Cost: $16.95 Grape: Montepulciano Category: Red Wine Location: LCBO Vintages Country: Italy Region: Montepulciano D’Abruzzo Format: 750 mL Producer: Codice di Citra Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
A rustic style wine that selling at a great price. Score: 90/100.
Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherries, mulberry, plum, tobacco leaves, cocoa, thyme, button mushrooms, liquorice, black peppers & aged balsamic.
Negatives: None
Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with mushroom, tomato, pepperoni thin crust pizza.
A pleasant quality dry rosé sparkling wine at a great price. Score: 92/100.
Tasting Note: Pale bronze in colour with good acidity fine mousse, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lightly toasted, brioche, yeast, cherry, red currants, strawberries, raspberries, green & red apples.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: This organic sparkling wine was aged in bottle for at least 24 months.
Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Lobster Eggs Benedict with Plantain Tostones and Hollandaise
Cost: $11.80 Grape: Grenache, Cinsault, Cabernet Category: Rosé Wine Location: LCBO Vintages Country: France Region: Terres du Midi, France Format: 750 mL Producer: Listel Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Best rosé I’ve tasted in a very long time. Fresh, dry & clean rosé with fruity & spicy notes that could sell more than double the selling price. Score: 94/100.
Tasting Note: Salmon in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Strawberry, white peach, blood orange, apricots, nutmeg, dill & lilac on the nose.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: Winery has been around since 1883. Serve this wine well chilled.
Pairings: Drink this now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Pan-Roadted Hake & Romesco Sauce with Leeks, Scallions & Fingerling Potatoes.
A restrained oaked Chard, which is a good thing as it’s delicious. Score: 92/100.
Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green & yellow apples, peach, pear, honeydew melon, oak spice, butterscotch & vanilla.
Negatives: None
Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Pan Seared Halibut with Lemon Caper Sauce
Cost: $20.95 Grape: 45% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre Category: Red Wine Location: LCBO Vintages Country: France Region: Saint-Chinian Roquebrun, Languedoc Format: 750 mL Producer: Cave de Roquebrun Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
A delicious combination of red fruits, spiciness & earthiness. Score: 94/100.
Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Bing cherry, strawberries, raspberries, dried herbs, mocha, portobello mushrooms, & white pepper
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: Reminds me of Vaqueyras
Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Herb Duck Breast
Cost: $24.95 (Sale price until June 2021: $21.95 Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon Category: Red Wine Location: LCBO Vintages Country: United States of America Region: Sonoma County, California Format: 750 mL Producer: Louis M Martini Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
A quality Cali Cab wine under $25 that’s smooth with lots of nice black & red fruits. Nice to see this vintage below 14.5% alcohol. Score: 92/100.
Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, blackcurrants, blackberries, plum, tamarind, raspberry, mocha, Crème de Cassis turmeric, vanilla, leather & purple lilacs on the nose.
Negatives: None
Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Beef Wellington.
Cost: $26.95 Grape: Chardonnay Category: White Wine Location: LCBO Vintages Country: United States of America Region: Lodi, California Format: 750 mL Producer: Michael David Winery Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
The stainless-steel fermentation gives this wine a crisp start with tropical fruits, which is followed by the more mellow soft & creamy notes from the oak aging. Truly a top Chard. Score: 95/100.
Tasting Note: Light bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium-low intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green apples, pear, peach, pineapples, honeydew melon, ginger, oak spice & vanilla.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: The Phillips family have been farming this soil since the 1860’s and cultivating wine grapes since the early 20th century. The founders, brothers Michael and David Phillips, are 5th generation grape growers who have raised their families in the vineyard, and now the 6th generation has joined the team, Mike’s son Kevin and daughter Melissa. They understand the importance of leaving it better than you found it for future generations. Their family legacy and love of Lodi drive their focus on sustainability.
I bought this wine based on 2 things: 1) The bottle, just love the unique shape & the beveled engraved winery logo, 2) Under 14.5% alcohol.
Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with snow crab legs & drawn butter.
Cost: $13.95 Grape: Trincadeira, Aragonez, Touriga Nacional and Syrah Category: Red Wine Location: LCBO Vintages Country: Portugal Region: Alentejano Format: 750 mL Producer: Magnum Vinhos Wines Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
An undervalued wine, which is great for the consumer, as you get lots of red fruit with spiciness. Score: 92/100
Tasting Note: Opaque in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, raspberry, strawberry, pomegranate, mulberry, white & black peppers, Allspice, licorice & fennel on the nose.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: This wine is Vegan friendly & 100% fermented in stainless steel.
Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with BBQ Alabama Beef Ribs.
Cost: $27.95 (Clearance price: $22.40) Grape: Chardonnay Category: White Wine Location: LCBO Vintages Country: United States of America Region: Arroyo Seco, Monterey County, California Format: 750 mL Producer: Wente Vineyards Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
A rare sighting for a full body, rich, complex Cali Chard that’s delicious & yet having under 14% alcohol. Score: 96/100
Tasting Note: Bright deep gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, peach, pineapple, mango, pear, honeydew melon, ginger, dill, roasted almonds, oak spice, vanilla & Easter Lily on the nose.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: Use the larger Chard style stemware & don’t over chill this wine in order to bring out all the flavours it has to offer.
Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 6-8 years on its own or pair it with Chilean Sea Bass
Cost: $15.95 Grape: Chardonnay Category: White Wine Location: LCBO Vintages Country: France Region: Cévennes, Limoux Aude Valley, Hérault Format: 750 mL Producer: Abbott Delaunay Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Found my new inexpensive easy drinking Chard. This wine should please those that are anti-oak to those that like rich bold wines. This wine has freshness with a slight buttery finish. Score: 92/100
Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green apples, pear, peach, clementine, honeydew melon, dill, ginger, light oak spice & Gardenia on the nose.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: “The grapes from Cévennes bring freshness, those from Limoux’s Aude Valley introduce aromatic fruit tones to the bouquet, and those grown in Hérault add richness. Partially fermented in oak with the rest in stainless steel.” LCBO. This wine taste just as good as in a Chablis style stemware as well as the larger Chards that are big & rich.
Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Chicken & Pears
