Nicholas Pearce has new wines in the LCBO Vintages stores.

Nicholas Pearce Wines Inc Crew at I4C 2017 with the Chardonnay Masters  from Paddy Borthwick Vineyards (Wairarapa), Invivo (New Zealand), Domaine de Mauperthuis (Chablis), Scribe (Sonoma) and NPW Operations Manager Michelle Ratzlaff.

Nicholas Pearce Wines is proud to present 13 new wines released in LCBO Vintages shops over the last few weeks. The LCBO has made an impressive selection of phenomenal wines from Burgundy, Oregon, California, Australia & New Zealand. Our commitment to working with small farms around the world is portrayed in these recent summer releases. Visit your local LCBO Vintages Store to source them by the bottle or case.

You are welcome to visit our site, at npwines.com/retail.html for more information or contact us directly by email.

Roche de Bellene Santenay Beaurepaire Premier Cru 1998 $64.95
VINTAGES#: 514281 | 750 mL bottle
91 Points Michael Godel Winealign.com
It’s always a gift to taste older Burgundy and righteously so from 1998. From the ‘Collection Bellenum’ by Nicolas Potel and a nearly 20-year old bold and intact Santenay from what began as a surly vintage. Remnants of certainly once firm, gritty, rustic red fruit now cured like pinot noir gravlax meets bresaola. Carries through with a musty tone and still the acidity rages and circles the fruit wagon. Still some tannin (say, four years left) and a wisdom Santenay would not always have been able to foreshadow. Great gamey finish with Burgundian voice and vice grip tension. Drink 2017-2020. Score – 91. (Michael Godel, winealign.com, March 16, 2017) For at least ten years, Nicolas Potel has been building-up a stock of older wines in anything from ten case lots, now after working with no less than 26 domaines, he’s amassed about 7,000 cases of ~160 different wines.

Domaine de Mauperthuis Montmains Chablis 1er Cru 2015 $39.95
VINTAGES#: 511071 | 750 mL bottle
92 Points Michael Godel – Winealign.com
From a new family (relatively speaking) to Chablis, the estate belongs to Marie-Noëlle & Laurent Ternynck. Winemaker Stéphane Saillet’s is a highly compressed, pure and precise Montmains. No wood was used because of the vintage, a season from which the ripe and developed fruit could clearly defend and take care of itself. Carries the essential tenets of texture and chew. Stéphane notes that the challenged ’16 will have some barrel (foudres) because “in the beginning there was nothing,” an important omen with which to help reflect on the fantasy and fantastic effort found in his 2015. Drink 2018-2023. Tasted July 2017.
Marie-Noëlle & Laurent Ternynck are crafting impressive wines at their small estate in Chablis. They have been making wines under the Domaine de Mauperthuis label for more than 20 years on the outskirts of Chablis. They are doing things right at their estate: smaller yields, native yeast fermentation, gentle handling of the grapes & juice, and judicious use of sulfites.

Domaine de Mauperthuis Chablis Vieilles Vignes 2014 $33.95
VINTAGES#: 511063 | 750 mL bottle
90 Points Michael Godel Winealign.com
“From a new family (relatively speaking) to Chablis, the estate belongs to Marie-Noëlle & Laurent Ternynck. The old vines Chablis saw 12 months in foudres, on the lees, with fruit gathered from vineyards in Fleys. The cool spot comes with a higher altitude, on a windswept plateau and so harvest is generally five to six days later. And so their Chablis is cool, direct, taut and sapid stuff, as Chablis will go, from such a climat and handled so. Acidity runs rampant and travels quickly up and down and into parts of the mouth that stand up to take notice.” “This traditionally crafted gem was hand-harvested from 25-year-old vines, wild-yeast fermented, rested on heavy and fine lees six-months each developing texture, aromas and structure. It leaps from the glass with lifted aromas of exotic incense, honeysuckle and gun-flint before bathing the palate with a creamy smooth, heavenly textured flow of mineral-laden lemon curd, crisp Granny Smith apple and Key lime.

Sister’s Run Cow’s Corner Grenache/Shiraz/Mataro 2015 $16.95
VINTAGES#: 346510 | 750 mL bottle
“A good Barossa red blend should deliver fruit until the cows come home or in Two Sister’s case, from Cow’s Corner in the Barossa Valley. Grenache (80 per cent) leads the juice brigade, simply and affordably with a bit of firm, affirmative reaction supplied by shiraz and mourvèdre. This is one of the Sisters’ simpler efforts, tangy and rich, low in tannin and into the realm of what we like to call the “crowd pleaser.” Send in the crowds, for the cow. Drink 2017-2019. Tasted July 2017.”

“This Rhone-inspired blend shows fairly pale, dull colour (thanks to 80% grenache). It also picks up the strawberry jam character of this grape. It is a mid-weight, sweetish, soft and jammy wine with some pepper, spice and vague menthol. Not much structure per se, and it has a loose dusty/earthy finish. But tasty in its way. Tasted August 2017”

Scribe Carneros Chardonnay 2014 $55
VINTAGES#: 511139 | 750 mL bottle
92 Points Michael Godel WineAlign.com
Adam Mariani raised his 2014 in concrete and though we are distracted and of course fully willing to think about the fruit (especially in contrast to his Skin Contact chardonnay) it is the texture that grabs most attention. That this solicits older world comparisons is hard to avoid, but it’s not a Burgundian thematic. Like the garnatxa by Ramon Roqueta Segalés of Domaine Lafou, Scribe’s is a wine that has succeeded in mastering the oxidation process and the scents are of ripe peach, fresh, without overdeveloped sugars but instead a sprinkling of ocean salt. Finishes with a savoury mix of lime, tonic and the liquor of distilled flowers. Drink 2018-2023. Tasted July 2017. Scribe Winery’s Adam Mariani introduces his antithetical Californian from the Sonoma side of cooler Carneros up on Arrowhead Mountain in the northern part of the region, planted in 2007 abutting the Mayacamas range on volcanic soils.

Scribe Winery-Skin Fermented-Chardonnay 2015 $63
VINTAGES#: 511147 | 500 mL bottle
91 Points Michael Godel Winealign.com
Scribe Winery’s Adam Mariani introduces his antithetical Californian from the Sonoma side of cooler Carneros up on Arrowhead Mountain in the northern part of the region, planted in 2007 abutting the Mayacamas range on volcanic soils. The grapes are skin-fermented cold (in the farenheit 50’s) with native yeasts for five to six weeks until mid-December but over the past several vintages they (the winemaking team) have slowly gained the confidence to get them above 100 days. One bottle (served too warm) is amiss and oxidative and this really accentuates the skin-settling tannins on the palate. A second is beautifully lively, tannins a bit tamed, acidity in tact and fruit concerned and even obsessed with all things lemon. The aging is done in concrete egg and with a correct bottle this is not oxidized, nor is it an orange wine but it most certainly is a Carneros expression of great interest. It should be dealt with young. Drink 2017-2019. Tasted July 2017.

Ca’ del Monte Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2009 $49.95
VINTAGES#: 314401 | 750 mL bottle
A blend of Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara and a mix of indigenous varietals, this is showing its age well. The palate is complex and mature with dried fruit and leather, plus impressive raspberry, cherry, raisin and plum. Enjoy with braised beef. (Vintages panel, Oct. 2016)

CA DEL MONTE is the name of a location that hooks over the village of Negrar, North of Verona, in the heart of Valpolicella, easy to reach through the panoramic way that climbs the hills after San Peretto. The original building of the estate of Ca del Monte, is a 17th century mansion, constructed from the rests of an ancient monastery.

The winery lays on approximately 50 acres of vineyards, entirely located on the hills of the district of Negrar, perfectly exposed to the sun, looking south, south-west. From always, vineyards planted with the typical red grapes of that region, Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara and other traditional varietals, from which originate outstanding Amarone and great Valpolicellas.

Paddy Borthwick Chardonnay Wairarapa New Zealand 2016 $25.00
VINTAGES#: 507517 | 750 mL bottle
91 Points Wine Orbit
Delightfully ripe and fragrant, the bouquet shows stone fruit, mandarin, rockmelon and vanilla characters with subtle cedar complexity. The palate delivers succulent fruit flavours and creamy texture, beautifully supported by rounded mouthfeel and juicy acidity. The wine is flavoursome and generous, making it highly enjoyable. At its best: now to 2019. Score – 91.

The Borthwick Vineyard is an integral part of the Borthwick family’s involvement in farming that stretches over five generations and 100 years. The 27 ha Gladstone vineyard was established in 1996 following Paddy Borthwick’s training at Roseworthy College in Australia and winemaking experience around the world. With 35 vintages under his belt, Paddy an unassuming man, but is one of the Wairarapa’s most respected winemakers and a strong promoter of not only his wines, but the Wairarapa region and New Zealand.

A To Z Wineworks Oregon Pinot Noir 2014 $26.95
VINTAGES#: 229781 | 750 mL bottle
2 Times Wine Spectator TOP 100 List with 90 Points
An impressive vintage for A to Z offering a great deal of character and typicity without weight or notable winemaking influence. The earthy, mushroom character trumps the oak on the palate resulting in hints of delicate, exotic spice. A smoky character enhances the fruit and adds dimension to the wine. Grounded but compelling. A touch of VA on the finish adds intrigue. Tasted February 2017.

Bright and tangy, with juicy raspberry and lime flavors on a sleek frame, lingering nicely. Drink now through 2018. Score – 88. (Harvey Steiman, winespectator.com, Nov. 30, 2016)

Lantides Ancient Varietal Moschofilero, Peleponese Greece 2014 $18.95
VINTAGES#: 508135 | 750 mL bottle
92 Points Wine Enthusiasts
This wine starts with a soft nose of rose, tropical fruit and a touch of spice. Its flavors of citrus and spice are complex but buoyed by a laser focused minerality. Elegant and classic, and worthy of aging. Score – 92. (Susan Kostrzewa, Wine Enthusiast, Nov. 1, 2016)

This pale white seems a bit more aromatic and definitive than many moschofilero bottlings, with quite lifted muscaty lavender, licorice and tangerine. It is mid-weight, very bright, fresh and quite intensely flavoured, with very good to excellent length. Almost grapefruity on the finish. Mindful of fine Alsatian muscat. Tasted August 2017

Wildewood “Guadalupe Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2013 – $18.95
VINTAGES#: 486969 | 750 mL bottle
91 Point John Szabo “Top Value” www.winealign.com
A maturing, plump, ripe and concentrated pinot here, with attractive dark spice and herbal lift. I like the brooding, wild, dark fruit character, more Côte de Nuits than Côte de Beaune, to use a vulgar analogy. Tannins are nicely sanded and supple, while firm acids prop up the ensemble. Great length – and genuine depth and concentration. Tasted July 2017. Value Rating: ***

A dark-fruited pinot from a vineyard planted in 1989, this has a vinous grip cradling dark plum and cherry flavors. An amaro-like bitterness meets its persistent sweet core, giving the wine length. For Peking duck. Score – 90. (wineandspiritsmagazine.com, April, 2015)

Invivo Pinot Gris, Malrborough, New Zealand 2016 – $16.95
VINTAGES#: 367771 | 750 mL bottle
91 Points Wine Orbit
It is beautifully fruited and lifted on the nose displaying nectarine, poached pear and mandarin characters. The palate is succulent and rounded with a hint of sweetness, perfectly balanced by juicy acidity, finishing long and tasty. Wonderfully expressive and highly enjoyable. At its best: now to 2019. Score – 91. (Sam Kim, wineorbit.co.nz, July 2016)

“…rather rich on the palate with surprising viscosity…”

“A compelling, off-dry pinot gris with some grippy smoke and earth. A touch of sulphur blows off quickly reveling a wealth of tender fruit and fresh floral blossoms on the nose. Nicely managed acidity, rather rich on the palate with surprising viscosity. Flavours lingers persistently. Tasted June 2017.” Sara D’Amato – Winealigne.com

Roche de Bellène Cuvée Réserve Pinot Noir Bourgogne 2014 – $21.95
VINTAGES#: 299859 | 750 mL bottle
90 Points Winealigne – Sara D’Amato
“A hugely complex pinot noir, medium-bodied offering an intricate and riveting array of flavours. A touch of peppery syrah character is unexpected but welcome. There is power to this pinot but it remains respectful of place and style. Just polished enough to let a little wild shine through. Notes of wildberry, dried thyme, black pepper, tomato leaf, black olive, new leather and both black and red cherry. Highly compelling. Excellent value. Tasted December 2016.”

This is a wine that, year in and year out, successfully delivers a definitively Burgundian experience at a tremendous price. As an introduction to the wines of Burgundy, this is a rock-solid starting point and very hard to beat. For fans of the region, it will deliver the elegance and refinement of Burgundy with the requisite cherry, beet and earth tones. A fine choice for beef stew.

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