FINE WINE YOU CAN ONLY GET ONLINE
Sure, you can buy wine online now at LCBO.com — that’s old news. But did you know the LCBO also offers a huge number of wines exclusively online — to the tune of 2,000? It’s true. It’s a bit of a treasure trove with small lots of exciting bottles. I went
2015 Pascal Jolivet, Le Roc Sancerre, France (LCBO 360932, $283.80/ six-bottle case at LCBO.com)
With one sniff, aromas of grapefruit peel, iron, bitter orange, gentle lilac and a certain crushed stone powderiness come into focus. Then, the wine swathes the palate with mouthcoating richness shot through with electric acidity that tastes cool and steely before focusing back to the same allusions found on the nose — grapefruit and bitter orange zest, lilacs and stones. Terrific intensity, purity and tension.
Score: 91
2015 Greco di Tufo “Oltre” DOCG, Campania, Italy (LCBO 329051, $261/12-bottle case at LCBO.com)
Fetching but discreet aromas of Mirabelle plum and custard, sea spray and green olive, lead and salted lemons play on the nose and echo on the palate upon entry. But the real thrill comes after the swallow when the wine seems to expand with a foghorn of flavour — a roar of bitter olive, grapefruit, green apple and rubbed dried herb rises, arcs and tapers to a long, briny-olive-and-stone finish. An artful expression of an undersung yet truly classic Italian wine style. Little wonder this bottle won gold at the 2017 International Wine Challenge — one of the most prestigious wine competitions in the world.
Score: 95
2013 Domaine Ferret Pouilly-Fuissé “Les Ménétrieres,” Burgundy, France (LCBO 168210, $472.20/sixbottle case at LCBO.com)
This bottle is the type that’s sure to enchant every level of white wine lover, from the newbie to seasoned aficionado. Swirling scents of fresh lemon curd on warm toast lead to a gratifyingly opulent mouth feel and unravelling flavours of baked custard, baked apple, toffee, roasted almond, gun smoke, freshly churned butter, praline, figs and white pepper. This complex, concentrated and long white Burgundy offers a charming combination of sophistication and accessibility.
Score: 92
2010 de Trafford Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch, South Africa (LCBO 269133, $291.90/six-bottle case at LCBO.com)
Tightly stitched flavours of pipe tobacco, plum puree, blueberry pie, mocha and warm cedar weave through the plunging, rich core of cassis, black cherries and macerated mixed berries. New World Cabernet Sauvignon lovers will appreciate the forward intensity and open-handed generosity of flavour here. At about seven years old, this lush red is drinking beautifully now, but will certainly reward patience if you choose to cellar it.
Score: 91
2015 Creation Pinot Noir, Hemel-enAarde, South Africa (LCBO 244425, $219/six-bottle case at LCBO.com)
This full-bodied, relatively robust style of Pinot Noir is fragrant and juicy with brooding depth and a lingering aftertaste. Smoky violet aromas give way to flavours of violet, red plum, raspberry, warm mood, caramelized meat juices that lead to a long tugging black olive and smoked blackberry note on the finish. Stylish Pinot Noir for the money.
Score: 90