• The following 2016 Château Peyros – Vieilles Vignes’ Madiran was sourced from a blend of 60% tannat and 40% cabernet franc grapes. Tannat’s origin lies somewhere in South-West France, near, or in, the Madiran wine region.
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Château Peyros – Vieilles Vignes’ Madiran 2016
AOC Madiran, France $23.95 (234997) 14.0% alcohol
This old-vine red blend—60% tannat/40% cabernet franc—sports aromas of black cherry/berry adorned with charred wood and earthy notes. It pours dark crimson in the glass with a stream of palate-enveloping flavours of piquant peppery spice, black bramble berry and oodles of tang-infused pizzazz. There are hints of still-evolving tannin, easily ameliorated with three hour aeration/decant. Pour with grilled gourmet sausage, premium cut of beef grilled medium-rare or a 1½ inch thick steak on your grill or big green egg. (Vic Harradine)
New in the LCBO (now widely available in LCBO retail stores)
• The following 2020 Fantini Trebbiano d’Abruzzo is sourced from 85% trebbiano and 15% malvasia fruit from vines 10 to 20 years old that are planted 230 to 430 meters a.s.l. in soils mainly of calcareous clay terrain. After 20 days of pressing, clarification and controlled temperature fermentation of the clean must, this was aged in stainless steel tanks and in bottle.
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Fantini Trebbiano d’Abruzzo 2020
DOC Trebbiano d’Abruzzo $16.60 (20082) 1500 mL 12.5% alcohol
Floral notes, tropical fruit and citrussy aromas abound. The palate’s treated to a medium-bodied stream of delicious, well-balanced flavours with ripe peach and Bosc pear intertwined with lemon curd and lime cordial with all persisting through the crisp, refreshing finish and aftertaste. The price-quality balance tips wildly in your favour, pick up a few. Pour on its own or pair with all manner of seafood or roast chicken. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2018 Vicente Faria ‘Lisbon by Night’ Vinho Tinto is a red blend of syrah/alicante bouschet/touriga national that tips its hat to the famous city of Lisbon, Portugal. This city comes alive when the sun goes down and when locals and visitors make reservations in small, lively, family-run restaurants—there are many, many from which to choose—and settle in for a special evening of wonderful wine, food and Fado.
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Vicente Faria ‘Lisbon by Night’ Vinho Tinto 2018
Regional Lisboa, Portugal $9.80 (18998) 13.0% alcohol
Aromas of dark cherry/berry and black plum decorated with grilled savoury herbs and earthy bits dominate the nose. It surges over the palate with a medium-plus bodied, nicely textured mouthful of sweet kirsch liqueur, black currant and notions of crème de cassis. It’s well balanced with a boat load of fruit and plenty of tangy pizzazz. It’s straightforward, uncomplicated and tips the price-quality balance well in your favour. Back up the car and load up the trunk. (Vic Harradine)