Category Archives: Highly Recommended

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

HENRY OF PELHAM BACO NOIR OLD VINES 2023, VQA Ontario, Canada

27 Wednesday Nov 2024

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

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale price until Dec 1/24: $17.95)
Grape: Baco Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Henry of Pelham
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Exceptional value in quality for a premium winemaker of Baco Noir. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose, silky tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, plum, blackcurrants, blackberry, cinnamon, cloves, coffee, peppercorn & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting:

Winemaker’s Note: “From old vines shovel-planted as far back as 1984 by the Speck Bros., Ontario’s Baco Noir pioneers.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or 3 to 4 years on its own or pair it with Turkey dinner.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Nov 26, 2024

LCBO: 459966

WESTCOTT ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2022, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

21 Thursday Nov 2024

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

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: California
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Westcott Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Full body Chard that is balanced, elegant & beautifully made. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, silky tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green apples, pear, peach, nutmeg, almonds, ginger, dill, oak spice, vanilla & honeycomb.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Winery list this wine cost at $32.00

Winemaker’s Note: “hand-picked and whole bunch pressed. No sulphur added at time of crushing. Barrel fermented. 100% wild yeast and partial malolactic fermentation) barrel aged 100% French oak for 10 months. 10% new oak.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Lobster Vanilla Bean Bisque.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Nov 20, 2024

LCBO: 424507

JEFFERSON VINEYARDS CHARDONNAY RESERVE 2022, Monticello, Virginia, United States of America

01 Friday Nov 2024

Posted by in 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: United States of America
Region: Monticello, Virginia
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Jefferson Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Nicely made with lots of fruits & spiciness and not high on the alcohol. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, silky tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green apples, pear, peach, kumquat, cloves, nutmeg, oak spice, vanilla & honeycomb.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Aged 9 months in oak.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Fontina.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Nov 1, 2024

13th STREET WINERY RESERVE MERLOT 2020, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

26 Saturday Oct 2024

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $49.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Elegant. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, silky tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherries, plum, mulberry, cocoa, vanilla, oak spice, cinnamon, cloves & light amber smoke on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Aged in 100% French oak barrels (225L, 500L & 600L) for 18 months.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Filet Mignon.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Oct 25, 2024

JACQUES BRUÉRE CAP CLASSIQUE BLANC DE BLANCS 2012, Robertson, South Africa

20 Sunday Oct 2024

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

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Cost: $27.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Robertson
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Bon Courage Estate
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A creamy, full body vintage traditional method Sparkling wine full of character. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Deep gold in colour with good acidity, fine mousse, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Yeast, light brioche, lemon-lime, pear, Fuji apples, honeycomb & limestone.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “The base wine was kept on the lees for 8 months initially
during the first fermentation. 10% of the Chardonnay was Barrel Fermented. The “magic of the bubbles” begins during the 2nd fermentation that occurs in the bottle thereby extending maturation on the lees for 100 months. After “disgorgement” (removal of the yeast lees) and “dosage” (adding base wine and sugar) the final product is left on the cork +- 9months, and then released.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with oysters.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Oct 20, 2024

LCBO: 23971

HENRY OF PELHAM SPARKLING WINE, NV, VQA Ontario, Canada

13 Sunday Oct 2024

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $17.95 (Sale price until Oct 13, 2024: $15.95)
Grape: Blend of white grapes
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Henry of Pelham
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A great Canadian alternative to Prosecco. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, fine to medium mousse, medium intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon tart, peach & pear.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: New to LCBO stores

Winemaker’s Note: “The grapes used in this blend were picked in late September to obtain the perfect balance between acidity and sugar. The base wine was fermented cool to preserve aromatics with no malolactic fermentation done in order to maintain freshness. Secondary fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks to produce elegant bubbles. Minimum 30 days aging on lees.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 4 years on its own or pair it with Charcuterie Board.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Oct 13, 2024

LCBO: 37965

MALLORY & BENJAMIN TALMARD MÂCON-UCHIZY 2022, AOC Mâcon-Uchizy, Mâconnais, France

07 Saturday Sep 2024

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

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Cost: $20.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Mâcon-Uchizy, Mâconnais
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cave Talmard
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Beautifully made. This delicious Chard has finesse & elegance, all at a bargain price for this quality. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Light yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, mangos, pineapple, pear, peach, roasted almonds, ginger, dill & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Originally reviewed Oct 18, 2021. Winery was founded in the 17th Century and is still family owned.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years & pair it with shrimp tempura.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Oct 18, 2021

LCBO: 733956

FERRARI CARANO TRÉ TERRE CHARDONNAY 2022, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States of America

24 Saturday Aug 2024

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

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Cost: $23.95 US
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Costco, Virginia, United States of America
Country: United States of America
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Ferrari Carano
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Beautifully made full body, complex Chard for those that like oaked Chards & one of the best, especially at this price. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, peach, pineapple, apricot, pear, golden apples, dill, ginger, crème brûlée, meringue, oak spice, cinnamon, roasted almonds & Easter Lilly on the nose.

Negatives: 14.5% alcohol

Winemaker’s Note: “Each lot for this wine is hand harvested, whole-cluster pressed, then barrel fermented with native and cultured yeast. The wine completes 89% malolactic fermentation and is sur lee aged and stirred weekly for 5 months. The final blend was assembled in June, 2019, and the wine is barreled again in neutral oak until bottling, for a total of almost 15 months of barrel aging. All vineyard lots are treated separately until blending.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with cooked lobster on a campfire.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Aug 23, 2024

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY PINOT GRIS ROSÉ 2023, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

16 Friday Aug 2024

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

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Pinot Gris
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 11% Alcohol/Vol.

A delicious dry rosé with substance that you can enjoy year-round, but so nice drinking on a patio. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Light rose gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Rainier cherries, strawberries, Macintosh apples, white peach & wet stones.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “The pinot gris was picked and sent direct to press to only allow minimal time on skins, but a perfect hint of colour. The wine was fermented using an aromatic, rose yeast to pull out only the best aromas and flavours from the juice and skins. It was fermented cold, to retain freshness and provide the perfect hue for patio season!”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2 – 3 years on its own or pair it with lamb souvlaki.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Aug 15, 2024