Author Archives: Twilight Wines

MORGENSTER LOURENS RIVER VALLEY 2005, Lourens River Valley, Stellenbosch, South Africa

04 Wednesday Mar 2015

Posted by in Red Wines

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morgenster

Cost: $25.95
Grape Variety: 60% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Lourens River Valley, Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Morgenster Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Unique, interesting; you will either love it or hate it. Full flavoured but highly medicinal in character

Description: Dark cloudy ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features oak, iodine, menthol, blackberry, plums, bell peppers, tar, dark chocolate, cloves, cinnamon, liquorice, fresh herbs, wild flowers, vanilla and leather. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: The iodine reminds me of my grandmother. In the negative she used to put iodine on my cuts, ouch! On the positive, reminds me of my grandmother.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with whiskey glazed pork chops.

Tasted: 25 Feb 2015

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

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

LCBO: 709303

WENTE MORNING FOG ESTATE GROWN CHARDONNAY 2013, Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay, California, United States

25 Wednesday Feb 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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2013_Morning_Fog_DOBS_150dpi

Cost: $17.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wente Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Creamy, not overly oaky Chard with tropical fruit to make it yummy, and it’s under $20

Description: Light bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features neutral toasted oak, lemon meringue, pink grapefruit, honeydew melon, kiwi, dill, Macintosh apple, pineapple, vanilla, a touch of coconut and limestone. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Notes: “Fermentation: 50% of this wine was barrel fermented in neutral French, American and Eastern European oak. The other 50% was fermented in stainless steel tanks in order to preserve the natural fruit flavors inherent in this Chardonnay. Aging: The barrel fermented portion was aged sur lie for 7 months. Bâtonnage, the art of stirring the barrels, was performed monthly. This adds a creamy note to the wine and greatly enhances the texture. From the remaining 50% of the stainless steel portion, half was aged on lees for 7 months while the other half was racked clean to preserve the fresh fruit characters.” http://www.Wentevineyards.com

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Coconut Crusted Scallops drizzled with Pineapple Rum Sauce.

Tasted: 22 Feb 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 175430

FREIXENET CARTA NEVADA BRUT CAVA TRADIONAL METHOD, NV, Sant Sadurni D’Anoia, Spain

16 Monday Feb 2015

Posted by in Sparkling Wine

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Freixenet

Cost: $12.45 (Sale price until 1 March 2015: $11.45)
Grape Variety: Macabeo, Xarel-lo, Parellada
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Sant Sadurni D’Anoia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Caves Freixenet
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Perfect sparkling wine for Mimosas

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

Negatives: None

Interesting Notes: For the extra $1.50, Freixenet’s black label, Cordon Negro, reviewed on this site, is far more superior.

Drink now on its own or mix it with orange juice and have it with your eggs for breakfast.

Tasted: 15 Feb 2015 (Happy 93 yrs to my Aunt Nina)

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 216887

QUAILS’ GATE CHARDONNAY 2012, VQA Okanaga Valley, British Columbia, Canada

15 Sunday Feb 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, White Wines

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Quails Gate

Cost: $21.95 (Clearance: $15.75)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Quails’ Gate
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

One of my favourite Canadian Chards, and probably the best for under $22

Description: Light gold to straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, pink grapefruit, honeydew melon, kiwi, dill, ginger, pineapple, hazelnuts, crème brûlée, flint and limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Notes: Don’t over chill, as you’ll loose the essence of this wine.

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Tuna Tartare on a bed of Avocado Brunoise, drizzled in Sweet & Sour Sauce, WhiteTruffle Oil and Red Caviar

Tasted: 14 Feb 2015

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 377770

ANGELINE SIGNATURE RESERVE PINOT NOIR 2013, California, United States

14 Saturday Feb 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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angeline

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Angeline Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple easygoing, non-offensive Pinot

Description: Medium to light ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features light cedar, strawberry, cherry, blueberry, light rhubarb and cinnamon. Medium body with light tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None if chilled properly

Interesting Notes: Keep it chilled as if it warms up negatives such as sweet fruits such as prunes, cherry pie and dates show up

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with BBQ pulled pork sliders.

Tasted: 12 Feb 2015

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

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

LCBO: 396143

MATUA VALLEY PINOT NOIR 2012, Marlborough, New Zealand

14 Saturday Feb 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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matua

Cost: $17.95 (On sale $15.95 until 1 March 15)
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO
Country: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Matua
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

A lot to offer for a Pinot for under $20

Description: Medium to light garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, rhubarb, cherry, cranberry, strawberry, cinnamon, smoked amber and a touch of forest. Medium body with light tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with Sweet potato crusted salmon on a bed of spinach & roasted tomato quinoa with a grainy dijon & dill Chimichurri (as per Chef Carl Dahl executive chef from Julia & Ritorno restaurants)

Tasted: 10 Feb 2015

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

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

LCBO: 358952

THE RULE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010, Napa Valley, California, United States

14 Saturday Feb 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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the-rule-cabernet-sauvignon-napa-valley-usa-10423456

Cost: $16.95 Clearance
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Special Order
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: BNA Wine Group
Alcohol: 14.2% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice easy drinking wine for under $20, Did I mention that’s for a Napa Cab?!

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackberry, blackcurrants, dark cherry, plums, raspberry, turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg, arugula and Radicchio. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A touch of heat from the 14.2% alcohol

Interesting notes: Bought this at LCBO clearance price. The winery sells this for $24.69 US, but in reading the prices in the States, looks like $15 is the norm, which is an excellent price. At this price I would get a case.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with T-Bone steak grilled with sage, parsley and lemon zest infused compound butter.

Tasted: 21 Jan 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

BORGES RESERVA 2009, DOC Douro, Portugal

07 Saturday Feb 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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borges_douro_reserva_tinto_low_res_1992455750059a68587a9_1__web

Cost: $21.95
Grape Variety: Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nationional, Sousã
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Borges
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Full and rich flavour

Description: Deep dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features oak, raisins, plums, blackberries, dark chocolate, forest floor, figs, champagne mushrooms and mint. Medium+ body and tannins with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: As this wine will get better with age, I would suggest decanting for an hour.

Drink now or in the next 15 years on its own or pair it with Duck served with wild mushrooms and fig sauce.

Tasted: 28 Jan 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 358762

KEINT-HE VOYAGEUR CHARDONNAY 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

07 Saturday Feb 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, White Wines

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Keint

Cost: $16.00
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Keint-He Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

A versatile chard that shows good balance between oak, fruit and minerality

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, pink grapefruit, honeydew melon, butterscotch and limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: There’s heat from the 13% alcohol

Interesting Notes: Don’t over chill, as the underlying flavours such as butterscotch don’t come up when it’s too cold, and use the larger New World or Montrachet Chard glasses. In addition, I like the aged parchment label.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with grilled shrimp in grapefruit BBQ sauce.

Tasted: 27 Jan 2015

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 16/20

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

LCBO: 389544

BV COASTAL ESTATES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013, California, United States

28 Wednesday Jan 2015

Posted by in Red Wines

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BV Coastal

Cost: $10.95 (Sale price: $8.95 until Feb 1, 2015)
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Beaulieu Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Typical entry level Californian red but with a surprisingly fresh finish and the alcohol is in check

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features sweet oak, vanilla, Christmas cake, chocolate covered Maraschino cherry, cassis and Allspice. Medium body with low tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: A touch too sweet for me but for $9 can’t complain

Drink now on its own or pair it with Philadelphia cheese steak sandwich

Tasted: 26 Jan 2015

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 569871