Vintages New Release – September 13, 2025
Discover our latest collection. Feature story: a celebration of Ontario VQA wines.
WE’RE ALL IN ON ONTARIO
A NEW ONLINE & FLAGSHIP EXCLUSIVES COLLECTION
SATURDAY | SEPTEMBER 13, 2025
wines
of the month
Proven crowd-pleasers
CAVE SPRING ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2023 6 VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario 256552 (XD) 750 ml
$21.95 2
Highly attractive on the nose, Cave Spring’s 2023 Estate Chardonnay is a marvel of balance and freshness, with very delicate barrel influence and the merest hint of yeasty-lees, featuring instead bright, fresh citrus and apple, pear and lemon yoghurt flavours with above average depth and flavour density, also length. Really an excellent value, drinking well now, comfortable surely in the cellar into the late ’20s or early ’30s. Tasted March 2025. Score: 91 (John Szabo, MS, winealign.com)
Full-bodied & Rich Featured in We’re All In On Ontario
LA POSTA PIZZELLA FAMILY MALBEC 2023 Mendoza, Argentina (Laura Catena) 166298 (XD) 750 ml
$17.95 2
Subtle roasted spices, sour cherries, hibiscus and bramble berries. Youthful and quite lively palate with a fruity core of ripe, juicy berries and cherries. Flavorful finish. Drink now [through 2028+]. Score: 91 (jamessuckling.com, Sept. 12, 2024)
Medium-bodied & Fruity
SEPTEMBER 13
THE NEW RELEASE COLLECTION
WE’RE ALL IN ON ONTARIO page 2
SHOP LCBO.com for all the products in this catalogue.
plus...
ONLINE & FLAGSHIP EXCLUSIVES page 30
What’s On / page 2 Product Info &
Tasting Notes / page 34 Shopping List / page 55 Savings & Bonus Points / page 58
GOOD PARTNERS page 28
Product availability: Due to printing lead times, availability of some products in this catalogue may change and may vary by store location. For the most up-to-date product availability, visit LCBO.com.
A snapshot of exciting events, great wines to try, new collections, special offers and more. WHAT’S ON
ESSENTIALS COLLECTION
13 TH STREET BLANC DE BLANC 6 VQA Niagara Peninsula, traditional method
This fresh, finely tooled sparkler features citrus, apple, pear, honey and bread notes. 28420 (XD) 750 ml $29.95 CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES VIDAL ICEWINE 6 VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake From a charter member of Sustainable Winegrowing Ontario, this is an intense, lush Icewine. 413732 (S) 375 ml $49.95
LOVE LOCAL
Every September, we celebrate local winemakers with an extra-large release of homegrown wines (see pages 4 to 27). If you want to explore an even wider array of top Ontario wines throughout the year in addition to those in our bi-weekly New Release Collections, check out the 45+ options in our Essentials Collection. These fan favourites and signature styles – like this Icewine and bubbly that were recently added to the collection – are on store shelves and LCBO.com year in, year out.
Visit LCBO.com/vintages to see the full Essentials Collection.
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CHECK OUT OUR DIGITAL EDITION Are you reading a paper copy of this magazine that you picked up in a store? Did you know it’s also published in a convenient digital format? Find it at LCBO.com/vintages or sign up for Vintages Latest emails to get a link for every issue mailed right to your inbox.
IN-STORE TASTINGS
EVENTS
FINE WINE AND SPIRITS ONLINE AUCTIONS Featuring a selection of rare and collectible wines and spirits from both Old and New World regions, this is a unique opportunity for connoisseurs to acquire sought-after vintages and limited-edition bottles.
September 8 to 16, 2025 Under the authority of the LCBO
From September 14 to October 11, we’re hosting special tastings on Fridays and Saturdays in 75 LCBO stores featuring a selection chosen from the 450+ Ontario VQA wines LCBO carries. Stop in to explore these themes: NewVQA wines Signature styles under $20 TASTE LOCAL
Trendingwine styles Thanksgiving wines
Selection varies by store. Visit LCBO.com/events for details.
For more details and consigning please visit waddingtons.ca
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We’re all in on Ontario There’s never been a better time to celebrate Ontario wine. And there’s plenty to celebrate! On these pages, we explore the VQA wine scene’s history and meet some of its original players; we hear from a visionary who has helped put Ontario on the world wine stage; we share in the pride of a decade-long Canadian celeb wine collab; and we explore some of the grapes and wine styles that thrive in our cool climate and have become beloved signatures in the hands of talented Ontario winemakers. We also hear from some of LCBO’s in-store experts, who are always on hand with tips and recommendations to help you find the perfect VQA wine. We’re all in on Ontario!
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Enjoying wine and the vines at Cave Spring.
We’re all in on commemorating local history
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The Vintners Quality Alliance Act
The VQA began in 1988 as a volunteer initiative spearheaded by a small group of producers committed to crafting serious wines of provenance using only 100% locally grown grapes and adhering to rigorous production standards. The VQA Act became law in 1999 and came into effect on June 29, 2000, bringing government regulation, independent oversight, and more consistent enforcement. By March 31, 2001, there were 50 registered wineries and 429 wine approvals had been issued. Today, over 1,500 wines from 194 wineries are approved each year. Though the original regulations were written by Len Pennachetti and Don Ziraldo in the late 1980s, the very first VQA wine approval issued under the official government seal came on July 10, 2000, and was awarded to the Daniel Lenko Wines Vidal Icewine 1999. The 1999 vintages of the three wines featured on the next page were among the first approved in Ontario, between July and September of 2000. Cave Spring was founded in 1986, but began in 1978 when John T. Pennachetti and his son Leonard (Len) planted some of the first vinifera vines in the Niagara Peninsula, including Riesling sourced from Germany. Len, a co-founder and former chair of the VQA, was awarded the Order of Canada in 2020 for his contributions to the wine industry. “Before VQA, the idea of the Niagara Peninsula as a globally recognized wine region was an aspiration in the minds of a few visionaries. Decades later, VQA allows our wines to stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best,” says Len.
The barn at Cave Spring is a popular spot for weddings. ABOVE, FROM LEFT: Tom and Len Pennachetti.
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CAVE SPRING SELECT LATE HARVEST RIESLING 2023 6 VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula 93 points (Michael Alberty,
CAVE SPRING ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2023 6 VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment 91 points (John Szabo, MS, winealign.com) Full-bodied & Rich 256552 (XD) 750 ml $21.95 2 Featured as our Wine of the Month
Wine Enthusiast ) Lusciously Sweet 415901 (S)
$29.95 2
375 ml
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HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2023 6 VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment, sustainable 90 points (Decanter World Wine Awards) Full-bodied & Rich 616466 (XD) 750 ml $34.95 2
FOR COMPLETE TASTING NOTES, SEE PAGES 35 TO 37.
Lawrence Buhler, winemaker at Henry of Pelham.
The Speck family have farmed their land since 1794. Their wine story began in 1982 when Paul Sr. and Bobbi Speck purchased parcels of the original family farm to plant vines. Henry of Pelham released their first vintage in 1988. “We were there before the VQA; we helped create it,” says their son Daniel Speck, senior vice-president of sales, who along with his brothers helped hand-plant their first vines in 1984. “Between 1989 and 1999, VQA was voluntary, and we were lucky to be part of the group of wineries that organized an industry standard for the region and secured legislation and put the weight of law behind the VQA seal.”
READ MORE Be sure to check out The Great
Canadian Pairing Guide in the Autumn issue of Food & Drink magazine for homegrown wine, beer, cider and spirit pairings featuring all kinds of favourite foods. Pick up your copy in stores or view it on LCBO.com on September 10.
Emma Garner, winemaker at Thirty Bench.
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Founded in 1994, Thirty Bench was one of Niagara’s first boutique wineries. The property includes some of Niagara’s oldest Riesling vineyards, with plantings dating back to 1980. These original single-block, old-vine Riesling plots in the Steel Post, Triangle and Wood Post vineyards established the winery’s reputation as a top-tier, premium-quality producer; a reputation bolstered by the assurance of VQA compliance. Today, Thirty Bench grows nine varieties including Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Gamay, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, creating wines that have never lost sight of their rigorous small-lot approach.
THIRTY BENCH STEEL POST VINEYARD SMALL LOT RIESLING 2021 6 VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, sustainable 92 points (Brent Muller, winealign.com) Aromatic & Flavourful 319640 (XD) 750 ml $28.95 2
FOR COMPLETE TASTING NOTE, SEE PAGE 38.
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We’re all in on honouring local legends
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DOMAINE LE CLOS JORDANNE JORDAN VILLAGE CHARDONNAY 2022 6 VQA Niagara Peninsula 90 points (Decanter World Wine Awards) Full-bodied & Rich 20455 (XD) 750 ml $30.00 2
Domaine Le Clos Jordanne
FOR COMPLETE TASTING NOTE, SEE PAGE 37.
When founding winemaker and vigneron Thomas Bachelder began his work with Le Clos Jordanne over 20 years ago, “domaine” wasn’t in the name, but it was in the philosophy. “We see our vineyards, as the Burgundians see theirs,” says Bachelder, “in terms of each site’s inherent character and potential.” With a new winery and tasting room building opening its doors in June 2024, Domaine Le Clos Jordanne is rooted in Niagara more than ever. “When people come and visit us, what they’re seeing is the future of winemaking here. In Niagara, as in Burgundy, there are vineyards with premier cru and grand cru potential. We consider Le Grand Clos to be a Niagara grand cru.” The critics, it seems, agree. Recent vintages of Le Grand Clos have garnered effusive praise from international wine media. Bachelder and his team are taking it in stride. “We haven’t changed our philosophy or approach. The difference is that the world is now ready for us.”
FROM LEFT: Thomas Bachelder, assistant
winemaker Kerri Crawford, and associate winemaker Phillip Brown.
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EARN MORE Earn 75 bonus points when you spend $50 or more on Ontario VQA wines from September 14 to October 11, 2025. Aeroplan offer in effect September 14, 2025 to October 11, 2025. Visit LCBO.com/aeroplan for full terms and conditions. ® Aeroplan is a registered trademark of Aeroplan Inc., used under license. ® The Air Canada maple leaf logo is a registered trademark of Air Canada, used under license.
LE CLOS JORDANNE JORDAN VILLAGE PINOT NOIR 2022 6 VQA Niagara Peninsula 91 points (Magdalena Kaiser, decanter.com) Medium-bodied & Fruity 33894 (XD) 750 ml
$29.95 2
A Vintages Essential
LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS PINOT NOIR 2021 6 VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment 94 points (Michael Alberty, Wine Enthusiast ) Medium-bodied & Fruity 184564 (XD) 750 ml $55.00 2
FOR COMPLETE TASTING NOTES, SEE PAGE 39.
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We’re all in on celebrating homegrown heroes
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Famed Canadian sports broadcaster Bob McCown purchased Stoney Ridge in 2013. BELOW: Members of The Tragically Hip pose with their line of wines.
The Tragically Hip wines
Co-created by the iconic Kingston-based band and Stoney Ridge Estate Winery in Niagara, The Tragi cally Hip wines have been delighting fans for over a decade. “I’ve always thought Ontario wines have shown great potential,” says guitarist Rob Baker, “but it’s really over the last 20 or so years that I feel they have started to really deliver on that promise. When we were doing the tasting prior to our first wine, Fully Completely, I was blown away by the quality.” The band collaborates with the winery on everything from grape and blend selection to label concepts and design. “I’m always amazed by the generosity of the band,” says Stoney Ridge general manager Matt Loney. “Given their legacy, their fan base, and their place in our nation’s identity, it’s important that we make 100% locally grown wines that reflect and celebrate Canada. Nobody conveys that local pride like The Tragically Hip.”
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THE TRAGICALLY HIP AHEAD BY A CENTURY CHARDONNAY 2022 6 VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula (Stoney Ridge Estate Winery) Full-bodied & Rich 483875 (XD) 750 ml $21.95 2
For an Ontario wine to be stamped with the VQA symbol, it has to follow strict rules and regulations from the vineyard to the bottle. ” Dimi, Product Consultant, Waterdown
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Visit LCBO.com to discover a wealth of other Ontario VQA wines plus local beer, cider and spirits.
THE TRAGICALLY HIP FULLY COMPLETELY RESERVE RED 2022 6 VQA Niagara Peninsula (Stoney Ridge Estate Winery) Medium-bodied & Fruity 411595 (XD) 750 ml $24.95 2 THE TRAGICALLY HIP FLAMENCO ROSÉ 2024 6 VQA Niagara Peninsula (Stoney Ridge Estate Winery) Easygoing & Fruity 16250 (XD) 750 ml $19.95 1
FOR COMPLETE TASTING NOTES, SEE PAGES 38 TO 39.
We’re all in on toasting local signatures
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The terroir in Niagara is perfect for Icewine. One taste of this Ontario-exclusive product and you’ll know it’s something special. ” Douglas, Product Consultant, Toronto
Icewine The style that originally brought
Canadian wine international acclaim when Inniskillin won the Grand Prix d’Honneur at Vinexpo 1991 in Bordeaux, Icewine is made by extracting the lusciously sweet, concentrated juice from grapes naturally frozen on the vine. Ontario’s chilly winters consistently achieve the ideal freezing temperatures required of the style. INNISKILLIN NIAGARA ESTATE CABERNET FRANC ICEWINE 2023 6 VQA Niagara Peninsula 95 points (International Wine Challenge) Lusciously Sweet 149963 (S) 200 ml $59.95 2
FOR COMPLETE TASTING NOTE, SEE PAGE 36.
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Ontario sparkling wines are amazing value. We produce stunning traditional-method Champagne-like bubblies, as well as excellent Charmat- method Prosecco-like wines. ” Isabela, Product Consultant, Kingston
KEW BLANC DE NOIRS 2020 6 VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, traditional method 96 points (Decanter World Wine Awards) Medium-bodied & Flavourful 380030 (XD) 750 ml $32.95 2
Sparklers Since sparkling-wine production calls for grapes with high natural acidity, Ontario’s cool climate (like that of Champagne in northern France) is perfectly suited. Our winemakers have several techniques at their disposal, including the tank (a.k.a. Charmat) method, where the bubble-creating second fermentation takes place in a large vessel; and the traditional method, where it happens in the bottle itself.
Chardonnay Ontario Chardonnay can express a range of flavours depending on the timing of the harvest and the winemaker’s choices around the use of oak, malolactic conversion, and lees ageing. When harvested early, Chardonnay expresses green apple and citrus tones, while longer hang times result in stone fruit and tropical fruit.
SHOP SMART! TRY SAME DAY PICKUP This convenient free service is available in 500+ LCBO stores. Just visit LCBO.com, select your local store and shop from the available inventory. Choose Same- Day Pickup at checkout and your wine will be packed and waiting for you near the cash within 2 hours. Other ways to shop this release on LCBO.com: • Home Delivery (to your door within 3-5 business days) • Ship to Store (shipped FREE to your local store)
Scan here to shop now
MAGNOTTA VENTURE SERIES STARLIGHT SPARKLING RIESLING/VIDAL 6 VQA Ontario, Charmat method Light & Fruity 582098 (M) 750 ml
LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS CHARDONNAY 2021 6 VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment 95 points (Michael Alberty,
Wine Enthusiast ) Full-bodied & Rich 184549
$29.95 1
$55.00 2
(XD) 750 ml
FOR COMPLETE TASTING NOTES, SEE PAGES 36 TO 37.
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Baco Noir A hybrid variety resulting from crossing a European Vitis vinifera with a North American Vitis riparia vine, Baco Noir thrives in Ontario’s cool climate. Some of the oldest Baco vines in Ontario were planted in 1984 by the Speck brothers at Henry of Pelham’s vineyards in the Short Hills Bench region of Niagara.
Barrels of goodness at Henry of Pelham. BELOW: The tasteful tasting room at Kew.
HENRY OF PELHAM LOST BOYS LIMITED EDITION BIN 106 BACO NOIR 2023 6 VQA Ontario Full-bodied & Smooth 13421 (XD) 750 ml $39.95 2
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Pinot Noir Notoriously challenging to grow, Pinot Noir performs best in cool regions. In Niagara, the moderating effect of Lake Ontario combined with ample sunshine and limestone-based soils encourage approachable, complex, vivid Pinots with fresh, bright red fruit and cherry tones, notes of earth, mushroom or forest floor, and a marked minerality.
Ontario produces world-class Pinot Noir. It’s a must-try for anyone interested in exploring wines from the region. ” Sarah, Product Consultant, Sault Ste. Marie
BACHELDER LES VILLAGES BENCH PINOT NOIR 2023 6 VQA Niagara Escarpment 91 points (Magdalena Kaiser, decanter.com) Medium-bodied & Fruity 11582 (XD) 750 ml $34.95 2
FOR COMPLETE TASTING NOTES, SEE PAGE 38.
Riesling
Cabernet Franc
Ontario Riesling is crafted in a wide range of styles spanning dry, off-dry, late-harvest, skin-fermented (orange wine), sparkling and Icewine. Each style reveals different expressions of fruit from lemon and lime citrus through to tropical, honey and marmalade tones, but all exhibit Ontario’s distinct minerality and exhilarating natural acidity.
Widely grown in Bordeaux and the Loire Valley of France, Cabernet Franc has found a home away from home in Ontario vineyards. One of the parents (along with Sauvignon Blanc) of Cabernet Sauvignon, which produces wines of similar structure and poise, Cabernet Franc ripens earlier than its progeny and thus thrives in a wider range of Ontario vineyards.
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Jessica Otting, winemaker at Tawse.
TAWSE SKETCHES RIESLING 2022 6 VQA Niagara Peninsula 90 points (Megha Jandhyala, winealign.com) Aromatic & Flavourful 89029 (M) 750 ml $19.95 1 TAWSE GROWERS BLEND CABERNET FRANC 2020 6 VQA Niagara Peninsula 91 points (David Lawrason, winealign.com) Medium-bodied & Fruity 284570 (XD) 750 ml $29.95 2
FOR COMPLETE TASTING NOTES, SEE PAGES 38 TO 39.
GOOD PARTNERS
Getting wild and going nuts Respected local producer Westcott is harvesting nature’s bounty in more ways than one.
The Toronto skyline reminds you that Westcott is just a day-trip away. BELOW, RIGHT: Carolyn Hurst and her furry friend.
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WESTCOTT ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2023 6 VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, sustainable The fruit comes from both estate vineyards – the Westcott Home Farm and Butlers’ Grant. The grapes are hand-picked, whole bunch pressed, wild fermented and then aged in French oak for 10 months ... The nose shows ripe pear and yellow apples in an opulent style balanced by citrus zest and saline with butterscotch, toasty vanilla and spice. It has a creamy, buttery texture on the palate with baked pear, apple crumble, toasted almonds, lemon tart, baking spices and a luxurious finish. It’s rocking right now and there’s really no need to cellar more than a couple of years. Score: 92 (Rick VanSickle, winesinniagara.com, June 26, 2025) Full-bodied & Rich 424507 (XD) 750 ml $29.95 2 A Vintages Essential WESTCOTT ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2021 6 VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, sustainable This is a wild fermented and barrel aged Pinot Noir sourced from both of Westcott’s sites, that sees 22 months in older French oak barriques. It shows good colour in the glass considering the vintage and has an intense nose of brambly red berries, earthy/spicy notes, a touch of anise, violets and subtle spice notes. It’s rich and savoury on the palate with ripe tannins, a touch of cedar and a melange of dark cherries, black raspberries, cassis, spice and a lifted, vibrant finish. Can cellar through 2032. Score: 92 (Rick VanSickle, winesinniagara.com, Feb. 25, 2025) Medium-bodied & Fruity 427500 (XD) 750 ml $31.95 2
At LCBO, we’re focused on building a more sustainable future through our Spirit of
When Carolyn Hurst and Grant Westcott purchased Westcott Vineyards in 2006, the land was mostly open fields and had been in farm operations for nearly 200 years. As they set about planting it to vinifera grapes, they kept the care of their land at the forefront. “Sustainability and caring about the environment are in our DNA,” says president and co-founder Hurst. “We are certified sustainable in both our vineyard and our winery operations.” But, she adds, “that is just the entry level.” In 2013, Westcott began the process of rewilding all the areas of their property that weren’t under vine; approximately 8 acres. “In the case of the Westcott Vineyards property,” says Hurst, “we have about 2.5 acres that we’re reforesting. We’ve planted thousands of native shrubs and trees in that area, and we didn’t mow, so we introduced all the native wildflowers and things like milkweed as the groundcover.” These forests provide shade and cooling that improves the comfort of visitors, and the oxygen they breathe out benefits the vines. As for the wildflowers, “I just did floral arrangements earlier today for the winery and the patio,” says Hurst, “and those were all cut from flowers and shrubs on the property.” Among the forests, wildflower meadows and creeks on the land are 40-50 native nut trees that Westcott has planted. Once the nuts are ready, Hurst plans to sell them in the winery retail shop. “Everything needs to work on an agricultural property,” says Hurst. “The forests and the wildflower meadow, those things are contributing to the sustainability of our operations. They’re providing beauty and ambience to the experience, and I view that as a critical contribution.” Sustainability initiative, which celebrates trade partners who work to promote diversity and inclusion, community investment and sound environmental practices. Learn more at LCBO.com/sustainability .
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Autumn wedding? Grad-school sendoff? Solstice celebration? We have a wine for that. Our newest Online & Flagship Exclusives collection features more than 25 wines perfect for gift giving or serving at a special party or dinner. There’s Champagne, of course, plus Barolo and Gran Selezione Chianti Classico; must try sparkling Falanghina from Italy and single-vineyard wines from Uruguay; white Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône and Beaujolais; plus Sherry, Madeira and much more, with scores worth celebrating all around. Find these wines on LCBO.com or in our 16 flagship stores. Fall favourites
Shop these wines on LCBO.com or in our 16 flagship stores.
ONLINE & FLAGSHIP EXCLUSIVES
MIGUEL TORRES ALMADO ORGANIC RED BLEND 2020 Valle del Maule, Chile, vegan
CHÂTEAU DE CHENAS PARADIS BEAUJOLAIS BLANC 2023 AOP, Beaujolais, France
Refined and intense, with plum, red cherry, oak spice, violets, licorice and bramble. Drink through 2032. 95 points (Tim Atkin, MW, timatkin.com) Full-bodied & Smooth 34740 (XD) 750 ml $25.95 2 4 Organic product
Exceptional balance and roundness. From a vineyard that produces some fine grand cru Beaujolais. 95 points (chuckbyers.blogspot.com) Full-bodied & Rich 45267 (XD) 750 ml $22.95 2 New at Vintages
VIEILLE FRANCE BRUT BLANC DE BLANCS CHAMPAGNE AOC, France Impressive core of grilled nuts, focaccia and white flowers, with an extremely persistent, nutty finish. 96 points (International Wine Challenge) Rich & Complex 45271 (XD) 750 ml $91.95 2 New at Vintages
DOMAINE CATHERINE & PIERRE BRETON CUVÉE CHENIN! ÉPAULÉ JETÉ VOUVRAY 2023 AOC, Loire, France This elegant Chenin evokes crunchy green apple, pear, melon, and river stones. Light & Crisp 45452 (XD) 750 ml $29.95 2 New at Vintages
DOMAINE CATHERINE & PIERRE BRETON CUVÉE TRINCH! ÉPAULÉ JETÉ 2023 AOC Bourgueil, Loire, France Graceful, fruit-forward Cab Franc with notes of wild berry and crunchy bell pepper. Light-bodied & Fruity 45453 (XD) 750 ml $26.95 2 New at Vintages
JANARE Q BRUT FALANGHINA SPARKLING Italy (La Guardiense)
A fruity sparkling wine, with aromas of pear blossom, white peach and sliced apple. 90 points (jamessuckling.com) Medium-bodied & Flavourful 45390 (D) 750 ml $17.95 1 New at Vintages
FOR COMPLETE TASTING NOTES, SEE PAGES 36 TO 47.
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Shop LCBO.com or look for the New Release Collection signs in stores.
CA’VIOLA SOTTOCASTELLO DI NOVELLO BAROLO 2020 DOCG, Piedmont, Italy
TORRE A CONA BADIA A CORTE RISERVA COLLI FIORENTINI CHIANTI 2018 DOCG, Tuscany, Italy Notes of blueberry, menthol, and small berries, with subtle hints of forest floor. 94 points (Luca Gardini, guideespresso.it) Medium-bodied & Fruity 44667 (XD) 750 ml $39.95 2 New at Vintages
VILLA PINCIANA TERRARIA 2016 DOC Maremma Toscana Rosso, Tuscany, Italy Candied cherry, plum, and red-apple skin above smoke, olive, and a softer floral character. 92 points (Danielle Callegari, Wine Enthusiast ) Medium-bodied & Fruity 23802 (XD) 750 ml $55.95 2
Great energy and freshness. An abundance of freshly cut flowers, raspberry and dried mushroom. 97 points (jamessuckling.com) Full-bodied & Firm 14762 (XD) 750 ml $79.95 3
STAETE LANDT JOSEPHINE CHARDONNAY 2023 Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand, sustainable
BLANDY’S DUKE OF CLARENCE RICH MADEIRA DOC, Portugal
NATASHA WILLIAMS LELIE VAN SARON CHARDONNAY 2022 WO Upper Hemel & Aarde Valley, South Africa, sustainable Detailed with heft and finesse. Citrus, marmalade and good vibrancy. Will drink for 10+ years from vintage. 94 points ( Platter’s South African Wine Guide ) Full-bodied & Rich 41866 (XD) 750 ml $39.95 2 New at Vintages
Ripe, sweet nose of caramel apple, peanut shell, orange pekoe tea and charred wood. Sweet, smooth palate. 89 points (David Lawrason, winealign.com) Sweet 578682 (S) 750 ml $29.95 2
Citrus, peach, apple, and a flinty minerality. Complex, taut and fresh. Drink through 2029. 93 points (Cameron Douglas, MS, camdouglasms.com) Full-bodied & Rich 332494 (XD) 750 ml $34.95 2
DESCENDIENTES DE J. PALACIOS VINO DE VILLA CORULLÓN 2022 DO Bierzo, Spain Aromatic and floral, with generous ripe fruit. Balanced, fresh and poised. Drink through 2034. 96 points (Luis Gutiérrez,
LUSTAU EAST INDIA SOLERA SHERRY DO, Spain, Cream Sherry Smooth, deep, rich, complex character, with notes of raisins, toasted nuts, and crème brûlée. 95 points (nataliemaclean.com) Sweet 342931 (S) 500 ml $28.95 2
NIVARIUS EDICIÓN LIMITADA BLANCO 2019 DOCa Rioja, Spain
Oak is woven into the smooth palate seam lessly. Marked acidity and a long, nutty finish. 95 points (Decanter World Wine Awards) Full-bodied & Rich 15591 (XD) 750 ml $29.95 2
robertparker.com) Full-bodied & Smooth 154435 4 Organic product
$68.95 2
(XD) 750 ml
FOR COMPLETE TASTING NOTES, SEE PAGES 35 TO 54.
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SHOP LCBO.COM OR THESE FLAGSHIP STORES: TORONTO / Summerhill & Yonge • Queens Quay & Cooper St. • Laird Dr. south of Eglinton • Bloor & Royal York Rd. • Bayview Village • Avenue Rd. south of Wilson • Bay & Bloor • Spadina & Front • Dupont & Spadina OAKVILLE / Cornwall Dr. & Trafalgar Rd. WOODBRIDGE / Hwy. 7 & Weston Rd. COLLINGWOOD / First & Pine OTTAWA / Rideau St. & King Edward • Woodroffe & Carling ORLEANS / Innes & Tenth Line HAWKESBURY / Hwy. 17 & Tupper St.
The Vintages section at LCBO’s Queens Quay flagship store (15 Cooper St.).
EL ENEMIGO EL BARRANCO SINGLE VINEYARD BONARDA 2021 Mendoza, Argentina 95 points (Zekun Shuai, jamessuckling.com) Full-bodied & Firm 42760 (XD) 750 ml $26.95 2 New at Vintages
CELLIER DES SAINT-ETIENNE MOULIN-À-VENT 2022 AOC, Beaujolais, France Gold (Concours des Vins Macon) Medium-bodied & Fruity 42029 (XD) 750 ml
ALTA MORA ETNA BIANCO 2022 DOC Etna, Sicily, Italy, sustainable (Cusumano) 93 points (jamessuckling.com) Light & Crisp 545103 (XD) 750 ml CASTELLO DI GABBIANO BELLEZZA GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2018 DOCG, Tuscany, Italy 94 points (jamessuckling.com) Full-bodied & Firm 652438 (XD) 750 ml $59.95 2 $28.95 2
$24.95 1
New at Vintages
DOMAINE VOARICK GIVRY BLANC 2020 AOC, Burgundy, France (Domaines de la Famille Picard) Full-bodied & Rich 43747 (XD) 750 ml $52.95 2 New at Vintages
MAJELLA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 Coonawarra, South Australia 95 points (Shanteh Wale, winecompanion.com.au) Full-bodied & Firm 301531 (XD) 750 ml
$30.95 2
OLIVIER COSTE OLD STAR CARIGNAN NOIR 2022 IGP Pays d’Oc, Languedoc, France 88 points (jamessuckling.com) Medium-bodied & Fruity 44211 (XD) 750 ml
TARRAS CENTRAL OTAGO PINOT NOIR 2020
Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand 95 points (Sam Kim, wineorbit.co.nz) Medium-bodied & Fruity 43605 (XD) 750 ml $37.95 2 New at Vintages
NEPENTHE PINNACLE GRÜNER VELTLINER 2020 Adelaide Hills, South Australia, vegan 91 points (Decanter World Wine Awards) Light & Crisp 41793 (XD) 750 ml ROB DOLAN BLACK LABEL FOUR + ONE 2019 Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia 91 points (Ned Goodwin, MW, jamessuckling.com) Medium-bodied & Fruity 41791 (XD) 750 ml New at Vintages
$20.95 1
New at Vintages
DOMAINE CHANTE CIGALE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE BLANC 2023 AOP, Rhône, France 94 points (Anna-Christina Cabrales, Wine Enthusiast ) Aromatic & Flavourful 102962 (XD) 750 ml $53.95 2 JEAN-LUC COLOMBO LES ABEILLES DE COLOMBO CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2023 AOC, Rhône, France 91 points (jamessuckling.com) Aromatic & Flavourful 413187 (XD) 750 ml $18.95 1
GARZÓN SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023
$23.95 1
Maldonado, Uruguay Aromatic & Flavourful 45926 New at Vintages
$40.95 2
(XD) 750 ml
GARZÓN SINGLE VINEYARD TANNAT 2022 Garzón, Uruguay 93 points (jamessuckling.com) Medium-bodied & Fruity 39013 (XD) 750 ml
$26.95 1
New at Vintages
$40.95 2
VINTAGES 33
THE NEW RELEASE COLLECTION
PRODUCT NOTES
SAKE
KAMIKOKORO MOMO PEACH FLAVOURED SAKE Okayama Prefecture, Japan From the Okayama Prefecture, which has an excellent reputation for the quality of its peaches, this sake has a cloudy appearance, so gently tip the bottle up and down a few times to mix all the components – no need to shake vigorously. Enjoy the fresh, juicy, gorgeous peach notes chilled on the rocks or in a cocktail such as a winter rose. 456624 (S) 500 ml $24.95 1
WANT TO SHOP CANADIAN? 6 Look for this icon to support products that are made in Canada. DRINKABILITY INDEX This index is intended as a guideline and reflects the collective view of our purchasing panel. 1 DRINK NOW: Enjoy tonight. There is no benefit to cellaring. 2 DRINK OR HOLD: Can be enjoyed now, but may be matured further by cellaring. 3 HOLD: This wine may be enjoyed now, but it will develop favourably under ideal cellaring conditions. SUGAR CONTENT Residual sugar content (e.g., 5 g/L ) is displayed on shelf signs and on LCBO.com. Perceived sweetness – ranging from Extra Dry to Sweet or XD , D , M , MS , S – is printed in this catalogue, on shelf signs and online. Please discuss specifics with a Product Consultant. WINE STYLES Every wine in this section includes a style (e.g. Full-bodied & Smooth, Aromatic & Flavourful) designed to help you quickly and easily choose products. ORGANIC PRODUCTS Wines designated as organic 4 contain 30 mg/L or less of free sulphur for dry wines (<50 g/L sugar); 35 mg/L or less for sweeter wines (50-99 g/L sugar); 45 mg/L or less for sweet wines (>99 g/L sugar). ALCOHOL CONTENT The alcohol/volume content for any product released by Vintages is available online. Visit LCBO.com/vintages and enter the product number into the search field. Products in this catalogue are available in stores and online in limited quantities. All reviews, scores, prices and content in this catalogue are accurate and current at time of printing. Prices are subject to change without notice. For up-to-date prices, visit LCBO.com/vintages. All prices include applicable container deposit and HST. Vintages cannot assume responsibility for typographical errors in this catalogue.
MORIATA RAN DAIGINJO SAKE Aichi Prefecture, Japan
“Daiginjo” designates this as an ultra-premium sake, one that has been produced with rice polished to 50%. A small amount of alcohol is also added to Daiginjo sakes to elevate their aromatic character. This one is fresh and fragrant, with notable ripe apple and pear. Chill and pair with seafood or vegan tempura. 45602 (M) 720 ml $26.95 1
OZEKI ONE CUP JUNMAI SAKE Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
Single-serving “one cup” sakes were introduced in Japan in 1964 for the Tokyo Olympics and are now a staple on shelves throughout the country, but have only recently gained traction here. Ozeki is the original; the brand that started it all. This floral, earthy sake can be enjoyed chilled or at room temperature and will pair with seafood or fried- tofu dishes. 40141 (D) 180 ml $4.95 1
34 VINTAGES SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2025
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FORTIFIED WINE PORT CROFT RESERVE TAWNY PORT DOP, Portugal
SHERRY LUSTAU EAST INDIA SOLERA SHERRY DO, Spain, Cream Sherry The dessert wine gained a smooth, deep, rich, complex character that blended raisins, toasted nuts and crème brûlée. Pair this with pudding, crème brûlée and hard cheeses. Drink: 2023-2030. Score: 95 (nataliemaclean.com, Jan. 21, 2023) Sweet 342931 (S) 500 ml $28.95 2 Online & Flagship Exclusive
Fine and fragrant, mature, nutty, indeed quite a mature and complex tawny without age designation, with nice tannic grip and complex treacly/nutty/ caramelized flavours. The palate is sweet, but pleasant bitterness pulls things back into balance. Very good length. Tasted January 2022. Score: 91 (John Szabo, MS, winealign.com) Sweet 538983 (S) 750 ml $19.95 1
LUSTAU PAPIRUSA MANZANILLA DOP Jerez-Xérès-Sherry, Solera Reserva, Spain
MADEIRA BLANDY’S DUKE OF CLARENCE RICH MADEIRA DOC, Portugal
... Pedro Ballesteros Torres MW: Intensely nutty, with elegant, dry lemon hints. Rich but balanced expression, open and persistent finish. Lovely, archetypal manzanilla. Sarah Jane Evans MW: Mid-gold. Smoky and toasty on the nose. Palate is satisfying, full and spicy with a typically clean, long finish. Ripe apple fruit lies underneath and there’s a delicate, smoky saline charm. Moving to a fino style rather than the delicacy of a manzanilla, showing more texture ... Score: 95 (Panel, decanter.com, Feb. 8, 2020) Dry 43307 (XD) 750 ml $24.95 1 CAVE SPRING SELECT LATE HARVEST RIESLING 2023 6 VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario An earthy wet slate aroma is surrounded by notes of ripe Anjou pears and lavender. While this late harvest gem might be filled with thick lemon syrup, candied ginger and pineapple flavors, there’s plenty of acidity to keep things from becoming cloying. Score: 93 (Michael Alberty, Wine Enthusi ast , March 1, 2025) Lusciously Sweet 415901 (S) 375 ml $29.95 2 Featured in We’re All In On Ontario DESSERT WINE
This pours pale tawny-brown with the yellow rim of old wine. It has a ripe, sweet nose of caramel apple, peanut shell, orange pekoe tea and charred wood. It is medium-full, quite sweet, smooth and hot on the palate. Considerable burn on the finish. The length is excellent. Tasted January 2018. Score: 89 (David Lawrason, winealign.com) Sweet 578682 (S) 750 ml $29.95 2 Online & Flagship Exclusive
EUROPEAN FORTIFIED MURAL DE FAVAIOS MOSCATEL DOC Douro, Portugal
Crafted from 100% Moscatel Galego and aged for three years in oak barrels, this wine offers complex notions of orange blossom, citrus zest, and dried fruit. Pair with desserts featuring fresh or dried fruit or egg custard. Sweet 43526 (S) 750 ml $14.95 2
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2025 VINTAGES 35
THE NEW RELEASE COLLECTION
ICEWINE
SPARKLING WINE
INNISKILLIN NIAGARA ESTATE CABERNET FRANC ICEWINE 2023 6 VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario Exquisitely concentrated, with vibrant red rasp- berry and crushed strawberry notes. The rich, focused palate is perfectly balanced by a subtle leafy character, adding depth and complexity to this exceptional wine. Score: 95 (International Wine Challenge, 2025) Lusciously Sweet 149963 (S) 200 ml $59.95 2 Featured in We’re All In On Ontario
KEW BLANC DE NOIRS 2020 6 VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, traditional method 100% Pinot Noir. Crunchy red apples, yellow plums and citrus bound effortlessly across the delicate mousse and melting acidity, with a lush toasty note and crisp mineral finish. Score: 96 (Decanter World Wine Awards, 2024) Medium-bodied & Flavourful 380030 (XD) 750 ml $32.95 2 Featured in We’re All In On Ontario
CHAMPAGNE
DELAVENNE DOM BASLE BRUT RÉSERVE GRAND CRU CHAMPAGNE AOC, France
MAGNOTTA VENTURE SERIES STARLIGHT SPARKLING RIESLING/VIDAL 6 VQA Ontario, Charmat method A 50/50 blend of Riesling and Vidal that offers abundant peach, apple and citrus. Balanced and zesty, with excellent freshness and drive. A versatile, food-friendly wine that will pair well with spicy seafood or medium cheeses. Light & Fruity 582098 (M) 750 ml $29.95 1 Featured in We’re All In On Ontario
A fantastic example, with a vivacious nose. Very complex and deep, with some ripe fruit, freshly toasted and buttered brioche, and apricot pie, plus intense floral aromas creating a fantastic composi tion. It is autolytic and well developed, with a long, mineral finish. Score: 95 (Panel, International Wine & Spirit Competition, 2019) Rich & Complex 45449 (XD) 750 ml $69.95 2
KRONE CUVÉE CAP CLASSIQUE BRUT ROSÉ CUVÉE SPARKLING 2022 WO Western Cape, South Africa, traditional method (Twee Jonge Gezellen) A fresh and pretty rosé sparkling wine that has notes of biscuits, raspberries and apples on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with fine bubbles and a refreshing, balanced finish. Pinot noir and chardonnay. Drink now [through 2026]. Score: 90 (Claire Nesbitt, jamessuckling.com, Aug. 7, 2024) Medium-bodied & Flavourful 130047 (XD) 750 ml $21.95 1
VIEILLE FRANCE BRUT BLANC DE BLANCS CHAMPAGNE AOC, France
Beguiling aromatics of nectarine, white peach and apple crumble. The palate has a really impressive core of grilled nuts, focaccia and white flowers with an extremely persistent, nutty finish. Score: 96 (International Wine Challenge, 2022) Rich & Complex 45271 (XD) 750 ml $91.95 2 Online & Flagship Exclusive
36 VINTAGES SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2025
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JULIEN BARTHAZAC BRUT CRÉMANT DE BORDEAUX AOC, Bordeaux, France, traditional method
HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2023 6 VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment, sustainable Burnt orange peel, peaches, slightly flinty on the nose. Delicate palate with high-toned acids, lemon peel, creaminess and a toasty length. Score: 90 (Decanter World Wine Awards, 2025) Full-bodied & Rich 616466 (XD) 750 ml $34.95 2 Featured in We’re All In On Ontario
53% Sémillon, 42% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc. Bright and rounded, showing citrus peel, white stone fruits, honeydew melon and lovely elderflower perfume framed by minerals. Score: 90 (Decanter
World Wine Awards, 2019) Medium-bodied & Flavourful 42128 (XD) 750 ml
$19.95 2
JANARE Q BRUT FALANGHINA SPARKLING Italy (La Guardiense)
DOMAINE LE CLOS JORDANNE JORDAN VILLAGE CHARDONNAY 2022 6 VQA Niagara Peninsula Herbal, citrus, light toast aromas. Oak well matched with concentrated fruit – melon and papaya at the core. Score: 90 (Decanter World
A fruity sparkling with aromas of pear blossom, white peach and sliced apple. Rounded, weighty and lightly honeyed on the palate with soft, silky bubbles. Drink now. Score: 90 (jamessuckling.com, April 1, 2021) Medium-bodied & Flavourful 45390 (D) 750 ml $17.95 1 Online & Flagship Exclusive
Wine Awards, 2025) Full-bodied & Rich 20455
(XD) 750 ml $30.00 2 Featured in We’re All In On Ontario
CANADA – WHITE WINE ONTARIO
CAVE SPRING ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2023 6
LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS CHARDONNAY 2021 6 VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment At first, this wine is steely and unyielding. With some glass swirling, a beautiful aromatic tapestry of French lemon-scented laundry powder, oak spice and melon wrapped in Prosciutto unfurls. Then bright, juicy acidity opens the floodgates, with flavors of lemon zest, wet slate and filberts washing over the palate. Try everything you can to find this wine. Editors’ Choice. Score: 95 (Michael Alberty, Wine Enthusiast , March 1, 2025) Full-bodied & Rich 184549 (XD) 750 ml $55.00 2 Featured in We’re All In On Ontario
VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment Highly attractive on the nose, Cave Spring’s 2023 Estate Chardonnay is a marvel of balance and freshness, with very delicate barrel influence and the merest hint of yeasty-lees, featuring instead bright, fresh citrus and apple, pear and lemon yoghurt flavours with above average depth and flavour density, also length. Really an excellent value, drinking well now, comfortable surely in the cellar into the late ’20s or early ’30s. Tasted March 2025. Score: 91 (John Szabo, MS, winealign.com) Full-bodied & Rich 256552 (XD) 750 ml $21.95 2 Featured as our Wine of the Month and in We’re All In On Ontario
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2025 VINTAGES 37
THE NEW RELEASE COLLECTION
CANADA – WHITE WINE CONT’D ONTARIO TAWSE SKETCHES RIESLING 2022 6 VQA Niagara Peninsula Clean, crisp, and classic, the Sketches riesling offers flavours of ripe peaches, apples, and apricots, alongside a faint, shower curtain-adjacent aroma. There is sweetness here for sure, but it is balanced by tart acidity. I would drink this riesling over the next couple of years, perhaps paired with sweet and spicy sauces, something along the lines of Thai, Laotian, and Indian curries. Tasted June 2024. Score: 90 (Megha Jandhyala, winealign.com) Aromatic & Flavourful 89029 (M) 750 ml $19.95 1 Featured in We’re All In On Ontario THE TRAGICALLY HIP AHEAD BY A CENTURY CHARDONNAY 2022 6 VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula (Stoney Ridge Estate Winery) First produced as part of the celebrations to mark the 20th anniversary of The Hip’s classic album Trouble at the Henhouse , this wine has been in heavy rotation at Vintages ever since. It’s rich and layered, with ripe apple, peach, lemon and pine- apple along with oak spice and vanilla. Buttery, long and fresh, it’s a wine with broad appeal. Try it with grilled chicken breasts. Full-bodied & Rich 483875 (XD) 750 ml $21.95 2 Featured in We’re All In On Ontario THIRTY BENCH STEEL POST VINEYARD SMALL LOT RIESLING 2021 6 VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, sustainable Starting to show Riesling complexity here for sure along with lots of tight crunchy orchard fruit, lime zest and a nice herbiness. Filled with tension, zest and gusto on the palate. Green mango, green apple and candied grapefruit zest are laser pure and full of life. It’s just so assertively delicious and won’t be denied. Score: 92 (Brent Muller, winealign.com) Aromatic & Flavourful 319640 (XD) 750 ml $28.95 2 Featured in We’re All In On Ontario
WESTCOTT ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2023 6 VQA Niagara Peninsula, sustainable The fruit comes from both estate vineyards ... grapes are hand-picked, whole bunch pressed, wild fermented and then aged in French oak for 10 months ... The nose shows ripe pear and yellow apples in an opulent style balanced by citrus zest and saline with butterscotch, toasty vanilla and spice. It has a creamy, buttery texture on the palate with baked pear, apple crumble, toasted almonds, lemon tart, baking spices and a luxurious finish ... Score: 92 (Rick VanSickle, winesinniagara.com, June 26, 2025) Full-bodied & Rich 424507 (XD) 750 ml $29.95 2 A Vintages Essential Featured in Good Partners CANADA – RED WINE ONTARIO BACHELDER LES VILLAGES BENCH PINOT NOIR 2023 6 VQA Niagara Escarpment ... an expressive introduction to the nuance of Niagara Escarpment Pinot Noir. The nose is lifted and inviting, with aromas of bright morello cherries, tart cranberries, and a subtle flinty edge that hints at the area’s limestone-rich soils. Smooth tannins frame flavours of rhubarb, sour cherries, and wild raspberries. A saline thread runs through, giving the wine energy and length alongside fresh acidity. It is a lovely Pinot with finesse, hinting at the precision found in Bachelder’s single-vineyard cuvées. Drink- ing window: 2025-2033. Score: 91 (Magdalena Kaiser, decanter.com, April 25, 2025) Medium-bodied & Fruity 11582 (XD) 750 ml $34.95 2 Featured in We’re All In On Ontario HENRY OF PELHAM LOST BOYS LIMITED EDITION BIN 106 BACO NOIR 2023 6 VQA Ontario Sourced from vines dating back to the Speck’s original plantings in 1984, this classic expression of an Ontario specialty is always a bold, unforgettable wine. The dark fruit, oak spice and chocolate would pair beautifully with smoked beef and roast vege- tables. Enjoy this Niagara standout through 2033+. Full-bodied & Smooth 13421 (XD) 750 ml $39.95 2 Featured in We’re All In On Ontario
38 VINTAGES SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2025
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LE CLOS JORDANNE JORDAN VILLAGE PINOT NOIR 2022 6 VQA Niagara Peninsula Le Clos Jordanne 2022 Jordan Village is a pale garnet in hue. This elegant Pinot Noir speaks of its terroir with clarity and finesse. The nose is lifted and mineral-driven, evoking wet stone, wild liquorice root, and a whisper of rhubarb. On the palate, bright, mouthwatering acidity frames a sweet-edged core of wild strawberry jam with fresh rosemary and a hint of forest floor. Fine-grained, grippy tannins provide structure and focus – a wine of precision and quiet intensity. Drinking window: 2025-2030. Score: 91 (Magdalena Kaiser, decanter.com, April 25, 2025) Medium-bodied & Fruity 33894 (XD) 750 ml $29.95 2 A Vintages Essential Featured in We’re All In On Ontario LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS PINOT NOIR 2021 6 VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment Bing cherry and vanilla aromas are joined by earthy notes of post-rain petrichor. The wine’s gossamer texture is mesmerizing, almost allowing flavors like red raspberries, coriander and orange zest to escape unnoticed. The Grand Clos is an exercise in balance and restraint, with crisp acidity and fine, grainy tannins. Editors’ Choice. Score: 94 (Michael Alberty, Wine Enthusiast , March 1, 2025) Medium-bodied & Fruity 184564 (XD) 750 ml $55.00 2 Featured in We’re All In On Ontario The excellent 2020 vintage in Niagara has been very kind to cabernet franc, a category that has done well at the National Wine Awards of Canada. This finds very good varietal purity and balance. The nose is fairly generous with raspberry and redcurrant fruit, fresh herbs and oak resin and spice. It is mid-weight, balanced and warming with firm but not austere tannin. With some age better cohesion and elegance is setting in. There is a sense of fine proportion and completeness. The length is excellent. Last tasted Sept. 2024. Score: 91 (David Lawrason, winealign.com) Medium-bodied & Fruity 284570 (XD) 750 ml $29.95 2 Featured in We’re All In On Ontario TAWSE GROWERS BLEND CABERNET FRANC 2020 6 VQA Niagara Peninsula
THE TRAGICALLY HIP FULLY COMPLETELY RESERVE RED 2022 6 VQA Niagara Peninsula (Stoney Ridge Estate Winery) This elegant, complex, fruity Bordeaux blend is brought to you by Stoney Ridge in concert with The Tragically Hip. It was aged in American and French oak and has generous, forward raspberry, currant, cherry, woodsmoke and vanilla. Enjoy it tonight with barbecued ribs or steak, or cellar through 2027+. Medium-bodied & Fruity 411595 (XD) 750 ml $24.95 2 Featured in We’re All In On Ontario WESTCOTT ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2021 6 VQA Niagara Escarpment, sustainable This is a wild fermented and barrel aged Pinot Noir sourced from both of Westcott’s sites, that sees 22 months in older French oak barriques. It shows good colour in the glass considering the vintage and has an intense nose of brambly red berries, earthy/spicy notes, a touch of anise, violets and subtle spice notes. It’s rich and savoury on the palate with ripe tannins, a touch of cedar and a melange of dark cherries, black raspberries, cassis, spice and a lifted, vibrant finish. Can cellar through 2032. Score: 92 (Rick VanSickle, winesinniagara.com, Feb. 25, 2025) Medium-bodied & Fruity 427500 (XD) 750 ml $31.95 2 Featured in Good Partners
CANADA – ROSÉ WINE ONTARIO THE TRAGICALLY HIP FLAMENCO ROSÉ 2024 6 VQA Niagara Peninsula (Stoney Ridge Estate Winery)
Made in a dry, crisp, bold, refreshing, elegant style perfect for sipping on a hot afternoon. Look for notes of strawberry, dark cherry, guava, and rose petal. A wine for charcuterie, soft cheeses, or light salmon dishes. Easygoing & Fruity 16250 (XD) 750 ml $19.95 1 Featured in We’re All In On Ontario
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2025 VINTAGES 39
THE NEW RELEASE COLLECTION
ARGENTINA – RED WINE EL ENEMIGO EL BARRANCO SINGLE VINEYARD BONARDA 2021 Mendoza
SOPHENIA KARMA MALBEC 2023 Gualtallary, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, sustainable, vegan
Pretty herb and violet aromas mingle with the blue and black berry fruit. It’s medium- to full-bodied and fruit-driven, with plenty of tension and energy. Drink now or hold. Score: 92 (Claire Nesbitt, jamessuckling.com, March 20, 2024) Full-bodied & Firm 28085 (XD) 750 ml $19.95 2
Stones, white pepper and cumin with plenty of red and blue fruit. Firm and chalky on the palate with a bright, linear finish. Succulent, long and quite weightless, with a fresh, mouthwatering quality that makes you want to drink more. Drink or hold [through mid-2030s+]. Score: 95 (Zekun Shuai, jamessuckling.com, April 16, 2024) Full-bodied & Firm 42760 (XD) 750 ml $26.95 2 Online & Flagship Exclusive
CHILE – WHITE WINE
SANTA RITA MEDALLA REAL GRAN RESERVA CHARDONNAY 2023 Valle del Limarí
INDOMABLE BLEND DE MALBEC 2021 Mendoza (Colosso Wines) 100% Malbec [sourced from four vineyard areas in Mendoza]. Perfumed and inviting, with pretty aromas of violet petal, cedar, vanilla and tobacco, then to a palate of candied cherry, strawberry jam and a lifted, bright acidity. Score: 96 (Decanter World Wine Awards, 2022) Full-bodied & Smooth 31972 (XD) 750 ml $18.95 2
A wine with creamy texture, but also acidity that traces the contours of the palate – that citrusy acidity that fuses with the ripe flavors of a white to open with shellfish au gratin. It comes from the alluvial banks of the Limarí River in northern Chile. 40% of the volume was aged in barrels for 10 months, and the rest in stainless steel tanks. Score: 92 (Patricio Tapia, guiadescorchados.cl, 2024) Full-bodied & Rich 303628 (XD) 750 ml $17.95 2 CHILE – RED WINE MIGUEL TORRES ALMADO ORGANIC RED BLEND 2020 Valle del Maule, vegan Almado is a brilliant new wine from the Torres team, sourced from an organically farmed vineyard in Huerta del Maule. Made with a highly unusual assemblage of Cot [Malbec], 30% Carignan, 8% Touriga Nacional and 6% Carmenère, it’s a refined, scented, intense blend with liquorice, violet and wet stone aromas, subtle reduction, a touch of oak and layers of bramble, plum and red cherry. Drink date: 2025-2032. Score: 95 (Tim Atkin, MW, timatkin.com, Chile Special Report 2024 ) Full-bodied & Smooth 34740 (XD) 750 ml $25.95 2 Online & Flagship Exclusive 4 Organic product
LA POSTA PIZZELLA FAMILY MALBEC 2023 Mendoza (Laura Catena) Subtle roasted spices, sour cherries, hibiscus and bramble berries. Youthful and quite lively palate with a fruity core of ripe, juicy berries and cherries. Flavorful finish. Drink now [through 2028+]. Score: 91 (jamessuckling.com, Sept. 12, 2024) Medium-bodied & Fruity 166298 (XD) 750 ml $17.95 2 Featured as our Wine of the Month
40 VINTAGES SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2025
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