Category Archives: Highly Recommended

GRAND VIN DU CHÂTEAU CITRAN 2010, AC Haut-Médoc, France

30 Wednesday Nov 2022

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

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Cost: $55.00 (Clearance Price: $38.55)
Grape: 55% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Haut-Médoc
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Château Citran
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This is a wine with plenty of expression that is elegant, fine and racy. Still several more years left to enjoy this wine. Score: 96/100.

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, plush tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherries, plum, mulberry, blackcurrant, sautéed Oyster mushrooms, tar, cocoa, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, turmeric, baby spinach, graphite & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Thermoregulation on each tank. Traditional vinification (T 28°C). Malolactic fermentations partially made in new barrels. 38% of new barrels in French oak. Traditional ageing with racking every three months. Fining with white eggs. Bottling at the Château.” (Winery)

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with venison.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: November 29, 2022

LCBO: 24738

GRAHAM BECK ULTRA BRUT 2016, Méthode Cap Classique, Western Cape, South Africa

28 Monday Nov 2022

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

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Graham Beck
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Quality, complexity, dry but creamy & at under $30, this would best those Blanc de Blancs at $100+. Score: 99/100. My highest score for a Blanc de Blancs.

Tasting Note: Light gold to straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Brioche, yeast, sour dough, lemon, Key lime pie, Jonagold apples, peach, pear, Ataulfo mango, honeydew melon, roasted almonds & shale.

Negatives:

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with caviar.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: November 27, 2022

LCBO: 435453

ANTECH CUVÉE EUGÉNIE BRUT CRÉMANT DE LIMOUX 2018, AC Limoux, Languedoc, France

17 Thursday Nov 2022

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Cost: $23.95
Grape: 70% Chardonnay, 20% Chenin, 10% Mauzac
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Limoux, Languedoc
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Maison Antech
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

One of my favourite Limouxs. Fresh, clean & creamy. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Light yeast, brioche, green apples, honeydew melon, white peach, limestone, & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives:

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with Spanish omelette.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: November 10, 2022

LCBO: 25367

CAVE DE RIBEAUVILLÉ GIERSBERGER BRUT, NV, Champenoise Tradition, AC Crêmant d’Alsace, France

08 Tuesday Nov 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $21.95 (Clearance Price: $15.40)
Grape: 80% Pinot Blanc, 20 % Auxerrois
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Alsace
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Cave de Ribeauville
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice dry sparkling wine with crispness & flavour. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Light straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sourdough bread, lemon zest, green apples, pear & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Vineyard on hillsides entirely harvested by hand on the famous geological fault of Ribeauvillé, which offers an incredible diversity of terroirs.
Made in the purest respect of the traditional method with whole harvests and 12 months of aging on slats.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with salt and pepper calamari.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 6, 2022

LCBO: 183624

PIERRE SPARR BRUT ROSÉ, NV, Traditionnelle Méthode, AC Crémant D’Alsace, France

29 Saturday Oct 2022

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Alsace
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Pierre Sparr
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Beautifully made Blanc de Noirs that is crisp, dry but having good fruitiness that doesn’t make it too tart. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Pomegranate in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Bing cherry, pomegranate, MacIntosh apples, strawberry, pink grapefruit & crisp mineral notes.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5 – 8 years on its own or pair it with tuna tartare.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: October 28, 2022

LCBO: 39016

STREWN TERROIR CHARDONNAY FRENCH OAK 2018, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

28 Friday Oct 2022

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

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Cost: $32.00
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Strewn Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Just like to reiterate my previous review on Strewn’s Terroir Chards that I am so thankful that they are now under 14%. This French Oak Chard has style similar to Meursault & beautiful made. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Old gold in colour with good acidity, a medium to medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, Jonagold apples, peach, ripe pear, kumquat, brioche, grilled pineapple, almond butter, honey, oak spice, ginger, dill, butterscotch & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Barrel fermented with malolactic fermentation in new and seasoned French oak barrels. Left on lees for 11 months in oak with bâttonage as desired.” (Winery)

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5 -7 years on its own or pair it with Limburger cheese.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: October 25, 2022

CHÂTEAU LES TOURELLES 2018, AC Bordeaux, France

27 Thursday Oct 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Darriet Family
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A juicy, fruit forward wine that’s easy to drink, very good quality especially at the price. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, round tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, plum, mulberry, raspberry, dark chocolate, tobacco leaves, turmeric, pencil shavings & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Aged in tanks for 18 months.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5 -7 years on its own or pair it with ribeye steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: October 22, 2022

LCBO: 426247

STREWN WINERY SPARKLER, SAUVIGNON BLANC, NV, Méthode Cuve Close, VQA Ontario, Canada

17 Monday Oct 2022

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

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Cost: $25.00
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Strewn Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant surprise for this Charmat method Sauvignon Blanc. Not complex but good quality. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon/lime, honeydew melon, pink grapefruit, fresh grass & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Fermented in stainless steel down to dryness. Following stabilization and sterile filtration, the wine base underwent secondary fermentation to 6.5 g/L residual sugar in specialized pressurized tanks followed by battonage.” (Winery)

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Devil
Eggs.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: October 16, 2022

CHÂTEAU LES TOURELLES 2018, AC Bordeaux, France

19 Monday Sep 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Merlot 80%, Cabernet Sauvignon 20%
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Château Les Tourelles
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Intense fruit & spicy flavours showing great quality all at a really good price point. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Medium to dark ruby in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, plum, raspberry, cinnamon, cloves, tobacco, turmeric, vanilla, pencil shavings & leather.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Tournedos Rossini.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: September 16, 2022

LCBO: 426247

13TH STREET WINERY JUNE’S VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2020, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

16 Friday Sep 2022

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

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best Canadian non-oaked Chards I’ve tasted that shows a creamy rich texture along with minerality. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Straw with some gold tinge in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pineapple, Jonagold apples, ripe pear, honeycomb, honeydew melon & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Vegan Friendly

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with grilled shrimp

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: September 12, 2022

LCBO: 154617