Category Archives: Highly Recommended

KACABA RESERVE MERLOT 2022, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

12 Wednesday Feb 2025

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: $ 69.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 13.2% Alcohol/Vol.

A full body, expressive Merlot showing great taste & depth. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Medium dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, firm tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, plums, strawberries, blueberries, figs, spinach leaves, cassis, anise, pencil shavings, cocoa, baking spice & vanilla

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: French & American oak barrels for 17 months.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 8 – 10 years on its own or pair it with Beef Wellington.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: February 11, 2025

NIAGARA TEACHING WINERY DEAN’S LIST BLANC DE BLANCS 2019, MÉTHODE TRADITIONNELLE, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

10 Monday Feb 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $ 35.18
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Winery
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This new vintage, traditional method Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine has risen to the top of my favourites for Canadian production. It shows crispness & finesse along with good value. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Deep straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Brioche, toast, lemon, pear, green apples & almonds.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “This wine was gently whole cluster pressed to avoid any hard phenolics and maintain a clean, neutral based wine.  It was fermented in stainless steel for primary fermentation and was but on tirage or secondary fermentation in 2020.  This 100% Chardonnay based wine was aged on lees for 54 months.” 

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 6 – 8 years on its own or pair it with Eggs Benedict.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: February 9, 2025

BARBOURSVILLE VINEYARDS PINOT GRIGIO 2022, Barboursville, Virginia, United States of America

19 Sunday Jan 2025

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

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Cost: $17.00 US
Grape: Pinot Grigio
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: United States of America
Region: Barboursville, Virginia
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Barboursville Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Light, crisp & elegant. One of the best Pinot Grigio’s I had the pleasure of tasting. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Medium straw in colour with good acidity, medium+ nose & a nice length on the finish. This wine features: Green apples, pear, pineapple & fig.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: “Thomas Jefferson, a great lover of fine wine, assisted by Italian viticulturist Filippo Mazzei, attempted to establish a vineyard in Virginia. Finally, in 1976, vitis vinifera vines were successfully established at Barboursville Vineyards on the former plantation of Governor James Barbour, whose mansion was designed by Jefferson, his close friend. This mansion, destroyed by fire on Christmas Day 1884, now preserved as ruins, is a Virginia historic landmark.”

Winemaker’s Note: “In stainless steel for 10 days at 55ºF. On the lees in stainless steel for 9 months.”

Pairings: Drink this now or 2 to 4 years on its own or pair it with Steamed mussels with saffron, white wine, and fresh tomatoes.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: January 19, 2025

INVIVO PINOT NOIR 2022, Central Otago, New Zealand

07 Tuesday Jan 2025

Posted by in Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $26.10
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Central Otago
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Invivo
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Central Otago Pinot Noir, even better that’s it’s under $30. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Light ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherries, strawberries, clove, cinnamon, leather, oyster mushrooms, forest floor, light smoke amber on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Chill to 15C

Pairings: Drink this now or 4 to 6 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Duck with Honey, Soy, and Ginger.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Tasted: January 4, 2025

LCBO: 466029

FLAT ROCK PINOT NOIR 2023, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

23 Monday Dec 2024

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

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Cost: $22.10 (Sale price until Jan 5, 2025: $20.10)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Flat Rock Cellars
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Burgundian style at a great price for Ontario Pinot Noir. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Light ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherries, cranberries, black currants, oyster mushrooms, forest floor, light smoke amber on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Chill to 15C

Winemaker’s Note: “Hand-picked, hand-sorted, small batch ferment, French oak barrels.”

Pairings: Drink this now or 4 to 6 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Duck with Honey, Soy, and Ginger.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: December 22, 2024

LCBO: 1545

TERRA MADRE PLAVAC MALI BARRIQUE 2018, Croatia

20 Friday Dec 2024

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Cost: $23.40
Grape: Plavac Mali
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Croatia
Region:
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Terra Madre
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An elegant lighter style Plavac Mali featuring juicy fruit & spiciness. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherries, plum, mocha, blackberries, figs, sage, peppers, vanilla, tomato leaves & wet stone.

Negatives: Heat from the 14% alcohol.

Interesting Point: Organic

Winemaker’s Note:

Pairings: Drink this now or 2 to 4 years on its own or pair it with Asiago cheese.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: December 19, 2024

LCBO: 41288

SOUTHBROOK WHIMSY OLD VINE MERLOT 2020, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

16 Monday Dec 2024

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

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Cost: $39.65
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Southbrook
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the better made Canadian Merlot showing elegance, beautiful fruit & balance. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, firm tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, plum, bramble fruit, cocoa, graphite, baby spinach,

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Hand harvested from the Laundry vineyard located in the Lincoln Lakeshore sub-appellation. Grapes were destemmed and crushed before indigenous fermentation and malolactic conversion in oak vat. Following a total maceration time of 20 days, the grapes were gently pressed, and the wine settled before barrel aging for 15 months. Two barrels were selected (one of which was new oak) and blended to create this SIP club selection wine.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or 4 to 6 years on its own or pair it with tenderloin steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: December 14, 2024

THE GRANGE OF PRINCE EDWARD, COUNTY CHARDONNAY, 2022, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada

04 Wednesday Dec 2024

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

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Cost: $35.20 (Clearance Price: $24.70)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Prince Edward County, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Grange Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.2% Alcohol/Vol.

Beautifully made, elegant, well-balanced Chard. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Old gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, silky tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pineapple, mangos, yellow plums, golden apples, pear, peach, ginger, dill & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting: At the winery, cost is $31.00

Winemaker’s Note: “This elegant, terroir driven Chard is part of our Farmer’s Series, which celebrates the friendships we have with other farmers, growers, and vineyards across Ontario.10 Months in French Oak (1/3 new barrel)”. Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or 4 to 6 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Lobster Tail Pasta.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy at clearance price

Tasted: Nov 29, 2024

LCBO: 38305

DELPHINE ROSÉ, NV, VQA Ontario, Canada

30 Saturday Nov 2024

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

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Cost: $22.00
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Westcott Vineyards
Alcohol: 11.0% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the better Cab Franc rosé bursting with red fruits & some herbaceous notes. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Salmon in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cranberry, strawberry, raspberry, MacIntosh apple, dried herbs, eucalyptus & white peppers.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “6-hour skin maceration, fermented using select yeast. Complete malolactic fermentation.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or 2 to 4 years on its own or pair it with pork souvlaki.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Nov 29, 2024

TERRA TANGRA BLACK LABEL RUBIN, 2019, Sakar Mountain Vineyards, Bulgaria

28 Thursday Nov 2024

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

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Cost: $21.95 (Clearance price: $17.95)
Grape: Rubin
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Bulgaria
Region: Sakar Mountain Vineyards
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Terra Tangra
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An elegant wine showing fruits & spiciness. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, dry tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherry, plum, blackcurrants, blackberry, cinnamon, cloves, cocoa, white & black pepper, arugula & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting: Bulgaria’s early-ripening Rubin: a cross between Nebbiolo and Syrah that was officially registered in Europe in 1944.

Winemaker’s Note: “The Black Label series highlights single-varietal wines that have been aged in 20% new oak.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or 2 to 4 years on its own or pair it with wooden oven pizza.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Nov 27, 2024

LCBO: 37744