LCBO Vintages November 14 2020 Release - Top Picks
Hi fellow wine lovers! It’s that time again when another LCBO Vintages release is available for your drinking and shopping pleasure. This is always an exciting time for me, as I dive into the selection and dream of all the wines I want to try and/or share with you! Oh, what fun! :)) This time of year is especially poignant as you start thinking about holiday gifts, gatherings and celebrations!
If you’re new to my blog and/or want to learn a bit more about the LCBO, check out my earlier “top picks” posts!
WINEITUPANOTCH TOP PICKS
The focus of this LCBO Vintages release is good wines for the holidays. There are lots of really great options and below are some of the wines (twelve, to be exact!) that I personally think are interesting and I think you should check out too! I’ve tried to provide some insight into why I think you might like these, including points awarded by wine critics where applicable. I’ve also included clickable links to take you straight to the online e-commerce platform. I hope this helps!
NOTE - I haven’t tried all of these wines because I can only consume so much...though I do hope to try them all one day! :) I also don’t get paid to recommend any of these wines and do so only because I personally find them compelling.
ANOTHER NOTE - Product availability will vary across LCBO locations, and not all products last very long. Be sure to use the product numbers noted to check availability of products you like, before you decide what you’re going to purchase! Also remember to check out online vs. in store shopping as product availability varies across the LCBO’s different sales channels.
All images below are courtesy of LCBO.com. Click HERE to visit the site directly.
Please remember to enjoy alcohol in moderation and responsibly:)
Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut Champagne $91.95
Who isn’t in the mood for good Champagne this time of year? With the holidays just around the corner, Champagne is probably going to be gracing a table or two...and why not do so with a top notch option? Bollinger is a trusted name in Champagne and their “special cuvée” is a touch of something a little extra special. Highly sought out, this sparkler is composed of a blend of 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Meunier and consists of 50-60% reserve wines and a high percentage of fruit from grand and premier cru sites. As a result, you can expect it to be rich, full bodied and elegant. This Champagne that holds up well to a range of food and can also easily be aged for 5+ years if you don’t want to drink it right away!
91 points - robertparker.com
96 points - Decanter
92 points - Wine Spectator
Louis Roederer Brut Rosé Champagne 2014 $110.95
Continuing on the theme of really good Champagne, here’s a really special one from the very well known Champagne house, Louis Roederer. This one’s exciting because it’s a rose Champagne (which always feels a bit more special, doesn’t it?) and it’s a vintage Champagne. Vintage Champagne is made from fruit sourced all from one year (in this case, 2014) as opposed to being a blend of various years as is the case for most commercially-available Champagne. For this reason, vintage Champagne always commands higher prices.
You should expect this to be crisp, rich and delicious. If you like a great bubble/bead, this will be a winner in your books! Here’s the catch - if you’re buying this, I suggest you put it away in your cellar for a bit. It’ll only get even better with some bottle age!
This California Pinot Noir is made exclusively from fruit coming from the owner’s vineyard in Carneros, which is a really special little area for Pinot Noir which straddles both the Napa and Sonoma Valley. This wine is named after the winemaker/owner’s grandmother and the fruit for this line of wines is famously sourced from a single vineyard site. I’ve generally found the Belle Glos wines to be quite good and whenever I see one, I buy it!
This wine should display lots of lovely and rich red and dark fruit notes, but it won’t be over the top. It’ll be beautiful on it’s own, or with spiced or herbed chicken, or for a more classic pairing, try it with salmon.
90 points - Winespectator.com
Montes Purple Angel 2017 $69.95
Made predominantly from the Carmenere grape, this wine is a stunner, trust me. It’s a must-have for your cellar! Fruity, but complex, this is a top-of-the-line wine from one of Chile’s foremost wineries and it’s a guaranteed super-pleaser for serious wine lovers. I’ve had it, and I’ve been to the winery, so I speak from experience :)
This wine will pair perfectly with grilled and roasted meats of any variety. You can drink it now, or hang onto it for 3-5 years.
98 points - James Suckling
Chateau Tayac 2016 $41.95
In terms of this release’s Bordeaux selection, I like this one from Chateau Tayac. It’s a Right Bank Bordeaux blend, which means it will be Merlot-driven and generally a bit rounded and softer than it’s Left Bank counterparts. 2016 is a pretty good year for Bordeaux too. From a lesser known producer, this could represent really great value for money.
This will be great with gamey meat dishes, including steak. I’d suggest buying it and not touching it for at least 5 years. Looking to build up a Bordeaux collection at an affordable price? Here’s one to add to the list!
90 points - Wine Enthusiast
Cave Du Chȃteau De Chénas Cru Chénas 2018 $20.95
Are you a fan of Beaujolais? Made from Gamay, I think Beaujolais is super under-rated - it is a fantastic food wine that is relatable and friendly, both on the palate and the wallet! Beaujolais is especially great when it comes from one of the 10 “cru” appellations. Here, we have a wine from Chénas, which is the smallest of the cru villages and is also known for its wines being denser and more age-worthy than some other examples.
I’ve had this wine and I LOVED it! Light in body, bright, fruity, structured and smooth, this wine presents real value for money in my view. You can drink it now or a little later - either way, you won’t be disappointed! Pairs nicely with lamb vindaloo, for my fellow indian curry lovers :)
Château Maucoil Privilège Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2016 $85.95
In the mood for a rich, deep, full bodied, juicy wine? This one’s got you covered! A beautiful blend from Southern Rhone, this wine is new to the LCBO and sure to impress that serious wine enthusiast that you know. And just look at that label - won’t that just look so beautiful and impressive on the dinner table? ;-)
This will pair beautifully with something dark and gamey. Or grilled vegetables too. The drink date on this, according to the LCBO, is 2018 - 2035 so this is a great choice if you’re working on building a cellar too and/or want to get some Rhone blends into your collection!
96 points - robertparker.com
Continuing on the theme of big, rich wines, this is another such stunner. From the Gigondas appellation in Southern Rhone, this is a heavy hitter by a renowned wine family. Gigondas is often described as the little cousin of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, so you know you can expect a powerful wine here, at fraction of the cost of Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
This particular wine is made of a blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre and has been aged for two years in large oak barrels, 50% of which were new. I’d be pairing this wine with beef or pork sausage, beef short ribs or lamb stew. I’d also be perfectly happy drinking this on its own on a cold blustery winter night! :)
Another bonus? The drink date on this baby goes to 2030 so you don’t have to drink it right away!
92 points - robertparker.com
Valpolicella Ripasso is always a treat. A step up from Valpolicella but not as intense as Amarone, these wines usually present a happy medium between these two styles that most people enjoy and don’t find too cloying. I’m excited about this one because it is new to the LCBO, and is being offered at such a great price point, especially for those who haven’t tried Valpolicella Ripasso before and want to give this style of wine a try.
Give this a try for something a bit more interesting that is a great conversation piece (the method in which Valpolicella Ripasso is made is fascinating!). It’ll be spicy and smooth, fruit and not too heavy. I’d be pairing this with pizza or pasta with a meat sauce.
90 points - winespectator.com
Pieropan Vigna Garzon Amarone Della Valpolicella 2015 $63.95
I’m really starting to enjoy Amarone. Made from grapes that have been dried indoors, these wines are intense and rich, full of intense dark fruit and they are usually high in alcohol. I have several italian, and italian wine loving, friends, who swear that Amarone is the best wine there is. Having said that, I can say it can be an acquired taste.
For those who like Amarone, or are willing to dabble, I like this example. It’s by a reputable producer and is highly rated. Pair this wine with rich dark meat dishes or strong cheeses.
94 points - decanter.com
Quintarelli Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2013 $124.95
Here’s how the Vintages magazine describes this wine -
“The iconic Quintarelli name has become synonymous with wines of elegance and purity….A must-have for true fans of the Veneto….”
Need I say more? :) I’ll only add that I was given my first bottle of Quintarelli Valpolicella Classico many years ago by a dear colleague and I’ll never forget my first taste - it is that good! Since then, I’ve been lucky enough to have this wine many times and from many vintages, and I’ve never been disappointed.
This wine will reward another 10-15 years of aging in the bottle, making it the perfect selection for anyone who is a wine collector and/or is looking to build an impressive cellar :)
Montecillo Gran Reserva 2010 $29.95
How good is this - a wine that is already 10 years old, for $30? This is what you can expect from a lot of wines from Rioja that are made in the traditional way, which favours long periods of aging in the winemaker’s cellar. Lucky us!
This wine will display dark fruit , spice and earth notes, and light tannins and will be perfect to drink straight away. Pair with spanish tapas, chorizo or aged cheese and enjoy!
90 points - Wine Enthusiast
91 points - decanter.com
90 points - James Suckling
And there you have it! I hope you enjoyed this run down of the November 14th LCBO Vintages release and get a chance to try one or two of these wines! If you do, be sure to let me know what you think!
Cheers and good health to you!