Author Archives: Twilight Wines

ASTORIA PROSECCO EXTRA DRY, DOC Veneto, Italy

16 Wednesday Sep 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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Astoria

Cost: $13.90
Grape: Prosecco
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Astoria
Alcohol: 11% Alcohol/Vol.

Full flavoured & you get a lot for the price

Description: Light straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and medium fine mousse. This sparkling wine features orange blossoms, honeydew melon, green apples, peach, lemon, kiwi and light yeast. Medium to light body and with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 10 of years on its own or pair it with scallop ceviche.

Tasted: 16 Aug, 2015

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 593855

TENUTA S. ANNA PROSECCO EXTRA DRY, DOC Veneto, Italy

16 Wednesday Sep 2015

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Prosecco

Cost: $16.50
Grape: Prosecco
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Tenuta S. Anna
Alcohol: 11% Alcohol/Vol.

Refreshing & effervescent

Description: Light straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This sparkling wine features orange blossom, honeydew melon, pear, pink grapefruit and thyme. Medium to light body and with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 10 of years on its own or pair it with Spicy Tomato and Bergeron Omelettes.

Tasted: 16 Aug, 2015

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 388710

INNISKILLIN NIAGARA ESTATES CHARDONNAY 2014, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

02 Wednesday Sep 2015

Posted by in Canadian Wines, White Wines

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Inniskillin_Estate_Chardonnay_web

Cost: $14.95 (Sale until 13 Sept 2015: $12.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Inniskillin House Wines Inc
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

A lean but clean Chard

Description: Straw in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features light toasted oak, lemon, peach, pink grapefruit, pickled ginger, and chalk. Medium+ body with some tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A touch over sour on the mouthfeel

Interesting Point: A significant drop from their 2013 vintage but still enjoyable. The 2013 and 2014 vintages are on the shelves, so look carefully in choosing the better vintage. Use the larger Chardonnay glassware.

Drink now or in the next 3 of years on its own or pair it with hardwood Smoked Trout.

Tasted: 27 Aug 2015

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

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

LCBO: 317768

ERRAZURIZ MAX RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013, Valle De Aconcagua, Chile

30 Sunday Aug 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Max

Cost: $18.95 (Sale $14.95 until 16 Sept 2015)
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Chile
Region: Valle de Aconcagua
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Errazuriz
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

A sold Cab that is full of flavour and easy to drink now but will improve with aging

Description: Medium deep ruby  in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, violets, blackcurrants, cherry, blueberry, plum, raspberry, cassis, turmeric, mocha and leather. Medium+ body and tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Always a solid wine for under $20

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Java Crusted Steak with peppery plum glaze.

Tasted: 29 Aug 2015

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale: 9.5+/10) Total: 19+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 335174

COYOTE’S RUN PINOT NOIR 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

30 Sunday Aug 2015

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Coyote

Cost: $19.95 (Clearance Price: $16)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Coyote’s Run Estate Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A smooth & vibrant entry Pinot from a winery that specializes in Pinots

Description: Light ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features pine, violets, cherry, raspberry, portabella mushrooms, basil, thyme, forest greens and smouldering autumn leaves. Medium body and tannin with a mouthful of acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Lightly chill and serve in a balloon glass.

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Crispy Duck with spicy plum sauce.

Tasted: 28 Aug 2015

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance: 9.5/10) Total: 18.5+/20

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

LCBO: 53090

INNISKILLIN NIAGARA ESTATES CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

30 Sunday Aug 2015

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Inniskillin_Estate_Chardonnay_web

Cost: $14.95 (Sale until 13 Sept 2015: $12.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Inniskillin House Wines Inc
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

A top Ontario Chard at this price that is well balanced & has some complexity

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, peach, pineapple, Spy apple, oak spice, almonds, ginger, dill and vanilla. Medium+ body with some tannin, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I enjoyed their 2010 vintage, but this one is a grade higher. Use the larger Chardonnay glasses

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with poached Salmon with Cucumber Dill Raita.

Tasted: 22 Aug 2015

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale price: 9.5/10) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 317768

TRIUS CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

30 Sunday Aug 2015

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Trius

Cost: $13.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Trius Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Clean refreshing with mild oak which adds a bit of substance.

Description: Medium light gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features a light oak, lemon, pear, green apples, melon & limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Best Buy

Drink now or in the next 3 of years on its own or pair it with Crab cakes with horseradish cream.

Tasted: 25 Aug 2015

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

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

LCBO: 497248

CONO SUR BICICLETA PINOT NOIR 2014, Central Valley, Chile

30 Sunday Aug 2015

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Red Wines

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Con Sur

Cost: $10.95 (Sale until 13 Sept 2015: $9.95)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Chile
Region: Central Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cono Sur Winery
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

For $10 you will never get close to a DRC, but I also never had a Pinot at this price that I liked either until this one

Description: Medium light ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features a barnyard nose with light pine, cherry, raspberry, red tea, forest greens and smoked charcoal. Medium body and tannin with good acidity, a fairly long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: For those unfamiliar; DRC (Domaine de la Romanée-Conti) is the benchmark for the world’s top and most expensive Pinots. Remember to lightly chill this wine and use balloon style glassware.

Drink now or in the next 3 of years on its own or pair it with Grilled Porcini Mushroom Risotto.

Tasted: 25 Aug 2015

Amazing Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5+ (Sale: 10/10) Total: 18.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 341602

PELEE ISLAND BACO NOIR RESERVE 2013, VQA Ontario, Canada

22 Saturday Aug 2015

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Pelee

Cost: $14.95 (Sale until 13 Sept 2015: $13.45)
Grape: Baco Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pelee Island Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

A juicy, lighter style Baco Reserve, but has all the essence of a quality baco for a good price

Description: Light ruby to garnet in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, sour cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, clementine and tobacco smoke. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: My benchmark for a great if not the best Baco Noir Reserve is Henry Pelham’s. In comparing this one to that, at $10 cheaper, Pelee Island has done a nice job.

Lightly chill and serve in a Pinot glass (Balloon style)

Drink now or in the next 3 of years on its own or pair it with slow roasted brisket glazed with pomegranate molasses.

Tasted: 21 Aug 2015

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 414508

MIKE WEIR CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

22 Saturday Aug 2015

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Weir

Cost: $14.95 (Clearance price: $12.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Mike Weir
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

An easy, straightforward, middle of the road Chard

Description: Light gold in colour with a low intense nose. This wine features light oak, lemon candy, granny apple, pear, honeydew melon and apple pips on the finish. Medium body with, good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: Bitter note at the back of the throat

Interesting Point: Use the larger Chard glass as the smaller cooler climate Chard glass eventuates the bitter note

Drink now on its own or pair it with .

Tasted: 14 Aug 2015

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Clearance Price: 8.5+/10) Total: 17/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 00000026