Cabernet Sauvignon hits the spotlight in the March 1 LCBO Vintages Release. This robust red wine is one of the most recognized wine styles and grapes universally, and is grown in many wine producing regions around the world.
The LCBO is featuring Cabernet Sauvignon wines from a wide array of regions, including Ontario (both as a stand-alone varietal and in blends with Merlot), California (both reasonably priced Cabernets as well as those in the collector’s pricey range), Chile (always a source of great value), Australia (re-tooling its Cabernets to be less oaky, and often blended with shiraz), and France (classic Bordeaux blends as well as those from southern France).
For those who want to splurge, two benchmark Cabernet blends are found in this release: Segla, 
the second wine of the Margaux estate Chateau Rauzan-Segla in Bordeaux, both the 2006 and 2009 vintages at $57 and $67 respectively, reflecting the fact that 2009 is considered the stronger vintage for this chateaux; as well as California’s Nickel & Nickel Kelham Vineyard ($119), long considered one of Napa Valley’s cult Cabernets.
However, my focus continues to be in finding the great values for you, whether it’s a bargain-priced Bordeaux like Chateau Pey La Tour Reserve 2009 or my best value red wines from the entire release, such as the incredible value in Santa Rita Medalla Real Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from Chile ($17.95) and Finca Sophenia Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 from Argentina ($17).
Dry Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California. Lovely balance with classic cassis and blackberry aromas in this California Cabernet. Plush, mouth-watering and celebratory. Great dinner… Dry Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Review and Rating.
This is just a sampling of my wine ratings, the most quoted Canadian source of reviews in the Vintages Magazine. I’ll be posting the rest soon.
In the meantime, you can see my wine reviews for February 15.
You can also add my wine picks to their custom shopping list with one click and access that list on their smartphone. This is one of the benefits of becoming a VIP Member.
Inventory stock numbers are usually posted online a day or two before the release based on the LCBO doing so.
Cabernet Sauvignon is often the lead or base wine in blends around the world, whether it’s with Merlot and Cabernet Franc in Bordeaux and Shiraz in Australia. Its success ties largely to the flavour intensity in the glass, due to the small, concentrated size of the Cabernet Sauvignon berry or grape, as well as its consistency with aromas such as blackberry, blackcurrant and cassis.
It also grows easily and robustly in many regions because Cabernet Sauvignon is not as susceptible to mold, rot and mildew as some other red wine grapes are due to its thick skin (a valuable attribute in people and wine). It ripens late in the spring conveniently missing damaging spring frosts and late into the fall to develop rich flavours.
You can learn more about about Cabernet wine styles, regions, winemaking techniques and history via the articles I’ve written as well as a Cabernet Sauvignon wine tasting video. I’m interested to hear which Cabernet Sauvignons are on your shopping list from this LCBO release, and which wine regions you think offer the best value today when it comes to Cabernet Sauvignon? In addition to my reviews of Cabernet Sauvignon wines, several others were published in the Vintages Magazine …
Mike Weir Winery Riesling 2012, V.Q.A., Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario. An extraordinary zesty white wine for the price! This Niagara riesling offers lemon sunshine with attractive petrol on the nose (trust me). Full-blown riesling with… Mike Weir Winery Riesling Review and Rating.
Delinea 300 Sokol Blosser Pinot Noir 2010, Willamette Valley, Oregon. A juicy pinot noir with bright notes of cherry fruit with fleshy field berries. Smooth and luscious with a medium to full-bodied weight. Wonderful pinot, especially… Delinea 300 Sokol Blosser Pinot Noir Review and Rating.
Posted with permission of the LCBO.
