From Italy, France, Spain, and Nova Scotia, we have a diverse and delicious lineup of fantastic wines newly released at the LCBO.
Read below for more details about this new releases, along with the LCBO links to purchase.
JM Raffault Chinon Les Picasses 2018
Jean-Maurice Raffault and Rodolphe Raffault’s family began cultivating vines in Chinon 14 generations ago, when their ancestor, Mathurin Bottreau, bought his first parcel of vines in 1693. Today, Domaine Jean-Maurice Raffault owns 50 organically farmed hectares of vines in 7 communes. This cabernet franc is from the Les Picasses lieu dit, atop a plateau overlooking the Vienne, the windiness of the site reflected in the windmill on the label. Soils here are stony limestone and clay. After destemming and a native ferment this moves to barriques for MLF and aging 12 months on fine lees.
“The 2018 Chinon Les Picasses is from the famous plateau between the Loire and the Vienne Rivers. Rooting in deep silty clay soils on chalky tuff limestone mother rock and covered by limestone pebbles for 15-60 years and aged for 12 months in three- to seven-year-old barrels, the 2018 opens with an intense but elegant and refined bouquet of dark fruits and spicy notes. Silky, round and intense on the palate, this is a full-bodied, deep and complex, very long and sustainable Picasses with stimulating vitality and salinity. The tannins are ripe and fine and intermingle well with the fine acidity of this juicy and stimulating Chinon – for now and the next 20-30 years (if cellared perfectly). Drink date: 2021-2050.” 93 points, Stephan Reinhardt, robertparker.com
Read more about JM Raffault here, and see our video with him in the Les Picasses vineyard.
Appellation : AOC Chinon
Country : France
Grape(s) : Cabernet Franc
Price : $24.95
LCBO : 367011
Vinyes Domènech Furvus Montsant 2021
This organic blend of 90% Garnacha Pelluda and 10% Merlot comes from 40+ year old vineyards, rooted in Montsant’s stony calcareous clays. It was native fermented, with each terrace done separately in stainless before 1 year of aging in 500L French casks and barrels.
Read more about Vinyes Domènech here.
Appellation : DO Montsant
Country : Spain
Grape(s) : Garnacha, Merlot
Price : $43.95
LCBO : 368654
Il Palagio Sacred Love 2020
“This is a new merlot from Trudie and Sting that shows impressive aromas of violets, blackberries, and violets. Then it goes to slate and dark earth. It changes and seduces with every whiff. Full-bodied yet very poised and tight with polished and caressing tannins. Finishes long and delicious. Fantastic first release. So attractive, ready to drink but better in three or four years.“ 97 points, JamesSuckling.com
Read more about Tenuta Il Palagio here.
Appellation : IGT Toscana
Country : Italy
Grape(s) : Merlot
Price : $180
LCBO : 34021
Blomidon Reserve Chardonnay 2021
“This is such an elegant, delicate chardonnay showing its Nova Scotia roots, yet there is generosity and richness in flavour. The nose is creamy with hazelnut, pear, light toast and lemon meringue pie. Very good use of oak (11 months French). It light to medium bodied, spry yet textured well. The focus and length are excellent.” 92 points, David Lawrason
Read more about Blomidon here.
Region : Annapolis, Nova Scotia
Country : Canada
Grape(s) : Chardonnay
Price : $52
LCBO : 37701
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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