Author Archives: Twilight Wines

KITTLING RIDGE LIMITED EDITION BARREL AGED BACO NOIR 2012, VQA Ontario, Canada

23 Tuesday Aug 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Red Wines

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Kittling Ridge Baco

Cost: $16.95
Grape: Baco Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.3% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the better Baco Noir’s I’ve had

Description: Light to medium garnet in colour with an intense nose. This wine features smoked oak, mulberry, blackberry, plum, peppercorn, mushrooms and pipe tobacco on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Slightly chill and use the balloon style glassware

Drink now or in the next 3 of years, on its own or pair it with Gourmet style Broiled Burgers topped with Smoked Bacon and Fried Egg.

Tasted: 31 July 2016

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 373613

DOMAINE ALLIMANT-LAUGNER BRUT CRÉMANT D’ALSACE MÉTHODE TRADITIONNALLE NV, Ac Alsace, France

23 Tuesday Aug 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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Allimant

Cost: $19.95 (Clearance price: $16.00)
Grape: Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Alsace
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Allimant-Laugner
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple, yet elegant

Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features light yeast, hay, lemon, pear, almonds, limestone and jasmine 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 Smoked Salmon.

Tasted: 31 July 2016

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance price: 9.5/10) Total: 17.5+/20

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

LCBO: 30593

IRONSTONE CHARDONNAY 2014, Lodi, California, United States

22 Monday Aug 2016

Posted by in White Wines

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Ironstone

Cost: $17.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Lodi, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ironstone Winery
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Light, citric & easy drinking

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, lemon, lime, green & yellow apples, pineapple, tangerine, ginger and honeysuckle on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: A typical of a Lodi Chard with 14.5% alcohol

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

Tasted: 31 July 2016

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

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

LCBO: 355776

MAGNOTTA EQUUS SERIES PINOT NOIR ROSÉ 2015, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

22 Monday Aug 2016

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Rosés

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rose_eq_pinotnoirrose

Cost: $9.95 (Sale price until 31 July 2016: $8.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Rosé Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.3% Alcohol/Vol.

Still reigning champion for best rosé for under $10

Description: Pale salmon in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features cherry, strawberry, Macoun apple, nectarine, rhubarb and light peat moss on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Try it with a Pinot Noir style glassware; you won’t be disappointed. See my previous review that I did in 2014 of the 2013 vintage.

Drink now or in the next 2 of years, on its own or pair it with Grilled Pork Chops with Orange Peppers.

Tasted: 26 July 2016

Amazing & Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5+/10 (Sale price: 10/10) Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

SELKIE FRIZZANTE 2014, Malagash, Nova Scotia, Canada

22 Monday Aug 2016

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine

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Selkie

Cost: $16.75
Grape: Nova Scotia blend of grapes
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Malagash
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jost Wines
Alcohol: 8.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Reminds me of a sweet non-alcoholic sparkling wine you get at a supermarket

Description: Yellow gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features orange, mango, yellow apples, bubble gum and orange blossoms on the nose. Medium body with fair acidity and an average length.

Negatives: Too sweet for me, even as an aperitif

Interesting Note: Selkies are mythological creatures found in Scottish, Irish, and Faroese folklore. Selkies are said to live as seals in the sea, but shed their skin to transform into their human form on land, dance along the moonlit shores, bask in the sun on outlying skerries, and be with their human loves.

Drink now on its own or pair it with Brioche Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.

Tasted: 24 July 2016

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 2.5

LCBO: 441899

CHATEAU DES CHARMES BRUT MÉTHODE TRADITIONNELLE NV, VQA, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, Canada

22 Monday Aug 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine

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chateau des charmes

Cost: $23.95
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-On-The-Lake
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau Des Charmes Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Solid, easy drinking sparkling wine made in the traditional style at a fair price

Description: Light straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features light toast, lemon, green apples, pear, lime, peach and white flowers on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

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

Tasted: 24 July 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 224766

OYSTER BAY CHARDONNAY 2015, Marlborough, New Zealand

28 Thursday Jul 2016

Posted by in White Wines

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Oyster Bay Chard

Cost: $18.95 (Sale price until 19 June 2016: $15.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Oyster Bay
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple, clean and easy drinking

Description: Medium gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features mild oak, lemon, apple, honeydew melon, oak spice and Easter Lily on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: The sale price is the fair price for this wine.

Drink now or in the next couple of years, on its own or pair it with Spicy Breadfruit Fish Tacos.

Tasted: 19 June 2016

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Sale Price: 9/10) Total: 18+/20

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

LCBO: 326728

CHÂTEAU DORLEAC REVALATIONS D’HUBERT De BOÜARD 2014, Ac Graves, France

28 Thursday Jul 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Dorleac

Cost: $15.95
Grape: 97% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Graves
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château Dorleac
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple, easy drinking but with substance & at a great price

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, cherry, red currants, dried berries, smoked cherry tobacco and violets on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Reminds me of my teen years during summers when I tried Colts cigars

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years, on its own or pair it with Roast Chicken with Thyme and Onions.

Tasted: 15 July 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 444315

HILLIER CREEK ESTATES PINOT NOIR 2012, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada

28 Thursday Jul 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Red Wines

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Hillier

Cost: $22.95 (Clearance price: $18.40)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Prince Edward County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Hillier Creek Estates
Alcohol: 10.6% Alcohol/Vol.

10.6% alcohol for a Pinot?! Thank you HCE for substantially giving us lower than average alcohol level and yet produce a nice juicy, full flavoured wine at a good price

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, cherry, red currants, cranberry, peat moss, barnyard notes and violets on the nose. Light to medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Prince Edward County produces some of Canada’s best Pinot Noir

Drink now or in the next 5 of years, on its own or pair it with Grilled Mediterranean Lamb Burgers with Sumac Marinated Onions. 

Tasted: 19 July 2016

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: 424382

RIOJA BORDÓN GRAN RESERVA 2005, DOCA Rioja, Spain

27 Wednesday Jul 2016

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

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Rioja Bordon

Cost: $23.95
Grape: 80% Tempranillo, 16% Garnacha, 2% Mazudo, 2% Graciano
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Franco Españolas
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A top notch, youthful Gran Reserva at a good price

Description: Medium garnet to ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features sandalwood, cherry, red currants, dried bramble fruit, old leather, shitake mushrooms, vanilla, chalk, and cherry tobacco on the nose. Medium body with dusty tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 10 of years, on its own or pair it with Braised Beef Roast with Cherry Balsamic Sauce.

Tasted: 20 July 2016 (Happy Birthday to my beautiful wife, without her contribution to my site it would not have the positive impact that it has)

Best Buy & Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 18.5/20

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

LCBO: 428060