Author Archives: rasiulis

RUSTENBERG PETIT VERDOT ROSÉ 2017, WO Stellenbosch, South Africa

09 Friday Nov 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: Petit Verdot
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rustenberg Wines
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This is interesting, in a good way with it being smooth, juicy & full of flavour

Positives: Beautiful rosé colour featuring cherry, strawberry, watermelon and cranberry.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple of years.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 9, 2018

LCBO: 451773

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CHÂTEAU DE VAUGELAS CORBIÈRES LE PRIEURÉ 2016, AOC, Corbières, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

08 Thursday Nov 2018

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $14.05
Grape: Carignan, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General
Country: France
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon, Corbières
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vignobles Bonfils
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

My new favourite inexpensive, well made, great quality red.

Positives: Smooth with fine tannis that is full body having lush flavour and balanced. Features dark cherry, blackberry, blueberry, raspberry, sage and vanilla.

Negatives: None

Challenge: Put this wine in a blind tasting with high end red blends, and see where it finishes in regards to peoples favourites. I would be surprised if it doesn’t finish at one of the top favourites. And this is only $14.05!

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing Buy, Top Picks

Tasted: November 8, 2018

LCBO: 361691

SOUTHBROOK WILD FERMENT CHARDONNAY 2016, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

01 Thursday Nov 2018

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines

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Cost: $40.00
Grape: Chardonnay with some Semillon
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Southbrook
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

On the expensive side, but it’s a quality Chard that comes from Southbrook, which is an organic & biodynamic winery. I highly support their effort to live in harmony with the land, and therefore willing to pay more for that.

Positives: Medium body featuring lemon, green apples, Anjou pear, white peach, and limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Southbrook is Canada’s first biodynamic winery in Canada, and I highly recommend visiting the winery.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: November 1, 2018

XAVIER VIGNON CÔTES DU RHÔNE ROSÉ 2017, Ac Côtes du Rhône, France

26 Friday Oct 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Mouvèdre, Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Côte du Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Xavier Vignon
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Delicious, smooth, elegant and with complexity. One of the best rosé for under $20

Positives: Light copper in colour featuring watermelon, strawberries, sage and rhubarb.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 2-3 years.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: October 26, 2018

LCBO: 450908

BARÓN DE LAY ROSÉ 2017, DOC Rioja, Spain

17 Monday Sep 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Tempranillo & Garnacha
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Baron De Ley
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A bold rosé that pairs nicely with grilled pork, grilled stuffed peppers or sharp cheeses

Positives: Red snapper in colour featuring notes of strawberry, blood orange, Thyme and sage.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple of years.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 25, 2018

LCBO: 117283

HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2015, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Region, Canada

17 Monday Sep 2018

Posted by in White Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended

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Cost: $29.95 (Clearance price: $21.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Short Hills Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Speck Family
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Canadian Chards that rise to the $30 or more price range need to be world class, and the Speck Family Reserve does just that.

Positives: Full body, oak driven but balanced with acidity. Yellow in colour with notes of lemon meringue, green and golden apple, pear, crème brûlée, butter popcorn

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Normally, these full body, buttery Chards are usually high in alcohol (14% to 14.5&), but this one is does all the beautiful things and stays at 13.5%.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: August 25, 2018

LCBO: 616466

VILLA PUCCINI CHIANTI RISERVA 2014, DOCG Chianti, Tuscany, Italy

17 Monday Sep 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Sangiovese
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Chianti, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Michele Puccini
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Great value Chianti Riserva that is smooth and juicy.

Positives: Sour cherry, raspberry, nutmeg, cinnamon, oregano and violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Serve at 16 – 18 C

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-4 of years.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Sept 17, 2018

LCBO: 573519

COLUMBIA VALLEY CHARDONNAY 2014, Columbia Valley, Washington State, United States

03 Tuesday Oct 2017

Posted by in White Wines

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Cost: $18.95 (Clearance price: $13.30)
Grape: 91% Chardonnay, 5% Pinot Gris, 2% Viognier, 2% other white
Category: Chardonnay Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington State
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Columbia Winery
Alcohol: 13.8% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice commercial Chard that will please many

Description: Gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, buttered toast, lemon, peach, pineapple, mango & vanilla. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-4 of years on its own or pair it with Creole Shrimp and Buttered Creamed Corn.

Tasted: 23 September 2017

Best Buy at Clearance Price

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Clearance price: 9/10) Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 462804

CELLER EL MASROIG LES SORTS SYCAR 2013, DO Montsant

03 Tuesday Oct 2017

Posted by in Red Wines

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Cost: $21.95 (Clearance price: $15.40)
Grape: Carignan, Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Montsant
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Celler Masboig
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Fruity with spice & easy drinking

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, all spice, leather, black & white pepper and violets on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A touch hot from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: I like the minimalist black label.

Drink now or in the next 7-10 of years on its own or pair it with Braised Pork Chops with Cherry Sauce.

Tasted: 28 September 2017

Best Buy at Clearance Price

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Clearance price: 9.5/10) Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 481390

G. MARQUIS THE SILVER LINE CHARDONNAY 2014, VQA Niagara-On-The-Lake, Niagara, Ontario, Canada

03 Tuesday Oct 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, White Wines

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-On-The-Lake, Niagara, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Nicely balanced, oak influenced, cool climate Ontario Chard

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, pear, cantaloupe, ginger and oak spice. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Similar Niagara Chards of this style sell for $19.95, Magnotta’s G. Marquis winery Chard price is $2 less.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with chicken breast stuffed with cheddar cheese & broccoli.

Tasted: 24 Aug 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 17.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 258681