Category Archives: Canadian Wines

CREEKSIDE ESTATE LAURA’S BLEND 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

25 Saturday Jul 2015

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wine_76781_web

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc, 3% Syrah, 2% Malbec & 1% Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Creekside Estates
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A quality Ontario wine for under $20

Description: Dark ruby in colour with an intense nose. A fairly complex wine featuring cedar, black & red currants, black raspberry, cloves, cinnamon, dried herbs, mint, cassis, smoked Montreal meat, black pepper, leather and tomato leaves. Medium body with dry tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: This shows the world that Ontario red wines can be of good quality at a reasonable price.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Lamb Chops in Moroccan BBQ Sauce.

Tasted: 18 July 2015

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 117960

No. 99 WAYNE GRETZKY ESTATES CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

17 Friday Jul 2015

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Wayne Gretzky

Cost: $13.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wayne Gretzky
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

The right glassware is key to enjoying this wine

Description: Medium to light bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. Not a complex wine but what it does have is full flavour that features hints of lemon, Golden Delicious apples, pineapple and kiwi. Full body with average acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I tried this wine in warm climate style Chard glass, and all though it had flavour it was flat, lacking acidity. In the cooler style glass the acid was better making this wine very pleasant, and why it’s a Best Buy.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with grilled calamari with tomato citrus salad.

Tasted: 16 July 2015

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 63826

PENINSULA RIDGE MCNALLY VINEYARDS PROPRIETOR’S RESERVE PINOT NOIR 2012, VQA Beamsville Bench, Ontario, Canada

31 Sunday May 2015

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Peninsula Ridge

Cost: $20.25
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Beamsville Bench, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Peninsula Ridge Estate Winery
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Tries to deliver premium Pinot taste at a good price, but falls short

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features spruce, violets, cherry, cinnamon, nutmeg, cranberry, musk and white pepper. Medium light body with low tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: A little light on the taste

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Herb Lamb Cutlets with caramelized shallots and oven roasted diced sweet potatoes and red peppers.

Tasted: 27 May 2015

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 257543

FEATHERSTONE CANADIAN OAK CHARDONNAY 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

31 Sunday May 2015

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Featherstone

Cost: $21.95 (Clearance price: $15.40)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Featherstone Estate Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This is for those that like oaked chard, and a unique perspective that the entire process is from Ontario

Description: Deep gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features toasted butter, spiced oaked, lemon, ripe pineapple, peach, walnuts, butterscotch, toasted marshmallows, vanilla and coconut. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Truly a Canadian Chard with oak barrels from trees that grew near by, wild airborne yeast and estate grown grapes

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Linguine and Lobster Scampi.

Tasted: 26 May 2015

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 149302

BURNING KILN CAB FRANK 2012, VQA Ontario, Canada

22 Friday May 2015

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Burning Kiln

Cost: $24.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Burning Kiln
Alcohol: 14.3% Alcohol/Vol.

Unique Cab Franc in an appassimento style leaving a nice sweetness & no green bell pepper

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features dark plums, cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, cassis, anise, tobacco, chocolate and Christmas cake. Full body with medium to low tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A little heat at the end from the 14.3% alcohol

Interesting Note: The grapes dried for 10-14 days, and the wine is named after the wine maker; Frank DeLeebeck.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Roast Beef with Yorkshire Pudding and rosemary fingerling potatoes.

Tasted: 21 May 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 310268

MAGNOTTA SPECIAL RESERVE CABERNET FRANC 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

16 Saturday May 2015

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Cab and Franc

Cost: $14.15 (Sale: $13.15 until 18 May 2105)
Grape Variety: Cabernet Franc
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Magnotta
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.3% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Consistently a good quality Cab Franc for under $15

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

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This vintage is slightly better than the previous 2011 vintage, that I reviewed last year so I up it to be an Amazing Value.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or and pair it with lamb chops glazed with spicy tomato leaf infused mint sauce.

Tasted: 14 May 2015

Best Buy

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

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

MAGNOTTA GRAN RISERVA MERITAGE 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

09 Saturday May 2015

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

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Magnotta Meritage

Cost: $29.20 (Sale $19.20 May 8-17, 2015)
Grape Variety: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location Magnotta Wines
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta
Alcohol: 14.3% Alcohol/Vol.

Extremely pleasant & an elegant wine to bring to a dinner party

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, blackberry, blueberry, raspberry, dark cherry, cassis, turmeric, Allspice, oregano and leather on the finish. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I have tried the 2010 vintage at Magnotta tastings many times and I wasn’t too impressed as it felt light in taste especially compared to the 2009, which I really liked and reviewed on my site. However, at the sales price, I said what the heck, and was pleasantly surprised when I used the proper wine glass and slightly chilled.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Pork Tenderloin with a cassis and soy sauce reduction.

Tasted: 8 May 2015

Best Buy at sale price

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Sales price: 9+/10) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

GRANGE OF PRINCE EDWARD SPARKLING RIESLING LIMITED PRODUCTION, CHARMAT METHOD 2013, Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada

03 Sunday May 2015

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Grange

Cost: $19.95 (Clearance price: $16)
Grape Variety: Riesling
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Prince Edward County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Grange of Prince Edward
Alcohol: 11.7% Alcohol/Vol.

An interesting sparkling wine, worth the try at the clearance price

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and medium to light mouse. This wine features a very nice aromatic nose but a slightly bitter finish. White peach, apricot, lemon-lime, peach pit, pink grapefruit, lychee and limestone. Medium to light body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: A bit bitter on the finish.

Interesting Note: All of Grange of Prince Edward wines are 100% estate grown. This sparkling is topped with a bottle cap.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with sweet and sour fish with lychee.

Tasted: 3 May 2015

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Clearance price: 8.5+) Total: 17/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 392746

HENRY OF PELHAM CHARDONNAY 2011, VQA Short Hills Bench, Ontario, Canada

23 Thursday Apr 2015

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Henry Of Pelham

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Short Hills Bench
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Henry of Pelham
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Cool climate chard that’s a touch too oaky

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features oak spice, lime, sour orange, green apples, lemon rind and limestone. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: A touch too sour on the finish

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Kimchi with braised short ribs

Tasted: 23 April 2015

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

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

LCBO: 268342

MAGNOTTA SPECIAL RESERVE OTTONEL MEDIUM DRY 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

10 Friday Apr 2015

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Muscat

Cost: $12.15
Grape Variety: Muscat Ottonel
Category: White Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta
Alcohol: 12.4% Alcohol/Vol.

Unique to Canadian wines, this Muscat Ottonel delivers tropical sweetness with a nice refreshing finish.

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features ylang ylang flowers on the nose followed by peach, mangos, honeydew melon, sweet apples, cantaloupe followed by pink grapefruit on the finish. Full body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to Matthew from Magnotta’s Vaughan store for recommending his favourite white wine by the company.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own as an aperitif or digestif.

Tasted: 7 April 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4