LCBO VINTAGES NOVEMBER 28 2020 RELEASE - TOP PICKS

Hi fellow wine-lovers! How has the month been going for you? It’s been a whirlwind on my end. Despite the pandemic, and lockdown/grey zone in Toronto, things are still busy. Work, life, kids, errands….they just don’t stop. Nor do the LCBO Vintages releases (thank goodness! ;-)) and in the blink of an eye, it’s once again time for another “Top Picks” post from yours truly!

WINEITUPANOTCH TOP PICKS

The focus of this LCBO Vintages release is once again the upcoming Holiday Season (something tells me we can expect that this will be the theme until January ;-)).  In this release, the LCBO has put together “a collection of gift-worthy wines that speak volumes” in their view. 

There are indeed lots of really great options in the November 28th release!  Below are some of the wines 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 hope this helps some readers!  I’ve also provided links that will take you straight through to the LCBO website if you want to buy one of the wines and/or check quantities available at your local outlet.

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 taken from the LCBO website. Click HERE to visit the site directly, or click on the links below to check out specific wines that you are interested in. 

Please remember to consume alcohol in moderation and responsibly .

Pere Ventura Tresor Brut Reserva Cava 2017 $20.95 Product #16703

Cava, especially good Cava, is always a great choice. Hailing from Northern Spain, Cava is made in the same way that Champagne is but can be had for a fraction of the price.

New to Vintages, this example looks like it could be a stunner.  Pere Ventura was listed amongst the Top 100 Wineries of 2019 by Wine and Spirits.  At 11.5% ABV and with 10g of sugar, this sparkler will have a touch of sweetness, in spite of being labelled “Brut”, that will suit a range of wine drinkers from beginner to more advanced. 

I recommend this be paired with brunch, or appetizers for an evening meal.

Hidden Bench Terroir Caché 2017 $44.95 Product #505610   

Hidden Bench is one of my favourite Ontario wineries.  You can always count on finding sophisticated, thoughtful and terroir-driven wines when it comes to Hidden Bench, in my view. 

This particular example is a blend of 47% Merlot, 29% Malbec and 24% Cabernet Franc, which is all sourced from three of the winery’s vineyards.  These are smooth and aromatic varieties so this wine should be plush and highly enjoyable.  It is also unfined, unfiltered and certified organic which all make for noteworthy wine in my view.  

Expect a wine with bold, rich blue and black fruit notes and great structure which will age nicely if you want to hold on to it.  Pair with lamb or stewed beef.

Le Clos Jordanne Le Grand Clos Pinot Noir 2018 $44.95 Product #184564

A resurrected project in Niagara, a top winemaker who was the founding winemaker, and a varietal that glows in said terroir….and you have the stuff of dreams right here in this bottle.  And you can support exceptional quality local wine-making, to boot!

Thomas Bachelder, who was brought back to produce the wines for Le Clos Jordanne 2018 vintage, is a much heralded Canadian wine-making genius.  This single vineyard Ontario Pinot Noir is from what is thought to be one of the best parcels of land for Pinot Noir on the Jordan Bench.  The Vintages magazine promises that this wine will be reminiscent of a Burgundy Pinot Noir…..which it is….but at a fraction of the price and of course, you get to support VQA wine. Now, tha’ts definitely a win-win, wouldn’t you say? ;-)

Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon 2018      $69.95           Product #578005

Paso Robles is a highly regarded region in California and Austin Hope is a highly regarded winery.  From a family owned winery that was established in 1978, this wine is sure to impress with big, bold dark fruit and intoxicating spice notes.  Trust me when I say you can’t go wrong serving this wine, or gifting it, to a serious wine enthusiast.

Pair this wine with steak, beef sausages, mushroom burgers...or a long lazy night in front of the fire and under the blanket! :)

Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 $90.95              Product #24190

Duckhorn is a well-known top quality producer from California that has been named to Wine and Spirits “Top 100 Wineries in the World” list eight times.  Now, that’s nothing to scoff at!

This wine, sourced from the Napa Valley, is said to be polished and accessible, with lots of dark and plum fruit, chocolate and spice notes.  You can drink this wine now, or leave it for 5+ years to continue to evolve in the bottle.  

This wine would make the perfect gift for someone you want to impress, or would be equally perfect for a dinner with friends who truly appreciate great wine!

94 points - Wine and Spirits Magazine

90 points - Wine Spectator

El Enemigo Los Paraisos Bonarda 2016      $21.95          Product #17286

Bonarda is often said to be the next Malbec for Argentina - the hidden and unsung gem of the nation.  It is a delicious varietal, at once both fruity and brooding.  El Enemigo is a producer from Argentina that is serious - serious about their wines, and serious about doing new and interesting things.  El Enemigo means “The Enemy” and this winery is often described as standing like an enemy in the face of convention.  Finally, Bonarda is still relatively cheap - it hasn’t attracted the cache that attracts high prices just yet.  

These factors make this wine a winner in my books.  Frankly, if I see El Enemigo in our market, I never pass up the chance to buy it!

Pair this wine with beef, pork or lamb.  And then pat yourself on the back for scoring such a delicious wine for such an incredible price!

Domaine Hamelin Beauroy Chablis 1er Cru 2018 $39.95 Product #391805

Chablis is made from the Chardonnay varietal, except in the Chablis appellation of Burgundy.  Chablis is typically unoaked, which gives it a clean and mineral-driven finish.  

Here’s a highly rated Chablis and it’s a premier Cru, so it’s bound to be better than your average Chardonnay.  Most wine lovers love the acidity and clean palate of a Chablis, whether they like more traditional Chardonnay or not.  Beauroy is the name of a specific site and the vines used for this wine were planted in the early 1980s on very mineral-rich soil.  This will age beautifully and will also pair beautifully with oysters, soft rich cheese and anything with a heavy cream sauce.

94 points - decanter.com

Vincent Girardin Les Santenots Volnay 1er Cru 2016 $93.95 Product #17489

Do you have a red Burgundy lover on your shopping list this holiday season?  If so, and you like them enough to spend some serious money, buy this for them and watch their face light up! 

100% Pinot Noir from a magic vineyard (Les Santenots) in the Volnay appellation of the Côte de Beaune in Burgundy.  Volnay is the stuff of dreams, as far as I am concerned - and if it comes from Les Santenots, well, even better! 

This wine will need time so one should plan to put it away for at least 3-4 years.  It’s perfect for someone who is looking to build a cellar. Pair with beef bourgogne, or steak au poivre.

94 points - Wine Enthusiast

92 points - Wine Spectator

90 points - Wine and Spirit Magazine

Valdipiatti Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano          $29.95              Product #163782

Made primarily of Sangiovese (and 5% Canaiolo Nero), this wine is from Tuscany and very similar in style to Chianti….and yet, different.  I’ve always loved Vino Nobile for the value that it offers.  It is a fantastic wine that comes from the gorgeous region of Montepulciano and is a fraction of the price of its famous cousin, Brunello (for what it’s worth, it is worth noting that it is also stylistically very different from Brunello).  

Expect this example to display bright red fruits characteristics, coupled with earth/leather notes and good structure and balance.  This wine was an “Editors Choice” by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.  You can pair this wine with a range of food, including pasta, meat dishes and hard, aged cheese.

92 points - Wine Enthusiast

Aveleda Solos De Granitos Alvarinho 2018 $19.95             Product #17514

I’m such a big fan of Alvarinho because it is an espically food-friendly varietal, especially when it comes to seafood.  Hailing from coastal Portugal, you can literally taste the sea in some Alvarinhos.  In my experience, Aveleda is a phenomenal producer of this varietal from this region and I have yet to buy a bottle by this producer that I haven’t thoroughly enjoyed!

This wine is described as structured, floral and fragrant, rich and age worthy...all at a bargain basement price!  In fact, Wine Enthusiast Magazine named it #78 in its Top 100 Cellar Selection 2020, which is a high accolade indeed!  You can’t go wrong having a few bottles of this on hand for seafood based meals in the weeks ahead!

93 points - Wine Enthusiast

Loveblock Pinot Noir 2018              $34.95 Product #313924

Trust me when I say that this Pinot Noir from the Central Otago region of New Zealand is a stunner!  Made by the original owners/founders of the mega-brand Kim Crawford, this wine has been produced with a keen eye on quality and was ranked #46 in the 2019 Wine Spectator Top 100 list.  It is bursting with luscious red fruit notes, hints of earth and mushroom and beautiful, bright acidity.  This wine is very different from Pinot Noirs from other New World regions and instantly reminded me of why I love Pinot Noir from the Central Otago region so much!

Pair this wine with mushroom risotto, black eyed peas or oven-roasted chicken and cumin and garlic vegetables.

93 points - winespectator.com  

And there you have it - another rundown of wines to check out!  It’s always such fun to do these posts and I sincerely hope you enjoy them and/or find a wine or two to buy or learn a bit more about along the way :)  If you do try one or more of these wines, be sure to drop me a line and let me know what you think!

Santé!