Category Archives: Highly Recommended

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

KACABA FOUNDERS SELECT CABERNET FRANC 2015, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

28 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $44.95
Grape: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

What a pleasure, smooth, rich in black fruit & really easy to drink

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium nose. This wine features blueberry, blackcurrants, blackberry, raspberry, dark cherry, white & black peppers, thyme, cinnamon and vanilla. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: This Cab Franc is only available to Founder Club members. A reason to join the Club. Very & pleasantly surprised that such a young Cab Franc is so smooth.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Venison Steak with Shallot and Red Wine Sauce.

Tasted: 25 Aug 2017

Top Pick

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

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

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

FLAT ROCK CHARDONNAY 2015, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara, Ontario, Canada

28 Friday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $18.95 (Clearance price: $15.20)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Flat Rock Cellars
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Ontario oaked Chards under $20 by a large part one of the best in the world & this one may just be lead the pack

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium+ nose. This wine features medium buttered toast, lemon tart, peach, pear, green apple, honeydew melon, pineapple, dill, ginger, oak spice, vanilla and Jasmine on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Ginger Garlic Baked Chicken.

Tasted: 26 Aug 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 (Clearance price: 9.5/10) Total: 18.5/20

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

LCBO: 286278

CHEVALIER MONOPOLE BRUT ROSÉ NV, France

28 Friday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Burgundy
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chevalier
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

I think this is one of the smoothest, full flavourful rosé sparkling that I’ve tasted, plus you can’t beat the price made in the traditional method

Description: Light cooper in colour with a medium to intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features light yeast, strawberry, rhubarb, nectarine, clementine, lemon/lime, Spy apple, Anjou pear and limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Monopole on French sparkling/champagnes means that the grapes are exclusively owned by the winery and not purchased elsewhere and brought to the winery.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Lobster Fettuccini with Creamy Spicy Sun Dried Tomato Sauce.

Tasted: 20 Aug 2017

Top Pick, Best Buy

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Score: 9+/10, Value: 10/10 Total: 19.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 485920

VIENI APPASSITO DULCIS 2012, VQA Ontario, Canada

27 Thursday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: 71% Vidal, 16% Gewurztraminer, 13% Riesling
Category: Desert Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 500 mL
Producer: Vieni Vineyards
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

This should appease those that don’t like the high sugar in their desert wines, but want a desert style wine

Description: Deep gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features rosewood, nectarine, pineapple, yellow apple, mango, peach, coconut and vanilla. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: This is 98.6 g/l of sugar, compare that to 270 g/l for Vidal Icewine & 35 g/l for Riesling

Drink now or in the next 7-10 of years on its own or pair it with Tangy Cheesecake Tart with Lime-Poached Pears.

Tasted: 17 Aug 2017

Top pick

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

WESTCOFF ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2017, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

22 Saturday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $27.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Westcott Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Elegance in a glass

Positives: Rich gold in colour and the oak is well integrated. This wine features lemon, apples (McIntosh, green & yellow), peach and light oak spice.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Don’t over chill this wine as it will mute the elegance.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 of years.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: December 22, 2018