Here's my top wine picks from the June 10 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection which is this month's collection of Online & Flagship Exclusive wines that are only available online through lcbo.com and 10 specific LCBO stores which are located in Toronto, Oakville and Ottawa. There are 43 wines included in the release and, of course, there is no theme these releases.

We begin with the red wines. From Rhône, the Gigondas is a blend of Grenache and Syrah, while the Crozes-Hermitage is crafted with 100% Syrah. From Italy, the Amarone is made with approximately 65% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, 10% Corvinone, and 5% other permitted varieties, while the Tuscan red is crafted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. From South America, the Argentine red is composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon / Cabernet Franc / Merlot and 40% Malbec, while the Chilean red is 100% País. And last, but definitely not the least, there is a lovely Shiraz from Kangaroo Island in South Australia.


Among my white wine picks, the only blend is from Portugal and it is crafted with three indigeneous varieties - Viosinho, Gouveia, and Rabigato. Single varietal wines include the Malagousia from Greece, as well as the Traminer (similar to Gewürztraminer) from Austria. It's nice to see Prince Edward County represented in this release with a pair of lovely wines crafted with Melon de Bourgogne and Chardonnay. And lastly, there is a fine Chardonnay from Sonoma in California.


There are also two fine sparkling wines in this release, both in the dry style. The 2004 Vintage Champagne is composed of 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir that was aged on its lees for 15+ years, while the sparkling wine from South Africa is crafted with 100% Chenin Blanc.


Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release!

Red Wine:

• LAS VELETAS ALMAULE 2021 - Valle del Maule, Chile (#30211) (XD) - $29.95
• SPRINGS ROAD SHIRAZ 2017 - Kangaroo Island, South Australia (#30753) (XD) - $32.95  review coming soon...
• FERRATON PÈRE & FILS LA MATINIÈRE CROZES-HERMITAGE 2020 - AP, Rhône, France (#127712) (XD) - $33.95
• ALPAMANTA BREVA BLEND 2021 - Sustainable, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina (#31978) (XD) - $41.95
• COL D'ORCIA OLMAIA SANT'ANTIMO CABERNET 2015 - DOC, Tuscany, Italy (#16668) (XD) - $63.95  93 pts  wine review
• CAVE DI PRUN RISERVA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2012 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#499889) (D) - $65.95
• FAMILLE PERRIN L'ARGNÉE VIEILLES VIGNES GIGONDAS 2020 - AC, Rhône, France (#14985) (XD) - $66.95

White Wine:

• TRÊS BAGOS RESERVA WHITE 2021 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#31185) (XD) - $22.95
• CASA DEA MELON DE BOURGOGNE 2021 - VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (#33157) (D) - $24.95  90 pts  wine review
• SALOMON UNDHOF GELBER WILDROSEN TRAMINER 2019 - DAC Kremstal, Austria (#30933) (D) - $32.95
• LIGHTHALL CHARDONNAY 2020 - VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (#25243) (XD) - $36.00
• KTIMA GEROVASSILIOU MALAGOUSIA 2022 - Old vines, PGI Epanomi, Greece (#32379) (XD) - $37.95
• ERNEST SONOMA COAST CHARDONNAY 2021 - Sonoma Coast, California, USA (#32495) (XD) - $49.95  92 pts  wine review

Sparkling Wine:

• KEN FORRESTER SPARKLEHORSE SPARKLING CHENIN BLANC 2019 - Traditional method, WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#32030) (XD) - $32.95  review coming soon...
• TARLANT CUVÉE LOUIS BRUT NATURE CHAMPAGNE 2004 - AC, France (#293811) (XD) - $179.95