Category Archives: Highly Recommended

DECOY MERLOT 2107, Sonoma County, California, United States of America

16 Saturday May 2020

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

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Cost: $34.95 (Clearance Price: $28.00)
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: USA
Region: Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Duckhorn Wine Company
Alcohol:  14.1% Alcohol/Vol.

Decoy Merlot is still one of my favourite Merlots & a great value for being under $35 for the quality you’re getting

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, medium tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features dark cherry, plum, mulberry, ripe tamarind, blackberry, tobacco leaves, cloves, Star Anise, and cinnamon.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with charbroil ribeye steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: May 16, 2020

LCBO: 460642

BURROWING OWL ESTATE BOTTLED CHARDONNAY 2017, VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

08 Friday May 2020

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

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Cost: $33.95 (Clearance price: $23.80)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Burrowing Owl
Alcohol:  13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Full bodied and rich on the palate with crisp acidity and flavours of exotic tropical fruit that is well balanced with the oak. Simply delicious.

Tasting Note: Bright gold colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features butter toast, lemon, peach, mango, pineapple, poached pear, dill, oak spice, ginger & white flower on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with lobster and drawn butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: May 8, 2020

LCBO: 208694

GRAN FEUDO ROSÉ 2018, Navarra, Spain

07 Thursday May 2020

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $12.85 (Sale price until May 24: $11.35)
Grape: 38% Garnacha, 30% Tempranillo, 21% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Navarra
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Gran Feudo
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Probably one of the best Rosé you can find for under $13

Tasting Note: Rich pomegranate colour with good acidity, a light to medium intense nose & an average length on the finish. Wine features strawberry, Dragon Fruit, orange.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: On the label it list Syrah but not Granache as one of the grapes used. However, on the Gran Feudo’s website it’s the opposite.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next couple of years on its own or pair it with BBQ spare ribs.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing Buy & Best Buy

Tasted: May 7, 2020

LCBO: 165845

CUVÉE L’ÉQUILIBRE 2016, AOC Pézenas, Coteaux de Languedoc, France

03 Sunday May 2020

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: 60% Syrah, 20% Grenache Noir, 20%Carignan
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Pézenas, Coteaux de Languedoc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Villa Symposia
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A delicious classic Southern French rustic style wine

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, medium tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features cherry, plum, strawberry, white pepper, peppercorn, Allspice, tarragon, sandalwood & purple lilac on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Organic wine

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with rack of lamb.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 2, 2020

LCBO: 298620

OAK BAY GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2015, VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

30 Thursday Apr 2020

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

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Cost: $17.95 (Clearance price: $14.40
Grape: Gewürztraminer
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: St. Hubertus Winery Ltd
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Alsace style Gewürz that is delicious & at a great price

Tasting Note: Deep yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lychee, honeydew melon, peach, key lime pie with rose petals on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The winery is sustainable & organic.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Jamaican jerk chicken.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: April 29, 2020

LCBO: 11814

REDSTONE VINEYARD CABERNET FRANC 2016, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

27 Monday Apr 2020

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $39.95
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Redstone Winery
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Pricey; yes, but this is not your typical Ontario Cab Franc, which is usually simple with a lot of green peppers & twiggy notes. This one is smooth, juicy, complex & balanced

Tasting Note: Light ruby with a touch of garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, smooth tannins & a long length on the finish. Wine features ripe redcurrants, plum, strawberry, kirsch, beets, sage & tobacco leaves.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Besides the taste, I love the look of the bottle

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with garlic & rosemary balsamic roasted pork loin.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: April 27, 2020

LOUIS BOUILLOT PERLE D’OR BRUT CRÉMANT BOURGOGNE 2012, Méthode Traditionnelle, Ac Burgundy, France

26 Sunday Apr 2020

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

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Burgundy
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Louis Bouillot
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This has become one of my favourite sparkling wines or Champagnes as this vintage wine (8 yrs old) has a beautiful nose, complexity & is truly a really pleasant sparkling wine to drink for a great price.

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features toasted bread, brioche, Anjou pear, peach, apricots, green apples, Honeycrisp apples, vanilla, & Honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Besides the taste, I love the look of the bottle

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with strawberry crepes.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: April 26, 2020

LCBO: 51565

E. GUIGAL CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2018, AC Côtes du Rhône, France

20 Monday Apr 2020

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: 60% Viognier, 15% Roussanne, 10% Marsanne, 8% Clairette, 5% Bourboulenc, 2% Grenache blanc
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Southern Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: E. Guigal
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Juicy & creamy. This is a baby Condrieu: Condrieu’s are the gold standards of Viognier & priced from $50 & up, thus meaning it’s awesome at this price

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, an intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features juicy peach, apricot, Kent mango & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Conch Ceviche with Scotch Bonnet

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: April 20, 2020

LCBO: 290296

STARS BRUT NATURE RESERVA CAVA 2016, DO Cava, Spain

19 Sunday Apr 2020

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: 40% Xarel-lo, 30% Parellada, 30% Macabeu
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Cava
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Castillo Perelada
Alcohol:  11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

My new favourite Cava, so pleasant just makes me smile when I drink it & the price point helps

Tasting Note: Bright straw in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, fine mousse & long length on the finish. Wine features yeast, brioche, pear, green apples, lemon rind, orange & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: On the back label the have taken out Macabeu & replaced it with Chardonnay. However, on the winery’s website it list Macabeu not Chard.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Maple Syrup flavoured bacon.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Best Buy

Tasted: April 19, 2020

LCBO: 515221

PONDVIEW VIOGNIER 2017, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

17 Friday Apr 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, White Wines

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Cost: $17.95 (Sale price: $13.46)
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pondview Estate Winery
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant drinking white wine that has a nice balance of acidity & tropical fruit

Tasting Note: Bright light gold in colour with good acidity, a light intense nose, & average length on the finish. Wine features apricot, peach, honeydew melon and honey.

Interesting Point: Great value at the sale price.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Coquilles St. Jacques

My Opinion:  Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Amazing Buy at the sale price

Tasted: April 17, 2020