Author Archives: Twilight Wines

PIERREL LES ORESSENCES BRUT CHAMPAGNE NV, Ac Epernay, France

22 Sunday May 2016

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Pierrel

Cost: $42.95 (Clearance: $30.15)
Grape: 50% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Meunier, 10% Pinot Noir
Category: Champagne Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Epernay
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pierrel
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A savory Champagne

Description: Deep gold in colour with an intense nose and fine mousse. This complex wine features yeast, toasted brioche, Boss pear, lemon meringue, Granny Smith apples, peach, pistachios, nutmeg,  and apple blossoms on the nose. Medium to medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Bacon and Leek Quiche.

Tasted: 22 May 2016

Top pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance price: 9.5/10) Total: 18+/20

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

LCBO: 167502

DELAHAIE PRESTIGE PREMIER CRU CHAMPAGNE NV, Epernay, France

22 Sunday May 2016

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Delahaie-Cuvee-Prestige-Front

Cost: $31.05
Grape: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay
Category: Champagne Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Epernay
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jacque Brochet
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A fresh, citric Champagne

Description: Gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This complex wine features yeast, toasted oats, lemon, tangerine, Anjou pear, Rainier cherry, macadamia nuts, candied ginger and Easter Lily on the nose. Medium to medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with pork Bibimbap

Tasted: 22 May 2016

Top pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

COYOTE’S RUN RED PAY VINEYARD 2012, VQA Four Mile Creek, Ontario, Canada

01 Sunday May 2016

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Red Wines

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Coyote's Run

Cost: $24.95 (Clearance price: $20.00)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Coyote’s Run
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A funky style Pinot that will only please a certain palate

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features dusty old wood, cherry, barnyard, figs and mushrooms. Medium body with mild tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Lightly chill and serve in a Balloon style glassware

Drink now on its own or pair it with Duck Breasts with Port, Fig and Shallot Sauce.

Tasted: 27 April 2016

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8/10 (Sale: 8.5/10) Total: 16.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 79228

GRANDE RESERVE NAOUSSA BOUTARI 2008, PDO Naoussa, Greece

01 Sunday May 2016

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

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Naoussa

Cost: $18.95 (Sale price: $15.20)
Grape: Xinomaro
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Greece
Region: Naoussa
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Boutari
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Old Word aged wine at a bargain price

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features dusty old wood, sandalwood, dried red berries, licorice, anise, black olives, champagne mushrooms and leather. Medium+ body with mild tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Similar to a Grand Reserva Rioja, but use the same glassware that you would drink a Cabernet in.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Penne with Bacon and Black Olive Sauce.

Tasted: 23 April 2016

Best buy & Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 (Sale: 9.5/10) Total: 18.5/20

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

LCBO: 140111

RODNEY STRONG RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY PINOT NOIR 2013, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

01 Sunday May 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Rodney Strong

Cost: $24.95 (Sale until 24 April 2016: $22.95)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rodney Strong
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Consistently a nice drinking, full flavoured & balanced RRS Pinot at a reasonable price

Description: Light to medium ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features pine, cranberry, crabapples, cherry, rhubarb, cinnamon, cloves and forest greens. Medium+ body with mild tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: The 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: Slightly chill and if you can use the balloon style Pinot glass

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Turkey Cranberry and Grilled Brie Panini.

Tasted: 21 April 2016

Best buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 954834

CLOS DU BOIS CALCAIRE CHARDONNAY 2013, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

01 Sunday May 2016

Posted by in White Wines

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Calcaire

Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Clos du Bois
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice, well balanced Chard from California

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to low intense nose. This wine features lemon meringue, peach, apple, some oak spice, hazelnut, dill and limestone. Medium+ body with good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: The 14.5% alcohol

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Hickory Smoked Garlic and Herb Stuffed Cornish Game Hens.

Tasted: 19 April 2016

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

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

LCBO: 421941

CHÂTEAU MAMIN 2009, Ac Graves, Bordeaux, France

21 Thursday Apr 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Mamin

Cost: $21.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Graves, Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer:
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Juicy, a touch acerbic on the finish, yet still smooth & delicious

Description: Medium+ ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, cherry, plum, blackberry, black currants, blueberry, turmeric, pencil shavings, leather and mesquite. Medium+ body and tannins, with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Crispy Skin Trout with Mint and Coriander Pork Belly.

Tasted: 4 April 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: 444281

TOASTED HEAD CHARDONNAY 2014, California, United States

21 Thursday Apr 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Toasted Head

Cost: $18.95 (Sale price until 24 April 2016: $15.95)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: R.H. Phillips Vineyard & Winery
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
A nice balance of smokiness, wood & tropical fruit that makes this Chard stand above the regular mass produced California Chards

Description: Gold in colour with medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon meringue, smokiness, apples, cinnamon, peaches, pineapple, peaches & cream corn, butterscotch and coconut. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Notes: LCBO puts this wine on sale a couple times a year, which makes it even more worth buying.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Chicken Thighs with Chipotle-Peach Salsa.

Tasted: 6 April 2016

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: 594341

VILLA MARIA PRIVATE BIN PINOT NOIR 2013, Marlborough, New Zealand

21 Thursday Apr 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Villa Maria

Cost: $19.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Villa Maria
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A juicy, mid weight, well balance & delicious Pinot for under $20

Description: Medium ruby to garnet colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features pine, cherry, raspberry, strawberry, rhubarb, forest greens and fresh cut carnations on the nose. Medium body with mild tannin, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Slightly chill and if you can use the balloon style Pinot glass

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Dry Rubbed Oven Roasted Brisket stuffed with Garlic, Rosemary and Pine-nuts.

Tasted: 7 April 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: 146548

WATERSTONE PINOT NOIR 2011, Carneros, California, United States

20 Wednesday Apr 2016

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

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pinot-noir

Cost: $22.25
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Special Order
Country: United States
Region: Carneros, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Waterstone Winery
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Gorgeous!

Description: Medium light garnet colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features pine, dark cherry, plum, strawberry, rhubarb, cloves, cola, vanilla, fresh peat moss, smouldering embers and violets on the nose. Medium body with mild tannin, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: The 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: Slightly chill and if you can use the balloon style Pinot glass

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Duck Breast with Pomegranate-Plum Glaze.

Tasted: 8 April 2016

Best buy & Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: Special order