibrant fruit character.

In 2023, the growing season in Beaujolais began with alternating cold, warm, and wet conditions over the first three months of the year, leading to budbreak on schedule without any bouts of frost. April and May alternated between cold and wet or hot and dry conditions, with successful flowering taking place in early June. Hot and sunny weather in June and July resulted in early véraison and expectations of an August harvest. However, August turned cool and wet before warm, sunny weather returned towards the end of the month, ultimately leading to an early harvest in September. Yields were up 20% over the previous year, and the vintage produced wines emphasizing purity of fruit, aromatics, and balance. Following a second consecutive outstanding vintage, let's see how this 2023 Gamay from the Beaujolais Cru of Moulin-à-Vent is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CAVE DU CHÂTEAU DE CHÉNAS COEUR DE GRANIT MOULIN-À-VENT 2023 - AOC, Beaujolais, France (#648477) (XD) - $23.95
100% Gamay Noir. The fresh, medium-high intensity nose has savoury herb aromas followed by hints of earthy red berry, strawberry, cran-cherry, currant, red plum, peppery spice, and cocoa notes. The light-to-mid-weighted palate is ripe, crunchy, and gently structured with delicious red berry, strawberry, cran-cherry, black cherry, currant, and spice flavours surrounding a core of savoury earth and cocoa. It has fresh and lively acidity, along with light, fine-grained tannins with good structure. Well-balanced throughout, while the long finish is savoury and juicy. Shows best at a slightly warmer temperature of 16°C and is a highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

Other lovely wines by Cave du Château de Chénas can be ordered through their Agent - Vinexx.

El Goru 38 Barrels Monastrell/Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (Spain) - Wine Review

2026-11-03T17:52:34.792-05:00

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious, organic and vegan-friendly Monastrell (a.k.a. Mourvèdre) blended with Cabernet Sauvignon. It was featured on the cover and as part of the holiday stocking-up theme in the recent October 24 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

El Goru wines are produced by Ego Bodegas, a prominent winery located in Jumilla, Spain. Established in 2011 by husband-and-wife team of Santos Ortiz and Ioana Paunescu, the project was borne out of the partners' passion and effort. Although they started with limited financial resources, the couple had extraordinary talent for creating wines and coordinating the financial, marketing, and sales departments.

Santos, who is Spanish, and Ioana, who is originally from Romania, fell in love with a spectacular farm in the elevated area of Hoya Torres in Jumilla, locally known as the carpenter's place, surrounded by old vineyards planted to Monastrell. Their approach was to build a commercially viable wine business around three core concepts: Quality, Image, and Price. After two years of planning and hard work, they established Ego Bodegas, a wine brand based on a philosophy that is captured in three words: ego, talento, and infinito — or self, talent, and infinity — reflecting their passion, learning, and dreams without limits.

Today, Ego Bodegas has 35 hectares of vineyards, most of which are planted to native varieties, with a particular focus on Monastrell, a varietal exceptionally well adapted to the soil and climatic conditions of Jumilla. The dark, calcareous soils have good permeability and moisture-retention properties, helping the vines endure long periods of drought. The climate in Jumilla is continental and arid, influenced by the Mediterranean Sea to the east and the plateau of La Mancha to the west. Since the beginning, Santos and Ioana have taken a contemporary approach to winemaking, combining traditional methods with modern techniques. While Monastrell remains central to Ego Bodegas, the winery continues to innovate, expanding its portfolio to include wines made from other varieties, as well as blends that combine international grapes with Monastrell to create modern expressions of Jumilla.

Like the 2020 El Goru 38 Barrels I enjoyed early last year, this vintage is also primarily crafted with Monastrell (approx. 85%) and the balance Cabernet Sauvignon. The selected grapes were collected manually with great care, placed in small boxes and brought to the winery. It underwent a cold maceration for a week to extract the greatest amount of aromatics and colour, which was helped by using the pigeage method (punch-downs) for a controlled and regulated extraction. The wine was made exclusively and carefully from a selection of 38 barrels, in a combination of both French and American oak barrels. Malolactic fermentation took place in these 38 barrels, followed by ageing for 12 months in their temperature-controlled cellars.

Like the 2020 El Goru 38 Barrels I enjoyed early last year, this vintage is also primarily crafted with Monastrell (approximately 85%), with the balance being Cabernet Sauvignon. The selected grapes were harvested manually, carefully placed in small boxes, and brought to the winery. They underwent a week of cold maceration to extract maximum aromas and colour, with punch-downs (pigeage) used to help regulate extraction. The wine was made exclusively and carefully from a selection of 38 barrels, in a combination of both French and American oak barrels. Malolactic fermentation took place in these 38 barrels, followed by ageing for 12 months in their temperature-controlled cellars.

The 2021 growing season in Jumilla began with a cold and rainy spring, while summer was also cooler than usual. August brought higher temperatures, including a week of intense heat that challenged some varieties. Rainfall towards the end of harvest meant extra work in the vineyards, while northerly winds and favourable temperatures from late September to early October helped the grapes reach optimal ripeness and develop intense varietal flavours. From a cooler vintage, let's see how this 2021 Monastrell and Cabernet Sauvignon blend from Jumilla is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

EL GORU 38 BARRELS MONASTRELL/CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Vegan, DO Jumilla, Spain (#41096) (XD) - $21.95
Organic. Mainly Monastrell with Cabernet Sauvignon in support, this has a fresh, medium-high intensity nose that offers ripe black fruits, blackberry, and black cherry aromas alongside purple fruit, and spice with savoury earth, and oak undertones. On the dry, medium+ weighted palate it is quite spicy with a delicious core of ripe black & purple fruits, blackberry, black cherry, plum, cedar oak, and savoury earth flavours in a slightly warming profile. Refreshing acids are crisp and juicy, while the refined tannins have a slightly grippy, chalky textured mouthfeel, with good structure. Ripe black fruits taper to cedar oak, smoke, and earth notes on the long, crisp finish. Give this highly recommended buy a slight chill and enjoy over the next 3-5 years. Recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Other lovely wines by Ego Bodegas are available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - KOLONAKI Group of Companies.

Tasca d'Almerita Regaleali Nero d'Avola 2023 (Sicily) - Wine Review

2026-10-30T17:37:42.637-04:00

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely, certified sustainable Nero d'Avola from Sicily that arrived at the LCBO last weekend in the October 24 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Tasca d'Almerita, one of Sicily's most renowned and influential winemaking families, whose history dates back to 1830, when brothers Lucio and Carmelo Mastrogiovanni Tasca purchased the Regaleali estate, encompassing approximately 1,200 hectares in central Sicily, and introduced modern agricultural technology to the Sicilian countryside. Since then, successive generations of the family have cared for this land and shared its bounty with passion.

In 1840, the dowry of Lucio's wife, Beatrice Lanza, included Villa Camastra, known today as Villa Tasca, which became the Palermo residence of the Tasca d'Almerita family and remains in family ownership today. In 1854, Regaleali was awarded the distinction of "model farm" for agriculture. At the time, growing grains and producing fodder were the estate's main activities, while vineyards occupied only a small portion of the land. In 1890, the vines at Regaleali were decimated by the phylloxera epidemic sweeping across Europe, prompting the creation of a special nursery at Villa Camastra to graft grapevines onto healthy American rootstock.

Tenuta Regaleali was reshaped in 1950, when the estate and its lands were redistributed as part of the Italian agricultural reform, reducing its size to approximately 500 hectares. This period also marked the beginning of its modern vineyard development, including Nero d'Avola vines planted at the San Lucio vineyard in 1954. Over the ensuing years, the family planted additional indigenous and international grape varieties while establishing new estates across Sicily.

Since 2001, the family business has been led by Alberto Tasca, representing the eighth generation of the family, with a vision of strengthening its longstanding commitment to quality and continuous experimentation. Tenuta Regaleali is an oasis tucked among the high, green hills of central Sicily and represents the history of an entire family. Today, Tenuta Regaleali spans nearly 600 hectares, encompassing 12 different soil types and six hills ranging from 450 to 850 metres above sea level, offering considerable diversity in growing conditions. All wines bearing the Regaleali name come from a single vineyard or multiple vineyards within the estate. In 2017, Tasca d'Almerita became certified under the VIVA/SOStain sustainability programme, and in 2023, it achieved B Corp certification.

This red wine is crafted from 100% Nero d'Avola grown at the family's Regaleali estate in the Contea di Sclafani DOC in central Sicily. It is one of the estate's historic wines, representing a legacy spanning 68 harvests of Nero d'Avola production. The grapes were harvested at the optimal point along their maturation curve to ensure elegance and achieve the perfect balance between austerity and fullness. Fermentation took place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks at 26–28°C, with an average maceration period of 10 days, followed by complete malolactic fermentation. Half of the wine was aged in stainless steel tanks, while the other half spent 10 months in 300- and 600 L Slavonian oak barrels.

The 2023 growing season in Sicily began with challenges during flowering, as rainfall caused significant coulure, naturally reducing yields and concentrating the berries into fewer bunches. Frost was also a concern, with several distinct cold snaps during budbreak keeping vineyard managers on high alert. Climatic conditions were otherwise cool and classical, without any significant summer temperature spikes, allowing fresh aromatics to develop rather than concentrating on power. Harvest took place under mixed skies. Overall, the vintage produced wines of elegance, versatility and freshness, with good terroir expression. Let's see how this 2023 Nero d'Avola from Sicily is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

TASCA D'ALMERITA REGALEALI NERO D'AVOLA 2023 - Sustainable, DOC Sicilia, Italy (#39660) (XD) - $18.95
Fresh, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose offers rustic, wild black cherry aromas mingling with spices, underbrush, and savoury earth, plus touches of brambly berry and leafy herbs. On the dry, medium-full bodied palate it is ripe and impressively structured with delicious wild black cherry, spices, and earth flavours joined by oak accents and dried herbs. It has crisp, well-structured acidity, along with ripe, structured, and slightly youthful tannins. Really nicely balanced throughout with mineral notes coming through on the mid-palate and carrying into the long, savoury, and crisp finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

One other lovely wine by Tasca d'Almerita is available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Vinexx.

October 24, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Stock Up For The Holidays

2026-10-28T05:00:00.000-04:00

Here are my top wine picks from the October 24, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here), where “Stock Up for the Holidays” is the feature story. Not only is this another small release, with just 68 SKUs, but the LCBO has also managed to shrink the catalogue to 20 pages by eliminating some duplication, removing tasting notes from the print edition (though they remain available on the LCBO website), and dropping the checklist at the back. On the bright side, the quality is quite good, with nearly a third of the wines included among my top wine picks. Everything should be readily available for purchase at the LCBO, both online and in stores across Ontario.

We'll begin with the feature on wines to stock up on for the holidays. Of the twenty-one wines included in the feature, eleven are among my top wine picks in this release, making for an exciting thematic! Of the sparkling wines, both are VINTAGES Essentials products made using Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with the bubbly from 13th Street crafted in a sparkling rosé style. At the top of my white wine picks from the feature is an excellent wine by Niagara's Kew Vineyards, a blend of 53% Marsanne and 47% Viognier, followed by a consistently reliable Chardonnay from Niagara. Other white wine recommendations include an Encruzado from Portugal, a Chardonnay from South Africa, and a Sauvignon Blanc from Australia.

Most of my red wine recommendations from the feature story are blends, beginning with an Amarone made with 70% Corvina, 15% Rondinella, 10% Oseleta, and 5% Molinara. Next is the 2018 Rioja, which is approximately 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, with the balance made up of Graciano and Mazuelo. Rounding out the blends is a wine from Jumilla in Spain, composed primarily of Monastrell with Cabernet Sauvignon in support. The lone mono-varietal red is a Gamay from the Moulin-à-Vent Cru in Beaujolais, which is also the Wine of the Month in this release.

Among my top red wine recommendations from the main release, at the top of the list is the iconic Tignanello, a blend composed primarily of Sangiovese, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc in support. Next is the second wine of Ornellaia, composed of 49% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Petit Verdot, and 13% Cabernet Franc. The only other blend is a Côtes du Rhône-Villages made with 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah. Among the mono-varietal reds, we can sip local with an excellent Pinot Noir from Niagara. From Italy, there is a fine Brunello di Montalcino made with Sangiovese, as well as a Nero d'Avola from Sicily, a Montepulciano from Abruzzo, and a Cabernet Sauvignon from Venezie.

With only twelve white wines included in the main release, there isn't a great deal of choice for white wine lovers. As such, there are just three top white wine picks, led by a Chardonnay from New Zealand. There's also a Verdicchio from Marche and a dry Gewürztraminer from Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

CA' DI RAJO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2024 - DOC Venezia, Italy (#39484) (XD) - $16.95
DOMAINE LA DÉCELLE RÉSERVE VALRÉAS CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2022 - AOC, France (#14391) (XD) - $16.95 89 pts wine review
TASCA D'ALMERITA REGALEALI NERO D'AVOLA 2023 - Sustainable, DOC Sicilia, Italy (#39660) (XD) - $18.95 90+ pts wine review
EL GORU 38 BARRELS MONASTRELL/CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - DO Jumilla, Spain (#41096) (XD) - $21.95 90 pts wine review
CAVE DU CHÂTEAU DE CHÉNAS COEUR DE GRANIT MOULIN-À-VENT 2023 - AOC, Beaujolais, France (#648477) (XD) - $23.95 90+ pts wine review
TORRE ZAMBRA COLLE MAGGIO MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2024 - DOC, Italy (#36690) (XD) - $26.95 89 pts wine review

CLOUDSLEY TWENTY MILE BENCH PINOT NOIR 2023 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#11665) (XD) - $36.95 92+ pts wine review
R. LÓPEZ DE HEREDIA VIÑA CUBILLO CRIANZA 2018 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#692780) (XD) - $38.95
ALTESINO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2021 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#994095) (XD) - $74.95 92 pts wine review
MASI COSTASERA RISERVA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2019 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#324137) (D) - $84.95 92+ pts wine review
LE SERRE NUOVE DELL'ORNELLAIA 2024 - DOC Bolgheri Rosso, Tuscany, Italy (#606194) (XD) - $84.95
TIGNANELLO 2023 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#986786) (XD) - $209.95

White Wine:

CASAL DI SERRA VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2024 - DOC, Marche, Italy (#268169) (XD) - $18.95
SIDEWOOD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 - Adelaide Hills, South Australia (#518357) (XD) - $18.95
REIF RESERVE GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2024 - VQA Niagara River, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#360255) (XD) - $19.95
CATHEDRAL CELLAR CHARDONNAY 2023 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#328559) (XD) - $19.95
CABRIZ RESERVA ENCRUZADO WHITE 2025 - DOC Dão, Portugal (#45051) (XD) - $19.95
KEW MARSANNE/VIOGNIER 2024 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#485334) (XD) - $22.95 92 pts wine review
NAUTILUS CHARDONNAY 2024 - Vegan, Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#331652) (XD) - $33.95
BACHELDER LES VILLAGES BENCH CHARDONNAY 2024 - VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#16059) (XD) - $34.95 91+ pts wine review

Sparkling Wine:

13TH STREET CUVÉE BRUT SPARKLING ROSÉ - Vegan, Sustainable, Traditional Method, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#147504) (XD) - $29.95 91 pts wine review
CHATEAU DES CHARMES BRUT SPARKLING - Traditional Method, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#224766) (D) - $32.95 90+ pts wine review

Domaine La Décelle Réserve Valréas Côtes du Rhône-Villages 2022 (France) - Wine Review

2026-10-26T17:37:44.334-04:00

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Côtes du Rhône-Villages from Valréas in the Southern Rhône that arrived at the LCBO over the weekend in the October 24 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

The wines of Domaine La Décelle are produced by Maison LAVAU, a well-respected wine producer situated near the village of Sablet, at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail hills in the Southern Rhône Valley. The Lavau family's winemaking heritage dates back to the 19th century in Saint-Émilion. After returning to France from Tunisia in the 1960s, the family took charge of a small winemaking cellar in Sablet, at the heart of the Rhône Valley.

Maison LAVAU was established in 1965 by Jean-Guy Lavau and his wife Anne-Marie, and went on to become an important player in the local wine industry. Their sons, brothers Frédéric and Benoît Lavau, joined the family winery after completing their studies and took over the business in 2000 when their parents retired. In 2010, the brothers fell in love with the terroir at Domaine La Décelle and purchased the estate.

Domaine La Décelle is situated in the heart of the Enclave des Papes, a small part of the Vaucluse department situated in Drôme provençale, south of the village of Valréas. The 100-hectare estate has distinctive characteristics due to its latitude and altitude, creating unique climatic conditions that are ideal for producing structured and complex wines with great freshness. The vineyards encompass different sectors of Valréas, with elevations reaching up to 320 metres above sea level. The cooler climate and significant diurnal temperature variation help preserve freshness, while the southwest-facing vines benefit from abundant sunshine. The vineyards are planted on varied soil types, including clay-limestone and sandy soils, and are cultivated according to the principles of reasoned agriculture.

Like the 2017 Domaine La Décelle Réserve Valréas I enjoyed some years ago, this red wine is crafted with 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah grown at the estate on clay-limestone soils. It was traditionally vinified using rack-and-return (délestage) and regular pump-overs (remontage), followed by a relatively long 30-day maceration. The wine was then aged for 6 months in previously used French oak barrels.

In 2022, the growing season in the Southern Rhone was marked by extreme heat and drought conditions. Spring was very dry with only 50 mm of rain from March to May, while an early Summer was even dryer with hot and arid conditions. Welcoming rainfall in the middle of August saved the vines and helped produce red wines that are lush, balanced, supple, and lively. From a disease-free vintage that was the hottest and driest on record since 1950, and produced great wines, let's see how this 2022 Valréas Côtes du Rhône-Villages is tasting tonight...

The 2022 growing season in the Southern Rhône was marked by extreme heat and drought conditions. Spring was particularly dry, with only 50 mm of rainfall from March to May, while early summer brought further hot and arid conditions. Welcome rainfall in mid-August helped the vines recover and contributed to the production of red wines that are described as lush, balanced, supple and lively. The Despite being disease-free and the hottest and driest since 1950, the 2022 vintage has proven excellent, with remarkable balance and quality. Let's see how this 2022 Valréas Côtes du Rhône-Villages is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

DOMAINE LA DÉCELLE RÉSERVE VALRÉAS CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2022 - AOC, France (#14391) (XD) - $16.95
This 50/50 blend of Grenache and Syrah has a delicate, medium+ intensity nose offering ripe dark fruit, black raspberry, blackberry, plum, black pepper, meaty, savoury earth, and stony mineral aromas. On the dry, medium+ bodied, dense, and well-structured palate it has delicious dark fruit, black raspberry, blackberry, black cherry, black pepper, meaty, and earthy/stony mineral flavours joined by hints of lavender/violet and garrigue adding interest and complexity. It has fresh and lively acidity, along with smooth, supple, and well-structured tannins. Juicy and well-balanced throughout, with dark berry, peppery spice, meaty, and smoky mineral notes lingering on the long, juicy finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the next 5+ years. Score: 89 pts

Other delicious wines by Domaine La Décelle can be ordered through their Agent - Marchands des Amériques.

Kew Marsanne/Viognier 2024 (Niagara) - Wine Review

2026-10-24T17:52:26.505-04:00

Tonight's white wine review is this excellent blend of Marsanne and Viognier from Niagara that arrived at the LCBO in today's October 24 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection as part of the feature on wines to stock up on for the holidays.

It is produced by Kew Vineyards, a boutique winery focused on small-batch wine production situated on the Beamsville Bench in the heart of the Niagara Peninsula. Kew Vineyards is housed in a 160+ year old homestead that was built by William Kew sometime in the mid-1800s. The Kew family lived in the home and operated a successful carriage making company from the house. Historically, the Kew homestead was known for mixing business with pleasure.

It is produced by Kew Vineyards, a boutique winery focused on small-batch wine production situated on the Beamsville Bench in the heart of the Niagara Peninsula. Kew Vineyards is housed in a homestead dating back more than 160 years that was built by William Kew sometime in the mid-1800s. The Kew family lived in the home and operated a successful carriage-making company from the property, making the historic homestead a place where business and country life came together.

In the 1970s, the Kew family's chapter ended and a new one began when Mr. Hermann Weis brought his own vine clones from the Mosel Valley in Germany and planted some of Niagara's first Riesling vines surrounding the former Kew homestead. This marked the beginning of Kew Vineyards and, as a result, Mr. Weis also became a true pioneer of Ontario's wine region.

Kew Vineyards has changed hands several times over the years and is currently owned by Arterra Wines Canada, which acquired the historic homestead and its 80+ acres of land, including vineyards, in 2023. The philosophy at Kew Vineyards is not only about beautiful wine, but also gracious country hospitality. The winery offers an opportunity to go off the beaten path, take your time, and enjoy the surroundings, blending old-world elegance with new-world charm. The wines at Kew Vineyards are an expression of passion for winemaking, the land, and the way wine celebrates daily life. In early 2024, Phillip Brown was named estate winemaker at Kew Vineyards.

I last enjoyed the 2020 Kew Marsanne, which included a splash of Viognier. In the 2024 vintage, it is composed of nearly equal parts of the two grapes, with the exact blend being 53% Marsanne and 47% Viognier. Kew Vineyards prides itself on its unique vineyard, which includes some of the oldest vines in Ontario, as well as a few varietals that are rarely grown in the region. The Marsanne vines, which are rare to find in Ontario, are particularly special as they remain unique to Kew and continue to thrive despite the cool climate and the challenges it presents.

The 2024 growing season in Niagara had near-perfect conditions, beginning with a mild winter and no spring frost events. Spring was warmer than usual, resulting in an early start to the season and early bud break. Summer was marked by above-average temperatures, with warm days and warmer-than-usual nights. The reduced diurnal temperature range contributed to grapes with intense flavours and colour development. During harvest in September, warm temperatures and some humidity linked to extreme weather events created disease risk for white varieties that had not yet been picked. From a very good-to-excellent vintage, let's see how this 2024 Marsanne/Viognier blend from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

KEW MARSANNE/VIOGNIER 2024 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#485334) (XD) - $22.95
Enclosed by Stelvin screw cap, this blend of 53% Marsanne and 47% Viognier is rich and highly fragrant with lovely, ripe, lemon citrus, yellow & white florals, apple, and winter melon aromas flecked with anise, fennel, herbal complexity, plus hints of wood spice and vanilla. On the dry, full-ish bodied palate it is richly concentrated, ripe, and gently honeyed with delicious lemon citrus, apple, yellow & white floral, anise, herbs, and peppery spice flavours with hints of vanilla adding further complexity. There's some warmth on the finely textured mid-palate, while acids are juicy and well-structured. The lemon citrus, apple, floral, and herbal flavours are joined by touches of leesy minerals on the exceptionally long, juicy finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 92 pts

Several lovely wines by Kew Vineyards are available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered direct from the winery in Niagara, as well as through Arterra Wines Canada.

Lealtanza Reserva 2005 (Rioja) - Wine Review

2026-10-21T17:50:13.807-04:00

After enjoying the excellent 2019 Altanza Reserva over the weekend, for tonight's red wine review we go back in time to revisit an earlier vintage of this wine – the 2005, which I purchased from the May 26, 2012 LCBO VINTAGES Release, where it was featured on the cover and known as Lealtanza Reserva. The tasting note in the catalogue suggested that it was best enjoyed by 2025.

Tasting Note:

LEALTANZA RESERVA 2005 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#276097) (XD) - ~~$19.95~~
100% Tempranillo aged for 18 months in French oak, followed by 18 months in bottle prior to release. The medium+ to medium-high intensity nose has mature, tertiary aromas of dark red cherry, savoury earth, and wood with hints of sweet baking spice and red plum. The medium+ bodied palate is dry and savoury with earth and wood spice notes flecked with dried red cherry and floral. Acids are still quite fresh, while the textured tannins have integrated very nicely. Gains weight on the juicy, textured mid-palate, while faint remnants of sweet/dried red fruits taper to savoury earth and barrel spice notes on the long and juicy finish. Still exceptionally balanced and an enjoyable experience. Score: 90+ pts

Altanza Reserva 2019 (Rioja) - Wine Review

2026-10-18T17:43:59.902-04:00

Tonight's red wine review is a excellent, vegan-friendly Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain, that arrived at the LCBO as the Wine of the Month in last weekend's October 10th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Bodegas Altanza, a modern winery founded in 1998 by a group of winegrowers committed to producing premium Tempranillo wines that combine Rioja's winemaking heritage with a distinctive, contemporary style. Altanza is located in the higher elevation town of Fuenmayor, in the heart of Rioja Alta, one of the region's most prestigious wine-growing areas.

Rioja Alta is renowned for producing elegant, age-worthy wines, benefiting from a distinctive climate, diverse soils, and long-standing viticultural traditions. Altanza's philosophy is built around four defining pillars: Estate Vineyards, Tradition and Innovation, Tempranillo Expertise, and French Oak Ageing. The winery combines careful estate vineyard management with modern winemaking techniques to craft wines with complete control from vine to bottle, while expressing the character of the region. Tempranillo, Rioja's flagship grape variety, lies at the heart of Altanza's identity, while French oak has been central to its ageing philosophy since the winery's founding. Its cellar houses nearly 6,000 oak barrels, supporting the production of refined wines with complexity, structure, and ageing potential.

Today, the Valvarés Estate in Fuenmayor is home to the winery, surrounded by approximately 200 hectares of vines planted primarily to Tempranillo and Sauvignon Blanc, along with 8 hectares of olive groves dedicated to producing 100% Arbequina extra virgin olive oil. The vineyards are divided into 10 parcels, each selected for its distinctive geographical orientation, soil composition, and microclimate, helping to capture the diversity of the estate. Sustainability is also an integral part of the winery's operations. Altanza works to reduce its environmental impact and preserve the surrounding landscape, notably through its own geothermal energy system, which provides renewable energy, and an on-site water treatment facility. All of its wines are vegan-friendly.

This Reserva comes from Altanza's Esenciales ("Essentials") range, which sits at the heart of the winery's portfolio and includes wines that showcase its signature Rioja style. Positioned between the Crianza and Gran Reserva in the range, the Reserva emphasizes the balance, elegance, and character that define the winery's approach. The Esenciales wines are among Altanza's most recognized and best-selling offerings.

I've had the pleasure of tasting previous vintages of this wine, including the 2016 Altanza Reserva three years ago. Made from 100% Tempranillo, it is vinified using a combination of traditional Rioja practices and modern winemaking techniques. The wine spends 18 months ageing in French oak barrels, followed by a further three months in 22-hectolitre Allier French oak foudres. This extended maturation allows the oak and fruit to integrate while adding complexity and depth.

The 2019 growing season in Rioja was declared a perfect year. It began with a relatively cold spring, with enough rainfall and occasional frost, resulting in irregular flowering, loose and well-aerated bunches with fewer berries, and lower-than-average yields. Summer was warm and stable throughout, with little disease pressure. Rainfall during the harvest period refreshed the vines, helping produce grapes with fully ripe skins and good acidity levels. The resulting wines show depth and power, balanced by finely textured, rounded tannins. From an excellent vintage, let's see how this 2019 Tempranillo Rioja from Spain is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ALTANZA RESERVA 2019 - Vegan, DOCa Rioja, Spain (#208223) (XD) - $22.95
Crafted with 100% Tempranillo, this has a medium+ to medium-high intensity nose that offers a fine mix of sandalwood, sweet oak spice, and cinnamon mingling with red cherry and maturing hints of dried rose, dried cherry, balsamic, and savoury earth. On the dry, medium-full to full-bodied palate it has lovely, complex sandalwood, leather, savoury earth, balsamic, red cherry, rose floral, cinnamon, and sweet spice flavours in a nicely balanced and slightly maturing profile. Acids are juicy and succulent, while the smooth, elegant tannins are well-integrated. Gently grippy on the mid-palate, while earthy oak, sweet spice, cinnamon, and dried cherry/floral notes linger on the very long, elegant, and juicy finish. Could age further, but is very enjoyable now. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

Other lovely wines by Altanza can be ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

Estévez Versos de Valtuille Mencía 2024 (Spain) - Wine Review

2026-10-15T17:36:53.463-04:00

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Mencía from the DO Bierzo appellation in Spain that made its debut at the LCBO over the long weekend as part of the October 10th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Estévez Bodegas y Viñedos, a small, family-owned winery with a winemaking heritage dating back to the late 19th century. While the modern winery was established by Helios Estévez in 2015, its roots go back to his great-grandfather, Ramón, who acquired vineyards in Valtuille de Abajo, Bierzo, in northwestern Spain, in the late 1800s using money earned while working in Brazil.

In the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, the family settled in Mexico. Helios later emigrated to Mexico to join his father, who had been exiled there. During his time in Mexico, Helios worked in the vineyards while developing a strong desire to return to Bierzo and continue his family's winemaking heritage. In 2015, that dream became a reality with the help of his wife and four children, as they established the family venture in the small village of Valtuille de Abajo.

The focus at Estévez Bodegas y Viñedos is on caring for the old vineyards of Valtuille de Abajo. The winery works with six small, distinctive vineyard plots planted primarily with Mencía and Godello. Each offers its own characteristics in terms of soil composition, elevation and sun exposure, and all are tended to by hand. Along with three village-level wines, including this Mencía, Helios is particularly focused on producing single-vineyard wines that express the terroir of each site.

This red wine belongs to the village-level tier of Estévez's Versos de Valtuille range, which translates to "Verses from Valtuille." The name refers to the poetry Helios Estévez wrote while living in Mexico, expressing his longing for his ancestral home in Valtuille de Abajo, in Spain's Bierzo region. In much the same way, the wines of Versos de Valtuille are born in the heart of the village and seek to express its landscape, traditions, and history.

To craft this 100% Mencía, the grapes were selected from a blend of old vineyards in Valtuille de Abajo, with vines averaging 75 years of age and grown at elevations of 500–550 metres above sea level. The vineyards feature a diverse range of soils, including clay, slate, limestone, and pebbles. At the winery, the grapes underwent wild fermentation using indigenous yeasts in 7,500-litre French oak foudres, and remained in oak for 8 months of maturation.

In 2024, Spain's growing season had its share of highs and lows, with exceptionally heavy rainfall presenting significant challenges in some regions. However, the impact varied across the country. Situated in the province of Castile and León in northwestern Spain, Bierzo experiences a mix of cool Atlantic and warmer continental influences. Despite the challenges, the 2024 vintage produced fresh, precise wines in Bierzo. Let's see how this 2024 Mencía from Bierzo is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ESTÉVEZ VERSOS DE VALTUILLE MENCÍA 2024 - DO Bierzo, Spain (#50750) (XD) - $22.95
The fresh, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose is ripe with wild dark berry, blackberry, black cherry, mulberry, and wild herb aromas layered over notes of savoury, earthy mineral, and spice. The crunchy, mid-weighted palate is dry with delicious wild dark berry, blackberry, wild herbs, black cherry, earthy mineral, and spice flavours in a clean, well-balanced profile. Acids are fresh and juicy, while the ripe tannins are smooth, refined, and gently grippy. Savoury, stony, and earthy notes linger on the long and juicy finish. Should drink nicely to the end of the decade and is a highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

One ultra-premium wine by Estévez Bodegas y Viñedos is available in very small quantities at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - DB Wine & Spirits.

October 10, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Perfect Gifts, Ready to Go

2026-10-13T05:00:00.000-04:00

Here are my top wine picks from the October 10, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here), where “Perfect Gifts, Ready To Go” is the title of the release. This is a fairly large release compared to what we have seen recently, with 108 SKUs included and more red wines than any other colour or style. It is also on the premium side, as only 18 SKUs are priced below $20. Once again, there are many lovely wines, but be prepared to open your wallet. Everything should be readily available for purchase both online and in stores at LCBO outlets across Ontario.

We’ll begin with the feature story, “Perfect Gifts, Ready To Go,” which includes 17 SKUs focused primarily on multi-packs and large-format red wines ready for seasonal gift-giving. There are also some sparkling wines, Port, and Icewine. I’m sure that quite a few of the wines included in the multi-packs will be lovely, but my only recommendation from the feature story is a lovely Vidal Icewine from Niagara.

Among my top red wine recommendations from the main release, Bordeaux varieties account for nearly half of the wines. On the local front, we have a Meritage from Niagara composed of 48% Cabernet Franc, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 25% Merlot, while the Inniskillin wine is made with 100% Cabernet Franc. From Bordeaux, the Montagne-Saint-Émilion is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, while the Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux is composed of 55% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc. The only other blend among the reds is a Riserva Chianti Classico made with 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot. Both wines from Spain are mono-varietal, with the Rioja crafted from Tempranillo and the Bierzo made from Mencía. Other mono-varietal reds include a fine Syrah from Niagara, as well as a pair of Pinot Noirs – one each from Martinborough (New Zealand) and Niagara.

My top white wine picks from the main release begin on the local front with a pair of lovely medium dry (i.e. slightly sweet) Rieslings from Niagara, followed by a gently off-dry Riesling from Germany. There’s also a fine, off-dry Gewürztraminer from Alsace. Moving on to the dry wines, there are a pair of lovely Chardonnays – one each from Chablis (Burgundy) and Yarra Valley (Australia). Other mono-varietal dry wines include a Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre in the Loire Valley and an Alvarinho from Vinho Verde in Portugal. Interestingly, both of my remaining white wine recommendations are blends priced under $20, with the McLaren Vale white crafted using approximately 60% Viognier and 40% Marsanne, while the Sicilian white is a blend of 34% Catarratto, 31% Inzolia, 29% Grecanico, and 6% Chardonnay.

For sparkling wine lovers, there is a brilliant Grand Cru Champagne crafted with 100% Chardonnay. There are also a couple of lovely 10-Year-Old Tawny Ports from Portugal, both made with traditional Douro varieties, including Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz (a.k.a. Tempranillo), and Tinta Barroca, while the Burmester also includes Tinto Cão. For sweet wine lovers, look to the iconic Botrytis Semillon from Australia or the Sauternes from Bordeaux, which is made with 90% Sémillon, 8% Sauvignon Blanc, and 2% Muscadelle.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

PEACOCK'S FAN COONAWARRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 - Coonawarra, South Australia (#50193) (XD) - $16.95
MAJELLA THE COMPOSER CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 - Vegan, Coonawarra, South Australia (#50196) (XD) - $19.95
CHÂTEAU TANESSE CADILLAC CÔTES DE BORDEAUX 2022 - Sustainable, AOC, France (#666628) (XD) - $20.95 91 pts wine review
CHÂTEAU GUILLOU 2022 - AOC Montagne-Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France (#140483) (XD) - $22.95 90+ pts wine review
ESTÉVEZ VERSOS DE VALTUILLE MENCÍA 2024 - DO Bierzo, Spain (#50750) (XD) - $22.95 90 pts wine review
ALTANZA RESERVA 2019 - Vegan, DOCa Rioja, Spain (#208223) (XD) - $22.95 91 pts wine review

LUNA ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2023 - Martinborough, North Island, New Zealand (#17544) (XD) - $27.95
INNISKILLIN HERON POND SINGLE VINEYARD CABERNET FRANC 2023 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#54145) (XD) - $39.95 91+ pts wine review
REDSTONE ESTATE SYRAH 2021 - VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#437376) (XD) - $40.95 OFE
REDSTONE MERITAGE 2021 - VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#44167) (XD) - $48.95 91+ pts wine review
CASTELLO DI AMA MONTEBUONI RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2022 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#30268) (XD) - $59.95 OFE
BACHELDER LOWREY VINEYARD OLD VINES PINOT NOIR 2023 - VQA St. David's Bench, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#361816) (XD) - $65.00 OFE

White Wine:

D'ARENBERG THE HERMIT CRAB VIOGNIER/MARSANNE 2025 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#662775) (XD) - $17.95
TASCA D'ALMERITA REGALEALI BIANCO 2025 - DOC Sicilia, Italy (#531780) (XD) - $18.95
PIERRE SPARR GRANDE RÉSERVE GEWURZTRAMINER 2024 - AOC Alsace, France (#747600) (D) - $20.95 91 pts wine review
YERING STATION VILLAGE CHARDONNAY 2024 - Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia (#50188) (XD) - $24.95
AVELEDA SOLOS DE XISTO ALVARINHO 2024 - Vegan, Sustainable, Vinho Verde, Portugal (#35465) (XD) - $24.95
TRIUS SHOWCASE GHOST CREEK RIESLING 2024 - VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#44144) (M) - $28.95 OFE
BATTENFELD SPANIER ZELLERTAL RIESLING 2022 - VDP Ortswein, Pfalz, Germany (#50721) (D) - $30.95
CHARLY NICOLLE PER ASPERA CHABLIS 2023 - AOP, Burgundy, France (#38095) (XD) - $36.95 92 pts wine review
CHARLES BAKER PICONE VINEYARD RIESLING 2022 - VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#241182) (M) - $39.95 94 pts wine review
SOPHIE BERTIN LA CÔTE BLANCHE SANCERRE 2024 - AOP, Loire, France (#50162) (XD) - $44.95 OFE

Sparkling Wine:

SAINT-RÉOL BRUT BLANC DE BLANCS GRAND CRU CHAMPAGNE - AOC, France (#49869) (XD) - $77.95

Fortified Wine:

BARROS 10-YEAR-OLD TAWNY PORT - DOP, Portugal (#964353) (S) - $28.95
BURMESTER 10-YEAR-OLD TAWNY PORT - DOP, Portugal (#223958) (S) - $32.95 2013 btld. review

Dessert Wine:

DE BORTOLI NOBLE ONE BOTRYTIS SEMILLON 2021 - New South Wales, Australia (#917252, 375 mL) (S) - $29.95 OFE
CHÂTEAU HAUT-BERGERON 2022 - AOC Sauternes, Bordeaux, France (#17503, 375 mL) (S) - $40.95 OFE
INNISKILLIN LUNAR NEW YEAR VIDAL ICEWINE 2024 - In gift box, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#53078, 375 mL) (S) - $53.95

Château Tanesse Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux 2022 (France) - Wine Review

2026-10-12T17:37:46.591-04:00

Happy Thanksgiving! Tonight's red wine review is an excellent red from the Right Bank appellation of Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux that arrived at the LCBO in this weekend's October 10 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

This red wine is produced by Vignobles Gonfrier, a prominent, family-owned wine producer whose journey began in 1962, when Paul Gonfrier and his wife, Marie-José, left their native Algeria to establish a wine business in Lestiac-sur-Garonne, in the Gironde department of Bordeaux.

The Gonfrier family's three sons – Pierre, Philippe, and Éric – grew up around the family enterprise, with Philippe becoming involved in managing the property at a very early age and Éric completing his first vinification in 1985, at the age of 23. In 1998, Philippe and Éric consolidated their wine activities, including their vineyard acquisitions, under the name Vignobles Gonfrier. Today, the group has a portfolio of more than 20 châteaux, state-of-the-art winemaking equipment and facilities, and vineyard operations spanning more than 1,000 hectares.

Today, Vignobles Gonfrier has more than 20 châteaux throughout Bordeaux and favours top-quality wines that express their terroir, with winemaking serving to ensure wine quality and client satisfaction. With a commitment to the environment, the group's estate vineyards are certified to High Environmental Value Level 3 (HVE3), while Vignobles Gonfrier is also in the process of converting a portion of its vineyards to organic agriculture. The group is further committed to a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) approach and is certified by EcoVadis. The children of Philippe and Éric represent the third generation of the Gonfrier family now involved in the wine business. Thibault and Paul, the respective sons of Philippe and Éric, are involved in overseeing the family's vineyards, including Château Tanesse, which was acquired by Vignobles Gonfrier in 2004.

Château Tanesse is situated in the Langoiran district within the appellation of Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux. The appellation is nestled in the Grandes Côtes region, to the east of and along the Garonne River. The charterhouse that is Château Tanesse was built by the Tanesse family during the second half of the 18th century and is located on a high hillock among sloping vineyards. The property's 30 hectares of vineyards surround the historic estate and sit atop very old foundations, overlooking Langoiran's medieval 13th-century castle and offering panoramic views that stretch from the edge of the Sauternais to the outskirts of Bordeaux, following the meandering Garonne River.

Like the 2020 Château Tanesse I enjoyed last year, this red wine is crafted with 55% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc that was grown in the vineyards surrounding the property. The vines average 25 years old and are planted on gravelly and clayey-gravelly slopes atop a calcareous subsoil. To craft this wine, the vines were trained using traditional Bordeaux-style vine training - with two canes and a flat arch. In the vineyard, there was controlled grassing down of the vine rows and/or mechanical working of the soil to improve the soils' vitality and biodiversity. Manual "green harvesting" was also performed in order for homogeneous distribution and proper aeration of the grape bunches, while harvest at the end of the growing season was performed mechanically. Upon arriving at the winery, the grapes were underwent destemming, crushing, and vatting, with fermentation taking place in temperature-controlled, stainless-steel tanks. Due to the terroir's quality, it also underwent prolonged maceration to extract tannins. The wine was aged for 12 months in French oak barrels.

In 2022, the growing season in Bordeaux was marked by heat and dry conditions, following a relatively dry winter and early spring growth. Spring frosts and June hailstorms damaged some vineyards, while July and August brought exceptionally hot, dry conditions. Older vines generally fared better thanks to their deeper root systems, and cool nights helped preserve freshness and acidity. Wildfires in parts of the region raised concerns about smoke taint, although the impact was limited. The heat accelerated ripening, leading to an unusually early harvest and reduced yields, but fruit quality was excellent. Merlot and Cabernet Franc performed particularly well, while Cabernet Sauvignon also excelled, albeit with the potential for higher alcohol levels. From what is regarded as a legendary vintage, let's see how this 2022 Bordeaux red wine is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU TANESSE CADILLAC CÔTES DE BORDEAUX 2022 - Sustainable, AOC, France (#666628) (XD) - $20.95
Blend of 55% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc. The medium-high to highly aromatic nose exudes richly concentrated and complex aromas of ripe dark fruit, black currant, black cherry, cassis, black plum, blackberry, dried herbs, and fine oak spice, plus whiffs of graphite, wet earth, and mulberry. On the dry, full-bodied palate it is richly structured and concentrated with lovely ripe dark fruit, blackberry, black cherry, cassis, currant, wood spice, graphite, savoury earth, and dried herbal flavours. It has juicy, structured acidity, along with ripe, richly textured, well-structured, mouth-coating tannins. A salty mineral mid-palate leads to smoke and graphite notes on the long, savoury, dusty textured, and very juicy finish. Should drink nicely for at least a decade, if not more. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

Other lovely wines by Vignobles Gonfrier can be ordered through their Agent - Sylvestre Wines & Spirits.

Burmester 10 Years Old Tawny Port Btld. 2013 (Douro) - Wine Review

2026-10-10T20:54:00.383-04:00

Tonight's wine review is a lovely 10-Year-Old Tawny Port from Portugal's Douro wine region. I purchased this fortified wine back in 2013, when it arrived at the LCBO as part of the December 7, 2013 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It was produced using traditional Douro grape varieties, including Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz (a.k.a. Tempranillo), Tinta Barroca, and Tinto Cão. The vines are planted at elevations of up to 600 metres above sea level in schistous-sandstone (greywacke) soils, with granite in some areas. This Port wine is crafted from a blend of wines from multiple harvests and fortified with grape brandy. As an Aged Tawny Port, the component wines were matured in oak casks for varying periods, with the blend averaging 10 years of age.

Looking back at the catalogue, I probably should have opened this bottle much sooner after buying it. Let's see how this 10-Year-Old Tawny Port from Portugal that was bottled in 2013 is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

BURMESTER 10 YEARS OLD TAWNY PORT - Btld. 2013, DOC Douro, Portugal (#223958) (S) - ~~$24.95~~
Rich, medium-high intensity nose has caramel, sweet spice, almond, honey, and barrel spice aromas with hints of orange, burnt sugar, and savoury undertones. The slightly creamy, full-bodied palate is rich, spicy, sweet, and flavourful, with sweet spice, vanilla, caramel, almond, nutty oak, savoury earth, and smoky notes. Some maturing dried fruit notes adds further complexity. It has juicy, well-balanced acidity, along with some warmth and spiciness on the mid-palate. Savoury, smoky, and nutty notes linger on the long, gently sweet finish. Consindering the bottle's age, this is holding up quite nicely and is best when served slightly chilled. Score: 91+ pts

While this particular bottling is, of course, long sold out, a newer bottling, which is also now organic, arrived in today's October 10 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Domaine Le Clos Jordanne Jordan Village Chardonnay 2023 (Niagara) - Wine Review

2026-10-08T17:21:50.788-04:00

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely Chardonnay from Niagara that was featured in the September 12 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection as part of the thematic on "Local Wines You'll Love" from Ontario. This wine is also a VINTAGES Essentials product that is always (and widely) available at LCBO outlets across the province.

Like the excellent 2023 Le Grand Clos Chardonnay and 2023 Le Grand Clos Pinot Noir wines I enjoyed a couple of weeks ago, this white wine is produced by Domaine Le Clos Jordanne (DLCJ), a unique joint-venture winery project that was first established in 2000. The goal of the project was to establish a 'domaine' in Ontario's Niagara Peninsula and produce ultra-premium Canadian VQA wines from Burgundy's classic grape varieties – Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Le Clos Jordanne released its first wines in 2007, with Thomas Bachelder as the winemaker. While the project was paused in 2016, it was revived in 2019 by Arterra Wines Canada in a new partnership with Thomas. The signature style of cool-climate wines produced from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir was also revived, along with the philosophies of low intervention and terroir expression. The wines of DLCJ are crafted using sustainable winemaking practices, with a focus on delivering the best and most authentic expression of Burgundian-style wines through the lens of Niagara terroir.

After years of nomadic winemaking, Domaine Le Clos Jordanne established a permanent home in 2024 by opening its doors at the former Angel's Gate property on the Beamsville Bench sub-appellation in the heart of the Niagara Peninsula. Today, DLCJ uses innovative New World practices combined with time-honoured Burgundian techniques, such as harvesting and sorting the grapes by hand. Every step of the process, from vineyard to bottle, receives careful consideration. Alongside Thomas, the winemaking team consists of Phillip Brown (Associate Winemaker) and Kerri Crawford (Assistant Winemaker).

First crafted in the 2019 vintage, the Jordan Village Chardonnay is made with fruit from selected parcels in all three estate vineyards – Claystone Terrace, Le Clos Jordanne, and Talon Ridge – into one terroir blend. The older vines are now deeply rooted and produce exciting wines with clarity, intent, nobility, ageability, and a sense of place. While the Le Grand Clos Chardonnay offers a snapshot of a hyper-localized expression of place, the Jordan Village showcases place on a macro approach that captures Jordan's Escarpment region as a whole. The Claystone Terrace and Le Clos Jordanne vineyards are a mere two hundred metres apart from each other (near King St. and Jordan Rd.) on the first rise of the Twenty Mile Bench, while the Talon Ridge Vineyard is located on the final rise and at the top of the plateau of Vinemount Ridge (off 17th Ave. in Jordan Station). Although each of these vineyards provides its own special characteristics, there is a throughline that connects each vineyard and its blocks to each other and their shared home in Jordan.

For this vintage, this 100% Chardonnay is crafted with 38% Talon Ridge Vineyard, 37% Claystone Terrace Vineyard, and 25% Le Clos Jordanne Vineyard fruit. All the grapes were hand-picked when they felt the flavours were "there" – with thick skins, ripe, starting to soften, and in good sanitary condition. They wanted the seeds to be completely brown, an indicator of true phenolic ripeness. The grapes were manually sorted and gently whole-cluster pressed. After the juice (or 'must') settled in tank for a couple of days, the naturally clear juice was allowed to start wild yeast fermentation in tank before being transferred into 228 L French oak barrels (approximately 20% new) to complete the long and slow fermentation. The wine remained in barrels for 20+ months, after which it underwent malolactic fermentation. The barrels chosen for Domaine Le Clos Jordanne wines are specifically selected to deliver and express the terroir of the wines, not mask it. Each lot is tasted systematically, barrel-by-barrel, over the course of many months, and only those truly representative of the terroir of each individual parcel are selected, blended, and then bottled and aged for a minimum of six months prior to release.

In 2023, the growing season in Niagara was a classic vintage with no major curve balls. It began with a slightly mild winter followed by a relatively warm spring, which resulted in early bud break. Summer was classical, with occasional heatwaves followed by big thunderstorms, which meant being vigilant in the vineyard. Harvest was hard and fast, with a beautiful, dry, and warm fall. From a great vintage, let's see how this 2023 Chardonnay from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

DOMAINE LE CLOS JORDANNE JORDAN VILLAGE CHARDONNAY 2023 - VQA West Niagara, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#20455) (XD) - $30.00
Screw cap enclosure. The medium+ intensity nose takes some coaxing to reveal ripe golden apple, pear, lemon, and melon aromas nuanced with vanilla, butter, and spice, plus whiffs of flinty mineral and mealy notes. Quite complex. On the dry, medium-full to full-bodied, creamy palate it has lovely ripe apple, lemon, vanilla, buttered toast, and sweet spice flavours, plus some earthy minerality that appears on the mid-palate. It is good structure with fresh, juicy, and mouth-watering acidity. Savoury with earthy and flinty mineral notes linger on the long, and very juicy finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

A few other wines by Domaine Le Clos Jordanne are available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered direct from the winery or through Arterra Wines Canada.

Kew Blanc de Blanc 2019 and Blanc de Noir 2021 (Niagara) - Wine Reviews

2026-10-03T17:38:46.053-04:00

Tonight's sparkling wine reviews are a pair of lovely bubblies that arrived at the LCBO as part of the feature on "Local Wines You'll Love" from Ontario in last month's September 12th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Both of these wines are produced by Kew Vineyards, a hidden gem in Niagara's wine country history situated in the community of Beamsville, Ontario. The boutique winery resides at the historic Kew homestead, which was built by William Kew over 160 years ago and was used by the family to successfully produce carriages. Descendants of the Kew family lived on the property until the late 1960s, when the estate entered a new chapter in its history when it was acquired by Dieter Gutler and his wife, Ingrid.

The latest chapter of Kew Vineyards began in 2023, when the estate and its 80+ acres of land were acquired by Arterra Wines Canada. Kew's vineyards are located on the Beamsville Bench, within Ontario's Niagara Escarpment regional appellation, on gently sloping land with well-drained soils and a favourable climate for growing grapes. The philosophy at Kew is based on small-batch winemaking and the belief that wine is the ultimate expression of passion – a passion for the art of winemaking, a passion for the land, and a passion for the way in which wine celebrates daily life.

Today, Kew Vineyards is as much about gracious country hospitality as it is about beautiful wine. I hope to visit the winery one day, as Kew has taken a different approach to the winery experience – one that encourages visitors to get off the beaten path, slow down, and take the time to enjoy the surroundings. Kew Vineyards is meant to be an awakening of the senses and the soul, seamlessly blending Old World elegance with New World charm, while encouraging visitors to relax and soak in the experience. Guests are invited to walk through the vineyards while enjoying and exploring Kew's wines.

Blanc de Blancs sparkling wines are traditionally associated with some of the most prestigious Champagnes and sparkling wines, particularly those made exclusively from Chardonnay. This Blanc de Blanc is crafted with 100% Chardonnay that was hand-harvested from a block just east of the house on the Estate Vineyard. After harvesting just over 8 tons of Chardonnay from this block, the fruit was gently whole-bunch pressed, and with careful monitoring, only the highest-quality juice was used to craft this wine. After undergoing primary fermentation, the wine was allowed to age 'en tirage' for the next 6 years before beginning disgorgement. This long élevage is only possible with high-quality wine possessing plenty of bright acidity, which helps promote greater complexity and autolytic character in the wine.

This Blanc de Noir is crafted solely with Pinot Noir and is a wonderful example that showcases Niagara's exceptional cool climate, which is perfectly suited for this red grape variety. As great care is required when producing a white wine from red grapes, the juice was derived from gentle whole-berry pressing and then fermented in stainless steel. It underwent secondary fermentation in bottle on its lees for over 4 years, harmonizing all of the elements together into a delicate, brut-style sparkling wine.

While neither the 2019 nor 2021 vintages in Niagara were particularly great, the 2019 vintage did provide plenty of freshness, while the 2021 vintage tested the skill of winemakers in the field and the picking decisions they made during a wet fall. Let's see how these 2019 and 2021 vintage traditional method sparkling wines from Niagara are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

KEW BLANC DE BLANC 2019 - Traditional Method, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#438994) (XD) - $32.95
100% Chardonnay aged on lees for 6 years. The medium-high intensity nose offers elegantly complex brioche, toasty, lemon citrus, golden apple, and pear aromas with hints of autolytics and leesy notes. On the dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate it has lovely lemon citrus, golden apple, and pear flavours nuanced with spice, brioche, toasty, autolytic, and leesy mineral. Complex, elegant, and layered throughout, it is supported by crisp acidity and finely beaded bubbles that offer a creamy mouthfeel. Citrus and apple notes taper to brioche, toasty, and leesy minerals on the finish, with excellent length. Highly recommended buy! Score: 92 pts

KEW BLANC DE NOIR 2021 - Traditional Method, VQA West Niagara, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#380030) (XD) - $32.95
100% Pinot Noir aged on lees for over 4 years. Gentle toasty, brioche, autolytic, and pastry aromas mingle with citrus and tangy red berry notes rise out of the glass. It's medium+ bodied and dry with crisp effervescence and acidity. It has delicious toasty, brioche, tangy citrus, leesy mineral, and pastry flavours, plus hints of spice, red berry and autolytic notes adding interest. It's nicely textured with good structure on the mid-palate, while toasty, brioche, and citrus notes taper to leesy minerals on the long, savoury, and juicy finish. Recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

A few other wines by Kew Vineyards are available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered direct from the winery in Niagara, as well as through Arterra Wines Canada.

September 26, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Beyond Cabernet

2026-10-01T05:00:00.000-04:00

Here are my top wine picks from the September 26, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here), where “Beyond Cabernet” is the feature story of another relatively small release. In all, there are only 65 wines included, with almost everything priced under $50, including 50 wines under $30. As a result, most wines have relatively approachable price points, and the quality is good, with many enjoyable wines. At this point, everything should be readily available for purchase both online and in stores at LCBO outlets across Ontario.

We’ll begin with the feature story, “Beyond Cabernet,” which aims to turn your attention to wines crafted with grapes other than Cabernet Sauvignon. Of the seventeen wines featured as part of the thematic, five are included among my top wine picks. At the top of the list is a fine Rioja from Spain crafted with Tempranillo, which is also one of the Wines of the Month in this release. Next up is a lovely, locally crafted Shiraz from Niagara, followed by a Shiraz from McLaren Vale in Australia, which happens to be the other Wine of the Month. There are also a pair of Chianti Classico wines from Tuscany, both of which are primarily crafted with Sangiovese.

My top red wine recommendations from the main release begin in British Columbia with a red crafted from 46% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 18% Cabernet Franc, followed by a 100% Cabernet Franc from Niagara-on-the-Lake. From Italy, the Sicilian red is a 50/50 blend of Nero d’Avola and Syrah, while the Rosso di Montalcino from Tuscany is 100% Sangiovese. From Australia, the Cabernet Sauvignon actually includes 5% Petit Verdot, 5% Malbec, and 3% Cabernet Franc, while the wine from Padthaway is 100% Shiraz. Other recommended red wines include a fine Pinot Noir from Chile, a Syrah from New Zealand, and a Garnacha from Spain.

Among my top white wine picks, the only blend is a Veneto Bianco made with 84% Garganega, 10% Chardonnay, and 6% Riesling. At the top of the mono-varietal whites is an excellent, off-dry Riesling from the Beamsville Bench in Niagara. Also on the local front, the Cave Spring Chardonnay was raised entirely in oak, while the Leaning Post Chardonnay was raised entirely in concrete. One of the more interesting white wines in this release is a White Malbec – it was harvested early and pressed at very low pressure to avoid extracting colour from the tannins. Also in this release is a fine Chardonnay from Burgundy, a Vermentino from Tuscany, a Godello from Spain, and a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

SAN ALEJANDRO EVODIA GARNACHA 2023 - Spain (#23914) (XD) - $16.95
SISTER'S RUN EPIPHANY SHIRAZ 2022 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#269464) (XD) - $17.95 88+ pts wine review
JIP JIP ROCKS SINGLE VINEYARD SHIRAZ 2024 - Padthaway, South Australia (#673897) (XD) - $17.95 89 pts wine review
XANADU CIRCA 77 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 - Margaret River, Western Australia (#18344) (XD) - $18.95
TRINITY HILL SYRAH 2022 - Hawke's Bay, North Island, New Zealand (#194274) (XD) - $21.95
FRESCOBALDI PERANO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2022 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#10360) (XD) - $24.95 90 pts wine review
BERONIA VIÑAS VIEJAS 2022 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#16587) (XD) - $24.95 91 pts wine review

MONTES ALPHA SPECIAL CUVÉE PINOT NOIR 2023 - DO Zapallar, Aconcagua Costa, Chile (#19288) (XD) - $24.95 91 pts wine review
FIRRIATO SANTAGOSTINO 30TH ANNIVERSARY BAGLIO SORÌA 2020 - DOC Sicilia, Italy (#291369) (XD) - $24.95 92 pts wine review
FATTORIA DEI BARBI ROSSO DI MONTALCINO 2023 - DOC, Tuscany, Italy (#397430) (XD) - $29.95
JACKSON-TRIGGS NIAGARA ESTATE GRAND RESERVE SHIRAZ 2022 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#54135) (XD) - $29.95
CARPINETO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 - Sustainable, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#47118) (XD) - $32.95 91 pts wine review
ANDREW PELLER SIGNATURE SERIES CABERNET FRANC 2023 - Sustainable, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#53233) (XD) - $49.95
BLACK HILLS NOTA BENE 2022 - BC VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#17727) (XD) - $74.95

White Wine:

ARTESANO DE ARGENTO AGRELO VINEYARD ORGANIC WHITE MALBEC 2026 - Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina (#37223) (XD) - $14.95 88+ pts wine review
PADDY BORTHWICK SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 - Wairarapa, North Island, New Zealand (#361220) (XD) - $19.95
AQUILAIA VERMENTINO 2025 - DOC Maremma Toscana, Italy (#49632) (XD) - $21.95
BODEGAS MERAYO GODELLO 2024 - DO Bierzo, Spain (#50937) (XD) - $21.95
CAVE SPRING ESTATE GROWN CHARDONNAY 2024 - Sustainable, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#256552) (XD) - $24.95 90+ pts wine review
LEANING POST THE FIFTY CHARDONNAY 2025 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#578864) (XD) - $26.95
THIRTY BENCH SMALL LOT WOOD POST VINEYARD RIESLING 2024 - Sustainable, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#359760) (D) - $28.95
TEDESCHI GA.RY 2023 - IGT Veneto Bianco, Italy (#50568) (XD) - $29.95 90+ pts wine review
MAISON CHAMPY PERNAND-VERGELESSES BLANC 2023 - AOC, Burgundy, France (#39801) (XD) - $61.95

Domaine Le Clos Jordanne Le Grand Clos Chardonnay 2023 and Pinot Noir 2023 (Niagara) - Wine Reviews

2026-09-26T17:44:44.501-04:00

Tonight's wine reviews are a pair of excellent, premium wines from Niagara that arrived as part of the feature on "Local Wines You'll Love" from Ontario in the recent September 12 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Both of these wines are produced by Domaine Le Clos Jordanne (DLCJ), a unique Franco-Canadian winery project that was established in 2000 as a partnership between the Boisset Family in Burgundy and Ontario-based Vincor Canada. The goal of this joint venture was to establish a 'domaine' in Ontario's Niagara Peninsula and produce ultra-premium Canadian VQA wines from Burgundy's classic grape varieties – Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

The first wines were introduced to the marketplace in 2007, with Thomas Bachelder as the original winemaker. He developed the brand's signature style around cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, low intervention, and terroir expression. The wines were crafted using sustainable winemaking practices, with a focus on delivering the best and most authentic expression of Burgundian-style wines through the lens of Niagara terroir. This approach led to international recognition and critical acclaim.

In 2016, the original Le Clos Jordanne project was paused before being revived in 2019 by Arterra Wines Canada in a new partnership with Thomas. After years of nomadic winemaking, the brand established a permanent home in 2024 by opening the Domaine Le Clos Jordanne winery at the former Angel's Gate property on the Beamsville Bench sub-appellation in the heart of the Niagara Peninsula. Today, DLCJ uses innovative New World practices combined with time-honoured Burgundian techniques, such as harvesting and sorting the grapes by hand. Every step of the process, from vineyard to bottle, receives careful consideration. Alongside Thomas, the winemaking team consists of Phillip Brown (Associate Winemaker) and Kerri Crawford (Assistant Winemaker).

These wines form Le Clos Jordanne's top-tier "Le Grand Clos" range, which is their mission to hone in on the "filet mignon" of the Clos Jordanne vineyard and their finest expression of the Jordan Bench terroir. Le Clos Jordanne's estate vineyard is located about 14 km east of the winery on a premium parcel of the Jordan Bench, on the first rise from the plain, a natural plateau near the slope of the Niagara Escarpment. The vineyard features limestone-laced silt and clay glacial soils, which are known for bringing intensely focused fruit, minerality, and ageability to the resulting wines. Both the Le Grand Clos Chardonnay and Le Grand Clos Pinot Noir come from blocks located on the western side of the vineyard – a happenstance of aspect, altitude, drainage, and geology. The Chardonnay is from Block 1, while the Pinot Noir is from Blocks 3 and 7.

The vineyards are farmed both traditionally and sustainably in order to preserve the natural balance of the vines and maintain the parcel's terroir specifics and quality of fruit. Each vine is tended to by hand, from pruning through to harvest, with the vines pruned to either a single- or double-Guyot cane system. Some of the tasks in the vineyard include leaf stripping, which takes place on the eastern side of the vine, exposing the clusters to more sun and airflow, promoting healthy ripening and helping to prevent disease. The soil in the vineyard is managed to nurture and maintain a natural level of microbiological life. Every other row is cultivated, alternating yearly, leaving a varied cover crop in the remaining rows. This creates competition in the root system while allowing the topsoil to remain loose and aerobic. Each year, every second row of the soil is broken up (deep-ripped) in order to aerate the soil structure and help avoid compaction.

To craft this Chardonnay, hand-harvesting began slowly and meticulously on October 7, picking only the best bunches. The fruit was whole-bunch pressed, and the full tank of free-run juice was racked into French oak barrels, where it would remain for the next 18 months. The juice underwent wild yeast fermentation, followed by malolactic fermentation on its lees. During this process, Thomas, Kerri, and Phillip would go through each individual barrel, watching the process slowly unfold, and nearing the end of élevage, a selection of 33 barrels, seven of them being first fills, were blended and bottled.

To craft this Pinot Noir, the grapes were hanging beautifully with thick skins and great flavours when it was decided to hand-harvest on October 2 due to unseasonably warm weather and a heatwave in the short-range forecast. After hand-sorting and destemming, the grapes were placed into multiple fermentation tanks, separated by individual blocks, and allowed to naturally warm as the wild yeast began the fermentation process. After about a month, with daily pump-overs or punch-downs, the ferment was complete and the free-run wine was placed into 48 barrels, a combination of both first-fill and previous-fill barrels. After a fairly long period of ageing in barrel, the final wine was selected from 19 barrels, four of them being first fills, and then blended and bottled.

In 2023, the growing season in Niagara was a pretty classic vintage for the region, with no major curveballs. It began with a slightly mild winter followed by a warm spring, which meant early budbreak. Summer featured occasional heatwaves, along with big thunderstorms, which meant vigilant viticultural practices were needed. Harvest time arrived hard and fast with a beautiful, dry, and warm fall, with all the grapes harvested and processed within a very short 22-day window, ending on October 24. There were a handful of extra-long days and a few sleepless nights, but the passionate crew worked tirelessly to give the fruit and wines the attention and love they demanded and deserved. From a great vintage, let's see how these 2023 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines from Niagara are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

DOMAINE LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS CHARDONNAY 2023 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#184549) (XD) - $55.00
Screw cap. Lovely, rich, and layered aromas of medium-high intensity deliver perfectly ripe apple and pear notes nuanced with vanilla, citrus, oak spice, butter, and mealy complexity. On the dry, full-bodied palate it is rich and flavourful with lovely orchard fruit and stone fruit, apple, pear, lemon citrus, and melon joined by oak spice, vanilla, and butter flavours in a complex profile. Impressively textured with an almost chalky mouthfeel. Some leesy notes add further complexity on the mid-palate. Lemon citrus and apple notes taper to savoury with leesy mineral, gentle oak spice, and vanilla notes on the exceptionally long finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 93+ pts

DOMAINE LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS PINOT NOIR 2023 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#184564) (XD) - $55.00
Screw cap. The medium-high intensity nose has crushed ripe raspberry and spice aromas with oak accents, plus whiffs of black cherry, earthy mushroom, beet root, and clove add complexity. The weighty, medium+ bodied has a nice, chalky textured mouthfeel and fresh acidity. It's dry and ripe with delicious dark raspberry, earthy mushroom, beet root, oak spice flavours, plus some notes of clove , white pepper, and stony mineral. It has grainy, chalky textured tannins with good structure and tension. Dark raspberry and spice notes taper to savoury, stony minerals on the long, chalky textured finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 93 pts

A couple of wines by Domaine Le Clos Jordanne are available as VINTAGES Essentials at the LCBO, while the full range of wines can be ordered direct from the winery in Niagara or through Arterra Wines Canada.

Kew Fracette Sparkling 2025 and Inniskillin Fracette Rosé Sparkling 2025 (Ontario) - Wine Reviews

2026-09-22T17:41:38.007-04:00

Tonight's sparkling wine reviews are a pair of delicious, brand-new Fracette sparkling wines that recently arrived at the LCBO as part of the feature on Ontario wines in the September 12 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Fracette (pronounced “frah-SET”) is a new VQA category of sparkling wine that is uniquely Canadian, as it is crafted using Icewine. The term Fracette is a combination of words inspired by the frozen (fr-) grapes used to make Canadian Icewine and facette (-acette), representing the layers and complexities of this completely new style of sparkling wine.

What makes Fracette unique is that instead of a conventional mixture of still base wine with sugar and yeast being used in the tirage to spark secondary fermentation, VQA Icewine supplies the fermentable sugar. The secondary fermentation is what creates the bubbles and can take place either in tank (the Charmat or méthode cuve close method) or in bottle (the Traditional method). This distinctive use of Icewine as the tirage liqueur can enhance the freshness and depth of flavour of the finished wine, creating a crisp and complex sparkling wine with a unique drinking experience.

Some of the rules governing Fracette wines include the use of Vitis vinifera grape varieties, with Vidal permitted in the Icewine component, and no more than 15 g/L residual sugar. Like other VQA sparkling wines, the wine must derive its effervescence from alcoholic fermentation rather than artificial carbonation, have a minimum of 300 kPa, and the alcohol content must be between 7% and 14.9% ABV. Since November 2025, Fracette has been a protected and regulated VQA Ontario wine category under Ontario's Vintners Quality Alliance regulations.

Both of these delicious sparkling wines by Kew Vineyards and Inniskillin Wines are readily available at the LCBO, with the Kew Fracette Sparkling featured as a Hand-Picked Gift. I happened to notice while shopping over the weekend that both of these bubblies are also available at grocery stores. Let's see how these two locally crafted Ontario sparkling wines are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

KEW FRACETTE SPARKLING 2025 - Charmat Method, VQA Ontario, Canada (#53239) (XD) - $26.95
Blend of 41% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay, 16% Pinot Meuiner, and 10% Vidal Icewine. Delicate aromas of stone & orchard fruits, peach, floral, pear, and apple with hints of citrus rise out of the glass. On the weighty, medium-full bodied palate there's sweet fruited peach, floral, pear, apple, and citrus replays on the dry flavour profile. Acids are crisp, juicy, and refreshing, while the gentle mousse is clean and crisp. It's well-balanced throughout with floral, peach, pear, and citrus notes on the dry finish, with very good length. Recommended buy. 89 pts

INNISKILLIN FRACETTE ROSÉ SPARKLING 2025 - Charmat Method, VQA Ontario, Canada (#53240) (XD) - $34.95
100% Cabernet Franc with Cabernet Franc Icewine used as the tirage. A finishing touch of Cabernet Franc Icewine was also used. The medium+ intensity nose has gentle aromas of red berry jelly, raspberry, strawberry, and cherry aromas with hints of citrus, rose floral, and mineral. It is light-to-medium bodied on the palate with lovely raspberry, cherry, and strawberry flavours mingling with blood orange, mineral, and spice flavours in a dry, complex flavour profile. It has clean and crisp acidity, along with finely crafted bubbles that are smooth, refined, and elegant. Red berry and citrus notes taper to minerals and spice on the long, savoury, and juicy finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

Other lovely wines by Kew Vineyards and Inniskillin are widely available at the LCBO and various online and brick-and-mortar shops, including grocery stores, and can also be ordered direct from each winery or through Arterra Wines Canada.

September 12, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Ontario

2026-09-18T05:00:00.000-04:00

Here are my top wine picks from the September 12, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here), where local wines from Ontario are the focus of the feature story. While the release is quite good overall, with a number of high-quality wines, the first word that comes to mind when I think about this release is "disappointment."

My first disappointment with this release is that it contains only 83 products, including 14 Online & Flagship Exclusives, leaving just 69 products broadly available across the province. I’ve heard that smaller releases will be the norm for the next couple of months, and perhaps beyond. Second, while there are 20 wines from Ontario, plus one from Nova Scotia and two from British Columbia, there are also 26 wines from Italy. This means that 49 of the 83 wines, or 59%, come from just two countries. I love my Ontario and Italian wines, but diversity is lacking, in my opinion.

The last disappointment took place on Release Day (September 12), when I visited one LCBO store and discovered that it had received only one Ontario wine from the entire release. I then visited a second LCBO store, only to find that all six wines being poured for the Saturday tasting were from the previous release (August 29, which is apparently what they do at this location). Furthermore, their policy was to only place wines from this release, which they had already received, on the shelves the following Monday. Nevertheless, by now, everything should be available for purchase both online and at physical LCBO stores across Ontario.

Moving past my disappointments, let’s have a look at my top wine picks from the feature story, which focuses on great local wines from Ontario. Of the twenty Ontario wines featured, eleven are among my recommended buys. Ontario produces many fine sparkling wines, with Kew Vineyards being a specialist in this category. Kew’s Blanc de Blanc is crafted with Chardonnay, while its Blanc de Noir is made from Pinot Noir. Also featured in this release is a new category of sparkling wine called Fracette—a uniquely Canadian style in which an Icewine liqueur de tirage is used to initiate the secondary fermentation. The Kew Fracette is a blend of 41% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay, 16% Pinot Meuiner, and 10% Vidal Icewine, while the Inniskillin Fracette is a Cabernet Franc sparkling rosé with Cabernet Franc Icewine used to initiate the second fermentation. White wines from Ontario include a pair of lovely Chardonnays, as well as a fine, gently off-dry Riesling. My top red wine picks from Ontario are a trio of Pinot Noirs, followed by a Cabernet Franc.

My top red wine picks from the main release begin with a pair of excellent Riojas from Spain. First is the 2014 Rioja, a blend of 75% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, and 10% Graciano & Mazuelo, followed by the 2015 Rioja, made with 80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, and 5% Mazuelo & Graciano. From Italy, the Valpolicella is composed of 85% Corvina Veronese, 10% Rondinella, and 5% Corvinone, while the Toscana Rosso is a blend of 40% Sangiovese, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 10% Syrah. Staying in Italy, both the Chianti Classico and Rosso di Montalcino are crafted with 100% Sangiovese, while the wine from Basilicata is made with Aglianico. Lastly, the other mono-varietal reds are a Malbec from Argentina and a Shiraz from Western Australia.

Among my white wine recommendations from the main release, the only blend is a white wine from the Douro in Portugal, crafted with three indigenous varieties—Códega de Larinho, Rabigato, and Viosinho. Among the mono-varietal wines, at the top of the list is the outstanding Verdicchio from 50+-year-old vines, followed by the Pecorino, with both wines coming from the same producer in Italy. Other mono-varietal wines include a Sauvignon Blanc from Chile, a Pinot Grigio from northern Italy, an old-vine Chardonnay from Australia, and a Pinot Gris from New Zealand.

There are two sparkling wine picks outside Ontario. First up is a Prosecco from Italy crafted with Glera, while the second bubbly is a Cava from Spain composed of 55% Xarel·lo, 30% Macabeo, and 15% Parellada.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

FRANKLAND ROCKY GULLY SHIRAZ 2022 - Frankland River, Western Australia (#33371) (XD) - $17.95
VITICCIO SOSPETTI TOSCANA ROSSO 2022 - IGT, Tuscany, Italy (#50775) (XD) - $18.00 88 pts wine review
ZENATO VALPOLICELLA SUPERIORE 2022 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#995704) (XD) - $18.95 89 pts wine review
FABRE MONTMAYOU RESERVA MALBEC 2024 - Vegan, Sustainable, Mendoza, Argentina (#261867) (XD) - $19.95
PATERNOSTER SYNTHESI AGLIANICO DEL VULTURE 2021 - DOC, Campania, Italy (#51672) (XD) - $19.95
TAWSE GROWERS BLEND CABERNET FRANC 2021 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#284570) (XD) - $29.95

WESTCOTT ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2023 - Sustainable, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#427500) (XD) - $33.95 91 pts wine review
BACHELDER LES VILLAGES BENCH PINOT NOIR 2024 - VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#11582) (XD) - $34.95 91+ pts wine review
POGGIO SAN POLO ROSSO DI MONTALCINO 2022 - Sustainable, DOC, Tuscany, Italy (#60863) (XD) - $36.95
FONTODI CHIANTI CLASSICO 2022 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#933317) (XD) - $49.95
DOMAINE LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS PINOT NOIR 2023 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#184564) (XD) - $55.00 93 pts wine review
R. LÓPEZ DE HEREDIA VIÑA BOSCONIA RESERVA 2015 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#529586) (XD) - $59.95
R. LÓPEZ DE HEREDIA TONDONIA RESERVA 2014 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#356337) (XD) - $82.95

White Wine:

MATAHIWI ESTATE PINOT GRIS 2024 - Wairarapa, North Island, New Zealand (#12679) (XD) - $17.95
LEYDA GARUMA COASTAL VINEYARDS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 - DO Valle de Leyda, Chile (#99309) (XD) - $18.95
QUADRUS WHITE 2024 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#667162) (XD) - $23.95
SCHILD OLD VINE BAROSSA CHARDONNAY 2025 - Barossa, South Australia (#50189) (XD) - $23.95
NALS MARGREID HILL PINOT GRIGIO 2025 - DOC Südtirol-Alto Adige, Italy (#17365) (XD) - $24.95
HIDDEN BENCH RIESLING 2023 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#183491) (D) - $26.95
UMANI RONCHI CENTOVIE PECORINO 2024 - IGT Colli Aprutini, Abruzzo, Italy (#11108) (XD) - $28.95
UMANI RONCHI CASAL DI SERRA VECCHIE VIGNE VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2023 - DOC, Marche, Italy (#98111) (XD) - $28.95 93+ pts wine review
DOMAINE LE CLOS JORDANNE JORDAN VILLAGE CHARDONNAY 2023 - VQA West Niagara, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#20455) (XD) - $30.00 91+ pts wine review
DOMAINE LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS CHARDONNAY 2023 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#184549) (XD) - $55.00 93+ pts wine review

Sparkling Wine:

ALESSANDRO BERSELLI SIGNATURE COLLECTION VALDOBBIADENE PROSECCO SUPERIORE 2025 - DOCG, Italy (#51608) (D) - $19.95 89 pts wine review
CYGNUS SADOR ORGANIC RESERVA BRUT NATURE CAVA - Vegan, Sustainable, Traditional Method, DO Penedès, Spain (#352856) (XD) - $19.95
KEW FRACETTE SPARKLING 2025 - Charmat Method, VQA Ontario, Canada (#53239) (XD) - $26.95 89 pts wine review
KEW BLANC DE NOIR 2021 - Traditional Method, VQA West Niagara, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#380030) (XD) - $32.95 90+ pts wine review
KEW BLANC DE BLANC 2019 - Traditional Method, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#438994) (XD) - $32.95 92 pts wine review
INNISKILLIN FRACETTE ROSÉ SPARKLING 2025 - Charmat Method, VQA Ontario, Canada (#53240) (XD) - $34.95 90+ pts wine review

Tapiz Alta Collection San Pablo Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 (Argentina) - Wine Review

2026-09-16T17:33:32.857-04:00

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely, high-altitude, single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from the Uco Valley that was featured as a Hand-Picked Gift in the recent August 29 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Like the lovely 2023 Tapiz Alta Collection San Pablo Vineyard Malbec I enjoyed a few months ago, this red wine is produced by Fincas Patagónicas, one of Argentina's most prominent wine producers. Fincas Patagónicas was established in 2003 by Patricia Ortiz with the goal of crafting exceptional wines from Argentina's most distinctive terroirs. The winemaking philosophy combines traditional methods with innovative techniques to create wines from high-altitude vineyards in Mendoza and along the Atlantic coast of Patagonia that truly express the unique terroir of each region.

Fincas Patagónicas has three winery projects in Argentina — Zolo, Tapiz, and Wapisa. Tapiz is located in the heart of the San Pablo Geographical Indication (GI), within the Tunuyán department of the Uco Valley, Mendoza. Situated at 4,600 feet above sea level, the estate is home to one of Mendoza's highest-elevation vineyards. At Tapiz, sustainable winemaking traditions are combined with modern innovation at its state-of-the-art winery, which was constructed in 2016 and is surrounded by estate vineyards. Under Patricia's guidance, Tapiz has been a pioneer in the region and played a role in the development of the San Pablo GI. The San Pablo GI benefits from extremes of altitude, temperature, and soil heterogeneity, allowing for the creation of full-bodied and concentrated wines that are also elegant and balanced.

Tapiz is committed to environmentally conscious practices and to producing wines that faithfully express their unique terroir. Today, the wines are crafted by the celebrated winemaking team of Fabián Valenzuela and famed Bordeaux winemaker Jean-Claude Berrouet, who was the winemaker at Pétrus for 44 vintages. The name "Tapiz" is Spanish for tapestry, and the label and capsule depict the different components that come together to create wine, including high-altitude fruit, the land, the sun, and the workers. Thus, Tapiz represents a beautiful tapestry of terroir and innovation. Through her wineries, Patricia is also dedicated to giving back to the environment through sustainable practices while encouraging responsible practices among staff, suppliers, and customers.

This red wine is crafted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grown in the San Pablo Vineyard surrounding the winery. The estate vineyard is situated at 4,600 feet above sea level, and the 16-year-old vines were sustainably farmed. To vinify the wine, the grapes underwent a cold pre-maceration at 8˚C for 5 days to extract colour and aromas. The wine was then fermented in stainless steel tanks at approximately 28˚C for 14 days before resting on its lees for 16 days. It was subsequently aged in French oak barrels for 12 months, with 15% of the barrels being first-use and the remainder second- and third-use.

The 2023 vintage in Argentina was defined by multiple frosts, which greatly reduced yields in most parts of the country. However, higher-elevation sites with natural slopes fared better as the cold air moved to lower areas. Spring eventually turned warm and dry, leading to the hottest Argentine summer since 1961 and historic drought conditions. With lighter fruit loads, the grapes ripened more quickly than average, resulting in an earlier harvest. Despite the heat and drought, the low yields concentrated flavours, while the dry conditions kept disease at bay. From a vintage with high expectations for red wines from high-altitude vineyards, let's see how this 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Uco Valley is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

TAPIZ ALTA COLLECTION SAN PABLO VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#403345) (XD) - $20.95
The medium-high intensity nose offers ripe black fruits, blackberry, black plum, and cedar oak aromas followed hints of black currant, cassis, and grilled herbs. On the dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate has delicious, ripe black fruits, black currant, blackberry, black plum, and oak spice flavours, along with touches of graphite, and grilled herbs. It has clean, fresh acidity, alongside finely textured and firm tannins with good structure that will benefit from a few years in the cellar. It's well-balanced throughout with black currant, cassis, and cedar oak notes, plus hints of graphite lingering on the long, slightly youthful finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

The aforementioned Malbec is available at the LCBO, along with another Malbec, while the full range of Fincas Patagónicas wines can be ordered through their Agent - DB Wine & Spirits.

Domaine Welty Bélénus Gewürztraminer 2023 (Alsace) - Wine Review

2026-09-12T17:40:23.291-04:00

Tonight's white wine review is a beautiful, organic, and off-dry Gewürztraminer from Alsace that made its debut at the LCBO last month. It arrived as part of the feature on Great Wines for Takeout Nights in the August 15 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and would be ideal for pairing with spicy dishes such as Thai or Indian curries.

It is produced by Domaine Welty, a small, family-run winery situated in the commune of Orschwihr in southern Alsace, at the foot of the Bollenberg hill. The family's story began when M. Welty planted her first vines in 1738 on the dry and arid hills of the Bollenberg. Eight generations later, the Welty family continues with the same faith and passion, with a beautiful family history that binds them strongly to the land, vineyard, and wine.

The modern era of Domaine Welty began in 1984, when Jean-Michel took over management of the estate from his father, Fernand. As the seventh generation of the family, Jean-Michel gradually doubled the vineyard size to what is now 14 hectares of vines. In 2012, Jean-Michel was joined by his son, Jérémy, who represented the eighth generation of the family and brought a wind of freshness to the domaine, including new ideas and cultivation techniques – specifically organic agriculture. In 2018, the domaine received its Organic Farming certification, while Jérémy also took over winemaking responsibilities. In 2021, Jérémy took over the domaine from his father.

Since the beginning, the Welty family's daily work has been guided by their conviction that nature will give them what they have given it. Every day they apply with passion and fervor the principles of organic farming, observing the virtues that it generates in the vineyard. Additionally, by cultivating their vines organically, they have gained a better understanding of the vineyard. They have also begun implementing new processes, in particular developing decoctions in order to carry out homeopathic vine treatments. Today, the philosophy at Domaine Welty has evolved strongly in order to listen to nature, respect it, understand it, and seek balance. This allows the family to produce the most natural wines possible, along with the purest expression of their terroir.

Domaine Welty has several ranges of wines, with this particular wine coming from their "Blancs de Terroir" range, a group of terroir-driven white wines. It is crafted using 100% Gewürztraminer that was organically grown on clay-limestone soils. The name Bélénus is associated with the Bollenberg hill near the domaine's vineyards. Belenus (or Belenos) was an ancient Celtic deity whose name is generally associated with brightness, light, and the sun, making the name a fitting reference to the dry Bollenberg hill and its excellent exposure to the sun.

To craft this Gewürztraminer, the grapes were hand-harvested and placed in small crates. Upon arriving at the winery, the whole grapes were direct-pressed using a pneumatic press, and then fermented using indigenous yeasts in stainless steel vats at a controlled temperature. It was matured on fine lees until bottling.

The growing season in Alsace in 2023 began with a dry and mild winter, followed by a cool and wet March, which pushed budburst beyond the reach of early April frosts. While April remained wet and cool, May brought summer warmth, particularly towards the end of the month, followed by flowering and significant heat during the first two weeks of June. Gewürztraminer fared well in the weather conditions as July remained warm and dry, however, drought was becoming problematic. The end of July and early August was cooler and wetter, while dry heat arrived towards the end of the month. Due to the dry conditions, phenolic maturity was unusually ahead of sugar maturity, which resulted in harvest taking place a little bit later than anticipated. From another excellent vintage (8th out of the last 9 years), let's see how this 2023 Gewürztraminer from Alsace is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

DOMAINE WELTY BÉLÉNUS GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2023 - AOC Alsace, France (#49863) (M) - $25.95
This organic Gewürztraminer from Alsace has a lovely, intense, medium-high to highly aromatic nose with perfumed aromas of lychee, rose floral, yellow fruit, and citrus with touches of spice. The rich, weighty, medium-full bodied palate has very good concentration with lovely lychee, rose floral, citrus, yellow fruit, and spice replays in an off-dry flavour profile. It's framed by fresh, lively acidity that tempers the sweetness. Clean and well-balanced throughout with leesy, mineral, and spice notes lingering on the long, savoury, and textured finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

Other lovely wines by Domaine Welty can be ordered through their Agent - KOLONAKI Group of Companies.

La Nerthe Les Cassagnes Côtes-du-Rhône Villages 2023 (France) - Wine Review

2026-09-09T17:43:47.034-04:00

Tonight's red wine review is an excellent, organic GSM blend from the Côtes du Rhône-Villages appellation of the Southern Rhône Valley. It arrived at the LCBO in the August 15th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and was featured as a Great Wine for Takeout Night, ideally paired with takeout burgers.

It is produced by Domaines Richard, a winemaking family passionate about wine since 1892. The Richard family's expertise has been passed down through the generations and is rooted in the constant pursuit of perfection from vine to glass. Since 1960, the Richard family has drawn inspiration from the major wine regions of the Rhône Valley, Bordeaux, and Beaujolais to craft wines with many expressions that reflect the richness and diversity of their grape varieties.

In 1985, Domaines Richard acquired Château La Nerthe, a historic and renowned estate situated in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. In 1994, Domaine de la Renjarde was acquired and would go on to become Les Cassagnes de La Nerthe, just 15 km north of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The vineyards of Les Cassagnes are situated in the named village appellation of Massif d'Uchaux, and are composed of three terraces, the highest of which overlaps with the surrounding Mediterranean forest, while garrigue (thyme, rosemary, laurels, evergreen oaks, olive trees, and genista) is found everywhere.

The Les Cassagnes vineyards are made up of 50 hectares in Sérignan-du-Comtat, along with another 20 hectares in Mondragon that were acquired a short time ago. While these two vineyards share proximity and similarities, they are also complementary. The historic vineyard in Sérignan-du-Comtat is situated at the level of the Rhône River, only 70 metres above sea level, while the newly integrated plots in Mondragon are about 200 metres above sea level. In Sérignan-du-Comtat, the vineyard is a succession of large terraces, while in Mondragon it is a mosaic of 38 small plots with their own micro-terroirs, separated by wooded patches. While both vineyards are rich in red sands and siliceous clay, the Mondragon plots seem richer in limestone, with many flat white stones visible on the surface. The vines also seem to be planted directly on rock, a somewhat rare occurrence in the Southern Rhône Valley.

The philosophy at Les Cassagnes de La Nerthe is focused on nature. With a commitment to preserving the environment, terroir, health of consumers, and the teams, the Les Cassagnes vineyard has been certified organic since 2013. In nature, the synergy between the sown plants and the soil microorganisms allows restructuring and enrichment of the soils, especially in organic matter, which is beneficial to the cultivation of the vine. The abundance of plants on the ground also provides a refuge for birds, small rodents, small herbivores, and insects, which promotes a balanced ecosystem and natural regulation of certain insect pests of the vine. By implementing forest hedges, they believe this will help with climate change, keep the plots cool, and protect them from hard-blowing winds. They have also started having sheep graze in the vineyards.

This red wine is crafted using a blend of 55% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 4% Mourvèdre, and 1% other varieties. The grapes were grown organically at La Nerthe's "Les Cassagnes" vineyards within the communes of Sérignan-du-Comtat and Mondragon. The vineyards are planted at altitudes up to 182 metres above sea level, featuring multiple microclimates and soils composed of poor sand, clay, and calcareous rocks that provide natural filtration. The name Les Cassagnes means oak trees and refers to the green oak forest that surrounds the vineyards.

To vinify this wine, the grapes were hand-harvested and sorted in the vineyard. Upon arriving at the winery, the grapes were lightly crushed, with several daily pump-overs, to gently extract colour and tannins. The three main varieties were co-fermented over a long maceration of 3–4 weeks. After fermentation, the final blend was aged on fine lees in stainless steel tanks for 12 months before bottling.

In 2023, the growing season in the Southern Rhône began with a dry and windy winter with episodes of Mistral winds, followed by a wet spring with rain that provided the water needed for the growing period. While summer temperatures were hot, water stress was not critical and there was no disease in the vineyards. A final strong heatwave led to harvest beginning at the end of August and ending at the beginning of October, with the end results being generous red grapes that produced lovely, balanced wines. From a good vintage for vines grown on clay soils beneath rolled pebbles in the Southern Rhône, let's see how the 2023 Côtes du Rhône-Villages red wine is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

LA NERTHE LES CASSAGNES CÔTES-DU-RHÔNE VILLAGES 2023 - AOP, France (#494674) (XD) - $27.95
Organic blend of 55% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 4% Mourvèdre, and 1% other varieties. Elegant, gently perfumed aromas of medium-high intensity rise out of the glass with black raspberry, garrigue, strawberry, cherry, and peppery spice aromas flecked with stony minerals and scorched earth. The mid-weighted, slighty warm palate is dry and ripe with lovely black raspberry, garrigue, plum, cherry, strawberry, peppery spice, stony mineral, and earthy flavours in a complex profile. Acids are well-balanced, while the smooth, refined tannins have a somewhat creamy mouthfeel that leads to a supple, fine-grained, and gently chalky textured back palate. Red berry, garrigue, and peppery spice notes taper to stony mineral and savoury earth on the long, balanced, and very satisfying finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

Extremely limited quantities of other fantastic wines by Château La Nerthe are available at the LCBO, while the full portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Woodman Wines & Spirits.

Luis Felipe Edwards Cinso Reserva Cinsault 2024 (Chile) - Wine Review

2026-09-07T17:38:16.041-04:00

Happy long weekend! Tonight's red wine review is a delicious, vegan-friendly, and unoaked Cinsault from the Itata Valley in Chile that made its debut at the LCBO in last month's August 15 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Luis Felipe Edwards (LFE), a major wine producer in Chile that makes premium wines with unique styles and characteristics. It was established in 1976 by Luis Felipe Edwards Sr. after he and his wife returned to Chile following some years in Europe. The couple was enamoured by an estate in Colchagua Valley that was for sale by a family friend and already had 60 hectares of vineyards, a small winemaking facility, and a historical country farmhouse. This estate was the foundation for what would become one of Chile's largest wineries, while also committing to maintaining their family heritage.

Over the years, Luis Felipe Edwards purchased more vineyard holdings and produced bulk wine, but in the 1990s, he recognized the quality of the wines being produced from his estate grapes and decided to bottle his wine and sell it under his own brand, using his own name as a seal of quality on each bottle.

In the 2000s, Luis Felipe Edwards Jr. took over the role of General Manager, while all director positions are held by members of the family. The focus was to preserve the quality of his wines while also diversifying the portfolio, which led to the exploration of new terroirs, most notably an estate in coastal Leyda Valley. Since 2010, LFE has grown exponentially by increasing vineyard plantings and winemaking and bottling capacities in order to keep up with growing demand, with a particular focus on premium wine grapes.

Today, LFE Wine Group is still family-owned and -managed. Their mission is to be the leading ambassador of Chilean wine across all categories, while also offering exceptional quality at the best value to wine drinkers worldwide. LFE is committed to innovation, sustainability, and biodiversity, while honouring their heritage in every bottle they produce.

LFE Wine Group has several estates and many brands and ranges of wines, and what makes them unique is their exclusive origin and the gentle care in which they are crafted, which gives them their distinctive personalities. All of the company's wines are produced at their Puquillay Estate in the Colchagua Valley and are vegan-friendly. This particular red wine is from LFE's Heritage range of wines. This Cinso and its companion Paí are fresh and unique wines crafted using grapes from small producers in Chile's Itata Valley. These Cinsault and País vines were planted on their own roots more than 30 and 80 years ago, respectively, and are head-trained and traditionally harvested by hand, giving rise to a pair of wines that are a true reflection of their terroir and the history of Chile.

This red wine is crafted with 100% Cinsault that was sourced from small growers located in various areas of the Itata Valley, about 500 km south of Santiago. The vineyards are situated at high altitude on gently rolling terrain approximately 30 km inland from the ocean, while the vines are more than 30 years old and are planted on their own roots, without rootstock. Vineyard work was carried out traditionally, with tillage on horseback and without machinery.

To vinify this wine, the grapes were hand-harvested during the first and third weeks of April, and different winemaking techniques were used to achieve the greatest expression of fruit. Maceration was carried out using both thermo-flash and traditional techniques. Some berries were destemmed, while others remained as whole clusters, and everything underwent a delicate crushing prior to alcoholic fermentation, which was carried out over 10 days with wild and native yeasts. The wine was then macerated for another 15 days on its skins, and was then aged on its fine lees and bottled unfiltered. It had no contact with wood, resulting in a wine of intense colour and spice notes, and a rustic character.

The 2024 growing season in southern Chile began with a wet winter and cool spring due to El Niño. However, this also meant that there were no summer heat spikes, which allowed for slow, even ripening and higher-than-usual acidity levels. Despite some challenges, quality expectations are high. Let's see how this 2024 Cinsault from Chile is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

LUIS FELIPE EDWARDS CINSO RESERVA CINSAULT 2024 - Vegan, Unfiltered, Unoaked, DO Valle del Itata, Chile (#51147) (XD) - $16.95
Screw cap. The medium+ to medium-high intensity has engaging aromas of peppery spice, dark red berry, wild berry, and dried herbs with savoury, underbrush, and earthy undertones. The dry, medium+ bodied palate has a nice, weighty mouthfeel with a fine mix of fruity-herbal-earthy notes with dark red berry, mild peppery spice, and earthy mineral flavours. Crisp, citrusy acids are fresh and juicy, while the tannins have a slightly chalky textured grip, with good structure. Tangy wild berry and dried herbal notes taper to savoury earth and underbrush on the dusty textured finish, with very good length. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

A couple of other wines by LFE Wine Group are available at the LCBO, while wines from the full portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits of Canada.

Bortoluzzi Pinot Grigio delle Venezie 2024 (Italy) - Wine Review

2026-09-04T17:43:07.333-04:00

Tonight's white wine review is a delicious Pinot Grigio from the delle Venezie DOC in northeastern Italy that returned to the LCBO in last month's August 15th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Bortoluzzi Wines, a family-owned winery that was established in 1982 by Giovanni Bortoluzzi, in the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia in northeastern Italy. The family estate is situated at Borgo Tintor, within the comune of Gradisca d'Isonzo, in the far eastern part of Italy, close to the Slovenian border. Since its founding, the family's production philosophy has been based on the Latin motto "Ad Maiora", which means "towards greater things."

The Bortoluzzi family's passion for wine was handed down from one generation to the next. Giovanni worked in the wine industry as a consultant and bottler for many years before deciding to establish his own estate with his wife, Mireide. Today, the children of Giovanni and Mireide hold important roles in the family business, as Alberto is the Agricultural Expert and Vineyard Manager, Angela is Administration and Marketing Manager, and Alessio is Sales Director and Cellar Manager.

Together, they tend to their lands and vineyards which are treated like gardens. The Bortoluzzi vineyards are divided between the hills and plains, in the prestigious DOC wine regions of Collio and Isonzo, within Friuli Venezia Giulia. They pay great attention to detail, ranging from the extraordinary order of their rows to everyday work at the winery. While firmly believing that sensitivity is fundamental to creating excellent wines, their ability to listen to the land and perceive subtle changes in the vineyard allows Bortoluzzi to understand their terroir, adapt, and improve, which is at the heart of their wine production.

As good wine is made in the vineyard, sustainability is an indelible imprint that permeates every aspect of the Bortoluzzi family's daily lives. In order to make progress, it is essential to look to the future without forgetting the valuable lessons imparted by history and experience. They have great respect for the rhythms of nature as the vineyards are the beating heart of the winery, and their commitment to sustainability begins with the meticulous care of the rows of vines.

This white wine is crafted with 100% Pinot Grigio that was grown on the outskirts of the comune of Gradisca d'Isonzo, right on what in Roman times was the important Via Gemina. Half of the grapes come from 50 hectares of vineyards surrounding Bortoluzzi's Borgo Tintor estate, while the remainder comes from the prestigious DOCs of Collio and Isonzo. To craft this wine, all the grapes were hand-harvested and gently pressed whole. After being cold-decanted, the must was fermented at a controlled temperature of 17°C in stainless steel tanks for 6 months.

The growing season in 2024 in delle Venezie began with abundant spring rains, with different frequency and intensity depending on the area, followed by a sharp increase in temperatures, which improved the situation. With proper management in the vineyard, the result was healthy and quality grapes. Let's see how this 2024 Pinot Grigio from DOC delle Venezie is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

BORTOLUZZI PINOT GRIGIO DELLE VENEZIE 2024 - DOC, Italy (#27621) (XD) - $23.95
The lifted, medium-high intensity nose offers fresh spring flowers, lemon citrus, apple, pear, and garden herb aromas with hints of honey blossom emerging with time in the glass. On the dry, medium-bodied, and textured palate it is ripe with lemon citrus, honey blossom, floral, apple, and pear replays joined by spice and leesy mineral flavours. It's supported by clean and fresh acidity, while citrus, apple, and pear flavours taper to leesy minerals and gentle pithy notes on the long, textured finish. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other delicious wines by Bortoluzzi can be ordered through their Agent - Woodman Wines & Spirits.

August 29, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Book Club Wines

2026-09-02T05:00:00.000-04:00

Here are my top wine picks from the August 29, 2026 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (digital edition here), where “Book Club” is the title and main theme of the release. With 92 products offered, this is on the smaller side of the spectrum. There are 40 red wines in the release, along with just 26 white wines, while sparkling wines and rosé make up much of the remainder. The average price per bottle comes in at just under $25. Overall, it is a good release, with all but one of my recommendations priced below $40, and everything should be readily available for purchase both online and in stores at LCBO outlets across Ontario.

We’ll begin with the feature story titled “Book Club – Thoughtful Wine and Literary Pairings,” which includes seventeen wines that are perfect pairings for book lovers. Since my picks are focused on the wines themselves, only a couple of wines from the feature are included among my recommendations. One is a blend of 65% Tempranillo and 35% Grenache from Australia, while the other is a Malbec from Argentina.

Among my top red wine picks, we’ll go local first with a pair of blends from Niagara. The wine from Niagara-on-the-Lake is composed of 53% Cabernet Franc and 47% Merlot, while the wine from Leaning Post is 47% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Franc, and 14% Syrah. Other blends include the Roussillon red, which is composed of approximately 70% Syrah, 20% Grenache, and 10% Carignan, as well as the Chianti Classico, which is composed primarily of Sangiovese (90%), with Canaiolo and Colorino completing the blend. Among the mono-varietal reds, there is a Barolo crafted with Nebbiolo, while the Riserva Chianti Classico is 100% Sangiovese. The remaining mono-varietal reds are a Gamay from Beaujolais, a Pinot Noir from South Africa, and a pair of Cabernet Sauvignons—one each from Argentina and South Africa.

The only blend among my top white wine recommendations is the Rhône wine, which is crafted with 70% Grenache Blanc, 15% Clairette, 10% Viognier, and 5% Roussanne. Chardonnay is particularly well represented in this release, with four recommendations—one each from Niagara, Prince Edward County, Chile, and New Zealand. There are also a pair of Sauvignon Blancs, one each from the Loire and New Zealand. Rounding out the selection are a fine Malagouzia from Greece, a Chenin Blanc from South Africa, and a Graševina from Croatia.

The remaining recommendations are in other styles, rather than red or white wines, and are all blends. At the top of the list is a Champagne crafted with 60% Pinot Meunier, 30% Chardonnay, and 10% Pinot Noir, while the Cava is approximately 40% Xarel·lo, 40% Parellada, and 20% Macabeu. Both of the rosé recommendations are from Provence and are dry in style, with the Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault, while the Côtes de Provence is crafted with 46% Cinsault, 34% Grenache, 12% Mourvèdre, 4% Syrah, 2% Rolle, and 2% Sémillon.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

CAP MARITIME COASTAL PINOT NOIR 2024 - Vegan, Sustainable, WO Cape South Coast, South Africa (#51626) (XD) - $19.95
ZONTE'S FOOTSTEP SPLITTING HARES TEMPRANILLO/GRENACHE 2022 - Vegan, Fleurieu, South Australia (#30847) (XD) - $19.95
RUSTENBERG STELLENBOSCH CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#443374) (XD) - $19.95
CHÂTEAU SAINT-ROCH CHIMÈRES CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON-VILLAGES 2022 - AOP, France (#119354) (XD) - $19.95 90+ pts wine review
TAPIZ ALTA COLLECTION SAN PABLO VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#403345) (XD) - $20.95 90 pts wine review
MANOS NEGRAS STONE SOIL MALBEC 2023 - Paraje Altamira, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#482109) (XD) - $22.95

CHÂTEAU DES TOURS BROUILLY 2024 - AOC, Beaujolais, France (#637835) (XD) - $23.95
CARPINETO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2023 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#356048) (XD) - $24.95 89 pts wine review
NOMAD WANDERLUST 2022 - VQA Niagara Lakeshore, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#451328) (XD) - $25.95
LEANING POST CUVÉE WINONA 2023 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#32020) (XD) - $28.95
BORGO SCOPETO VIGNA MISCIANO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#36331) (XD) - $35.95 91 pts wine review
SAN SILVESTRO PATRES BAROLO 2021 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#377986) (XD) - $37.95 91+ pts wine review

White Wine:

BISQUERTT LA JOYA GRAN RESERVA CHARDONNAY 2024 - Sustainable, Valle Central, Chile (#48241) (XD) - $16.95 89 pts wine review
TOI TOI SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#454785) (XD) - $18.95
BORD ELEGANCE LAUDUN CÔTES-DU-RHÔNE VILLAGES BLANC 2024 - AOC, France (#644385) (XD) - $19.95 89 pts wine review
KUTJEVO GRASEVINA 2025 - Slavonia, Croatia (#519074) (XD) - $19.95
BADENHORST SECATEURS CHENIN BLANC 2025 - WO Swartland, South Africa (#37537) (XD) - $19.95
ALPHA ESTATE TURTLES SINGLE VINEYARD MALAGOUZIA 2025 - Vegan, PGI Florina, Greece (#32161) (XD) - $21.95 91 pts wine review
LOVEBLOCK CHARDONNAY 2022 - Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#50255) (XD) - $29.95
CHATELAIN HARMONIE POUILLY-FUMÉ 2024 - Sustainable, AOC, Loire, France (#50130) (XD) - $30.95
HUFF CATHARINE'S CHARDONNAY 2023 - VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (#88955) (XD) - $34.00 91 pts wine review
FEROX SILVER LION COLLECTION CHARDONNAY 2022 - VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#53054) (XD) - $35.00

Rosé Wine:

CHÂTEAU LA TOUR DE L'ÉVÊQUE ROSÉ 2025 - AOC Côtes de Provence, France (#319392) (XD) - $20.95
AIX ROSÉ 2025 - AOP Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence, France (#451906) (XD) - $24.95

Sparkling Wine:

PERE VENTURA PRIMER ORGANIC RESERVA BRUT CAVA 2023 - Traditional Method, DO Cava, Spain (#51587) (D) - $20.95
ESTERLIN BRUT ÉCLAT CHAMPAGNE - AOC, France (#49321) (XD) - $64.95

Fortified Wine:

BARBEITO 5-YEAR-OLD RAINWATER RESERVA MEDIUM DRY MADEIRA - DOP, Portugal (#51850, 500 mL) (MS) - $18.95

Mega Spileo Assyrtiko 2024 (Greece) - Wine Review

2026-09-01T17:40:46.244-04:00

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely Assyrtiko from Greece that arrived at the LCBO a couple of weeks ago in the August 15 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. It was included as part of the feature on "Great Wines for Takeout Night" and, per the magazine, is recommended for pairing with aromatic and mildly spiced dishes.

It is produced by Mega Spileo Estate, a winery with deep historical roots connected to the historic Mega Spileo Monastery. The monastery's origins date back to 362 A.D., when it was established by two brothers, Symeon and Theodore, who were also monks. Situated near the town of Kalavryta in the Achaea region of the northern Peloponnese, Mega Spileo holds a special place in Greek Orthodox tradition and history.

Vine cultivation was introduced to the lands surrounding the monastery around the mid-15th century, with the grapes used by the monks to produce wine for both Holy Communion and as a nutritious dietary supplement. A massive barrel called "Angelis" was acquired during this period and was used to store 12 tonnes of wine. Remarkably, the barrel still survives to this day.

In 1999, Mega Spileo turned a new chapter when brothers Giannis and Theodoros Anastasiou received a long-term lease on the Estate from the Monastery, with a vision to revitalize the historic vineyard. Working with a team of experienced oenologists and wine producers, they re-planted the vines and implemented best practices in the vineyard and winery, including environmental protection and sustainable agricultural techniques.

Today, the modern winery of Mega Spileo Estate resides only a few minutes from the historic monastery, within the UNESCO Chelmos-Vouraikos Global Geopark, which covers an area of 647 sq. km. The area surrounding the Estate features tall mountains, plateaus, sheer gorges, ancient trees, wild herbs, flowers, and cool breezes, all of which come together to create a unique microclimate that is ideal for grape cultivation. By focusing on high-quality grapes and careful winemaking, Mega Spileo has become an important reference point in Greek wine production and, more recently, a destination for wine tourism.

Like the 2023 Mega Spileo Assyrtiko I enjoyed last year, this white wine is crafted with 100% Assyrtiko grown in the mountain vineyards of Aigialeia and Kalavryta, at a relatively high elevation of more than 700 metres above sea level. Classified as PGI Achaia, the grapes were grown in an area situated between the Ionian Sea to the west and the Patras and Corinthian Gulfs to the north, along the northwestern coast of the Peloponnese.

For vinification, the grapes were harvested in late September, followed by static racking of the grape must after 48 hours. The wine underwent alcoholic fermentation with selected yeasts at low temperatures, followed by three months of lees contact in stainless steel tanks. To add further complexity and texture, one-third of the wine was then matured in oak barrels for an additional three months.

In 2024, the growing season in Greece was marked by one of the warmest years on record, requiring careful vineyard management and precise harvest timing. While yields were lower than average, quality was exceptional, with the resulting wines described as highly gastronomic. Let's see how this 2024 Assyrtiko from Greece is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MEGA SPILEO ASSYRTIKO 2024 - PGI Achaia, Greece (#31680) (XD) - $24.95
Clean and elegant, the medium-high intensity nose has lovely floral, white citrus, pear, apple, stone fruit, and ripe grapefruit aromas nuanced with hints of leesy mineral and vanilla notes. The medium-bodied bodied palate is dry and gently honeyed with delicious ripe citrus, grapefruit, pear, apple, leesy mineral, and spice flavours accented with floral and vanilla. Tangy on the mid-palate with crisp and refreshing acidity. Nicely textured with good structure throughout. Pear, apple, and citrus notes taper to savoury, leesy minerals on the long, juicy finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

Several wines by Mega Spileo are available at the LCBO, including at Destination Collection stores, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - KOLONAKI Group of Companies.