Dark in color with a funky nose, lots of wood and earthy notes coming through, unusual to say the least. On the mid palate the wine displays some typical rough edgy notes, black cherries, earth notes to match the nose and some dominate oak. On the medium length finish the wine displays some firm dryness, edgy, velvety tannins and vibrant acidity. This is a typically rustic wine with higher levels of complexity than I am use to on Aglianicos. This is the first time I’ve noticed the del Vulture in the name and Wikipedia says ” Located on volcanic soils derived from nearby Mount Vulture“. This is definitely an interesting wine with a lot of character, but be careful what you serve it with, IMHO this is NOT a smooth elegant wine. We served it with lasagne and it went ok, not a perfect pairing but good none the less. I would give it a solid 88. from the LCBO web site check stock:

750 mL bottle  |   VINTAGES#:  971689$18.95WS90 (0)Write a Review

A fresh, brambly red, this is medium- to full-bodied and loaded with freshly chopped rosemary and marjoram notes. Taut tannins create a dense, chewy frame for flavors of dried cherry and currant fruit, black tea, smoke and sandalwood. Best from 2022 through 2027. Score – 90. (Alison Napjus, winespectator.com, Aug. 31, 2020)

PRODUCT DETAILS

Release Date:October 16, 2021750 mL bottleAlcohol/Vol:13%Made In:Basilicata, ItalyBy:Casa Vinicola D’AngeloSugar Content:3 g/LSweetness Descriptor:XD – Extra DryStyle:Full-bodied & Firm

Dark in color with nice cherry nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some lovely red cherry notes along with some vibrant tomato … On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice smooth tannins and acidity, nice and dry This is a beautiful wine, ready to be drunk now, ignore the LCBO’s tasting notes which were made in 2019 … I will be going back for more, yum … 88 or so! From the LCBO web site, check stock:

750 mL bottle  |   VINTAGES#:  515478$19.95WAL90 (0)Write a Review

Let’s talk about sangiovese needing time. Even this generous and rapturous 2015 from the Losi family is not ready to tell its Castelnuovo Berardenga, on the road to Pontignano truth. Not yet. Annata yes I know but structured like the chapels that take a decade or more to restore after many centuries of formidable architecture refusing to yield. Like this Alberese fed sangiovese. Always a firm one of honest and fair play. Drink date: 2021-2028. Score – 90. (Michael Godel, winealign.com, March 7, 2019)

PRODUCT DETAILS

Release Date:September 4, 2021750 mL bottleAlcohol/Vol:14.1%Made In:Tuscany, ItalyBy:Soc. Agricola Losi Pietro + PaoloSugar Content:2 g/LSweetness Descriptor:XD – Extra DryStyle:Full-bodied & Firm

I don’t buy a lot of Pinot grigio, I find them too soft for my palate, but a friend Gino served this one so I bought one to give it a longer try … Pale straw in color with a nice crisp, citrus nose. On the mid palate the wine delivers some nice crisp dry citrus notes and zest. On the medium length finish the wine has a nice little bite to it with some crisp dryness, acidity and minerality that coat the palate, not as big as say some New Zealand Sauv blancs but quite vibrant, we were impressed. Quite dry, just how I like my whites. We paired it with a air fried, rotisserie pork tenderloin and it went well … I would give it a -88 or so, for the price a good deal. From the LCBO web site, check stock … heads up this is a general list product NOT a vintages. I was shocked reading the LCBO description that is made with “semi-dried” verduzzo grapes, this is the same process, apassimento, that’s used in Amarone. Interesting … The LCBO say light and crisp, I think calling this light is underselling …

750 mL bottle  |   LCBO#:  620773$17.50 (0)Write a Review

Made using a blend of freshly-harvested pinot grigio and semi-dried verduzzo grapes. Enjoy floral aromas and flavours of citrus and nuts with mineral and honeyed notes. The wine is medium bodied with soft acidity and clean finish. Serve with hors d’oeuvres, fish or white meats.

PRODUCT DETAILS

750 mL bottleAlcohol/Vol:13%Made In:Veneto, ItalyBy:Masi Agricola S.P.A.Sugar Content:4 g/LSweetness Descriptor:XD – Extra DryStyle:Light & Crisp

We’ve had a lot of Rosés lately, really enjoying them. So food friendly, but I have discovered I like them dry and HATE them sweet … special thanks to Jenn who set me off on the re-exploration of Rosés. This one came on the radar, and I’ve not had an Italian one before and the price was cheap so I leapt at the opportunity … Pale salmon in color with a nice crisp nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some soft red berries, strawberries and the like. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice crisp dry minerality, and some citrus notes, nice and dry, just the way I like them. The wine has some good punch to it, we put it up against duck confit leg and it held it’s own nicely complimenting the duck while cutting through the fat. I would give this an -88. For the price is is a bargain … Like most Rosé this is a drink now so buy some but not a lot. From the LCBO web site, check stock:

Rosé

750 mL bottle  |   VINTAGES#:  20014$12.95 (0)Write a Review

From vines averaging 10-25 years of age, this blend comprises Corvina Veronese, Rondinella and Molinara sourced from clayey calcareous soils and was aged in stainless for four months to lock in the freshness and purity of the fruit. It’s classically crisp and dry, with lively red fruit, citrus, and refined mineral tones. Chill and sip or pair with fish or grilled zucchini.

PRODUCT DETAILS

Release Date:September 4, 2021750 mL bottleAlcohol/Vol:12%Made In:Veneto, ItalyBy:Vitevis – Cantina Del GardaSugar Content:6 g/LSweetness Descriptor:XD – Extra DryStyle:Easygoing & FruityVarietal:Rosé

Dark in color with a mild cherry nose. On the mid palate there are some subdued cherry notes. On the medium length in finish the wine displays some soft tannins and acidity. I’ve had this wine in past years and honestly this wine is a shadow of previous years. The oaking is overwhelming soft fruit notes. I would give it an 87-88, and would not be rushing out to get more. From the LCBO web site, check stock:

Sangiovese/Canaiolo

750 mL bottle  |   VINTAGES#:  356048$19.95VIN915.0 

The 2018 Chianti Classico is bright and beautifully focused in the glass. Sweet red cherry, mint, white pepper and chalky notes give the 2018 a brilliant upper register to match its mid-weight translucent personality. Medium in body and vibrant, the 2018 is so expressive. Readers will find a classically austere Chianti Classico built on tension. This blend of Sangiovese and other indigenous varieties works so well here. Drinking window: 2022-2033. [To enjoy tonight, decant for one hour.] Score – 91. (Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, Sept. 2020)

PRODUCT DETAILS

Release Date:August 7, 2021750 mL bottleAlcohol/Vol:13%Made In:Tuscany, ItalyBy:Carpineto Casa Vinicola S.N.C.Sugar Content:2 g/LSweetness Descriptor:XD – Extra DryStyle:Medium-bodied & FruityVarietal:Sangiovese/Canaiolo

This wine was suggested by a colleague, thanks Semion! Dark in color with a mild black berry nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some vibrant black berries to match the nose. On the medium length finish the wine displays some noticeable oak, some pepper and chocolate, nice and dry. This is definitely more of a fruit forward drink now style of wine. We paired it with a BBQ striploin and it went well, and did not overpower the meat at all. Quite nice. I’d give it a -88 or so, would also be a good pizza or spaghetti wine. From the LCBO web site, check stock:

Nero d’Avola

750 mL bottle  |   VINTAGES#:  17679$16.95JS90 (0)Write a Review

PRODUCT DETAILS

Release Date:July 24, 2021750 mL bottleAlcohol/Vol:14%Made In:Sicily, ItalyBy:Fina Vini SrlSugar Content:2 g/LSweetness Descriptor:XD – Extra DryStyle:Medium-bodied & FruityVarietal:Nero d’Avola