Hello Fellow Tipplers!
Hope you are all doing well and embracing the change of season – whatever that means to you! 
For us, it means a pretty busy work schedule as we amp up for the busy holiday season here at the LCBO and we get back into the swing of things when people stop taking summer vacation and meetings are full and the ensuing task list fuller! This preamble will be short and sweet, but we thoroughly appreciated being able to taste these past two weeks and there are some beauties on offer this weekend in Vintages :
SPARKLING WINE
163634 OYSTER BAY BRUT SPARKLING CUVÉE (NEW ZEALAND) $21.95
Made from 100% chardonnay this sparkler is packed with flavours of ripe peach, bitter peach pit on the mid-palate and lively acidity. Fresh, lively and quenchable with anything.
WHITE WINE
747600 PIERRE SPARR RÉSERVE GEWURZTRAMINER 2009 (ALSACE) $17.95
Pretty and nice with an abundance of rose petal and paraffin nose leading to exotic flavours of lychee, pineapple and red grapefruit. This is an absolute beauty and true to its varietal character.
235937 SANTA BARBARA WINE COMPANY CHARDONNAY 2009 (CALIFORNIA) $19.95
Everything you expect in a Cali chard – big and toasty with smooth butter and melon notes.
146746 PENFOLDS THOMAS HYLAND RIESLING 2008 (SOUTH AUSTRALIA) $19.95
Wow was our first impression – exuding spring blossom and pear tones, loads of mouth watering apple, pear flavours and zippy acidity. Score 90 (Harvey Steiman, winespectator.com)
196659 ANDRÉ & EMOND FIGEAT LES CHAUMIENNES POUILLY-FUMÉ 2010 (LOIRE) $21.95
Big on flavours of apple and pear with a hint of smoke and a nice seam of acidity keeping it all in check.
RED WINE
230649 VINEA CORVINA 2007 (VENETO) $12.95
This Italian charmer features flavours of red berry, red cherry and lively acidity with a hint of spice. This is your mid week pasta wine.
164814 SCOPETANI CHIANTI RISERVA 2007 (TUSCANY) $14.95
Old world Italian – aromas and flavours of ripe cherry, red berries, coffee and spice.
246645 SXS STEP TWO SHIRAZ 2008 (SOUTH AUSTRALIA) $14.95
This is a luscious shiraz that is big on blueberry, ripe strawberry and menthol with a good dose of spice. Excellent value here! Score 90 (Wine & Spirits)
104240 GUENOC CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009 (CALIFORNIA) $17.95
We loved this Cali Cab. Look for dark chocolate, big berry fruit and gripping tannins. It’s not for the timid and it is absolutely delish!
128629 LUIGI BOSCA RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008 (ARGENTINA) $17.95
Super, duper cabernet sauvignon. Rich with ripe berries, cassis and vanilla notes. Great nose too.
76331 DOMAINE GRAND VENEUR LES CHAMPAUVINS CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2009 (RHÔNE) $18.95
GREAT – that’s what it said when we looked back on the notes. A fab Rhone blend of Grenache, syrah and mourvedre. (Score 90+ Rpbert Parker Jr., erobertparker.com)
243584 TAIT THE WILD RIDE SHIRAZ 2007 (SOUTH AUSTRALIA) $19.95
Look for eucalyptus, licorice notes at the get-go. Jam-a-rama and deep purple aptly describe this one – so if that’s your preference – you will be delighted!
241166 DOMAINE J. BOULON MORGON 2009 (BEAUJOLAIS) $19.95
A lovely French number. Ripe red berries and balanced acidity. It is fairly large for a Beaujolais – but very tasty indeed!
237776 KINGS RIDGE PINOT NOIR 2009 (OREGAON) $21.95
Quite impressive number exuding black cherry and black pepper aromas and flavours rounding out to generous finish.
685263 LUCE DELLA VITE LUCE 2008 (TOSCANA) $99.95
The “value” factor is in question here BUT if you have the coin and love Italian wine – this is spectacular – really spectacular!! The ’08 has not been rated yet but this wine has never received a score below 90 from the Wine Spectator since 2003.
ALP
Karen & Rose
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