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February 14, 2021 Newsletter

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Newsletter Highlights:

95 points and over – one wine in this newsletter rang the 95 points and over bell. Malivoire Wine ‘Moira’ Chardonnay 2018 earned 95 points @ $49.95 found under New in Ontario Wineries.
Pinot Noir – There are a number of excellent Pinot Noir wines from Ontario throughout this issue. They have a wide range of price points with all very good value, some exceptional-value, and all are under $30. a bottle. These are not to be missed.
Exceptional-value wine – Eight wines earned the coveted icon that are available now in LCBO stores or Ontario wineries. They’re found throughout the newsletter and easily spotted by the icon checkmark in the February 20, 2021 Vintages Release and in categories following the release. Happy hunting!
Limited Time Offers –There are 10 wines that are being discounted at the LCBO for up to $4.00 a bottle from now 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 now to February 28, 2021
Dave’s Delight – Bernard Massard ‘Cuvée de l’Écusson’ Brut - Sparkling Wine - Non-Vintage earned 93 points @ $20.95 found under Sparkling Wine
Lisa Likes – Louis M. Martini Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon earned 89 points @ $22.95 (includes discount) found under LCBO ‘Limited Time Offers’.
Vic Picks – Sidewood Estate Shiraz 2017 earned 93 points @ $19.95 found under Australia: Red Wine; Sacred Hill ‘Reserve’ Sauvignon Blanc 2018 earned 92 points @ $21.95 found under New Zealand: White Wine; Wakefield ‘Estate Label’ Chardonnay 2019 earned 92 points @ $16.95 found under New in Vintages; Malivoire Wine ‘Moira’ Chardonnay 2018 earned 95 points @ $49.95 found under New in Ontario Wineries and, of course, all of his exceptional-value reviews.

February 20, 2021: Vintages Release

Fortified Wine from Spain: Sherry

90
Bodegas Hidalgo ‘La Gitana’ Manzanilla
DO Jerez y Manzanilla-Sanlúcar de Barrameda $17.95 500 mL (745448) 15.0% alcohol
The expressive nose on this fully-textured Sherry is pure 'rancio', a term almost defying description, but think of dried, spicy fruit, over-ripe cantaloupe and burnt sugar—once experienced, never to be forgotten. This is dry with wonderful mouth feel and offers salty, zesty flavours of nuts, figs and dried fruit. It’s deftly balanced with a lengthy dry finish. Serve chilled with ceviche or sea food, especially briny shrimp. The price-quality balance tips in your favour. (Vic Harradine)

Sparkling Wine

93
Bernard Massard ‘Cuvée de l’Écusson’ Brut - Sparkling Wine - Non-Vintage
Luxembourg $20.95 (970970) 12.0% alcohol
This refreshing sparkler is made using the traditional method (that is, using the same production techniques as Champagne), but includes a non-traditional blend of grape varieties: 40% chardonnay, 35% pinot blanc, 15% pinot noir, and 10% riesling. The result is a clean and crisp sparkling wine that is light gold in colour and has a slightly yeasty aroma with hints of apple and clean minerality. It’s medium bodied with a pleasing fizz and acidity that cleanses the palate, leaving subtle tastes of toast and lemon. This will be well matched with garlic butter shrimp pasta. (Dave Isaacs)

Ontario: White Wine

• The following 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 discounted 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 in the short-term, with careful—cool and dark—cellaring.

• This is a Vintages Essentials wine, always found in select LCBO retail stores.

90
Flat Rock Cellars Chardonnay
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)

• The following Flat Rock Cellars Riesling is a Vintages Essentials wine always found in select LCBO retail stores.

90
Flat Rock Cellars Riesling
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $17.95 (43281) 11.0% alcohol
 Aromas of yellow peach and green apple drizzled with lime mingle with piquant spice and mineral notes on the nose of this lovely off-dry riesling. It envelops the palate with a tang-laden surge of lime cordial and lemon curd persisting through the finish and aftertaste decorated with wisps of saline minerality. It’s quite food friendly; pour alongside spicy Asian fare like tandoori chicken or moo shu pork or Moroccan-style lamb tagine. (Vic Harradine)

• 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’
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)

Ontario: Red Wine

• The following Flat Rock Cellars Pinot Noir is a Vintages Essentials wine always found in select LCBO retail stores.

91
 Flat Rock Cellars Pinot Noir
 VQA Niagara Peninsula $22.95 (1545) 12.5% alcohol
 Aromas of tobacco, red cherry and floral notes abound. The palate’s treated to a medium-bodied nicely textured wash of crunchy red cherry, hints of passion fruit and savoury notes. There’s good purity of fruit, deft balance and a clean, crisp, lip-smacking finish and aftertaste. This sips well on its own and is versatile at the table; pour with pan-seared Atlantic salmon and bok choy or roast chicken and root veggies. The price-quality ratio is certainly attractive. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2019 Henry of Pelham ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir was hand harvested, and sustainably grown and certified by SWO. After being gently de-stemmed and mechanically sorted, grapes were then carefully moved by gravity. Grapes are de-seeded then seeds added back judiciously to control the tannin structure of the wine. Fruit was fermented in stainless steel using pulse-air with hand punch downs to gently manage the cap.

92
 Henry of Pelham ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir 2019
 VQA Short Hills Bench $24.95 (268391) 13.0% alcohol
 Gamy notes mingle with aromas of barnyard, piquant spice and savoury herbs on the interesting nose. A stream of red cherry and black currant flavours envelop the palate adorned with plenty of tang-infused passionfruit and hints of soft, ripe manageable tannin. It’s medium bodied with pleasant mouthfeel, good balance and plenty to like. Give this a try with smoked duck breasts or roast turkey. It’s good value and very enjoyable drinking now; and it will continue to improve over the next three or four years. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2017 Pelee Island Winery ‘Vinedressers - Reserve’ Pinot Noir was sourced from 100% pinot noir grown in Canada’s southernmost grape growing region—VQA South Islands. The sub-soils are limestone infused with good fertility and intense biological activity. Winds off Lake Erie ensure consistent air flow through the vineyards, limiting humidity. All their wines are certified as sustainably grown and sustainable in their winemaking practices. This was fermented with skins and matured in oak barrels.

92
Pelee Island Winery ‘Vinedressers - Reserve’ Pinot Noir 2017
VQA South Islands, Lake Erie North Shore $19.95 13.0% alcohol
A lifted nose of gamy notes and wood smoke mingle with aromas of dark berry fruit and black cherry. A rarin’ to go, robust surge of palate flavours capture the senses with passionfruit, cranberry and red currant to the fore. The dry finish and aftertaste is lip-smacking good and lingers nicely with oodles of pizzazz. Give this a go with tourtière, porchetta pork roast or grilled medium-rare striploin. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour here. (Vic Harradine)

Australia: Red Wine

• The following 2017 Sidewood Estate Shiraz was sourced from premium, cool-climate estate fruit at approximately 380 meters a.s.l., yielding approximately 3.2 tonnes per acre and almost immediately chilled in the winery cool room with partial whole bunch and whole berry extended maceration of two to three weeks. It was wild-yeast and barrel fermented in 100% French oak, 25% new, then matured 18 months before meticulous barrel tastings and selection before bottling and release. Pick up a case or two.

93
Sidewood Estate Shiraz 2017
Adelaide Hills, Australia $19.95 (446146) 14.5% alcohol
Aromas of dark cherry/berry fruit, mocha, vanilla and wisps of gamy notes waft easily from this medium-plus bodied, divinely flavoured gem. It coats the palate with full-Monty flavours of black cherry and bramble berry interwoven with white pepper, sweet vanilla and nuances of dark, bittersweet chocolate. It’s medium-full bodied with deft balance of sweet, ripe fruit and excellent tang and acidity, especially apparent mid palate, along with another surge of ripe dark cherry/berry fruit persisting through the lingering, luscious, balanced and creamy-smooth finish. In a word… delicious. Sip now to 2027 or pour with grilled rack of lamb or medium-rare grilled New York striploin. (Vic Harradine)

New Zealand: White Wine

• A portion (60%) of the following 2018 Sacred Hill ‘Reserve’ Sauvignon Blanc was barrel fermented in pre-loved French oak barrels with only 15% new. The wine was minimally fined before filtered for bottling.

92
 Sacred Hill ‘Reserve’ Sauvignon Blanc 2018
 Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand, $21.95 (490326) 12.5% alcohol
 This is Marlborough sauvignon blanc on the nose with aromas of nettles, cat’s pee and passionfruit to the fore. It races over the front palate with a tang-laden, laser-like stream of white grapefruit, Key lime, apricot and blood orange that’s joined by lime cordial on the mid and back palate, finish and aftertaste. It finishes with excellent balance and delicious, lip-smacking palate flavours. Pour alongside freshly shucked oysters, pan-seared scallops or prawn ceviche. The price-quality ratio skews well in your favour. (Vic Harradine)

New in Vintages

• The following delicious 2019 Wakefield ‘Estate Label’ Chardonnay is in LCBO retail stores now; it shouldn’t last long on shelf as it punches well over the price.

92
Wakefield ‘Estate Label’ Chardonnay 2019
Clare Valley – Padthaway, South Australia $16.95 (711556) 13.5% alcohol
Exotic spice and caramel aromas interlace with tropical fruit and crisp green apple on the nose of this medium-plus bodied, creamy-smooth work of art. A full-flavoured surge of pure ambrosia blankets the palate with tang-infused flavours of honeydew melon, ripe pear and lemon chiffon pie. The finish and aftertaste are lengthy and luxurious while replaying palate flavours along with plenty of pizzazz. The price-quality ratio tips wildly in your favour. Pick up a few and enjoy over the next few years alongside clay-baked chicken, pork stir-fry or white, three-cheese, flatbread pizza—Havarti/Gouda/chèvre—adorned with sliced mushrooms. (Vic Harradine)

New in Ontario Wineries

• 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 Friday 10 am - 5 pm on weekdays and noon to 5 pm for information and for locals to access curbside pickup instructions. Their retail shop is now open - 10 am - 5 pm on weekdays, and noon to 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday. 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 2019 Malivoire Wine ‘Small Lot’ Pinot Noir was hand-harvested equally from two prized and premium vineyards—Moira and Mottiar—then vinified separately with alcoholic and malolactic fermentation for the Moira vineyard fruit done in stainless-steel, while that from the Mottiar vineyard was accomplished in concrete tank. Wine was matured in French oak barrels for 10 months, with only 6 % new oak. After blending, the wine was bottled in August 2020. Drink now to 2025

92
Malivoire Wine ‘Small Lot’ Pinot Noir 2019
VQA Beamsville Bench $29.95 12.5% alcohol
Ruby-hued and almost translucent in the glass, delicate aromas of exotic spice, grilled savoury herbs and dark plum waft easily. Flavours of pie cherry, passionfruit and ripe bramble berry envelope the palate adorned by baking spice and plenty of tang and pizzazz. This is medium-bodied with good mouthfeel and deft balance. It finishes with a lengthy, lip-smacking aftertaste of flavourful palate replays. Serve with cold-smoked duck breasts over olive-oiled arugula and spicy mango chutney or de-boned Cornish game hens. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2018 ‘Moira’ Chardonnay was hand harvested from 100% chardonnay in the Moira vineyard. Grapes were then sorted and pressed in whole clusters with 50% of the juice directed into French oak barrels and the other half into stainless steel barrels where both completed wild-yeast alcoholic fermentation and partial malolactic fermentation before maturing for 20 months. Drink now to 2026.

95
Malivoire Wine ‘Moira’ Chardonnay 2018
VQA Beamsville Bench $49.95 13.0% alcohol
Aromas of ripe Mirabelle plum, lemon zest and crème brûlée intertwine beautifully on the nose before bathing the palate with a medium-bodied, creamy-smooth and elegant river of pure delight with flavours of ripe Casaba melon, notions of ripe Bosc pear and lemon pie filling. This showcases persistent purity of delicious fruit flavour, is balanced on a pin and has virtually fully integrated French oak. Descriptors like graceful, sophisticated and stylish come to mind. Pour alongside steamed lobster dipped in clarified butter or roast turkey with all the fixings. (Vic Harradine)

LCBO ‘Limited Time Offers’ – Now 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 now to February 28, 2021.

White Wine

• The following white wine receives a $2.00 discount on each bottle purchased now to February 28, 2021.

Red Wine

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

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 five red wines receive a $3.00 discount on each bottle purchased now 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
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
 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)

Vintages Release: TBD, 2021

• The following 2019 Bodegas Castaño ‘Hécula – Organic’ Monastrell was sourced from 100% monastrell grapes from two districts—Las Gruesas and Pozuelo—whose soils are high in limestone content and have the highest elevation in the region. After alcoholic fermentation it underwent 10 days of malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks before maturing for six months in 80% French and 20% American oak barrels, with 50% new oak.

90
Bodegas Castaño ‘Hécula – Organic’ Monastrell 2019
DO Yecla, Spain $14.95 (718999) 14.5% alcohol
Aromas of exotic spice and incense intertwine with dark berry fruit aromas on the nose of this popular, exceptional-value red monastrell—aka mourvèdre. It’s rich and luscious on the palate with a surge of creamy-smooth, medium-full bodied river of delicious flavours—black currant, black plum and dark juicy cherry—interwoven with excellent tang and acidity and soft, ripe tannin. The finish is nicely balanced and the aftertaste replays palate flavours along with notions of espresso roast and wood smoke. Pour with back ribs smoked, grilled and mopped with spicy barbecue sauce. Aerate/decant for two hours before service. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2017 Bodegas Castaño ‘Solanera – Old Vines’ was sourced from the small wine DOC of Yecla in south-eastern Spain. Old vines of monastrell, cabernet sauvignon and grenache contributed to this delicious red blend. Grapes were fermented in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 26-28ºC then the wine was matured for ten months in 80% French and 20% American oak.

93
Bodegas Castaño ‘Solanera – Vinas Viejas’ 2017
DO Yecla, Spain $19.95 (276162) 14.5% alcohol
Delicate alluring aromas waft easily from the glass with floral notes, mocha and sandalwood to the fore. It bathes the palate with delicious, mellow and smooth palate flavours of cherry clafoutie and black bramble berry nicely juxtaposed with pizzazz from tang-infused passion fruit. It finishes dry and lengthy with nicely balanced components on the finish and aftertaste. Pour with rare-grilled skirt steak or Sunday-dinner roast beef and Yorkshire pudding with mushroom gravy. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2019 Bodegas Castaño ‘Alcaria – Old Vines’ was sourced from carefully selected bush vines of 60% monastrell/25% syrah/15% garnacha tintorera grapes that were cool fermented for eight to ten days then underwent malolactic conversion before ageing in 80% French and 20% American oak.

91
Bodegas Castaño ‘Alcaria – Old Vines’ 2019
DO Yecla, Spain $17.95 (10692) 14.0% alcohol
Wood smoke, tobacco leaf and grilled savory herb aromas dominate the nose. It’s medium bodied, deftly balanced and beautifully textured on the palate with plenty to like. Flavours of ripe juicy black plum and black Bing cherry interlace with crunchy red fruit—cherry and currant—and oodles of tang and acidity. There’s persistent purity of fruit and good structure and balance throughout. It finishes dry and lip-smacking good. Pour with red meat you pull off the grill—burgers, ribs, gourmet sausage or steak. (Vic Harradine)

Cheers, Lisa, Louise, Dave, Vic