Category Archives: Highly Recommended

FOLIE À DEUX CHARDONNAY 2018, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States of America

16 Saturday Oct 2021

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: Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Folie à Deux
Alcohol:  14.1% Alcohol/Vol.

From one of my favourite AVA’s, this Chard doesn’t disappoint. Not only is this a beautiful full body, complex & balanced wine, but it’s also made under 14.5% alcohol. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon drops, Golden Delicious apple, peach, clementine, pear, pineapple, mango, kumquat, apricot, Allspice, caramel & honey.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Folie à Deux wines are sustainably grown in Sonoma County.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 8-10 years on its own or pair it with Lobster Thermidor

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Oct 8, 2021

LCBO: 146951

CUVÉE JEAN PHILIPPE BRUT 2018, Méthode Traditionnelle, AOC Blanquette de Limoux, France

02 Saturday Oct 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Mauzac & Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Blanquette de Limoux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Rosier
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Rich & creamy with slight sweetness & good acidity.  Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Yellow straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dry apple peel, brioche, light toast almonds, lemon, pear, green apples, peach, honeycomb & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “The vines from which this seductive blanquette originate are located on the hills to the west of Limoux, and more specifically in the commune of Villelongue d’Aude, an ancient fortified village constructed in a ‘circulade’ (a traditional village of the area built in concentric circles).” Domaine Rosier

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Honey Garlic Roasted Pheasant.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Sept 26, 2021

LCBO: 467217

MICHEL GASSIER EMBRUNS DE VIOGNIER 2020, Pay D’Oc, France

30 Thursday Sep 2021

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

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Camargue, Pays D’Oc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Gassier
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A beautifully made Viognier with richness, oiliness & full of flavour.  Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon drops, apricot, Golden Delicious apple, peach, clementine, nectarine & oyster shell.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This wine is Bio Organic.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 8-10 years on its own or pair it with Tangerine Sage Rotisserie Chicken. 

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Sept 29, 2021

LCBO: 669531

PONGRÁCZ BRUT PINOT NOIR/CHARDONNAY CAP CLASSIQUE, NV, W.O. Western Cape, South Africa

19 Sunday Sep 2021

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: W.O. Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Caves de Pongrácz
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Quality, complexity & delicious to drink all at an amazing price. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Baked apples, light yeast, brioche, green apples, kumquat, kiwi & honeycomb & limestone.  

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: In my opinion Pongrácz produces the best sparkling, in the traditional method, at an amazing price, bar none. Check out my review of their rosé sparkling wine. In addition, I love the shape of their bottles.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 8-10 years on its own or pair it with red onion vinaigrette.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Sept 19, 2021

LCBO: 404111

LE NOBLE CUVÉE RÉSERVE 2018, AC Bordeaux, France

17 Friday Sep 2021

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $12.95
Grape: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Caves de Rauzan
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This inexpensive wine is deceptive. At 1st it’s simple, but if you let it sit for an hour, the wine opens up to give pleasant tertiary notes. Can’t beat the price for this full flavoured, easy drinking & very pleasant wine. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, mild tannin, medium+ intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Blackberries, black cherries, mocha, dry herbs, Allspice, turmeric, vanilla & cedar.  

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Sustainable winegrowing

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 4-7 years on its own or pair it with Crispy BBQ smashed potatoes drizzled in tangy BBQ sauce

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing Buy

Tasted: Sept 16, 2021

LCBO: 18782

13th STREET WINERY L. VISCEK VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2019, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

14 Tuesday Sep 2021

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: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic quality cool climate, Vegan friendly, Chardonnay that will get better with aging. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Light bright gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green apples, pear, clementine, baking spice & limestone.  

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 13th Street Viscek Vineyard Chards have consistently been good.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 7-10 years on its own or pair it with garlic roasted chicken.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Sept 11, 2021

CHÂTEAU DE NAGES JT 2018, AOP Costières de Nîmes, Rhône, Frane

04 Wednesday Aug 2021

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

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Cost: $27.95
Grape: 70% Roussanne, 15% Viognier, 15% Grenache Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Costières de Nîmes, Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château de Nages
Alcohol:  14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Big, bold & beautiful, very Montrachet in style without being a Chard. Score: 97/100.

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon pie, lemon zest, apricot, peach, orange pith, pineapple, golden apples, granny apples, pear, honey, vanilla with orange blossoms & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Use the larger Montrachet glassware and don’t over chill it to bring out all that this wine has to offer.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Mahi-mahi ceviche with pineapple salsa.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Aug 2, 2021

LCBO: 485854

MONTEMAJOR EQUINOX LIMITED EDITION 2017, IGT Campania, Italy

03 Tuesday Aug 2021

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

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Aglianico and Piedirosso
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Campania
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Montemajor
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A delicious wine that is fresh, smooth with lots of fruits & spiciness. 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: Blackberry, cherry, raspberry, strawberry, aged balsamic, licorice, cinnamon, Allspice & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “The name Equinox, comes from the Latin aequa-nox which literally means equal night, as this is one of the two solely days in which night and day have the same length. EQUINOX recalls the period of harvest of this wine, when summer ends letting autumn taking its course. The grapes were harvested during the Fall Equinox on 21 September 2017.

Although I enjoyed this wine in a variety of wine glasses, the Sangiovese/Riesling glassware won out.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Mussels Marinara with Linguine

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: July 31, 2021

LCBO: 19027

CHEVALIER MONOPOLE DRY ROSÉ SPARKLING WINE, NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, France

25 Sunday Jul 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: White & Red Grapes
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Maison Chevalier
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant, easy drinking off-dry rosé sparkling wine with substance & a nice flowery nose. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Salmon in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Strawberries, Fuji apples, raspberry, sweet cherries, cranberries & roses on the nose.   

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Natural fermentation in VAT with an aging of 3 months.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3 – 4 years on its own or pair it with baked Brie with raspberries.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 25, 2021

LCBO: 485920

TERRA D’ALIGI TATONE MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO 2016, DOC Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Abruzzo, Italy

08 Thursday Jul 2021

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Abruzzo
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Terra D’Aligi
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

If you want a full body Italian red wine that is delicious, has a lot to offer, ready to drink now or cellar & yet inexpensive; this wine is it. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, dusty tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherries, plum, blackberry, raspberry, oregano, sage, peppercorn, cardamon & leather,

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Tatone is a nickname for grandfather. This wine as aged 24 months in big barrels made of oak of Slavonia and 3 months in bottle.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with wood oven Margarita Pizza

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: July 6, 2021

LCBO: 994616