Cost: $19.95 Grape: Chardonnay Category: White Wine Location: LCBO Vintages Country: United States of America Region: Lodi, California Format: 750 mL Producer: Lange Twins Family Winery & Vineyards Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
A simple, soft but not sweet Cali Chard. Score: 85/100.
Tasting Note: Yellow gold in colour with average acidity, a medium+ intense nose & an average length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, yellow apples, marzipan, banana, kumquat, light oak spice & vanilla.
Negatives: Flabby
Interesting Point:
Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2-4 years on its own or pair it with Spicy Garlic Asian Noodles.
Cost: $19.95 Grape: Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah and Merlot Category: Rosé Wine Location: LCBO Vintages Country: France Region: Méditerranée Format: 750 mL Producer: Domaine de Triennes Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Clean & crisp wine that shows both sour & tart fruits. Score: 88/100.
Tasting Note: Light pink in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Pink grapefruit, passion fruit, apricot & kiwi.
Negatives: None
Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2-4 years on its own or pair it with spicy calamari.
Cost: $26.95 Grape: Chardonnay Category: White Wine Location: LCBO Vintages Country: United States of America Region: Lodi, California Format: 750 mL Producer: Michael David Winery Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
The stainless-steel fermentation gives this wine a crisp start with tropical fruits, which is followed by the more mellow soft & creamy notes from the oak aging. Truly a top Chard. Score: 95/100.
Tasting Note: Light bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium-low intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green apples, pear, peach, pineapples, honeydew melon, ginger, oak spice & vanilla.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: The Phillips family have been farming this soil since the 1860’s and cultivating wine grapes since the early 20th century. The founders, brothers Michael and David Phillips, are 5th generation grape growers who have raised their families in the vineyard, and now the 6th generation has joined the team, Mike’s son Kevin and daughter Melissa. They understand the importance of leaving it better than you found it for future generations. Their family legacy and love of Lodi drive their focus on sustainability.
I bought this wine based on 2 things: 1) The bottle, just love the unique shape & the beveled engraved winery logo, 2) Under 14.5% alcohol.
Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with snow crab legs & drawn butter.
Cost: $16.95 (Sale price: $13.95 until May 23, 2021) Grape: Grenache & Syrah Category: Red Wine Location: LCBO General List Country: France Region: Côtes-Du-Rhône Format: 750 mL Producer: M. Chapoutier Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Not complex just a flavourful wine with nice fruits & spiciness at a reasonable price & even that much better at the sale price. Score: 89/100.
Tasting Note: Medium ruby with a purple tinge in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, raspberry, strawberry, blackcurrants, mulberry, white & black peppers, Allspice & licorice.
Negatives: Some heat from the 14.5% alcohol
Interesting Point: Aged 6 months in concrete and stainless-steel tanks.
Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Spicy Moroccan Lamb Burger with harissa and black pepper Mayo
Cost: $19.95 (Sale price: $17.95 until May 23, 2021) Grape: Pinot Noir Category: Red Wine Location: LCBO General List Country: New Zealand Region: Marlborough Format: 750 mL Producer: Stoneleigh Vineyards Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Awful; like eating rotten beets. Score: Not worth scoring.
Cost: $13.95 Grape: Trincadeira, Aragonez, Touriga Nacional and Syrah Category: Red Wine Location: LCBO Vintages Country: Portugal Region: Alentejano Format: 750 mL Producer: Magnum Vinhos Wines Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
An undervalued wine, which is great for the consumer, as you get lots of red fruit with spiciness. Score: 92/100
Tasting Note: Opaque in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, raspberry, strawberry, pomegranate, mulberry, white & black peppers, Allspice, licorice & fennel on the nose.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: This wine is Vegan friendly & 100% fermented in stainless steel.
Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with BBQ Alabama Beef Ribs.
Cost: $27.95 (Clearance price: $22.40) Grape: Chardonnay Category: White Wine Location: LCBO Vintages Country: United States of America Region: Arroyo Seco, Monterey County, California Format: 750 mL Producer: Wente Vineyards Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
A rare sighting for a full body, rich, complex Cali Chard that’s delicious & yet having under 14% alcohol. Score: 96/100
Tasting Note: Bright deep gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, peach, pineapple, mango, pear, honeydew melon, ginger, dill, roasted almonds, oak spice, vanilla & Easter Lily on the nose.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: Use the larger Chard style stemware & don’t over chill this wine in order to bring out all the flavours it has to offer.
Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 6-8 years on its own or pair it with Chilean Sea Bass
Cost: $19.95 Grape: 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot Category: White Wine Location: LCBO Vintages Country: Canada Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario Format: 750 mL Producer: 13th Street Winery Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Smooth easy everyday drinking wine. Score: 88/100
Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, plum, red & black currants, sweet toasted oak, white pepper & vanilla.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: Wine was aged both in stainless steel & oak barrels. Also, please see my review on the 2019 vintage.
Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Roast Beef with Plum Pudding
Cost: $21.95 Grape: 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot Category: White Wine Location: Winery (See Interesting Point below) Country: Canada Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario Format: 750 mL Producer: 13th Street Winery Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
This delicious wine is 100%-barrel fermented & has a burst of fruit expression then it’s rounded out by the Merlot. Score: 90/100
Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, medium tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, mulberry, plum, pomegranate, sweet toast, malt chocolate, white pepper & vanilla.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: The 2019 vintage is currently available only at the winery, but the LCBO still carries the 2018 at $19.95
Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with grilled T-Bone steak
Cost: $15.95 Grape: Chardonnay Category: White Wine Location: LCBO Vintages Country: France Region: Cévennes, Limoux Aude Valley, Hérault Format: 750 mL Producer: Abbott Delaunay Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Found my new inexpensive easy drinking Chard. This wine should please those that are anti-oak to those that like rich bold wines. This wine has freshness with a slight buttery finish. Score: 92/100
Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green apples, pear, peach, clementine, honeydew melon, dill, ginger, light oak spice & Gardenia on the nose.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: “The grapes from Cévennes bring freshness, those from Limoux’s Aude Valley introduce aromatic fruit tones to the bouquet, and those grown in Hérault add richness. Partially fermented in oak with the rest in stainless steel.” LCBO. This wine taste just as good as in a Chablis style stemware as well as the larger Chards that are big & rich.
Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Chicken & Pears
Twilight Wines 