Author Archives: Twilight Wines

HENRY OF PELHAM ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

16 Wednesday Jul 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, White Wines

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Henry of Pelham Chard

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wente Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A symbiotic quartet is created from the harmonious combination of oak, fruit, acidity and creaminess.

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This creamy wine features light oak, lemon, Bosc pear, apple, honeydew melon, honeysuckle, ginger and nutmeg. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Use the cooler climate Chard glass.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with steamed snow crab.

Tasted: 16 July 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 26842

WENTE SOUTHERN HILLS CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2011 LIVERMORE VALLEY, SAN FRANCISCO BAY, UNITED STATES

16 Wednesday Jul 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Wente

Cost: $16.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: United States Region: Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wente Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best wines under $20 to take to a party because it’s smooth, delicious and the alcohol is under 14%, so more to drink

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features light cedar, black cherry, blackberry, plums, cassis, vanilla, figs, milk chocolate, turmeric, cinnamon and a touch of pencil shavings. Medium body with smooth tannins, good acidity and a long length

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or and pair it with ribeye steak.

Tasted: 14 July 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 301507

MAGNOTTA BLANC DE NOIRS NV, Méthode Classique, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

13 Sunday Jul 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Rosés, Sparkling Wine

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d_swbldenoir

Cost: $21.15
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir with a dosage of Cabernet Franc Icewine
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: Magnotta
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Wines
Alcohol: 13.6% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Salmon in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse.

A simple sparkling with nice flavours & easy to drink

Positives: This wine features MacIntosh apples, strawberry, raspberry, cantaloupe and a hint of honey. Full body with good acidity and a fairly long length

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 1. It was better in a wider base Champagne/Sparkling glass than the slimmer style. 2. Made with a touch of icewine.

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or and pair it with bacon wrapped seared scallops served on a bed of cantaloupe with caramelized shallots.

Tasted: 13 July 2014, Congrats to Germany on their World Cup Win!

Best Buy

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

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

FREI BROTHERS RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

11 Friday Jul 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Frei

Cost: $23.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Alexander Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Frei Brothers
Alcohol: 14.2% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium+ ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

This smooth & velvety wine shows multiple layers of flavours that are usually found in California Cabs priced over $40

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, black currants, mulberry, anise, cassis, blackberry, dark cherry, turmeric, pencil shavings, cinnamon, cloves, arugula, oregano & leather. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: There’s some heat from the 14.2% alcohol

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with grilled rib-eye steak.

Tasted: 5 July 2014

Best Buy & Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 38075

SIMI RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2011, Russian River Valley, California, United States

11 Friday Jul 2014

Posted by in White Wines

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Simi

Cost: $31.95 (Clearance price: 25.60)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Simi
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium intense nose.

A woody Chard devoid of fruit that will only appeal to a discerning few

This wine features medium+ toasted oak, lemon candy, burnt sugar, caramel, cloves, ginger and dill. Full body with good acidity and a long length

Negatives: A little heat from the 14.5% alcohol & too much sourness on the finish

Drink now or in the next 4 years on its own or and pair it with Peruvian Pulpo al Olivo.

Tasted: 7 July 2014

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 7.5/10 (Clearance price 8+/10), Total: 16/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 200881

KEN FORRESTER RESERVE CHENIN BLANC 2012, Stellenbosch, South Africa

11 Friday Jul 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines

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Chenin Blanc

Cost: $17.95
Grape Variety: Chenin Blanc
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ken Forrester Wines
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Great quality Chenin for a great price

Positives: This wine features lime, green apple, lemon rind, ripe pear, flint, white pepper, limestone and a touch of honey. Medium body with good acidity and a long length

Negatives: A little heat from the 14% alcohol

Interesting Point: 1.The winery uses no herbicides or pesticides and the grapes are handpicked. 2.This wine is an age worthy Chenin that will only get better with age. 3. The best glass was the Chardonnay/Viognier Riedel stemware.

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or and pair it with P.E.I. Mussels Sautéed with Garlic, Shallots & Parsley in White Wine Sauce.

Tasted: 6 July 2014

Best Buy & Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 19.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 231282

PLUME CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011, Napa Valley, California, United States

07 Monday Jul 2014

Posted by in Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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plume

Cost: $31.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Plume Winery
Alcohol: 14.6% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

This wine is smooth, fully flavoured & delicious

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, cherry, prunes, black and red currants, raspberry, dark chocolate, blueberry, fig, Christmas cake, woodsmoke and tomato leaf. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated considering it’s 14.6%

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The lack of tannins makes this wine optimal drinking experience now and not for cellaring.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or and pair it with grilled cheese sandwich.

Tasted: 2 July 2014

Top Pick

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

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

LCBO: 287367

TRUCHARD CHARDONNAY 2011, Carneros, Napa Valley, California, United States

06 Sunday Jul 2014

Posted by in White Wines

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Truchard

Cost: $28.75
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Carneros, Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Truchard Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

The taste comes in layers with a good balance of fruit & oak

Positives: This complex wine features medium smoked toasted oak with lemon meringue, golden apple, clementine, pineapples, ginger, caramel, dill and Allspice. Full body with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with Coquille St. Jacques.

Tasted: 1 July 2014, Happy Canada Day

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 60459

PERLAGE CANAH BRUT PROSECCO VALDOBBIADENE SUPERIORE, DOCG Veneto, Italy

06 Sunday Jul 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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Prosecco

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Prosecco (Glera)
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Periagi
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and a fine mousse.

Smooth, more substance than a regular Prosecco & it’s delicious

Positives: This wine features pear, peach, green apple and honeydew melon. Medium body with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Organic agriculture and hand picked

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or and pair it with grilled cheese sandwich.

Tasted: 1 July 2014, Happy Canada Day

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 358390

FINCA LA EMPERATRIZ OLD VINE RESERVA 2007, DOC Rioja, Spain

06 Sunday Jul 2014

Posted by in Red Wines

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Rioja

Cost: $29.95
Grape Variety: 90% Tempranillo, 10% Granacha Graciano y Viura
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas La Emperatriz SL
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium+ ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Old style Rioja, rustic, oaked & leathery

Positives: This wine features oak, dry cherries, plums, red currants, raspberry, cocoa, cinnamon, Allspice, woodsmoke, leather and tobacco leaf. Medium body with dry tannins, good acidity and a long length

Negatives: A little on the expensive side for reserva

Interesting Point: Grapes come from 60 year old vines.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or and pair it with aged meat.

Tasted: 4 July 2014

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8/10, Total: 18+/20

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

LCBO: 359927