Category Archives: Highly Recommended

FATTORIA LE PUPILLE MORELLINO DI SCANSANO 2018, DOCG Morellino di Scansano, Tuscany, Italy

20 Saturday Feb 2021

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

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: 85% Sangiovese, 10% Alicante, 5% Ciliegiolo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Morellino di Scansano, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Fattoria Le Pupille
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth with lush fruits. Score: 92 /100

Tasting Note: Bright medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & a fairly long length on the finish. This wine features: plum, black cherry, blackberry, raspberry, cinnamon, milk chocolate, vanilla & sage.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 years & pair it with Tuscan crostini with liver pate, Maremma ravioli, acquacotta.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: February 18, 2021

LCBO: 455659

SILENI LODGE GRAND RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2018, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand

17 Wednesday Feb 2021

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

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Cost: $26.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Hawke’s Bay
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Sileni Estates
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A complex Chard that is beautifully balanced between the oak, fruit & acidity. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with, good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, peach, pear, green apples, pineapple, ginger, dill, honey, chamomile, toasted almonds & oak spice.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “In ancient Greece the Sileni were companions of Dionysus, the god of wine, vineyards and theatre. When there was something to be celebrated, the Sileni were always on hand to encourage enjoyment of delicious food, great wine and social interaction.” Sileni Estates

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years & pair it with Fried Zucchini Spaghetti

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: February 16, 2021 (Happy birthday Lithuania!)

LCBO: 14561

CELENE CUVÉE ROYALE ROSÉ CRÉMANT DE BORDEAUX NV, Traditional Method, AOC Bordeaux, France

14 Sunday Feb 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Cabernet Franc & Merlot
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Celene de Bordeaux
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A true representation of both Cab Franc & Merlot in a sparkling rosé. Nice, dry, light & tasteful. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Bright copper to salmon in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features redcurrant, black cherry, raspberry, mulberry, tamarind, blackberry & cassis.      

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: LCBO list the grapes used as Cabernet Franc & Muscadelle, however on the winery’s website, it Cab Franc & Merlot. And I confess, I bought this wine because I loved the bottle. Happy that the taste matched the elegance of the bottle.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years & pair it with Seafood Stew with Fennel & tomatoes

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 14, 2021

LCBO: 16604

FLAT ROCK CELLARS CHARDONNAY 2019, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

12 Friday Feb 2021

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

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale price $17.95 until Feb 28, 2021)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Flat Rock Cellars
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Bright, buttery & balanced. Consistently one of the best Chards for under $20. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Bright old gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features buttered toast, lemon, lemon meringue, peach, pear, golden apple, pineapple, ginger, dill, oak spice & marzipan.     

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: LCBO list this wine as “Light & Crisp”. Should be listed as full body & rich.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years & pair it with steamed lobster with drawn butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 12, 2021

LCBO: 286278

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE ROSÉ 2019, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

10 Wednesday Feb 2021

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Quality at a great price for this Pinot Noir rosé. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Light rose gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features sour cherry, strawberry, McIntosh apples, dragon fruit & roses on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years & pair it with Alabama smoked ribs.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 9, 2021

GÉRARD BERTRAND RÉSERVE SPÉCIALE VIOGNIER 2018, IGP Pays D’Oc, France

23 Saturday Jan 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Pays D’Oc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Gérard Bertrand
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Consistent vintage to vintage & under $15, this Viognier has complexity with lots of stone fruits. Just delicious to drink; just what you need when you’re staying at home due to COVID. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon-lime, orange, apricot, peach, ripe pear, ginger, honey & orange blossom on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years & pair it with Red Snapper Poached in Coconut Milk with Tomatoes, Ginger and Scotch Bonnet.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: January 22, 2021

LCBO: 147975

13th STREET ESSENCE GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2017, VQA

22 Friday Jan 2021

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: Gewürztraminer
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol:  12 % Alcohol/Vol.

I can’t think of a better Canadian Gewürz that I have tried; absolutely beautifully delicious. Score: 95/100

Positives: Gold in colour this wine features a beautiful highly aromatic wine with saffron, lavender, honeysuckle and lemon peel on the nose. On the taste there’s lychee, Honeycrsip apple, lemon pie, nectarine, yellow plum, apricot, loquat and honey.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 7-10 years on its own or pair it with Korean food.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: August 29, 2019

MONTECILLO RIOJA RESERVA 2013, DOC Rioja, Spain

10 Sunday Jan 2021

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

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Cost: $17.95 (Sale price until Jan 31, 2021: $14.95)
Grape: 90% Tempranillo, 7% Mazuelo, 4% Garnacha
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Montecillo
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A really good wine consistently vintages to vintage, add to it that it’s an aged wine for under $18, but then add when it’s on sale, which is a couple times a year at the LCBO, & you just need to buy a case, it’s that good for the price. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, smooth tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features dark cherry, strawberry, blackcurrants, plum, dates, licorice, dark chocolate, cinnamon, cloves, leather & sandalwood on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 10 – 15 years & pair it with Flank Steak with Rib Lamb Chop.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: January 9, 2021

LCBO: 621003

MASI CAMPOFIORIN 2017, IGT Verona, Italy

04 Monday Jan 2021

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

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Cost: $22.00
Grape: Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Italy
Region: Verona
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Masi
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Full body, smooth & velvety with lots of fruits & spice. Simply delicious. Score: 93/100

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, smooth tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features dark cherry, plums, figs, dried cranberries, pomegranate, cloves, Allspice, cinnamon, sage, oregano & spinach leaves.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Masi is Vegan friendly as they do not use any animal by-products or allergy causing products in the wine production.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 15-20 years & pair it with well-aged cheese.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: January 4, 2021

LCBO: 155051

CAMPO VIEJO TEMPRANILLO 2018, DOC Rioja, Spain

31 Thursday Dec 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Camp Viejo
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Full of black fruit & spice. An excellent buy for under $15. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features dark cherry, blackberry, blueberry, tamarind paste, rye bread, Harissa, arugula & sandalwood on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years & pair it with Spanish-Style Beef Brisket.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: December 30, 2020

LCBO: 342006