Category Archives: On The Fence

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

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

SANDBANKS RESERVE BACO NOIR, NV, VQA Ontario, Canada

26 Tuesday Nov 2024

Posted by in Canadian Wines, On The Fence, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale price until Dec 1/24: $16.95)
Grape: Baco Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Sandbanks Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

If you like commercial style Cali reds, but without the high alcohol or aggressively sweet wine, this wine is for you, especially at the sales price. Score: 83/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, intense nose, silky tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry pie, plum, blackberry, black & white peppers & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Winery sale price is $2 off regular vs $3 at LCBO

Winemaker’s Note:

Pairings: Drink this now or a couple years on its own or pair it with BBQ back ribs.

My Opinion: On-the-Fence (not recommended at regular price, but at sales price it’s okay).

Tasted: Nov 25, 2024

LCBO: 225920

CLAY SHANNON EL COYOTE CHARDONNAY 2021, Lake County, California, United States of America

05 Saturday Oct 2024

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

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Cost: $25.99 (Clearance price: $14.99)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Giant Grocery, Virginia
Country: United States of America
Region: Lake County, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Shannon Family of Wines
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Full body, but not overtly high alcohol Cali Chard that tastes a lot better at the clearance price. Score: 85/100.

Tasting Note: Bright old gold in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, peach, pear, cantaloupe, marzipan, kumquat, golden apples, nutmeg, oak spice & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2 – 3years on its own or pair it with Yang Nyum Chicken.

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: October 3, 2024

SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE ORGANIC SPARKLING WINE, NV, VQA, Ontario, Canada

25 Tuesday Jun 2024

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

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Cost: $30.00
Grape: Vidal
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Southbrook Vineyards
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple, light style Charmat sparkling wine that would be versatile in making cocktail drinks. Score: 86/100.

Tasting Note: Light straw in colour with good acidity, fine mousse, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon/lime, pear, green apples & radicchio.

Negatives: Overpriced

Interesting Note: Vegan & Certified Organic

Winemaker’s Note: “Estate grown biodynamic Vidal was picked and quickly pressed to produce a base wine for second-ever Charmat bubbly. Using a special Champagne press cycle where only 50% of the yield is taken to ensure the brightest acidity, the resulting juice was fermented with cooler temperatures to maintain the tropical fruit character of Vidal. Base wine underwent secondary fermentation in tank with 6g RS leftover to create balance in the wine.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with truffle oil French fries

My Opinion: On the fence

Tasted: June 23, 2024

MON FRÈRE CHARDONNAY 2018, California, United States of America

03 Friday Mar 2023

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

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Cost: $18.99 KY
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Mon Frère Winery
Alcohol: 14.1% Alcohol/Vol.

I’m not a fan of over ripe bananas so getting past that, this wine isn’t that bad. Score: 86/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with average acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon custard, fried pineapple, orange, ripped banana, melted buttered popcorn & ripped banana on the nose.

Negatives: Over ripped bananas on the nose and taste.

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2-3 years, on its own or pair it with Jerk Chicken

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: March 2, 2023

FROG’S LEAP CHARDONNAY “SHALE AND STONE” 2018, Napa Valley, California, United States of America

25 Sunday Dec 2022

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

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Cost: $31.99 KY
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: United States of America
Region: Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Frog’s Leap
Alcohol: 13.2% Alcohol/Vol.

Somewhat over ripped. Score: 86/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Orange pith, grapefruit, marzipan, golden apples, white cherry & shale.

Negatives: Too over ripped for me.

Interesting Point:

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

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted December 24, 2022

RICASOLI ALBIA ROSÉ 2021, IGT Toscana, Italy

02 Wednesday Nov 2022

Posted by in On The Fence, Rosés

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Cost: $18.95 (Clearance Price: 13.30)
Grape: Sangiovese, Merlot
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Toscana
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Ricasoli
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A sour style rosé but with lots of citric flavours. Score: 86/100.

Tasting Note: Pale salmon in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Grapefruit, passion fruit, dragon fruit, green pear, lime & clay.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with salt n pepper chicken wings.

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: November 1, 2022

LCBO: 556266

BORNE OF FIRE, THE BURN CHARDONNAY 2019, Columbia Valley, Washington State, United States of America

30 Sunday Oct 2022

Posted by in On The Fence, White Wines

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington State
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Born of Fire
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Overpriced for a simple, linear style Chard. Score: 87/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with average acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Light lemon, pear, golden apples, cantaloupe & baking powder.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 4 years on its own or pair it with chicken alfredo.

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: October 29, 2022

LCBO: 26511

CAVE SPRING DRY ROSÉ 2020, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

04 Saturday Jun 2022

Posted by in Canadian Wines, On The Fence, Rosés

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cave Spring Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple wine with lots of sour notes. Score: 86/100

Tasting Note: Light salmon in colour with high acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. This wine features: Grapefruit, passionfruit, cranberries, mandarin, white pepper & cardamon seed.

Negatives: Too sour for my taste

Pairings: Drink this in the next couple of years on its own, but goes better when you pair it with food such as Strawberry Gazpacho.

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: June 3, 2022

LCBO: 295006