Author Archives: Twilight Wines

CHÂTEAU HYOT RÉSERVE 2018, AC Castillon, Côtes de Bordeaux, France

18 Wednesday May 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Castillon, Côtes de Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau Hyot
Alcohol: 14.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Fruit forward Bordeaux blend that ready to drink now: 89/100.

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, blackberry, raspberry, plum, blackcurrant, nutmeg, vanilla, turmeric, pencil shavings & leather.

Negatives: Heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Pork Loin seasoned and seared with light rub of cinnamon and pepper and sliced and served in thyme and shallot au jus.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 17, 2022

LCBO: 14667

BERNARD-MASSARD CUVÉE DE L’ÉCSSON BRUT SPARKLING NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, Luxembourg

16 Monday May 2022

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Cost: $20.95
Grape: 45% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Blanc, 15% Pinot Noir.
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Luxembourg
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bernard-Massard
Alcohol: 13.8 % Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex but easy drinking & delicious: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, fine mousse, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon-lime, light brioche, green apples, pear, limestone

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years on its own or pair it with salt and vinegar chips.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 15, 2022

LCBO: 970970

DOMAINE CARNEROS AVANT-GARDE PINOT NOIR 2019, Carneros, California, United States of America

15 Sunday May 2022

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

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Cost: $36.95 (Clearance Price: $30.25)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Carneros, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domain Carneros
Alcohol: 13.8 % Alcohol/Vol.

Consistently one of my favourite Pinots. Juicy, tart & delicious: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Light ruby with a garnet tinge in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, supple tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Bing cherries, pomegranate, strawberry, rhubarb, cinnamon, cloves, tobacco leaves & pickle beets.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Chill wine to approximately 15 C

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: May 14, 2022

LCBO: 11528

DUCA DI SARAGNANO GOVERNO 2019, IGT Tuscany, Italy

14 Saturday May 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Duca Di Saragnano
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Juicy, full flavoured & easy to drink Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, dusty tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark & sour cherries, sweet plum, raspberries, blackberry, sage, cocoa, turmeric, graphite & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This wine is made according to the ancient Tuscan tradition of governo alla toscana, whereby partially dried grapes are added into the winemaking after first fermentation.

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 13, 2022

LCBO: 25399

QUAILS’ GATE CHARDONNAY 2019, VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

13 Friday May 2022

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $26.95 (Clearance Price: $21.60)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Quails’ Gate
Alcohol: 12.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Not complexed, but quality with nice crispness in this BC Chard. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, light tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, kiwi, pineapple, white peach, Red Delicious apple & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Pan Seared Halibut with Lemon Butter Sauce

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy at Clearance Price

Tasted: May 12, 2022

LCBO: 377770

SHANNON RANCH CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019, California, United States of America

11 Wednesday May 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 7% Sangiovese
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Shannon Ridge Family of Wines
Alcohol: 13.9 % Alcohol/Vol.

A balanced Cab Sauv from Cali with moderate alcohol & great taste. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, firm tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, blackberry, mulberry, plum, crème de cassis, Allspice, black pepper, anise, turmeric, pencil shavings, vanilla & cedar.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Shannon Ridge won the 2021 Green Medal Environment Award for their efforts in creating sustainably farmed wines.

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 10, 2022

LCBO: 24097

OPHÉLIE ROSÉ 2020, AOP Coteaux D’Aix en Provence, France

27 Wednesday Apr 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: 84.3% Syrah, 15.7% Grenache Noir.
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Coteaux D’Aix en Provence
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Le Cellier D’Equilles
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Provence rosé being elegant & crisp. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Light rose gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Strawberry, honeydew melon, pink grapefruit, watermelon, basil, blood orange & limestone.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2-4 years on its own or pair it with pan fried prawns.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 26, 2022

LCBO: 20083

DOMAIN GUILLOT-BROUX MÂCON-CRUZILLE 2019, AOC Mâcon-Cruzille, Burgundy, France

19 Tuesday Apr 2022

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

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Cost: $28.95
Grape: Gamay
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages Online Exclusive
Country: France
Region: Mâcon-Cruzille, Burgundy
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domain Guillot-Broux
Alcohol: 13.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

This is what a very good gamay should taste like; balanced with complexity, juicy, crisp & gamey. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Light bright ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, green tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherry, pomegranate, redcurrants, strawberry, portobello mushrooms & peat moss on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Organic since 1991

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years on its own or pair it with seared Ahi tuna.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: April 18, 2022

LCBO: 24169

LE BONHEUR CHARDONNAY 2020, Western Cape, South Africa

12 Tuesday Apr 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Le Bonheau
Alcohol: 13.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

Lightly wooded this Chard is medium body, clean & crisp. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green apples, pear, yellow plum & limestone.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Teriyaki Stir Fry chicken, vegetables on a bed of rice.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 11, 2022

LCBO: 20970

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