Canadian Wine Guy

Pale straw in color with a minerally nose … On the mid palate the wine delivers beautifully crisp minerally and citrus notes that gently coat the palate. On the medium length finish the vibrant acidity lives on nicely. This wine does not taste anywhere near as sweet as the 7g/l would imply. Super food friendly, a delicous wine, yum, I would give it an -88. Quite nice. from the LCBO web site, check stock: This wine is 100% Trebbiano di Lugana. Winery’s information …

750 mL bottle  |   VINTAGES#:  707158$19.95JS924.0 (1)Write a Review

Pleasant aromas and flavors of apples and pears with some fresh herbs, flowers and minerals. A full-bodied white with a rich vein of ripe fruit all the way through to the end. Delicious. Drink now. Score – 92. (jamessuckling.com, June 2, 2021)

PRODUCT DETAILS

Release Date:December 11, 2021750 mL bottleAlcohol/Vol:13%Made In:Veneto, ItalyBy:Azienda Vinicola ZenatoSugar Content:7 g/LSweetness Descriptor:D – DryStyle:Aromatic & Flavourful

On behalf of Brett and myself, I would like to say Merry Christmas, and Seasons greetings to all!

Dark in color with a nice cherry nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some nice bright cherry notes along with some tomato … On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice dry tannins, mocha and nice acidity. I would give it an 88 or so, quite a nice chianti classico, yum. I went back and grabbed more, a lovely Chianti classico. From the LCBO web site, check stock;

Sangiovese/Canaiolo

750 mL bottle  |   VINTAGES#:  279745$22.95DWWA95 (0)Write a Review

95% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo. Pure, crunchy, rich and developed, imbued with fleshy, ripe cherries and dried red currant, bolstered by alluring, savoury tones of balsamic vinegar, dry forest floor and herb-coated cured meats. Score – 95. (Decanter World Wine Awards, 2020)

PRODUCT DETAILS

Release Date:August 21, 2021750 mL bottleAlcohol/Vol:13.5%Made In:Tuscany, ItalyBy:Tenute Stefano Farina SrlSugar Content:2 g/LSweetness Descriptor:XD – Extra DryStyle:Medium-bodied & FruityVarietal:Sangiovese/Canaiolo

Terroni’s restaurant in Toronto introduced me to Friuli wines, crisp dry, food friendly wines, so when ones come on the vintages list I give them a look. This one is 100% Pinot Grigio, which in general, I am not a fan … pale straw in color with a mild citrus nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some citrus and minerally notes best appreciated without food, this is definitely a milder wine, so you will need to be careful what you serve it with to appreciate the subtle flavors. On the medium length finish the wine is nice and dry with the minerality and citrus sticking to the tongue, again more noticeably without food. I would give this wine an -88. Not bad at all … From the LCBO web site, check stock:

Pinot Grigio

750 mL bottle  |   VINTAGES#:  987545$18.95JS905.0 (2)Write a Review

Lightly honeyed floral notes follow through to a medium body with spicy pear-drop flavors and a touch of salt in the aftertaste. Plenty of flavor and interest. Drink now. Score – 90. (jamessuckling.com, April 6, 2021)

PRODUCT DETAILS

Release Date:December 11, 2021750 mL bottleAlcohol/Vol:12.5%Made In:Friuli, ItalyBy:Fratelli PighinSugar Content:2 g/LSweetness Descriptor:XD – Extra DryStyle:Aromatic & FlavourfulVarietal:Pinot Grigio

Dark in color with a mild cherry nose. On the mid palate the wine displays rich vibrant cherry notes along with some beautiful mocha and chocolate notes. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice peppery notes and some oak along with cherry lingering and coating the palate. This is a beautiful Chianti Classic Reserva, and unlike some, is NOT over oaked. I would give this an 88 or so … Yumm! Probably go back and get more, it’s work the price. From the LCBO web site, check stock:

Sangiovese Blend

750 mL bottle  |   VINTAGES#:  288530$23.95GN96+3.5 (2)Write a Review

An intense, touching and firm Riserva, a milestone for the DOCG. Sangiovese ‘with a little help’ of Merlot, the nose reveals a velvety texture of small red fruits, currant, then cinnamon and a touch of Mediterranean scrub. The mouthfeel is thick, full-bodied, with iodized tannins and a small red fruitsweet spice aftertaste. [Will drink into the 2030s.] Score – 96+. (gardininotes.com, June 2021)

PRODUCT DETAILS

Release Date:December 11, 2021750 mL bottleAlcohol/Vol:13.5%Made In:Tuscany, ItalyBy:Marchesi Mazzei S.R.L.Sugar Content:2 g/LSweetness Descriptor:XD – Extra DryStyle:Full-bodied & FirmVarietal:Sangiovese Blend

Inky dark in color with a strong dominant woody nose. On the mid palate there are some nice black cherry notes backed up almost immediately by oak notes along with some mocha/coffee. On the medium length finish the wine displays some strong peppery notes along with some black berries, nice and dry with some firm tannins. There’s noticeable alcohol heat to the wine. I would give this an 87-88, not a bad Chianti classico, but not one of my favs. From the LCBO web site, check stock:

750 mL bottle  |   VINTAGES#:  211599$19.95JS925.0 (1)Write a Review

A fresh, fruity red with aromas and flavors of dark berries and cherries. Medium to full body, firm, silky tannins and a bright, beautiful finish. Drink or hold. Score – 92. (jamessuckling.com, Nov. 7, 2019)

PRODUCT DETAILS

Release Date:September 18, 2021750 mL bottleAlcohol/Vol:14%Made In:Tuscany, ItalyBy:Riolite Vin S.R.L.Sugar Content:3 g/LSweetness Descriptor:XD – Extra DryStyle:Medium-bodied & FruityVarietal:Sangiovese

Dark in color with a mild cherry nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some nice varietal black cherry notes along with some nice mocha and coffee. On the medium length finish the wine displays some vibrant acidity along with some nice smooth velvety tannins, nice and dry. We paired this with a red sauce pasta and it went well, but without food the palate coating richness of this wine is even more prominent. This wine definitely punches above it’s price point, it’s a bargain and yum to boot. I’ve give it an 88 or so. From the LCBO web site, check stock, I’ll definitely go back and grab more!:

Montepulciano

750 mL bottle  |   VINTAGES#:  278150$16.954.7 (3)Write a Review

Made from 100% Montepulciano, this is a dense, concentrated wine, with juicy cherry and plum fruit, vanilla, anise and coffee notes along with brilliant, food-friendly acidity. Perfect for smoked sausages or a meaty pizza or pasta dish.

PRODUCT DETAILS

Release Date:November 13, 2021750 mL bottleAlcohol/Vol:13.5%Made In:Abruzzo, ItalyBy:CitraSugar Content:7 g/LSweetness Descriptor:D – DryStyle:Medium-bodied & FruityVarietal:Montepulciano

I first got introduced to this Sicilian grape at an Italian tasting and was intrigued, we don’t get a lot into the Ontario market so when I saw one, I grabbed it. Pale straw in color with a mild minerally nose. On the mid palate wine packs a flavorful punch with loads of citrus, floral notes, and palate coating minerality. On the medium length finish the wine’s minerality and acidity linger beautifully in the mouth especially without food, nice and dry! Wow this wine is delicous, I would give it an 88 which for the price is a great deal, yum. The LCBO say it’s Light and crisp, well they got one of two right, light? On what planet? From the LCBO web site, check stock:

Grillo

750 mL bottle  |   VINTAGES#:  348698$17.95LM91 (0)Write a Review

This Grillo opens with a white flower note accented by grapefruit citrus tones. It’s racy and lean, with zesty acidity, pear, citrus, and a delicate saline touch to the minerality. A great sipping wine, this will also be perfect for brunch or fish dinners.[Luca Maroni did not include a tasting note.] Score – 91. (lucamaroni.com, June 24, 2020)

PRODUCT DETAILS

Release Date:October 30, 2021750 mL bottleAlcohol/Vol:12.5%Made In:Sicily, ItalyBy:Orestiadi SrlSugar Content:4 g/LSweetness Descriptor:XD – Extra DryStyle:Light & Crisp

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