June 4, 2023 Newsletter

LCBO Vintages Limited-Time Discount Offers

Approximately 20 white wines with $2.00 or more discounting per bottle.

White Wines

• There are 7 white wines reviewed below by winecurrent.com wine critics with Limited – Time Offers in LCBO stores that you can purchase now to June 19, 2023 and there are also Red Wines to follow that also have discounted prices now to June 19th, 2023.

• The following Castello Banfi “Principessa Gavia’ Gavi was sourced from 100% indigenous, estate-grown, cortese grapes, gently pressed and fermented under 18° C for twenty days in stainless steel enhancing freshness and delicate aromas in the wine. The winery began in 1860 then purchased by Banfi in the late 1970s.

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Castello Banfi ‘Principessa Gavia’ Gavi
DOCG Piedmont $19.95 (250696) 12.5% alcohol – the discounted price of $16.95 from now to June 19, 2023
This is a well-paced and well-priced Vintages Essentials wine, always available in select LCBO stores. Straw, citrus and wisps of honeyed aromas precede an explosion of flavour—lemon curd, sprigs of herbs and hints of pineapple. It coats the palate infusing the clean, refreshing finish and aftertaste. This is light-medium weight with good mouthfeel and a boatload of pizzazz and tangy acidity. Pour as an aperitif or with pan-seared white fish or poached scallops. (Vic Harradine)

• The Quarry Road Vineyard, planted in 1998, is a mixture of limestone and clay soil and is known for producing Chardonnays of unique minerality. It was barrel fermented with indigenous yeast and aged 12 months in French Oak. It is drinking well now and will until at least 2025 with careful cellaring. Pick up an armful at this price.

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Tawse Winery ‘Estate Bottled – Quarry Road Vineyard’ Chardonnay
VQA Vinemount Ridge $24.95 13.0% alcohol – price is $21.95 now to June 19, 2023
Ripe apple, pear, pink grapefruit and pineapple dominate before aromas of roasted almond, vanilla bean and butter gently emerge. The mid-weight palate, both creamy and mouth-watering, exhibits caramel apple, grilled peach and buttered toast flavours which linger on the long, mineral-driven finish. This delicious and beautifully balanced chardonnay would pair well with seafood pasta in a cream sauce. (Lisa Isabelle)

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Ghost Pines ‘Winemaker’s Blend’ Chardonnay
Monterey/Napa/Sonoma Counties $22.95 (308122) 13.8% alcohol - the discounted price is $20.95 per bottle now to June 19th, 2023.
Multi-County fruit was whole-bunch pressed and fermented in stainless steel before settling and aged sur lie in French and American oak. A gorgeous array of baking spice, vanilla and orchard fruit aromas set the table for a smorgasbord of flavours—tropical fruit, sweet, ripe pear and hints of citrus and spice. It’s mid-weight and good value with generous texture, depth and complexity. It finishes balanced and mouth-watering. Pour with roast chicken, pork or veal. Pick up a few. (Vic Harradine)

• The following Kim Crawford Chardonnay is a Vintages Essentials wine always available in select LCBO stores.

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Kim Crawford Chardonnay
Marlborough/Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand $20.95 (991950) 13.5% alcohol - now priced at $18.95 until June 19, 2023
This popular and exceptional-value chardonnay is clean and fresh on the nose with lots of mineral, peach, and floral aromas. It’s medium-full bodied on the palate with juicy acidity and flavours of apple and peach that fade in a luxuriously refreshing finish. Enjoy with Camembert cheese. (Dave Isaacs)

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Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio
DOC Valdadige, Italy $22.95 (106450) 12.5% alcohol now only $20.95 now until June 19th, 2023
The LCBO once touted this as their best-selling wine. A delicate nose of floral notes, lemon tart and wisps of mineral precede a mid-weight, very nicely textured streak of lemon and lime garnished with notions of green apple. The mid-length finish is crisp, refreshing and lip-smacking good. Pair with steamed mussels and a sliced and buttered baguette. (Vic Harradine)

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Robert Oatley ‘Signature Series’ Chardonnay
Margaret River, Western Australia $20.95 (350900) 12.5% alcohol - now only $18.95 per bottle now to June 19th, 2023.
Powerful aromas of toasty oak and spice on the nose precede a balanced and beautiful flow of sweet-tinged Golden Delicious apple, ripe pear and Mirabelle plum nicely juxtaposed with a glorious rush of racy lemon acidity on the back palate and persisting through the long finish—clean, crisp and refreshing. This is medium-full bodied with good texture and delivers a price-quality balance tipped well in your favour. Pour with roast bird and all the extras. (Vic Harradine)

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Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand $21.95 (316570) 13.0% alcohol – now available at $18.95 a bottle now to June 19th, 2023.
Lemon-lime citrus, grassy and pit fruit on the nose, this washes across the palate at full sail with tangy, juicy flavours of lemon drop candy, herbaceous notes and lip-smacking key lime pie flavours. Medium bodied with a silky mouth feel and consistently one of the most popular white wines in the Vintages Essentials line-up. (Vic Harradine)

Red Wines

• This 100% Tempranillo Gran Reserva was sourced from Spain’s most prominent wine region – Rioja. This wine was matured for 24 months in French and American oak barrels before bottling and further resting in bottle.

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Bodegas Altanza ‘Lealtanza – Gran Reserva’
DOCa Rioja, Spain $30.95 (453548) 14.0% alcohol – now you can purchase this wine at $28.95 per bottle now to June 19th, 2023.
Involved aromas of dried dark cherry/berry fruit decorated with earthy notes, piquant spice and leather dominate the nose of this decade-old red wine. It captures the palate with a surge of red fruit flavours of red currant, pie cherry and passionfruit underpinned by still-evolving tannin and robed in piquant spice. The finish and aftertaste lingers with its palate flavours and tannin replaying. This not for the faint of palate. Aerate/decant for three or four hours pouring with Spanish paella with prawns and chorizo. (Vic Harradine)

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Faustino I Gran Reserva
DOCa Rioja $31.95 (976662) 13.5% alcohol – you can purchase this wine now to June 19th, 2023 at $28.95 a bottle.
Aromas of green leaf, mineral, and raspberry dominate the nose. This Gran Reserva shows its age with the red colour fading slightly towards orange. It’s medium bodied with tannins that reveal themselves early, but then gently withdraw letting flavours of red berry show through a lingering, dry, fruit-laden finish. (Dave Isaac)

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Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon
Paso Robles, California $24.95 (738823) 13.5% alcohol – now to June 19th, 2023 you can purchase this wine at only $22.95 per bottle
Aromas of savory herbs and peppery spice mingle with red and black cherry/berry fruit on the nose of this nicely textured, mid-plus weight cabernet. It rolls over the palate with a hedonistic personality showcasing black raspberry jam, sweet vanilla and toasty/oaky notes along with nicely integrated tannin for structure. Pour with grilled steak, barbequed ribs or burgers. (Vic Harradine)

• The following Luigi Bosca Malbec was sourced from estate vineyards with vines 35-years-old at an altitude of 900 to 1100 metres above sea level located in the prestigious wine areas of Luján de Cuyo and Valle de Uco, Mendoza. Fruit was hand harvested with careful selection of clusters and destemming. It was cold macerated at 8 °C then fermented in stainless steel tanks at 28 °C with commercial yeasts. The wine was then transferred to French oak barrels where it matured for 12 months before a light fining and bottling. It’s also a Vintages Essentials wine always found in select LCBO retail wine stores.

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Luigi Bosca Malbec
Mendoza, Argentina (452672) $19.95 14.5% alcohol now only $17.95 per bottle now to June 19th, 2023
The nose is laden with red currant and dark cherry mingling with sweet tobacco and a dusty mineral note. Rich, ripe fruit flavours coat the palate while mouth-watering freshness and pleasantly chewy tannins create balance. Dry, medium-full bodied, dark fruit and spice flavours linger on the warm, lengthy finish. This would pair well with grilled lamb or Portobello mushroom burgers. (Lisa Isabelle)

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Monte Zovo ‘Sa’ Solin’ Ripasso Valpolicella
DOC Valpolicella Ripasso, Italy $22.95 (650713) 14.0% alcohol – now you can purchase this wine at $20.95 now to June 19th, 2023.
Campfire aromas mingle with gamy notes and dark berry fruit on the nose of this rich, ripe Ripasso. A surge of sweet ripe fruit and toasty/oaky notes blanket the palate adorned with spice, still-evolving tannin and crunchy red fruit—cranberry, currant and raspberry. It finishes dry with good tang and acidity. Paired and poured well with manicotti or pasta puttanesca sauce with garlic toast. (Vic Harradine)

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Remo Farina Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore
DOC Valpolicella Ripasso, Italy $17.95 (999946) 13.5% alcohol – this wine is available at $15.95 a bottle from now to June 19th, 2023.
Red fruit aromas are joined by notions of strawberry jam, cloves and black pepper on the nose of this easy-going, good-value red blend. The palate offers refreshing flavours of juicy red plum, strawberry, dried cherry and baking spice. Dry, medium bodied, well-balanced and flavourful, this will be enjoyable with grilled beef brochettes. (Lisa Isabelle)

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Barone Ricasoli ‘Rocca Guicciarda’ Riserva DOCG Chianti Classico $24.95 (943613) 13.5% alcohol - now to June 19, 2023 there is a $4.00 discount with this wine only $20.95 per bottle now to June 19th, 2023
Lifted floral and earthy notes weave through aromas of red and dark fruit—cherry and plum—in this dry, medium-full bodied sangiovese accented with a touch of merlot and cabernet sauvignon. A well-defined structure supported by flavours of dark cherry, cranberry, spice and a pleasant mineral quality persist through the lengthy, drying finish—aerate/decant a couple of hours before serving alongside pasta with tomato-based sauce. (Lisa Isabelle)

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Seven Falls Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon
Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington State $23.95 (360222) 14.5% alcohol - now to June 19, 2023 available at $20.95 a bottle
This matured 15 to 18 months in seasoned and new oak barrel, mostly American with the balance French. There are aromas of dark berry fruit, mixed spice and espresso roast galore. This is ready to drink and oozing flavour with palate-coating flavours of dried currant and black, juicy Bing cherry interwoven with mint leaf, spice and vanilla. It finishes as it started—deftly balanced, fruit-forward, good depth and plenty of charm from cork pop to last drop. (Vic Harradine)

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Sister’s Run ‘Epiphany’ Shiraz 2020
McLaren Vale, South Australia $19.95 (269464) 14.5% alcohol – now only $17.95 from now to June 19th, 2023
Aromas of black raspberry and dark juicy cherry replay on the palate along with a generous tidal wave of flavour indicative of ripe mulberry mingling with mocha, mixed spice and racy tang from wisps of pie cherry. There’s good structure and interest from the soft ripe tannin on the lingering, luscious finish and aftertaste. Grilled rack of lamb, gourmet burgers or grilled steak are all ideal dance partners. Don’t be shy, pick up a few for popping corks now to at least 2025. (Vic Harradine)

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The Foreign Affair ‘The Conspiracy’ 
VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 (149237) 13.8% alcohol - only $16.95 a bottle now to June 19th, 2023.
This cabernet, Ripasso-inspired red—the wine was ‘passed over’ cab sauv and cab franc skins from dried wines—highlights aromas of raisin, fig and red cherry. It flows over the palate with tannin-infused waves of dark berry fruit and red cherry that are spice laden and framed with good moderating acidity. It’s full bodied and fully textured with a long finish laced with still-evolving tannin. Pop corks now-2025 after a two-hour aeration/decant. (Vic Harradine)

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Tommasi ‘Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico’
DOCG Valpolicella Classico $49.95 (356220) 15.0% alcohol – now only $44.95 with its $5.00 discount from now to June 19th, 2023.
Dried raisins and wisps of figs on the nose, this shifts into high gear with a gorgeous river of deep, rich fruit flavour—black plum compote and black cherry—and hints of Ribena coating the palate infusing the lingering finish. It was crafted from hand-harvested Corvina/Corvinone/ Rondinella/Oseleta and aged in Slovenian oak barrel. It’s full bodied and well balanced with firm structure and good bones. Drink now, after a two-hour aeration/decant, and on to 2026. (Vic Harradine)

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Viña Tarapacá ‘Gran Reserva’ Cabernet Sauvignon
DO Maipo Valley, Chile $18.95 (18721) 14.0% alcohol – now available at $16.95 a bottle now to June 19th, 2023
There’s good fruit and fine balance here with roasted savory herbs and forest floor aromas making way for a mid-plus bodied stream of cherry/berry fruit, mixed spice and wisps of mushroom and musky bits on the palate. This is nicely textured with good structure and a lingering finish that’s dominated by mushroom and musky notes. (Vic Harradine)

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Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Clare Valley/Coonawarra, Australia $24.95 (142398) 14.5% alcohol – now only $22.95 a bottle from now to June 19th, 2023
This crowd pleaser is a 52/48 blend of grapes from its identified regions. Although it was a challenging season of wild fires and wilder weather, the quality of the fruit at harvest time was excellent. On the nose you will find aromas of smoky wood, eucalyptus, strawberry, and fresh herbs. There is mouth-watering acidity on the palate, with a medium-full body and medium tannins delivering flavours of cherry, vanilla, and mint. The finish is long and juicy, and leaves you wanting to take another sip. Pair this with grilled medium-rare herb-rubbed steak. (Dave Isaacs)

New In Ontario Wineries

• Order the following wines online for home, office or licensed restaurant: Delivery in Ontario is FREE on orders of $100 or more from this link - Vineland Estates Winery. The wine shop is open for Curbside Pickup 7 days a week, 11am-5pm. Purchase online from the above link or place your order at 905.562.7088 ext. 124. Restaurant is open for Takeout Wednesday – Sunday, 11am – 6pm. Please order directly with the Kitchen at 905.562.7088 ext. 165. Best to check with the winery first.

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Vineland Estates Winery ‘Chardonnay Musqué’ 2022
VQA Niagara Escarpment $19.95 12.0% alcohol
Beguiling aromas of mango, rosewater, floral notes and notions of minerality abound on the nose of this delicious summer sipper, The palate flavours consist of rosewater and exotic spice that meld with the tang and pizzazz from lemon zest and ripe, white nectarine decorated with Key lime pie flavours. Pour on its own or with lighter-styled appetizers as you relax on the patio, the balcony or around the pool with a plastic glass. (Vic Harradine)

• The following wine was sourced from the Niagara Peninsula from three grape varieties 59.1% chardonnay / 26.0% chardonnay musqué / 14.9% riesling. The price and the quality balance is well in your favour; order a few and avail yourself of the FREE delivery within Ontario on orders of $100.00 or more! This wine can be purchased from the winery at only $13.95 per bottle at time of publishing this review.

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Vineland Estates Winery ‘Unoaked – Chardonnay’ 2022
Niagara Peninsula $15.95 12.0% alcohol

• The following ‘Elevation - St Urban Vineyard – Riesling was sourced from estate vines planted in 1979, making them one of the oldest vines and most sought after riesling sites in all of Canada. The wine is also highly sought after, especially with such an attractive retail price, Pour on its own or with delicate fish—pickerel pan-seared in butter or seafood steamed or poached. (Vic Harradine)

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Vineland Estates Winery ‘Elevation - St Urban Vineyard - Riesling’ 2022
VQA Niagara Escarpment $22.95 9.5% alcohol
Exotic incense—jasmine—and hints of cinnamon are precursors to delicious fruit flavours on the palate with Granny Smith apple, ripe Bartlett pear and delicious tang to the fore. This is well balanced with a soft mouthfeel, smooth and mellow on the finish and aftertaste. Pour with pad Thai or shaking beef or possibly as a summer time sipper with steamed mussels or freshly shucked oysters. (Vic Harradine)

• For daily home, office or restaurant delivery for the following two wines may be ordered online from the winery-only. 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 1-905-563-9253 Monday to Saturday 10 am – to 4 pm for information.

• The following Malivoire Wine Company ‘Stouck Family Vineyard’ Viognier 2022 was picked October 16th at the Stouck Family Vineyard as the unfermented grape sugars averaged at 21.8 ° Brix. 150 cases of wine went to bottle in March, 2023.

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Malivoire Wine Company ‘Stouck Family Vineyard’ Viognier 2022
VQA Lincoln Lakeshore $24.95 13.0% alcohol
Alluring aromas of lemon zest and Key lime pie mingle with yellow nectarine and Mirabelle plum. It’s racy and refreshing with a streak of dazzling tang and plenty of pizzazz from first drop to last drop. Leaving you with a delightful taste and a delicious, lip-smacking finish and a lengthy aftertaste. Pour with pan-seared calamari and freshly shucked oysters. (Viv Harradine)

• The following Malivoire Wine Company ‘Moira Vineyard’ Chardonnay 2020 was manually picked from the north block on September 19th and 20th at 21.5 ° Brix average for the unfermented Chardonnay grapes. Grapes picked the first day were pressed in whole cluster, while those picked the 2nd day were destemmed first. The juice was fed into neutral French oak hogshead barrels. The wine completed primary and 100% malolactic fermentation and after nine months 122 cases were bottled unfiltered in July, 2021.

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Malivoire Wine Company ‘Moira Vineyard’ Chardonnay 2020
VQA Beamsville Bench $44.95 12.5% alcohol
Elegant with depth and great fruit-flavours—lemon chiffon pie, baked apple and ripe Bartlett pear—the tang and tannin is quite manageable, as is the palate flavours that remain to and through the finish and aftertaste with persistent purity of fruit and deft balance throughout. The price / quality balance tips well in your favour, pick up a few. (Vic Harradine)

• Closson Chase was an early entry into the nascent Prince Edward County winery scene in the late 1990s and recently made an almost seamless transition from a former doyen of Ontario winemakers, Deborah Paskus, to the present winemaker, Keith Tyers, highly capable with focused vision on making fine wine—especially chardonnay and pinot noir—from what nature provides.

• Order the following wines by the case for daily office, home or restaurant delivery direct from the winery either by using this link Closson Chase, phone toll-free 1-888-201-2300, email  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or pick them up from the winery 629 Closson Road, Hillier, Ontario K0K 2J0 – it’s an easy 2 or so hour drive, or less, from the GTA or Ottawa and environs - Here’s a map. Phone ahead 343-261-6465 for complimentary curbside pick-up or local delivery. They are now open 7 days a week from 11am to 5 pm.

• Here is the general plan for all the release dates for each of the following four wines from Closson Chase:

2022 Estate ‘Unoaked - Chardonnay’ - $32 - release date: July 22nd
2021 South Clos Chardonnay - $45 - release date: June 24th
2021 Vineyard Chardonnay - $35 release date: August/September
2021 The Brock Chardonnay - $26 this wine is not going to be released through retail and won't be available on the website, but can be purchased by contacting the winery directly, likely August/September, as well.

• The following Closson Chase ‘The Brock’ Chardonnay 2021 was destemmed and whole berry pressed with 50% fermented in French oak barrels that also went through 100% malolactic fermentation with the balance fermented in stainless steel without any malolactic fermentation, The chardonnay fruit was sourced 100% from the K. J Watson vineyard in Niagara, This wine is accredited Vegan-friendly by VegeCert. The un-fermented grape sugar was harvested October 4, 2021 at an average of 20.0 ° Brix.

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Closson Chase ‘The Brock’ Chardonnay 2021
VQA Niagara River $26.00 / 750 mL and $15.00 /375 mL alcohol 12.0%
Alluring aromas of ripe Bartlett pear, baking spice and notions of floral notes abound on the impressive nose of this balanced and beautiful chardonnay. A stream of persistent purity of fruit on the palate continue to and through the lip-smacking finish and the delightful, mouth-watering aftertaste of tang and plenty of pizzazz. It’s fresh, lively and simply delicious; pick up an armful and drink over the next two to three years after careful cellaring. Sip on its own or with panko-crusted pork cutlets. (Vic Harradine)

• The following Closson Chase ‘South Clos’ Chardonnay 2021 was sourced from 100% South Clos Estate vineyard in Prince Edward County, whole cluster pressed then fermented and aged in French oak barrels, 20% new and also experienced full Malolactic fermentation in barrel. This wine is accredited Vegan-friendly by VegeCert. The average grape sugars in the unfermented chardonnay fruit averaged 21.7 ° Brix during the 2021, October 8-11 harvest.

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Closson Chase ‘South Clos’ Chardonnay 2021
VQA Prince Edward County $45.00 alcohol 12.5%
Aromas of treacle, honey and mineral notes blend nicely with palate flavours of lemon zest, baking spice and blood orange that meld nicely with tangy notes and plenty of pizzazz from twist top to last drop. The finish lingers with a balanced fusion of ripe tannin, delightful fruit flavours and a wonderful aftertaste that will keep you looking for more. Give this a go with roast chicken and all the fixings of root vegetables that cooked around the chicken. (Vic Harradine)

• The following Closson Chase ‘Vineyard’ Chardonnay 2021 was sourced from 2 estate vineyards with Churchside Vineyard contributing 25% and South Clos Vineyard contributing 75%. Between October 4 to 11, the average unfermented grape sugar was 21.5 ° Brix. Whole cluster pressed then fermented and aged in French oak barrels, less than 10% new.1300 cases were produced April 19, 2023. Drink now to 2026 with careful cellaring.

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Closson Chase ‘Vineyard’ Chardonnay 2021
VQA Niagara River $35.00 alcohol 12.5%
Pure delight, vintage after vintage. Sexy aromas of exotic herbs and incense waft easily from the glass after a couple of gentle swirls. Palate flavours make their way with a gusher of tang and smooth and mellow mouthfeel of deft balance, purity of fruit and a monumentally long and appealing finish and aftertaste dominated by lemon, lime, minerality and; In a word… delicious. Pour with all manner of fish and seafood. (Vic Harradine)

• The following wine was sourced entirely from the South Clos Estate vineyard and this wine is accredited Vegan-friendly by VegeCert. It was whole-cluster pressed then cool fermented in stainless steel at 14 ° C with no malolactic fermentation. The unfermented grapes came in at an average 20.1 ° Brix before being fermented at the winery in stainless steel tank and saw no oak barrels before bottling of 150 cases on March 21st, 2023.

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Closson Chase ‘Estate – Unoaked’ Chardonnay 2022
VQA Prince Edward County $32.00 12.5% alcohol
Aromas of lemon-drop candy and minerality are to the fore before being joined by mango, yellow Mirabelle plum and plenty of tang and pizzazz on the palate, finish and aftertaste. Give this a go with pan-seared East coast salmon with a smattering of butter in the pan. (Vic Harradine)

Best wishes from Lisa Isabelle, Louise Boutin, Dave Isaacs, Vic Harradine