Canadian Wine Guy

Dark in color with a milder cherry nose. On the mid palate the wine has some vibrant black cherry notes, along with some dark chocolate and mocha. On the longer side of medium in length this wine packs a BIG punch with firm tannins and acidity … very dry. If your looking for a smooth elegant wine then you best decant or age this wine, at this point it’s BIG. Watch what you serve with it or your not tasting the food. We served it with filet mignon and it was way to big for it … I would give it a -88 … not exactly what I usually expect from a Chianti Classico … From the LCBO web site, check stock:

$22.95 VINTAGES#: 994608

Product Details

A layered and juicy red with currant, cedar and some walnut character. It’s full and savory with lovely fruit and real Chianti Classico character in the undertones of mushrooms and bark. From organically grown grapes. Drink now [through 2026+]. Score – 93. (jamessuckling.com, July 4, 2022)

• Organic

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• Release Date September 9, 2023
• Alcohol/Vol 14%
• Made In Tuscany, Italy
• By Vintages Front Line Release
• Sugar Content 2 g/L
• Varietal Sangiovese Blend

Dark in color with a nice mild cherry nose. On the mid palate the wine displays lovely vibrant cherry notes along with some nice coffee, mocha and dark chocolate notes. On the medium length finish the wine display lovely vibrant acidity, strong youthful tannins and beautiful dryness … nice and complex. This in a wine that punches way above it’s price point and earns the yumm score. Chianti Classicos are definitely becoming some of my favorite wines, I will be going back to get more as it ought to keep for a good year or two, definitely a drink now if you like your wines with some body! From the LCBO web site, check stock:

$19.95 VINTAGES#: 573501

Product Details

Lovely sweet-cherry and orange-peel aromas follow through to a medium body with fine tannins and lively acidity. Fresh and delicious. Drink now [through 2029+]. Score – 91. (jamessuckling.com, Aug. 8, 2022)

More Details

• Release Date October 7, 2023
• Alcohol/Vol 14.6%
• Made In Tuscany, Italy
• By Vintages Front Line Release
• Sugar Content 2 g/L
• Varietal Sangiovese

Dark in color with a mild red cherry nose … about the only thing mild about this wine. On the mid palate the wine packs a big punch with cherry, earthy notes, strong oak, and big dark chocolate. On the longer side of medium in length on the finish the wine packs BIG firm tannins and acidity … nice and dry. If you like your wines big and bold, this might be right up your alley, if you’ve never had an Aglianico this is a good one … If your use to smooth elegant food friendly wines … ya this is so not the wine your looking for. I would give it a solid 88 … lots of complexity … From the LCBO web site, check stock:

$19.95 VINTAGES#: 575225

Product Details

Very aglianico nose, showing plum skin, amarena cherry and hints of dark chocolate, dried sweet herbs and red licorice. Medium-bodied with a silky-textured, fruity palate and fine, well integrated tannins that just flex a little muscle at the end. Long finish with steely fruit. Delicious. Drink now. Score – 92. (jamessuckling.com, July 5, 2021)

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• Release Date October 7, 2023
• Alcohol/Vol 14%
• Made In Campania, Italy
• By Vintages Front Line Release
• Sugar Content 2 g/L
• Varietal Aglianico

Pale straw in color with a nice citrus and minerally nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some lovely citrus notes, lemon/lime and the like along with some beautiful minerality. On the medium length finish the bright vivid acidity dance nicely on the tongue and the minerality hangs around nicely. This is a lively, crisp dry food friendly wine. I was all ready to jump and grab more, and then it hit me … about 15 minute sneezing fit that is typically indicative of high sulphites in the wine 🙁 From the LCBO web site, check stock:

$16.95 VINTAGES#: 477877

Product Details

A fragrant nose of peach, jasmine and fresh flowers. Medium-bodied with zippy acidity and some mineral notes that add welcome depth to the bright stone and citrus fruit. So fresh. Drink now. Score – 92. (jamessuckling.com, Aug. 17, 2022)

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• Release Date July 22, 2023
• Alcohol/Vol 12.5%
• Made In Sicily, Italy
• By Vintages Front Line Release
• Sugar Content 2 g/L
• Varietal Grillo

Pale salmon in color with a nice crisp soft red berry nose. On the mid palate thee wine displays some nice strawberry notes along with some nice crisp dry minerality. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice dry minerality that lives on nicely in the mouth. We paired it with pork tenderloin and it went well. I would give it a -88 or so. From the LCBO web site check stock:

$17.95 VINTAGES#: 25752

Product Details

Blending Chardonnay from the mountainous area of Trentino, Sauvignon Blanc grown near the warm shores of the Adriatic Sea, and a touch of Venetian Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir), this wine from a super-popular producer offers tangy red fruit and delicate florals. It’ll go nicely with pasta salad, mushroom burgers or arancini.

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• Release Date July 22, 2023
• Alcohol/Vol 13.5%
• Made In Veneto, Italy
• By Santa Margherita
• Sugar Content 3 g/L
• Varietal Rosé

Dark in color with a nice red berry and cherry nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some nice cherry and red berry notes along and some coffe notes along with some firm tannins and acidity. On the medium length finish the firm tannins and acidity dominate leaving silky tannins and peppery notes sticking to the tongue. The fruit is somewhat subdued by the firm tannins and acidity, the wine might be a little young. This is a general list product … I would give it an 87-88. From the LCBO web site, check site:

$13.95 LCBO#: 31805

• Alcohol/Vol 13%
• Made In Abruzzo, Italy
• Sugar Content 6 g/L
• Varietal Montepulciano

Pale straw in color with a nice citrus nose. On the mid palate the wine displays lots of green notes, grassy, and lime … On the medium length finish the citrus notes, crisp acidity and some minerality come through. This is more of a sharper Sauv Blanc. For the price, honestly I’d look for more. I would give it an 87-88. I won’t be rushing back for more. From the LCBO web site, check stock:

$21.95 VINTAGES#: 530493

Product Details

A green-fruited white with aromas of gooseberries, lime zest and bell pepper. Medium-bodied with fresh acidity. Drink now. Score – 90. (jamessuckling.com, July 4, 2022)

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• Release Date July 22, 2023
• Alcohol/Vol 13%
• Made In Friuli, Italy
• Sugar Content 2 g/L
• Varietal Sauvignon Blanc

I’ve never had a Gavi before so had no idea what to expect … Pale straw in color with a citrus nose. on the mid palate the wine displays some nice lime and mild pink grapefruit notes along with some mild peach … On the medium length finish the citrus notes hang around as well as some nice minerality and crisp dry acidity. This is not as sharp as say a New Zealand or Chilean Sauv blanc can be, but not as smooth or elegant as a Bordeaux Sauv blanc. It’s a nice food friendly wine that will pair well with lots of foods including seafood. I would give it an -88 … For price, not a bargain by any means …. but an interesting wine for sure! From the LCBO web site, check stock:

$22.95 VINTAGES#: 250696

Product Details

Legend suggests that Principessa Gavia, daughter of the King of the Franks, fell in love with a soldier and the two fled to northwest Italy to escape her disapproving father. The village and wine of Gavi are named after her. This refreshing wine shows herbs, mineral and grapefruit notes. A great sipper or aperitif, it will be a fine match for salads, seafood antipasti, or lighter fish dishes.

• Vintages Essentials

Taste Profile

• Flavours Herbal, Minerally, Grapefruit
• Sweetness
• Body
• Flavour Intensity
• Acidity

More Details

• Release Date April 1, 2022
• Alcohol/Vol 12%
• Made In Piedmont, Italy
• By Banfi
• Sugar Content 3 g/L
• VarietalCortese