Author Archives: Twilight Wines

ROCKWAY VINEYARDS WILD FERMENT CHARDONNAY 2014, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

16 Friday Jun 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, White Wines

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Cost: $22.95 (Clearance Price: $18.40)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rockway Glen Estate Winery
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

A solid Canadian Chard that’s a nice change from the standard model for an oaked Chard

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon meringue, lime, red & green apples, peach, pear, light yeast, oak spice and white flowers on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

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

Tasted: 1 June 2017

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance Price: 9+/10) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 484626

STONEHEDGE GRAND RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2014, Napa Valley, California, United States

16 Friday Jun 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Stonehedge Winery
Alcohol: 14.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

A nice balanced Napa Chard between oak, fruit & acidity at a good price

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light to medium toasted oak, butter, lemon, orange, pineapple, mango, ginger, dill, peaches & cream corn, oak spice and apple blossoms on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Touch to much heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Seared Foie Gras.

Tasted: 6 June 2017

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 311548

TERRES De SAINT-LOUIS ROSÉ 2016, Aoc Coteaux Varois en Provence, France

13 Tuesday Jun 2017

Posted by in Rosés

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Cost: $11.65
Grape: Cinsault, Syrah, Grenache
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Coteaux Varois en Provence
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cercle des Vignerons Provence
Alcohol: 12.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

A simple but nice crisp rosé that’s a good alternative to Sauvignon Blanc for summer fun

Description: Light salmon in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features passion fruit, pink grapefruit, strawberry and pink roses on the nose. Light to medium body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Encircled by the Côtes de Provence, the Coteaux Varois en Provence appellation, ten times smaller than its big sister, has a very specific character, due to its terroir and very unique climate.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Asian-Style Scampi with spiced herb relish.

Tasted: 31 May 2017

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

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

LCBO: 234575

WAKEFIELD SHIRAZ 2015, Clare Valley, Australia

13 Tuesday Jun 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cost: $18.95 (Sale price until 18 June 2017: $15.95)
Grape: Shiraz
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Clare Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wakefield Wines
Alcohol: 14 % Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best commercially produced Shiraz from Australia

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light cedar, blueberry, blackberry, plum, black pepper, cassis, vanilla and lavender on the nose. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14% alcohol.

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

Tasted: 8 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: 943787

PINK HOUSE WINE CO. CHARDONNAY MERLOT ROSÉ 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

12 Monday Jun 2017

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Rosés

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Cost: $13.95 (Sale Price until 18 June 2017: $12.95)
Grape: Chardonnay & Merlot
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: House Wine Company
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Well this is an interesting rosé made from white & red grapes

Description: Salmon with an orange hue in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features strawberry, cranberry, orange, McIntosh apple and orange blossom on the nose. Medium body with medium acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Can’t make up my mind if this wine is just okay or it’s good. Seems like a mood wine, ie depends on what mood your in may reflect how you view this rosé.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Roasted Tomato Basil Soup.

Tasted: 9 June 2017

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17+/20

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

LCBO: 324558

YALUMBA THE Y SERIES VIOGNIER 2016, South Australia, Australia

12 Monday Jun 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Cost: $13.95 (Sale price until 18 June 2017: $12.95)
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO general list
Country: Australia
Region: South Australia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Yalumba
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best value Viogniers

Description: Deep straw in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features lemon, peach, apricot, pineapple, ginger, peach pit, honey and jasmine on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Spicy Ginger Chicken Pad Thai.

Tasted: 29 May 2017

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 470062

DeMORGENZEN GARDEN VINEYARDS ROSÉ 2016, Stellenbosch, South Africa

01 Thursday Jun 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Rosés

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Cost: $11.95
Grape: 54% Grenache, 36% Syrah, 10% Mourvédre
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: DeMorgenzon
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Great value summer drink so you may wish  to get several bottles

Description: Light salmon in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cherry, strawberry, apple, honeydew melon, passion fruit and white rose on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: DeMorgenzon originally founded in 1699, means “morning sun”.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with a Spinach & Goat Cheese Salad made with Warm Sun Dried Cranberries and Crispy Italian Pancetta with Basil Olive Oil 

Tasted: 25 May 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 485813

JARDIN BLACK MAGIC MERLOT 2013, Stellenbosch, South Africa

30 Tuesday May 2017

Posted by in Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jordan Winery
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Lots of blackcurrants and greens

Description: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackcurrants, plum, tobacco, dried herbs, asparagus, green peppers, eucalyptus, cassis, black olives, black tea. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A touch hot from the 14.5%

Interesting Note: Disgorgement in 2015 with 60% from 2011 and 20% from 2009/2010 and aged 36 months in the bottle.

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Bison Ribeye with Roasted Garlic and Crispy Potatoes.

Tasted: 23 May 2017

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5/10, Total: 117/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 485508

VÉRTICE CUVÉE, BRUTO ESPUMANTE, CLASSIC METHOD NV, DOC Douro, Portugal

30 Tuesday May 2017

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $16.95 (Clearance Price: $13.60)
Grape: 37% Gouveio, 27% Touriga Franca, 15% Malvasia Fina, 9% Viosinho
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Caves Transmontanas
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Champagne style at a great price

Description: Rose gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This complex wine features, light toasted oak, brioche, lemon/lime, orange, Anjou pear, pineapple, green apple, peach, limestone and Easter Lily & peat moss on the nose. Light to medium body with good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Disgorgement in November 2015 with 60% from 2011 and 20% from 2009/2010 and aged 36 months in the bottle.

Drink now or in the next 10 of years on its own or pair it with Lemon Grass Snapper Ceviche.

Tasted: 7 May 2017

Best Buy & Amazing Buy for Sparkling Wines

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5/10 (Clearance Price: 10/10), Total: 19/20

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

LCBO: 482679

CLOS DE GAT AYALON VALLEY 2007, Judean Hills, Israel

29 Monday May 2017

Posted by in Red Wines

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Cost: $35.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Israel
Region: Ayalon Valley, Judean Hills
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Clos de Gat Winery
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Funky nose but the taste delivers

Description: Medium garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features oak, plum, blackcurrants, anise, Portobello mushrooms, soy sauce, dried thyme, leather, tomato leaves and burnt rubber on the nose. Full body with medium+ tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Wine is unfined and unfiltered. I Would definitely try this wine again but in a younger vintage.

Drink now as it’s past its prime. Drink on its own or pair it with Wild Mushroom Pizza with Rosemary and Caramelized Onions.

Tasted: 3 April 2017

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5/10, Total: 17+/20

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

LCBO: 280339