Author Archives: Twilight Wines

CUSUMANO NOÀ 2010, IGT Sicily, Italy

16 Thursday Jan 2014

Posted by in Red Wines

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Noa

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: 40% Nero d’Avoia, 30% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Sicily
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cusumano
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Burly & powerful, a meal on its own

Positives: This wine features cedar, Christmas cake, dried herbs, blackberry, licorice, mulberry, dark cherry, tar, espresso, leather, arugula, white pepper, spinach & leather. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity, a long length & the alcohol is well integrated considering its 14.5%.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with T-Bone steak.

Tasted: 15 January 2014

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

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

LCBO: 109512

WOLF BLASS YELLOW LABEL LIMITED EDITION SHIRAZ GRENACHE MOURVÈDRE 2012, Barossa & McLaren Vale, Australia

14 Tuesday Jan 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Wolf Blass

Cost: $18.55
Grape Variety: Shiraz, Grenache, Mourvèdre
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Australia
Region: Barossa & McLaren Vale
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wolf Blass
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A good balance between the Rhone & Ausy style SGMs

Positives: This wine features integrated oak, vanilla, plums, tamarinds, blackcurrants, mint, sage, oregano, peppers (red, black & white), blueberry pie, shitake mushrooms, burnt rubber & leather on the finish. Full body with round tannins, good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with roasted rack of lamb & mint sauce.

Interesting Point: Wolf Blass special edition Yellow Label is celebrating 30yrs in Canada.

Tasted: 11 January 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 340166

RIONDO SPAGO NERO PROSECCO NV, DOC Veneto, Italy

10 Friday Jan 2014

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine

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prosecco-spago-nero-shadowed

Cost: $9.99 US
Grape Variety: Prosecco
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: Total Wines & Costco, Florida
Country: Italy
Region: Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Riondo
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Can’t beat the price with the quality that you get

Positives: This wine features pear, peach, coconut, key lime, & white blossoms on the nose. Light to medium body with medium good acidity & an average length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with creamy butternut squash soup.

Tasted: 10 January 2014

Amazing Buy & Top Pick

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 10/10 Total: 18.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

ATALON MERLOT 2004, Napa Valley, California, United States

10 Friday Jan 2014

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Atalon

Cost: $26.59 CI
Grape Variety: Merlot
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Blackbeard’s, Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Atalon
Alcohol: 13.7% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

A nice juicy, complex but easy drinking Merlot. One of my favourites.

Positives: This wine features cedar, dark cherry, blackberry, blueberry, figs, Moroccan spices, espresso, artichoke & some cigar box notes. Medium to full body with round tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with roasted rack of lamb & mint sauce.

Interesting Point: Almost 10 years old and still going strong.

Tasted: 9 January 2014

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

MAZZEI BELGUARDO VERMENTINO 2010, Toscana, Italy

09 Thursday Jan 2014

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

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Belguardo

Cost: $22.09 CI
Grape Variety: Vermentino
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: Blackbeard’s Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Toscana
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Mezzei
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Try this crisp & tart wine that’s different from your Sauvignon Blancs, Pinot Grigio etc.

Positives: This wine features lemon, nectarines, lots of minerality, slight oxidation and orange rind on the finish. Light to medium body with high acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with grilled calamari.

Interesting Point: Thanks to Roberto from Blackbeard’s in recommending this wine.

Tasted: 7 January 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

05 Sunday Jan 2014

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Non LCBO Wine, White Wines

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cloud break

Cost: $8.99 US
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: Total Wines, Florida
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cloudy Break Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Not a complex Chard, but oh so good & at under $10 you can’t lose

Positives: This wine features mild toasted oak, butter, lemon meringue, pineapple, coconut, flan, peach & golden apple. Medium to full body with good acidity & fairly long length.

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with classic potato chips to custard desert.

Interesting Point: Nice to see a well balanced, in-expensive & creamy California Chard that is under $13

Tasted: 5 January 2014

Amazing Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 10/10 Total: 18.5/20

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

PIPER-HEIDSIECK BRUT CHAMPAGNE NV, Reims, Champagne, France

05 Sunday Jan 2014

Posted by in Champagne, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Piper Heidsieck

Cost: $54.95 ($34.95 Total Wines, Florida)
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meuniers
Category: Champagne
Location Bought: Total Wines, Florida
Country: France
Region: Reims, Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Piper Heidsieck
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose & fine mousse.

The sports car of Champagnes; fast, lean, racy & easy to drink

Positives: This complex wine features light toast & yeast, guava, honeysuckle, pear, green apples, pistachio, tobacco, melba toast & icing sugar on the finish. Light to medium body with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: $20 more expensive in Ontario than Florida.

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with raspberry point oysters.

Interesting Point: My wife’s go to Champagne, and if it were priced like Florida this would be a weekly staple.

Tasted: 5 January 2014

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 462432

KIRKLAND SIGNATURE SERIES, MOUNTAIN CUVÉE, CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010, Napa Valley, California, United States

04 Saturday Jan 2014

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

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Kirkland Signature

Cost: $18.99
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: Costco, Florida
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kirkland
Alcohol: 14.9% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

This wine is reminiscent of Christmas potpourri

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, nutmeg, cinnamon, cherry, black currents, blackberry, mulberry, Darjeeling tea, mocha, espresso, Christmas cake, roasted raspberry almonds, graphite & leather. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: You can feel the 14.9% alcohol

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Beef Wellington.

Tasted: 4 January 2014

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 10/10 Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

CHANDON ROSÉ NV MÉTHODE TRADITIONNELLE, California, United States

02 Thursday Jan 2014

Posted by in Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $32.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Moët & Chandon
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Salmon in colour with a medium+ intense nose & fine mousse.

A must buy if you go to Costco in Florida as it’s price is $12.99!

Positives: A fragrant sparkling that pairs well with a variety of foods. This sparkler features light yeast, strawberry, pink grapefruit, watermelon, cherry & roasted garlic on the finish. Medium+ body with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: Costco in Ontario doesn’t carry wine.

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with bruschetta.

Interesting Point: Owned by the famed Champagne house; Moët & Chandon

Tasted: 2 January 2014

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

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

LCBO: 56341

COLUMBIA CREST H3 CHARDONNAY 2009, Horse Heaven Hills, Washington St, University

01 Wednesday Jan 2014

Posted by in White Wines

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H3

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Horse Heaven Hills, Washington
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Columbia Crest
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A creamy full flavoured Chardonnay

Positives: This wine features medium toasted oak, wood smoke, lemon/lime, crème brulee, toffee, nutmeg, peanut brittle, vanilla & café con leche on the finish. Full body with average acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with turkey for Christmas.

Interesting Point: I bought this wine at Costco in Florida for $11.99, which I think is priced right.

Tasted: 1 January 2014

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 287227