Category Archives: Non LCBO Wine

ALVENTO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

27 Tuesday Nov 2018

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

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Cost: $35.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Alvento Winery
Alcohol: 13.7% Alcohol/Vol.

Quality & Complexity coming to a Canadian Cab Sauv near you. Oh wait it’s here in this wine!

Positives: A juicy Cab featuring blackberry, blackcurrants, dark cherry, plums, blueberry, cassis, cloves, pencil shavings, turmeric, leather and vanilla. A wonderful pairing with rib-eye steak.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Thanks to the sales manager, Anita Cavén for introducing me to this wine.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 7-10 of years.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: November 17, 2018

 

13th STREET WINERY PREMIER CUVÉE BRUT NATURE 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

25 Sunday Nov 2018

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

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: 50% Pinot Noir, 50% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An impressive and delicious Champagne style sparkling at half the price.

Positives: Full body, bone dry with lively acidity, a fine mousse and a long finish. Featuring brioche, green and yellow apples, Anjou pear, toasted pineapple, lemon-lime, limestone and gently oxidative. Pair this with shucked oysters.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: No dosage, 2nd fermentation in the bottle and aged sur lattes (en tirage) for a minimum 48 months.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: November 25, 2018

SOUTHBROOK WILD FERMENT CHARDONNAY 2016, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

01 Thursday Nov 2018

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

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Cost: $40.00
Grape: Chardonnay with some Semillon
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Southbrook
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

On the expensive side, but it’s a quality Chard that comes from Southbrook, which is an organic & biodynamic winery. I highly support their effort to live in harmony with the land, and therefore willing to pay more for that.

Positives: Medium body featuring lemon, green apples, Anjou pear, white peach, and limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Southbrook is Canada’s first biodynamic winery in Canada, and I highly recommend visiting the winery.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: November 1, 2018

KACABA TERRACED VINEYARD 2013, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

21 Thursday Sep 2017

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

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120_2013_terraced-vineyard-syrah_syrah_du_monde

Cost: $30.15
Grape: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Kacaba Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Winery
Alcohol: 12.6% Alcohol/Vol.

Juicy, complex & delicious

Description: Medium to dark ruby to in colour with an intense nose. This wine features pine, sandalwood, kumquats, raspberry, blackberry, sour cherry, mulberry, white pepper, cloves, dried sage, forest floor & smoky dried peat moss on the nose. Medium+ body and tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting point: Kacaba’s Syrah elevates Canada’s red wine reputation.

Drink now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Lamb Chops with Cherry Balsamic Reduction.

Tasted: 9 January 2017

Score: 9/10, Value: /10 Total: /20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

KACABA PROPRIETORS BLOCK SYRAH 2013, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

21 Thursday Sep 2017

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

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Cost: $30.35
Grape: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

For those that think Ontario can’t make good red wines, try this one

Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, raspberry, cherry, tamarind, grilled red pepper, white pepper and red roses on the nose. Medium body with mild tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Such a beautiful nose.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Braised Lamb Chops with Red Wine and Figs.

Tasted: 15 Aug 2017

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

COLUMBIA CREST WALTER CLORE PRIVATE RESERVE 2007, Columbia Valley, Washington, United States

12 Saturday Aug 2017

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

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Cost: $49.99 Cayman Islands
Grape: 65.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32.1% Merlot, 2.7% Cab Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: Blackbeard’s Grand Cayman
Country: United States
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Columbia Crest
Alcohol: 14.4% Alcohol/Vol.

High end Columbia Valley Bordeaux style wine that doesn’t disappoint

Description: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features toasted oak, boysenberry, blackberry, cherry, prunes, dark chocolate, coconut, vanilla, turmeric, pencil shavings, cloves, anise and Portobello mushrooms on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 – 5 of years on its own or pair it with Braised Lamb with Peppers and Oregano.

Tasted: 2 Aug 2017

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

ROCKWAY VINEYARDS SMALL LOT MERLOT 2013, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

20 Thursday Jul 2017

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

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rockway Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Juicy yet firm, one of the better Ontario Merlot’s for under $25

Description: Medium bronze in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features oak, black cherry, blackcurrants, plum, blueberry, anise, cassis, tobacco leaves, green peppers, rosemary and violets on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 7 of years on its own or pair it with Mediterranean Lamb Burgers.

Tasted: 4 July 2017

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

ROCKWAY VINEYARDS ROSÉ 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

18 Tuesday Jul 2017

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Rosés

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: 86% Pinot Noir, 14% Riesling
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rockway Vineyards
Alcohol: 11.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Pleasant dry versatile rosé

Description: Pink in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features strawberry, cranberry, rhubarb, Rainier Cherry and Bay Leaves on the nose. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Note: Good price point would be $14.95

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Torched Sashimi of Wahoo and Tuna marinated in Soy, Sesame and Ginger.

Tasted: 30 June 2017

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8+/10 Total: 17/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

VIENI CLASSIC BRUT 2013, VQA Ontario, Canada

03 Monday Jul 2017

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

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Cost: $22.95 (On sale: $19.95)
Grape: 60% Chardonnay, 24% Pinot Noir, 16% Pinot Meunier
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Crisp & dry with complexity

Description: Straw with bronze tinge in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and a fine mousse. This wine features yeast, lemon, green apples, pear, Honeydew Melon, Brazilian nuts, ginger, rose petals on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Champagne grapes but made in Charmat method.

Thanks to Suzie who was a gracious host to me at the winery.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Pistachio-Crusted Scallops served with Linguine and olive oil garlic sauce.

Tasted: 2 July 2017

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale price: 9+/10) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

CANADA 150 EXTRA DRY RED SPARKLING WINE CHARMAT METHOD, NV, VQA Ontario, Canada

03 Monday Jul 2017

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: 44% Pinot Noir, 30% Baco Noir, 26% Pinot Meunier
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple but full flavoured, delicious sparkler that is a hidden Canadian treasure

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features black cherry, strawberry, raspberry and purple lilacs on the nose. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to Suzie who was a gracious host to me at the winery.

Drink now or in the next 3-4 of years on its own or pair it with Braised Rabbit served with a Sage, Rosemary and Black Cherry reduction.

Tasted: 1 July 2017 (Happy 150th Canada: congrats to my cousin-in-law, Kerry for becoming a Canadian citizen today!)

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4