In this Saturday’s (May 24) VINTAGES release, we’ve got three wines that are sure to please! I usually don’t quote Justin Timberlake, but I can’t pass up this opportunity… we’re bringing SEXY back! An LCBO perennial favourite, the SEXY Rosé is a perfect wine for the warm days ahead. The sun is out and nothing will make you feel the warmth of the sun more than a glass of rosé!
LCBO will also be featuring a wine that we have been selling for years to some of the finest restaurants across Ontario, the JM Raffault “Les Picasses” Chinon Rouge 2010. The 2010 vintage was warm and long, and made for a fruit rich and approachable style of Cabernet Franc, which still manages to show its characteristic classy mineralty. This vintage scored 91 points from Wine Enthusiast Magazine, and was also #18 on their 2013 TOP 100, which is pretty awesome!
Calling all Pinot fans! The Alexana Winery Pinot Noir 2012 from Oregon’s Pinot capital of Willamette Valley is a stunner! The 2012 was a warm, dry growing season with ample sunshine in the mid summer, allowing grapes to develop impressive, complex flavor profiles. Veraison took place at the end of August, followed by more warm, dry days that allowed the grapes to ripen beautifully for a successful harvest. It’s not often that we see such quality examples of Oregon wines in our market, so don’t miss out on this delicious wine!
Sincerely,
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TASTING NOTES
SEXY Wines 2012 Rosé
SEXY is a fusion wine, blending the aromas of portuguese grapes Touriga Nacional (40%) and Aragonez (Tempranillo) (40%) with Syrah (20%). All grapes are hand-picked, and grown under sustainable agriculture. Perfect with sushi or hot spicy dishes or just enjoy relaxing on a sunny terrace. Made by the fine folks at FitaPreta Vinhos.
“A blend of 40% Touriga Nacional, 40% Aragonez (Tempranillo) and 20% Syrah, this eye-catching pink wine continues the seduction with enticing aromas of maraschino cherry, watermelon and rosewater. Juicy, fruity and generous in the mouth with a touch of savoury paprika on the finish. Pair with grilled stuffed peppers or a falafel plate.” (VINTAGES panel, April 2014)
Varietals: 40% Touriga Nacional, 40% Aragonez (Tempranillo) and 20% Syrah
Region: Alentejo, Portugal
Price: $15.95 (per bottle)
LCBO#: 117077
J.M. Raffault Chinon Rouge Les Picasses 2010
This vineyard is situated on soil composed mainly of clay and chalk, locally referred to as tuffeau (Touraine’s local stone). It is out of this stone that Raffault’s underground wine cellars were dug during Roman times. Light, bright & slightly vegetative in their youth, these wines reveal their complexity after 5-8 years of cellaring.
“From the plateau that lies between the Loire and Vienne rivers, this is a firm, mineral structured wine. It has power and juicy red fruits that also show dark, dry tannins. It’s a concentrated and dense wine for medium-term aging.” – #18 on Wine Enthusiast’s 2013 Top 100!
Score: 91
(Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, June 2013)
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Franc
Region: Chinon, France
Price: $18.95 (per bottle)
LCBO#: 367011
Alexana Winery Pinot Noir Red Label Willamette Valley 2012
“Very impressive depth here, with notions of plum dark cherries, roasted beets and wild berries. Sleek and satiny in the mouth with an underlying power. The tannins are still young and sinewy, giving taut structure to a warm, fruit-filled finish. Savour with prime rib or beef-and-mushroom kebabs.” (VINTAGES panel, April 2014)
“This is fairly deeply coloured pinot with a generous, ripe nose of black cherry nicely inlaid with toast, smoke, a hint of chocolate and dried herbs. It’s medium-full bodied, fairly fleshy but not at all soupy despite some heat and vanillin and earth on the finish. Very good to excellent length. Age it a year or two. Tasted May 2014.”
Score: 88 (David Lawrason, winealign.com, May 2014)
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Price: $29.95 (per bottle)
LCBO#: 372367
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