Category Archives: Highly Recommended

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

VIENI BRIGANTI RESERVE 2014, VQA Ontario, Canada

21 Friday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Maréchal Fosch, Baco Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the better wines to represent Canada’s true hybrid grapes

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, raspberry, cherry, blueberry, bramble fruit, cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, Champagne mushrooms and smoked cherry tobacco on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Use the balloon style Pinot Noir 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 Grilled Lamb Kebabs.

Tasted: 21 July 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

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

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

PELLER ESTATES SIGNATURE SERIES MERLOT 2012, VQA Four Mile Creek, Ontario, Canada

21 Friday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $48.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Peller Estates
Alcohol: 14.2% Alcohol/Vol.

A high end Canadian red that deserves the high end price tag

Description: Dark ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features smoky oak, plum, raspberry, black cherry, blackcurrants, blackberry, tamarind, black tea, cassis, anise, cinnamon, vanilla, cocoa, tobacco leaves, leather and violets on the nose. Full body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A touch of heat from the 14.2% alcohol.

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

Tasted: 15 July 2017

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

Top Pick

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

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

CICLOS ICONO MALBEC MERLOT 2012, Calchaqies Valley, Salta, Argentina

20 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95 (Clearance price: $16.00)
Grape: 50% Malbec, 50% Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Argentina
Region: Calchaqies Valley, Salta
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Grupo Penaflor Sa
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth & delicious

Description: Dark ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, cherry, blackberry, mulberry, cassis, anise, roasted almonds, vanilla bean, black peppers and shitake mushrooms. Medium+ body with good acidity, long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I have to admit, I bought this wine because I liked the label. Glad that it was a good wine.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years

Tasted: 9 October 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance price: 9.5/10) Total: 18+/20

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

LCBO: 37895

THOMAS GEORGE CATIE’S CORNER VINEYARD VIOGNIER 2013, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

19 Wednesday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $30.85
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Special Order
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Thomas George Estates
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Very impressive. Closest to Condrieu without being one

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine light oak, apricot, lychee, peach, pear, nectarine, yellow plum, golden apple and jasmine on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a good long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Use the smaller cool climate style Chardonnay glassware.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Dong Po Pork (Traditional braised pork belly)

Tasted: 4 November 2017

Top Pick

Highly Recommended

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9.5+/10, Total: 19+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5+

KACABA RESERVE PINOT NOIR 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

19 Wednesday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $44.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Winery
Alcohol: 13.2% Alcohol/Vol.

A delicious Pinot, but for a price

Description: Garnet gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine cedar, cherry, raspberry, rhubarb, cherry tobacco, cinnamon, nutmeg, Champagne mushrooms and autumn forest leaves. Medium body with good acidity and a good long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: High end Ontario Pinot Noirs are rivalling the worlds best.

Drink now or in the next 7-10 of years

Tasted: 12 November 2017

Top Pick

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

Highly Recommended

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