Author Archives: Twilight Wines

d’ARENBERG THE OLIVE GROVE CHARDONNAY 2024, McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, Australia

11 Saturday Apr 2026

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $18.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills
Format: 750 ml
Producer: d’Arenberg
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Nice balanced Chard between fruits, spiciness & oak. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, medium nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, peach, pear, ginger, pitahaya, honey & oak spice.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Small batches of grapes are gently crushed, chilled and then basket pressed. To add complexity and mouthfeel the wine is fermented and matured in French oak for seven months.”

Pairings: Drink this now or 4 – 5 years on its own or pair it with Salt n Pepper wings.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 10, 2026

LCBO: 702845

MISSION HILL FAMILY RESERVE MERITAGE 2021 VQA, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada

10 Friday Apr 2026

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Not Recommended, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $32.95
Grape: 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, BC
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Mission Hill Family Estate
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

The high alcohol overwhelms any fruit. Score: 85/100.

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

Negatives: High alcohol

Interesting Point: If you leave your glass with the wine open for an hour, the fruit starts to come out.

Pairings: Drink this now or 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with smoked pork back ribs.

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: April 8, 2026

LCBO: 633628

MATISCO VIRÉ-CLESSÉ 2023, AOC Viré-Clessé

09 Thursday Apr 2026

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $28.75
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Burgundy, Mâconnais, Viré-Clessé
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Maison Matisco
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Complex Chard, well balanced with juicy fruits, good acidity & spicy notes. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Light clear gold in colour with good acidity, medium nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, peach, pear, pineapple, kumquat, dill, ginger, honeycomb, oak spice & white flowers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Organic

Pairings: Drink this now or 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with Chilean Sea Bass.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: April 7, 2026

LCBO: 43890

KIM CRAWFORD CHARDONNAY, 2024 New Zealand

07 Tuesday Apr 2026

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $20.95 (sale price until April 7, 2026: $16.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: New Zealand
Region:
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Kim Crawford
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Always reliable, good value Chard, light crisp & always reliable to give a nice balance. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Light clear gold in colour with good acidity, medium nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon tart, yellow cranberry, pear, ginger & dill.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Great price with $4 off

Pairings: Drink this now or 3 – 4 years on its own or pair it with General Taos Chicken.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 6, 2026

LCBO: 991950

PRUGNETO SANGIOVESE SUPERIOR 2023, Romagna DOC Superiore, Italy

06 Monday Apr 2026

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $19.95 (sale price until April 26, 2026: $16.95)
Grape: Sangiovese
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Italy
Region: Romagna DOC Superiore
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Poderi dal Nespoli,
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice change to have a quality Sangiovese outside Tuscany. Wine shows nice spice & sour fruits. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Light ruby in colour with high acidity, medium+ nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherry, cranberry, blackberry, blackcurrants, arugula, cloves, black tea, leather & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Use Burgundy style glassware as it will soften the wine.

Pairings: Drink this now or 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with lasagna.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 4, 2026

LCBO: 31809

QUEENSTON MILE VINEYARD VIOGNIER 2020, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

20 Friday Mar 2026

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $29.95
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Queenston Mile Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.8% Alcohol/Vol.

I think the technical term is: “Yummy”. Best Canadian Viognier that I have tasted. Full body, rich, oily, expressive, juicy & spicy. Score: 96/100.

Tasting Note: Bright deep gold in colour with low acidity, medium nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Peach, peach pit, apricot, ginger, Chinese 5 Spice, vanilla & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Harvested October 9th 2020 from the estate vineyard. Fermented and aged in neutral in French Oak barrels for 9 months before a careful barrel selection determined this final blend of 180 cases.”

Pairings: Drink this now or 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with Dungeness Crab.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: March 19, 2026

PELEE ISLAND WINERY BACO NOIR NV, VQA Ontario, Canada

10 Tuesday Mar 2026

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Recommended, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $14.95 (Sale price until March 29, 2026: $12.95)
Grape: Baco Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Pelee Island Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A juicy & spicy Baco that’s nicely priced for the quality. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Blackcurrants, sour cherry, rhubarb, plum, clove, Allspice & peat moss on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Sustainable & Vegan

Pairings: Drink this now or 3 – 4 years on its own or pair it with BBQ ribs.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 9, 2026

LCBO: 485128

QUEENSTON MILE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR ESTATE BOTTLED 2020, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

09 Monday Mar 2026

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $29.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Queenston Mile Vineyard
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Burgundian style Pinot with sour fruit, earthiness & smokiness. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Light garnet in colour with good acidity, medium+ nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Rhubarb, sour cherries, strawberries, cranberries, pickled beets, oyster mushrooms, peat moss & smoked ambers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Lightly chill to 15C and use a balloon style glassware.

Winemaker’s Note: “Fruit was cold soaked for 3 days, followed by small batch fermentation & 12 months of ageing in French oak barrels & puncheons.”

Pairings: Drink this now or 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with escargot.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: March 8, 2026

QUEEN BEE BLANC DE NOIRS, 2018, Méthode Traditionnelle, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

23 Monday Feb 2026

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $34.95 LCBO, $32.98 Costco, $30.95 Winery
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages, Costco, Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Lakeview Wine Co.
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A quality dry, traditional method sparkling wine at a good price. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Light cooper in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Brioche, MacIntosh apples, white cranberry, blackberry, fennel, roasted almonds & orange zest.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Add a blackberry to your glass with the sparkling wine. You hopefully will enjoy how it taste.

Winemaker’s Note: “Gently whole bunch pressed to avoid colour and tannin extraction. Primary fermentation in stainless steel at relatively cool temperatures, and then triaged six months later for second fermentation in bottle. On lees for over 48 months before being disgorged.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Duck Risotto.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: February 22, 2026

LCBO: 45580

FAMILLE PERRIN LES SINARDS CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2023, AOC Côte du Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France

18 Wednesday Feb 2026

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $43.95 (Sale Price until March 1, 2026: $40.95)
Grape: Mostly Grenache with Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Côte du Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Famille Perrin
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A less expensive Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but you don’t lose the quality found in more expensive ones. Eloquent with a silky finish. Score: 97/100.

Tasting Note: Dark garnet to ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Bing cherries, wild strawberries, plums, brambleberry, cocoa, arugula, wild mushrooms, leather, vanilla & violets with light amber smoked notes on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Les Sinards is made from young vines (under 20 years old) at Beaucastel and two neighbouring vineyards.”

Winemaker’s Note: “From the month of August onwards we carry out maturity checks and taste the berries regularly to determine the optimum harvest date. Each grape variety is harvested separately. On arrival at the cellar the berries are sorted. Part of the Syrah is vinified in whole clusters and the remainder, plus the Grenache, is destemmed. Vinification is in wooden and stainless-steel vats using the same methods as for the Château de Beaucastel wines. The wines are then tasted to determine the blend, and finally aged in foudres for 2 years.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 8 – 10 years on its own or pair it with Spiced Duck Breast.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: February 17, 2026

LCBO:  926626