By DEAN TUDOR, wine writer since 1968 and owner of Gothic Epicures Writing --- deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of wine news items and RSS feeds, plus references to individual wines, beers and spirits, has been at https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor since 1994. These notes (below) for TOP wines available through the LCBO Vintages New Releases (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor -- no winery can buy their way into – or out of – my publications. Not all wines are available in every LCBO store.
What is a TOP wine? Terrific-Occasional-Personal--- A TOP wine can be expressed as 88+ points, or Silver/Gold Medal, or described as BETTER/BEST, or 4/5 ****/***** Stars (out of?) and other such categories [in the 1950s such categories were titled "dandy, so-so, punk and lousy"]. My evaluations are a combined MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Rhone wine should taste like Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace, above or below its price).
THEME • "Nothing But Chardonnay"
TOP White Wines UNDER $20 in this release.
=========================================
11947 ROSEWOOD RIESLING VQA 2023 $19.95
51087 POÇAS TONGUE TWISTER VINHO VERDE 2025 $16.95
701094 MAS DES BRESSADES TRADITION BLANC 2024 RHÔNE $19.95
588814 ZACHARIAS ASSYRTIKO 2024 GREECE $18.95
350124 LE JADE PICPOUL DE PINET 2024 $16.95
49370 FANTINEL BORGO TESIS FRIULANO 2024 $15.95
49371 FILODIVINO SERRA46 VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO 2023 $19.95
49054 PODERE MONTALE I MAREMMANI CHARDONNAY 2024 TUSCANY
$19.95
675421 MULDERBOSCH STEEN OP HOUT CHENIN BLANC 2025 SOUTH AFRICA $16.95
48202 RUSTENBERG WILD FERMENT UNWOODED CHARDONNAY 2024 SOUTH AFRICA $18.45
TOP Red Wines UNDER $20 for this release.
========================================
999946 FARINA VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2022$19.95
49713 LA POSTA GLORIETA PINOT NOIR 2024 ARGENTINA $17.95
12998 TENACITY OLD VINE SHIRAZ 2024 AUSTRALIA $19.95
18339 DEEP WOODS EBONY MARGARET RIVER CABERNET/SHIRAZ 2022 $19.95
131540 FEATHERSTONE RED TAIL MERLOT 2024 $19.95
49567 JOSEPH JACÔME BEAUJOLAIS-VILLAGES 2023 $19.95
14469 CHÂTEAU MAYNE-VIEIL FRONSAC 2019 BORDEAUX $19.95
224915 DOMAINES ANDRÉ AUBERT VISAN CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2024 $17.95
49877 CHÂTEAU NOZIÈRES CAHORS 2022 $18.25
50672 EPICURO PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA 2023 PUGLIA $16.95
25399 DUCA DI SARAGNANO GOVERNO ALL'USO 2024 $19.95
470377 CASA DE CAMBRES RESERVA RED 2020 PORTUGAL
$16.95
43854 MARQUÊS DE BORBA COLHEITA RED 2024 $15.95
51092 MARTINEZ LACUESTA SELECTO CRIANZA 2023
$19.95
37088 LUIS GURPEGUI 147 ANIVERSARIO TEMPRANILLO 2021
$14.95
TOP White Wines OVER $20 in this release.
=========================================
267856 STRATUS CHARDONNAY 2025 VQA $35.20
51116 TAPI MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 $21.95
51935 KACABA JENNIFER'S PINOT GRIS VQA $24.15
119099 VIÑA COBOS FELINO CHARDONNAY 2024 ARGENTINA $21.95
578864 LEANING POST THE FIFTY CHARDONNAY 2024 VQA $26.95
45618 HIDDEN BENCH BÉTON CHARDONNAY 2024 VQA $29.95
648451 BLASON DE BOURGOGNE MÂCON-VILLAGES 2023 $21.95
TOP Red Wines OVER $20 for this release.
=======================================
41314 TOMICH HILL HILLTOP PINOT NOIR 2025 AUSTRALIA $21.95
50115 RISKY BUSINESS MARGARET RIVER CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 $23.95
49059 GIANNICOLA DI CARLO NOBU1830 RISERVA MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO $21.95
576793 DAMILANO MARGHE LANGHE NEBBIOLO 2023 PIEDMONT $21.85
THE ROSE TABLE WINE PARADE [not tasted, but listed]
==========================
49073 SANTA JULIA CHIMANGO NATURAL ROSÉ 2025 ARGENTINA
$21.95
388702 THE FOREIGN AFFAIR AMAROSÉ 2025 VQA $19.95
12841 KONZELMANN LAKEFRONT SERIES CABERNET ROSÉ 2025 VQA
$17.95
42942 REIF IT'S COMPLICATED ROSÉ 2024 VQA $24.95
49430 MAISON MARIGNY BUDDY ROSÉ 2025 LANGUEDOC
$14.95
48979 AUBERT & MATHIEU PALOOZA ROSÉ 2025 LANGUEDOC
$15.95
23757 S DE LA SABLETTE COTEAUX VAROIS-EN-PROVENCE ROSÉ 2025 $17.95
701318 DOMAINE MABY LA FORCADIÈRE TAVEL ROSÉ 2025
$24.65
50140 MARANI SAPERAVI ROSÉ 2024 GEORGIA $15.95
49549 OENOPS APLA ROSÉ 2025 GREECE $19.95
50316 TORRE ZAMBRA INCASTRO ROSA 2025 ABRUZZO
$19.95
43353 ERADUS SADIE ROSÉ 2025 NEW ZEALAND
$19.95
50311 CASA SANTOS LIMA COLOSSAL RESERVA ROSÉ 2025 PORTUGAL
$13.95
49223 LAN ROSADO RIOJA ROSÉ 2025 $16.95
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value...on sale through July 19, 2026...
WHITE WINES
ANSELMI SAN VINCENZO
IGT Veneto, Italy
948158 (XD – 6 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $16.95 Save $2.00
CAVE SPRING ESTATE RIESLING
VQA Beamsville Bench,
Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
286377 (XD – 7 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $18.95 Save $3.00
FERZO ABRUZZO PECORINO SUPERIORE
DOP, Abruzzo, Italy
573683 (XD – 5 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00
FIELDING UNOAKED CHARDONNAY
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
164491 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $15.45 Save $1.50
FLAT ROCK TWISTED WHITE
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario,
sustainable
1578 (D – 15 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $16.95 Save $2.00
OYSTER BAY CHARDONNAY
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
326728 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $20.95
NOW $17.95 Save $3.00
PACO & LOLA ALBARIÑO
DO Rías Baixas, Spain
350041 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
WESTCOTT ESTATE CHARDONNAY
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
424507 (XD – 6 g/L) 750 ml $31.95
NOW $29.95 Save $2.00
ZENATO SAN BENEDETTO LUGANA
DOC, Veneto, Italy
707158 (XD – 7 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
KIM CRAWFORD MARLBOROUGH
SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South
Island, New Zealand
35386 (XD – 3 g/L)
750 ml REG. $21.95
NOW $18.95, Save $3
RED WINE
DOMAINE GIOULIS AGIA
PARASKEVI VINEYARD AGIORGITIKO
PGI Korinthia, Greece
48276 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $18.95 Save $1.00
G. MARQUIS THE SILVER LINE PINOT NOIR
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
258673 (XD – 9 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
MALIVOIRE GAMAY
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario,
sustainable, vegan
591313 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00
MONTES ALPHA CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Colchagua Valley, Chile
322586 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $20.95 Save $2.00
OSOYOOS LAROSE LE GRAND VIN
BC VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
626325 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $60.95
NOW $56.95 Save $4.00
PENFOLDS KOONUNGA HILL
SHIRAZ CABERNET
South Australia
285544 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.45 Save $2.50
ROCCA DELLE MACÌE CHIANTI CLASSICO
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
741769 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00
SELLA & MOSCA RISERVA
CANNONAU DI SARDEGNA
DOC, Sardinia, Italy
425488 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3.00
MAZZEI SER LAPO RISERVA CHIANTI
CLASSICO
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
288530 (XD – 3 g/L)
750 ml REG. $24.95
NOW $22.5, save $2
VILLA ANTINORI TOSCANA
IGT, Tuscany, Italy
53876 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $27.95
NOW $25.95 Save $2.00
WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL SHIRAZ
Clare Valley, South Australia
943787 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
WITS END LUNA SHIRAZ
McLaren Vale, South Australia
311258 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00
SPARKLING WINES
13TH STREET CUVÉE BRUT SPARKLING ROSÉ
VQA Niagara Peninsula, traditional method,
Ontario, sustainable, vegan
147504 (XD – 9 g/L) 750 ml $29.95
NOW $26.95 Save $3.00
CAVE SPRING BLANC DE BLANCS BRUT SPARKLING
VQA Niagara Escarpment, traditional
method, Ontario, sustainable, vegan
213983 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $32.95
NOW $27.95 Save $5.00
CHATEAU DES CHARMES BRUT SPARKLING
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario,
traditional method
224766 (D – 10 g/L) 750 ml $32.95
NOW $29.95 Save $3.00
ROSE WINE
DOMAINE LAFAGE MIRAFLORS ROSÉ
IGP Côtes Catalanes, Roussillon, France
367375 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $18.95 Save $1.00
FOR MORE SELECTIONS, GO TO -- https://www.lcbo.com/en/products#t=clp-products&sort=relevancy&layout=card&f:@lcbo_current_offer=[On%20Sale]
** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Week ---
Featherstone Estate Winery Blanc de Noirs 2023 VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Traditional Method $44.95 -- Limited holdings at the Winery (504 cases of 6 bottles per case). This 100% pinot noir from the Bench was ultimately held on its lees for 24 months before disgorging in March 2026. With competitive pricing by Westcott Brilliant, Cave Spring, Ridgepoint and 2020 sparkling roses, it was within a fighting mood of my bone-dry steely palate, just the way a crémant should taste. Several samplings from just one bottle over time revealed touches of red cherry-berry throughout but without the so-called "Ontario cranberry" pinot noir tart finish. Instead, my palate found a relaxed citrus component towards the end. I tasted this wine over several days using a Champagne stopper to contain the bubbles. With pouring, it seemed as if the mousse would never stop. But it did -- over multiple tastings too. Quite impressive. My wife loved it for its dryness and the fact that this wine is definitely a food wine (try it, as we did, with smoked brisket or pork belly or flank steak). The colouring of the wine is first rate -- just a touch of pinot noir paleness. The winery suggests a cellaring potential of 2 - 4 years but I think it can go on for many years longer (I bought a case of a 2010 VQA sparkling pinot noir that I am still drinking my way through). Residual sugar here is 6.8 g/L, below the usual 9 or 10; 12% ABV; vegan friendly. Rated 93 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures Writing.
Featherstone Estate Winery Stone & Vine VQA Ontario 2023 $44.95, 278 cases at the winery -- It's a Bordeaux-style blend, with cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, and merlot being equal, about a third each. Everything was vinified separately, and then aged in French oak (for the cabernets) and American oak (for the merlot). Malolactic fermentation was 100% completed. The final blend from the best of individual casks of each varietal was determined by the winemakers -- and then this wine rested an extra year in oak: Stone & Vine is made only in years when the vintage has been exceptionally rewarding. This is a wine driven by black fruit (black currants, blackberries, plums, dark cherries, black pepper) and vanilla-mocha. Merlot contributes the soft cherry and velvet texture that the varietal is known for, while cabernet franc donates vegetal and herbal savouriness, and cabernet sauvignon's black fruit determines the wine's complex finish. It's still tannic but with nuances of smoke and spices. I usually do a double-decant, taste, and then put it in a bottle with a cork for up to a week, with daily tastings. If you don't do this, then you will miss out on the evolution of the wine which will be fully mature in a few more years, and should keep even longer. Umami food pairings may probably be best, with cured meats, older cheeses, even vegan mushroom risottos. 2.6 g/L residual sugar; 12.5% ABV; vegan friendly; cork closure. Quality/Price rating is 93 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures Writing.
==========================
49073 SANTA JULIA CHIMANGO NATURAL ROSÉ 2025 ARGENTINA
$21.95
388702 THE FOREIGN AFFAIR AMAROSÉ 2025 VQA $19.95
12841 KONZELMANN LAKEFRONT SERIES CABERNET ROSÉ 2025 VQA
$17.95
42942 REIF IT'S COMPLICATED ROSÉ 2024 VQA $24.95
49430 MAISON MARIGNY BUDDY ROSÉ 2025 LANGUEDOC
$14.95
48979 AUBERT & MATHIEU PALOOZA ROSÉ 2025 LANGUEDOC
$15.95
23757 S DE LA SABLETTE COTEAUX VAROIS-EN-PROVENCE ROSÉ 2025 $17.95
701318 DOMAINE MABY LA FORCADIÈRE TAVEL ROSÉ 2025
$24.65
50140 MARANI SAPERAVI ROSÉ 2024 GEORGIA $15.95
49549 OENOPS APLA ROSÉ 2025 GREECE $19.95
50316 TORRE ZAMBRA INCASTRO ROSA 2025 ABRUZZO
$19.95
43353 ERADUS SADIE ROSÉ 2025 NEW ZEALAND
$19.95
50311 CASA SANTOS LIMA COLOSSAL RESERVA ROSÉ 2025 PORTUGAL
$13.95
49223 LAN ROSADO RIOJA ROSÉ 2025 $16.95
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value...on sale through July 19, 2026...
WHITE WINES
ANSELMI SAN VINCENZO
IGT Veneto, Italy
948158 (XD – 6 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $16.95 Save $2.00
CAVE SPRING ESTATE RIESLING
VQA Beamsville Bench,
Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
286377 (XD – 7 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $18.95 Save $3.00
FERZO ABRUZZO PECORINO SUPERIORE
DOP, Abruzzo, Italy
573683 (XD – 5 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00
FIELDING UNOAKED CHARDONNAY
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
164491 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $15.45 Save $1.50
FLAT ROCK TWISTED WHITE
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario,
sustainable
1578 (D – 15 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $16.95 Save $2.00
OYSTER BAY CHARDONNAY
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
326728 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $20.95
NOW $17.95 Save $3.00
PACO & LOLA ALBARIÑO
DO Rías Baixas, Spain
350041 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
WESTCOTT ESTATE CHARDONNAY
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
424507 (XD – 6 g/L) 750 ml $31.95
NOW $29.95 Save $2.00
ZENATO SAN BENEDETTO LUGANA
DOC, Veneto, Italy
707158 (XD – 7 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
KIM CRAWFORD MARLBOROUGH
SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South
Island, New Zealand
35386 (XD – 3 g/L)
750 ml REG. $21.95
NOW $18.95, Save $3
RED WINE
DOMAINE GIOULIS AGIA
PARASKEVI VINEYARD AGIORGITIKO
PGI Korinthia, Greece
48276 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $18.95 Save $1.00
G. MARQUIS THE SILVER LINE PINOT NOIR
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
258673 (XD – 9 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
MALIVOIRE GAMAY
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario,
sustainable, vegan
591313 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00
MONTES ALPHA CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Colchagua Valley, Chile
322586 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $20.95 Save $2.00
OSOYOOS LAROSE LE GRAND VIN
BC VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
626325 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $60.95
NOW $56.95 Save $4.00
PENFOLDS KOONUNGA HILL
SHIRAZ CABERNET
South Australia
285544 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.45 Save $2.50
ROCCA DELLE MACÌE CHIANTI CLASSICO
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
741769 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00
SELLA & MOSCA RISERVA
CANNONAU DI SARDEGNA
DOC, Sardinia, Italy
425488 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3.00
MAZZEI SER LAPO RISERVA CHIANTI
CLASSICO
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
288530 (XD – 3 g/L)
750 ml REG. $24.95
NOW $22.5, save $2
VILLA ANTINORI TOSCANA
IGT, Tuscany, Italy
53876 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $27.95
NOW $25.95 Save $2.00
WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL SHIRAZ
Clare Valley, South Australia
943787 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
WITS END LUNA SHIRAZ
McLaren Vale, South Australia
311258 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00
SPARKLING WINES
13TH STREET CUVÉE BRUT SPARKLING ROSÉ
VQA Niagara Peninsula, traditional method,
Ontario, sustainable, vegan
147504 (XD – 9 g/L) 750 ml $29.95
NOW $26.95 Save $3.00
CAVE SPRING BLANC DE BLANCS BRUT SPARKLING
VQA Niagara Escarpment, traditional
method, Ontario, sustainable, vegan
213983 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $32.95
NOW $27.95 Save $5.00
CHATEAU DES CHARMES BRUT SPARKLING
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario,
traditional method
224766 (D – 10 g/L) 750 ml $32.95
NOW $29.95 Save $3.00
ROSE WINE
DOMAINE LAFAGE MIRAFLORS ROSÉ
IGP Côtes Catalanes, Roussillon, France
367375 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $18.95 Save $1.00
FOR MORE SELECTIONS, GO TO -- https://www.lcbo.com/en/products#t=clp-products&sort=relevancy&layout=card&f:@lcbo_current_offer=[On%20Sale]
** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Week ---
Featherstone Estate Winery Blanc de Noirs 2023 VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Traditional Method $44.95 -- Limited holdings at the Winery (504 cases of 6 bottles per case). This 100% pinot noir from the Bench was ultimately held on its lees for 24 months before disgorging in March 2026. With competitive pricing by Westcott Brilliant, Cave Spring, Ridgepoint and 2020 sparkling roses, it was within a fighting mood of my bone-dry steely palate, just the way a crémant should taste. Several samplings from just one bottle over time revealed touches of red cherry-berry throughout but without the so-called "Ontario cranberry" pinot noir tart finish. Instead, my palate found a relaxed citrus component towards the end. I tasted this wine over several days using a Champagne stopper to contain the bubbles. With pouring, it seemed as if the mousse would never stop. But it did -- over multiple tastings too. Quite impressive. My wife loved it for its dryness and the fact that this wine is definitely a food wine (try it, as we did, with smoked brisket or pork belly or flank steak). The colouring of the wine is first rate -- just a touch of pinot noir paleness. The winery suggests a cellaring potential of 2 - 4 years but I think it can go on for many years longer (I bought a case of a 2010 VQA sparkling pinot noir that I am still drinking my way through). Residual sugar here is 6.8 g/L, below the usual 9 or 10; 12% ABV; vegan friendly. Rated 93 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures Writing.
Featherstone Estate Winery Stone & Vine VQA Ontario 2023 $44.95, 278 cases at the winery -- It's a Bordeaux-style blend, with cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, and merlot being equal, about a third each. Everything was vinified separately, and then aged in French oak (for the cabernets) and American oak (for the merlot). Malolactic fermentation was 100% completed. The final blend from the best of individual casks of each varietal was determined by the winemakers -- and then this wine rested an extra year in oak: Stone & Vine is made only in years when the vintage has been exceptionally rewarding. This is a wine driven by black fruit (black currants, blackberries, plums, dark cherries, black pepper) and vanilla-mocha. Merlot contributes the soft cherry and velvet texture that the varietal is known for, while cabernet franc donates vegetal and herbal savouriness, and cabernet sauvignon's black fruit determines the wine's complex finish. It's still tannic but with nuances of smoke and spices. I usually do a double-decant, taste, and then put it in a bottle with a cork for up to a week, with daily tastings. If you don't do this, then you will miss out on the evolution of the wine which will be fully mature in a few more years, and should keep even longer. Umami food pairings may probably be best, with cured meats, older cheeses, even vegan mushroom risottos. 2.6 g/L residual sugar; 12.5% ABV; vegan friendly; cork closure. Quality/Price rating is 93 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures Writing.
Dean Tudor, Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism
Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.comhttp://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures
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