Author Archives: Twilight Wines

HENRY OF PELHAM BACO NOIR OLD VINES 2015, VQA Ontario, Canada

18 Tuesday Oct 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Red Wines

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henry-of-pelham

Cost: $19.95
Grape: Baco Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Henry of Pelham
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Juicy, full flavoured & delicious

Description: Dark purple to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, mulberry, dark cherry, blackberry, cracked peppers, cinnamon, cloves, and smoked ambers on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: This is Henry of Pelham’s 2nd tier Baco, their first, the Reserve is the best Baco on the planet, or at least what I’ve tasted. Their 2nd tier follows big brother nicely. Use the same ballon glass for Pinot Noir and lightly chill the wine.

Drink now or in 7 years on its own or pair it with Provencal Braised Lamb Chops.

Tasted: 24 September 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 459966

LOUIS BOUILLOT PERLE D’IVOIRE BRUT CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE NV, Ac Burgundy, France

17 Monday Oct 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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louis

Cost: $19.95
Grape: Mostly Chardonnay with some white grapes
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Burgundy
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Louis Bouillot
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

An elegant substitute for Champagne at half the price

Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features light brioche, lemon, green apples, pear and white roses on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in 7 years on its own or pair it with Littleneck Clams Casino topped with Smoked Bacon, Charred Jalapeño and Burnt Lime.

Tasted: 25 September 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 48801

ANCIANO GRAN RESERVA TEMPRANILLO 2007, DOP VALDEPEÑAS, Spain

17 Monday Oct 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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anciano

Cost: $12.95 (Sale price until 9 Oct 2016: $10.95)
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Valdepeñas
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Navalon
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Love the beautiful bottle & the price & the taste isn’t too bad either

Description: Medium garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light sandalwood, raisin, plum, cherry, mushrooms and some leather on the finish. Medium body with dusty tannin, good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: Don’t expect this simple wine to be typical of a Grand Reserva that sells for over $20+

Interesting Note: Has the classic Rioja gold metal like mesh over the bottle to prevent counterfeiting.

Drink now on its own or pair it with Caramelized Mushrooms, Roasted Garlic, and Cherry Tomato Pasta.

Tasted: 7 October 2016

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 464214

GIOGANTINU VERMENTINO DI GULLURA 2014, DOCG Gallura, Sardinia, Italy

17 Monday Oct 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines

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Giogantinu

Cost: $17.95 (Clearance: $12.60)
Grape: Vermentino
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Gallura, Sardinia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Giogantinu
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Love the bottle, love the label, love the wine

Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features white peach, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, guava, papaya, lemon rind, flint, limestone and gardenia on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Lucky at the clearance price I bought what was left at the LCBO that I bought this wine.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years, on its own or pair it with Oven Baked Honey Garlic Game Hen.

Tasted: 11 July 2016

Top Pick, Best Buy & Amazing Buy at clearance price

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 435461

GHOST PINES WINEMAKER’S BLEND MERLOT 2013, 86% Sonoma County, 14% Napa County, California, United States

17 Monday Oct 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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ghost-pines-merlot

Cost: $18.95 (Sale price until 8 Nov 2016: $16.95)
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: 86% Sonoma County, 14% Napa County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ghost Pines
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the better tastes and buys for California red coming from a premium AVA

Description: Dark garnet to purple in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, mulberry, black cherry, blackberry, mocha, cinnamon, cloves, and violets on the nose. Full body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A little heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: Ghost Pines consistently has great value for the quality of wine they produce

Drink now or in 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Scallion and Brie stuffed Burgers on Grilled Focaccia Rosemary Buns.

Tasted: 14 October 2016

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale price: 9+/10) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 454876

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE CHARDONNAY 2012, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara, Ontario, Canada

24 Wednesday Aug 2016

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

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12 BF Chard Pic

Cost: $18.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Niagara College Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Nicely balanced between citric, tropical fruit, acidity & oak

Description: Medium bright gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, apple, pineapple, Freestone peaches, oak spice, clove, dill and white flower on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to Kate from the Teaching Winery for assisting me at the winery’s tasting area.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years, on its own or pair it with pizza bianche with fior di latte, cherry tomatoes, arugula & prosciutto di Parma

Tasted: 20 August 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE BRUT 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

24 Wednesday Aug 2016

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Winery Review Series

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balance brut

Cost: $23.15
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: White Wine
Location Niagara College Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple but pleasant sparkler

Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features lemon/lime, white peach, green apples and light yeast on the nose. Medium body with 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 baked three cheddar cheese.

Tasted: 21 August 2016

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

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

RYDER ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2014, Central Coast, California, United States of America

24 Wednesday Aug 2016

Posted by in White Wines

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Ryder

Cost: $17.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Central Coast, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ryder Estate
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Interesting balance of tropical & citric fruit with sweetness & acidity

Description: Gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, orange, mango, kiwi, buttered popcorn, caramel & grilled pineapple on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I can’t make up my mind if I like it or not.

Drink now or in the next 3 of years, on its own or pair it with Butternut Squash Ravioli with Brown Butter Sage.

Tasted: 4 August 2016

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 458638

HANDSOME BRUT MÉTHODE TRADITIONNELLE NV, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

23 Tuesday Aug 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine

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Handsome

Cost: $24.95 (Clearance price: $20.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Angels Gate
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A quality Blanc de Blanc at a good price

Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features light brioche, lemon/lime, pear, peach, green apples, kiwi, honeydew melon and honeysuckle 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 Pear, Parmesan, Candied Pecan and Arugula Salad.

Tasted : 7 Aug 2016

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: 395160

KITTLING RIDGE LIMITED EDITION BARREL FERMENTED CHARDONNAY 2012 VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

23 Tuesday Aug 2016

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine

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Kittling Chard

Cost: $16.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Magnotta & Kittling Ridge Wineries
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 12.9% Alcohol/Vol.

A throw back to the 90s California Chards

Description: Old gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features oak, toasted oak, butter oak, followed by pineapple, orange zest, papaya, Ylang Ylang & smoked oak on the nose. Full body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Way too much oak and not enough fruit

Past it’s prime unless you like taking wood splints out of your mouth. However, if you were going to pair this wine then I would pair it with Linguine in Butter Sauce with Sweet and Spicy Shrimp.  

Tasted: 27 July 2016

Score: 7.5/10, Value: 7.5/10 Total: 15/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 2.5