Category Archives: Highly Recommended

WESTCOTT TEMPERANCE 2016, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

18 Monday Feb 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Pinot Noir, Gamay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Westcott Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A blend between to lighter style red wines, which results in a complex wine that is a pleasure to drink

Positives: Dark cherry, plums, raspberry, blackberry, cloves, dried herbs, Champagne mushrooms with light tannins and violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Lightly chill this wine

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with veal parmigiana.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 18, 2019

13th STREET WINERY PINOT NOIR 2015, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

17 Sunday Feb 2019

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

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An expressive Pinot full of flavour with a touch of spice

Positives: Cherry, raspberry, mulberry, cinnamon, cloves, leather, vanilla and violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Slightly chill the wine

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with smoked oysters.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 17, 2019

STREWN SPARKLER NV, VQA Ontario, Canada

17 Sunday Feb 2019

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

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Cost: $24.00
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Strewn Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A delightful crisp & refreshing sparkling wine made in the Sancerre style rather than NZ

Positives: Pale yellow with a green tinge and fine mousse featuring light yeastiness, lemon/lime, pear, green apples, pink grapefruit, flint and limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Made in the Cuvé Close (Charmat) method

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with raspberry point oysters.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 17, 2019

MARYNISSEN ESTATES MERLOT 2015, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

16 Saturday Feb 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Marynissen Estates
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best Merlot’s under $20, and it’s Canadian!

Positives: Really nice smoky nose that features plums, cherry, raspberry, cloves, cinnamon and vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Buy 6 pack and the cost comes to $12 per bottle, which I would put into the amazing price for the wine category.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with roasted duck made with salt, pepper, paprika and butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: February 16, 2019

KACABA RESERVE SYRAH 2015, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

09 Saturday Feb 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $44.95
Grape: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 13.6% Alcohol/Vol.

A high end Canadian Syrah featuring a beautiful nose & an amazing great taste

Positives: A full, rich body wine featuring plum, dark cherry, strawberry, blackberry, crack black peppers, white pepper, anise, Allspice, dark chocolate and violets & smoked ambers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 10 years on its own or pair it with lamb chops with rosemary and garlic.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: February 9, 2019

CHANDON BLANC DE NOIRS NV, California, United States of America

27 Sunday Jan 2019

Posted by in Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $32.95 (Clearance price: $26.75)
Grape: Pinot Noir & Pinot Meunier
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chandon Winery
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A wonderful, dry yet bright sparkling wine made in the traditional method

Positives: Pale gold in colour with fine mousse and featuring cherry, strawberry, white currants, white peach, light brioche & yeast, limestone and rose petal on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: US Operation of Moët & Chandon

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 7-10 of years on its own or pair it with grilled chicken with chimichurri sauce.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: January 27, 2019

LCBO: 100693

13th STREET WINERY MERITAGE 2016, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

18 Friday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: 53% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A quality, complex & expressive Canadian Meritage that’s rare to see considering it’s less than 3 yrs old and under $35

Positives: Full body wine with dry tannin features dark cherry, plum, blackberry, black currants, turmeric, pencil shavings, leather, rosemary, sage, anise, tobacco leaves, arugula, cinnamon and cloves.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with medium rare rib-eye steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: January 18, 2019

GLEN CARLOU CHARDONNAY 2014, Paarl, South Africa

13 Sunday Jan 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, White Wines

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Cost: $22.49
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Tortuga Wines & Fine Spirits
Country: South Africa
Region: Paarl
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Glen Carlou
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A smooth, balanced Chard with good acidity, tropical fruit & oak well integrated

Positives: Full body wine featuring lemon, green and red apples, pineapples, mango, peach, pear, oak spice and Easter lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Winery is certified integrity & sustainability

Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Chilean seabass with charred cherry tomato, aqua pazza, cannellini beans and green olive butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: January 7, 2019

VIENI BRIGANTI RED 2013, VQA Ontario, Canada

06 Sunday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $12.95
Grape: 50% Foch, 25% Baco Noir, 25% Chambourcin
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

3 classic Canadian grapes blended very nicely

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features smoked pine, strawberry, cherry, blueberry, bramble fruit, cloves, cinnamon and Portobello mushrooms. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Tried an open bottle that was 3 days old, and still very good with more of a musty – smoky notes

Use the balloon Pinot Noir style glassware & slightly chill the wine.

Brigantia was the goddess of the largest Celtic tribe in the north of England – the Brigantii. They constantly challenged Roman rule, and armed conflict frequently erupted when the confines of Pax Romana became unbearable. This defiance of convention echoes through the ages and the name “brigand” still describes one who plays outside the rules.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with.

Tasted: 21 July 2017

Best Buy

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

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

LCBO: 435792

CHANDON ROSÉ VN, Méthode Traditionnelle, California, United States of America

05 Saturday Jan 2019

Posted by in Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: 50% Chardonnay, 44% Pinot Noir, 6% Pinot Meunier
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Moët & Chandon
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Refreshing, dry sparkling rosé that is not complex, but it is very pleasant to drink

Positives: Salmon in colour with a fine mousse that features lightly toasted, strawberry, raspberry and lime.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with smashed twice fried green banana.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: January 5, 2019

LCBO: 405555