We have three masterful red wines releasing this month at the LCBO, one Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, one old vine Aglianico from Basilicata, and one of the rarest reds in the world, the 100 point scoring Il Caberlot, from Tuscany.

Read below for more details about these special wines, along with the Classics Collection  links to purchase them as of Thursday, August 3.

 

 

AXR Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

“Wonderful aromas of currants, plums, lavender, slate and violets follow through to a full body with tight, chewy tannins that are polished and beautiful. Lovely texture and firmness to the opulent, vivid fruit. Opulence with form. Give this at least four or five years to come together. A blend of key single vineyards. Try after 2024”. 97 points, JamesSuckling.com

Appellation : AVA Napa Valley
Region : California
Country : United States
Grape(s) : Cabernet Sauvignon
Price : $143
LCBO : 30582

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elena Fucci Titolo 2020

Elena Fucci grew up in the middle of the vineyards that her grandfather Generoso began farming in the 1960’s, selling the fruit to the local cooperative. Rather than sell off the family properties in 2000, Elena Fucci took on the challenge of stewarding the oldest vineyards on Monte Vulture, forever changing the future of the Aglianico del Vulture DOC. The vineyards are rooted at 600m, on the steep slopes of the dormant volcanic cliffs. The Aglianico is destemmed and crushed in small batches and fermented in stainless, finishing MLF in new French oak barriques, where it remains for 12 months. The wine is fined in the bottle for an additional 6 months before being released to the market. Titolo is the focus cru and wine of the winery.

“It’s almost impossible to pull away from the darkly alluring and utterly radiant aromatics of the 2020 Aglianico del Vulture Titolo. With each swirl, tobacco, ash and forest floor give way to crushed violets, black currants and mint candies. It washes across the palate like pure silk, at first pliant and soothing, yet quickly gains a more tactile crunch, as mineral-tinged fruits saturate, and savory herbal tones resonate throughout. The 2020 finishes structured and incredibly long with notes of salted licorice, balsamic spice and cocoa that never seem to quit; and yet, through it all, residual acids keep the mouth-watering. This is deceptively attractive at this young stage, yet structured for the long haul – what a beauty. Drinking window: 2025-2038.” 95 points, Eric Guido, Vinous

Read more about Elena Fucci here.

Appellation : DOC Aglianico del Vulture
Region : Basilicata
Country : Italy
Grape(s) : Aglianico
Price : $67
LCBO : 314971

 

 

Podere Il Carnasciale Il Caberlot 2018

One of the rarest wines in Tuscany, the secluded hilltop estate of Podere Il Carnasciale, in the mountains of southern Chianti’s Valdarno region, is the only vineyard to cultivate Caberlot. The grape is a genetic mutation of Cabernet Franc, with distinct characteristics of Merlot. It was discovered in Veneto by Remigo Bordini, and planted in conjunction with Bettina and Wolf Rogosky at the Tuscan estate in 1986, with the aim of producing something entirely different from the Chianti of the time. Trentesimo reflects that 2018 marks the 30th vintage of this singular wine, and though the X on the label may look the same each year, it’s a different colour, and brushstroke, every vintage. This aged in French fûts and barriques, 50-60% new, for 22 months, and was racked only once prior to bottling unfiltered. The wine is typically bottled in magnums only (2000 annually), resting an additional 18 months prior to release.

“The 2018 Il Caberlot is a stunning wine. It’s not the most immediate nor explosive Caberlot, but it is such a tremendous example of this wine. The bouquet alone is mesmerizing. Crushed herbs, rose petal, mint, blood orange, incense and sweet pipe tobacco all build in the glass. Imagine Cheval Blanc, but with a good dose of Tuscan sun. Readers who can find the 2018 should not hesitate, as it is magical. I imagine it will be even better in the commercial magnums than this 750ml tasting sample. Drinking window: 2028-2048.” 100 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous.

Read more about Podere Il Carnasciale here.

Appellation : IGT Toscana
Region : Tuscany
Country : Italy
Grape(s) : Caberlot
Price : $488 for 1500mL
LCBO : 25350

 

 

 

 

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

Le Sommelier is a Good Food Fighter.

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