Category Archives: Not Recommended

HAUTE COUTURE FRENCH BUBBLES BLANC NV, Méthode Traditionnelle , France

10 Sunday Feb 2019

Posted by in Not Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $24.95 (Clearance price: $20.00)
Grape: unknown
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: France
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Haute Couture Bubbles
Alcohol: 11% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple wine made for those that like sweetness in their sparkling wine and none of the yeastiness

Positives: Gold in colour with average mousse that features peach, pear and golden apples

Negatives: Not worth the price

Interesting Point: More like a Prosecco rather than a sparkling wine made in the traditional method.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple of years

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: February 10, 2019

LCBO: 617258

MANCURA GRAN RESERVA

26 Saturday Jan 2019

Posted by in Not Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $17.95 (Clearance price: $14.40)
Grape: Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Chile
Region: Casablanca Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Mancura Winery
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

It’s like biting into a twig, very bitter

Positives: None

Negatives: Bitter

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: January 26, 2019

LCBO: 515767

MEIOMI CHARDONNAY 2016, Sonoma-Monterey-Santa Barbara Counties, California, United States of America

05 Saturday Jan 2019

Posted by in Not Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: 34% Sonoma County, 33% Monterey County, 32% Santa Barbara
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Meiomi Wines
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Sour Ritz crackers

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: January 4, 2019

VIENI BRUCE TRAIL SPARKLING ROSÉ NV, VQA, Ontario, Canada

22 Saturday Dec 2018

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Not Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: 52% Pinot Noir, 28% Pinot Meunier, 20% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple sparkler

Description: Pink snapper in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and medium mousse. This wine features yeast, cherry, strawberry and red apple. Medium+ body with average acidity and length.

Negatives: The nose may detract some people.

Interesting Note: Uses classing Champagne grapes, and a dollar goes to the Bruce Trails conservancy

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Spinach and Smoked Salmon Salad with Lemon Dill Dressing.

Tasted: 21 July 2017

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

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

PELLER ESTATES PRIVATE RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2015, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

20 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Not Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Peller Estates Winery
Alcohol: 13.1% Alcohol/Vol.

A touch on the funky side

Description: Gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium oak, lemon, green & yellow apples, pear, ginger and white mushrooms on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2-4 of years on its own or pair it with

Tasted: 14 October 2017

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

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 383109

MIOLO CHARDONNAY 2015, Campanha, Brazil

20 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by in Not Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Brazil
Region: Campanha
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Miolo
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Now for something completely different, as in Brazil: Cool climate style Chard that is light & fresh, but doesn’t wow. Nice nose though.

Description: Light gold with a green ting in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features lemon, apple, ripe pear, white pepper and brine. Medium body with good acidity, and a good long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Use the smaller cool climate style Chardonnay glassware.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years

Tasted: 24 October 2017

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

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 356581

BELLA TERRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

18 Tuesday Dec 2018

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Not Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $39.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pondview Winery
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

One dimensional Cab that’s over priced

Positives: Black currants, blackberries, cigar box, cloves, turmeric and leather

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: December 18, 2018

LA MASCOTA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2016, Mendoza, Argentina

04 Tuesday Dec 2018

Posted by in Not Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $14.95 (On sale until April 1, 2018: $12.95)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Mascota Vineyards
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Move on, nothing to see here

Positives: Sale price

Negatives: This isn’t good, but not for the usual over sweet red wines found in this price range. The wine was very astringent.

Ageability: Drink now.

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: March 4, 2018

LCBO: 292110

CORTE MEDICEA ATOS 2015, IGT, Tuscany, Italy

23 Friday Nov 2018

Posted by in Not Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $28.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bollina
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

I don’t know if I should like this or not as if I’m looking for a Merlot, this is atypical. However, if I’m searching for a Primitivo, this fits the taste profile.

Positives: Full body, oak driven featuring raisins, plum, dried prunes, figs, cherry, mocha, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and Christmas cake.

Negatives: Some heat from the listed 14% alcohol

Interesting Point: The bottle label has this as 14% alcohol, however LCBO web site puts it at 15%. I would lean more towards the 15%.

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

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: November 23, 2018

LCBO: 475996