Category Archives: Highly Recommended

ROCHES NOIRES MACÉRATION 2019, AOC Saint-Chinian-Roquebrun, France

19 Friday Aug 2022

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

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Cost: $24.95 (Clearance price: $20.25)
Grape: 60% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Saint-Chinian-Roquebrun
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Saint-Chinian-Roquebrun
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This complex wine has everything: fruit, spice & earthiness. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, dusty tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, raspberry, plum, black olives, Allspice, portobello mushrooms cocoa, white pepper, shale & leather.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Roast Fillet of Beef with Sage and Mushroom stuffing.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: August 17, 2022

LCBO: 251637

13th STREET WINERY RESERVE VIOGNIER 2020, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

17 Wednesday Aug 2022

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

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, elegant & delicious. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: White peach, lemon zest, honeydew melon, green apples, pear, star fruit (Carambola), vanilla & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Fermented & aged for 12 months in seasoned French oak barrels.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Sautéed chicken with roasted red peppers, tossed in a cajun cream sauce with spinach and feta.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: July 22 & August 4, 2022

WOLFBERGER BRUT CRÉMANT D’ALSACE, NV Méthode Traditionnelle, AOC Alsace, France

16 Tuesday Aug 2022

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

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Cost: $19.95 (Clearance price: $16.00)
Grape: Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Alsace
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Wolfberger
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Not your typical brut made in the traditional method as it’s less yeasty & more creamier, all at a great price. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Biscuit, lemon zest, peach, ripe pear, honeydew melon & shale.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Dragon Roll sushi

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: August 11, 2022

LCBO: 460832

VAL D’OCA PROSECCO, DOCG Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore, Veneto, Italy

09 Tuesday Aug 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale price until Aug 14, 2022: $17.95)
Grape: Glera
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore, Veneto
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Val d’Oca
Alcohol: 11.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Elegant Prosecco with substance. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Light straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Apple, pear, peach, honeydew melon & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Cool bottle

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-4 years on its own or pair it with charcuterie and cheese tray

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 7, 2022

LCBO: 340570

FLAT ROCK CELLARS CHARDONNAY 2021, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

07 Sunday Aug 2022

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

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale price until Aug 14, 2022: $17.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Flat Rock Cellars
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Consistently one of the best Ontario Chards under $20 that is balanced with citric, spice, oak for a rich & full body wine. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, light tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, yellow plum, Golden delicious apples, kumquat, lemon custard, toffee, ginger, oak spice, honey & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I like the new label for the 2021 vintage

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4-6 years on its own or pair it with snow crabs

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 6, 2022

LCBO: 286278

CHÂTEAU HAUT-MAZIÈRES 2019, AC Bordeaux, France

06 Saturday Aug 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: 65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Château Haut-Mazières
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Nicely made, expressive with lots of fruits & spice. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, strawberry, plum, mulberry, Allspice, turmeric, graphite & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Spent 12 months in oak barrels.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Mongolian Beef.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 5, 2022

LCBO: 487546

VAUCHER PÈRE & FILS FLEURIE 2020, AC Fleurie, Beaujolais, France

03 Wednesday Aug 2022

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

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Gamay
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Fleurie, Beaujolais
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Vaucher Père & Fils
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth like silk, now this is what Gamay is supposed to taste like & all at an amazing price. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, light tannin, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Bing cherries, strawberry, raspberry, nectarines,

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Chill the wine to 15C & use a balloon style glassware. Fleurie is named after a Roman general, Floricum, rather than for any floral traits in the wine.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2-4 years on its own or pair it with escargot.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: August 1, 2022

LCBO: 534339

WOLFTRAP VIOGNIER CHENIN BLANC GRENACHE BLANC 2021, South Africa

29 Friday Jul 2022

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Highly Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $14.00 (Sale Price until Aug 14, 2022: $12.00)
Grape: 39% Viognier, 38% Chenin Blanc, 23% Grenache Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: South Africa
Region: Franschhoek
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Boekenhoutskloof
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

For an inexpensive wine, this has a lot of complexity & a steel at the price. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon custard, yellow plum, Jonagold apples, gooseberry, white peach, pineapple, ginger, lemongrass, clove & verbena on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2-4 years on its own or pair it with Sushi.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing & Best Buy

Tasted: July 27, 2022

LCBO: 292532

MUMM NAPA BRUT PRESTIGE, NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, Napa, California, United States of America

25 Monday Jul 2022

Posted by in Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $30.00 (Sale Price until Aug 17, 2022: $27.50)
Grape: 45% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir, 10% Pinot Gris /Pinot Meunier
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Napa, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Mumm
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Vibrant flavors are balanced by fine acidity and a rich, lingering finish. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Light yeast & brioche, lemon, green & red apples, pear, ginger, honey, vanilla,

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: ‘Fermentation is conducted at cool temperatures in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and fruit intensity. A few select lots are aged in French oak barrels to add depth, complexity, and spiciness. The finished blend is
bottled for second fermentation, with an average of 18 months’ yeast
ageing to add complexity, subtle dough flavors, and layers of creaminess.
The wine is disgorged in brut style and a dosage is added back to balance
the wines acidity, ageing another 3 months.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4-6 years on its own or pair it with California Benedict.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Tasted: July 24, 2022

LCBO: 217273

RIVAROSE BRUT PRESTIGE SPARKLING ROSÉ, NV, IGP Méditerranée, Salon-de-Provence, France

24 Sunday Jul 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Grenache & Syrah
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Méditerranée, Salon-de-Provence
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rivarose
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Pleasant, fresh off dry sparkling that’s a perfect as an aperitif. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Light copper in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Light yeast, strawberry, raspberry, pink grapefruit, apricot, peach, clementine, thyme & orange blossoms on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “RIVAROSE is the oldest and largest producer of sparkling wines in the Mediterranean. Founded in 1909, the house markets its wines all over the world, including its eponymous product, a true ambassador of the bubbles of the south of France.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Alabama Beef Ribs.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 23, 2022

LCBO: 515288