Category Archives: Non LCBO Wine

Alamos Extra Brut NV, Mendoza, Argentina

14 Saturday Jan 2012

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

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Cost: $18.99
Grape Variety: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Appellation: Cayman Islands
Country: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Bodega Catena Zapata
Alcohol: 12.5%

Description: Medium straw colour with medium mousse and medium intensity on the nose.

Positives: Very easy drinking wine featuring lemon pie, custard, apples, jasmine and ginger. Medium body with good acidity and medium length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Things: Charmat (tank) method

Drink now on its own or pair it with shrimp ceviche.

Tasted: 12 Jan 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Doña Paula Malbec Selección de Bodega 2010, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo, Argentina

14 Saturday Jan 2012

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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Cost: $32-$46
Grape Variety: Malbec
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: Cayman Islands
Country: Argentina
Region: Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Doňa Paula
Alcohol: 14%

Description: Opaque ruby in colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Full flavoured wine showing cedar, vanilla, kirsch, red and black pepper, nutmeg, liquorice, dark chocolate, blackberries, mulberries and raspberries. Full body with good acidity, medium+ tannins, alcohol well integrated and a long length.

Negatives: Not available in Ontario.

Interesting Things: Decant first for an hour to soften the tannins. Drink now or over the next 5 years.

Drink on its own or pair it with porterhouse steak.

Tasted: 11 Jan 12

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10, Total:  18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5 

CLOSSON CHASE PINOT NOIR ROSÉ, 2010, Canada

02 Saturday Jul 2011

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Rosés

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Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Rosé Wine
Appellation: Closson Chase Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Prince Edward County
Format: 750 mL
Producer:  Closson Chase
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Description: Salmon in colour with medium+ nose intensity. The nose shows Provence characteristics of strawberry, rhubarb, minerality and cherry. The taste is dry, medium+ acidity, light tannins, medium length, light+ body and balanced. The taste is like the nose. As this is unfiltered, and personally I don’t recall drinking an unfiltered Rosé, you will find sediment at the end of the bottle so decant first. This wine went perfect with French cut pork chops stuffed with Mozzarella and sundried tomatoes on a BBQ. Truly yummy. Unfortunately, this wine is sold at the winery only.

Tasted: 30 June 2011

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5/10, Total: 17.5 /20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine 4