The Feb 19 2022 LCBO Vintages Release is a treasure trove for Sparkling and red wine lovers.
Fortified Wines
Sandeman is a well established Port House and this month you can pick up Sandeman 10-Year-Old Tawny Port (Note: 500 mL bottle) VINTAGES#: 21810 $25.95 Douro, Portugal. It gets a 90 from James Molesworth of winespectator.com. He describes cherry, plum, dried anise and dried orange peel.
Sparkling Wines
There are 2 true Champagnes that are out of our snack bracket so we will move on in favour of 2 good value Crémants. Same method- just not from Champagne region.
Pierre Sparr Brut Rosé Crémant d'Alsace VINTAGES#: 39016 $19.95 Alsace, France gets a 92 from Vic Harradine of winecurrent.com. According to Vic expect a fine mousse with aromas of strawberry and spice with a 'glorious gusher of palate flavours'. Look for grapefruit, blood orange, wild strawberries. He calls it elegant and charming with a lenthy 'lip-smacking' finish.
Marie-Pierre Manciat Brut Crémant de Bourgogne VINTAGES#: 402362 $24.95 Burgundy, France gets a 92 from Lisa Isabelle of winecurrent.com. She describes caramel apple, toasty biscuits on the nose and citrus, ripe apple and brioche on the palate with a long, full finish.
Any brunch or bright afternoon would be brightened up with Pitars Millesimato Extra Dry Prosecco 2019 VINTAGES#: 16611 $15.95 Prosecco, Italy. Extra Dry is always welcome in a Prosecco in my books. This one is fruity and creamy with cooked lemon and apple according to James Suckling who gives it a 91.
White Wines
Sidewood is always a reliable choice for good value. Sidewood Chardonnay 2018 VINTAGES#: 186346 $18.95 South Australia, Australia gets a 96 from James Halliday or winecompanion.com.au. He calls it Special Value with good length and value. Look for an 'elegant, tightly focused wine built on grapefruit and white peach fruit flavours.'
Greywacke Riesling 2020 VINTAGES#: 14556 $29.95 Marlborough, New Zealand gets a 95 from Cameron Douglas or decanter.com. Expect a well-made Riesling with wild flowers, minerals and 'a fine leesy complexity'. 'Crisp, refreshing, fruity and dry' with a good contrast of herbs and fruit and lots of acidity.
Cave du Roi Dagobert Découverte Riesling 2019 Alscace, France VINTAGES#: 22704 $17.95. Riesling is one of the signature grapes of Alsace so it will be a good bet anytime you see. Vintage notes say this one reflects the stony soils of Alsace with complex minerality , zesty citrus and crunchy pear.
Joseph Mellot La Chatellenie Sancerre 2020 VINTAGES#: 525154 $28.95 Loire, France. This entry level Sancerre is getting low 90 scores from various well respected sources. According to Vintages notes expect green apple, grapefruit and gooseberry with crisp acidity and 'a beautiful mineral quality'. All wrapped up in an elegant pour no doubt.
Red Wines
The value award in red wines this release certainly goes to San Alejandro Evodia 2019 Calatayud, Spain VINTAGES#: 23914 $14.95. 100% Grenache - Jeb Dunnock of jebdunnuck.com calls this 'the finest wine at this price point in the world' and gives it a 93. He describes kirsch, blackberry, acacia flower, violet and sandalwood notes. He calls it a beautifully layered wine with no hard edges.
Humberto Canale Patagonia Intimo Malbec 2019 VINTAGES#: 144725 $14.95 may come a close 2nd in the value quotient. It is getting high scores from various sources. James Suckling gives it a 92 and describes plum, crushed-stone and floral aromas that carry to the palate. Fresh and drinking well right now. Enjoy with pizza or burgers.
For a couple of dollars more Los Haroldos Reserva Malbec 2017 VINTAGES#: 646612 $17.95 or Salentein Reserve Malbec 2019v VINTAGES#: 640854 $17.95 are both scoring in the 91 range and offering classic Malbec cherries, blackberries. Los Haroldos is described as medium-bodied, fresh and juicy (despite being older) while Salentein is full-bodied with fine tannins. Both hail from Mendoza's Uco Valley so quality is pretty much guaranteed.
I always stock up on Michele Chiarlo Le Orme 16 Months Barbera d'Asti 2019 VINTAGES#: 265413 $15.95 Piedmont, Italy when I see it. A great value, every-day wine- expect dark raspberry, cherry, coffee with woodsy notes and wood spice. Enjoy with Montreal Spice Marinated Lamb Chops or pizza.
Bellini Chianti Classico 2018 VINTAGES#: 23038 $16.95 Tuscany, Italy gets a 92 from James Suckling who describes vivid blackberry and black-cherry with some woodsy undertones. Medium-bodied wtih a long, flavourful finish. Try it with Pork Osso Buco or spaghetti.
Compagnia Siciliana 1921 Real Academia Nero d'Avola 2017 VINTAGES#: 23031 $18.95 Sicily, Italy. Nero D'Avola is the signature grape of Siciily. Vintage notes describe it as fresh, fruity with red berry, licorice and floral notes. They call it smooth, balanced and intense. Sounds like a great, robust choice for roast beef or hearty stew.
We are seeing good value wines from Cairanne AP recently and Presidente Patrick Galant Vieilles Vignes Cairanne 2018 VINTAGES#: 20641 $18.95 Rhône, France looks like it has earned a spot in that category. Grenache/Syrah 80/20 blend. Look for vibrant and plush fruit aromas with raspberry, strawberry and licorice on the palate according to Decanter World Wine Awards 2020 who gave it a 91.
Gérard Bertrand AN 806 Corbières 2018 VINTAGES#: 394288 $17.95 Languedoc, France gets a 91 from Natalie Maclean of nataliemaclean.com. Another GSM blend, she describes it as smooth and supple with dark fuit, blueberry, plum cedar and smoky pepper. Enjoy now or over the next 3 years with Meatloaf with Italian Sausage.
Beaujolais lovers will want to look for George Duboeuf Sélection Juliénas 2019 VINTAGES#: 20920 $19.95 Beaujolais, France. Roger Voss of Wine Enthusiast gives it a 90 and describes plenty of structure, black fruits and spice. Tannins 'developing well' will allow for further aging. Enjoy with Creamy Lasagne with Ground Beef.
Sidewood has a Shiraz offering this month. Sidewood Shiraz 2018 VINTAGES#: 446146 $19.95 South Australia, Australia gets a 96 from James Halliday of winecompanion.com.au. He describes great complexity in texture and flavour with black cherry, blackberry and forest notes. Enjoy now through 2038 with Wine Braised Oxtail Stew or Spicy Black Pepper Beef.
Killibinbin Scream Shiraz 2016 VINTAGES#: 429662 $22.95 South Australia, Australia gets an impressive 95 from Decanter World Wine Awards who describe raspberry, bacon and leather aromas with rich coffee, mocha, dark fruit and plums on the palate. Drinking well now but will another few years quite nicely.
El Enemigo Single Vineyard La Esperanza Bonarda 2017 VINTAGES#: 629782 $21.95 Mendoza, Argentina is getting 93/94 scores among critics. Bonarda is the 2nd most planted grape in Argentina. It can be big, leathery and smoky or fruity and bright. This one appears to be of the fruity profile. James Suckling says it drinks like a good Morgon (Beaujolais). He does describe light, earthy aromas and ripe blue-fruit flavors. Michael Schachner of Wine Enthusiast describes raspberry and other big jammy, fruity flavors. Drink now or cellar up to 5 years.
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