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January 31, 2021 Newsletter

Newsletter Highlights:

95 points and over – no wine in this newsletter rang the 95 points and over bell.
Exceptional-value wine – A number of wines earned the coveted icon. They’re found throughout the newsletter and easily spotted by the icon checkmark in the February 6, 2021 Vintages Release and in categories following the release. Happy hunting!
Three premium wineries are featured with two in the New in Ontario Wineries section. They deliver to your home, office or restaurant. They—Kacaba Vineyards and Malivoire Wine—have some of their top-selling wines featured. Flat Rock Cellars have two of their popular wines featured in the Upstream in Winecurrent section.
Limited Time Offers –There are a number of wines that are being discounted at the LCBO for up to $4.00 a bottle from February 1 to February 28, 2021 found at the end of the newsletter. There is also one wine with 8 bonus (blue) AirMiles © offered for every bottle purchased February 1 to February 28, 2021.

February 6, 2021: Vintages Release

Ontario: Icewine

• The following Lakeview Cellars Vidal Icewine is a Vintages Essentials wine always available in select LCBO stores.

91
 Lakeview Cellars Vidal Icewine
 VQA Ontario $22.95 (522672) 200 mL 12.0% alcohol
 This lighter-styled beauty keeps the final sip as fresh and lively as the first—it’s not cloying or over the top and that’s not a common occurrence for vidal icewine. A nicely balanced flow of palate-bathing apricot jam and white nectarine meet nirvana with a healthy dollop of lemon zest and racy blood orange on the palate and persists through the lingering finish and aftertaste. This pairs particularly well with Stilton on water crackers or pan-seared foie gras. (Vic Harradine)

Sparkling Wine

89
Pierre Sparr Crémant d’Alsace ‘Reserve’ Brut Non-Vintage
 AOC Crémant d’Alsace, France $18.95 (388603) 12.5% alcohol
 There are green hints to the light gold hue when poured. Aromas of baking brioche and citrus make way for a profusion of mousse that once settled reveals fine-bead bubbles endlessly winding their way to the top of the glass. It’s pleasant on the palate with a mélange of flavours including caramel, green apple and racy lemon citrus with the latter dominating the mouth-watering finish. The price is certainly on your side considering it’s produced Méthode Traditionnelle and it’s a ‘Reserve’ wine. (Vic Harradine)

Ontario: White Wine

• The following taste-good, feel-good chardonnay from Flat Rock Cellars donates a portion of sales to ‘Feed Ontario’ (formerly, Ontario Association of Food Banks) from all sales of this wine via the LCBO and the winery door—both in person and on-line. The goal of Feed Ontario and of Flat Rock Cellars is to assist in ending poverty and hunger in Ontario.

90
Flat Rock Cellars ‘Good Kharma’ Chardonnay 2019
VQA Niagara Peninsula $16.95 (356873) 12.0% alcohol
Apricot, tropical fruit and citrus aromas on the nose provide segue to a medium-plus bodied, generously textured wash of palate-pleasing flavours featuring green apple, sweet ripe pear decorated with mouth-watering lemon and grapefruit citrussy tang. This has good balance and a lengthy dry finish and aftertaste. Pour with all manner of fish and seafood, grilled, pan-seared or poached along with roast chicken and roast pork. (Vic Harradine)

• The following Megalomaniac ‘Narcissist’ Riesling is a Vintages Essentials wine—always found in select stores.

89
Megalomaniac ‘Narcissist’ Riesling
 VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 (67587) 11.0% alcohol
 Citrus, minerality and floral notes waft freely from the aromatic nose followed by a balanced and beautiful, palate-bathing wash of lemon-lime, white grapefruit and juicy peach on the palate. The sweet and tangy, lip-smacking aftertaste interweaves with lingering, ripe-fruit flavour. Poured well with spicy, Asian cuisine like moo chu pork. There’s good value here. (Vic Harradine)

• The following Vineland Estates ‘Elevation - St. Urban Vineyard’ Riesling was sourced from some of the oldest riesling vines in Canada. They were approximately 40-years old when fruit for this wine was sourced. They were first planted in Ontario by Hermann Weis of Weingut St. Urbans-hof winery in Mosel, Germany and are now known generally as the ‘Weis clone’. An iconic viticulturist, Mr. Weis sadly passed away in 2020. We all owe him a doff of the cap and a sincere thank you as it’s now the most planted riesling clone in Canada having delivered myriad wine trophies and awards in competitions here and abroad.

92
Vineland Estates ‘Elevation - St. Urban Vineyard’ Riesling
VQA Niagara Escarpment $19.95 (38117) 7.5% alcohol
 The quality price balance in this wine tips well in your favour. Delicate aromas of citrus, floral and pear transition to a balanced-on-a-pin river of gorgeous flavour that on entry to the palate showcases lime, green apple and wisps of honey-infused ripe pear. It persists through the lingering finish and aftertaste enhanced by herbal notes, tart tang and lip-smacking acidity. It showcases nerve and verve with pizzazz and plenty of charm. You shouldn’t go wrong in drinking this over the next 7 or so years. Try with white pizza on spice-oiled dough lightly adorned with cheese—brie, chèvre and extra-old cheddar—decorated with basil and sliced mushrooms and sprinkled with grated parmigiana reggiano. (Vic Harradine)

California: Red Wine

• The following 2018 Durant & Booth Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 87% cabernet sauvignon/6% petit verdot/5% merlot/2% petite sirah source from across Napa Valley including Calistoga, St. Helena and Rutherford appellations that spent 10 months maturing in 25% new French oak.

89
 Durant & Booth Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
 Napa Valley California $34.95 (16565) 14.5% alcohol
 Aromas of dark cherry, plum compote with notions of milk chocolate, brown sugar and baking spice are gently revealed on the nose. Dry, medium-full bodied with silky tannins, ripe, dark fruit flavours, backed by a touch of piquant spice and sweet vanilla lasting into the mid-length, warming finish. Enjoy alongside braised beef short ribs. (Lisa Isabelle)

Upstream in winecurrent

Vintages Release: February/March, 2021

• The following ‘2018 Flat Rock Cellars ‘Twisted’ is the #1 selling white wine in LCBO’s ‘Vintages Essentials’ category. This vintage, the grape blend is 69% riesling/17% gewürztraminer/14% chardonnay.

91
 Flat Rock Cellars ‘Twisted - White’ 2018
 VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 (1578) 11.0% alcohol
There are aromas of green apple, ripe pear with wisps of lychee fruit and minerality on the nose of this lovely white blend. On the palate it’s medium bodied and generously textured with flavours galore—lime cordial, ripe pineapple, apple and scads of tangy pizzazz. It’s a tad off-dry and quite nicely balanced with complexity and persistent purity of fruit. The finish is crisp and refreshing with each sip bringing you back for more. There’s enough interest here to drink on its own, but a pairing with spicy chicken masala or General Tso’s chicken are inspired choices. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2019 Flat Rock Cellars Chardonnay was hand harvested and hand sorted from single-vineyard chardonnay that was gravity fed at the winery then fermented and matured ten months in French oak barrels. From February 1 to February 28, 2021, you will receive a discount of $2.00 off the price shown below for every bottle you purchase—you will pay only $17.95 per bottle . The price-quality balance tips wildly in your favour. Back up the car, load up the trunk and drink over the next 12 or so months, it will get better with short-term, careful—cool and dark—cellaring.

90
Flat Rock Cellars Chardonnay 2019
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $19.95 (286278) 13.0% alcohol
Medium yellow-gold hued, this leaps from the glass with lifted aromas of baking spice, toasty notes, pineapple and caramel. It envelops the palate with a medium-plus bodied, well-textured river of ripe apple and tingling citrus acidity with oodles of nerve, verve and pizzazz expressed as white grapefruit on the back palate and aftertaste. This will be divine paired with freshly shucked Malpec oysters, prawn ceviche or pan-seared white fish under a generous squeeze of fresh lemon. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: TBD 2021

• The following 2020 Garciarévalo ‘Finca Tresolmos’ is 100% sourced from 25-year-old vines of organically grown Verdejo harvested late September. This was fermented in stainless steel tank and underwent daily batonnage for three months.

88
 Garciarévalo ‘Finca Tresolmos’ 2020
DO Rueda, Spain $14.95 (218354) 12.5% alcohol
Lifted alluring aromas of honey-drizzled tropical fruit and floral notes abound. This is medium-bodied, well textured and brimming with tang-laden flavours of pineapple and lemon zest that persists from the palate through the finish and aftertaste. Pour alongside prawn ceviche, freshly shucked oysters or pan-seared fish under a generous squeeze of fresh lemon. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: June 10. 2021

• This was harvested from 100% shiraz vines with a low-medium yield of 4 tonnes per acre in a vintage that was a textbook season with fruit allowed a long hang time allowing grapes to ripen organoleptically as well as optimum sugar levels. It was then fermented in the traditional method in open-top fermenters with maximum skin contact.

91
3 – Rings ‘It’s Magic’ Shiraz 2018
Barossa Valley, South Australia $17.95 (15495) 14.9% alcohol
Purple-black and opaque in the glass, it offers up aromas of black bramble berry and black plum intertwined with mixed spice. It’s medium-plus bodied with creamy-smooth mouthfeel as flavours surge over the palate with dark cherry/berry fruit adorned with dark bittersweet chocolate and coupled with excellent tang and acidity. There’s deft balance, persistent purity of fruit and more palate replays on the delectable finish and aftertaste. 3 - Rings winery suggests braised Kangaroo tail as a food match, but if you’ve run out, give grilled rack of lamb a go. (Vic Harradine)

New in Ontario Wineries

• Order the following wines by the case for daily home or office directly online from Kacaba Vineyards with FREE shipping in Ontario by using the code SHOPWINECURRENT for orders of six bottles or more, by phone at 1 866 522-2228 or 1 905 562-5625, or pick up a bottle or case from the winery (curbside pick-up or shop in the boutique it’s open 10 am to 6 pm seven days a week) at 3550 King Street in Vineland ON. For various wine shopping options during COVID, click here.

• The following 2019 Kacaba Vineyards ‘Sustainable - Unoaked’ Chardonnay was fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks thereby allowing and encouraging the true character of the chardonnay grape aromas and palate flavours to be showcased in the wine without the influence of even a splinter of oak. The price-quality ratio skews well in your favour—pick up a few for now and over the spring and summer and into the fall and winter, 2021.

91
Kacaba Vineyards ‘Sustainable - Unoaked’ Chardonnay 2019
VQA Niagara Peninsula $15.95 (326975) 12.8% alcohol
Light-yellowed hued in the glass; alluring aromas of honeydew melon, soft Meyer lemon and peach yoghurt abound. It bathes the palate with a surge of crisp refreshing Granny Smith apple, ripe juicy mango and smooth, mellow lemon pie filling. This is light-medium bodied with good mouthfeel and purity of fruit from twist top to last drop. The finish lingers, balanced, bountiful and beautiful. Pour on its own or with all manner of seafood or roast chicken or pork. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2019 Kacaba Vineyards ‘Sustainable’ Cabernet is a vegan-friendly blend of 51% cabernet sauvignon/49% cabernet franc. It was fermented in open-top fermenter bins for 11 days with maximum temperature reaching 32.2 °C then pressed off the skins and racked to French and American oak where it matured for 10 months then cold stabilised and bottled in September 2020.

90
Kacaba Vineyards ‘Sustainable’ Cabernet 2019
VQA Niagara Peninsula $15.95 (499384) 13.5% alcohol
Aromas of grilled savory herbs, red and black berry fruit and mixed spice precede a medium-bodied, soft tannin and tang-laced river of passionfruit, Montmorency cherry with hints of espresso roast. These tangy flavours persist from the palate through the finish and aftertaste. Pour this with pasta puttanesca or prawn and chorizo paella. There’s excellent drinking and exceptional value here. (Vic Harradine)

• For daily home, office or restaurant delivery for the following two wines order online from this link Malivoire Wine Company with FREE shipping on orders of $100. or more, or $20 credited next business day towards delivery outside Ontario and Québec. Phone 905-563-9253 Monday to Saturday 10 am - 4 pm for information and for locals to access curbside pickup instructions. Their retail shop is now open - 10 am - 5 pm, 7 days a week. There are guidelines due to COVID-19, best to phone or email first (the website has a space to type and is linked to their email).

• The following 2020 Malivoire ‘Melon’ is 100% Melon de Bourgogne hand-harvested mid-September from the Malivoire estate and Mottiar Vineyards. Fruit was whole-cluster pressed while settling and ageing was carried out in stainless steel tank with extended lees contact then bottled in December 2020. Urban legend has it this particular wine is winery-owner Martin Malivoire’s ‘oyster wine’.

90
Malivoire ‘Melon’ 2020
VQA Beamsville Bench $21.95 12.0% alcohol
Almost translucent in the glass, aromas of good intensity easily billow up given a swirl, with nuances of dried Kaffir lime leaves, floral and flinty/mineral notes. It dazzles the palate with lemon and grapefruit zest interlaced with notions of citrus peel marmalade. It’s clean, tangy and refreshing with good mouthfeel from twist top to last drop. Give it a go with freshly shucked briny oysters topped with a squeeze of fresh lemon and a dot or two of hot sauce and/or a smidgeon of horse radish. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2018 Malivoire ‘Stouck Farmstead Red’ is an outstanding red blend that’s an even split between merlot and cabernet sauvignon fruit. It was picked near the end of October at the Stouck Family Vineyard at an average Brix reading of 23.1 °. Fruit was crushed and divided for alcoholic fermentation with some going to a 1000 L oak cask and the balance to 228 L barriques. American oak made up 60% of the barrels and French oak made up the balance with 30% of the total being new oak. It matured in oak for 17 months being blended and bottled April 2020. This is recommended drinking now to 2028.

92
Malivoire ‘Stouck Farmstead Red’ 2018
VQA Lincoln Lakeshore $26.95 12.5% alcohol
Sexy aromas of exotic incense and spice interwoven with ripe dark, juicy cherry/berry fruit and hints of cassis and earthy bits get this off to a robust start for the olfactory system. A glorious mouthful of flavours blanket the palate with a balanced and bountiful river of ripe dark cherry and black bramble berry supported by mocha and excellent balancing tang and acidity. This is medium bodied with good texture and persistent purity of fruit. It finishes with palate replays, smooth and mellow, with grace and elegance. Let it breathe for an hour or two in a wide-bottomed ship’s decanter before pouring with a premium well-seasoned cut of grilled medium-rare beef tenderloin. (Vic Harradine)

New in Vintages – in LCBO retail stores now!

• The following 2018 Bodegas Atalaya ‘Laya’ Garnacha Tintorera / Monastrell was sourced from select vineyards of monastrell—aka mourvèdre—and garnacha tintorera vines planted in calcareous soil—soil high in limestone—700 to 1000 m above sea level. Garnacha tintorera—aka Alicante Bouschet—is a rare teinturier grape variety setting it aside from other Vitis vinifera varieties. Most wine grapes are Vitis vinifera with both red and white grapes having white pulp. However, Garnacha tintorera has a dark skin and also has a dark pulp.

92
Bodegas Atalaya ‘Laya’ Garnacha Tintorera / Monastrell 2018
DOP Almansa, Spain $17.95 (132605) 14.0% alcohol
Lifted aromas spill from the opaque purple-black liquid in the glass with black currant, peppery piquant spice and hints of cassis to the fore. It captures the palate with a tsunami wave of fruit flavour—black juicy bramble berry, black cherry and hints of blueberry—interwoven with Ribena © and hints of kirsch liqueur. This is full bodied and fully textured with deft balance of soft tannin, tangy acidity and ripe fruit. Pour alongside hearty food—osso buco or cassoulet or a premium cut of medium-rare grilled steak. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2019 Kacaba Vineyards ‘Sustainable’ Cabernet is a blend of 51% cabernet sauvignon and 49% cabernet franc. It was fermented in open-top fermenter bins for 11 days with maximum temperature reaching 32 °C then pressed off the skins and racked to French and American oak where it matured for 10 months then cold stabilised and bottled September 2020.

New in the LCBO Portfolio

• The following 2020 Provolo Soave was sourced from hand-harvested 80% garganega/20% chardonnay sourced in clay soil at 350 m above sea level. Fruit was cold soaked for 12 hours on skins then fermented 95% in steel tank and 5% in oak tonneaux for approximately 25 days then left on its lees before bottling.

87
Provolo Soave 2020
DOC Soave, Italy $11.95 (13735) 12.5% alcohol
Delicate aromas of plum and floral notes precede a racy and tang-infused pineapple and tart grapefruit pith from entry to the mouth-watering finish and aftertaste. There’s nerve and verve and plenty of lip-smacking acidity and pizzazz in this—not for the faint of palate. Pour with sushi, baked white fish decorated with lemon slices or tuna ceviche. (Vic Harradine)

LCBO ‘Limited Time Offers’ – February 1 to February 28, 2021

Regardless of the vintage you purchase from the LCBO, you’ll receive the discount shown for each bottle of wine reviewed below that’s purchased February 1 to February 28, 2021.

• The following wines receive a $2.00 discount on each bottle purchased February 1 to February 28, 2021.

Red Wine

90
Columbia Crest ‘H3’ Cabernet Sauvignon
Horse Heaven Hills, Washington State $19.95 (210047) 14.0% alcohol
 This is a lovely red with the price-quality balance now tipped well in your favour. A subdued nose of mixed spice and dark cherry/berry fruit unleashes a delectable wash of balanced and beautiful flavours with red and black currant and juicy black Bing cherry to the fore. It’s medium bodied with generous texture and long, balanced finish showcasing delicious ripe fruit. Each sip is as good, or better, than the previous. (Vic Harradine)

89
Joel Gott ‘815’ Cabernet Sauvignon
California $24.95 (444059) 13.9% alcohol
Savory herbs, gamy notes and charred toast aromas herald a medium-bodied nicely textured stream of rich dark fruit—cherry and black currant—intertwined with racy tang, sweet vanilla and dark bittersweet chocolate underpinned by still-evolving tannin. Aerate/decant for an hour or two hours before pouring with well-seasoned, grilled striploin. (Vic Harradine)

89
Louis M. Martini Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon
Sonoma County $24.95 (292151) 14.0% alcohol
This approachable, versatile red offers intense aromas of blackberry, cassis, roasted red pepper and cedar. Dry, medium-full bodied, with perceptible tannin, the palate is supple and juicy with ripe dark plums, blackberry coulis, tobacco and a hint of vanilla. Pour alongside peppercorn steak. (Lisa Isabelle)

• The following wines receive a $3.00 discount on each bottle purchased February 1 to February 28, 2021.

90
Perrin & Fils ‘Les Sinards’
 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France $39.95 (926626) 14.0% alcohol
 From one of the world’s iconic wine-making families - Primum Familiae Vini, this dishes up warm aromas of dark cherry, black plum compote and espresso roast. It’s complex and interesting on the palate with red and black currant interwoven with hints of cassis and toasty notes. Medium-full bodied, nicely textured with a juicy, tangy lengthy aftertaste and supple tannin underpinning, you won’t be disappointed with this—ideal for drinking and gifting. (Vic Harradine)

89
Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon
DO Colchagua, Chile $19.95 (322586) 14.0% alcohol
There’s great value here. Ripe, juicy, red cherry/berry fruit, exotic spice and grilled savory herb aromas abound. It cuts a broad, complex swath across the palate with a nicely textured, medium-plus bodied flow of bramble berry and juicy black cherry mingling with sweet vanilla, baking spice, cracked black pepper and a wisps of soft, ripe tannin. The balanced finish and aftertaste is robust, lengthy and mouth-watering good. (Vic Harradine)

90
Marchesi de' Frescobaldi ‘Tenuta di Castiglioni’
IGT Toscana, Italy $21.95 (145920) 13.0% alcohol
This red blend—cabernet sauvignon/merlot/cabernet franc/sangiovese—matured 12 months in French oak barriques and a further two months in bottle before release. Alluring aromas of red and black berry fruit mingle with mocha on the nose of this medium-bodied, nicely textured gem. It bathes the palate with a round, smooth stream of red currant and pie cherry interlaced with mixed spice and grilled savory herbs. It finishes dry, lip-smacking good. (Vic Harradine)

93
 Zenato Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2012
DOCG Amarone della Valpolicella, Italy $49.95 (413179) 16.5% alcohol
Wood smoke, cedar and bramble berry fruit aromas provide segue for a rich, luscious, hi-octane, though deftly balanced and simply delicious stream of ripe fruit and soft tang with dried dark fruit, black berry and dark plum front and centre along with support from spice, earthy notes and notions of ripe red cherry. This is medium-plus weight with good texture, structure and a lingering full-of-flavour finish and aftertaste. (Vic Harradine)

92
Two Hands Wines ‘The Gnarly Dudes’ Shiraz 2016
 Barossa Valley, South Australia $24.95 (660043) 13.8% alcohol
 Purple/black, almost opaque in the glass, this unleashes aromas of ripe black berry fruit with support from mixed spice and savory herbs. On the palate, crunchy red fruit—pie cherry and cranberry—meet up with ripe black fruit—currant and mulberry—in a delightful, delicious pairing that’s balanced, well paced and well priced. Flavours replay on the long, mouth-watering finish. This pours well on its own—with each sip as good, or better than the previous—and with rack of Australian lamb or grilled steak. (Vic Harradine)

Icewine

• The following wine receives a $4.00 discount on each bottle purchased February 1 to February 28, 2021.

90
Château des Charmes Vidal Icewine
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $28.95 200ml (565861) 9.5% alcohol
This is the perfect after-dinner treat on its own or with dessert and … it’s the ideal size for two or three people to enjoy. Aromas and flavours of mango-infused treacle, candied-peel marmalade and racy lemon curd interweave on the nose, palate and delectable finish and aftertaste—this is absolutely delicious. It’s also the perfect hostess gift presented in an attractive box. (Vic Harradine)

• You will receive 8 bonus Airmiles for every bottle you purchase of the following wine at the following regular price from February 1 to February 28, 2021.

89
Small Gully ‘The Formula’ Robert’s Shiraz
South Australia $19.95 (142935) 15.9% alcohol
This is a crowd-pleasing, single-vineyard red with rich, ripe, robust flavours. Toasty oak, extra-ripe, dark berry fruit and notions of roasted herbs herald a creamy smooth, medium-plus-bodied wash of sweet, ripe dark cherry and mulberry garnished with black plum compote and kirsch liqueur. The finish layers on more of the same. Pour with grilled, smoked back ribs mopped with spicy barbecue sauce. (Vic Harradine)

Cheers, Louise, Lisa, Dave, Vic