Author Archives: Twilight Wines

JOSH CELLARS MERLOT 2018, California, United States of America

13 Wednesday May 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $18.95 (Sale price until May 24, 2020: $16.95)
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: USA
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Josh Cellars
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Here’s a nice surprise: a California red that is below 14% alcohol, not sweet or flabby, has some complexity, it’s priced under $20 & oh yes, it’s nice to drink

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features cherry, blackberry, blueberry, black & red currants, raspberries, arugula, mocha & vanilla

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: You won’t find this wine on Josh Cellars winery website, strange but true. I expect it is made for export only.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Mongolian Beef.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 13, 2020

LCBO: 638221

BODACIOUS BOLD & BUTTERY CHARDONNAY NV, Ontario, Canada

13 Wednesday May 2020

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Not Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $11.95 (Sale price: $10.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Arterra Wines
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Oh dear Lord no! This wine is like eating bark from an oak tree with an overripe banana & rubbing alcohol

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: May 13, 2020

LCBO: 10427

CUDDY BY TAWSE LIMESTONE RIDGE SPARKLING WINE NV, Traditional Method, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

09 Saturday May 2020

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $25.95 (Clearance price: $18.20)
Grape: Riesling
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Tawse Winery
Alcohol:  10.7% Alcohol/Vol.

A well-made Riesling sparkling wine

Tasting Note: Straw colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features light brioche, lemon, green apples, pears, & petrol on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: On Tawse website they list this wine at $28.15. In addition, the label list the alcohol as 12%, but LCBO has put a label on it listing the alcohol as 10.7%.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next couple of years on its own or pair it with breaded calamari.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: May 9, 2020

LCBO: 546762

BURROWING OWL ESTATE BOTTLED CHARDONNAY 2017, VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

08 Friday May 2020

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

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Cost: $33.95 (Clearance price: $23.80)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Burrowing Owl
Alcohol:  13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Full bodied and rich on the palate with crisp acidity and flavours of exotic tropical fruit that is well balanced with the oak. Simply delicious.

Tasting Note: Bright gold colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features butter toast, lemon, peach, mango, pineapple, poached pear, dill, oak spice, ginger & white flower on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with lobster and drawn butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: May 8, 2020

LCBO: 208694

GRAN FEUDO ROSÉ 2018, Navarra, Spain

07 Thursday May 2020

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $12.85 (Sale price until May 24: $11.35)
Grape: 38% Garnacha, 30% Tempranillo, 21% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Navarra
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Gran Feudo
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Probably one of the best Rosé you can find for under $13

Tasting Note: Rich pomegranate colour with good acidity, a light to medium intense nose & an average length on the finish. Wine features strawberry, Dragon Fruit, orange.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: On the label it list Syrah but not Granache as one of the grapes used. However, on the Gran Feudo’s website it’s the opposite.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next couple of years on its own or pair it with BBQ spare ribs.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing Buy & Best Buy

Tasted: May 7, 2020

LCBO: 165845

PENINSULA RIDGE RESERVE SYRAH 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

06 Wednesday May 2020

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

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Cost: $24.95 (Clearance price: $17.30)
Grape: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Peninsula Ridge
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant drinking Ontario Syrah made in the classic Rhone style & it’s great deal at the clearance price if you can find it

Tasting Note: Light+ ruby colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, medium to mild tannin & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features cherry, mulberry, plum, clove, white & black peppers and a slight smokiness on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: For some reason if you buy it at the winery, the cost is $30.15?!

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with braised beef short-ribs.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 6, 2020

LCBO: 230896

DOMAINE DE SÉRAME VIOGNIER 2017, IGP Pays D’Oc, France

05 Tuesday May 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $13.95 (Clearance price: $11.20)
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Southern France
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château de Sérame
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple yet elegant wine; very pleasant to drink at a good price

Tasting Note: Straw colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features apricot, peach, pear, lemon & cloves.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Organic wine

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with poached salmon.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 5, 2020

LCBO: 10631

OYSTER BAY SPARKLING CUVÉE ROSÉ, NV Hawke’s Bay & Marlborough, New Zealand

03 Sunday May 2020

Posted by in Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $22.95 (Clearance price: $18.40)
Grape: 80% Chardonnay & 20% Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Hawke’s Bay & Marlborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Oyster Bay
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A clean, crisp & lean sparkling rosé

Tasting Note: Copper in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose, & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features strawberry, cherry, green & red apples.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Charmat method

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Waldorf salad.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: May 3, 2020

LCBO: 280172

CUVÉE L’ÉQUILIBRE 2016, AOC Pézenas, Coteaux de Languedoc, France

03 Sunday May 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: 60% Syrah, 20% Grenache Noir, 20%Carignan
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Pézenas, Coteaux de Languedoc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Villa Symposia
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A delicious classic Southern French rustic style wine

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, medium tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features cherry, plum, strawberry, white pepper, peppercorn, Allspice, tarragon, sandalwood & purple lilac on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Organic wine

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with rack of lamb.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 2, 2020

LCBO: 298620

YALUMBA THE STRAPPER GSM 2016, Barossa Valley, Australia

01 Friday May 2020

Posted by in On The Fence, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95 (Clearance price: $16.00)
Grape: Grenache, Shiraz, Mataro (Mourvèdre)
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Barossa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Yalumba
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Nice to see a Shiraz from Australia that is under 14% alcohol, unfortunately for my taste it has a little too much jammy notes, but those that like low tannin wines will like this wine

Tasting Note: Medium to light ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, low tannin & average length on the finish. Wine features plum, blueberry pie, strawberry jam & white pepper.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with seared venison with blueberry sauce.

My Opinion: On the Fence

Tasted: May 1, 2020

LCBO: 295873