Canadian Wine Guy

Pale straw in color with a mild citrus nose. On the mid palate the wine displays lovely crisp citrus notes, albeit a bit milder … On the medium length finish the wine display some nice crisp vibrant acidity that sticks to the tongue nicely, especially without food, nice and crisp and dry! We paired it with a quiche and it went well, but some care needs to be taken, anything too lively and your not tasting the wine. I would give it an -88 or so … I originally encountered Grillo at a tasting, this is a Sicilian grape, and this one is in the general list, I had no idea there was a grillo in the general list! It went on sale a couple weeks back, I missed it, it was $2 off … From the LCBO web site, check stock:

$13.55 LCBO#: 30947

Product Details

Made from 100% Grillo grapes this juicy Sicilian beauty reveals aromas of apricot and peach complemented by sun-ripened citrus notes. Fresh, with intense fruit and light acidity this fuller-bodied wine is well-balanced with an elegant finish. Enjoy paired with seafood, vegetables and pasta dishes.

More Details

• Alcohol/Vol 12.5%
• Made In Sicily, Italy
• Sugar Content 7 g/L
• Varietal Grillo

This one comes to me as a recommendation from Semion … Dark in color with a mild black berry nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some nice rich black fruits to match the nose. On the medium length finish the wine has some nice firm black peppery notes, form tannins and lively acidity. Nero D’Avola wines are lovely and distinctive, but if your looking for a soft elegant wine, ya this so ain’t that … but if you like your wines, like the author of this post, firm edge and distinctive, this might be right up your alley. I would give this a solid 88, nice and dry, and for the money a great deal even before the sale. Act now! Operators are standing by! From the LCBO web site, check stock, I’ll be going back to grab more! Now I have to say, when I think of Italian names … Fuedo, doe NOT come to mind 🙂 I digress:

$17.95 Original Price $19.95 Save $2.00Sale Ends: December 31st VINTAGES#: 339101

Product Details

Plenty of crushed mulberry and blackberry aromas with hints of fresh herbs. Medium bodied with medium, round tannins and a delicious finish. Iron-like undertones. Shows a nice balance of light tannins and freshness, as in recent vintages. Drink and enjoy. Score – 91. (jamessuckling.com, Aug. 17, 2022)

• Organic

More Details

• Release Date September 23, 2023
• Alcohol/Vol 14.5%
• Made In Sicily, Italy
• By Feudo Maccari
• Sugar Content 5 g/L
• Varietal Nero d’Avola

This is a general list product that was on sale so I thought I’d give it a whirl … Chianti Classicos have become one of my favorite, go to wines. This one is dark in color with a mild red berry nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some soft cherry notes along with some firm tomato notes and acidity. On the medium length finish, with food the tannins are soft and the acidity is kind of overwhelming. The acidity eased as it was open, and the tannins were more noticeable without food. Funny enough, we only paired it with trout. I would give it an 87-88, not great, I’ve had better Chianti Classicos even at the sale price. If I had more I’d take them back … From the LCBO web site, check stock:

$19.00 Original Price $22.00 Save $3.00 Sale Ends: November 26th

Product Details

Medium ruby colour; aromas and flavours of chocolate, dark fruit and gentle baking spice, with prune and honey notes; dry, medium-bodied, structured tannins and refreshing acidity.

Taste Profile

• Flavours Chocolate, Dark Fruit, Savory

More Details

• Alcohol/Vol 14%
• Made InTuscany, Italy
• By Cavaliere d’Oro
• Sugar Content 3 g/L
• Varietal Chianti

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

More Details

• 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)

More Details

• 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)

More Details

• 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.

More Details

• 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)

More Details

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