This month we have two beautiful Italian legends released in LCBO Classics, and online ordering starts this Thursday, September 2 at 8:30am. You can browse and order the wines here.
We are also thrilled to welcome two new vintages of familiar favourites, releasing in stores through Vintages, on Saturday, September 4.
Classics Thursday, September 2
Fanti Brunello di Montalcino 2015
Made from 20-30-year-old vines, the wine fermented over 25 days in stainless before ageing 28 months in a mix of French oak barrels and 3,000L Slavonian oak vat. The wine then aged in bottle for one year prior to release. Plenty of black cherry and berry with hints of flowers. Medium to full-bodied, with a soft palate and fresh acidity leading this to a clean and lingering finish.
“There’s a beautiful interplay between bright, primary florals, such as rose petals and tulips and dust, hay bale and dried raspberries. The palate suggests a ripe, powerful persona with chewy, juicy tannins and a fine line of pretty acidity. Best ever. Drink from 2022.” 95 points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com
Appellation: DOCG Brunello di Montalcino
Region: Toscana, Italy
Grape(s): Sangiovese
Price: $67.00 for 750mL
LCBO: 112607
E Pira & Figli de Chiara Boschis Barolo Via Nuova 2017
This Barolo Via Nuova 2017 Barolo Via Nuova comes from six different cru located in three different villages: Barolo (Terlo – Liste); Monforte d’Alba (Ravera di Monforte – Mosconi); and Serralunga d’Alba (Gabutti e Baudana). All told, these 2.5 hectares sit at 340 m and face southeast. After a native ferment in stainless, with frequent pumping over and punch downs, all of the Baroli were aged in lightly toasted 30% new French oak for 24 months, and one year further in the bottle prior to release. The vinification and ageing are kept across the three Baroli, to highlight the differences of the terroir.
“The 2017 Barolo Via Nuova is stellar. In 2017, the Via Nuova is a bit nervous, the sign of a Barolo that is going to need a number of years to unwind. Bright red-toned fruit, chalk, crushed rocks, mint and white pepper add pretty aromatic top notes. As always, the Via Nuova is the most taut Barolo in the range. Via Nuova is a blend of seven vineyard sites; Terlo, Paiagallo and Liste (in Barolo); Ravera and Mosconi (in Monforte); and Gabutti and Baudana (in Serralunga). Drink 2025-2037.” 94 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous, February 2021.
Appellation: DOCG Barolo
Region: Piemonte, Italy
Grape(s): Nebbiolo
Price: $120.00 for 750mL
LCBO: 250324
Vintages Saturday, September 4
Domaine Montrose Prestige Rosé 2020
The historic Domaine Montrose estate was established over 300 years ago, in 1701, and is situated in Côtes de Thongue, a small region in Southern France. There are approximately fifty producers in the area who have collectively decided to avoid AOC certification, allowing them all more freedom and liberty in the creation of their wines. Domaine Montrose and the Coste family are regarded as rosé specialists, an impressive feat in a region where rosé makes up more than two-thirds of production. Prestige is the estate’s top rosé, with the Grenache, Rolle, and Syrah sourced from the winery’s prized volcanic and villafranchsiens terraces. The wine is sealed with an elegant and classy glass stopper.
“Light, brilliant orange. Ripe, mineral-inflected red berry and floral scents are accompanied by a spicy nuance that builds with air. Silky and energetic in the mouth, offering juicy red currant, strawberry and tangerine flavors that unfurl slowly on the back half. The mineral and floral notes repeat on the long, gently chewy finish, which leaves a suggestion of refreshingly bitter orange pith behind.” 90 points, Josh Raynolds, Vinous, June 2021.
Appellation: IGP Côtes de Thongue
Region: Languedoc, France
Grape(s): Grenache, Rolle, Syrah
Price: $24.95 for 750mL
LCBO: 491076
Donatella Cinelli Colombini Brunello di Montalcino 2015
Donatella Cinelli Colombini left her family’s estate in 1998 to start her own, made up of Casato in Montalcino, and Fattoria del Colle in Trequanda. Along with the vineyards and with the farmhouses to be renovated, Donatella received a quantity of Brunello di Montalcino, and so she needed a cellar master to see to its barrel-ageing. She called the Enology School in Siena, asking for a good student to hire. They answered that they had none; cellar masters had to be booked years in advance. They mentioned, however, that they had many female cellar masters available, since no important winery wanted to employ them. Donatella didn’t just hire a woman cellar master for the project. The entire staff is women, including the head winemaker, and Donatella has become a beacon for women in the wine industry, not only in Italy, but globally. This Brunello ages in tonneaux for one year and in botte grande for 18 months.
“The ripe-cherry, flower and hot-stone aromas are very attractive. Full body. Dense and layered with a beautiful center palate and intensity. Cedar and light dried-flower character shows through as well. Try after 2022 [or cellar till late 2030s or early 2040s].” 95 points, jamessuckling.com
Appellation: Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
Region: Toscana, Italy
Grape(s): Sangiovese
Price: $65.95 for 750mL
LCBO: 113357
Most of our producers are small, independently owned and operated businesses, like ours. You can view our complete portfolio here. Thank you for letting us share these producers and wines with you.
Cheers,
Le Sommelier
416.603.7026
bernard@lesommelier.com
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It’s SUMMER! Time to stock up on wines to greet the sunshine and patios with. Check out our website for our current, fresh Mixed Cases, with selections and styles from around the wine world. We’re continually updating our selections, and you can easily complete your purchase online. We offer contactless shipping direct to your door, anywhere in Ontario.
