Vintages New Release Collection – August 2, 2025

SHOP IN-STORE AND ON LCBO.COM | SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 2025

STONEHAVEN STEPPING STONE SHIRAZ 2021 Limestone Coast, South Australia, vegan Sweetly ripe and fragrant, the bouquet shows dark plum, raspberry, vanilla, cumin and roasted hazelnut aromas, followed by a wonderfully weighted palate offering ripe fruit richness with silky texture and fine-grained tannins. Upfront and delectably expressed. At its best: now to 2035. Score: 93 (Sam Kim, wineorbit.co.nz, Nov. 2023) Full-bodied & Smooth 36387 (XD) 750 ml $16.95 2

VILLA MARIA EARTH GARDEN SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 Marlborough, South Island, sustainable A lovely example with aromas and flavours of fresh tropical fruits and citrus peel, mandarin and white stone fruits. There’s a distinctive mineral and fruit spice quality adding breadth and complexity. Fresh, crisp and [just] dry on the palate, a core of fresh citrus and tropical fruit flavours that reflect the bouquet along with a fresh basil leaf suggestion. Best drinking from 2025 through 2028. Premium. Score: 92 (Cameron Douglas, MS, camdouglasms.

com, March 7, 2025) Aromatic & Flavourful 24981

$18.95 1

(XD) 750 ml

NEW ZEALAND – WHITE WINE MATAHIWI ESTATE PINOT GRIS 2023 Wairarapa, North Island, sustainable Flavours of fresh brown pear and pacific apple, there’s a gentle spice and lees quality with a biscuit oatmeal quality. Crisp and dry with a medium+ weight and light satin texture. Acidity adds a refresh- ing finish and the second and third sips showcase the spice and mouthfeel very well. Best drinking from 2024 through 2027. Excellent. Score: 93 (Cameron Douglas, MS, camdouglasms.com, Sept. 11, 2024) Aromatic & Flavourful 12679 (XD) 750 ml $18.95 2

NEW ZEALAND – RED WINE SNAPPER ROCK PINOT NOIR 2022 Marlborough, South Island It’s sweetly fruited and elegantly fragrant on the nose, showing ripe cherry, strawberry, thyme, nutmeg and floral aromas. The palate displays succulent fruit flavours with fine texture and polished tannins, finishing lingering and silky. At its best: now to 2027. Score: 90 (Sam Kim, wine

orbit.co.nz, Sept. 2024) Medium-bodied & Fruity 41816 (XD) 750 ml

$19.95 2

SOUTH AFRICA – WHITE WINE MAN FREE-RUN STEEN CHENIN BLANC 2024 WO Cape Coast Green rim of fresh appearance. White peach, lemon, almond and lanolin on the nose with dried apple and pear on the palate and finish. Drink now. Score: Gold (gilbertgaillard.com, 2025) Full-bodied & Rich 126847 (XD) 750 ml $14.95 1

RIVER FARM SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 Marlborough, South Island, sustainable This wine opens with a pithy nose of jalapenos, grapefruit and wet stones. On the palate it is linear and focused, with vibrant, incisive fruit and a tightly wound structure that builds toward a bright, phenolic finish. Drink now. Score: 91 (Jacobo Garcia-Andrade Llamas, jamessuckling.com, March 5, 2025) Aromatic & Flavourful 32547 (XD) 750 ml $21.95 1

SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 2025 VINTAGES 33