Category Archives: Non LCBO Wine

MAGNOTTA FLEUR D’OR NV, VQA Ontario, Canada

24 Sunday Feb 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $25.15
Grape: Riesling, Vidal
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An off-dry sparkling that is well balanced, has substance & easy to drink

Positives: Yellow gold in colour with fine mousse, which features lemon zest, yellow apples, pineapple, peach and pear.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 1) I do like the gold bottle with the elongated neck, 2) The new Venture Series sparkling in the LCBOs is now $1 more, so I recommend you can go to the Magnotta stores.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple years on its own or pair it with strawberries

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: February 24, 2019

STREWN TERROIR CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2015, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

22 Friday Feb 2019

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

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Cost: $44.00
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Strewn Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Ontario does make exceptional red wines and this one is expressive, complex, powerful & delicious

Positives: Firm tannins follow dark cherry, blackberries, blackcurrants, turn tamarind, cassis, star anise, mocha, vanilla, dried herbs, eucalyptus, cinnamon, cloves, leather, turmeric, pencil shavings and tobacco leaves.

Negatives: None

Thanks to the winery’s resident sommelier; Juan Nunez-Sanchez, for selecting this wine for my beef tenderloin steak dinner.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 7-10 years on its own or pair it with medium rare beef tenderloin steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: February 22, 2019

WESTCOTT TEMPERANCE 2016, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

18 Monday Feb 2019

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

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Pinot Noir, Gamay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Westcott Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A blend between to lighter style red wines, which results in a complex wine that is a pleasure to drink

Positives: Dark cherry, plums, raspberry, blackberry, cloves, dried herbs, Champagne mushrooms with light tannins and violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Lightly chill this wine

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with veal parmigiana.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 18, 2019

13th STREET WINERY PINOT NOIR 2015, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

17 Sunday Feb 2019

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

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An expressive Pinot full of flavour with a touch of spice

Positives: Cherry, raspberry, mulberry, cinnamon, cloves, leather, vanilla and violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Slightly chill the wine

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with smoked oysters.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 17, 2019

STREWN SPARKLER NV, VQA Ontario, Canada

17 Sunday Feb 2019

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

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Cost: $24.00
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Strewn Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A delightful crisp & refreshing sparkling wine made in the Sancerre style rather than NZ

Positives: Pale yellow with a green tinge and fine mousse featuring light yeastiness, lemon/lime, pear, green apples, pink grapefruit, flint and limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Made in the Cuvé Close (Charmat) method

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with raspberry point oysters.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 17, 2019

MARYNISSEN ESTATES MERLOT 2015, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

16 Saturday Feb 2019

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

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Marynissen Estates
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best Merlot’s under $20, and it’s Canadian!

Positives: Really nice smoky nose that features plums, cherry, raspberry, cloves, cinnamon and vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Buy 6 pack and the cost comes to $12 per bottle, which I would put into the amazing price for the wine category.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with roasted duck made with salt, pepper, paprika and butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: February 16, 2019

KACABA RESERVE SYRAH 2015, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

09 Saturday Feb 2019

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: $44.95
Grape: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 13.6% Alcohol/Vol.

A high end Canadian Syrah featuring a beautiful nose & an amazing great taste

Positives: A full, rich body wine featuring plum, dark cherry, strawberry, blackberry, crack black peppers, white pepper, anise, Allspice, dark chocolate and violets & smoked ambers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 10 years on its own or pair it with lamb chops with rosemary and garlic.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: February 9, 2019

PONDVIEW BELLA TERRA CHARDONNAY 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

25 Friday Jan 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pondview Estates
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nicely balanced, oak inspired Chard

Positives: Medium+ body wine featuring lemon rind, pineapple, golden apples, peach, pear, roasted almonds and oak spice.

Negatives: Has a touch of lemon white pith causing a slight bitterness, which caused my to downgrade this wine from highly recommended to recommended.

Interesting Point: I like the old style label

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with steamed lobster and drawn butter.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: January 25, 2019

13th STREET WINERY MERITAGE 2016, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

18 Friday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: 53% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A quality, complex & expressive Canadian Meritage that’s rare to see considering it’s less than 3 yrs old and under $35

Positives: Full body wine with dry tannin features dark cherry, plum, blackberry, black currants, turmeric, pencil shavings, leather, rosemary, sage, anise, tobacco leaves, arugula, cinnamon and cloves.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with medium rare rib-eye steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: January 18, 2019

GLEN CARLOU CHARDONNAY 2014, Paarl, South Africa

13 Sunday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $22.49
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Tortuga Wines & Fine Spirits
Country: South Africa
Region: Paarl
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Glen Carlou
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A smooth, balanced Chard with good acidity, tropical fruit & oak well integrated

Positives: Full body wine featuring lemon, green and red apples, pineapples, mango, peach, pear, oak spice and Easter lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Winery is certified integrity & sustainability

Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Chilean seabass with charred cherry tomato, aqua pazza, cannellini beans and green olive butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: January 7, 2019