California wines hit the spotlight in the March 15 LCBO Vintages release, including heavy-hitter Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel wines, along with classic Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Collectors will take note that I’ve awarded one wine in this release a perfect score of 100 — it’s been 10 years since I gave out that score. (Yes, I am tough when it comes to top scores: a wine really has to earn it.)
This is just a sampling of 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 access the 58 wines that I reviewed for March 15 as a text wine list with my complete tasting notes, scores, food matches and the stock for each bottle in their closest LCBO stores.
You can also see my wine reviews for March 1. 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.
La Crema Pinot Noir 2012, Los Carneros, California. Love this silky pinot noir! It seems to get better every year. Beautiful cherries and field raspberry notes roll in first, then there’s fresh earth aromas after a spring rain followed by some baking spices and a long finish. This pinot has been one… La Crema Pinot Noir Review and Rating.
Quails’ Gate Estate Winery Chardonnay 2012, BC V.Q.A., Okanagan Valley, British Columbia. A full-bodied and generous chardonnay with layers of ripe peach and green apple flavour. Some attractive toasted almond on the finish of this BC classic white wine. The finish is scented… Quails’ Gate Estate Winery Chardonnay Review and Rating. 
Elephant Hill Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. A refreshing and mouth-watering sauvignon blanc, with clean, crisp flavours of lime and lemongrass. Medium-bodied and delightful. Works as a well-chilled… Elephant Hill Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Review and Rating. 
Farina Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2009, D.O.C.G., Veneto, Italy. This benchmark amarone offers a terrific combination of fleshy black and dark red fruit, spices and smoke. This wine is full-bodied with lots of heft yet it’s also supremely balanced and not heavy. Perfect for… Farina Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico Review and Rating. 
Henry Of Pelham Family Estate Winery Reserve Baco Noir 2011, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Ontario. Henry of Pelham does Baco Noir right: this is best of class. Brooding aromas of black and purple plum, blackberries and blueberries wrapped in smoke. Supple and… Henry Of Pelham Family Estate Winery Reserve Baco Noir Review and Rating. 
Chapel Hill Shiraz 2011, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia. Luscious black plum aromas on this Australian shiraz, with an amazing acidic zing on the palate for food. Full-bodied and supple. Perfect for diehard hedonists. This wine was designed… Chapel Hill Shiraz Review and Rating.
