Category Archives: Not Recommended

WESTCOTT PINOT NOIR ESTATE 2015, VQA

07 Sunday Apr 2019

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

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Cost: $30.00
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario
Region: Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Westcott Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.9% Alcohol/Vol.

A sweeter style Pinot, but without the high alcohol

Positives: Garnet in colour featuring cherry cola, blackberry, tarragon, vanilla, caramel and violets on the nose.

Negatives: A little too sweet for my taste

Ageability: Drink now or over couple of years on its own or pair it with Peking duck.

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: March 30, 2019

WESTCOTT ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2015, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

30 Saturday Mar 2019

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

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Cost: $30.00
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Westcott Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.9% Alcohol/Vol.

A sweeter style Pinot, but without the high alcohol

Positives: Garnet in colour featuring cherry cola, blackberry, tarragon, vanilla, caramel and violets on the nose.

Negatives: A little too sweet for my taste

Ageability: Drink now or over couple of years on its own or pair it with Peking duck.

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: March 30, 2019

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