Category Archives: Canadian Wines

HENRY OF PELHAM BACO NOIR OLD VINES 2023, VQA Ontario, Canada

27 Wednesday Nov 2024

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale price until Dec 1/24: $17.95)
Grape: Baco Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Henry of Pelham
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Exceptional value in quality for a premium winemaker of Baco Noir. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose, silky tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, plum, blackcurrants, blackberry, cinnamon, cloves, coffee, peppercorn & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting:

Winemaker’s Note: “From old vines shovel-planted as far back as 1984 by the Speck Bros., Ontario’s Baco Noir pioneers.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or 3 to 4 years on its own or pair it with Turkey dinner.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Nov 26, 2024

LCBO: 459966

SANDBANKS RESERVE BACO NOIR, NV, VQA Ontario, Canada

26 Tuesday Nov 2024

Posted by in Canadian Wines, On The Fence, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale price until Dec 1/24: $16.95)
Grape: Baco Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Sandbanks Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

If you like commercial style Cali reds, but without the high alcohol or aggressively sweet wine, this wine is for you, especially at the sales price. Score: 83/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, intense nose, silky tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry pie, plum, blackberry, black & white peppers & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Winery sale price is $2 off regular vs $3 at LCBO

Winemaker’s Note:

Pairings: Drink this now or a couple years on its own or pair it with BBQ back ribs.

My Opinion: On-the-Fence (not recommended at regular price, but at sales price it’s okay).

Tasted: Nov 25, 2024

LCBO: 225920

WESTCOTT ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2022, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

21 Thursday Nov 2024

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: California
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Westcott Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Full body Chard that is balanced, elegant & beautifully made. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, silky tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green apples, pear, peach, nutmeg, almonds, ginger, dill, oak spice, vanilla & honeycomb.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Winery list this wine cost at $32.00

Winemaker’s Note: “hand-picked and whole bunch pressed. No sulphur added at time of crushing. Barrel fermented. 100% wild yeast and partial malolactic fermentation) barrel aged 100% French oak for 10 months. 10% new oak.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Lobster Vanilla Bean Bisque.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Nov 20, 2024

LCBO: 424507

13th STREET WINERY RESERVE MERLOT 2020, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

26 Saturday Oct 2024

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $49.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Elegant. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, silky tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherries, plum, mulberry, cocoa, vanilla, oak spice, cinnamon, cloves & light amber smoke on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Aged in 100% French oak barrels (225L, 500L & 600L) for 18 months.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Filet Mignon.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Oct 25, 2024

WESTCOTT VINEYARDS BRILLIANT ROSÉ SPARKLING WINE, NV, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

24 Thursday Oct 2024

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $40.00
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Westcott Winery
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Don’t let the earthy style sparkling rosé sway you away from this beautifully made wine. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Bright deep salmon in colour with good acidity, fine mousse, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Strawberry, rhubarb, peat moss, portobello mushrooms & thyme.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Made in the Traditional French Champagne method. Skin soaked for 2 hours. 24 months lees contact, hand riddled, disgorged and labelled at Westcott.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with hamburger from Westcott patio.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: Oct 22, 2024

LCBO: 38733

13th STREET WINERY CABERNET SAUVIGNON RESERVE, 2020, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

19 Saturday Oct 2024

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $59.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A high-end, robust Cab with a price to match. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose, fine grained tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Rainer cherries, plum, wild blueberries, bramble fruit, pomegranate, cranberry, cassis, cloves, graphite, dark chocolate, arugula, vanilla & smoked oak on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Sourced from Lakeshore Farm vineyard, fermented with minimal intervention & selected from the top barrels of Cabernet Sauvignon following 20 months ageing.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years & pair it with Marinated Flank Steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Oct 17, 2024

SOUTHBROOK WITNESS BLOCK, CABERNET FRANC ROSÉ, 2021, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

14 Monday Oct 2024

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $34.80
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Southbrook Vineyards
Alcohol: 10.7% Alcohol/Vol.

Interesting & different style rosé. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Red copper in colour with good acidity, low+ intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Strawberry, cranberry, watermelon, rhubarb, Button mushrooms & thyme.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Organic & Vegan

Winemaker’s Note: “Grapes were hand-harvested and whole clusters were sorted and loaded directly into the press. Slower, gentler cycle allowed for colour extraction from grape skins. Cold juice settling and racking was followed by wild fermentation in old, neutral oak barrels. Alcoholic fermentation spanned two months and finished dry with no malolactic fermentation to preserve acidity. Bentonite fining was used prior to sterile filtration and bottling.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 4 years on its own or pair it with Turkey dinner (Happy Thanksgiving!).

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: October 14, 2024

HENRY OF PELHAM SPARKLING WINE, NV, VQA Ontario, Canada

13 Sunday Oct 2024

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $17.95 (Sale price until Oct 13, 2024: $15.95)
Grape: Blend of white grapes
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Henry of Pelham
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A great Canadian alternative to Prosecco. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, fine to medium mousse, medium intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon tart, peach & pear.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: New to LCBO stores

Winemaker’s Note: “The grapes used in this blend were picked in late September to obtain the perfect balance between acidity and sugar. The base wine was fermented cool to preserve aromatics with no malolactic fermentation done in order to maintain freshness. Secondary fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks to produce elegant bubbles. Minimum 30 days aging on lees.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 4 years on its own or pair it with Charcuterie Board.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Oct 13, 2024

LCBO: 37965

SOUTHBROOK WHIMSY LIMITED EDITION CHARDONNAY MUSQUÉ, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

29 Sunday Sep 2024

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

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Cost: $37.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Southbrook Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A musky style, quality but at a price. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, peach, pear, cantaloupe, blood orange, guava, vanilla & musk.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Organic

Winemaker’s Note: “Hand-harvested from a unique Chardonnay clonal planting in the Lincoln Lakeshore sub-appellation. Grapes were gently pressed using a long and slow press cycle. Settled juice was transferred to French oak barrels (20% new) for 10 months of aging before bottling.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Tandoori chicken.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: September 27, 2024

13th STREET WINERY SANDSTONE GAMAY 2022, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

24 Tuesday Sep 2024

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $39.95
Grape: Gamay
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Quality Gamay at a price. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, dusty tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, pomegranate, cranberry, nectarine, raspberry, white pepper, baby spinach & peat moss on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Vegan friendly & certified sustainable

Winemaker’s Note: “Sourced from our own Whitty Vineyard in Creek Shores, Sandstone, our top Gamay, is selected from new and seasoned French oak barrels after 12 months of ageing. The grapes were harvested in early October at an average of 19.5° brix. Crushed and destemmed before cold soak, followed by alcoholic fermentation and maceration in stainless steel over 30 days. After pressing, the wine was transferred to a selection of French oak barrels for malolactic fermentation and ageing. The wine was lightly fined and filtered prior to bottling in February 2023.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Fired Roasted Glazed Salmon.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: Sept 22, 2024