December Classics Collection - Order today
| Product Name | LCBO# | Region | Score | mL | $/btl. | Qty. Avail. | Qty |
| Argentina |
Catena Zapata Argentino Malbec 2017
Catena Zapata Argentino Malbec 2017In wooden gift box, Mendoza 0017179 (XD) 14% Alc./Vol. 1500 mL $272.00 per btl TASTING NOTE : Lots of blackberry and blueberry aromas with licorice, too. Extremely aromatic. Full-bodied, layered and deep. Superb richness and balance, at the same time. Really great. Drink or hold. Score - 97. (James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, March 27, 2019)
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0017179
| Mendoza | 97 (JS) | 1500 | $272.00 | 0 |
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Imperfecto 2012
Imperfecto 2012Uco Valley 0516914 (XD) 14% Alc./Vol. 750 mL $54.00 per btl TASTING NOTE : Pi first made the Iscay Cabernet Franc and Malbec blend in 2008, and his affinity for this partnership shows in his personal label. Fleshy black fruit notes, peppery spice and a long, rolling finish. Drinking window: 2018-2025. Score - 95. (Amanda Barnes, decanter.com, June 16, 2018)
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0516914
| Mendoza | 95 (DEC) | 750 | $54.00 | 0 |
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| Australia |
Brokenwood Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz 2017
Brokenwood Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz 2017Hunter Valley, New South Wales 0658468 (XD) 12% Alc./Vol. 750 mL $235.00 per btl TASTING NOTE : One of Australia's icons. The decision not to use any new French oak, and to limit the alcohol to 13.5%, has resulted in a wine with a unique sense of place. It is also superbly balanced, dark fruits married to superfine tannins - another feature of a classic Hunter shiraz. Special Value. Drink by: 2052. Listed on the Wine Companion Top 100 of 2019. Score - 99. (James Halliday, winecompanion.com.au, Nov. 1, 2019)
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0658468
| New South Wales | 99 (AWC) | 750 | $235.00 | 0 |
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By Farr Farrside Pinot Noir 2016
By Farr Farrside Pinot Noir 2016Geelong, Victoria 0392829 (XD) 14% Alc./Vol. 750 mL $86.00 per btl TASTING NOTE : Here 40-50% of the grapes are destemmed, the remainder left as whole bunches, and this increases complexity with its foresty, gamey (in the good sense), spicy overlay to the black cherry and plum fruit. The outstanding feature of the wine is its weight, suspended by some magic just above the palate - you sense it rather than taste it. Cork. To: 2031. Score - 96. (James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion, 2019)
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0392829
| Victoria | 96 (HWC) | 750 | $86.00 | 0 |
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By Farr Tout Près Pinot Noir 2016
By Farr Tout Près Pinot Noir 2016Geelong, Victoria 0014982 (XD) 14% Alc./Vol. 750 mL $110.00 per btl TASTING NOTE : The more elevated of the sites, with plenty of limestone, ironstone and loam serving as the chassis to volcanic, gravel and iron strand bodywork. The vines are dense, echoing Burgundy. While the other wines in the swag incorporate a generous seasoning of whole-bunch, this is 100% non-destemmed. This is a wine of a spicy, root spice-chinotto astringency meshed to a chiaroscuro of lighter, darker and exotic fruit references. Edgy, spiky and of compelling depth. The least showy, yet the depth and intensity augur for a wonderful future. Drink by: 2028. Score - 96. (Ned Goodwin, winecompanion.com.au, Aug. 1, 2019)
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0014982
| Victoria | 96 (AWC) | 750 | $110.00 | 0 |
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Lake Breeze Arthur's Reserve 2016
Lake Breeze Arthur's Reserve 2016Langhorne Creek, South Australia 0017248 (XD) 14% Alc./Vol. 750 mL $64.00 per btl TASTING NOTE : An estate-grown 88/7/5% blend. It is such an elegant wine, the purity of the cabernet sauvignon (the other bits and pieces don't count) is smashing, as is the structure ex superfine tannins and oak. Special Value. Drink by: 2041. Score - 97. (James Halliday, winecompanion.com.au, Aug. 1, 2019)
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0017248
| South Australia | 97 (AWC) | 750 | $64.00 | 0 |
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Penfolds Bin 311 Tumbarumba Chardonnay 2018
Penfolds Bin 311 Tumbarumba Chardonnay 2018New South Wales 0468835 (XD) 14% Alc./Vol. 750 mL $50.00 per btl TASTING NOTE : This moves into refined and very striking style with a wealth of lemons, white peaches and nectarines on offer, as well as nicely curated hazelnut-oak. The smoothly honed palate has deep-set peach flavors and a succulent, cool-mineral and grapefruit finish. The finest Bin 311 to date. Score - 95. (James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, Aug. 6, 2019)
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0468835
| New South Wales | 95 (JS) | 750 | $50.00 | 0 |
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Schild Estate Pramie Shiraz 2016
Schild Estate Pramie Shiraz 2016Barossa Valley, South Australia 0014980 (XD) 14% Alc./Vol. 750 mL $54.00 per btl TASTING NOTE : Vines planted '00, hand-picked and bunch-sorted, open-fermented, 4-day cold soak, 12-day ferment, some further maceration post-ferment, standard Schild schedule of oak handling. Intense, focused black fruit, licorice and bitter chocolate. The tannins are balanced, even though they are quite firm. Drink by: 2041. Score - 96. (James Halliday, winecompanion.com.au, Aug. 1, 2019)
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0014980
| South Australia | 96 (AWC) | 750 | $54.00 | 0 |
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Two Hands Menglers Hill Yacca Block Shiraz 2016
Two Hands Menglers Hill Yacca Block Shiraz 2016Single vineyard, Eden Valley, South Australia 0014986 (XD) 14% Alc./Vol. 750 mL $106.00 per btl TASTING NOTE : Wild blueberry and orange zest notes are effusive and precise, with details of Earl Grey tea, clove, spearmint and dark chocolate that gain momentum on the finish. The tannins are dense, polished and velvety, the details lingering effortlessly. Drink now through 2035. Score - 94. (MaryAnn Worobiec, winespectator.com, April 30, 2019)
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0014986
| South Australia | 94 (WS) | 750 | $106.00 | 0 |
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| Canada |
Reif Estate First Growth Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Reif Estate First Growth Cabernet Sauvignon 2016VQA Niagara River, Niagara-on-the-Lake 0017500 (XD) 14% Alc./Vol. 750 mL $100.00 per btl TASTING NOTE : The fruit was hand-harvested from the Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard block planted in 1989 in the Niagara River sub-app and thinned to a restricted 2 tonnes per acre. After fermentation was complete the wine moved into new French and new Hungarian oak barrels where the wine completed malolactic fermentation and aged for 30 months. It has a powerful and seductive nose of ripe black currants, blackberries, plums, cassis, graphite, sandalwood, mocha, leather and wonderful spice aromas. All that carries to the palate and more, with an array of dark berries including concentrated currants and cassis with kirsch, rich spice notes, polished tannins and complex layers of ripe fruit that all lead to a long, energetic finish. This wine was delicious when opened for the initial tasting, but was improved greatly a day later. I suggest it will improve for 10 years plus in your cellar. The best Cabernet Sauvingon I have tasted from Niagara. Score - 94. (Rick VanSickle, winesinniagara.com, Nov. 4, 2019)
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0017500
| Ontario | 94 (WN) | 750 | $100.00 | 0 |
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| Chile |
De Martino Tres Volcanes Chardonnay 2017
De Martino Tres Volcanes Chardonnay 2017Single vineyard, Malleco Valley 0017174 (XD) 14% Alc./Vol. 750 mL $48.00 per btl TASTING NOTE : Tres Volcanes comes from the Lonquimay, Tolhuaca, and Sierra Nevada Volcanoes that can be seen from the Traiguén Vineyard where De Martino obtains these grapes. Planted 5 years ago on hills with clay soils, the aromas of this chardonnay are lush and tropical with hints of spices. Although broad and robust on the palate, it has delicious, juicy acidity and tension that contrasts with the initial aromas. A young wine that's already showing the zone's character, breadth, and minerality. Score - 94. (guiadescorchados.cl, 2019)
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0017174
| Malleco Valley | 94 (GD) | 750 | $48.00 | 0 |
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Le Dix de Los Vascos 2016
Le Dix de Los Vascos 2016Colchagua Valley 0105106 (XD) 14% Alc./Vol. 750 mL $73.00 per btl TASTING NOTE : Le Dix comes from a selection of the oldest vines on the estate, in the El Fraile Vineyard, planted 75 years ago on the rocky clay soils of Peralillo. According to winemaker Marcelo Gallardo, his work with this wine has focused on decreasing the influence of oak and allowing the fruit (harvested earlier) to show itself more clearly. This wine is deliciously tense and juicy, shaped by tannins that are polished yet sharp and acidity that takes charge of highlighting the fruit, while the oak remains in the background, adding complexity. This is a medium-bodied wine. It's not a 'big' wine, but it is long, and it extends over the palate with its fruity, herbal flavors. Le Dix (which means 10 in French) is Los Vascos' flagship wine in Chile. It made its debut with the 1986 vintage as a means of commemorating the tenth anniversary of Lafite's arrival in the country as the first French venture on Chilean soil. Score - 96. (guiadescorchados.cl, 2020)
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0105106
| Colchagua Valley | 96 (GD) | 750 | $73.00 | 0 |
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| France |
Château Langoa Barton 2006
Château Langoa Barton 20063e cru, AC Saint-Julien 0903344 (XD) 12% Alc./Vol. 750 mL $165.00 per btl TASTING NOTE : Tasted at Bordeaux Index's annual 10-Year On tasting in London. The 2006 Château Langoa Barton has a lifted nose of small dark cherries, blackberry, incense and marmalade - quite showy for Langoa Barton - but there is joie-de-vivre here. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, ripe and demonstrating impressive density plus a firm grip. This really coats the mouth in tannin, although it is still balanced. It just needs another 4-5 years in bottle ... Drink date: 2019-2035. Score - 91. (Neal Martin, robertparker.com, May 29, 2016)
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0903344
| Bordeaux | 91 (RP) | 750 | $165.00 | 0 |
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Château Lascombes 2010
Château Lascombes 20102er, AC Margaux 0015945 (XD) 14% Alc./Vol. 750 mL $224.00 per btl TASTING NOTE : The wine hits all cylinders in 2010. The average alcohol for the bottled wine is 14%. It has a gorgeously sweet nose of creme de cassis, spring flowers, subtle barbecue smoke and charcoal followed by full body, beautiful intensity, great purity, stature and length. The influence of any oak is minimal, despite the fact that 90% new French oak was used. Needless to say, this is an example of modern-styled winemaking at its finest, and arguments that such wines will not age well, do not represent their terroir, and are soul-less, are totally groundless. Give it five or so years of cellaring and drink it over the following 25-30 years. This is one of the great Margaux wines of the vintage. Drink date: 2018-2048. Score - 96. (robertparker.com, Feb. 27, 2013)
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0015945
| Bordeaux | 96 (RP) | 750 | $224.00 | 0 |
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Château Prieure Lichine 2015
Château Prieure Lichine 20154e cru, AC Margaux 0015953 (XD) 14% Alc./Vol. 750 mL $110.00 per btl TASTING NOTE : Some very ripe dark-plum aromas with a wealth of sweet spices and earthy notes. The palate has an impressively rich, suave and smooth core of black fruit with a powerful palate that delivers concentrated and intense structure. This is superb Margaux. Try from 2022. Score - 96. (James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, Feb. 2, 2018)
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0015953
| Bordeaux | 96 (JS) | 750 | $110.00 | 0 |
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Clos Beauregard 2015
Clos Beauregard 2015AC Pomerol 0016242 (XD) 14% Alc./Vol. 750 mL $69.00 per btl TASTING NOTE : Aromas of dark fruits, tile, cedar, dried basil leaves, and smoked almonds. Full-bodied, tight and focused with polished tannins and a beautiful long finish. Love the texture and balance. Try it in 2021 or later. Score - 94. (jamessuckling.com, Feb. 2, 2018)
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0016242
| Bordeaux | 94 (JS) | 750 | $69.00 | 0 |
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Cristal Brut Champagne 2009
Cristal Brut Champagne 2009AC 0093062 (XD) 14% Alc./Vol. 3000 mL $3,755.00 per btl TASTING NOTE : The latest incarnation of this famous Champagne now comes from Roederer's own vineyards, a good portion of which are run on biodynamic lines. This still-young wine has great depth and richness, a beautiful balance between ripe fruit and crisp texture that make it alive, crisp and bright. As it matures, it will deepen and become even more intense. Drink now if you must, but preferably wait until 2019. Ranked #38 in Top 100 Cellar Selections of 2016. Score - 97. (Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, Dec. 1, 2016)
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0093062
| Champagne | 97 (WE) | 3000 | $3,755.00 | 0 |
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Cristal Brut Champagne 2009
Cristal Brut Champagne 2009AC 0350173 (XD) 14% Alc./Vol. 1500 mL $870.00 per btl TASTING NOTE : The latest incarnation of this famous Champagne now comes from Roederer's own vineyards, a good portion of which are run on biodynamic lines. This still-young wine has great depth and richness, a beautiful balance between ripe fruit and crisp texture that make it alive, crisp and bright. As it matures, it will deepen and become even more intense. Drink now if you must, but preferably wait until 2019. Ranked #38 in Top 100 Cellar Selections of 2016. Score - 97. (Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, Dec. 1, 2016)
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0350173
| Champagne | 97 (WE) | 1500 | $870.00 | 0 |
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Cristal Rosé Champagne 2012
Cristal Rosé Champagne 2012AC 0629600 (XD) 12% Alc./Vol. 750 mL $744.00 per btl TASTING NOTE : The 2012 Cristal Rosé is magnificent. When Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon started to move Roederer towards organically farmed fruit, he started with Cristal Rosé, Roederer's smallest production cuveé. Because of that, Cristal Rosé is the wine in this range that shows the current Roederer style in its fullest expression. Rich, vivid and crystalline in the glass, the 2012 Cristal Rosé is a Champagne of tremendous gravitas. Chalk, white flowers, sweet red berry fruit, mint and blood orange are all beautifully delineated. The 2012 is 55% Pinot from Ay and 45% Chardonnay from Mesnil and Avize. The Pinot fruit gets a 7-10 day cold soak and is then infused into the fermenting Chardonnay musts. Readers who can find the 2012 should not hesitate, as it is truly magical. Dosage is 8 grams per liter. Drinking window: 2022-2052. Score - 98+. (Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, Dec. 2019)
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0629600
| Champagne | 98+ (VIN) | 750 | $744.00 | 0 |
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Domaine Belleville Clos L'eveque Mercurey 1er Cru 2017
Domaine Belleville Clos L'eveque Mercurey 1er Cru 2017AC 0015950 (XD) 13% Alc./Vol. 750 mL $61.00 per btl TASTING NOTE : From clay-limestone soils that err on the side of limestone, this wine is gorgeously elegant with real power through the mid-palate, softened by a grilled caramel edge. I love this - it's serious but has grace and lightness of touch. It closes in on the finish, letting you know that it's going to exceed expectations with some ageing. 35% new oak. Drinking window 2019-2036. Score - 94. (Jane Anson, decanter.com, May 22, 2019)
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0015950
| Burgundy | 94 (DEC) | 750 | $61.00 | 0 |
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