Author Archives: Twilight Wines

MARQUÉS DE CÁCERES ROSADO 2016, Doca Rioja, Spain

14 Monday Aug 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Rosés

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Marqués de Cáceres
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Another solid, dry yet juicy Spanish rosé made from Tempranillo

Description: Red snapper in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features cherry, strawberry, red currants, peach, pink grapefruit and cloves. Medium body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 of years on its own or pair it with Rosemary Flatbread topped with Blue Cheese, Grapes and Honey.

Tasted: 1 August 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 17.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 622142

CAVE DE HOEN MAUSBERB BLANC DE BLANC BRUT CRÉMANT D’ALSACE NV, Methode Traditionnelle, AOC Alsace, France

14 Monday Aug 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Alsatian White Grapes
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Alsace
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Sica Baron De Hoen
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple but elegant

Description: Light straw in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features light yeast, brioche, white peach, green apples, pears and white flowers on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Butternut Squash Ravioli with Brown Butter Sage.

Tasted: 13 Aug 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 171785

COLUMBIA CREST WALTER CLORE PRIVATE RESERVE 2007, Columbia Valley, Washington, United States

12 Saturday Aug 2017

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $49.99 Cayman Islands
Grape: 65.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32.1% Merlot, 2.7% Cab Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: Blackbeard’s Grand Cayman
Country: United States
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Columbia Crest
Alcohol: 14.4% Alcohol/Vol.

High end Columbia Valley Bordeaux style wine that doesn’t disappoint

Description: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features toasted oak, boysenberry, blackberry, cherry, prunes, dark chocolate, coconut, vanilla, turmeric, pencil shavings, cloves, anise and Portobello mushrooms on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 – 5 of years on its own or pair it with Braised Lamb with Peppers and Oregano.

Tasted: 2 Aug 2017

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

COLUMBIA WINERY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014, Columbia Valley, Washington, United States

12 Saturday Aug 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cost: $18.95 (Clearance price: $15.20)
Grape: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Mouvèdre, 7% Syrah, 7% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Columbia Winery
Alcohol: 13.7% Alcohol/Vol.

A rich Cab with candied dark fruits that’s below 14% alcohol

Description: Opaque ruby to purple in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features smoked oak, plum, ripe tamarind, blackcurrant, Christmas cake, leather, white pepper, mocha, toffee Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Columbia Winery’s new label is a 1,000 times better than the old one, which was to simplistic & non imaginative.

Drink now or in the next 2-4 of years on its own or pair it with Smoked Onion and Gruyere Cheese Tarts.

Tasted: 10 Aug 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Clearance price: 9/10) Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 460675

JEAN CLAUDE MAS ORIGINES MARTINOLLES 2015, Pays D’oc Saint Hilaire, France

12 Saturday Aug 2017

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, White Wines

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Cost: $13.95 (Clearance price: $11.20)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO
Country: France
Region: Saint Hilaire, France
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Les Demaines Paul Mas
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Impressive Chard, even more impressive that’s it’s inexpensive

Description: Gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features mild oak, lemon/lime, mango, pineapple, Spy apples, white peach, coconut crème pie, vanilla and Ylang Ylang on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Try using the Montrachet style glassware

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Quail Roasted with Honey, Cumin and Orange Juice.

Tasted: 4 Aug 2017

Best & Amazing Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9.5/10 (Clearance price: 10/10) Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

LCBO: 469999

ORGANIZED CRIME CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA Beamsville Bench, Ontario, Canada

27 Thursday Jul 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, White Wines

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Cost: $14.75
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Beamsville Bench, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Organized Crime
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice rich, creamy Chard Ontario Chard that’s not high in alcohol & under $15

Description: Gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium oak, butter toast, lemon, mango, pineapple, peach, Fuji Apples, cream corn, vanilla and buttered popcorn on the nose. Medium+ body with light average acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Use the larger Montrachet glassware

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with.

Tasted: 13 July 2017

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

Best Buy

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 408435

THE FOREIGN AFFAIR: THE CONSPIRACY 2015, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

27 Thursday Jul 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale price: $17.95 until 16 July 2017)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: The Foreign Affair Winery
Alcohol: 13.1% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice well balanced Ontario red for under $20

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features oak, blackcurrants, cherry, plum, blackberry, turmeric, clove and eucalyptus on the nose. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Done in the Ripasso method of drying of the grapes giving the wine more richness & depth.

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Roasted Châteaubriand with Red Wine-Mushroom Reduction and Pommes Puree.

Tasted: 11 July 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Sale price: 9/10) Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 149237

ENIGMA CHARDONNAY 2014, California, United States

23 Sunday Jul 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Cost: $14.15 (On sale until 16 July 2017: $12.15)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: E.J Gallo Winery
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

This is comfort Chardonnay

Description: Gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features toasted oak, lemon meringue, baked apples, peach, mango, pineapple, orange, oak spice, butterscotch, vanilla and Easter Lily on the nose. Medium+ body with average acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Orange Honey BBQ Chicken.

Tasted: 20 June 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Sale price: 9/10) Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 428854

BERONIA RIOJA, TEMPRANILLO, ELABORACION ESPECIAL 2014, Rioja, Spain

23 Sunday Jul 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Beronia
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Rioja style that’s smooth and delicious at a great price

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features sandalwood, strawberry, dark cherry, pomegranate, grilled red peppers, cloves, cinnamon, cigar box, oregano, vanilla and leather on the finish. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A touch hot on the finish from the 14% alcohol.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Steak with Olive Salsa.

Tasted: 21 June 2017

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 426981

RODNEY STRONG ALEXANDER VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

22 Saturday Jul 2017

Posted by in Red Wines

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Cost: $30.00
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: Alexander Valley, Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Alexander Valley Cab, but alcohol tries to overwhelm the fruit flavours

Description: Deep ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, dark cherry, plum, raspberry, black currants, boysenberry, cinnamon, cloves, smoked, turmeric, pencil shavings, leather and purple lilac on the nose. Full body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity and long length.

Negatives: Too much heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: Previous vintage that I reviewed was the 2012, which was far superior to the 2014.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with London Broil drizzled with Onion Marmalade .

Tasted: 28 February 2017

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 350454