Category Archives: Canadian Wines

QUAILS’ GATE MERLOT 2009, VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

23 Sunday Sep 2012

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Red Wines

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Quails' Gate Merlot 2009, VQA Okanagan Valley Bottle

Cost: $25.95
Grape Variety: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO VINTAGES
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Quails’ Gate Vyds. Estate Winery
Alcohol: 15.4% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby with garnet ting and a medium+ intense nose.

Positives: A good complex wine from BC featuring cedar, blackberry, blackcurrants, blueberry, spinach, star anise, black tea, leather and radicchio. Medium body with high tannins and acidity with a medium+ length.

Negatives: Too astringent at this time. Needs time to age. A little hot from the 15.4% alcohol.

Interesting Point: Taste very Cab like. Decant for an hour if you’re going to drink now.

Needs protein food to be paired up with like T-bone steak.

Tasted: 21 Sept 12

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

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

LCBO#: 169961

QUAILS’ GATE CHARDONNAY 2010, VQA Okanagan Valley, BC

20 Thursday Sep 2012

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, White Wines

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Quails' Gate Chardonnay 2010, VQA Okanagan Valley Bottle

Cost: $21.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO VINTAGES
Country: Canada
Region: Alexander Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Quails’ Gate Vyds. Estate Winery
Alcohol: 14.0 %
Description: Deep gold in colour with a medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: This is an improvement over the 2008 vintage that I reviewed awhile ago. This is a nice balanced Chard that features medium toasted oak, butter popcorn, lemon meringue, clementines, spiced apple cider, guava, pineapple & peach. Medium+ body with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting point: Use the larger Chard glasses. I have put my review of the 2008 vintage below so you can compare.

Drink now or over the next 3-4 years, on its own or pair it with snow crab & drawn butter.

Tasted: 18 Sept 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 377770

PREVIOUS 2008 VINTAGE REVIEW

Light gold in colour with medium+ intensity.

Positives: Beautiful Chard nose with lemon meringue, apples, medium oak & toast. This Chard has a long taste with a medium body.

Negatives: Although it has a nice long finish, part of it is bitter.

Drink now or cellar it for another 3-5 years. Drink on its own or pair it with roasted chicken.

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

HENRY OF PELHAM CUVÉE CATHARINE BRUT SPARKLING WINE NV, MÉTHODE TRADITIONNELLE, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

08 Saturday Sep 2012

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine

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Henry Of Pelham Cuvée Catharine Brut, VQA Niagara Peninsula Bottle

Cost: $29.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Henry Of Pelham Family Est. Winery
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light straw in colour with fine mousse & medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: If my best buy category was for under $30, this sparkling would definitely be one. Side note: Some LCBOs have this in clearance for $24.95, which does make it a best buy. This sparkling is easy to drink & features brioche, yeast, baked apples, lemon custard & stone fruit. Medium to medium minus in body with good acidity & medium+ length.

Negatives: None.

Drink now on its own or pair it with red Lumpfish caviar.

Tasted: 7 Sept 12

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

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

LCBO#: 217521

SUMAC RIDGE TRIBUTE SPARKLING WINE PRIVATE RESERVE, MÉTHODE CLASSIQUE (Blanc de Blanc) NV, VQA Okanagan, British Columbia

08 Saturday Sep 2012

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Sumac Ridge Tribute, VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia Bottle

Cost: $29.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: LCBO VINTAGES
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vincor International Inc. – B.C.
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Straw to gold in colour with fine mousse & a medium intense nose.

Positives: This sparkling can compete with Champagne at the $40-50 price range. This sparkling features green apples, lemon/lime, some yeast, pear & peach. Medium body with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: I was able to pick up this sparkling at 30% off at an LCBO store, which would make it a best but.

Drink now on its own or have it with Sunday brunch.

Tasted: 2 Sept 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 169508

INNISKILLIN WINEMAKER’S SERIES MONTAGUE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2009, VQA Four Mile Creek, Ontario

28 Tuesday Aug 2012

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Inniskillin Winemaker's Series Montague Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula Bottle

Cost: $24.95
Grape Variety: Pinot noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO VINTAGES
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vincor International Inc.
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium intense nose.

Positives: Sweet & tart, just like I like my Pinots: (and you thought I was going to say something else?) This Pinot features smoked cedar, cranberry, strawberry, rhubarb, cherry pie, sweet basil, cinnamon & a light earthy taste. Medium minus in body with low tannins, high acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: A touch too high in acidity, but still yummy.

Interesting Point: I lucked out getting this wine on sale at an LCBO store for $17.55 , and remember to lightly chill it.

Drink now on its own, however due to the higher acidity this wine will show better paired food such as duck.

Tasted: 28 Aug 12

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO #: 997354

CLOSSON CHASE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2008, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario

11 Wednesday Jul 2012

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

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https://i0.wp.com/www.clossonchase.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2009CCV-Chard-VQAPEC.jpg

Cost:  $29.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category:  White Wine
Appellation: Winery
Country:  Canada
Region:  Prince Edward County
Format: 750 ml
Producer:   Closson Chase Vineyard
Alcohol: 12.6

Description: Deep gold in colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Rich & creamy featuring medium+ toasted oak, butter, yellow plums, lemon, nutmeg, creme brulee, & limestone. Full body with good acidity and long length.

Negatives: A touch bitter from the toasted oak.

Interesting Things: I believe the 2008 & 2009 are sold out at the winery. 

Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with snow crab legs and drawn butter.

Tasted: 10 July 12

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

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

13TH STREET PINK PALETTE ROSÉ 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula , Ontario

08 Friday Jun 2012

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

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13th Street Pink Palette Rosé 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula Bottle

Cost: $14.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Riesling
Category: Rosé Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Thirteenth Street Wine Corp.
Alcohol: 12.5 %
Description: A beautiful rich pomegranate colour with a medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Probably the best rosé I have tasted from Canada. Features strawberry, pomegranate, watermelon, cranberry, Bing & sour cherry. Medium body with good acidity & medium+ length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: I used the Viognier glass which brought out the best in this wine.

Drink now on its own or pair it with pork chops with a sweet & spicy rub.

Tasted: 7 Jun 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 275834

PELEE ISLAND GAMAY NOIR ZWEIGELT 2009, VQA Ontario

31 Thursday May 2012

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Pelee Island Gamay Noir Zweigelt 2009, Ontario VQA Bottle

Cost: $10.95
Grape Variety: Gamay Noir, Zweigelt
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pelee Island Vineyard Inc.
Alcohol: 13.0 %
Description: Medium minus ruby in colour a medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Smokey nose featuring blackberries, mulberries, raspberry, cherry, lime & peppers. The taste shows similar notes. Medium minus body with low tannins, good acidity & medium+ length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: Have this wine slightly chilled.

Drink now on its own or pair it with hummus.

Tasted: 29 May 12

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 216028

MAGNOTTA IL CACCIATORE GRAND RISERVA 2008,

26 Saturday May 2012

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

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Cost: $26
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenère

Category: White Wine
Appellation: Magnotta
Country: Unknown
Region: 

Format: 750 mL
Producer:  Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Description: Medium minus garnet with a medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Cedar, cassis, plum, blackberry, black cherry, chocolate, blackcurrant, mesquite and tamarind on the finish. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: A little heat coming from the 14.5% alcohol.

Interesting Things: A nice looking bottle with artist Follente’s work on the label. A collector’s addition.

Tasted: 26 May 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine 4


CHATEAU DES CHARMES BRUT METHODE TRADITIONELLE NV, VQA, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

15 Tuesday May 2012

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine

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CHATEAU DES CHARMES BRUT METHODE TRADITIONELLE VQA

Cost: $22.95 (on sale: $20.95)
Grape Variety: 50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wines
Appellation: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Chateau Des Charmes
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium straw colour with fine mousse & medium intensity on the nose.

Positives: Lighter champagne style featuring lemon, baked apple, limestone, pear, biscuit with light toast.

Good acidity with medium+ length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: I had it for Mother’s Day & my mom loved it. My wife and I had it for brunch on 21 May 12, and she really liked it too.

Drink now on its own or with fresh oysters.

Tasted: 13 May 12

Best Buy

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 145409