Author Archives: Twilight Wines

E. GUIGAL CÔTES DU RHÔNES ROSÉ 2014, Ac Côtes Du Rhône, France

03 Sunday May 2015

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Guigal 2014

Cost: $17.95
Grape Variety: Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah & Mourvèdre
Category: Rosé Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Côtes Du Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: E. Guigal
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A very nice Rosé from the venerable E. Guigal

Description: Pale salmon pink in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features lilacs on the nose, strawberry, cherry, watermelon and pink grapefruit on the finish. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Although I thoroughly enjoyed this wine, not as good as the 2013 reviewed by me and it’s a dollar more.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with pan seared veal loin chops with rosemary

Tasted: 1 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: 225003

HEDGES FAMILY ESTATE RED 2011, Red Mountain, Washington State, United States

28 Tuesday Apr 2015

Posted by in Red Wines

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Hedges

Cost: $34.95
Grape Variety: 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 16% Syrah, 4% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Red Mountain, Washington State
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Hedges Family Estate
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

High-end wine at half the price that’s elegant and delicious

Description: Medium dark ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features oak, blackberry, dark cherry, black currants, raspberry, turmeric, cinnamon, anise, cassis, dry herbs, espresso and leather. Medium+ body and tannins with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Still young but drinking well now. If you can, buy several and cellar them.

Drink now or in the next 15 years on its own or pair it with pan seared butter-basted rib eye steak.

Tasted: 27 April 2015

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 18.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 1594

MEERLUST PINOT NOIR 2012, Stellenbosch, South Africa

23 Thursday Apr 2015

Posted by in Red Wines

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Meerlust

Cost: $27.95
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Meerlust Estate
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

An easy drinking savoury Pinot that should please a wide range of taste buds

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features lightly smoked oak, bramble, strawberry, sour cherry, forest greens and a touch of spearmint. Medium to light body with low tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: A little heat from the 14%

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Pork cutlets served with strawberry balsamic sauce.

Tasted: 22 April 2015

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

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

LCBO: 377226

HENRY OF PELHAM CHARDONNAY 2011, VQA Short Hills Bench, Ontario, Canada

23 Thursday Apr 2015

Posted by in Canadian Wines, White Wines

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Henry Of Pelham

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Short Hills Bench
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Henry of Pelham
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Cool climate chard that’s a touch too oaky

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features oak spice, lime, sour orange, green apples, lemon rind and limestone. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: A touch too sour on the finish

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Kimchi with braised short ribs

Tasted: 23 April 2015

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

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

LCBO: 268342

MICHEL HAURY GRENACH PETITE EDITION 2013, Vin de France

22 Wednesday Apr 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Grenache

Cost: $12.20
Grape Variety: Grenache
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: France
Region: Southern France
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Michel Haury
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Well isn’t this a pleasant surprise for a French table wine for under $13 & 100% Grenache. It’s delicate, easy drinking yet brimming with flavour

Description: Medium light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium to low intense nose. What the nose doesn’t show, the taste certainly does. This wine features cherry, strawberry, cinnamon, pomegranate, orange peel, cloves and some leather on the finish. Medium to light body and tannins with good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Works best in a smaller wine glasses such as Chianti or Zinfandel, and have it cellar temperature or even slightly below.

Drink now or in the next year on its own or pair it with nachos supreme

Tasted: 18 April 2015

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 18+/20

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

LCBO: 361709

MAURO CHARDONNAY 2014, DOC Puglia, Italy

17 Friday Apr 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Mauro

Cost: $11.70
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Italy
Region: Puglia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Mare Magnium
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Good entry level Chard with minimum oak and good fruit all for under $12

Description: Gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features apple, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, pear and lemon on the finish. Medium body with average acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: My preference was to use the larger Chardonnay style glass

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with Prosciutto and Pear Pizza.

Tasted: 16 April 2015

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 404491

BRIDLEWOOD PINOT NOIR 2012, Monterey County, California, United States

11 Saturday Apr 2015

Posted by in Red Wines

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Pinot

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Monterey County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bridlewood Estate Winery
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Not a typical varietal or regional character & this will appeal to those that like the sweeter red style wines

Description: Light ruby with garnet overtones in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features smoked-caramelized oak, maraschino cherry, cinnamon, vanilla and bramble pie. Full body with low tannins and acidity and an average length.

Negatives: Too sweet for me and the 14% alcohol is noticeable

Drink now on its own or pair it with Chinese BBQ Ribs

Tasted: 10 April 2015

Score: 7/10, Value: 6/10 Total: 13/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 2.5+

LCBO: 361824

MAGNOTTA SPECIAL RESERVE OTTONEL MEDIUM DRY 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

10 Friday Apr 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, White Wines

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Muscat

Cost: $12.15
Grape Variety: Muscat Ottonel
Category: White Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta
Alcohol: 12.4% Alcohol/Vol.

Unique to Canadian wines, this Muscat Ottonel delivers tropical sweetness with a nice refreshing finish.

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features ylang ylang flowers on the nose followed by peach, mangos, honeydew melon, sweet apples, cantaloupe followed by pink grapefruit on the finish. Full body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to Matthew from Magnotta’s Vaughan store for recommending his favourite white wine by the company.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own as an aperitif or digestif.

Tasted: 7 April 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

MAGNOTTA EQUUS SERIES PINOT BLANC 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

10 Friday Apr 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, White Wines

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Magnotta Pinot Blanc

Cost: $9.15 (On sale April 2015, $8.45)
Grape Variety: Pinot Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

If you’re looking for something different in whites that’s Canadian, try this versatile crisp wine.

Description: Light gold in colour with a low intense nose. This wine features lemon rind, passion fruit, honeydew melon and grapefruit. Medium body with good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Not too many 2013 left as 2014 is now on their shelves.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with Orange, Walnut, Gorgonzola and Mixed Greens Salad with Fresh Citrus Vinaigrette.

Tasted: 7 April 2015

Best Buy

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

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

GLORIA FERRER CHARDONNAY 2011, Carneros, California, United States

07 Tuesday Apr 2015

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Gloria Ferrer

Cost: $24.95 (Clearance Price: $18.75)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Carneros, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Gloria Ferrer Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A delightful, balanced, good quality Carneros Chard for under $25 & under 14% alcohol

Description: Bright light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toast, lemon rind, oak spice, Anjou pear, green apple, peach, clove, nutmeg, pink grapefruit, vanilla bean and a touch of caramel. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Recommended serving temperature is 12-16 C or 54-61 F

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Olive Leaf Pasta with Nutmeg Cream Sauce.

Tasted: 31 March 2015

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9+/10 (Clearance Price: 9.5+/10) Total: 18/20

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

LCBO: 83345