Category Archives: Highly Recommended

BANSHEE TEN CUPS BRUT NV, Méthode Champenoise, California, United States of America

01 Sunday Oct 2023

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

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Cost: $32.95 (Clearance Price: $27.25)
Grape: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Banshee
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Traditional Champagne grapes used in Méthode Champenoise style gives elegance, balance & lighter style than Champagne. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, fine mousse, low to medium intensity nose, & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Light brioche, lemon, peach, pear, green apples, dill, ginger, roasted almonds, oak spice & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: Two months in neutral French oak barrels with no malolactic fermentation. Secondary fermentation occurred in bottle. Aged on the lees for 24 months then disgorged.

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: October 1, 2023

LCBO: 31536

RAPAURA SPRINGS RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2021, Marlborough, New Zealand

29 Friday Sep 2023

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

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Cost: $28.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Rapaura Springs
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Expressive, elegant & complex Chard that will please those that like their Chards oaked or unoaked. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, low to medium intensity nose, & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, peach, pear, green apples, white cranberry, clementines, dill, ginger, roasted almonds, oak spice & flint.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Very surprised that the colour is not on the golden spectrum considering the alcohol and that it has oak influence.

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: September 28, 2023

LCBO: 19761

HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE BACO NOIR 2020, VQA Ontario, Canada

25 Monday Sep 2023

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

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Cost: $27.95
Grape Variety: Baco Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Henry of Pelham
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Consistently, Canada’s best Baco Noir is Henry of Pelham’s reserve. Score: 93/100

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features: cedar, smoky embers, Gaeta olives, bacon, prunes, dark cherry, strawberry, raspberry, black currants, blueberry, chocolate, Portobello mushrooms & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I recommend using a Pinot glass and lightly chill it to bring out the fruit flavours.

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with a melody of olives in olive oil.

Top Pick

Tested: September 21, 2023

KEW VINEYARDS CHARDONNAY CUVÉE 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

17 Sunday Sep 2023

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Cost: $23.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Kew Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Elegant, classically style & all at a great price. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Medium straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium intensity nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Light yeast, brioche, pear, green apples, lemon meringue, dill, oak spice & limestone.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon & chives.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: September 17, 2023

LCBO: 28978

13th STREET WINERY SYRAH 2021, VQA Ontario, Canada

20 Sunday Aug 2023

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: 90% Syrah 10% Viognier
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Northern Rhône style without the high alcohol. Well-made featuring a complex mix of red fruits & spice. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intensity nose, rounded tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Raspberry, pomegranate, Bing cherry, arugula, white & cracked pepper, rosemary, shale & Sarah Peony on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaking Notes: “100% destemmed grapes. Grapes went through one-week cold soak and three more weeks maceration before pressing. The first six months in small barrels 228 liter. After racking from lees, extra aging in 500-liter French oak old puncheon. A selection of a few barrels.” Winery

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Tasted: August 19, 2023

CHÂTEAU MOULIN DES RICHARDS SIGNATURE 2018, AC Côtes de Bourg, Bordeaux, France

12 Saturday Aug 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Côtes de Bourg, Bordeaux
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Château Moulin des Richards
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic right bank Bordeaux made for under $20 that’s drinking well now. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intensity nose, rounded tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, blackberry, raspberry, plum, cassis, pencil shavings, turmeric, baby spinach & light smoke on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 9, 2023

LCBO: 26291

ROMBAUER CARNEROS CHARDONNAY 2021, Carneros, California, United States of America

05 Saturday Aug 2023

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

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Cost: $71.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Carneros, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rombauer Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Big, bold, luscious & buttery. Score: 97/100.

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Butter on white toasted bread, lemon, peach, mango, pineapple, D’Anjou pear, lemon meringue pie, crème brûlée, nutmeg, ginger, dill & Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: Increase in price from last year of $8

Interesting Point: Use the Montrachet style wine glassware & don’t over chill it. Serve 13°C to 15°C

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-6 years on its own or pair it with steamed lobster with drawn butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: December 10, 2022

LCBO: 441089

STRATUS PETIT VERDOT 2019, VAQ Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

30 Sunday Jul 2023

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

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Cost: $38.95 (Clearance Price: $27.30)
Grape: Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Stratus
Alcohol: 13.4% Alcohol/Vol.

Best Canadian Petit Verdot that I’ve tasted. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intensity nose, rounded tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, blackberry, raspberry, plum, spearmint, dark chocolate, pencil shavings, Allspice,

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Unfiltered

Pairings: Drink this now or in 7 – 10 years on its own or pair it with Lamb Chops with Garlic & Rosemary.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: July 27, 2023

LCBO: 142638

BROTHERHOOD NEW YORK PREMIUM SELECTION PINOT NOIR 2017, Washingtonville, New York, United States of America

10 Monday Jul 2023

Posted by in Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $27.95 (Clearance price: $24.95)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Washingtonville, New York
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Brotherhood Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Burgundian style Pinot with layered complexity with fruit & earth notes. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Light garnet in colour with good acidity, medium intensity nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, cranberry, plum, mushrooms, earth, peat moss, black tea & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Listed as the American oldest winery, & they survived Prohibition by producing medicinal and sacramental wines.

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: July 9, 2023

LCBO: 79939

DOMAINE QUEYLUS TRADITIONAL CHARDONNAY 2019, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

09 Sunday Jul 2023

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: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Domaine Queylus
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice creamy Chard that’s balance with citric fruits. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, medium intensity nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pineapple, peach, green apple, pear, mandarin, almond, ginger, oak spice, limestone & white flowers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 -5 years on its own or pair it with Chilean Sea Bass With Lemon, Dill & Caper Sauce.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: July 8, 2023

LCBO: 417774