Category Archives: Highly Recommended

TOM CORE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018, California, United States of America

05 Saturday Dec 2020

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

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale price: $17.95 until Jan 3, 2021)
Grape: Grenache & Viognier
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Tom Gore Vineyards
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant drinking Cali Cab whose grapes are sourced from Central & North Coast. This surprisingly complex wine has nice dark fruit, without the sweetness & high alcohol associated with too many of the Cali Cabs, along with a nice balance from the oak. Score: 91/100

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features cherry, plum, blackberry, blackcurrants, mocha, dark chocolate, cinnamon, cloves, tobacco leaves, turmeric, leather, pencil shavings & dried sage.

Negatives: Some heat coming from the 13.5% alcohol.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 4 years & pair it with Garlic and Herb crusted Roasted Rack of Lamb. 

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: December 5, 2020

LCBO: 451336

13th STREET WINERY CUVÉE BRUT ROSÉ SPARKLING WINE NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

03 Thursday Dec 2020

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

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Cost: $29.95 (Sale Price until Jan 3, 2021: $24.95)
Grape: 54% Chardonnay, 46% Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This just might be the best Ontario sparkling rosé that I have tried to date; simply delightful. Score: 94/100

Tasting Note: Deep salmon in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features brioche, strawberry, raspberry, pomegranate, Spy apple, clementine, roasted almonds & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This is JP’s 2020 batch, although it’s non-vintage, he has elevated it from his previous batches.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next several years & pair it with Madawaska cheese & roasted almonds.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy at sale price

Tasted: December 3, 2020

LCBO: 147504

GRAN MEDALLA CHARDONNAY 2017, Mendoza, Argentina

01 Tuesday Dec 2020

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

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Cost: $26.95 (Clearance Price: $21.60)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Argentina
Region: Uco Vally, Mendoza
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Trapiche
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

I really like the heavy bottle, the label & most importantly I love this full body, spicy Chard. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Light bright gold in colour with good acidity, a light to medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, green & yellow apples, pear, peach, meringue, dill, ginger, brioche, limestone & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 7-9 years & pair it with Quail roasted with honey cumin and orange.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy at Clearance Price, Top Pick

Tasted: November 30, 2020

LCBO: 14599

CASTELLO DELLA SALA BRAMITO CHARDONNAY 2019, IGT, Umbria, Italy

25 Wednesday Nov 2020

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Cost: $22.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Umbria
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Castello dela Sala
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A different style Chard that you wouldn’t normally find here in Ontario as it some oak, citric fruit, mild spice, minerality & smoothness. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Light bright gold in colour with good acidity, a light to medium intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features lemon-lime, green apples, pear, persimmon, dill, cardamom, limestone & clay.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-6 years & pair it with persimmon risotto with pancetta and goat cheese.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 25, 2020

LCBO: 176792

INVIVO PINOT NOIR 2018, Central Otago, New Zealand

23 Monday Nov 2020

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

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Central Otago
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Invivo
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

On tasting this Pinot, my mouth just expressed so much delight as the flavours just jumped out & stayed with my taste buds. This is a true Pinot delight at a great price for a Central Otago Pinot found at the LCBO, as well, I just love the writings on the front & back labels. It truly does have “Traces of Bloody Good Wine”. Score: 94/100

Tasting Note: Light garnet in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, smooth tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features dark cherry, strawberry, raspberry, grilled portobello mushrooms, peat moss, autumn leaves & barnyard notes.   

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Chill to 15C & use the balloon style glassware

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years & pair it with grilled duck breast.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: November 23, 2020

LCBO: 466029

JULES TAYLOR CHARDONNAY 2018, Marlborough, New Zealand

21 Saturday Nov 2020

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jules Taylor Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A delightful complex & spicy Chard at a great price. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, green & yellow apples, pear, peach, clementine, cloves, ginger, dill, oak spice & limestone.   

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years & pair it with creamy risotto with roasted chicken thighs topped with fresh spring onion.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 21, 2020

LCBO: 14566

ROMBAUER CHARDONNAY 2018, Carneros, California, United States of America

17 Tuesday Nov 2020

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.

Is this an expensive Chard? Yes. Is it worth it? Yes. Has Rombauer Chard been my favourite Chard bar none for the past 2 decades? Yes. Why? Rombauer makes what I love in a Chard, which it needs to be balanced between the oak, the fruit, the spiciness, the acidity & the mouth feel, as well as being complex. Score: 96/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, Fuji apple, peach, Edward mango, pineapple, papaya, ginger, dill, light oak spice, salted butter, vanilla, limestone & Easter Lily on the nose.  

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: So why not give this vintage a 99 or 100/100? Although I really love this vintages, I have tasted vintages from Rombauer that were even better.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 7-10 years & pair it with lobster & drawn butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: November 17, 2020

LCBO: 441089

ROTARI BRUT ROSÉ SPARKLING WINE 2014, DOC Trento, Italy

15 Sunday Nov 2020

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

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Trento
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rotari
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A fine and elegant vintage rosé sparkling wine at a great price. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Light copper in colour with good acidity, fine perlage (mousse in Italian), a medium intense nose, & a long length on the finish. Wine features light yeast & toast, strawberry, raspberry, pear, peach, cherry & limestone.  

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “All the grapes are hand selected and picked from our wine growers and then brought into the cellar quickly to be processed and made into wine. To respect the rich aroma of red fruit of the Pinot noir and Chardonnay the wine is vinified only in steel with selected yeasts and without any aging in oak wood. The wines are aged in steel until February, then processed according to the champagne method with a maturation on the lees in bottle for at least 24 months. Only the Chardonnay basic wines are subjected to malolactic fermentation in order to smooth down the acidity of the Pinot noir and increase the roundness.” (Rotari Winery notes)

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years & pair it with pasta with olive oil paté, tomatoes & pecorino cheese.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: November 15, 2020

LCBO: 16601

TARLANT BRUT RESERVE CHAMPAGNE NV, France

08 Sunday Nov 2020

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

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Cost: $47.70
Grape: 1/3 Pinot Noir, 1/3 Chardonnay, 1/3 Meunier
Category: Champagne
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Oeuilly, Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Tarlant
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

In honour of Joe Biden’s victory & the next President of the United States of America, I present to you this very dry, crisp & elegant Champagne. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, a low intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features toasted bread, brioche, sourdough, lemon, tangerine, baked apple, Anjou pear, hazelnut, ginger & Champagne mushrooms.     

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 10+ years on its own or pair it with Shiny Sea oysters.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: November 8, 2020

LCBO: 325167

MANOIR DU CARRA BEAUJOLAIS VILLAGES 2017, AOC Beaujolais, France

03 Tuesday Nov 2020

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

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Gamay
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Beaujolais
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Manoir du Carra
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This maybe the best Beaujolais Villages I’ve tried. Full of flavour which taste more like a Cru rather than a Village. Score: 95/100

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features Bing cherry, strawberry, pomegranate, raspberry, mulberry, cassis, cloves, leather & peat moss.  

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Many thanks to Jean-Pierre Colas from 13th Street who 1st served this wine to me, and who happens to have taught the winemaker at Manoir du Carra. This wine is also unfiltered. Use a balloon style glass & chill the wine to about 15C.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Broiled Pork Loin with Pomegranate Clove Sauce.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: November 3, 2020

LCBO: 14735