Author Archives: Twilight Wines

FEATHERSTONE CANADIAN OAK CHARDONNAY 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

31 Sunday May 2015

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Featherstone

Cost: $21.95 (Clearance price: $15.40)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Featherstone Estate Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This is for those that like oaked chard, and a unique perspective that the entire process is from Ontario

Description: Deep gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features toasted butter, spiced oaked, lemon, ripe pineapple, peach, walnuts, butterscotch, toasted marshmallows, vanilla and coconut. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Truly a Canadian Chard with oak barrels from trees that grew near by, wild airborne yeast and estate grown grapes

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Linguine and Lobster Scampi.

Tasted: 26 May 2015

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 149302

BURNING KILN CAB FRANK 2012, VQA Ontario, Canada

22 Friday May 2015

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Burning Kiln

Cost: $24.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Burning Kiln
Alcohol: 14.3% Alcohol/Vol.

Unique Cab Franc in an appassimento style leaving a nice sweetness & no green bell pepper

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features dark plums, cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, cassis, anise, tobacco, chocolate and Christmas cake. Full body with medium to low tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A little heat at the end from the 14.3% alcohol

Interesting Note: The grapes dried for 10-14 days, and the wine is named after the wine maker; Frank DeLeebeck.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Roast Beef with Yorkshire Pudding and rosemary fingerling potatoes.

Tasted: 21 May 2015

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 310268

DOMAINE TOUSSAINT VOUVRAY 2013, AC Vouvray, Loire, France

22 Friday May 2015

Posted by in White Wines

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Vourvray

Cost: $15.95
Grape Variety: Chenin Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Vouvray, Loire, France
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Toussaint
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A blend of sweet & sour fruit

Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features light oak, pink grapefruit, lemon, pineapple, passion fruit, quince and limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A little too sour on the finish

Interesting Note: Unlike some of their other Special Reserve wines from Ontario, this one isn’t VQA.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Tuna Tartare served on Avocado Brunoise, drizzled with Sweet & Sour Sauce, WhiteTruffle Oil and Red Caviar.

Tasted: 20 May 2015

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

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

LCBO: 408260

MAGNOTTA SPECIAL RESERVE SHIRAZ 2013, Ontario, Canada

22 Friday May 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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l_srshiraz09

Cost: $13.10 (Sale until 18 May 2015: $11.70)
Grape Variety: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Wines
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, good flavours with a little spice

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, cherry, raspberry, blackberry, plums, cassis, anise and peppercorn. Medium body with medium to light tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Notes: Unlike some of their other Special Reserve wines from Ontario, this one isn’t VQA. Styled in the French Syrah way rather than the Aussie Shiraz way.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with seared pork glazed with sweet and tangy plum sauce.

Tasted: 18 May 2015

Best Buy

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+

CAMPO VIEJO TEMPRANILLO ROSÉ 2014, DOC Rioja, Spain

18 Monday May 2015

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Rosés

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Rose

Cost: $11.80
Grape Variety: Tempranillo Rosé
Category: Rosé Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Campo Viejo
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Can’t beat the quality & price for this Rosé which is dry but smooth as silk

Description: Light cranberry in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features cherry candy, peach, strawberry, watermelon, rhubarb and Spy apple. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Consistently a great Rosé, but I think this is so far my favourite vintage.

Drink now or in the next couple years on its own or pair it with spicy deep fried chicken

Tasted: 16 May 2015

Amazing Value & Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 175620

KIM CRAWFORD PINOT NOIR 2014, South Island, New Zealand

16 Saturday May 2015

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Kim Crawford

Cost: $19.95 (Sale: $17.95 until 24 May 2015)
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: South Islands
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kim Crawford
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Nothing complex, just a nice easy drinking wine

Description: Light ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features cherry, raspberry, strawberry and watermelon. Medium light body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Remember to chill Pinots to 15 C or 59 F

Thanks to my friend Doug who recommended this wine

Drink now or in the next couple years on its own or pair it with Salmon with a herb butter sauce.

Tasted: 15 May 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: 626390

MAGNOTTA SPECIAL RESERVE CABERNET FRANC 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

16 Saturday May 2015

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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Cab and Franc

Cost: $14.15 (Sale: $13.15 until 18 May 2105)
Grape Variety: Cabernet Franc
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Magnotta
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.3% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Consistently a good quality Cab Franc for under $15

Positives: This wine features cedar, blackberry, raspberry, grilled green peppers, white pepper, Kalamata olives, dark chocolate, mocha and tomato leaf. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This vintage is slightly better than the previous 2011 vintage, that I reviewed last year so I up it to be an Amazing Value.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or and pair it with lamb chops glazed with spicy tomato leaf infused mint sauce.

Tasted: 14 May 2015

Best Buy

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10, Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

MAGNOTTA GRAN RISERVA MERITAGE 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

09 Saturday May 2015

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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Magnotta Meritage

Cost: $29.20 (Sale $19.20 May 8-17, 2015)
Grape Variety: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location Magnotta Wines
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta
Alcohol: 14.3% Alcohol/Vol.

Extremely pleasant & an elegant wine to bring to a dinner party

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, blackberry, blueberry, raspberry, dark cherry, cassis, turmeric, Allspice, oregano and leather on the finish. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I have tried the 2010 vintage at Magnotta tastings many times and I wasn’t too impressed as it felt light in taste especially compared to the 2009, which I really liked and reviewed on my site. However, at the sales price, I said what the heck, and was pleasantly surprised when I used the proper wine glass and slightly chilled.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Pork Tenderloin with a cassis and soy sauce reduction.

Tasted: 8 May 2015

Best Buy at sale price

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Sales price: 9+/10) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

ARROWOOD CHARDONNAY 2012, Sonoma County, California, United States

09 Saturday May 2015

Posted by in White Wines

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2013-sonoma-chardonnay

Cost: $26.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Arrowood
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This is simply a nice wine, well balanced and will please a broad spectrum of tastes

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium to light toasted oak, lemon, peach, nectarine, green and yellow apples, buttered croissant and butterscotch. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Slightly on the watery side

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Moroccan spiced chicken.

Tasted: 4 May 2015 (May the Force be with you)

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

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

LCBO: 270694

GRANGE OF PRINCE EDWARD SPARKLING RIESLING LIMITED PRODUCTION, CHARMAT METHOD 2013, Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada

03 Sunday May 2015

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine

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Grange

Cost: $19.95 (Clearance price: $16)
Grape Variety: Riesling
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Prince Edward County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Grange of Prince Edward
Alcohol: 11.7% Alcohol/Vol.

An interesting sparkling wine, worth the try at the clearance price

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and medium to light mouse. This wine features a very nice aromatic nose but a slightly bitter finish. White peach, apricot, lemon-lime, peach pit, pink grapefruit, lychee and limestone. Medium to light body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: A bit bitter on the finish.

Interesting Note: All of Grange of Prince Edward wines are 100% estate grown. This sparkling is topped with a bottle cap.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with sweet and sour fish with lychee.

Tasted: 3 May 2015

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 392746