The July 16 2022 LCBO Vintages Release has lots you may want to stock up on!
Look for the Rosé that made Wine Enthusiast's Top 100 Wines of 2021, the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo that got 3 Goblets from Gambero Rosso and a spritzy summer sipper from Vinho Verde.
Sparkling Wines
The Value winner this release in Sparkling is Graham Beck Méthode Cap Classique Brut Sparkling Rosé Pinot Noir/Chardonnay Western Cape, South Africa $22.95 VINTAGES#: 175588. It is getting consistent low 90 scores around the web. According to Vic Harradine of winecurrent.com look for strawbery, watermelon and raspberry on the nose, lots of vibrant mousse and persistent red berry on the palate. Enjoy on its own or with Strawberry Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches.
Rosé Wines
Angels & Cowboys Rosé 2021 Sonoma County, USA $24.95 VINTAGES#: 493155. This on e is getting consistent low 90s among critics and ranked #60 on Wine Enthusiasts Top 100 Wines of 2021. Look for cherry, strawberry and citrus.
Gérard Bertrand Côte des Roses Rosé Languedoc, France $19.95 VINTAGES#: 373985. Grenache base with Cinsault and Syrah to spice it up. Look for ed berries, pear and some earthy tones. Enjoy with salmon.
Domaine Maby La Forcadière Tavel Rosé 2021 Tavel, France $20.95 VINTAGES#: 701318 Medium bodied and dry with juicy cherry, red fruit and melon, this is getting low 90s among critics. Enjoy with shrimp tacos, salmon or fresh baby lettuce salad.
White Wines
ABCDarium Azal Branco 2020 Vinho Verde, Portugal $15.95 VINTAGES#: 25586 Here is your summer sipper, lunch, picnic wine extraordinaire! Fresh with some effervescence, look for green apple, citrus and some minerality. This one the Vinho Verde Trophy at International Wine Challenge 2021 so fans - stock up!
Domaine La Haute Févrie Sur Lie Muscadet Sèvre et Maine 2020 Loire, France $15.95 VINTAGES#: 390625- I'll get out my standard song and dance here! This is one of my favourite go to wines for lunch, brunch or appetizer hour. This example of Melon Blanc is one of the best - from 35 year old vines, showing the elegance and minerality of the Loire Valley. Look for apple, citrus and a bit of minerality. Serve with seafood, salad or quiche!
Wakefield Estate Label Chardonnay 2021 Clare Valley, South Australia $16.95 VINTAGES#: 711556. This little gem got Double Gold from China Wine & Spirits Awards, 2022 and is scoring 90-ish among other critics. I don't expect this to 'rock my world' but I would expec it to be a decent pour, lightly oaked with tropical fruit, peach and hint of spice. Chill and enjoy with Shrimp tacos.
Any of the New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs on offer would be a safe bet but bang-for-your-buck goes to Middle-Earth Sauvignon Blanc 2021 Nelson, South Island $18.95 VINTAGES#: 391987. Sam Kim gives it a 94 but it is getting low 90s among other reviewers. This is highly aromatic, well structured and showing all the expected fruit/herb pungent notes you expect from a NZ Sauv Blanc. Enjoy with roasted asparagus risotto.
Quails' Gate Dry Riesling 2020 Okanagan Valley, BC $20.95 VINTAGES#: 308312 is getting high praise (and low 90s) among critics. Look for green apple, lemon and apricot with some wet stone minerality and some signature petrol. Crisp with good acidity and a long finish make this just about everything you could ask for in a Riesling. Enjoy with a summer charcuterie board of apple, melon and soft cheeses.
Raimbault Bel-Air Vouvray 2019 Loire, France $21.95 VINTAGES#: 205468 Fans of classic Loire Vouvray (Chenin Blanc) are in for a treat here. This has scored consistntly in the low 90s for the past few years. Look for honey and wildflowers on the nose with crunchy apple, pear and citrus on the palate with a wet stones underseam. Enjoy with lake trout or goat cheese salad.
Bachelder L'Ardoise Niagara Chardonnay 2019 Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $24.95 VINTAGES#: 302083. This gets a 91 from DAvid Lawrason of winealign.com who describes a 'soft and complex' nose with oak, apple and spice. It is rich with good acidity and excellent length suggesting it is good value for the money. Make it easy on yourself, pick up a rotisserie chicken and choose something from Dozens of Shredded Rotisserie Chicken Recipes.
McManis Family Vineyards Viognier 2020 California, USA $20.95 VINTAGES#: 658112 ranked # 31 in Wine Enthusiast's 100 Best Buys of 2021. Rich, full bodied with coconut, fig, vanilla and honeysuckle on the nose and palate according to Jim Gordon of Wine Enthusiast. Enjoy with scallops or Thai Green Curry chicken.
Red Wines
Viña Real Crianza 2018 Rioja, Spain $16.95 VINTAGES#: 657411 This little gem is scoring in the low 90s consistently. Vibrant with red cherry, spice and cola notes. Fine tannins and 'a long, energetic finish' according to James Suckling who gave it a 93. Enjoy now with ribs or hold another 4 or 5 years.
Periquita Reserva 2019 Setubal, Portugal $16.95 VINTAGES#: 488007. Jeb Dunnuck of Wine Enthusiast gives this a 90 and describes rich, black fruit, plenty of structure and juicy acidity. Sounds like this wine has lots of vibrancy and should hold and evolve well for another couple of years so stock up if this is in your wheel house!
Château Saint-Roch Chimères Grenache/Syrah/Carignan 2019 Cotes du Rousillon-Villages, France $19.95 VINTAGES#: 119354. This is perennially great value. Decanter panel gave this one a 93 and describe rich, plush fruit and dark berries. Full bodied and 'weighty' but still showing freshness and a persistent spicy finish. Pssst..... stock up on this one for you fall roasts and winter stews... you won't be sorry!
Halos de Jupiter Côtes du Rhône 2020 Rhone, France $19.95 VINTAGES#: 276956 Blue fruit, pepper and violets here according to Jeb Dunnuck who gives it a 90-92 range. A typical GSM blend with balance, vibrancy and ripe tannins.
Laurent Gauthier Grand Cras Vieilles Vignes Morgon 2019 Morgon, Beaujolais, France. $19.95 Vintages #: 279059 Morgon is recognized as one of the top Beaujolais ACs. Roger Voss gives this a 92 and describes rich black fruit, hints of spice and plenty of tannin. Plan to enjoy with ribs or grilled portabello mushrooms.
Barossa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 Barossa Valley South Australia $19.95 VINTAGES#: 493551. This isscoring 92-95 among critics and wine awards. Look for lots of blueberry, dark fruit, cherry, touches of tobacco and hintsGood Value - after all -how can you go wrong with Barossa Valley? Stock up for summer BBQs and Wine Braised stew.j
Los Clop Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 Valle de Uco, Argentina $21.95 VINTAGES#: 668327 gets a whopping 97 from Decanter panel of decanter.com! All reviewers mention purity of dark fruit, fine oak, excellent structure with 'unobtrusive tannins'. Reviewed in 2019 - enjoy now through the next couple of years with your best steak or roast beef.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 $22.95 VINTAGES#: 269357 ranked # 1 in Wine Enthusiast's Top 100 Best Buys of 2021. Sean P. Sullivan of Wine Enthusiasts gave it a 91 and describes 'full-on notes of black currant with dried herb and a kiss of spice'. Luxurious and full of fruit with nicely contained oak. Serve it with Marinated Flank Steak or Bourbon Bacon Burgers.
Castorani Amorino Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2016 Abruzzo, Italy $24.95 VINTAGES#: 366732. When Gamero Rosso Italian Wines gives out 3 goblets I pay attention! So I am looking forward to this one with its graphite, plum and spicy notes with my next Osso buco!
Cellar Suggestions
Château des Landes Cuvée Prestige 2015 Lussac-Saint Emilion, France $28.95 VINTAGES#: 363101. Jeb Dunnuck gives this a 92 and suggests it will be enjoyable now and for the next decade. 100% Merlot, with new oak it is a powerful style with cassis, licorice, spice and tobacco that evolve into ripe fruit, ripe tannins and a 'great finish'!
Leave a Reply