• The following 2020 Malivoire Wine Company ‘Estate’ Chardonnay is an LCBO Vintages Essentials wine always in stock in select LCBO stores. 100% chardonnay fruit was hand-harvested and sourced from three estate vineyards with 85% from their Moira site/8% from their Mottiar site/7% from their Estate Vineyard with an average vine age of 23 years. 44% of the Moira fruit was destemmed while the 56% remaining was pressed in whole clusters along with Mottiar and Estate Vineyard fruit and comprised 45% of the total then was fermented in neutral hogshead barrels with an average age of six-years-old. Juice from the Moira and Estate grapes comprise 55% of total and was directed to stainless steel for primary fermentation without malolactic fermentation. The barrel portion completed both primary fermentation as well as malolactic fermentation and rested on the lees for nine months. The two portions were combined and bottled August 2021. The switched on Malivoire winemaking team certainly captured the dazzling 2020 VQA Beamsville Bench vintage and it shines through the wine; kudos and a doff of the cap to them all.
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Malivoire Wine Company ‘Estate’ Chardonnay 2020
VQA Beamsville Bench $21.95 (744235) 12.5% alcohol
Expressive aromas with plenty of lemon curd, lime cordial and Granny Smith apple along with wisps of orange peel zest waft easily from the glass. It captures the palate with lip-smacking acidity and a boat load of racy pizzazz presented as poached pear with crisp ginger tones, passionfruit and mineral notes that persist through mid-palate and on to the the crisp and refreshing finish. Pour alongside prawn and chorizo paella or lobster claws and tail dipped in warm, clarified butter. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2019 Wakefield Wines ‘Estate Label’ Cabernet Sauvignon was matured up to 12 months in French oak barrels before final blending and bottling.
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Wakefield Wines ‘Estate Label’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
GIs Clare Valley & Limestone Ridge, South Australia $19.95 (744235) 14.5% alcohol
Lifted aromas of exotic spice, rich ripe dark cherry/berry fruit and notions of mocha, cigar box and grilled savoury herbs abound on the nose of this medium-plus bodied nicely textured cabernet sauvignon from 2 premium wine regions in South Australia. It glides over the palate with concentrated flavours of ripe mulberry and black currant adorned with excellent tang and racy pizzazz and underpinned with soft ripe tannin. You’ll find persistent purity of fruit to and through the juicy, lengthy finish and lip-smacking aftertaste along with deft balance with each sip as good, or better, than the previous. The price-quality ratio skews well in your favour; pick up an armful and pour with backyard burgers or grilled rack of lamb. (Vic Harradine)