Category Archives: On The Fence

SAN PEDRO 1865 SELECT VINEYARDS CARMENÈRE 2016, DO Valley Del Maule, Chile

24 Friday May 2019

Posted by in On The Fence, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Carmenère
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Chile
Region: Valley Del Maule
Format: 750 mL
Producer: San Pedro
Alcohol: 14.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Juicy, bright, green & spicy

Positives: Wine features blackcurrants, blueberries, raspberries, green pepper, arugula & black tea.

Negatives: High alcohol of 14.5

Interesting Point: Not my cup of tea, but others may like it.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with beef brisket.

My Opinion: One the fence

Tasted: May 24, 2019

RAVENTOS i BLANC ROSÉ BRUT 2014, Conca Del Riu Anoia, Spain

12 Saturday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $37.50 US
Grape: Xarel-lo, Macabeu, Parellada, Monastrell
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: The Tasting Room & Wine Cellar
Country: Spain
Region: Conca Del Riu Anoia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Raventós i Blanc
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A very dry rosé Cava that is on the higher price range

Positives: Wine has a light salmon colour with a fine mousse and features raspberry, kiwi, white peach, pear, tangerine and rose petals on the nose.

Negatives: Price

Interesting Point: Winegrowers since 1497

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with spicy cheese omelette.

My Opinion: On the Fence

Tasted: January 12, 2019

SKYFALL MERLOT 2015, Columbia Valley, Washington State, United States

11 Friday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $24.97 US
Grape: 88% Merlot, 7% Syrah, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Tortuga Fine Wine & Spirits
Country: United States of America
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington State
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Skyfall Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Verging on the sweeter commercial side

Positives: This wine features kirsch, plum, blueberry, vanilla and cocoa powder with light tannins.

Negatives: Slight sweet

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 2-5 of years on its own or pair it with dark chocolate

My Opinion: On the Fence

Tasted: January 11, 2019

MUD HOUSE PINOT NOIR 2015, Central Otago, New Zealand

10 Thursday Jan 2019

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

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14671

Cost: $27.49
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Tortuga Fine Wines & Spirits, Cayman Islands
Country: New Zealand
Region: Central Otago
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Mud House Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Beautiful nose, as expected from a Central Otago Pinot, but falls short on the taste, so sad!

Positives: Wine features cherry cola, cranberry, black olives, dark chocolate, cedar and vanilla

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Chill to 15C

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with

My Opinion: On the Fence

Tasted: January 9, 2019

VIENI RIESLING 2016, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Ontario, Canada

05 Saturday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Riesling
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A dry Riesling full of citric flavours that craves for food

Description: Medium straw to yellow with a green ting in colour with a medium intense nose and some frizzante on the pour. This wine features lemon rind, grapefruit, green apples, passion fruit and limestone. Medium body with 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 Sweet and Sour Passionfruit & Pineapple Chicken.

Tasted: 3 Aug 2017

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

My Opinion: On the Fence

VIENI PRIVATE RESERVE MERLOT 2012, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Ontario, Canada

03 Thursday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Light & juicy merlot but overpriced

Description: Light to medium in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features light oak, cherry, blueberry, raspberry, tamarind and arugula. Medium body with medium+ tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Beef tips in lemongrass and tamarind sauce.

Tasted: 29 July 2017

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8/10 Total: 16.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

My Opinion: On the Fence

VIENI CHARDONNAY 2012, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Ontario, Canada

02 Wednesday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Chablis in style

Description: Gold in colour with a light intense nose. This wine features light oak, lemon, passion fruit, Golden apple, yellow plum, orange rind and limestone. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Seafood Risotto.

Tasted: 28 July 2017

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

My Opinion: On the Fence

VIENI GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2016, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Ontario, Canada

02 Wednesday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Gewürztraminer
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple, lighter style & not as sweet as your typical GW

Description: Straw in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features light lychee, banana and fermented clementine. Medium body with good acidity, a long length.

Negatives: The fermented clementine creates a bit of a distraction from truly enjoying this wine.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Mango Chutney Chicken.

Tasted: 27 July 2017

My Opinion: On the Fence

Score: 8/10, Value: 8/10 Total: 16/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

 

MONASTERIO De Las VIÑAS RESERVA 2012, DOP Cariñena, Spain

21 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by in On The Fence, Red Wines

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Garnacha, Tempranillo, Cariñena
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Cariñena
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Monasterio de las Viñas
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple, easy drinking wine

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features oak, black cherry, plum, pepper, raspberry, vanilla and violets on the nose. Medium+ body with light average acidity and a good length.

Negatives: A touch of heat from the 13.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: Found it tasted better in the Tempranillo style glassware vs other styles.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Parmesan and Herb Crusted Beef Tenderloin.

Tasted: 20 July 2017

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

My Opinion: On The Fence

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 166579

FEATHERSTONE ROSÉ 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

21 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by in Canadian Wines, On The Fence, Rosés

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Unknown
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Featherstone Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Tasteful but a little on the flabby side

Description: Pomegranate in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cherry, rhubarb, strawberry and roses on the nose. Medium+ body with fair acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next couple of years

Tasted: 6 October 2017

My Opinion: On the Fence

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 117861