Category Archives: Canadian Wines

BACHELDER NIAGARA CHARDONNAY 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

21 Monday Apr 2014

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Bachelder Chard

Cost: $29.95 ($27.95 until 27 April 2014)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bachelder
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Crisp yet with a nice mild creaminess on the finish.

Positives: This wine features light oak, lemon, green & yellow apple, ginger, clementine and limestone. Medium body with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with orange roughy.

Tasted: 8 April 2014

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 302083

EQUULEUS 2010, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

08 Tuesday Apr 2014

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Equuleus

Cost: $37.75 (Clearance Price $30)
Grape Variety: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau Des Charmes
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

One of my favourite from Des Charmes, but even better that it’s at $30

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, blackcurrants, plums, dark cherry, raspberry, red & black peppers, turmeric, Allspice, mocha & leather. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with braised beef shank.

Tasted: 31 March 2014

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Clearance Price: 9/10), Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 319525

COYOTE’S RUN BLACK PAW VINEYARD CABERNET FRANC 2010, VQA Four Mile Creek, Ontario, Canada

03 Monday Mar 2014

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Coyote's Run

Cost: $24.95 (Clearance: 20.25)
Grape Variety: Cabernet Franc
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Coyote’s Run
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

I wish the taste was as good as its aromas/bouquet

Positives: This wine features pine, strawberry, cranberry, pomegranate, wood smoke, green peppers, twigs, leather & cocoa. Medium body with medium+ tannins good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: A little too tart

Interesting Point: The LCBO that I bought this wine discounted on the clearance 30%, so I only paid $14.25

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with meat lasagna.

Tasted: 26 February 2014

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8/10 (Clearance price 8.5, and at what I paid 8.5+/10) Total: 16.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 50450

PENINSULA RIDGE WINERY ARCANUM 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

26 Sunday Jan 2014

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

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Arcanum

Cost: $29.95
Grape Variety: Syrah, Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Peninsula Ridge Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Peninsula Ridge Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Autumn leaves burning on an open fire

Positives: This wine features cedar, cherry cola, raspberry, red currants, hickory, bacon, dark chocolate, espresso, grilled red peppers, arugula, prosciutto & purple lilacs on the nose. Medium body with medium+ tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with pizza topped with prosciutto and arugula.

Interesting Point: Reminds me of a good Baco Noir

Tasted: 17 January 2014

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

HENRY OF PELHAM BACO NOIR RESERVE 2009, VQA Ontario, Canada

27 Friday Dec 2013

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2009_Baco_Noir_Reserve_web

Cost: $24.95
Grape Variety: Baco Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Henry of Pelham
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Consistently, Canada’s best Baco Noir is Henry of Pelham’s reserve

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, smoky embers, Gaeta olives, bacon, prunes, dark cherry, strawberry, raspberry, black currants, blueberry, chocolate, Portobello mushrooms & leather. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I recommend using a Pinot glass and lightly chill it.

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with a melody of olives in olive oil.

Tasted: 22 Dec 2013

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 19/20

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

LCBO: 461699

PENINSULA RIDGE BARREL AGED CHARDONNAY 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

07 Saturday Dec 2013

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Peninsula Ridge

Cost: $15.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Peninsula Ridge Estate Winery
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

My new favourite, everyday, easy drinking Chard that’s under $20

Positives: This isn’t a complex Chard, but what it offers is very pleasant. The wine features integrated oak, sweet corn, lemon candy, Macintosh apple, pear, peach & nutmeg. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The nose is better than the taste.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with bacon wrapped seared scallops.

Tasted: 1 Dec 2013

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 211490

TRIUS BARREL AGED CHARDONNAY 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

11 Friday Oct 2013

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trius_chardonnay-bf_2

Cost: $19.95 (Sale price until 13 Oct 13: $17.95)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: Hillebrand Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Hillebrand Winery
Alcohol: 13.3% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

A simple oaked Chard that is of good quality.

Positives: The wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, red crab apple, white flower and pineapple. Medium+ body with good acidity and a surprising long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Use the larger Chard glass.

Drink now or over the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with turkey dinner.

Tasted: 9 Oct 2013

Best Buy

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

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

TRIUS RED 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

11 Friday Oct 2013

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Trius Red

Cost: $22.95 (Sale price until 13 Oct 13: 20.95)
Grape Variety: 43% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages & The Wine Shop
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Hildebrand Winery
Alcohol: 13.1% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Good quality Ontario Bordeaux style for under $25

Positives: The wine features oak, twigs, blackcurrants, tobacco leaves, cherry, blueberry, turmeric, anise and leather. Medium+ body with dry tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Decant for an hour and I like the long neck bottle.

Drink now or over the next  5-8 years on its own or pair it with T-Bone steak.

Tasted: 8 Oct 2013

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 303800

GOOD KHARMA CHARDONNAY 2010, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Ontario, Canada

06 Sunday Oct 2013

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Good Karma

Cost: $16.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Flat Rock Cellars
Alcohol: 13.4% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

An easy drinking Chard that would be great to take to a party.

Positives: The wine features medium minus oak, some buttered toast, mandarin, orange rind, apple, lemon, peach, pineapple and cashews. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: A portion of sales of this wine goes to the Ontario Association of Food Banks.

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with snow crab with drawn butter.

Tasted: 3 Oct 2013

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 356873

COYOTE’S RUN RED PAW VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2010, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

06 Sunday Oct 2013

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coyote

Cost: $22.95 (Clearance Price: $19.25)
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Coyote Run
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium to light garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A very earthy Pinot, may not be for everyone.

Positives: The wine features some cedar, lots of mushrooms, cranberry, pomegranate, sour cherry and wet earth. Medium body and tannins with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A touch too tart Drink now on its own or pair it with veal Provence.

Tasted: 6 Oct 2013

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Clearance Price: 8.5+/10) Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 79228