Author Archives: Twilight Wines

CHÂTEAU MONCONTOUR TÊTE DE CUVÉE VOUVRAY SPARKLING WINE, NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, AOC Vouvray

24 Sunday Oct 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Chenin Blanc
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Vouvray, Loire Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau Moncontour
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Easy drinking but with complexity. This delicious Brut wine is juicy with tropical fruit notes. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Deep straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Brioche, light yeast, baked apples, mango, peach, lemon, kiwi, roasted nuts, limestone & jasmine on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This wine matures at least for 20 months in bottle after the second fermentation and before disgorgement in cool cellars carved out of the limestone cliffs beneath the Château.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Vegetables & Goat Cheese Tart.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Oct 24, 2021

LCBO: 207936

STEORRA BRUT SPARKLING NV, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, United States of America

22 Friday Oct 2021

Posted by in Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $26.95
Grape: 58% Chardonnay, 32% Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Copper Cane Wines & Provisions
Alcohol:  12.2% Alcohol/Vol.

Lots of sour notes, which is unusual for a sparkling wine, but I got used to it & in the end this isn’t a bad wine. In addition, this wine needs food to soften the sour notes. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, an intense nose, & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour dough bread, sour sop, light toast, yeast, grapefruit, lemon rind, apple, pear & honeycomb.

Negatives: Lots of sour notes

Interesting Point: This sparkling is made in the Charmat method where secondary fermentation takes place within the tanks. Winery is owned by the famous California wine maker, Joseph Wagner.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years & pair it with Hunan hot & sour chicken.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: Oct 17, 2021

LCBO: 19310

BALANCE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

21 Thursday Oct 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Recommended, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the better Ontario made Cab Sauvignon for under $30. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, plum, bramble fruit, pencil shavings, cassis & Allspice.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: A thousand times better than their 2018 vintage, which to me was too jammy, more Port style.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years & pair it with Slow Cooker Beef Cheeks in Red Wine

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Oct 19, 2021

MALLORY & BENJAMIN TALMARD MÂCON-UCHIZY 2020, AOC Mâcon-Uchizy, Mâconnais, France

19 Tuesday Oct 2021

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

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Mâcon-Uchizy, Mâconnais
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cave Talmard
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Beautifully made. This delicious Chard has finesse & elegance, all at a bargain price for this quality. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Light yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pear, peach, almonds, light ginger, dill & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Winery was founded in the 17th Century and is still family owned.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years & pair it with Roasted Portobello Pepper Caps with Goat Cheese.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Oct 18, 2021

LCBO: 733956

FOLIE À DEUX CHARDONNAY 2018, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States of America

16 Saturday Oct 2021

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

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Folie à Deux
Alcohol:  14.1% Alcohol/Vol.

From one of my favourite AVA’s, this Chard doesn’t disappoint. Not only is this a beautiful full body, complex & balanced wine, but it’s also made under 14.5% alcohol. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon drops, Golden Delicious apple, peach, clementine, pear, pineapple, mango, kumquat, apricot, Allspice, caramel & honey.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Folie à Deux wines are sustainably grown in Sonoma County.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 8-10 years on its own or pair it with Lobster Thermidor

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Oct 8, 2021

LCBO: 146951

CUVÉE JEAN PHILIPPE BRUT 2018, Méthode Traditionnelle, AOC Blanquette de Limoux, France

02 Saturday Oct 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Mauzac & Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Blanquette de Limoux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Rosier
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Rich & creamy with slight sweetness & good acidity.  Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Yellow straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dry apple peel, brioche, light toast almonds, lemon, pear, green apples, peach, honeycomb & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “The vines from which this seductive blanquette originate are located on the hills to the west of Limoux, and more specifically in the commune of Villelongue d’Aude, an ancient fortified village constructed in a ‘circulade’ (a traditional village of the area built in concentric circles).” Domaine Rosier

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Honey Garlic Roasted Pheasant.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Sept 26, 2021

LCBO: 467217

MICHEL GASSIER EMBRUNS DE VIOGNIER 2020, Pay D’Oc, France

30 Thursday Sep 2021

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

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Camargue, Pays D’Oc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Gassier
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A beautifully made Viognier with richness, oiliness & full of flavour.  Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon drops, apricot, Golden Delicious apple, peach, clementine, nectarine & oyster shell.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This wine is Bio Organic.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 8-10 years on its own or pair it with Tangerine Sage Rotisserie Chicken. 

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Sept 29, 2021

LCBO: 669531

CHATEAU ST. JEAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019, California, United States of America

26 Sunday Sep 2021

Posted by in On The Fence, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau St. Jean
Alcohol:  13.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Not my cup of tea, but this is a better commercially produced Cali red wine that will please those that prefer ripe fruit forward with low tannin wines. Nice to see the alcohol level is below 14%. Score: 86/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with average acidity, medium+ intense nose, low tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Kirsch, raspberry, mulberry, plum, cassis, mocha & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Pork Tenderloin with sweet balsamic plum sauce. 

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Sept 26, 2021

LCBO: 38034

GASSIER SABLES D’AZUR ROSÉ 2020, AOP Provence, France

22 Wednesday Sep 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Rosés, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $18.95 (Clearance price: $15.20)
Grape: Cinsault, Grenache & Syrah
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Provence
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Advini
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A delicious dry rosé that is elegant & full of flavour. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Rose gold in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Rainier Cherries, strawberries, cranberries, peach, Fuji Apples, limestone & bouquet of roses on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Moroccan quail with rose-petal sauce & cucumber relish.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Sept 21, 2021

LCBO: 33621

PONGRÁCZ BRUT PINOT NOIR/CHARDONNAY CAP CLASSIQUE, NV, W.O. Western Cape, South Africa

19 Sunday Sep 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: W.O. Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Caves de Pongrácz
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Quality, complexity & delicious to drink all at an amazing price. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Baked apples, light yeast, brioche, green apples, kumquat, kiwi & honeycomb & limestone.  

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: In my opinion Pongrácz produces the best sparkling, in the traditional method, at an amazing price, bar none. Check out my review of their rosé sparkling wine. In addition, I love the shape of their bottles.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 8-10 years on its own or pair it with red onion vinaigrette.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Sept 19, 2021

LCBO: 404111