Our Top 20 Best Buys in the September 19 Vintages Release

This week’s release is all about local. Every year around this time, the LCBO gives a nod to a few dozen of the couple hundred wineries that make up the Ontario wine landscape. And this year, there’s a few fun and interesting essays highlighting some people doing exciting things. We particularly like the look at women in the local wine business.

Of course, it’s not only about Ontario. There’s a few great sparklers some impressive Old World cellar dwellers and a few under $20 bargains that should be missed.

These are our Top 20 picks … let us know if they’re yours!

CANADA

Featherstone “Black Sheep” Riesling, VQA Niagara Peninsula, ON 2014
$16.95 Vintages 80234
A terrific Riesling full of inviting aromatics of peach, apple blossom and subtle mineral. Medium bodied and just off dry on the palate with a nervy acidity to temper the sweetness. Ripe orchard fruit flavours burst in the mouth with juicy freshness. Delish. 88 points.

Organized Crime “The Mischief” white blend, VQA Niagara Peninsula, ON 2013
$18.95 Vintages 434472
This is a weird blend of Viognier, Pinot Grigio, Riesling and Gewurztraminer, and while that odd stew typically raises a ” proceed with caution” flag, this is pleasingly delicious. Brimming with stone fruit, sweet citrus and white floral aromatics, there’s a great weight and structure to the palate. Rich with a slightly creamy mouth feel and refreshing acid to keep things lively, this would be a lovely pairing for chicken in cream sauce, aromatic curries or lobster rolls. 88 points.

Rosehall Run “Hungry Point” Unoaked Chardonnay, VQA Prince Edward County, ON 2014
$19.95 Vintages 401208
A delightful and refreshing white that shows mineral, stone fruit and a subtle, fresh herbal note on the nose. Bright with brilliant acidity on the palate, this is easy drinking and graceful. Perfect for a range of foods from oysters to fried chicken or even salty tortilla chips and guacamole. 89 points.

Westcott Estate Chardonnay, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, ON 2013
$26 Vintages 427484
An opulently indulgent wine that’s filled with toasty vanilla, green apple and ripe peach. The rich and creamy mouthfeel is decadent, but brightened by fresh acidity. 88 points.

Huff Estates Gamay, VQA Ontario 2012
$24.95 Vintages 423335
Plush and inviting with red cherry, light toast and dusty herbs. Medium bodied with lovely balance –  soft tannins and vibrant acidity. A great dining partner for roast turkey, simple burgers or seared tuna. 89 points.

Keint-he “Voyageur” Pinot Noir, VQA Niagara Peninsula, ON 2013
$19 Vintages 373407
Kent-he is a Prince Edward County based winery, but has sourced the fruit for this Pinot from Niagara (they also produce a Pinot made with PEC fruit called “Portage.”) There’s a lot of power and intensity to the Niagara version with aromas of spice, earth, smoke, toast and cured meat. Savoury on the palate with firm tannins and tons of smokey/meaty notes. This calls for a beef stew or a charcuterie plate. 89 points.

Wildass Red, VQA Niagara on the Lake, ON 2012
$19.95 Vintages 86363
Wildass is the second-tier label from premium winery, Stratus. A Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot blend, this is rich with firm tannin and a ton of power. Lots of black flavours in the way of fruit, peppercorn, resinous herbs and mincemeat. Stratus builds wines to last, so this could easily go to 2020. 89 points.

FRANCE

Rene Geoffroy “Expression” Brut 1er Cru, Champagne NV
$49.95 Vintages 421008
An enticing and enjoyable bubbly that required a second sip. The nose is both dry and bright with apple pie aromas while the palate shows crisp effervescence and fresh acid with flavours of tart, green apple and light spice. 90 points.

Marchand Tawse Meursault, Burgundy 2012
$52.95 Vintages 285866
The French venture of Maury Tawse and Pascal Marchand. Pascal is Canadian-born, but has made wine in Burgundy for over 20 years, and is the lead consultant to Maury Tawse’s namesake Niagara winery. A few year ago, the pair teamed up to produce Burgundian wines, including this stellar Meursault which is fleshy and luxurious with notes of green apple, baked lemon and butterscotch. Fresh with terrific length, try this with mushroom risotto, poached lobster or roast pork loin. 90 points.

Chateau de Braude, Haut Medoc 2010
$33.95 Vintages 425264
Plush and elegant with smokey aromas of blackberry and earth that carry through to the palate. It’s drinking beautifully now and would be terrific when paired with grilled lamb, prime rib or steak au poivre. 89 points.

Les Pagodes de Cos, Saint-Estephe 2011
$74.85 Vintages 294793
This is the second label from famed Chateau Cos d’Estournel, and this shows the pedigree from which it hails. Blackberry, fresh earth, mild resinous herb all show through on the rich and silky palate, which reveals fine tannin and fresh acid. 90 points.

GERMANY

Bischofliche Weinguter Trier Scharzhofberger Spatlese Riesling, Mosel 2012
$31.95 Vintages 424721
Delicate and pretty with zippy acidity and flavours of apricot, honey and light floral notes. Rich and luxurious this has intriguing complexity with a lasting finish and is utterly yummy. 90 points.

ITALY

Nino Franco “Grave di Stecca” Brut Prosecco, Veneto 2011
$39.95 Vintages 422758
A beautifully approachable sparkler that’s both soft and vibrant. Yellow apples, candied grapefruit and mild mineral notes dominate the nose, while the palate is round and rich with a fine, soft mousse and fresh acidity that is bright but not searing. 90 points.

Schiopetto Pinot Grigio, Friuli 2013
$32.95 Vintages 234757
Flint, mineral, green apple and citrus on the nose, the palate is creamy with notes of apricot and apple. Focused and fresh, $33 for Grigio could be a tough sell in this market, but this offers complexity and intrigue with elegance and class. Its quite lovely. 89 points.

Basilica Cafaggio Chianti Classico, Tuscany 2010
$16.95 Vintages 421107
Fresh and clean, this Chianti is a terrific value. Camp fire and sweet red cherry come through on both the palate and the nose. Fine tannin and bright acidity, this is easy drinking and ready to go, though not to be confused with simple. 88 points.

Capanna Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany 2009
$44.95 Vintages 378513
Lots happening here with a mix of linzer tort, baked blackberry and bloody meat on the nose. The palate is full, rich, dense and firm with dark fruit and spice flavours. There’s a touch of heat in the finish for a pleasing warmth. Perfect for fall roasts and braised meats. 89 points.

Castello Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva, Tuscany 2011
$34.95 Vintages 719864
Without a doubt, this wine has one of the ugliest, most out dated labels out there. But, as they say, don’t judge a wine by its bottle – for if you do, you’ll miss out on a gem. Consistent vintage after vintage with the ability to age well beyond the decade, this Old School red offers smoke, brining spice, cured meat for some great savoury depth. Rich and concentrated with chunky tannin and bright acid, this has great structure and fabulous complexity. 89 points.

Masi Brolo Campofiorin Oro, Veneto 2010
$26.95 Vintages 976092
Surprisingly elegant with firm tannin, and flavours of dark fruit, spice and crushed peppercorn. This shows good complexity with focus and grace. Try with gorgonzola risotto, polenta with hearty meat ragu or lasagna. 90 points.

PORTUGAL

Sidonio De Sousa Brut Nature Rose, 2012
$17.95 Vintages 420679
Pouring a pale pink tinging on orange, this value-driven bubbly is fine and focused with bright bubbles and flavours of red fruits and floral notes alongside subtle talcum powder. Fresh and fun, this is a great party wine. 88 points.

USA

Rodney Strong Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, Sonoma, California 2012
$59.95 Vintages 382325
Love how the dark fruit is balanced by earthy, savoury notes in this elegant red. There’s an element of Old World restraint here with violets, forest floor and dusty herbal notes on the nose. The palate is focused with refreshing acid and flavours of cassis, dried herbs, leather and licorice. Nice job. 90 points.