Seasonal Selection Release in LCBO: Friday, January 7, 2022
• The following 2020 Gérard Bertrand ‘Change - Organic’ Merlot is part of a passion that Gérard Bertrand has for changing vineyards and winemaking practices to be recognised as organic wines. Hand-harvested merlot is 100% de-stemmed before vatting. The grapes are then macerated for 10 to 15 days at controlled temperatures. Pump-overs are adjusted to enable the extraction of polyphenols and fruity aromas. Following malolactic conversion the wine is then matured for a few months in vats.
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Gérard Bertrand ‘Change - Organic’ Merlot 2020
IGT Pays d’Oc, France $15.95 (22499) 14.0% alcohol
Rich, luscious aromas of bramble berry, piquant spice and savoury herbs abound on the nose of this accredited organic red wine. It envelops the palate with a river teeming with tightly packed dark cherry/berry/plum flavours underpinned by soft, supple tannin, sharp spice and plenty of mouth-watering acidity. This is medium-plus bodied with good mouthfeel and texture along with persistent purity of fruit through the entire tasting experience. Pour with rich beef stew or your favourite grilled steak. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: January 8, 2022
• The following 2019 Domaine Carneros ‘Avante Garde’ Pinot Noir was sourced from all five estate vineyards in the Carneros AVA. The wine is fermented in small open-topped tanks then matured for eight months in Burgundian French oak barrels that were selected from special cooperages that complement the flavour and aroma profile of this wine.
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Domaine Carneros ‘Avante Garde’ Pinot Noir 2019
Carneros, California $36.95 (11528) 13.8% alcohol
Divine aromas of sharp, red fruit—red cherry, red berry—interlace with grilled savoury herbs, beetroot and piquant spice notes in this light ruby-hued beauty. It caresses the palate with spice-infused palate flavours of ripe black currant, crunchy red currant and ripe and juicy black Bing cherry, along with black bramble berry. This offers up deft balance of fruit flavours, delightful acidity and an underpinning of ripe, fine-grained tannin. Pour with coq au vin, boeuf Bourguignon or crown roast of pork. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2018 Ivory & Burt ‘Old Vine Zinfandel’ pays homage to two of the early settlers in Lodi—Charles Ivory and J.M. Burt. The Lodi soils are rich in minerals and well drained along with a Mediterranean climate of warm afternoons and cool evenings that allows grapes to develop ripe fruit flavours. These fruit-forward wines have nice acid balance that characterize the quintessential Lodi style that has made and kept its sterling reputation. This is 100% sustainably grown and ages in new American oak.
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Ivory & Burt ‘Old Vine Zinfandel’ 2018
Lodi, California $19.95 (479303) 15.0% alcohol
Ripe and rich aromas of black cherry/berry fruit and mixed spice and savoury herbs abound on the nose of this rich, luscious Zin. It surges over the palate with black currant, black raspberry and hints of passionfruit and pie cherry that balance each other on the palate and throughout the finish and aftertaste. This has depth and complexity along with a good underpinning of supple tannin. Give it a go with grilled and smoked back ribs mopped with spicy barbecue sauce. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: January 22, 2022
• The following 2017 Jim Barry Wines ‘The Lodge Hill’ Shiraz was sourced from low-yielding shiraz vines grown on soils of rich loam over near-vertical sheets of rock. The now soil-filled passageways allow vine roots to work their way down to water from this nature-induced drainage system. It should be noted that Jim Barry Wines was proclaimed by James Halliday as 2020 Winery of the Year; a much sought-after recognition and prize in Australia.
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Jim Barry ‘The Lodge Hill’ Shiraz 2018
Clare Valley, Australia $22.95 (998476) 14.0% alcohol
Bramble berry, blueberry and ripe mulberry intertwine with peppery spice flavours on entry to the palate before joining up with baking spice and dark bittersweet chocolate mid-palate. This showcases good balance, a supple underpinning of polished, fine-grain tannin and plenty of excellent acidity and touches of elegance. It’s medium-bodied, nicely textured with a lengthy and balanced finish and aftertaste. Pour with grilled rack of lamb. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: TBD, 2022
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Cave de Cleebourg Gewürztraminer 2018
AOC Alsace, France $17.95 13.5% alcohol
This straw-hued, Gold Medal winning gewürz leaps from the glass with lifted aromas of piquant spice, rosewater, mangoes and apricots; along with considerable spritz tingling the tongue with each pour. It’s fully textured with good mouthfeel and a strong, off-dry (15 g/L residual sugar), spice-laden, pulsing, palate-flavours persisting through the finish and aftertaste. Pour with tarte d’Alsace or your favourite spicy Asian cuisine. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2018 Cave de Cleebourg Pinot Gris won a Gold Medal in a prestigious tasting in Paris, France in 2019. This wine underwent a slow pressing and malolactic conversion.
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Cave de Cleebourg Pinot Gris 2018
AOC Alsace, France $17.95 13.5% alcohol
Aromas of peach, pear and apple intertwine with sharp citrus notes that all waft easily from the gold-hued liquid in the glass. It blankets the palate with a gusher of flavours—Mirabelle plum, Meyer lemon and Key lime intertwined with notions of buckwheat honey. It’s tang-laden with good mouthfeel and texture throughout. It showcases deft balance, persistent purity of fruit flavour and a crisp, refreshing and lengthy finish and aftertaste. Pour on its own or paired with pan-seared fish or steamed mussels or lightly spiced Asian cuisine. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2018 Paringa Shiraz was sourced from low-yielding vines of 4 tons per acre. This was eventually matured in 50% new and 50% pre-loved 300L French oak barrels for a minimum of one year.
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Paringa Shiraz 2018
GI South Australia $15.95 14.9% alcohol
This is purple/black hued and almost opaque sitting in the glass. Aromas of, espresso roast and black currant appear with the slightest of swirls. It’s rich and powerful on the palate with baking spice and white pepper giving way to crème de cassis and kirsch liqueur flavours and a fruit bowl of ripe and ready cherry/berry/plum flavours both red and black that persist through the lengthy finish and aftertaste. This is medium-full bodied with plenty of pizzazz and the price-quality balance tipped well in your favour—pick up a few. (Vic Harradine)
• The following Non-Vintage Cave de Cleebourg Crémant d’Alsace Auxerrois Brut was sourced from 100% Auxerrois and fashioned Méthode Traditionnelle with the 2nd fermentation having taken place in the bottle(s) you purchase as it does with Champagne. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour; pick up a few when released.
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Cave de Cleebourg - Crémant d’Alsace - Auxerrois – Brut - Non-Vintage
AOC Crémant d’Alsace, France $18.95 12.5% alcohol
Aromas of orange zest, smoky notes and notions of Meyer lemon and minerality dominate the nose. In pouring, you’ll release millions of fine-bead bubbles that gather at the top of your wine while pouring in the glass and it has a proper name – mousse. This has plenty, much the same as Champagne at 5.5 bars of pressure. It rides a tide of piquant citrus notes along with saline minerality and sweet ripe apple from first to last sip leaving you a balanced crisp, refreshing taste and enough sweetness throughout. Pick up a few at this price, no need to wait for a special occasion; and pour a glass to welcome friends and also along with lighter-styled appetizers. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2020 Cantine Damilano ‘Barbera d’Asti’ is sourced from 20- to 30-year-old vines of 100% Barbera grapes that were aged in mostly stainless steel and 20% new barrels. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour.
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Cantine Damilano– Barbera d’Asti 2020
DOCG Barbera d’Asti, Italy $17.95 (541771) 15.5% alcohol
Medium-ruby hued in the glass it explodes with exotic spices and lively fresh red cherry/berry fruit and floral notes galore on the nose. A balanced and bountiful gusher of red and black currant, black juicy cherry and sweet, ripe mulberry decorated with grilled savoury herbs and a racy streak of tang and pizzazz provide a glorious mouthful of pure ambrosia. This is medium-full bodied with excellent texture and mouthfeel and showcases good balance, persistent fruit-driven flavours and a lingering finish and aftertaste with replays of palate-flavours. It’s delicious and lip-smacking good. Pour with pasta in Bolognese sauce or pastitsio. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2019 Cantine Damilano – Marghe - Langhe – Nebbiolo is 100% Nebbiolo grapes sourced from thirty- to fifty-year old vines. This was aged in in large oak barrels for 12 months. The price-quality ratio skews in your favour.
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Cantine Damilano – Marghe - Langhe – Nebbiolo – 2019
DOC Nebbiolo, Italy $19.95 (576793) 14.0% alcohol
Light-ruby hued with a touch of orange when poured in the glass. Aromas of leather and sweet pipe tobacco intertwine with floral notes, piquant spice and red cherry/berry fruit. A tannin- and tang-laced river envelops the palate with flavours of pie cherry and red currant on entry and milder black plum and ripe mulberry appear mid palate and persist throughout the finish and aftertaste. Aerate/decant three or four hours before pouring and pairing with beef stroganoff. (Vic Harradine)