Let’s fall in love with these wines
By Natalie MacLean
Caymus-Suisun The Walking Fool Red Blend 2020, Suisun Valley, California, United States (LCBO 3031, $49.95). Caymus-Suisun The Walking Fool 2020 is a deep and dark, medium-bodied red wine blend of Zinfandel and Petit Sirah fragrant with blackberry, cedar brush and some piney notes. Fresh on the palate with red berry, blackberry, spicy and flinty mineral flavours with a lingering smoky vanilla finish. Tannins are velvety. Food pairings: Cheesy pizza, pork tenderloin, veal cutlets. Alcohol: 14%. Sweetness: Dry. 750 ml. Drink: 2023–2026. Score: 92/100.
Le Mesnil Blanc De Blancs Champagne 2008, Champagne A.C., France (LCBO 514208, $145.95). Le Mesnil 2008 is a Grand Cru Blanc de Blanc; therefore made entirely from Chardonnay in the traditional Champagne method. Fresh and zesty with green apple crunch, soft citrus zest, toasted almond, butternut, biscuit and briny mineral flavours delivered on a fine bead long, luxurious and so zesty on the palate. An absolutely stunning champagne. Food pairings: Brunch dishes, creamy cheeses, salads, chips and dip. Alcohol: 12.5%. Sweetness: Dry. 750 ml. Drink: 2023–2026.Score: 92/100.
Beurton & Fils Réserve 424 Brut Champagne, Champagne A.C., France (LCBO 32413, $129.95). Beurton & Fils Réserve 424 is a rich and savoury champagne, toasty on the palate with dried orchard fruit, almond, honeyed quince and bright citrus flavours delivered on a fine and persistent mousse. Delightful, chilled on its own, or enjoy it with brunch dishes and creamy cheeses. Food pairings: Fish and chips, fried chicken, creamy cheeses. Alcohol: 12%. Sweetness: Dry. 750 ml. Drink: 2023–2030. Score: 92/100.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Cold Creek Vineyard Chardonnay 2020, Columbia Valley, Washington, United States (LCBO 32455, $44.95). Chateau Ste. Michelle Cold Creek Vineyard 2020 Chardonnay is produced from vines planted in the early 1970s in the Columbia Valley wine region in Washington. Rich and buttery on the nose and palate, this Chardonnay is lush and plushy with ripe apple, tropical fruit notes, toasty oak spice, vanilla, buttered toast and toffee flavours smooth and creamy on the palate. Very nicely done! The wine aged sur lie for more than 10 months with regular batonnage. Chill and enjoy with juicy pork chops from the grill or roast chicken. Chardonnay food pairings: lobster in butter sauce, seafood chowder, roast chicken. Alcohol: 14.5%. Sweetness: Extra Dry. 750 ml. Drink: 2023–2026. Score: 91/100.
Quails’ Gate Estate Winery Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay 2020, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A., Canada (LCBO 639641, $48.95). From the Okanagan Valley wine region in British Columbia, Quails’ Gate Stewart Family Reserve 2020 Chardonnay is vibrant with ripe apple, pear, buttered toast, smoky spices and showing flinty mineral notes silky-smooth and long on the palate. Grapes were whole-cluster pressed and fermented in new and previous-use French oak barrels for 11 months and was then left to age on its lees with some bâtonnage. Top-notch, generous and elegant, this gorgeous Chardonnay is textured with a subtle chalkiness and drinking beautifully now. Food pairings: Roast chicken salad or poached salmon with a caper butter sauce. Alcohol: 14.5%. Sweetness: Dry. 750 ml. Drink: 2022–2027.Score: 94/100.
Pichler-Krutzler Ried Loibenberg Wachau Riesling 2019, Wachau D.A.C., Austria (LCBO 25719), $69.95). From the Wachau wine region, Pichler-Krutzler Ried Loibenberg 2019 Riesling is fresh and lithe with liquid lemon, orange blossoms, steely and stony mineral flavours mouth-watering with food-friendly acidity. Chill and enjoy it with a traditional Austrian Hänchen-Schnitzel (Chicken Schnitzel). Drink or hold. Food pairings: Pork chops from the grill, lox and cream cheese on baguette, baked ham. Alcohol: 13.5%. Sweetness: Dry. 750 ml. Drink: 2025–2045.Score: 97/100.
Château Rouget 2018, Pomerol, Bordeaux A.C., France (LCBO 31139, $129.00). From the Pomerol, Bordeaux wine region, Château Rouget 2018 is a dry, full-bodied, rich and savoury red wine blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes from vines grown in gravel, sand and clay soils. Château Rouget is one of the oldest estates in Pomerol, with evidence that the Ancient Romans planted vines on the estate several centuries ago. The vineyards of Château Rouget are located in the northern part of the Pomerol appellation, not far from Châteaux L’Eglise Clinet, La Croix de Gay, Trotanoy and Petit Village. Lush and luxurious, look for dark berry, black raspberry, elderberry, loam, earthy mushroom, chocolate and a kiss of well-integrated oak spice flavours on this top-notch Pomerol. Food pairings: Prime rib roast, roast chicken, pheasant fricassee rabbit. Alcohol: 14.5%. Sweetness: Extra Dry. 750 ml. Drink: 2025–2037. Score: 95/100.
Benziger Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Sonoma County, California, United States (LCBO 597237, $27.95). Benziger 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is produced from biodynamically grown grapes. Dry, medium-plus-bodied and bright, the wine is fragrant with ripe dark fruits, sweet dried tobacco leaf, sous bois and mocha flavours rich, generous and polished on the palate. Lovely now or hold to 2026. Enjoy it with vegan southwestern black bean burgers. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: roast goose, meat lover’s pizza, lamb tagine. Alcohol: 14.5%. Sweetness: Dry. 750 ml. Drink: 2023–2028. Score: 93/100.
Ridge Vineyards Geyserville 2020, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States (LCBO 723072, $79.95). Ridge Geyserville 2020 is a medium-bodied and juicy red blend of Zinfandel, Carignan, Petite Sirah, Alicante Bouschet and Mataro. Supple and lushly layered with ripe dark fruit, blackberry, plum, anise, sous bois and garden herb flavours savoury and fresh on the palate. Tannins are medium. Drink or hold. Food pairings: Barbecued meats, venison steak, bison burgers. Alcohol: 14.5%. Sweetness: Extra Dry. 750 ml. Drink: 2023–2030. Score: 94/100.
Natalie MacLean offers Ontario’s most popular online wine and food pairing courses, tasting classes, expert reviews and mobile apps at nataliemaclean.com.
Natalie is the author of the new, bestselling book, Wine Witch on Fire: Rising from the Ashes of Divorce, Defamation, and Drinking Too Much.
