Cost: $15.15
Grape Variety: Red Blends from Portugal
Category: Fortified
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Portugal
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: W & J Graham & Company
Alcohol: 20.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Opaque ruby in colour.

Positives: The nose shows a lot of complexity with chocolates, dates, figs, raisins, plums, red licorice, blackcurrants, mulberry & black cherry with a nice oak integration and spicy/mint finish. The nose reminds me of the Prisoner, which is a blend that’s dominated by Zinfandel. The taste is similar to the nose but with more traditional Port notes of prunes, nuts & caramel.

Negatives: none.

Interesting items: This port has steadily been a Best Buy year to year & you will not be disappointed. On sale now at LCBO. Drink now

Tasted: 23 Sept 11.

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 197202

Cost: $14.95
Grape Variety: White Port
Category: Fortified Wine
Appellation: LCBO General Listings
Country: Portugal      
Region: Douro
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Fonseca Guimaraens Vinhos Sa
Alcohol: 20% Alcohol/Vol.

Description: This is a unique experience to try something different, something that taste good, and not expensive. Light gold in colour, with a medium+ nose intensity. Light toasted almonds, baked apples, some honey, raisins, and caraway scent giving that Sherry note. The taste is sweet, but not overly which pairs nicely with fruit and gelato. There is good acidity, long length and body.  The alcohol is not overly heavy. Taste is similar to the nose with the addition of ginger which cleanses the palate nicely. Make sure you chill this to about 10-12 °C

Best Buy

Tasted: 23 Aug 11

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 276816

Cost: $13.95
Grape Variety: Muscat
Category: Desert Wine
Appellation: LCBO
Country: California
Region:  
Format: 375 mL
Producer:  Quady Winery
Alcohol: 15% Alcohol/Vol.

Description: Ripe apricot colour, high intensity nose showing apricots, fermented tangerine, butterscotch, ginger and vanilla. On the taste, good acidity, full body desert wine that shows as the nose does. On the sweetness scale it’s not as sweet as Ice Wine on the palate, so pare it well with deserts that are not overly sweet such as Maple Citrus Tart made by Chef Tobias from Red Canoe Bistro in Burlington.

For the price this is a Best Buy.

Tasted: 19 April 2011

Score: 8/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO#299552