LCBO Seasonal Release; April 1, 2022

• ‘The Merry Widow’, Catharine, had an interesting background. She only lived a little over 44 years, but managed to outlive her philandering husband, Henry, and is now thought of by the present family as having had a little dance after his ‘sudden’ passing – hence the moniker, ‘Merry Widow’. This wine had three-hour skin contact providing the brilliant colour. It was fermented at 14 – 16°C in stainless steel tanks preserving the freshness of the fruit flavours.

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Speck Brothers ‘Family Tree – The Merry Widow’ Rosé 2021

VQA Niagara Peninsula $16.95 (24972) 11.5% alcohol
Lifted aromas of cherry/berry fruit and mixed spice precede a river of racy palate flavours with passionfruit, pomegranate and pie cherry to the fore. Palate flavours persist to and through the dry finish and lip-smacking aftertaste. This sustainably grown rosé is satin-smooth with excellent mouthfeel and oodles of pizzazz. It pours well with pan-seared Atlantic salmon under a generous squeeze of fresh lemon or with well-seasoned roast chicken or with pizza with white cheese dotted with smoked salmon and dill. Pick up a few at this price. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release; April 30, 2022

• The following 2019 Lapis Luna Wines ‘Red Wine Blend’ was sourced from 45% malbec/35% cabernet sauvignon/25% merlot from 2 AVA’s with 93% from Mendocino and 7% from Rockpile, North Coast, California. All fruit was gently destemmed and crushed then inoculated by commercial yeast. Each fermentation was pumped-over twice daily with temperature peaking at 90 °F, then macerated from 12 to 28 days then aged for 20 months in French oak barrels with 10% new and 90% neutral.

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Lapis Luna Wines ‘Red Wine Blend’ 2019
North Coast, California $19.95 (24100) 14.3% alcohol
Lively and lifted aromas waft easily after a gentle swirl—red cherry, red currant and piquant spice adorned with savoury herbs and wisps of campfire smoke. It’s smooth, balanced and mellow on the palate with delectable flavours of black currant, ripe juicy black cherry and excellent tang and pizzazz from notions of pomegranate and passionfruit. The monumentally long finish and aftertaste replay the delicious palate flavours. Pour alongside your favourite cut of beef steak well seasoned with seasoned salt. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2020 Palliser Estate Wines ‘Pencarrow’ Sauvignon Blanc was sourced from two estate-grown plots with 57% from older vines in their Cloustin Vineyard and the balance from their ‘East Base’ vines. The fruit was pressed to stainless steel vats then cold settled and cold fermented to 13.5% alcohol. It rested on its lees and was stirred post fermentation then bottled January, 2021.

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Palliser Estate ‘Pencarrow’ Sauvignon Blanc 2020
Marlborough, North Island, New Zealand $18.95 (148429) 13.5% alcohol
Alluring aromas of savoury herbs and musky thiol leap from the glass after even the slightest swirl. It blankets the palate with a surge of delightful flavours with lime cordial, lemon curd and blood orange to the fore. It’s soon joined by passion fruit and lime- and sugar-drizzled guava. This is nicely balanced with persistent purity of fruit from twist top to final drop. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour; pick up a few and pour with freshly shucked, briny, Malpec oysters decorated with a few drops of hot sauce, a squeeze of fresh lemon and a pinch or two of horseradish or steamed green-lip mussels and fries. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages - Order by Online Only starting May 14, 2022

• The following 2018 Jim Barry ‘Single Vineyard – The Farm’ Cabernet - Malbec is a blend of 91% cabernet sauvignon planted in 1997 and 9% malbec planted in 1998 both sourced from plots on the Eastern Ranges from their Lodge Hill estate vineyard. This wine is to pay homage to the foresight of the iconic, late, great Jim Barry. The Jim Barry team of today is still basking in the limelight of being named ‘2020 Australian Winery of The Year’ by James Halliday’s Wine Companion. They are also one of the founding members of the über-exclusive Australia’s First Families of Wine; click on their name using the previous link to learn why they gained an invitation and see the other nine members and use Jim Barry Wine plus those nine other names as a compass for family-owned and managed wineries making fine wines from Australia.

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Jim Barry ‘Single Vineyard – The Farm’ Cabernet - Malbec 2018

Clare Valley, Australia $29.95 (20881) 13.9% alcohol

Aromas of violets, earthy notes and ripe mulberry precede a structured mouthful of deep black cherry/berry flavours intertwined with mocha and wisps of earthy notes and sprigs of savoury herbs. It’s medium-full bodied with lots of mouthfeel and plenty of tang and acidity making for a dry finish and aftertaste. This is good to go now with at least another15 years of careful cellaring. Pour with grilled rack of lamb or a thick, premium cut of beef steak grilled medium-rare. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release; May 21, 2022

• The following 2019 Gérard Bertrand ‘Terroir Fitou – An 990’ Grenache/Carignan was sourced from hand-picked and hand sorted grenache and carignan grapes with carignan fermented by carbonic maceration for 10 to 15 days and the grenache fermented by traditional fermentation and aged 12 months in barrel. The Year 990 is prominent on the front wine label and on the back label it’s explained ‘why’ in French and English.

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Gérard Bertrand ‘Terroir Fitou – An 990’ Grenache/Carignan 2019

AOP Fitou, France $17.95 (403683) 14.5% alcohol

Lively aromas of red cherry berry fruit with piquant spice and sprigs of savoury herbs waft easily from the glass. It washes over the palate with a balanced and bountiful stream of piquant spice and grilled savoury herbs adorned by bramble berry fruit, ripe black cherry and a tang-infused rush of pie cherry. The finish and aftertaste linger and provide a dry, lip-smacking experience. Pour with chorizo and prawn paella or your favourite meat-lovers pizza. The price-quality balance tips in your favour, pick up an armful. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: TBD, 2022

• The following 2015 Heredad de Ureña ‘Santo’ Tempranillo 2015 was hand-harvested and sourced from estate-grown vineyards of 100% tempranillo grapes. It underwent traditional maceration with manual cap punching followed by malolactic fermentation and 10 months of maturation in 80% French and 20% American new oak barrels.

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Heredad de Ureña ‘Santo’ Tempranillo 2015
Vino De La Tierra De Castilla y Leon, Spain $16.95 (629832) 13.0% alcohol
Darker in color than your typical Tempranillo, it also presents with unexpected aromas—purple plum, ripe blackberry, cola and a hint of menthol. A cooling and smooth stream of ripe dark fruit flavour travels the palate picking along the way sweet vanilla and oak notes trailing in the dry, fruit-forward finish. Not your typical medium-bodied Spanish red but it would pair well with gourmet burgers or grilled artisan sausages. Drink now. (Louise Boutin)

• The following wine was sourced from 95% Tempranillo and 5% from garnacha/graciano/mazuelo grapes that were hand-picked then destemmed before 18 days of alcoholic fermentation in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks then undergoing malolactic conversion then 24 months ageing in an even split between French and American oak barrels.

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Bodegas Puelles ‘Gran Reserva’ Tempranillo 2008
DOCa Rioja, Spain $24.95 14.0% alcohol
Time has worked its magic in this Gran Reserva Rioja offering complex aromas—leather, sandalwood, liquorice, dry rose petal and a hint of vanilla. This is velvety smooth on the palate with flavours of red and black cherry plus tangy raspberry fully integrated with dry herbs and earthy notes. This value-packed medium-full-bodied mature red is ready to drink and will be outstanding with well-seasoned grilled lamb chops or a selection of aged hard cheese. (Louise Boutin)

• The following 2016 Bodegas Puelles ‘Crianza’ Tempranillo is 95% tempranillo and 5% garnacha. It was hand-harvested and underwent alcoholic fermentation for 18 days after being destemmed. It then matured for 12 months in 50% French oak barrels and 50% American oak barrels.

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Bodegas Puelles ‘Crianza’ Tempranillo 2016
DOCa Rioja, Spain $16.95 14.0% alcohol
Dry cherry, cedar, caraway and dill aromas mingle harmoniously in this top-value Rioja. Sour cherry flavour takes the initial lead on the palate followed with blackberry, earthy notes and smoked meat character. Tannins are ripe but still compact, adding chewiness to the long, savoury, dry finish. This will further evolve with additional cellaring but if uncorked now, aerate/decant two hours and pair with mild sausage-stuffed roasted red pepper or mushroom risotto. (Louise Boutin)

• The following 2021 Provolo ‘Costa del Monte’ is a blend of hand-harvested 60% müller-thurgau/40% chardonnay sourced from vines on average at 10-years old from vineyards at 900m above sea level planted in marl and limestone soil. The grapes macerated for six hours at 10 °C then fermented for 20 days at 10 – 14 °C in stainless steel vats then matured in stainless steel tanks followed by two months in bottle before release. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour, pick up a few.

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Provolo ‘Costa del Monte’ 2021
IGT Bianco Veneto, Italy $16.95 13.0% alcohol
This interesting white blend offers pretty aromas of field flowers, honeydew melon, peach and fresh raw fennel. Nicely textured on the palate it carries beautiful fresh flavours in line with the aroma profile, finishing on lemon drops notes and mineral flair. Lots of value in this medium-bodied gem, ideal to sip on its own of pair with light-cream shrimp pasta. (Louise Boutin)

• The following 2021 Cantine Monfort ‘Casata Monfort’ Pinot Grigio was sourced from 100% pinot grigio grapes. The price-quality ratio skews in your favour.

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Cantine Monfort ‘Casata Monfort’ Pinot Grigio 2021
DOC Trentino, Italy $17.95 12.5% alcohol
Muted on the nose at first, this young wine slowly opens up to aromas of ripe pear, honeysuckle and iodine. It shows a nice medium-bodied weight on the palate, offering yellow apple and pear flavours and a touch of pithy citrus and a nice saline note in the finish and aftertaste. This is a very nice expression of the pinot grigio style with great acidity that would pair really well with fish & chips or popcorn shrimps. (Louise Boutin)

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Valpanera Pinot Grigio 2021
DOC Friuli, Italy $16.95 13.0% alcohol
This freshly out-of-the-tank white from North-eastern Italy opens the door with aromas of pear, white almond, lemon peel and a flinty note. It goes down easily with pear and cantaloupe flavours quickly caught-up with pithy citrus and mineral characters trailing in the finish and aftertaste. This calls for a salty appetizer or main course. (Louise Boutin)

• The following 2021 Agriverde ‘Vino Biovegan - Eikos’ Pecorino is 100% Pecorino. It’s certified vegan-friendly and organic and was bottled un-fined and un-filtered and only saw stainless steel tanks, no oak. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour; make a multiple purchase.

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Agriverde ‘Vino Bio-vegan - Eikos’ Pecorino 2021
IGP Terre di Chieti, Italy $15.95 13.0% alcohol
This crisp organic white is un-fined and unfiltered making it vegan friendly. It pleases the senses with lovely aromas of green apple, pear, honeydew melon and a hint of flint. It shows good weight and a round texture on the palate, supporting delicious fresh orchard fruit flavours along with zesty lime and a touch of white pepper at the end. This is medium-body and ready to go with goat cheese crostini or pesto pasta. (Louise Boutin)

• The following 2021 Agriverde ‘Vino Biologico – Riseis’ Pecorino is certified organic and has 100% Pecorino grapes that were fermented in stainless steel and saw no oak. What’s not to like? Stock up.

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Agriverde ‘Vino Biologico – Riseis’ Pecorino 2021
IGP Terre di Chieti, Italy $15.95 13.0% alcohol
Delicate white flowers aromas mingling with peach and zesty notes introduce a creamy flow of delicious flavours—fresh apricot, pear—coupled with pink grapefruit, a hint of balancing bitterness and white pepper pleasantly tingling the tongue while trailing a peachy note in the finish. This is an excellent medium-bodied white to pair with calamari or herb marinated chicken brochettes on the grill. (Louise Boutin)

• The following 2012 Tenute Salvaterra, Cave de Prun ‘Classico – Amarone – Riserva’ is a red blend of 65% corvina/20% rondinella/10% corvinone/5% ‘other’ autochthonous grape varieties. The average age of all the vines is 19 years old. These grapes were fermented for thirty days at controlled temperature of 18 – 20 °C. This is drinking well now after a two-hour aeration/decant and on to 2028 with careful cellaring. If you cast bait in these pricey waters, reel in a few of these.

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Tenute Salvaterra, Cave de Prun ‘Classico – Amarone – Riserva’ 2012
DOCG Amarone Della Valpolicella, Italy $63.95 16.5% alcohol
An impressive 16.5% alcohol level doesn’t get in the way of a beautiful exotic bouquet of dry cherry, fig, patchouli, sandalwood and clove. It glides on the palate with grace and total absence of heaviness, offering dry fruit flavour along with dark rum, mocha and mixed baking spice, all enveloped in a warm and soft blanket of polished tannins. This is full-bodied with elegance, bright acidity and the perfect red sipper for nibbling on hard aged cheese and roasted nuts. It would also be superb with slow-cooked pot-roast with root vegetables. (Louise Boutin)

• The following 2021 Vigna Madre ‘Iava - Organic’ Pecorino was sourced from 100% accredited organic, pecorino grapes from vines at 380 M above sea level with the yield per hectare at 100 quintals. This was fermented in stainless steel tanks and matured in bottle at a controlled temperature.

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Vigna Madre ‘Iava - Organic’ Pecorino 2021
IGP Terre Di Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy $16.95 13.0% alcohol
Delicate aromas of jasmine and chamomile meld nicely with saline minerality and lemon tree floral notes. It spreads over the palate creamy smooth and nicely textured with good mouthfeel and laser-like stream of tang-laden mineral notes and Meyer lemon along with ripe and fleshy yellow peach and ripe nectarine adorned with sprigs of mixed dried herbs. It finishes crisp and refreshing. Pour alongside pan-seared scallops or prawns, or line-caught white fish grilled on the barbecue. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2021 Vigna Madre ‘Becco Reale - Organic’ Pecorino was sourced from 100% accredited organic pecorino grapes from vines at 280 M above sea level with the yield per hectare at a low 80 quintals. This was fermented in stainless steel tanks and matured in bottle at a controlled temperature. Remove from your home refrigerator twenty minutes before serving. If you have a quick-read thermometer, 10 °C is a good service temperature.

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Vigna Madre ‘Becco Reale - Organic’ Pecorino 2021
IGP Terre Di Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy $18.95 13.0% alcohol
Alluring aromas of musk melon, mint and apricot precede a fleshy, deftly balanced stream of palate flavours with ripe Mirabelle plum and white nectarine riding a delicious wave of blood orange and white grapefruit to and through the lingering, lip-smacking finish and mouth-watering aftertaste. This showcases persistent purity of fruit, savoury herbs, good texture and oodles of tang and pizzazz. Pour with prawn and chorizo paella or steamed lobster tails dipped in clarified butter under a squeeze of fresh lemon. You may want to pick up a few. (Vic Harradine)