Author Archives: Twilight Wines

MARQUÉS DE TORO FINCA LA MOURA MENCÍA 2015, CEO Castilla y León, Spain

23 Tuesday Mar 2021

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: Mencía & other Spanish Reds
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Castilla y León
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Alvares de Toro
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Undervalued wine that’s well-made, complex & featuring juicy fruit notes & spiciness. Score: 91/100

Tasting Note: Opaque purple to ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, soft tannin & an average length on the finish. This wine features: black cherry, plum, ripe tamarind, mulberry, blackberry, blueberry, dark chocolate, black peppers, cassis, anise, tomato leaves, leather & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I believe you could bring this bottle to a dinner party & people will think it’s a $30+ bottle of wine.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Seafood Paella

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing & Best Buys

Tasted: March 22, 2021

LCBO: 545939

PELEE ISLAND VINEDRESSERS RESERVE PINOT NOIR 2017, VQA South Islands, Ontario, Canada

22 Monday Mar 2021

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

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Ontario
Region: South Islands, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pelee Island
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This Pinot is an excellent styling to Central Otago Pinots, but under $20, which you will never find that at the LCBO for former. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Light garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: black cherry, strawberry, raspberry, beetroot, mulberry, cinnamon & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I love the expensive looking front label. Remember to chill to 15C, and use balloon (Burgundy) glassware.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Escargots à la Bourguignonne.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: March 21, 2021

LCBO: 325282

DOMAINE CLAVEL SYRIUS SAINT GERVAIS 2017, AOP Saint Gervais, Côtes du Rhônes, France

21 Sunday Mar 2021

Posted by in On The Fence, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: 70% Grenache, 30% Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Saint Gervais, Côtes du Rhônes
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Clavel
Alcohol:  14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A powerful, full body wine with lots of sweet fruit notes & spices. Score: 86/100

Tasting Note: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Plum, raisins, cherry pie, cloves, cinnamon, Allspice, white pepper & tomato leaves.   

Negatives: Lots of heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Wild Boar.

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: March 20, 2021

LCBO: 18144

KA TAHI “THE ONE” CHARDONNAY 2017, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand

20 Saturday Mar 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Hawke’s Bay
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ka Tahi
Alcohol:  12.8% Alcohol/Vol.

A clean, balanced, well-made Kiwi Chard that gives you a nice rounded palate. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: lemon peel, nectarine, white peach, fig, green apples, pear, ginger, light oak spice & vanilla.   

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Three friends. One vision. One wine – “the one”…Ka Tahi”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Coconut-Curry Braised Chicken Thighs.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 19, 2021

LCBO: 14557

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE SEMI-DRY RIESLING 2017, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

19 Friday Mar 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: $16.95
Grape: Riesling
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  11.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Well-made classic off dry, but not sweet, Riesling. Probably the best Canadian Riesling for under $17. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: lemon, pink grapefruit, honeydew melon, pear, green apple, limestone & petrol on the nose.   

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Jerk Chicken Wings.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 18, 2021

13th STEET WINERY MERITAGE 2018, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

18 Thursday Mar 2021

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Picture is of 2016, but same label for 2018

Cost: $39.95
Grape: 41.5% Merlot, 41.5% Cabernet Franc, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This maybe the best Canadian red wine I’ve had & my best rated Canadian wine score, therefore well worth the price. This wine is balanced, complex with juicy fruit notes & spice. Absolutely delicious. Well done JP. Score: 98/100

Tasting Note: Deep ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, smooth tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features dark cherry, plums, ripe tamarind, bramble fruit, pomegranate, dark chocolate, cloves, Allspice, cinnamon, sage, spinach leaves, leather, pencil shavings, turmeric with cedar & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: My favourite wine of JP’s to date was his Viscek 2018 Chardonnay, & this is now my favourite of his wines (not including his sparkling wines, but it just maybe equal).

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 10 years & pair it with Rosemary Crusted Rack of Lamb with Pomegranate Shallot Sauce. 

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: January 5, 2021

Re tested March 8, 2021

13th STREET WINERY PINOT NOIR 2019, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

14 Sunday Mar 2021

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $27.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Beautifully crafted this Pinot shows classic & elegant notes that are well balanced between the fruit & acidity while any oak influence gives it some backbone. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Light bright ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black & sour cherries, strawberry, raspberry, beetroot, Champagne mushrooms, peat moss & a touch of vanilla bean.   

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Sourced from Whitty Vineyards in Creek Shores. Fermented with minimum intervention & aged in new & seasoned French oak barrels for 8 months.” (13th Street)

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: March 13, 2021

GLORIA FERRER BLANC DE NOIRS ROSÉ NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, Carneros, California, United States of America

13 Saturday Mar 2021

Posted by in Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Carneros, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Gloria Ferrer
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Full body, full of flavour, good value. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Rose gold in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a mild intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Light yeast, brioche, black cherry, strawberry, lemon meringue, red apples, cola & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Currently, the LCBO has the regular Brut Blanc de Noir with the SKU number listed below.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Spiced Pork Chops within Cherry Thyme pan sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: March 12, 2021 (Happy Birthday to me!)

LCBO: 925735

DOMAINE STE. MICHELLE BRUT SPARKLING WINE NV, Méthode Classique, Columbia Valley, Washington State, United States of America

12 Friday Mar 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington State
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Ste. Michelle
Alcohol:  11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Full body where its dryness is in between bone dry & sweat, so right down the middle. Very easy drinking & full of flavour. Score: 89/100

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense+ nose & an average length on the finish. This wine features: Light yeast, brioche, pear, green apple, lemon & Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Outside Cava’s that are also traditional method that are mostly priced under $20, it’s rare to see in an Ontario sparkling wine made the same way being under $20.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with calamari.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 11, 2021

LCBO: 557637

LES DAUPHINS CÔTES DU RHÔNE CUVÉE SPÉCIALE 2018, Côtes du Rhône, France

11 Thursday Mar 2021

Posted by in Not Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: Grenache Noir and Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: France
Region: Côtes Du Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cellier Des Dauphins
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple wine with ripe fruits & spice. Taste more like an Australian Shiraz. Score: 79/100

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, mild tannin, a medium intense nose & an average length on the finish. This wine features: dried prunes, ripe tamarins, cloves, white pepper, sage & eucalyptus.

Negatives: Some heat coming from the listed 13.5% alcohol, plus too much ripeness.

Interesting Point: Use Bordeaux style wine stemware as when I tried with Syrah style one, the wine showed a lot of jammy cooked notes.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Lamb Steak in Mint Sauce 

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: March 10, 2021

LCBO: 385385