Author Archives: Twilight Wines

FRANSCHHOEK CELLAR, THE CHURCHYARD, CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018, Franschhoek, South Africa

08 Monday Mar 2021

Posted by in Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Franschhoek
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Franschhoek Cellar
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An intense wine with lots of blackcurrants. Score: 86/100

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, dry tannin, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Blackcurrants, plum, blackberry, black truffle, leather, pencil shavings & turmeric.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Decanting this wine will expose more than just blackcurrants.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Pork Medallions with Apples, Blackcurrants and crispy Sage

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: March 7, 2021

LCBO: 634667

TENUTA DI COLLALBRIGO PROSECCO SUPERIORE EXTRA DRY NV, DOCG Conegliano Valdobbiadene, Veneto, Italy

07 Sunday Mar 2021

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Glera
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Conegliano & Valdobbiadene, Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Tenuta di Collalbrigo
Alcohol:  11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Full body Prosecco that’s fresh & juicy. Great quality at a great price. 91/100

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, fine mousse, a medium+ intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Gala apples, pear, white peach, lemon-lime & clementine.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Their wines are the product of low-yielding vineyards in hills formed by Dolomites’ glacier movements. On average, their vineyards are 25-30 years old, & the soil composition is of clay & pebbles.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Wild Caught Poached Snapper with Lemon Browned Butter Sauce 

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: March 7, 2021

LCBO: 16603

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

06 Saturday Mar 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Recommended, 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 Balance Chard is nicely balanced between the citric fruit, the light oak notes & the graceful creaminess but still refreshing without being overtly crisp. 89/100

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: lemon, green apple, pear, honeydew melon, vanilla & coconut.    

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Don’t over chill this wine, as you will lose its complexity

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with North Atlantic lobster wrapped in egg pasta with sauteed bacon in a beurre blanc sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 5, 2021

ROBERT OATLEY SIGNATURE SERIES CHARDONNAY 2018, Margaret River, Australia

03 Wednesday Mar 2021

Posted by in Not Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Margaret River
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Robert Oakley
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

As 2017 was a great vintage, 2018 is very bad. Over ripened fruits across the board. 75/100

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & an average length on the finish. This wine features: marzipan, over ripened orange, over ripened papaya & over ripened banana.   

Negatives: Over ripened fruits

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: March 2, 2021

LCBO: 350900

BOLLATO DI GUARINI NEGROAMARO PRIMITIVO 2018, IGP Puglia, Italy

02 Tuesday Mar 2021

Posted by in Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $17.00
Grape: Negroamaro & Primitivo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Puglia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Losito e Guarini
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A complex wine but the correct glassware will make a huge difference between pleasant drinking or overtly sweet. Smaller glassware for Sangiovese will be the best choice. 88/100

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Plum, Bing cherries, ripe tamarind, blueberry, blueberry, aged balsamic, leather, thyme, tobacco, pepper, figs & violets on the nose.   

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 1. I got this wine as I love the rum style bottle, but it pours poorly do to the large lip. 2. Besides the correct stemware, serve this wine between 16-18C.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Wild Boar Ribs with Fig BBQ Sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: March 1, 2021

LCBO: 17884

VICTOIRE BRUT ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE NV, Eperney, Champagne, France

28 Sunday Feb 2021

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

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Cost: $45.95 (Sale price until Feb28, 2021: $39.95
Grape: 20% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir, 15% Meunier, 15% Red Wine
Category: Champagne
Location: LCBO General List
Country: France
Region: Epernay, Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: G.H. Martel & Co.
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Very easy drinking but with substance & a great price for a Champagne Rosé: 92/100

Tasting Note: Bright deep salmon in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: cherry, Strawberry, Fuji apples, raspberry, pomegranate, cured meat, toasted almonds, yeast & cassis.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Blinis with Smoked Salmon & Caviar.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: February 28, 2021

LCBO: 16396

DANDELION VINEYARDS TWILIGHT OF ADELAIDE HILLS CHARDONNAY 2018, Adelaide Hills, New Zealand

27 Saturday Feb 2021

Posted by in Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $20.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Adelaide Hills
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Dandelion Vineyards
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Chablis in style, this wine has some oak influence & it’s bone dry, crisp & clean. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Light bright gold with a green tinge in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: lemon, green apples, pear, peach & ginger.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The grapes were picked during twilight time, ergo the name, & speaking of the name, how could I not get it?!

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with herb & lemon scallops on a bed of Angel Hair.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: February 27, 2021

LCBO: 368274

SAND POINT CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017, Lodi, California, United States of America

25 Thursday Feb 2021

Posted by in On The Fence, Red Wines

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Cost: $16.95 (Sale price until Feb 28, 2021: $14.95)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: United States of America
Region: Lodi, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Lange Twiins Family Vineyards
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This is a fruit gusher. An easy drinking Cali Cab Sauv without the high alcohol now common with red wines from California. Score:  86/100

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, an intense nose & an average length on the finish. This wine features: plum, cherry, blueberry pie, ripe tamarind, cloves & cassis.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Certified Lodi Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Sticky Tamarind Beef.

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: February 23, 2021

LCBO: 11193

CHÂTEAU DES LANDES CUVÉE PRESTIGE 2016, AOC Lussac-Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France

24 Wednesday Feb 2021

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

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Cost: $26.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Lussac-Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château Des Landes
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A beautiful wine that is smooth, balanced with complexity. This wine is a bargain at this price. Score: 95/100

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, smooth tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: cherry, Crème de cassis, plum, blackberry, mulberry, tamarind, cherry tobacco, Allspice & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 100% Merlot aged 16 months in new French oak,

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 7-10 of years on its own or pair it with slow roasted prime rib.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: February 23, 2021

LCBO: 363101

TERRES SECRÈTES LES PRÉLUDES 2018, AC Saint-Véran, France

23 Tuesday Feb 2021

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

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Saint-Véran,
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Terres Secrètes
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Delicious, balanced, complex & you get a Pouilly-Fuissé style wine at a better price point. Score: 92 /100

Tasting Note: Bright gold with a light green tinge in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: lemon, Fuji apple, pear, peach, honeydew melon, tangerine, ginger, dill, toasted almonds, honey, limestone & white flowers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Saint-Véran AC is adjacent to Pouilly-Fuissé

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: February 21, 2021

LCBO: 16725