Our Top 20 Picks from the October 17th Vintages Release

This week your friendly neighbourhood LCBO is whisking you to Barolo – at least as far as wine goes – as the northern Italian region is the focus of the current release in Vintages.

Barolo, and its main red grape Nebbiolo, are the stuff legends are made of. Indeed, when Barolo is being poured, people sit a little straighter (at least initially), hold out their glasses a little longer, and savour their wine a little longer.

Barolo is known for power, structure and longevity which of course, adds to the intrigue and mystique of the wine itself. While people know they should love it – it’s classy swill, after all, and the price alone – even for the cheap stuff – will tell you that, many Barolo lovers we meet aren’t totally clear on what to expect from a true blue Barolo.

Barolo Quick Sips

• Barolo is the place, not the grape. Nebbiolo is the grape that produces the red wine. Barolo is a village in the northern Italian state of Piedmont. It neighbours the Piedmont’s other famous (though marginally less prestigious) wine growing region, Barbaresco, which also produces reds from Nebbiolo, and isn’t far from Alba and Asti which make approachable red wines from the grapes Dolcetto and Barbara.
• Nebbiolo is thin skinned (like Pinot Noir), but very tannic. So while the colour and depth may look weak to the uninitiated, the wine’s longevity is legendary, with many Barolos only becoming approachable on their 50th birthdays.
• By law, Barolo must be aged at the winery 3 years before release and Barolo Riserva 5 years.

Related: The Surprising Similarities Between Italian and Ontario Wine

In addition to a few top-notch Barolos, our top picks this week include some real gems from Spain not to be missed, hearty whites guaranteed to warm your soul in these cooler fall days – and bubbles always seem to sneak their way in no matter what tome of year it is.

As always, we’d love to hear about your finds in this release so let us know what you’re drinking.

ARGENTINA

Alamos Selección Malbec, Mendoza 2012
$16.95 Vintages 322800
Pouring deep purple, the nose has crushed peppercorn, violet and dark fruit, while the palate is rich and plush with soft tannin and flavours of floral incense, black pepper and blackberry. Malbec lovers rejoice and take advantage of this excellently priced wine.

Domaine Bousquet Grande Reserve Malbec, Tupungato Valley, Mendoza 2012
$21.95 Vintages 303701
This shows lovely class and poise with the ripe, dark fruit getting a nice uplift from a fresh, herbal note. Fine-firm tannin with bright acidity, there’s restraint and elegance here. 90 points.

CANADA

Hinterland “Borealis” Method Charmat Rose Sparkling, VQA Ontario 2014
$22 Vintages 431817
Pouring a pale baby pink, with fine bubbles and soft mousse, notes of rose petal, melon and banana show through on the nose. Those same fruity/floral notes appear on the palate, along with a tangy apple finish and refreshing, zippy acidity. 90 points.

Lakeview Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, VQA Niagara on the Lake, ON 2012
$29.95 Vintages 438390
We’re really pleased with this elegant red which is showing well now but has the stuff to last throughout the decade. Floral, smoke, blackberry and even a touch of lavender soap aromas, while the palate is soft with fine-firm tannin and flavours of ripe black cherry and licorice. Terrific acid to keep this bright and clean. 89 points.

Jackson Triggs “Illumina” Sunrock Vineyard, VQA Okanagan Valley, BC 2012
$34.95 Vintages 424572
Sunrock is 100 acres of vineyard located up in the mountain area of the warm southern Okanagan Valley that produced rich and full reds. Illumina is a blend of Zinfandel and Shiraz coming from a warm vintage which makes for a ripe and rich full bodied red blend with juicy notes of red and black cherries blending with a woodsy element. Some warmth on the finish. A wine for braised and barbecued red meats. 88 points.

FRANCE

Domaine Des Deux Roches “Les Terres Noires,” Saint-Veran, Burgundy 2012
$26.95 Vintages 429068
This is a rich and inviting white that has flint and toast, brown butter and roasted nut aromas. Creamy on the palate with that toasty, nutty element mixing with ripe tropical fruit. There’s a compelling generosity to this wine. 89 points.

Domaine Jaeger-Defaix Rabourcé 1er Cru, Rully, Burgundy 2012
$35.95 Vintages 200139
Rully is a lesser known area within the Cote Chalonnaise that produces approachable Chardonnay-based white wines. Butterscotch and bruised apple aromas on the nose, while the palate is rich and inviting with a tiny hint of spearmint and a lovely mineral centre with a bitter citrus finish. 90 points.

Couvent des Jacobins, Saint-Émillion Grand Cru Classé, Bordeaux 2002
$45.95 Vintages 429423
How fun is it to get a wine where the aging has been done for you? At 13 years old this could still go another five years to be sure, but the impatient will not be penalized for diving in now, as there is loads of interest and complexity to be had now in this elegant red. Ripe, slightly stewy, red cherry, smoke, clay and wet earth on the nose and palate. Pair this with classic lamb rack or cassoulet. 90 points.

Villa Symposia “L’Equilibre,” Languedoc 2012
$22.95 Vintages 298620
A Syrah-dominated red blend with loads of intrigue with maraschino cherry, smoke, blackberry, subtle lavender and spice notes. Very approachable but there’s lots of aging potential here. Try with beef stroganoff or venison stew. 89 points.

Famille Perrin “Les Cornuds” Vinsobres, Rhone 2013
$17.95 Vintages 566844
This is generous wine that over-delivers for the price. Bright and focused with crushed peppercorn and sweet red cherry flavours. Fine-firm tannin and tangy acidity on the mid weight palate that leans a bit to the masculine side, but there is a lovely balance between fruit and spice. Very good price. 90 points.

Domaine Lafage “Cuvée Nicholas” Vielles Vignes Grenache Noir, Cotes Catalanes 2013
$18.95 Vintages 354191
Bright and fresh with red fruit and pepper spice. Almost Beaujolais Cru in style and substance; an easy-drinking wines with class that’s perfect served with a slight chill for holiday turkey dinners – and the price is right for crowds. 89 points.

ITALY

La Marca Prosecco, Veneto NV
$17.95 Vintages 287987
Love the Tiffany-blue packaging in this fresh, bright and fun bubbly that’s bridal and baby shower ready. Notes of peach, white pear and white cherry, there’s vibrant acid and zippy bubbles for a delicious sparkler that’s great for sipping on its own or flexible enough to go with a mix of hors d’oeuvres. 88 points.

Prunotto Barolo, Piedmont 2010
$40.95 Vintages 928721
Bright and youthful with ripe red fruits, old leather, roses, red licorice and spice notes, the tannins are firm and forceful. Give this some time to unwind; try after 2018. 89 points.

Silvio Grasso Bricco Manzoni Barolo, Piedmont 2010
$89.95 Vintages 422105
A classy, confident Barolo that isn’t showing off or trying too hard. This is rich yet subtle with red cherry, ink and earthy notes. Tannins are tame and acid is bright, but in check. There’s nothing monstrous here, just elegant, restrained joy. 92 points.

Tenuta Rocca Barolo, Piedmont 2010
$36.95 Vintages 395103
Aromas of baking spice, toast and vague floral/rose notes. The palate is smooth with firm tannin and flavours of mixed berry, mocha and spice. 89 points.

NEW ZEALAND

Greystone “Sand Dollar” Pinot Gris, Waipara Valley, South Island 2013
$25.95 Vintages 426650
A few NZ winemakers have come through town recently (not Greystone’s) and have suggested Pinot Gris is the next big grape to watch from New Zealand. It’s easy to see why in this classy and focused wine which offers flint, earth and a subtle leesy notes on the nose, while the palate shows an appealing oily texture and flavours of ripe peach and wet rock with fresh acid and a lovely, long finish. 90 points.

SPAIN

Monasterio de las Viñas Reserva, Carinena 2006
$14.95 Vintages 166579
What incredible value for a wine that’s already been aged nearly a decade for you. Still showing vibrance with juicy, red fruit, subtle spice and dark earthy notes. Outstanding price, outstanding wine. Don’t miss out. 88 points.

Rioja Vega Reserva, Rioja 2008
$21.95 Vintages 423517
Mid weight and fruit forward with dark berries, black pepper spice, earth and licorice. Appealing and easy drinking with a dark, seductive quality. 89 points.

Cune Imperial Reserva, Rioja 2009
$38.95 Vintages 424390
This is very appealing with a savoury edge of soy sauce, black fruit, and toast. Chunky, fat tannin on the palate with uplifting acid. Rich and generous with terrific length, this is very, very good. 92 points.

USA

Cakebread Zinfandel Red Hills Lake County, California 2012
$49.95 Vintages 214031
Zinfandel is always a crowd pleaser, though sometimes its ripe, round, plush character can jump the shark into jammy and heavy. Not so here. This is an elegant and focused example with notes of toast and earth along with the tell tale ripe fruit. Bright acid and fine grained tannins offer poised structure. $50 is a bit steep compared to what we normally see here, but if you are a lover of Zin, this is worth picking up. 89 points.