Author Archives: Twilight Wines

MCMANIS CHARDONNAY 2019, River Junction, California, United States of America

22 Monday Feb 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: River Junction, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: McManis Family Vineyards
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Just slightly better than your typical mass-produced Cali Chard, but at a higher price point. Score: 86 /100

Tasting Note: Light bright gold in colour with moderate acidity, medium+ intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. This wine features: lemon, yellow apples, banana, peach, pineapple, buttered popcorn & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Pineapple Pork Stir Fry

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: February 21, 2021

LCBO: 265983

BRICKLAYER’S REWARD 20 BARRELS CHARDONNAY 2019, VQA Niagara Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

21 Sunday Feb 2021

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

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Lakeshore
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Colio Estate Wines
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This nicely balanced cool climate style Chard should please those that like oak & those that don’t all at a good price point. Score: 90 /100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. This wine features: lemon, green apples, pear, peach, pineapple, oak spice, dill, honey & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The wine has been blended from 20 different oak barrels, mostly new, for 10 months

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with lobster sautéed in ginger & scallions (especially from Ma Chinese Restaurant in St. Catharines).

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 20, 2021

LCBO: 644609

ALVI’S DRIFT VIOGNIER 2019, Western Cape, South Africa

20 Saturday Feb 2021

Posted by in Not Recommended, White Wines

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

Crisp & very dry not typical of what you would expect or want from a Viognier. Score: 85 /100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, & a fairly long length on the finish. This wine features: lemon-lime, grapefruit & orange pith.

Negatives: Too much bitterness & very dry

Interesting Point: The bottle has a gold label on it “2019 Gold Wine Award in Excellent Wine at the Price”. All tasting is very subjective, but this one doesn’t even touch taste just price.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next couple of years & pair it with Southeast Asian Grapefruit & Shrimp Salad.

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: February 19, 2021

LCBO: 18687

FATTORIA LE PUPILLE MORELLINO DI SCANSANO 2018, DOCG Morellino di Scansano, Tuscany, Italy

20 Saturday Feb 2021

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

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: 85% Sangiovese, 10% Alicante, 5% Ciliegiolo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Morellino di Scansano, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Fattoria Le Pupille
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth with lush fruits. Score: 92 /100

Tasting Note: Bright medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & a fairly long length on the finish. This wine features: plum, black cherry, blackberry, raspberry, cinnamon, milk chocolate, vanilla & sage.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 years & pair it with Tuscan crostini with liver pate, Maremma ravioli, acquacotta.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: February 18, 2021

LCBO: 455659

TRIUS CHARDONNAY 2019, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

19 Friday Feb 2021

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

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Cost: $14.95 (Sale price until Feb 28, 2021: $13.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Trius Winery
Alcohol:  12.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Fruit forward Chard with a touch of oak all at a nice price. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Bright light gold in colour with high acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. This wine features: lemon, green & yellow apples, pink grapefruit, pear, peach, honeydew melon, oak spice & ginger.      

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: LCBO list this wine as “Full-Body & Rich”. More like medium body & crisp.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 years & pair it with Oysters with the Shallot Ginger Vinaigrette.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 17, 2021

LCBO: 497248

SILENI LODGE GRAND RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2018, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand

17 Wednesday Feb 2021

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

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Cost: $26.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Hawke’s Bay
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Sileni Estates
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A complex Chard that is beautifully balanced between the oak, fruit & acidity. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with, good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, peach, pear, green apples, pineapple, ginger, dill, honey, chamomile, toasted almonds & oak spice.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “In ancient Greece the Sileni were companions of Dionysus, the god of wine, vineyards and theatre. When there was something to be celebrated, the Sileni were always on hand to encourage enjoyment of delicious food, great wine and social interaction.” Sileni Estates

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years & pair it with Fried Zucchini Spaghetti

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: February 16, 2021 (Happy birthday Lithuania!)

LCBO: 14561

CELENE CUVÉE ROYALE ROSÉ CRÉMANT DE BORDEAUX NV, Traditional Method, AOC Bordeaux, France

14 Sunday Feb 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Cabernet Franc & Merlot
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Celene de Bordeaux
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A true representation of both Cab Franc & Merlot in a sparkling rosé. Nice, dry, light & tasteful. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Bright copper to salmon in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features redcurrant, black cherry, raspberry, mulberry, tamarind, blackberry & cassis.      

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: LCBO list the grapes used as Cabernet Franc & Muscadelle, however on the winery’s website, it Cab Franc & Merlot. And I confess, I bought this wine because I loved the bottle. Happy that the taste matched the elegance of the bottle.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years & pair it with Seafood Stew with Fennel & tomatoes

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 14, 2021

LCBO: 16604

BEAUTY IN CHAOS CHARDONNAY 2018, Washington State, United States of America

13 Saturday Feb 2021

Posted by in On The Fence, White Wines

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Washington State
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Beauty in Chaos
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Lots of citric fruits but I’m on the fence with this Chard as it’s simple & not impressive, therefore I feel that it’s overpriced. Should be under $10. Score: 86/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, grapefruit, mandarin & green apples.      

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2-4 years & pair it with Lemon Garlic Roast Pork

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: February 13, 2021

LCBO: 15840

FLAT ROCK CELLARS CHARDONNAY 2019, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

12 Friday Feb 2021

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

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale price $17.95 until Feb 28, 2021)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Flat Rock Cellars
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Bright, buttery & balanced. Consistently one of the best Chards for under $20. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Bright old gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features buttered toast, lemon, lemon meringue, peach, pear, golden apple, pineapple, ginger, dill, oak spice & marzipan.     

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: LCBO list this wine as “Light & Crisp”. Should be listed as full body & rich.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years & pair it with steamed lobster with drawn butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 12, 2021

LCBO: 286278

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE ROSÉ 2019, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

10 Wednesday Feb 2021

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Quality at a great price for this Pinot Noir rosé. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Light rose gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features sour cherry, strawberry, McIntosh apples, dragon fruit & roses on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years & pair it with Alabama smoked ribs.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 9, 2021