Author Archives: Twilight Wines

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

PIERRE PAILLARD LA GRAND RÉOLTE BOUZY GRAND CRU EXTRA-BRUT CHAMPAGNE 2018, AOC Bouzy, Champagne, France

14 Monday Mar 2022

Posted by in Champagne, Highly Recommended, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $130.00
Grape: 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay
Category: Champagne Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bouzy, Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pierre Paillard
Alcohol: 12.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Beautiful, elegant, delicious & complexed. Score: 98/100.

Tasting Note: Old gold in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, an intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Brioche, sour dough, buttered toast, Anjou Pear, lemon, kumquat, Golden Delicious apples, yellow pitaya, honeycomb, chalk, limestone, vanilla, a hint of salt & plumeria on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: La Grande Récolte 2008 benefits from extended aging “sur lie”: 10 years in our 19th century cellars at a depth of 53 feet/16 meters and
at a constant 50°F/10°C temperature

Pairings: Drink this now or in 7-10 years on its own or pair it with Caviar served on fresh baked Blinis.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: March 12, 2022

LCBO: 22922

ILLUMINATI RIPAROSSO MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO 2019, DOC Controguerra, Abruzzo, Italy

12 Saturday Mar 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $13.95 (Sale Price until March 27, 2022: $11.95)
Grape: Montepulciano
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Controguerra, Abruzzo
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Azienda Agricola Dino Illuminati
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Good table wine. Score: 88/100.

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, strawberry, pomegranate, licorice, arugula, thyme & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Use the smaller Sangiovese or Tempranillo glassware

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 11, 2022

LCBO: 269985

ALVI’S DRIFT CHARDONNAY 2020, Western Cape, South Africa

07 Monday Mar 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Alvi’s Drift Winery
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

For an inexpensive Chard, this one packs a lot of flavour & crispness. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold with green tinge in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon zest, lime, pineapple, peach, apricot, kumquat, oak spice, ginger & Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “The vineyards are grown using a philosophy of
sustainability and minimal intervention and are fertilized with natural compost produced on the farm. Only the premium free run juice was used for this wine which was fermented in stainless steel tanks as well as lightly oaked. Left several months on lees before the wine was fined, stabilized and bottled.” AD

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4-6 years on its own or pair it with South Africa Chutney Chicken.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 6, 2022

LCBO: 21151

PELEE ISLAND WINERY VINEDRESSER CHARDONNAY 2017, VQA South Islands, Ontario, Canada

03 Thursday Mar 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: South Islands, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pelee Island Winery
Alcohol: 13.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

Good value for a full flavoured Ontario Chard that isn’t overly ripe & balanced. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, quince, apple, pear, butterscotch, marzipan, oak spice & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2-3 years on its own or pair it with scallops with steak spice on a bed of spaghettini.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 2, 2022

LCBO: 492462