LCBO Sale Wine of the Week: July 19

Julián Chivite Gran Feudo 2010 Reserva

Sale $15.95, Regular $17.95
Discount (until August 13): $2.00
LCBO #479014 | 750 mL bottle

Tastes like: Dark berries, tobacco, damp earth, savoury notes.
Pairs with: Grilled lamb, juicy burgers, empanadas, and assorted charcoal-grilled meats.
Good for: Showing off your knowledge of older wines (it’s ok to fake it).
Alcohol: 12.5%
Drink: Now.

Why we're drinking this
This is a mature wine from the 2010 vintage that retains wonderfully youthful qualities. The fruit is juicy and fresh, even as the underlying tones are more earthy and elemental. Tempranillo is the grape (one of our favourite underdog grapes) and it hails from the Navarra region of Spain, a place where tradition is being updated with modern approaches to wine that are very appealing. It’s not often you’ll find a seven year old wine for under $20 (or even $30). Note the added layers of complexity coming from the bottle and barrel aging: savoury notes playing along with the fresh fruit. Delicious.

Tasting note
Lots of fresh juiciness is tempered by delicate oak and smoky notes. Expect cherry, plum, blackberry and a bit of vanilla, plus smoke and earth. There is usually Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in this blend, adding some structure and colour. It feels like a refined yet rustic wine. It has a certain wildness, which we like. Alcohol is not too high, tannins are soft yet present, and the finish is long. Very nice.

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