Author Archives: Twilight Wines

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

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