Author Archives: Twilight Wines

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE MALBEC 2020, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

17 Wednesday Nov 2021

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, On The Fence, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: Malbec
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Winemaker Gavin Robertson foray into Malbec, which is a rarity for any winery in Ontario to make generally succeeds. Score: 87/100.

Tasting Note: Medium purple to ruby in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, light tannin & an average length on the finish. This wine features: Blackberries, mulberries, eucalyptus & a touch of vanilla.

Negatives: A little too medicinal

Interesting Point: First couple of tastes, I wasn’t liking it, but the wine grew on me.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-6 years on its own or pair it with Lamb Shank.

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: Nov 10, 2021

HILARIO CORBIÈRES 2019, AOP Corbières, Languedoc, France

16 Tuesday Nov 2021

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: 60% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Corbières, Languedoc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Confrerie Des Domaines
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A delicious spicy, mouth-watering wine. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Deep dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, plum, bramble fruit, black peppercorn, cocoa, arugula, sage & fresh cut carnations.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-6 years on its own or pair it with Lamb Shank.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing Buy, Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Nov 12, 2021

LCBO: 15170

CHÂTEAU HYOT 2018, AC Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux, France

15 Monday Nov 2021

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: 60% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Alain Aubert Proprietors
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A delicious classic Bordeaux wine at a great price. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, blackberry, plum, red pepper, cocoa, tamarind, anise, pencil shavings & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: If this was made in Ontario, the wine would be going for $30 to $40.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-6 years on its own or pair it with Prime Rib Steak

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Nov 11, 2021

LCBO: 63537

VEUVE AMBAL CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE GRAND CUVÉE BRUT NV, Methode Traditionnelle, AC Burgundy

14 Sunday Nov 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $19.50 (Sale Price until Nov 28, 2021: $17.50)
Grape: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Aligoté, Gamay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Burgunday
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Veuve Ambal
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A solid delicious, elegant Crémant de Bourgogne Brut. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Deep straw in colour with good acidity, fine mousse, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Yeast, brioche, pear, green apples, lemon drops, honeydew melon, ginger, toasted almonds & Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Family run winery since 1898, is now the largest producer of Crémant de Bourgogne.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-6 years on its own or pair it with.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Nov 14, 2021

LCBO: 429688

TOM GORE CHARDONNAY 2018, California, United States of America

07 Sunday Nov 2021

Posted by in On The Fence, White Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Tom Gore Vineyards
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This wine is overpriced as it tries to be a good Cali Chard but falls short. Score: 86/100.

Tasting Note: Bright light gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & an average length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon drops, Golden Delicious apples, peach, pear, cooked pineapple, marzipan, ginger, oak spice & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This wine taste better in the Chablis style wine glass vs the traditional Montrachet style.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Creamy Herb Chicken

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: Nov 5, 2021

LCBO: 458810

MELINI CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2017, DOCG Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy

04 Thursday Nov 2021

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

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale Price until Nov 7, 2021: $16.95)
Grape: Sangiovese
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Italy
Region: Chianti Classico, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Melini
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An expressive DOCG Chianti Classico Riserva at a great price. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, firm tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, balsamic, arugula, licorice, dry sage & oregano.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Melini was founded in 1705

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 10 years on its own or pair it with Stone Pizza with Speck, Arugula, Harissa & Tomatoes.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Nov 3, 2021

LCBO: 487819

ANTHONIJ RUPERT L’ORMARINS CAP CLASSIQUE BLANC DE BLANCS 2013, W.O Western Cape, South Africa

02 Tuesday Nov 2021

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

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: W.O Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rupert Wines
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A true expression of a vintage Blanc de Blancs at great price. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Brioche, light yeast & toast, kiwi, green apples, lime, pear & oyster shells.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “The L’Ormarins range was initially established as a Cap Classique range, named after French Huguenot, Jean Roi’s hometown Lourmarins in Provence.” Rupert Wines

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 10 years on its own or pair it with Blue Point Oysters.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Oct 31, 2021

LCBO: 15681

TOM GORE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019, California, United States of America

31 Sunday Oct 2021

Posted by in Not Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Tom Gore Vineyards
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

On the plus side it’s under 14% alcohol, but on the negative side it’s your standard sweet mass-produced Cab. Score: Below 80/100.

Tasting Note: Deep ruby in colour with average acidity, medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & an average length on the finish. This wine features: Kirsch, plum, raisins, blackcurrant, mocha, figs & tomato leaves.

Negatives: Too sweet for my taste.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Korean BBQ ribs.

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: Oct 30, 2021

LCBO: 451336

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE BARREL FERMENTED CHARDONNAY 2015, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

29 Friday Oct 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This balanced wine makes it one of the better oak aged Ontario Chards for under $20. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, medium-low intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon drops, peach, pear, honeydew melon, ginger, dill, oak spice & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Using the right glass is key to enjoying this wine. Normally with an oak aged Chard I would use the larger open glassware. However, this wine is better with the Chablis style wine glass. I found the larger wine glass mutes the notes on this wine, while the Chablis glass lets these wonderful notes come to the surface.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with rotisserie chicken.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Oct 28, 2021

FOLIE À DEUX CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States of America

25 Monday Oct 2021

Posted by in On The Fence, Red Wines

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Cost: $44.95 (Clearance Price: $36.00)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Folie à Deux
Alcohol:  14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

The wine is pleasant, although on the jammy side, which is not surprising as it has 14.5% alcohol & just not worth the price, even at the clearance price. Score: 86/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, blueberry pie, plum, black olives, sage, black tea, licorice & tobacco leaves.

Negatives: The price and 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Point: Folie à Deux wines are sustainably grown in Sonoma County.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Korean BBQ Ribs

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: Oct 23, 2021

LCBO: 186163