Category Archives: Best Buys

Recommended wines considering the price, usually under $25, where it’s from, the winery and the varietal.

FREI BROTHERS RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

11 Friday Jul 2014

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

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Frei

Cost: $23.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Alexander Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Frei Brothers
Alcohol: 14.2% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium+ ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

This smooth & velvety wine shows multiple layers of flavours that are usually found in California Cabs priced over $40

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, black currants, mulberry, anise, cassis, blackberry, dark cherry, turmeric, pencil shavings, cinnamon, cloves, arugula, oregano & leather. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: There’s some heat from the 14.2% alcohol

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with grilled rib-eye steak.

Tasted: 5 July 2014

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: 38075

KEN FORRESTER RESERVE CHENIN BLANC 2012, Stellenbosch, South Africa

11 Friday Jul 2014

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

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Chenin Blanc

Cost: $17.95
Grape Variety: Chenin Blanc
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ken Forrester Wines
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Great quality Chenin for a great price

Positives: This wine features lime, green apple, lemon rind, ripe pear, flint, white pepper, limestone and a touch of honey. Medium body with good acidity and a long length

Negatives: A little heat from the 14% alcohol

Interesting Point: 1.The winery uses no herbicides or pesticides and the grapes are handpicked. 2.This wine is an age worthy Chenin that will only get better with age. 3. The best glass was the Chardonnay/Viognier Riedel stemware.

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or and pair it with P.E.I. Mussels Sautéed with Garlic, Shallots & Parsley in White Wine Sauce.

Tasted: 6 July 2014

Best Buy & Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 19.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 231282

PERLAGE CANAH BRUT PROSECCO VALDOBBIADENE SUPERIORE, DOCG Veneto, Italy

06 Sunday Jul 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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Prosecco

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Prosecco (Glera)
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Periagi
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and a fine mousse.

Smooth, more substance than a regular Prosecco & it’s delicious

Positives: This wine features pear, peach, green apple and honeydew melon. Medium body with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Organic agriculture and hand picked

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or and pair it with grilled cheese sandwich.

Tasted: 1 July 2014, Happy Canada Day

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 358390

HEDGES CELLARS CMS 2011, Columbia Valley, Washington, United States

26 Thursday Jun 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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CMS

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, 4% Syrah
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Hedges Family Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Need to issue my warning for this wine: “Danger Will Robinson” as you can easily drink 2 bottles without blinking an eye

Positives: This wine features cedar, cherry, plums, red licorice, mesquite, Allspice and thyme. Medium body and tannins with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: There’s some heat coming from the 13.5% alcohol

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or and pair it with veal sandwich.

Tasted: 26 June 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 948992

MAGNOTTA LIMITED EDITION CHARDONNAY 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

26 Thursday Jun 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, White Wines

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Magnotta Chard

Cost: $17.15
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: Magnotta
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 12.9% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep light gold in colour with a medium intense nose.

Hard to find vintage, but worth it if you find it

Positives: This wine features light oak, oak spice, lemon, papaya, nectarine, honeydew melon and limestone. Medium body with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Use the smaller cool climate Chard glass.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Caprese Salad.

Tasted: 25 June 2014

Best Buy

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

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

SAN VERANZIO FORTUNATO VALDOBBIADENE PROSECCO SUPERIORE EXTRA DRY 2012, DOCG Veneto, Italy

25 Wednesday Jun 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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Prosecco

Cost: $14.25
Grape Variety: Prosecco (Glera)
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Terre Di San Venanzio Fortunat
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and creamy mousse.

Simple, easy drinking, full of flavour & perfect to bring several bottles to outings

Positives: This wine features honeysuckle, pear, green apple, lemon, peach, pear & some limestone on the finish. Medium body, good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or and pair it with cured meats.

Tasted: 23 June 2014

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 18+/20

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

LCBO: 359638

MAGNOTTA EQUUS SERIES PINOT NOIR ROSÉ 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

22 Sunday Jun 2014

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

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Cost: $9.15 (on sale for June 2014: $8.65)
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Rosé wine ROSÉ
Location Bought: Magnotta
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.3% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright salmon in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A simple wine that’s delicious, dry yet smooth. Best under $10 rosé this year.

Positives: This wine features cherry, cranberry, strawberry with a light smoked note. Medium body with light tannins, good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I found the best glassware to showcase this wine was a traditional Pinot glass.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or and pair it with Porchetta.

Tasted: 21 June 2014

Amazing & Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

 

MAGNOTTA SPECIAL RESERVE CABERNET FRANC 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

19 Thursday Jun 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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Cab and Franc

Cost: $14.15
Grape Variety: Cabernet Franc
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Magnotta
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.4% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Reminds me of a pepperoni, tomato & green pepper pizza. Smooth & delicious

Positives: This wine features cedar, grilled green peppers, white pepper, mixed olives, dark chocolate, mocha and tomato leaf. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Normally an overt Cab Franc featuring bell peppers is a negative note, but with everything else that goes into this wine, it translates to a positive.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or and pair it with tapas.

Tasted: 18 June 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

MAGNOTTA LIMITED EDITION CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

19 Thursday Jun 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, White Wines

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Magnotta Limited

Cost: $17.15
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: Magnotta
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 12.7% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

An Interesting wine, in a good way

Positives: This wine features lemon, green apple, grapefruit, pear, passion fruit and limestone. Medium+ body with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: The best glass was the Viognier/Chard style followed by the Montrachet. What’s interesting is that this wine is barrel fermented, sur lie and had malolactic fermentation, which means it should be buttery and creamy, yet this wine is anything but. One would conclude that being a 2013 vintage it hasn’t had time to achieve those results. Yet the crispness and juicy fruit right now makes this wine really good. On a blind I would have guessed it as a Premier Cru Chablis. Need to cellar several bottles and bring them out one year at a time to see where the apex is.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with oyster Rockefeller.

Tasted: 18 June 2014

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 18.5/20

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

MAGNOTTA SPECIAL RESERVE BARREL AGED CHARDONNAY 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

18 Wednesday Jun 2014

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Magnotta Chard

Cost: $13.15
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: Magnotta
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.1% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium intense nose.

Impressive on the quality for the price

Positives: This wine features light toasted oak, mild creamy butter with lemon/lime, pineapple, peach, melon and grapefruit. Medium+ body with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Tried with the larger new world Chard glass, which had a sour note in the back of the tongue, but the smaller cooler climate Chard glass didn’t which provided a better drinking experience

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or and pair it with lobster and drawn butter.

Tasted: 17 June 2014

Best Buy

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

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