Category Archives: On The Fence

D’ARENBERG THE HERMIT CRAB VIOGNIER MARSANNE 2017, McLaren Vale, Australia

16 Thursday Jan 2020

Posted by in On The Fence, White Wines

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Viognier, Marsanne
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: McLaren Vale
Format: 750 mL
Producer: D’Arenberg Winery
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A wine that is better with food

Positives: Bright gold in colour featuring apricot, grapefruit, orange pith, ginger and peach pit.

Negatives: Lots of bitter notes

Ageability: Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with pizza with tomatoes and pepperoni.

My Opinion: On the Fence

Tasted: January 16, 2020

LCBO: 662775

CHÂTEAU VAL JOANIS CUVÉE JOANIS 2018, AOC Luberon, Provence, France

12 Thursday Sep 2019

Posted by in On The Fence, Rosés

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Cost: $25.95 (Clearance Price: $20.80)
Grape: Syrah, Grenache & Vermentino
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Luberon, Provence
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château Val Joanis
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Bone dry rosé that is more apt for food than drinking own its own

Positives: Light salmon in colour, wine features grapefruit, white cranberry, gooseberry and wet stone on the finish.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Love the shape of the bottle and label.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple of years on its own or pair it with grilled pork chops.

My Opinion: On the Fence

Tasted: September 12, 2019

LCBO: 556233

PONDVIEW BELLA TERRA PINOT NOIR 2014, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara, Ontario, Canada

01 Sunday Sep 2019

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

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Cost: $50.20
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Niagara, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pondview Estate Winery
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Lot of tart on the taste, which mostly goes away when it opens up. Nice Pinot but the price is to too high for what you’re getting

Positives: Pale garnet in colour featuring cranberry, pomegranate, cherry and light tobacco on the nose.

Negatives: Too expensive

Interesting Point: Let it open out or else it will be too tart, and lightly chill it.

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

My Opinion: On the fence

Tasted: September 1, 2019

GEYSER PEAK WALKING TREE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2015, Alexander Valle, Sonoma County, California, United States of America

02 Friday Aug 2019

Posted by in On The Fence, Red Wines

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Alexander Valle, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Geyser Peak Winery
Alcohol: 14.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Disappointing showing of a wine I use to love

Positives: This wine features plum, dark cherry, blackberry, black figs, mocha, turmeric, leather and vanilla.

Negatives: Lots of heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Point: Vintages 2008 & 2007 that I wrote reviews in 2013 & 2012 respectively, the price was $19.95 and the alcohol was great at 13.5%. Taste was just wonderful, unfortunately it seems Geyser Peak has decided to join the rest of the California clan to make sure their wines, red & white are 14.5% alcohol or higher, and raised their prices by $10. So sad.

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

My Opinion: On the Fence

Tasted: August 2, 2019

LCBO: 161323

ANGUS THE BULL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2016, Central Victoria, Australia

16 Tuesday Jul 2019

Posted by in On The Fence, Red Wines

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Australia
Region: Central Victoria
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Aberdeen Wine Company
Alcohol: 14.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

Juicy with full flavour & slightly on the sweeter style, but not California sweet

Positives: Dark cherry, plum, raspberry, tamarind, dark chocolate,

Negatives: Some heat from the 14% alcohol

Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple of years on its own or pair it with a tomahawk steak.

My Opinion: On the fence

Tasted: July 16, 2019

LCBO: 602615

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