Category Archives: Non LCBO Wine

RIDGE ROAD ESTATE WINERY CHARDONNAY 2020, VQA Ontario, Canada

20 Sunday Jul 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, On The Fence, White Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Ridge Road Estate Winery Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Straddles between flabby & crisp. Score: 86/100.

Tasting Note: Medium yellow in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon tart, yellow plum, golden apples & marzipan.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I bought the last bottle at the winery (sorry).

Winemaker’s Note: “Fermented & aged in French Oak with 100% malolactic fermentation at the end.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2 – 4 years on its own or pair it with Chicken Satay.

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: July 19, 2025

RIDGE ROAD ESTATE WINERY GAMAY NOIR 2023, VQA Ontario, Canada

16 Wednesday Jul 2025

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

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: Gamay Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Ridge Road Estate Winery Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Quality made Gamay with tart fruit & spice. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium purple to ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, cranberry, rhubarb, strawberry, black pepper, cloves & cassis.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 14, 2025

SOUTHBROOK ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2023, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

14 Monday Jul 2025

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

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Cost: $47.75
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Southbrook Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

High end Ontario Chard that can compete with the best Chards in the world. Score: 97/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon rind, quince, white cranberry, yellow & green apples, ginger, dill, cloves, oak spice & Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Organic & Biodynamic

Winemaker’s Note: “Whole bunch pressed to cold settle in tank. Racked to ferment wild in barrel and receiving full malolactic conversion. After ten months elevage in French oak barrels (30% new).

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with Steamed Lobster & drawn butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: July 11, 2025

KACABA IRRESISTIBLE JOANNE’S BLEND SPARKLING ROSÉ 2023, VQA Ontario, Canada

11 Friday Jul 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $30.15
Grape: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Kacaba Winery
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A refreshing off-dry sparkling rosé perfect for the patio. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Pink in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Strawberry, Bing cherries, rhubarb & MacIntosh apples

Negatives: On the pricy side.

Interesting Point: Make sure the wine is very cold to bring out the freshness of the fruit.

Winemaker’s Note: Charmat method

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2 – 4 years on its own or pair it with Korean BBQ chicken wings.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: July 6, 2025

KACABA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

05 Saturday Jul 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Kacaba Winery
Alcohol: 13.2% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice expressive Ontario Cab. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, firm tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, plum, raspberry, dark chocolate, cassis, anise, pencil shavings & baby spinach leaves.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Aged in French & American oak for 16 months.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with flank steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Tasted: July 3, 2025

13th STREET WINERY CHARDONNAY 2023, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

01 Tuesday Jul 2025

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

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

My new Ontario best Chard at under $30. Beautifully made, elegant, creamy with vibrant tropical fruits & some spice. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, peach, pear, green & golden apples, mango, ginger, oak spice & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “The grapes for our Chardonnay 2023 come from select vineyards in the Niagara Peninsula appellation. They were harvested in late September and early October and fermented and aged in French oak and acacia barrels of a variety of sizes (228L, 400L, and 500L). There were 100% malolactic fermentations. After rigorous tasting, winemaker Jean-Pierre Colas decided on the final blend and bottled the wine in January 2025, following light fining and filtration.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Fogo Island cod, soy ginger glaze, charred shitake mushrooms & green garlic.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: June 29, 2025

WESTCOTT VINEYARDS PINOT NOIR ROSÉ 2024, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

18 Wednesday Jun 2025

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

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Cost: $26.00
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Westcott Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Full body rosé that has vibrant flavours. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Burnt cooper in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Watermelon, strawberry, rhubarb, Rainer cherries,

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “100% Pinot Noir grown & picked specifically for rosé. Macerated for only a few hours, one week on lees, fermented cold with select yeast”.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2 – 4 years on its own or pair it with Greek Pork Kabobs

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Tasted: June 17, 2025

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

04 Wednesday Jun 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: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Kacaba Winery
Alcohol: 13.3% Alcohol/Vol.

High price but it’s worth the complexity, structure & taste of this wine Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Medium bright ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, powdery tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, plum, mulberry, blackberry, cocoa, tobacco leaves, white pepper, star anise, tarragon & fresh cut violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Grapes were harvested using a combination of hand & machine harvesting. Grapes undergone a long cold soak before a gentle & cool fermentation to extract colour & tannin, and to achieve optimal colour & aroma. Fruit was transferred to open top fermenters & inoculated with select strains of yeast. The wine was left on the skins post fermentation to add to the complexity & texture of the wine. After the wine was pressed from its skins, it was transferred to French & American oak barrels for 18 months of aging.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 7 – 9 years on its own or pair it with Mechoui

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: June 3, 2025

SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE CABERNET FRANC ROSÉ 2023, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

23 Friday May 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, On The Fence, Rosés, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Southbrook Winery
Alcohol: 12.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Unique rosé with more of a funky/herbaceous note to it. Score: 85/100.

Tasting Note: Red snapper in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Orange peel, tart cherries, red cranberries, oregano & thyme.

Negatives: A little to funky/herbaceous for me.

Winemaker’s Point: “Grapes were hand-harvested & loaded directly into the press. Juice settling was followed by suspending lees to build texture in the wine followed by racking. This technique of stabulation was perfected in Provence, France. Fermented using naturally occurring sugar to balance acidity & alcohol. Wine was aged on lees for eight months prior to bottling.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2 – 4 years on its own or pair it with BBQ ribs.

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: May 22, 2025

SOUTHBROOK WHIMSY LIMITED EDITION UNOAKED CHARDONNAY 2023, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

16 Friday May 2025

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

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Cost: $30.00
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Southbrook Organic Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Creamy, but not oak driven Chard that delivers an easy-going drinking wine. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Bright old gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, lemon tarts, Golden Delicious apples, white peach, sour dough

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Vegan friendly

Winemaker’s Point: “Harvested from a unique Chardonnay clonal planting in the Lincoln Lakeshore sub-appellation. Grapes were gently pressed using a long & slow press cycle. Settled juice was transferred stainless steel barrels & aged for 10 months on lees before bottling.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with Garlic Herb Baked Cod.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: May 15, 2025