Moncontour Vouvray Demi Sec Loire 2019
LCBO # 16709 | $20.95 | Find it Here
“In this wine the balance between lemon fruits and light sweetness is impeccable. Fruity with baked apple flavors, it’s lightly textured, perfumed and worth aging. Drink from 2021. Editors’ Choice.” Score – 90. (Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, July 1, 2020)
Elena Walch Pinot Grigio Alto Adige DOC 2019
LCBO # 17364 | $24.95 | Find it Here
NEW to Vintages from Elena Walch, a leading Alto Adige wine estate. Encouraging quality and innovation, Elena Walch stood at the head of the Alto Adige quality revolution and has gained local and international esteem for her efforts. An architect by trade, Elena married into one of the oldest and most significant wine families of the region and brought new, modern concepts to the traditional establishment. Now, the responsibility for the family business is being put into the hands of the daughters, Julia and Karoline Walch, already the fifth generation.
This Pinot Grigio captivates with light straw yellow and fruity notes of ripe pears, white pepper and a bit of sage in the nose. Mineral-salty richness and a prolonged are distinctive on the palate. A wine with backbone and a likeable companion to many dishes.
Paolo Conterno Barolo DOCG Riva del Bric 2015
# 172783 | $63.95 | Find it Here
5 gens of winemaking! Paolo Conterno was one of the very first growers in the Langhe to sell barrels of wine directly to consumers from the cellar vs using the well-established négociants of the time. He developed a loyal following of connoisseurs demanding his wines.
“The vines that bore fruit for the 2015 Barolo Riva del Bric are a bit younger in this site compared to those used for the Ginestra. This Barolo is great, but it is without the same complexity you get in the other one. It’s a more sensible expression of Nebbiolo, with thick layers of black fruit followed by tar, moist earth and savory tobacco. It shows similar density and thickness of fiber that you get in the Ginestra cru, only the wine’s complexity is less articulate and nuanced. Drink it in the medium term after three to 3-5 of bottle aging. Drink date: 2021-2038.” Score – 93. (Monica Larner, robertparker.com, June 28, 2019)
Rivera Cappellaccio Aglianico Castel del Monte DOC Riserva 2013
LCBO # 305276 | $23.95 | Find it Here
“Grown on the limestone hills of the Castel del Monte region, this is an elegant Aglianico that displays an intense nose of crushed pink peppercorn, dried violet, hibiscus and tobacco. The medium-bodied palate is driven by persistent acidity and a mineral vein that are tightly coiled around tart red berry, spice and earth flavors. There’s a lot of intensity to this wine that needs to unravel, including its firm, grippy tannins. Drink from 2022. Ranked #65 in Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 Wines of 2019.” Score – 92. (Alexander Peartree, Wine Enthusiast, Nov. 1, 2019)
ArnaldoRivera Barolo DOCG Undicicomuni 2015
LCBO # 17639 | $49.95 | Find it Here
The Arnaldo Rivera range pays homage to the founder of Terre del Barolo and represents a revolutionary moment in Barolo. Terre del Barolo is the only winery in the area to produce 10 Crus Barolos in each one of the historic villages of the appellation, all made with the same vinification and ageing, by the same winemaker, in the same winery. The Undicicomuni represents Nebbiolo sourced from all 11 townships within the Barolo appellation.
“This features mellow aromas of macerated cherry, rose, leather, iron and tobacco. Ripe midpalate, gracefully ceding to firm tannins on the finish. Elegant and focused. Best from 2023 through 2036.” Score – 92. (Bruce Sanderson, winespectator.com, Feb. 29, 2020)
Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2014
LCBO # 551176 | $69.95 | Find it Here
“Il Poggione has one of the appellation’s most enviable track records for quality and cellar longevity. The 2014 Brunello di Montalcino is a different beast. This wine prizes elegance, finesse and a compact mouthfeel. I would suggest a slightly shorter drinking window of approximately ten years. No matter how you cut it, the wine is absolutely beautiful and indeed ranks high on a list of favorite wines from the vintage. The bouquet is chiseled and tight with wild blueberry, plum, red rose and a touch of cherry confit. No doubt the mouthfeel is thinner in this vintage, but the wine has plenty more going on to keep your attention. I’m liking it. I went back to the bottle a few days after it had been opened and the wine was still going strong. Drink date: 2020-2035.” Score – 94. (Monica Larner, robertparker.com, Jan. 31, 2019)
Tom of Finland OUTstanding Red Blend 2016 (California)
LCBO # 17167 | $24.95 | Find it Here
NEW for Vintages – just in time for Pride Month!
This range is a collaboration by Ironstone Vineyards and the Tom of Finland Foundation. The idea was inspired by Ironstone’s agent in Finland that wanted to create a range of wines to celebrate the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2017. A portion of the proceeds from wine sales goes directly to Tom of Finland Foundation based in Los Angeles which promotes human rights and sexual expression through art, and has been promoting healthier, more tolerant attitudes about sexuality since 1984.
A dry, full-bodied red that brings together the spiciness and peppery notes of Zinfandel, the herbal notes of Merlot, the hints of eucalyptus and cassis of Cabernet Sauvignon, and the sweet blueberries of Petite Sirah. The finish has a toasty oak character that is rich and remarkably smooth. The label itself is a work of art. When you pick up a bottle and run your fingers over the mysterious someone on the label, you will know what I mean.
Masut Pinot Noir Estate Vineyard, Mendocino 2017 (California)
LCBO # 17195 | $44.95 | Find it Here
Proprietors, Ben and Jake Fetzer (yes as in that Fetzer) have worked in the wine industry ever since they can remember. Their family first came to California’s Mendocino County in the 1950s to grow wine grapes. In 1994, the brothers began planting a new vineyard called Masút, and their passion for hillside Pinot Noir was born. Years later the brothers created a new appellation called Eagle Peak to help define this little known winegrowing hideout, and built a winery in honor of their late father Robert Fetzer.
“Lithe, pure and rich-tasting, with concentrated dark plum, currant and cherry pastry flavors, supported by crunchy acidity. Intense violet notes emerge midpalate, leading to a spicy finish that lingers with slate and spice details. Drink now through 2023.” Score – 92. (Kim Marcus, winespectator.com, Sept. 30, 2019)
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