Category Archives: Highly Recommended

CHÂTEAU DES BERTRANDS RÉSERVE DES BERTRANDS ÉLEGANCE ROSÉ 2017, Ac Côtes de Provence, France

04 Tuesday Dec 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Cinsault, Black Grenache
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Winery
Country: France
Region: Côtes de Provence
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Côtes de Provence rosé showing elegance and class

Positives: A light onion coloured rosé, which is dry and having a long finish. The wine features apricots, orange zest, peach, strawberry, white pepper and wet stone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I like the classic label and unique bottle.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple of years.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: December 4, 2018

LCBO: 557371

CRÉMANT DE BOURGAGNE BAILLY-LAPIERRE CHARDONNAY BLANC DE BLANC BRUT, TRADITIONAL METHODE, NV, Burgundy, France

03 Monday Dec 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $24.95 (Clearance price: $20)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Burgundy
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Caves de Bailly
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Blanc de Blanc Champagne style at half the price.

Positives: Full flavoured with yeast, Anjou pear, lemon, biscotti, green apples, roasted almonds.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 7-10 years.

Best Buy

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Tasted: April 8, 2018

LCBO: 369066

SPERLING VISION SERIES CHARDONNAY 2015, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada

29 Thursday Nov 2018

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

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Cost: $30.00 (Clearance price: $21.05)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Sperling Vineyards
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Quality BC Chard that balances between Chablis and Montrachet

Positives: A robust, full body Chard featuring lemon zest, green apples, pineapple, lemon meringue, ginger, dill, yeast and Easter Lily on the nose. All this with only 13% alcohol.

Negatives: None

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

Top Pick

Best Buy at clearance price

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Tasted: April 14, 2018

LCBO: 378570

JACKSON ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2015, Santa Maria Valley, California, United States

29 Thursday Nov 2018

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

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Cost: $33.25 (Clearance price: $23.35)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Santa Maria Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jackson Estate
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

My style of Chard: buttery, balanced oak, creamy, tropical fruit, good acidity and under 14% alcohol.

Positives: A robust, full body Chard featuring lemon, green apples, pineapple, lemon meringue, mango, dill, and Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best buy at clearance price

Top Pick

Tasted: May 22, 2018

LCBO: 529735

CHARLES BAKER B-SIDE RIESLING 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

29 Thursday Nov 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended

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Cost: $22.20 (Clearance price: $15.60)
Grape: Riesling
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Charles Baker, Stratus Vineyards
Alcohol: 11% Alcohol/Vol.

A nicely balanced between the fruit and minerals

Positives: Lime, peach, green apples, limestone and honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-10 years.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best buy

Tasted: June 5, 2018

LCBO: 523845

YALUMBA COONAWARRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2016, Coonawarra, Australia

28 Wednesday Nov 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Australia
Region: Coonawarra
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Yalumba
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

An easy drinking but solid Cab from Down Under that’s not sweet or overtly high in alcohol.

Positives: Dark cherry, plum, black currant, cassis, mint, turmeric, black olives and a light smokiness on the nose.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best buy

Tasted: June 8, 2018

LCBO: 460667

HMC MCWATTERS COLLECTION CHARDONNAY 2014, BVA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

28 Wednesday Nov 2018

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

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Cost: $23.25
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Harry McWatters at Time Estate Winery
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Proof that you can make a beautiful, delicious, rich and elegant oak style chard at a reasonable price for the average consumer.

Positives: Medium buttered toast, lemon, pineapple, mango, fudge, dill, lemon meringue pie, ginger, almond, oak spice and white rose on the nose.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best buy and Top Pick

Tasted: June 14, 2018

LCBO: 488536

BARONNE DU CHATELARD ROSÉ D’ÉTÉ 2017, AP Beaujolais, France

27 Tuesday Nov 2018

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Gamay
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Beaujolais
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Baronne Du Chatelard
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A rare rosé from Beaujolais that shouldn’t be missed, plus it’s well priced. A dry wine having tropical fruit, tangy with some spice to it.

Positives: Salmon colour featuring peach, nectarine, lime, kiwi and white pepper.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple of years.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best buy

Tasted: July 18, 2018

LCBO: 119438

GRAHAM BECK PREMIER CUVÉE BRUT BLANC DE BLANC TRADITIONAL METHOD 2013, Robertson, South Africa

27 Tuesday Nov 2018

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

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Cost: $26.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Robertson
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Graham Beck
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Champagne style sparkler with great value for a vintage Blanc de Blanc

Positives: Fine mousse with taste of brioche, lemon peel, golden apple, pear, apricot and white flowers on the nose.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: August 11, 2018

LCBO: 907568

ALVENTO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

27 Tuesday Nov 2018

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

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Cost: $35.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Alvento Winery
Alcohol: 13.7% Alcohol/Vol.

Quality & Complexity coming to a Canadian Cab Sauv near you. Oh wait it’s here in this wine!

Positives: A juicy Cab featuring blackberry, blackcurrants, dark cherry, plums, blueberry, cassis, cloves, pencil shavings, turmeric, leather and vanilla. A wonderful pairing with rib-eye steak.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Thanks to the sales manager, Anita Cavén for introducing me to this wine.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 7-10 of years.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: November 17, 2018