Category Archives: Highly Recommended

GRUET BRUT NV, Méthode Champenoise, New Mexico, United States of America

03 Sunday Apr 2022

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

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Cost: $26.95
Grape: Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: New Mexico
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Gruet Winery
Alcohol: 12.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Finesse & elegance sparkling wine at half the price of more well-known Napa sparkling wines. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Brioche, sourdough bread, light yeast, lemon zest, green apples, pear, ginger & limestones.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This is Gruet’s 2nd entry to LCBO. I reviewed their rosé earlier, & that was very good as well.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Homemade Oven Baked Garlic Parmesan Fries

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: April 3, 2022

LCBO: 21172

LUNDY MANOR LUNDY RED 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

24 Thursday Mar 2022

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

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: 67% Cabernet Franc, 16% Merlot, 13.5% Syrah, 3.5% Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Lundy Manor Wine Cellars
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Best value Canadian red wine I’ve tasted to date. Beautifully made that has elegance, smooth, complexed & all at an amazing price. Score: 96/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, plum, blackberry, tamarind, raspberry, blueberry, Crème de cassis, baking spice, black & white peppers, cassis, Star Anise, dry figs, cocoa, vanilla & lavender on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Vinification Notes: the grapes were all 100% handpicked, then hard sorted, and fermented on their skins. A portion of the wine was placed on appassimento skins in a Ripasso style, then aged in a combination or French and American oak for a minimum of 18 months each.” LM Also I love the classic elegant wine label.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Marinated Leg of Lamb

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: March 21, 2022

LCBO: 21656

CHÂTEAU DE MANISSY LE MOULIN LE MOULIN DE NOTRE DAME TAVEL 2020, AOP Tavel, France

16 Wednesday Mar 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $19.95 (Clearance Price: $14.00)
Grape: Grenache, Syrah, Clairette, Cinsault
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Tavel
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château de Manissy
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Beautifully made, balanced with juicy notes. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Bright deep salmon in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, strawberry, raspberry, peach, pink grapefruit, persimmon & cinnamon.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Certified organic and biodynamic by Ecocert and Demeter respectively

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2-3 years on its own or pair it with BBQ sweet chili wings

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Amazing Buy at clearance price

Tasted: March 3, 2022

LCBO: 19573

PIERRE PAILLARD LA GRAND RÉOLTE BOUZY GRAND CRU EXTRA-BRUT CHAMPAGNE 2018, AOC Bouzy, Champagne, France

14 Monday Mar 2022

Posted by in Champagne, Highly Recommended, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $130.00
Grape: 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay
Category: Champagne Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bouzy, Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pierre Paillard
Alcohol: 12.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Beautiful, elegant, delicious & complexed. Score: 98/100.

Tasting Note: Old gold in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, an intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Brioche, sour dough, buttered toast, Anjou Pear, lemon, kumquat, Golden Delicious apples, yellow pitaya, honeycomb, chalk, limestone, vanilla, a hint of salt & plumeria on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: La Grande Récolte 2008 benefits from extended aging “sur lie”: 10 years in our 19th century cellars at a depth of 53 feet/16 meters and
at a constant 50°F/10°C temperature

Pairings: Drink this now or in 7-10 years on its own or pair it with Caviar served on fresh baked Blinis.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: March 12, 2022

LCBO: 22922

ALVI’S DRIFT CHARDONNAY 2020, Western Cape, South Africa

07 Monday Mar 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Alvi’s Drift Winery
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

For an inexpensive Chard, this one packs a lot of flavour & crispness. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold with green tinge in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon zest, lime, pineapple, peach, apricot, kumquat, oak spice, ginger & Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “The vineyards are grown using a philosophy of
sustainability and minimal intervention and are fertilized with natural compost produced on the farm. Only the premium free run juice was used for this wine which was fermented in stainless steel tanks as well as lightly oaked. Left several months on lees before the wine was fined, stabilized and bottled.” AD

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4-6 years on its own or pair it with South Africa Chutney Chicken.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 6, 2022

LCBO: 21151

RIOJA VEGA CRIANZA 2017, DOC Rioja, Spain

02 Wednesday Mar 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Principe De Viana, S.L.
Alcohol: 14.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

Good value for a full flavoured classic Crianza. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Bing cherry, raspberry, plum, licorice, cloves, cinnamon, leather, tobacco leaves & sandalwood.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years on its own or pair it with slow cooked lamb curry.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 1, 2022

LCBO: 471854

REDE RESRVA 2016, DOC Douro, Portugal

01 Tuesday Mar 2022

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

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Quinta de Rede
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Complex, delicious wine that is juicy with spiciness all at a great price. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby to purple in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, dry tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, blackberry, plum, licorice, thyme, raisin, cassis, Star Anise, leather, tobacco leaves,

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Partial aging in French oak wood for 6 months. The oldest historical records of Quinta da Rede are from 1484. It is part of the Douro wine region even before the demarcation of 1756. The Quinta overlooks the Douro River, on its right bank, between Mesão Frio and Régua, an altitude between 90 to 140 meters.” QR

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Espetada.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Feb 28, 2022

LCBO: 431262

STEORRA PÉTILLANT NATUREL SPARKLING WINE 2016, Monterey County, California, United States of America

21 Monday Feb 2022

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

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Cost: $34.95 (Clearance Price: $28.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Monterey County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Copper Cane Wines by Joe Wagner
Alcohol: 12.3% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic vintage Champagne Blanc de Blancs style. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with a fine mousse, good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour bread dough, brioche, lemon curd, green apples, toasted almonds, pear, peach, honeycomb & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Joe Wagner used only naturally occurring sugar of Chardonnay from one vineyard & each bottle is numbered. This one is: 03.521

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Quiche Lorraine

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick


Tasted: Feb 20, 2022
LCBO: 20177

CAMBRIA KATHERINE’S VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2018, Santa Maria Valley, California, United States of America

19 Saturday Feb 2022

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

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Santa Maria Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cambria Estate Winery
Alcohol: 14.1% Alcohol/Vol.

My new favourite Chard with alcohol under 14.5% & it doesn’t break the bank. Taste like lemon meringue pie with spiciness. Score: 98/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold with a green tinge in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon meringue pie, peach, pineapple, mango, tangerine, lemon zest, dill, ginger, oak spice, buttered toast & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Women lead, women owned certified sustainable winery

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick
Tasted: Feb 17, 2022
LCBO: 980490


LES GRANDS MERISIERS CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2012, AOC Châteauneuf-Du-Pape, Rhône, France

17 Thursday Feb 2022

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

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: Red blend including Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, Mouvèdre
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages (No Longer Available)
Country: France
Region: Châteauneuf-Du-Pape, Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: M. Chapoutier
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

This 10-year Châteauneuf-Du-Pape is drinking perfectly. Score: 98/100

Tasting Note: Light straw in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Plum, raisins, dry figs, black cherries, ripe tamarind, Portobello Mushrooms, cinnamon, cloves, white pepper, peppercorn, smoke & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Recommend decanting as this wine just keeps opening up.

Pairings: Drink this now on its own or pair it with Wagyu steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Feb 16, 2022

LCBO: 421073 (No longer at LCBO)