Canadian Wine Guy

A friend of mine, Semion recommended this one … inky dark in color with a black berry nose. On the mid palate the wine packs a punch with vibrant/intense black cherry and dark chocolate notes … On the medium length finish the wine displays lots of oaky notes, the black cherries hang around nice, and there’s vibrant and firm tannins/acidity, super dry. WOW, this is a big bold wine that punches way above it’s price point, BUT be very careful what you serve it with or your not tasting anything but the wine. We served it with lasagne and it was a good match. If your looking for a smooth elegant wine, ya this isn’t that. Some breathing or aging would tone it down some. If you like your wines big and bold, this just maybe the ticket! I will go get more, for the price it’s a lovely distinctive unique wine, I would give it an 88 or so. Thanks Semion! From the LCBO web site, check stock:

$22.95VINTAGES#:517847

Product Details

This wine comes from a single vineyard planted with 25-year-old vines. After nearly a year in oak, the wine shows wonderful elegance and finesse along with notions of juicy cherry, cranberry, and baking spices. Pour with salumi or coq au vin alla Italiana (chicken braised in red wine and Italian tomatoes with Italian sausage and herbs).

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• Release Date January 7, 2023
• Alcohol/Vol13.5%
• Made In Piedmont, Italy
• By Vintages Front Line Release
• Sugar Content 3 g/L
• VarietalBarbera

Slightly golden in color with a nice mild citrus nose. On the mid palate the wine delivers with lovely lime and citrus notes … On the medium length finish the wine shows lovely firm crisp minerality, and acidity that stick beautifully to the tongue … super dry. This is not a wine for wimpy food, or your only tasting the wine. I really enjoyed this, the Verdicchio grape is another of my favs from Italy! Yum, 88 or so. From the LCBO web site check stock:

$19.95VINTAGES#:268169

Product Details

Lemon and black-lime aromas follow through to a medium-bodied palate with a little almond-peel-like, phenolic tension towards the end. Clean, crisp and delicious verdicchio. From organically grown grapes. Drink now. Score – 91. (jamessuckling.com, Oct. 4, 2021)

• Organic

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• Release Date February 4, 2023
• Alcohol/Vol 13%
• Made In Marche, Italy
• By Vintages Front Line Release
• Sugar Content 4 g/L
• Varietal Verdicchio

Ruby in color with a mild nose. On the mid palate the wine displays nice firm dark cherries along with some dark chocolate and mocha notes. On the medium length finish the wine displays firm tomato notes as well as dusty tannins and vibrant acidity where the dark berry notes linger. This is more of an edgy Chianti than a fruit forward one. Be sure and pair it with something with some oomph 😉 I would give it an -88 or so. It should also keep well and would benefit from some aging or breathing to soften it out a bit. I bought 4, it’s not good enough to go get more, but not bad enough to return them either. I’ll just be patient and let it sit for a while. From the LCBO web site, check stock:

$17.25Original Price$21.95 Save $4.70VINTAGES#:222810

Product Details

Rocca di Castagnoli’s 2019 Chianti Classico is supple, racy and wonderfully inviting. Succulent red cherry, tobacco, mint, dried flowers and licorice are some of the many aromas and flavors that open in the glass. Silky and pliant, with terrific depth, the [2019] has a lot to recommend it. This is very nicely done. Drinking window: 2024-2039. Score – 92. (Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, Sept. 2021)

• Organic

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• Release Date September 10, 2022
• Alcohol/Vol 13.5%
• Made In Tuscany, Italy
• Sugar Content2 g/L
• Varietal Sangiovese Blend

Dark in color with a mild black cherry nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some nice bold rich black cherries to match the nose along with some mocha, vanilla and oak notes. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice firm acidity, peppery spice and tannins, nice and dry. This is a bigger wine, but not overly edgy. I would give this an 88 or so. Yum, for the price … From the LCBO web site, check stock:

$18.95LCBO#:25590

Product Details

This wine is sourced from mostly volcanic soil and has deftly accomplished ripe red fruit, berry and spice notes. Try it with roast meats or medium-aged cheeses. [Drink now till 2024+.] [Luca Maroni did not provide a tasting note.] Score: 93 points. (lucamaroni.com)

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• Alcohol/Vol 13.5%
• Made In Sicily, Italy
• By Graffetta
• Sugar Content 5 g/L
• Varietal Nero d’Avola

This one was recommended by a colleague … dark in color with a mild red berry nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some ripe cherry notes, On the medium length finish, which is where this wine lives, there’s some strong dry tannins and vibrant acidity. On the medium length finish the firm acidity and dry tannins linger in the mouth. This is a bigger Chianti Classico so be careful what you serve it with, perfect for Pizza or spaghetti. I would give it an 87-88. Some breathing or aging may help it ease a bit too … From the LCBO web site, check stock:

$21.95VINTAGES#:16448

Product Details

90% Sangiovese, 5% Colorino, 5% Canaiolo. Intense soft cherry and black cherry nose with cedar notes and complex mineral nuances. Ripe tannins supported by a lively acidity. Score – 92. (Decanter World Wine Awards, 2021)

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• Release DateSeptember 10, 2022
• Alcohol/Vol 14%
• Made In Tuscany, Italy
• By Vintages Front Line Release
• Sugar Content 2 g/L
• Varietal Sangiovese

Dark in color with a nice a nice red cherry nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some lovely vibrant cherry notes along with some nice tomato hints. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice pepper, solid acidity and dry palate coating tannins. This is lovely varietal Chianti Classico, I would give it an 88+, yumm. From the LCBO web site, check stock:

$18.95VINTAGES#:421388

Product Details

A juicy, fruity red with blackberry, walnut and coffee-bean character. Medium-bodied with a solid core of fruit and creamy tannins. It’s long and flavorful. Drink or hold [through 2024+]. Score – 93. (jamessuckling.com, Oct. 27, 2020)

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• Release Date November 19, 2022
• Alcohol/Vol14%
• Made In Tuscany, Italy
• By Vintages Front Line Release
• Sugar Content 4 g/L
• Varietal Sangiovese

Salmon in color with a nice soft red berry nose … On the mid palate the wine displays some nice tart acidity, and cranberry notes. On the medium length finish the zesty acidity clings to the mouth and lingers nicely. This is a tasty wine, and consistent with other Bardolino’s I’ve had. They are a great deal for the price. We paired it with air fried chicken legs and it cut through the fat nicely, and was a nice pairing. I would give it an 88 or so which for the price is a bargoon! Yummy. From the LCBO web site, check stock:

$14.95VINTAGES#:409763

Product Details

Made from the local varieties Corvina (60%), Corvinone and Rondinella, this rosé delivers apricot, red plum and sour cherry. Racy acidity lends tart-and-tangy suggestions of grapefruit and white cranberry on the finish. A lovely wine at a friendly price. Pair with grilled tuna or mixed veggies.

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• Release Date September 10, 2022
• Alcohol/Vol12.5%
• Made In Veneto, Italy
• Sugar Content7 g/L
• Varietal Rosé

Dark in color with a nice black cherry nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some VIBRANT black fruits and dark chocolate. On the medium length finish the wine’s velvety tannins stick nicely to the tongue along with some nice lively acidity … nice and dry, just how I like em! This would pair well with pizza or spaghetti. I would give it an 88 or so, which for the price is a bargain! Yum … From the LCBO web site, check stock:

$16.95VINTAGES#:994616

Product Details

[Vintages note] Fermented in stainless steel and matured two years in Slavonian oak, this wine was awarded 94 points on lucamaroni.com (May 15, 2020). It offers suggestions of cured meat and pressed violets along with black cherry, vanilla and mint. Savour with salumi, or pasta dishes with a classic ragù all’Abruzzese (slow-cooked tomatoes, lamb, beef and pork).

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• Release Date October 22, 2022
• Alcohol/Vol 13%
• Made In Abruzzo,
• By Terra d’Aligi
• Sugar Content 6 g/L
• Varietal Montepulciano