Category Archives: Highly Recommended

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

LES VINS DE VIENNE JEANRAUDE LIEU-DIT CONDRIEU 2019, AOC Condrieu, France

22 Friday Jul 2022

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

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Cost: $82.00
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Condrieu, Northern Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Les Vins de Vienne
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Smooth, powerful yet elegant & delicious. Score: 98/100.

Tasting Note: Bright light gold in colour with good acidity, light to medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Apricot, peach, honeydew melon, Jonagold apples, Anjou pear, star fruit (Carambola), vanilla, & acacia & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Ageing: 9 months on lees in French oak barrels and tuns.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 6-7 years on its own or pair it with pike quenelles in Crayfish sauce.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: July 20, 2022

LCBO: 21406

VENTOUX GRANDE RÉSERVE DES CHALLIÈRES 2020, AOC Ventoux, Southern Rhône, France

19 Tuesday Jul 2022

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

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Cost: $12.40 (Sale price until July 17, 2022: $10.40)
Grape: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: France
Region: Ventoux, Southern Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bonpas
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.


Best under $13 red I’ve tried to date. Smooth, elegant, light to medium body, nice balance of fruit & light spice. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity & medium intense nose, soft tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, raspberry, mulberry, black olives, thyme, baby spinach & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “The south-facing slopes of Mont Ventoux in the Vaucluse, which rises to 1,912 meters covering almost 6,700 hectares. The terroir is made of Limestone and marly scree.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-5 years on its own or pair it with wooden oven pizza.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing Buy, Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: July 18, 2022

LCBO: 20865

CABRIZ ROSÉ 2020, DOC Däo, Portugal

13 Wednesday Jul 2022

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Dão
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cabriz
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.


On a blind I would say this was from Provence, but I would be wrong. Beautifully made showing vibrant fruits & crispness all at a great price. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Light cooper in colour with good acidity & medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Pink grapefruit, raspberry, Dragon Fruit, watermelon, white peach & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in a couple of years on its own or pair it with barbecued chicken skewers

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing Buy & Best Buy

Tasted: July 11, 2022

LCBO: 30445

STELLER’S JAY MOUNTAIN JAY BRUT SPARKLING WINE 2017, Méthode Classique, VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

11 Monday Jul 2022

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

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Cost: $29.95 (Clearance price: $24.95)
Grape: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Steller’s Jay
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Beautiful made with elegance. 93/100

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity & fine mousse, medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Light yeast, brioche, green apples, lemon zest, pear, white peach, strawberry, toasted almonds & fresh cut carnations on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy at clearance price

Tasted: July 10, 2022

LCBO: 264879

CHÂTEAU DE VAUGELAS LE PRIEURÉ 2019, AOP Corbières, France

10 Sunday Jul 2022

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: 40% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 25% Carignan, 5% Mourvedre
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Corbières
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bonfils Vins & Château
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Top notch Corbières; fruity & spicy. Score: 95/100

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, blueberry, mulberry, plum, licorice, black & white pepper, fennel, olives, leather & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: New label for my favourite Corbières, although I prefer the previous one as it was more classic. See my review of their 2016 vintage.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4-6 years on its own or pair it with PENNE ALLA VODKA Sautéed prosciutto with caramelized onions and tossed in a rosé sauce from Fat Cat Pizza restaurant St. Catharines.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: July 9, 2022

LCBO: 154617