Author Archives: Twilight Wines

13th STREET PREMIER CUVÉE 2008, Méthode Traditionnelle, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

13 Monday Oct 2014

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine, Winery Review Series

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13 street cuvee

Cost: $34.95 (Clearance: $24.50)
Grape Variety: 51% Pinot Noir, 49% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Consistently a quality Ontario sparkling wine

Description: Straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and a fine mousse. This wine features mild toast, Easter Lily, lemon drops, ginger, pink grapefruit, green apples and limestone. Medium to medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Although this sparkling wine has been aged three years and made in the traditional method, not a lot of yeast and brioche notes, which should please those that want quality Champagne style but don’t like those notes.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with delicate cow’s milk cheeses

Tasted: 5 Oct 2014

Best Buy at the clearance price

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 142679

LITTLE PENGUIN CHARDONNAY 2013, South Eastern Australia, Australia

13 Monday Oct 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Little Penguin

Cost: $10.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Australia
Region: South Eastern Australia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Little Penguin Winery
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Nothing complicated here, just some nice easy drinking Chard that has both creamy buttery notes balanced with citric notes

Description: Deep gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features mild toast, lemons, pineapple, green apple, tangerines, cream corn and vanilla. Medium to medium+ body with good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next year on its own or pair it with Chef Ken Lefebour from Nellie James Gourmet Food to Go farm fresh baked squash with Ontario Brie, pears and sage on a bed of Arugula

Thanks to Go Cooking for the event with Chef Ken Lefebour

Tasted: 6 Oct 2014

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9+/10, Total: 18/20

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

LCBO: 598904

CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES ESTATE BOTTLED SPARKLING ROSÉ 2010, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

04 Saturday Oct 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine

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Chateau Des Charmes Rose

Cost: $28.95 (Clearance Price: $23.75)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling wine Méthod
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château Des Charmes
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A simply delightful sparkling wine, which is not surprising from Château Des Charmes

Description: Salmon in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and a fine mousse. This sparkling wine features brioche, yeast, strawberry, raspberry, nectarines, clementines and Cambozola. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: In experimenting with different Champagne/Sparkling wine glasses, the thinner, longer style ones gave this sparkler a sharper note that may not be inviting to some pallets.

Interesting Note: Bottle fermented and aged on sur lie (on the yeast) for two to three years

Drink now or in the next 3 years or pair with Smoked Salmon Bruschetta.

Tasted: 28 Sept 2014

Best Buy on sale price

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 78055

CHÂTEAU D’AQUÉRIA TAVEL ROSÉ 2013, Ac Tavel, Rhone, France

04 Saturday Oct 2014

Posted by in Rosés

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Tavel

Cost: $21.95
Grape Variety: 52% Grenache, 12% Syrah, Mouvèdre, 9% Clairette, 8% Cinsault, 6% Bourboulenc, 2% Picpoul
Category: Rosé wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Tavel, Rhone
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château d’Aquéria
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

A tasty, juicy & full flavoured dry Rosé that can be paired with a variety of foods

Description: Light ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features fresh cut Carnations, strawberry, watermelon, some minerality on the finish. Medium to medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat coming from the 14% alcohol

Interesting Note: From Château d’Aquéria: “The harvest is completely destemmed before being put into the maceration vats for 24 to 48 hours. The grape varieties are then blended two by two, bringing great aromatic complexity to the wine in addition to their own distinctive character. After fully “bleeding” the vats (drawing off the juice), fermentation at regulated temperatures (18 to 20°C) then takes place. The different grape varieties are then all blended together and age for several months before being bottled at the estate.”

Drink now or in the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with pepperoni, tomato and mushroom pizza

Tasted: 28 Sept 2014

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 319368

CHÂTEAU LA BIENFAISANCE GRAND CRU 2010, Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France

28 Sunday Sep 2014

Posted by in Red Wines

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Chateau La

Cost: $37.95 (Clearance: $30.40)
Grape Variety: 85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château La Bienfaisance
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

An enjoyable wine,  not sure I would pay the full price for it, but I might think twice when I try it again in 5 years

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackberry, blackcurrants, mulberries, plums, Allspice, licorice, green twigs and leather. Medium to medium+ body with medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat coming from the 14% alcohol

Interesting Note:

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with roasted venison tenderloin.

Tasted: 27 Sept 2014

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: 195198

CHÂTEAU HAUT-VIGNOBLE SEGUIN CASTÉJA 2010, Ac Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux, France

24 Wednesday Sep 2014

Posted by in Red Wines

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Chateau Vin

Cost: $29.95
Grape Variety: Bordeaux Blend
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château Haut-Vignoble Seguin
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth full flavoured Bordeaux that’s ready to drink now

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackberry, blackcurrants, plums, raspberry, blueberry, smoked bell peppers, turmeric, graphite and leather. Medium to medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with peppercorn steak

Tasted: 24 Sept 2014

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10, Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 348748

BRUT EXCELLENCE DE CHANCENY VOUVRAY 2011, Méthode Traditionnelle, Ac Vouvray, France

19 Friday Sep 2014

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine

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Brut Excellence

Cost: $25.99 Cayman Islands
Grape Variety: Chenin Blanc
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: Blackbeard’s
Country: France
Region: Vouvray, Loire Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: De Chanceny
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

An easy drinking sparkling wine that I would love to drink on a regular basis

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose and a fine mousse. This creamy and smooth sparkling wine features peaches, lemon lime, tangerines, candied fruit and macadamia nuts on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I love the shape of the bottle

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Red Snapper Thai Ceviche

Tasted: 19 Sept 2014

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

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

TIGNELLO 2O10, IGT Toscana, Italy

18 Thursday Sep 2014

Posted by in Red Wines

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Tignanello

Cost: $102.95 (Cayman Islands: $70.10 CI)
Grape Variety: 80% Sangiovese 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages and Blackbeard’s
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Antinori
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

An elegant wine just don’t think it’s worth the price

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. The wine features cedar, sour cherry, red currants, pimento, tobacco leaves, plum and sandalwood. Medium with medium+ tannins, high acidity with long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Needs several hours to decant

Drink now or in the next 15 years on its own or pair it with flank steak and roasted peppers

Tasted: 18 Sept 2014

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8/10, Total: 17/20

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

LCBO: 986786

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BARREL FERMENTED CHARDONNAY 2O10, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

15 Monday Sep 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Recommended, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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teaching-winery

Cost: $18.95 (Clearance: $15.20)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

You must like Oaky Chards to like this one, and I do

Description: Deep gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. The wine features medium to medium+ toasted oak, lemon tarts, pineapple, green and yellow apples, dill, ginger, butterscotch, vanilla and Allspice. Medium+ body with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: A bit tart on the finish

Interesting Note: Students from the Niagara College Winery made this wine. If you’re in St. Catharines, Ontario, please visit the college winery as these students produce some great wines.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Renegade Pork with Mango Ginger Rub.

Tasted: 9 Sept 2014

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 40634

SILENI CELLAR SELECTION MERLOT 2012, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand

15 Monday Sep 2014

Posted by in Red Wines

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Sileni

Cost: $15.95 (Clearance: $12.80)
Grape Variety: Merlot
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Hawke’s Bay
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Sileni
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Nothing complicated here just a light and juicy wine

Description: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. The wine features light oak, cherry, raspberry, blackberry & plums. Medium to light body with low tannins, good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: Seemed like there was a second fermentation going on in the bottle

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with garlic prime rib.

Tasted: 12 Sept 2014

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Sale price 8.5+/10) Total: 117/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 308106