Category Archives: Highly Recommended

13th STREET WINERY MERITAGE 2016, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

18 Friday Jan 2019

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: 53% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A quality, complex & expressive Canadian Meritage that’s rare to see considering it’s less than 3 yrs old and under $35

Positives: Full body wine with dry tannin features dark cherry, plum, blackberry, black currants, turmeric, pencil shavings, leather, rosemary, sage, anise, tobacco leaves, arugula, cinnamon and cloves.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with medium rare rib-eye steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: January 18, 2019

GLEN CARLOU CHARDONNAY 2014, Paarl, South Africa

13 Sunday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $22.49
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Tortuga Wines & Fine Spirits
Country: South Africa
Region: Paarl
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Glen Carlou
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A smooth, balanced Chard with good acidity, tropical fruit & oak well integrated

Positives: Full body wine featuring lemon, green and red apples, pineapples, mango, peach, pear, oak spice and Easter lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Winery is certified integrity & sustainability

Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Chilean seabass with charred cherry tomato, aqua pazza, cannellini beans and green olive butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: January 7, 2019

VIENI BRIGANTI RED 2013, VQA Ontario, Canada

06 Sunday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $12.95
Grape: 50% Foch, 25% Baco Noir, 25% Chambourcin
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

3 classic Canadian grapes blended very nicely

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features smoked pine, strawberry, cherry, blueberry, bramble fruit, cloves, cinnamon and Portobello mushrooms. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Tried an open bottle that was 3 days old, and still very good with more of a musty – smoky notes

Use the balloon Pinot Noir style glassware & slightly chill the wine.

Brigantia was the goddess of the largest Celtic tribe in the north of England – the Brigantii. They constantly challenged Roman rule, and armed conflict frequently erupted when the confines of Pax Romana became unbearable. This defiance of convention echoes through the ages and the name “brigand” still describes one who plays outside the rules.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with.

Tasted: 21 July 2017

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

LCBO: 435792

CHANDON ROSÉ VN, Méthode Traditionnelle, California, United States of America

05 Saturday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: 50% Chardonnay, 44% Pinot Noir, 6% Pinot Meunier
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Moët & Chandon
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Refreshing, dry sparkling rosé that is not complex, but it is very pleasant to drink

Positives: Salmon in colour with a fine mousse that features lightly toasted, strawberry, raspberry and lime.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with smashed twice fried green banana.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: January 5, 2019

LCBO: 405555

CHÂTEAU LA BRANNE 2015, Cru Bourgeois, Medoc, France

02 Wednesday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $28.74 (US)
Grape: 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Blackbeard’s, Cayman Islands
Country: France
Region: Medoc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau La Branne
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

High quality Left Bank Bordeaux at a good price

Positives: A rich, juicy wine with mild tannins and featuring black cherry, boysenberry, mulberry, goji berry, plum, blackberry, anise, turmeric, pencil shavings, rubbed sage, dark chocolate  and leather.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 of years. Drink on its own or pair it with a leg of lamb salted meadow.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: January 2, 2019

VIENI CHARDONNAY PRIVATE RESERVE 2012, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Ontario, Canada

02 Wednesday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the better Ontario Chards but at a higher price point

Description: Gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, pineapple, mango, cream corn, buttered popcorn, butterscotch, dill, ginger, oak spice, cloves and Easter Lily on the nose. Full body with good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 -7 of years on its own or pair it with Seared Scallops in Herb Butter Pan Sauce Served with Arugula and Fennel Salad.

Tasted: 22 July 2017

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

VIENI BOLLICINE 2014, CHARMAT METHOD, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Ontario, Canada

01 Tuesday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: 85% Chardonnay, 15% Riesling
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

High quality at a good price

Description: Light straw in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features light breaded yeast, green & red apples, pear, pink grapefruit, lemon rind, strawberry Medium body with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Creamy Lobster Bisque served with Arugula Salad and warm homemade Garlic and Rosemary Focaccia.

Tasted: 21 July 2017

Best Buys

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

VIENI VIDAL ICE WINE 2011, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara, Ontario, Canada

01 Tuesday Jan 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Fortified & Desert Wine, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine

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Cost: $39.95
Grape: Vidal
Category: Desert Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Niagara, Ontario
Format: 375 mL
Producer: Vieni Vineyards
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Vidal Ice Wine

Description: Light amber in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features bee’s wax, peach, apricots, pineapple, mango, walnuts and Easter Lily on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: This is 270 g/l of sugar

Drink now or in the next 10 of years on its own or pair it with White Peach-Rhubarb Crumble.

Tasted: 17 Aug 2017

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

VIENI SPARKLING VIDAL ICE WINE DOUX 2014, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara, Ontario

01 Tuesday Jan 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Fortified & Desert Wine, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine

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Cost: $49.95
Grape: Vidal
Category: Desert Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Niagara, Ontario
Format: 375 mL
Producer: Vieni Vineyards
Alcohol: 8.5% Alcohol/Vol.

For a different take on Ice Wine this is a winner

Description: Light amber in colour with a medium+ intense nose and light mousse. This wine features bee’s wax, peach, baked apples, apricots, pineapple, mango, walnuts, butterscotch and Orange Blossom on the nose. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: This is 290 g/l of sugar

Drink now or in the next 10 of years on its own or pair it with Hazelnut Creme Brulee.

Tasted: 17 Aug 2017

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

LOUIS ROEDERER BRUT PREMIER CHAMPAGNE NV, À Reimes, Champagne, France

30 Sunday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $74.95 (Sale price: $69.95 until Jan 6, 2019)
Grape: 40% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier
Category: Champagne Wine
Location: LCBO
Country: France
Region: À Reims, Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Louis Roederer Champagne
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best Champagnes without breaking the bank

Positives: Rich gold in colour with a fine mousse that features, brioche, yeast, toast, lemon, green apples, Anjou pear, clementine, Herbes de Provence, hazelnut, smoke and vanilla.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 10-15 of years. Drink on its own or pair it with oxtail ravioli in a garlic white wine butter sauce.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: December 30, 2018

LCBO: 268771