Category Archives: Highly Recommended

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+

ROBERT MONDAVI RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2014, Carneros, Napa Valley, California, United States

17 Monday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $44.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Carneros, Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Robert Mondavi Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Considering other Chards at this quality are more expensive, this makes this wine a fairly good value

Description: Bright yellow gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features light to medium toasted oak, lemon, peach, pear, pineapple, Macintosh apples, honeydew melon, ginger, dill, oak spice and vanilla. Full body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Try not to over chill this wine in order for the fruit to fully bloom in your mouth.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years

Tasted: 2 January 2018

Top Pick

Highly Recommended

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

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

LCBO: 258186

CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES PAUL BOSC ESTATE VINEYARDS 2014, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

17 Monday Dec 2018

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château des Charmes
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the better Ontario Chards at this price point

Description: Bright yellow gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features light to medium toasted oak, lemon tart, peach, pineapple, green & yellow apples, crème brûlée, honeydew melon, ginger, dill, oak spice and a light smoke on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years

Tasted: 4 January 2018

Best Buy

Highly Recommended

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

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

LCBO: 511345

FLAT ROCK THE RUSTY SHED CHARDONNAY 2017, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

14 Friday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $27.15
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Region
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Flat Rock Cellars
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Creamy, balanced, high quality Chard for under $30 and at 13% alcohol

Positives: Wood is nicely integrated in this wine, which features lemon, apple, peach, pineapples, lemon meringue, oak spice and Easter Lilly on the nose.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: December 8, 2018

LCBO 1552 (2017 Vintage not yet in LCBO as of this review)

CLOS DU BOIS SONOMA RESERVE MERLOT 2014, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

12 Wednesday Dec 2018

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Clos du Bois
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Competes with higher end Napa Merlots but at half the price. Reminds me of Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon ($103.95 vs $24.95).

Positives: Yummy, smooth, juicy, rich in flavours, black fruits, spices well balanced between oak, fruit and acidity.

Negatives: Corrugated cork decreases ageing potential. High alcohol of 14.5%, but it’s well integrated.

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

Best Buy and Top Pick

Tasted: February 13, 2018

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

LCBO: 34900

ALVENTO NEBBIOLO 2008, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

10 Monday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $55.15
Grape: Nebbiolo
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Alvento Winery
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

This wine is more austere than the 2007, but truer in style and it is unfiltered

Positives: High in tannin, but very robust and complex. This wine features pomegranate, strawberry, raspberry, cranberry, oregano, tomato leaves and leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The Nebbiolo vines were planted in 2001 with their last vintage 2012. Unfortunately, the polar vortex that hit this region in 2014, and destroyed the vines. Nebbiolo is a rarity for Canada, and even more rare as these vines are no longer here, so value for the money it’s worth the cost.

Ageability: Drink now, but pair it with chicken cacciatore in red wine sauce or drink on its own over the next 10-15 of years.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: December 8, 2018