Category Archives: Highly Recommended

LAGAR DE ROBLA PREMIUM MENCIA 2016, DO Castilla y León, Spain

07 Friday Jan 2022

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

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Mencia
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Castilla y León
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Viños de Arganza
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Full body wine that’s complexed & not jammy or sweet plus it’s under $20. Great alternative for someone that wants a red wine other than the classic varietals. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherries, plum, tamarind, blackberries, raisins, cassis, cloves, dark chocolate, sage, Allspice & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: After trying several styles of wine glassware, I found that the Syrah style was the best as it gave the wine a smoother after taste than other styles such as Bordeaux.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-6 years on its own or pair it with Spanish Beef Empanadas

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Jan 6, 2022

LCBO: 439729

KEN FORRESTER OLD VINES RESERVE CHENIN BLANC 2020, Stellenbosch, South Africa

06 Thursday Jan 2022

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

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Chenin Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ken Forrester Vineyards
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A consistent winner year to year, delivers citric, spicy & smoky notes. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, spicy backed apples, pink grapefruit, white peach, flint, honeycomb, vanilla & verbena on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “They farm sustainably with no herbicides or pesticides, till by hand, prune thin bunches and leaves all by hand and finally harvest by hand.” (KF)

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-6 years on its own or pair it with Crayfish Boil.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Jan 5, 2022

LCBO: 231282

CAMPILLO BLANCO FERMENTADO EN BARRICA 2019, DOC Rioja, Spain

22 Wednesday Dec 2021

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

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Viura & Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain        
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Campillo
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A complex wine that’s intense with layers of flavours. Score: 94/100

Tasting Note: Aged gold in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lime, honeydew melon, quince, lemon verbena tea, orange zest, pistachios, cardamon, toast, vanilla & flint.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Use the Montrachet style wine glassware.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-6 years on its own or pair it with Seafood Paella

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: Dec 21, 2021

LCBO: 657478

CERRO CHAPEU RESERVE TANNAT 2018, Uruguay

21 Tuesday Dec 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $22.95
Grape: Tannat
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Uruguay
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodega Cerro Chapeu
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Delicious juicy fruits at its core followed by nice spiciness & smoke. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, dry tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Tamarind, plum, Aronia berries, blackberries, cardamom, smoked ambers, dark chocolates, licorice & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “The grapes are crushed over tanks without pumping. After with low temperature, spontaneous fermentation is slowly started with open tanks and punching down in stainless steel tanks at 20°C. These conditions allowed the development of increase diversity of native yeasts, resulting in more body and flavor complexity. After 10 days of fermentation, the wine is finished in second use wine French oak barrels and then aged for 12 months without any racking over the lies.” (Cerro Chapeu)

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-6 years on its own or pair it with BBQ ribeye steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Dec 20, 2021

LCBO: 19476

ROMBAUER CARNEROS CHARDONNAY 2019, Carneros, California, United States of America

08 Wednesday Dec 2021

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

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Cost: $63.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Carneros, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rombauer Vineyards
Alcohol:  14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Full disclosure: Rombauer Chard has been my favourite chard for years, but this vintage is one of their best if not their best vintage to date. Big, bold, luscious & buttery. Score: 99/100 (my highest rating of any wine to date).

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Butter on white toasted bread, lemon, peach, mango, pineapple, D’Anjou pear, lemon meringue pie, crème brûlée, nutmeg, ginger, dill & Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Use the Montrachet style wine glassware & don’t over chill it. Serve 13°C to 15°C

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-6 years on its own or pair it with steamed lobster with drawn butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Nov 17, 2021

LCBO: 441089

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE PETIT VERDOT 2020, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

03 Friday Dec 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

And now for something completely different for Ontario wines, a Petit Verdot & winemaker Gavin’s first foray at NC with this grape is a success. Score: 91/100

Tasting Note: Medium to dark ruby in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, green tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Blackberry, plum, dark cherry, sage, lavender, Champagne mushrooms, vanilla, light smoke & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: As Petit Verdot is bold & tannic, it needs a large style Bordeaux glass & decant to soften the tanin.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-6 years on its own or pair it with Biryani.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Dec 1, 2021

BON COURAGE PRESTIGE CUVÉE CHARDONNAY 2019, Robertson, South Africa

21 Sunday Nov 2021

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

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Cost: $13.75
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Robertson
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bon Courage Estate
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Such a beautiful wine for under $14, can’t ask for more. Score: 91/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green apples, peach, pear, kiwi, pineapple, ginger, oak spice, vanilla & white flowers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Use the Montrachet style wine glassware & don’t over chill it. Serve 13°C to 15°C

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Pan Seared Halibut with Lemon Dill Sauce.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing Buy & Best Buy

Tasted: Nov 20, 2021

LCBO: 278333

HILARIO CORBIÈRES 2019, AOP Corbières, Languedoc, France

16 Tuesday Nov 2021

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: 60% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Corbières, Languedoc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Confrerie Des Domaines
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A delicious spicy, mouth-watering wine. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Deep dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, plum, bramble fruit, black peppercorn, cocoa, arugula, sage & fresh cut carnations.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-6 years on its own or pair it with Lamb Shank.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing Buy, Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Nov 12, 2021

LCBO: 15170

CHÂTEAU HYOT 2018, AC Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux, France

15 Monday Nov 2021

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: 60% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Alain Aubert Proprietors
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A delicious classic Bordeaux wine at a great price. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, blackberry, plum, red pepper, cocoa, tamarind, anise, pencil shavings & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: If this was made in Ontario, the wine would be going for $30 to $40.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-6 years on its own or pair it with Prime Rib Steak

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Nov 11, 2021

LCBO: 63537

VEUVE AMBAL CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE GRAND CUVÉE BRUT NV, Methode Traditionnelle, AC Burgundy

14 Sunday Nov 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $19.50 (Sale Price until Nov 28, 2021: $17.50)
Grape: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Aligoté, Gamay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Burgunday
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Veuve Ambal
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A solid delicious, elegant Crémant de Bourgogne Brut. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Deep straw in colour with good acidity, fine mousse, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Yeast, brioche, pear, green apples, lemon drops, honeydew melon, ginger, toasted almonds & Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Family run winery since 1898, is now the largest producer of Crémant de Bourgogne.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-6 years on its own or pair it with.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Nov 14, 2021

LCBO: 429688