Author Archives: Twilight Wines

PEARMUND OLD VINE CHARDONNAY MERIWETHER VINEYARD 2018, Fauquier County, Virginia, United States of America

10 Sunday Apr 2022

Posted by in Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages Online Exclusive
Country: United States of America
Region: Fauquier County, Virginia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pearmund Cellars
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Nice to see Virginian wines at the LCBO, especially such a delicious one like this one. This is like an aged Bourbon (minus the high alcohol) as it’s smooth, complex, balanced, tangy, citric, spicy & smoked. Score: 99/100.

Tasting Note: Medium bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, powdery tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Kumquat, lemon zest, green apples, pear, peach, grilled pineapple, hazelnut, nutmeg, dill, ginger, honeycomb, butter toast, vanilla & smoked fall leaves.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:
• Meriwether Vineyard is the 1st East Coast vineyard nominated as Grand Cru Vineyard from the American Grand Cru Society, as well as Virginia’s oldest Chardonnay vineyard that was established in 1976.
• The Winery sells this chard for $34 (+tax) US, so it’s a great price for LCBO to sell.
• Don’t over chill this wine in order to bring out all the complexity of the Chard.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Turkey dinner

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: April 9, 2022

LCBO: 21833

IDI DI MARZO MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO 2019, DOC Abruzzo, Italy

09 Saturday Apr 2022

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

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: Montepulciano
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Villamagna, Abruzzo
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Federico de Cerchio Family Estates
Alcohol: 13.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

High score due to exceptional value, high quality, smooth, balanced, simply delicious & tasted the same after trying the wine on a variety of different glassware. Score: 97/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, fine grained tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, ripe redcurrants, raspberry, roasted red peppers, licorice, cocoa, thyme, sage, Champagne mushrooms, tobacco leaves & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Sustainable wine & Vegan

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Eggplant Parmesan.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick, Amazing & Best Buy

Tasted: April 8, 2022

LCBO: 23862

CECCHI STORIA DI FAMIGLIA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019, DOCG Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy

07 Thursday Apr 2022

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

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Sangiovese
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Chianti Classico, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cecchi
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex but delicious & smooth all at a great price. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherry, mulberry, pomegranate, thyme, arugula, cocoa powder & leather.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years on its own or pair it with wood oven pizza with Speck, arugula & a melody of baby tomatoes.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: April 6, 2022

LCBO: 540922

SAWTOOH RED BLEND 2018, Idaho, United States of America

06 Wednesday Apr 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Petite Syrah, Tempranillo & Malbec
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages Online Exclusive
Country: United States of America
Region: Idaho
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Sawtooth Winery
Alcohol: 13.6 % Alcohol/Vol.

With 7 red blends, this could have gone very easily to the sweet side, but the winemaker; Meredith Smith, succeeds in having an easy drinking, smooth wine that’s balanced. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, light tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Ripe cherry, plum, Crème de Cassis, raspberry, blackberry, chocolate, tamarind, Allspice, tobacco leaves, truffles, cinnamon, vanilla & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Nice to have an Idaho wine at the LCBO

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-5 years on its own or pair it with homemade Beef soup with twice cooked Caribbean golden potatoes and garlic, scotch bonnet and fresh basil.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 5, 2022

LCBO: 21174

MALIVOIRE ESTATE GROWN CHARDONNAY 2019, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

05 Tuesday Apr 2022

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale price until Apr 24, 2022: $17.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Beamsville Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Malivoire Wine
Alcohol: 12.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Cool climate styled Chard showing lots of crispness. Score: 87/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green apples, pear, pineapple, ginger, oak spice & limestone.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-5 years on its own or pair it with fish & chips.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: April 3, 2022

LCBO: 573147

GRUET BRUT NV, Méthode Champenoise, New Mexico, United States of America

03 Sunday Apr 2022

Posted by in Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $26.95
Grape: Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: New Mexico
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Gruet Winery
Alcohol: 12.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Finesse & elegance sparkling wine at half the price of more well-known Napa sparkling wines. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Brioche, sourdough bread, light yeast, lemon zest, green apples, pear, ginger & limestones.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This is Gruet’s 2nd entry to LCBO. I reviewed their rosé earlier, & that was very good as well.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Homemade Oven Baked Garlic Parmesan Fries

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: April 3, 2022

LCBO: 21172

CHÂTEAU MAUCOIL 2019, AOP Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages, France

01 Friday Apr 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Grenache (50%) Syrah (25%) Carignan (25%)
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château Maucoil
Alcohol: 14.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Intense & powerful yet shows finesse. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, fine grain tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, raspberry, plum, blackberry, blueberry, cassis, anise, vanilla & cherrywood

Negatives: The heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Point: Organic wine

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Stewed Beef Tips with gravy

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 30, 2022

LCBO: 638502

DRAMA DARK BLEND 2018, DO La Mancha, Spain

30 Wednesday Mar 2022

Posted by in On The Fence, Red Wines

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: 50% Garnacha, 50% Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: La Mancha
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Familia Bastida
Alcohol: 14.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

Designed for those that like the sweeter Cali red style wines, but a little less alcohol. Score: 86/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, stewed strawberry, orange peel, chocolate, Allspice & sandalwood.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Gazpachos Manchegos

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: March 29, 2022

LCBO: 22445

LUNDY MANOR LUNDY RED 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

24 Thursday Mar 2022

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

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: 67% Cabernet Franc, 16% Merlot, 13.5% Syrah, 3.5% Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Lundy Manor Wine Cellars
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Best value Canadian red wine I’ve tasted to date. Beautifully made that has elegance, smooth, complexed & all at an amazing price. Score: 96/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, plum, blackberry, tamarind, raspberry, blueberry, Crème de cassis, baking spice, black & white peppers, cassis, Star Anise, dry figs, cocoa, vanilla & lavender on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Vinification Notes: the grapes were all 100% handpicked, then hard sorted, and fermented on their skins. A portion of the wine was placed on appassimento skins in a Ripasso style, then aged in a combination or French and American oak for a minimum of 18 months each.” LM Also I love the classic elegant wine label.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Marinated Leg of Lamb

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: March 21, 2022

LCBO: 21656

CHÂTEAU DE MANISSY LE MOULIN LE MOULIN DE NOTRE DAME TAVEL 2020, AOP Tavel, France

16 Wednesday Mar 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $19.95 (Clearance Price: $14.00)
Grape: Grenache, Syrah, Clairette, Cinsault
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Tavel
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château de Manissy
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Beautifully made, balanced with juicy notes. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Bright deep salmon in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, strawberry, raspberry, peach, pink grapefruit, persimmon & cinnamon.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Certified organic and biodynamic by Ecocert and Demeter respectively

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2-3 years on its own or pair it with BBQ sweet chili wings

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Amazing Buy at clearance price

Tasted: March 3, 2022

LCBO: 19573