Category Archives: Canadian Wines

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

28 Thursday Jul 2016

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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

CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES BRUT ROSÉ 2012, Méthode Traditionnelle, VQA Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, Canada

11 Monday Jul 2016

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine

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Chateau de Charmes

Cost: $29.95 (Clearance price: $23.95)
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château des Charmes
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple, easy drinking sparkling wine that is great for summer patio drinking

Description: Pink in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and a fine mousse. This wine features mild yeast, strawberry, cherry, McIntosh apple and cotton candy. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next couple of years, on its own or pair it with a light Summer Spinach Strawberry Salad with Poppyseed Vinaigrette. 

Tasted: 26 June 2016

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

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

LCBO: 78055

BURROWING OWL CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

04 Monday Jul 2016

Posted by in Canadian Wines, White Wines

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Burrowing Owl

Cost: $34.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Burrowing Owl
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

This wine transitions perfectly between warm summer days and cool nights

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon tart, green apples, tangerines, honeydew melon, peach, pine nuts, oak spice, limestone, dill, peat smoke and meringue on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Screw top

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years, on its own or pair it with Escargot in garlic and parsley butter.

Tasted: 2 July 2016

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

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

LCBO: 208694

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

ROSENHALL RUN JCR ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2012, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada

28 Monday Mar 2016

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Rosenhall

Cost: $29.95 (Clearance price: $21.05)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Prince Edward County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rosenhall Run
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Beautiful nose but the taste falls short

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features light toasted oak, lemon, green apples, pear, grapefruit, oak spice, limestone and wood fire smoke on the nose. Medium body with high acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Too citric

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Salt and Pepper Prawns served with Chilli Peppers and Picked Onions.

Tasted: 27 March 2016

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 326512

PENINSULA RIDGE BARREL AGED CHARDONNAY 2014, VQA Beamsville Bench, Ontario, Canada

24 Thursday Mar 2016

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Peninsula Ridge

Cost: $15.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Beamsville Bench, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Good value Beamsville Bench Chard that’s not overtly oaky.

Description: Medium gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon rind, yellow apple, pear, peach, coconut, oak spice & chalk. Medium body with good acidity, an average length.

Negatives: A little too chalky on the finish.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with home made slow cooked Chicken, Bacon and Sage Dumplings.

Tasted: 19 March 2016

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

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

.

Description: Medium gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon rind, yellow apple, pear, peach, coconut, oak spice & chalk. Medium body with good acidity, an average length.

Negatives: A little too chalky on the finish.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with home made slow cooked Chicken, Bacon and Sage Dumplings.

Tasted: 19 March 2016

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

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

LCBO: 211490

MAGNOTTA LIMITED EDITION PINOT NOIR 2014, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

20 Sunday Mar 2016

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

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Magnotta Pinot

Cost: $20.15 (Sale until 29 Feb 2016: $16.15)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.3% Alcohol/Vol.

A modern style Pinot that balances sweet & tartness to make this a juicy & well received

Description: Medium light garnet in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine cedar, sweet cherry, cranberry, pomegranate, raspberry, strawberry, licorice, truffles, an undertone of earth and violets on the nose. Medium+ body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Less funky than their 2011 vintage, reviewed by me last year, and I believe this will find a wider audience. Remember to lightly chill it.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Sage Pork Chops with Cherry Balsamic Glaze.

26 February 2016

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9+/10 (Sale Price: 9.5/10) Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

STREWN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

21 Sunday Feb 2016

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Red Wines

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Strewn

Cost: $20.25
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Strewn Winery
Alcohol: 13.4% Alcohol/Vol.

Love the nose & although a tad astringent the taste is still quite good

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, black & red currants, plum, cassis, cloves, cinnamon, bell pepper, dry herbs, tobacco leaves, leather and purple lilacs on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Decanting for min 30 minutes is recommended to smooth out the astringency.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Red Wine Braised Oxtail.

Tasted: 20 February 2016

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

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

LCBO: 426502

13th STREET CUVÉE ROSÉ BRUT NV, Methode Traditionnelle, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

21 Sunday Feb 2016

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine, Winery Review Series

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13th

Cost: $24.95 (Sale until 28 Feb 2016: $22.95)
Grape: Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A rustic rosé sparkling wine that has underlying charm.

Description: Rustic brick red in colour with a medium intense nose. This sparkling wine features light yeast, strawberry, McIntosh apples, truffles and forest greens. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Originally tasted in 2014, and this batch is better.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Mushroom and Prosciutto, Asparagus and Brie Tartines.

Tasted: 14 February 2016 (Happy Valentines Day)

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 147504

INNISKILLIN OKANAGAN ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

11 Monday Jan 2016

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Inniskillin BC

Cost: $14.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintage
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Inniskillin Estates
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A spicy Chard that has lots of character & quality for under $15

Description: Medium gold in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features light toasted oak, lemon, MacIntosh apples, peach, clementine, pineapple, dill, ginger, butterscotch, oak spice, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I really like Inniskillin’s Niagara Peninsula Chard, same year, reviewed by me and this one takes it by a nose.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Chicken with Creamy Dill Sauce.

Tasted: 6 January 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 423236