Limited Editions - LE21

We all know the drill; five wines from December through April. Something different, something unusual, and always amazing.

Winexpert work hard to widen our horizons with new varietals, ground breaking blends and growing regions that rarely feature in Canada. This year the selection is better than ever. LEs always sell out almost immediately.  We don't ask for pre-payment, simply an expression of interest.

And they are ALL here!


DECEMBER - IN STOCK. SEE BLOG FOR FIRST REVIEW

Pinot Noir - Shiraz
Murray Darling Australia

The Region

Murray Darling, named after the two rivers that dissect the region, is one of the most recognised wine growing regions in the world. Its dry continental climate produces hot days and cool nights to enhance grape complexity. The sandy loam soils require irrigation in this dry climate , and vines receive optimum water which is reduced close to harvest to give concentrated grape flavour. The established vines work hard in these conditions to give moderate yields of healthy, well-rounded grapes that give rich, full and flavourful wines.

The Wine

LE20's Double Noir also featured Pinot Noir, but the pairing and location give a very different wine this year. Pinot Noir - Shiraz may seem unusual, but it is and established blend in France and Australia that is increasingly sought after.

Pinot Noir is known for its sour cherry, raspberry and strawberry fruit, which these flavours reach their peak in Murray Darling. However, it is the earthy and ethereal quality, and the silky tannins that set Pinot Noir apart. A unique varietal that should be experienced. Murray Darling grows Shiraz at its best. Thick skinned grapes display rich mouth-coating velvety tannins, whilst the classic flavours of black fruit, pepper and baking spice are all present, along with hints of blueberry and liquorice. Our sommelier describes this wine as satisfying, interesting and delicate with depth and resonance. There are black and red fruits, soft spices, silky tannins, those ethereal and forest floor notes of truffle and mushroom with vivacious acid. The finish is long and rich with coffee and vanilla. 

Sweetness: Dry

Body: Medium

Oak: Medium

Alcohol: 13.5% 

  

 


JANUARY - IN STOCK. SEE BLOG FOR FIRST REVIEW

Macabeo - Sauvignon Blanc, Manchuela Spain

The Region

Manchuela is well-known in Spain as the rising star of Spanish wine growing; with the region receiving increasing international attention. Vineyards are located at altitude and on the dry limestone and clay sediments of Spain's central plateau. Days are hot allowing grapes to fully ripen. Altitude and proximity to the Mediterranean and its Levante wind bring cooler nights. Slow ripening and the long growing season are perfect conditions to produce fruity fully ripe grapes with complex flavours and bright acidity.

The Wine

Macabeo is an established and widely grown Spanish varietal. It produces flavorful long-lived wines that are packed with green apple, pear and grapefruit. Sauvignon Blanc displays its tropical fruits with hints of soft white blossom, and brings delightful acidity. The wine is complex. The nose leads floral notes, citrus, and green apple and pear. Layered beneath this are white tropical fruits and guava. These flavours are beautifully expressed in the mouth with tropical fruits complimenting the green tree fruits. The wine is structured and complex with the rich fruit flavours being balance by the marked acidity. Sauvignon Blanc expresses is full character in Manchuela, whilst Macabeo brings intriguing complexity.  

Sweetness: Dry

Body: Medium

Oak: None

Alcohol: 13% 

  

 


FEBRUARY - IN STOCK
Marselan - Languedoc France

The Grape

Marse-what? It is a fair question. Marselen is Cabernet Sauvignon-Grenache cross developed in the early 1960s. This isn't a blend, it is distinct varietal that draws on the best characteristics of its parents and adds its own unique twists. Marselen is disease-resistant with firm tannins, precise acidity and excellent flavour and aroma. It failed to attract attention in the years of high production and low quality because of its small grape size. In an age where quality matters, it is receiving more and more attention. It doesn't enjoy its own shelf in the LCBO, but it will soon enough. 

The Region

The Languedoc comprises at significant area of southern France which borders the Mediterranean. Marselen was originally crossed in the region, and it at home on its limestone and clay soils. The Mediterranean climate provides warm days and cooling sea breezes at night. Complex phenolic flavours develop, to give rich, complex and layered wines.

The Wine

Marselen offers a richly coloured and powerful nose, full of concentrated black fruit, baking spice, blueberry and blackberry. On the palate fruit flavours are rich and ripe with blackberry, plum, blackcurrant and spice. Almond and toasty vanilla are clear. Somewhere hidden are currant, eucalyptus and menthol. There are firm, but not aggressive velvety tannins, and balanced acidity. This is a subtle, smooth and precise and brooding wine that is beautifully structured, and will age gracefully. This is a seductive and rich wine, that is supple and smooth. There is true depth of character.

Sweetness: Dry

Body: Medium-Full

Oak: Medium

Alcohol: 13% 

  

 


March - In Stock

Trebbiano - Riesling
Puglia & Veneto Italy

The Regions

Trebbiano is widely grown in Italy and France and is a staple of Cognac and Armagnac. Under the hot dry growing conditions of Puglia in Italy's heel it produces excellent grapes that benefit from cool sea breezes at night. Riesling is associated with Germany, Austria and the Alsace region of France, and has, of course, adapted to the new world. However, it also grown in Veneto, Italy. Although its name is associated with Venice, it has a mountainous northern region with peaks up to 10,000 feet. It is in this region, which enjoys summer sun, cool nights and a long growing season that Riesling thrives and surpasses its Germany equivalents.

The Wine

Ripe Trebbiano is packed with lemon peel, melon and green apple with a floral undertone and a suggestion of chamomile. It is fresh, crisp, clean and delicious, with yellow apple, white peach, minerality and its own vibrant acidity.  Veneto Riesling enjoys the best of both worlds. It develops the natural sweetness and phenolic complexity of ripe Riesling, but maintains its bracing acidity. What does Trebbiano-Riesling offer? It is a beautiful lemon-green wine. Its aroma displays stone fruit, citrus and lemon peel with a background of green apple and white peach. In the mouth it is soft, yet fresh and clean with a dry finish. There is minerality and acidity, but the wine remains soft and rounded. The flavours of both grapes are apparent, with a long finish of green apple and lemon peel. Normally, acidity predominates in chilled wines, whilst fruit and sweetness grows as the wine warms. Trebbiano-Riesling keeps is fruit freshness when ice cold, but still displays its acidity. Delicious.


Sweetness: Barely Off-Dry

Body: Medium

Oak: None

Alcohol: 12.5% 


  

 


APRIL - In Stock

Grenache - Carignan
Manchuela Spain

The Region

Grenache - Carignan is widely grown in the Languedoc where is produces modest wines. In small areas of the Rhone Grenache - Carignan reaches its best, and affords high prices, as Chateauneuf-du-Pape. These few locations contain 'puddingstones' that release night time heat. The grapes, and more so Carignan, require this additional warmth. Step forward Manchuela. The days are a little warmer in southern Spain. Nights are cooled by the Mediterranean and Manchuela’s elevation above sea level. This region allows Grenache and Carignan to express all their natural characteristics. Chateauneuf-du-Pape eat your heart out.

The Wine

Grenache is a full and rich grape that benefits from the grape skins in this wine which bring rich, sweet tannins. In Manchuela Grenache produces vibrant red and black fruit, and expresses amazing liquorice and spice. In Spain’s warmth Carignan reaches its full potential with black fruit, black cherry and plum that compliment the liquorice and spice round of Grenache. The two varietals work naturally together. The result is a rich, full expansive and generous wine. It is purple, almost black, in colour with rich tannins and moderate acidity. There are aromas of blackberry, spice and leather. In the mouth there is black fruit, cherry, red berry and plum. Acidity is moderate and velvety. Oak, liquorice, spice round out the wine. It is a bold wine.

Sweetness: Dry

Body: Full

Oak: Full

Alcohol: 14% 

  

 

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